KH KOMPONG CHAM

Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tunisia protests: Cyber war mirrors unrest on streets [-Dictators, you'll never rule us ONLINE!]
14 January 2011
By Aidan Lewis
BBC News
A crescendo of protest has shattered Tunisia's calm over the past few weeks, with crowds spilling onto the streets in a way previously unimaginable.

Unions and traditional political groups have played some role. But it is on the internet that a new generation of activists has been credited with driving the movement forward.

This has happened despite increasingly strict controls by a government that, even before the demonstrations, was regarded as unusually zealous in its online censorship.

A steady flow of protest videos, tweets, and political manifestos has continued to make its way onto the web in a variety of languages: Arabic, the Darija Tunisian dialect, French and English.


Some encouragement has come from abroad, including France and other Arab countries. But much has been generated from within Tunisia.

"Our part as tweeple/bloggers or simple social media users is to pass the info, share it and spread the word: when, where it's happening," one Tunisia-based woman who requested anonymity told the BBC by e-mail.

"Then, once the demonstrations take place, we report live on twitter & FB [Facebook] and if some have pictures or videos, we share!"

One reason the internet has played a central role is that Tunisia has long led North Africa and the Arab world in levels of internet access.

More than 34% of Tunisia's 10 million people are online. Nearly two million people, or more than 18% of the population, use Facebook - a far higher proportion than in neighbouring countries.

But the Tunisian authorities have also built up a formidable firewall, the censor gaining the nickname of Amaar404 - a reference to the 404 message seen when a page cannot be accessed.

Press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders ranks Tunisia 164th out of 178 countries in its press freedom index. The group lists Tunisia as one of its 15 enemies of the internet, saying it has set up a "very effective system of censoring" the web.

Operation Tunisia

A sort of warm-up to the recent cyber war came with the release by Wikileaks of a number of US diplomatic cables on Tunisia in late November and early December.

Social media have been used to help get people out on the streets A Lebanese news website that published the cables, Al-Akhbar, was blocked in Tunisia, and attacked by hackers.

When the demonstrations started on 17 December, they were given little coverage in the domestic media, and were widely reported outside Tunisia as a protest over unemployment.

But the overtly political campaign on the internet escalated with Operation Tunisia, in which activists targeted government sites with Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

This resulted in reports of widespread attacks against bloggers by the Tunisian government.

Internet users within Tunisia say these included capturing their passwords and blocking or taking control of blogs and other web pages.

Stories about the protests on international news websites such as the BBC or Al-Jazeera have also been blocked, they say.

As many as five bloggers were arrested, along with a rapper, Hamada Ben Aoun, who sang the song President, Your People Are Dead - an internet video hit. Three of the bloggers and the rapper have been released.

The US government, which has expressed its deep concern at the use of "excessive force" by Tunisian authorities during the protests, also said it was worried about reports of government-directed attacks on Tunisian users of American companies such as Facebook, Yahoo and Google.

While Facebook access has been restricted within Tunisia, the authorities have not tried to pull the site completely, and it remains the primary vehicle for posting information about the protests.

This appears to be out of fear of the possible reaction from the rapidly growing number of Tunisians who rely on it.

'Hide and seek'

Bloggers have been able to instruct others how to get round controls, by using proxies or other devices. They have also offered guidance on how to avoid putting themselves, or others, in danger.

"It's like a game of hide and seek," says one blogger who goes by the name of Foetus.

He is one of two people who founded Tunisia's opposition Takriz cyber group in 1998, and now operates out of another North African country, which he declined to name for fear that he could be identified and his family targeted.
"The level of internet activity within Tunisia is still very strong” - Lucie Morillon, Reporters without Borders
A recent instruction on one of the most popular internet forums, Nawaat, read: "We remind all users of Facebook, especially if they are connecting from Tunisia: DO NOT CONNECT from an unsecure page."

Farooq Ferchichi, a 24-year-old software engineer, said he thought the authorities had become overwhelmed by the protests, and had simply become unable to censor everything.

"We did a page called: 'Mr President, the Tunisian peoples' souls are burning,' he said by e-mail.

"It was in the beginning of the events, it was censored. People did a second page : 'Mr President, the Tunisian peoples' souls are burning 2'. After some hours many thousands joined, and it was censored. Activists did the same five times, until the government gave up."

Some videos and posts are being uploaded outside Tunisia, but according to Lucie Morillon, head of new media at Reporters Without Borders, "the level of internet activity within Tunisia is still very strong".

She thinks the impact of social media use may be greater than during protests in Iran in 2009, where the significance of what was dubbed the "Twitter revolution" was later questioned.

There has also been a growing amount of disinformation posted - partly by opposition bloggers, but also, they suspect, by government operatives trying to discredit the protesters.

On Thursday a fake statement was posted announcing the foreign minister's resignation, a hoax that Foetus claimed was his doing.

Amid the online postings, anger and resentment against President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and the perceived corruption of his regime has been clear on the web.

The government initially blamed the protests on a small fringe of extremists, though Mr Ben Ali appeared to change tack on Thursday, announcing he would stand down in 2014, expressing deep regret over the deaths of civilians, and promising media freedoms.

But many on the internet appeared sceptical, urging people to follow the line posted in one appeal on Nawaat: "All the slogans will have to reflect one demand only: Ben Ali to step down and be put on trial," it said.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
DISSENT !
By Khmer Democrat, Phnom Penh
Power to the People - DISSENT!

Here's a cautionary tale for the Cambodian dictator and his sycophantic hangers-on and powers-that-be. Here's a great encouragement for the Cambodian people. Excerpt from article:
Prime Minister Claims Power in Tunisia as President Flees
International Herald Tribune
January 14, 2011
The apparent fall of Mr. Ben Ali would mark the first time that widespread demonstrations had overthrown an Arab leader.
The prime minister’s announcement followed an extraordinary and fast-moving back-and-forth between the government and the protesters, who became increasingly emboldened over the last month of demonstrations. After the president tried to placate the protesters Thursday with promises of more freedom, including a right to demonstrate, tens of thousands rushed into the streets of downtown Tunis Friday to take advantage of his pledge by calling for his ouster [...]
The anti-government protests began a month ago when a college- educated street vendor burned himself to death in protest of his dismal prospects amid Tunisia’s poverty.
But the mounting protests quickly evolved from demands for more jobs to demands for political reforms, focusing mainly on the perceived corruption of the government and the self-enrichment of the ruling family. The protests were accelerated by the heavy use of social-media web sites like Facebook and Twitter by Tunisia’s large cohort of educated young people, who used the Internet to call for demonstrations and to circulate videos of each successive clash.
Some demonstrators also cited the evidence of cables from the United States Embassy in Tunisia that were released by the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks providing vividly detailed accounts of the first family’s self-enrichment and opulent lifestyle.
Before the president announced legislative elections, the crowd that gathered in the streets Friday morning on Avenue Bourguiba was celebrating its confidence that change was at hand. “Victory, victory, until the government falls,” protesters chanted.
“Bouazizi you are a hero,” they shouted, referring to the vendor who died. “The people of Tunisia have won.”
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Substitute "Ben Ali" by "Hun Xen" in the following profile and see the similarities

Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali took over in a bloodless coup in 1987 - Hun Xen took over from Ranariddh in a bloody coup in 1997

Profile: Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali

14 January 2011
BBC News
Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali led Tunisia for 23 years before stepping down amid an unprecedented wave of street protests.

Mr Ben Ali was credited with delivering stability and a measure of economic prosperity, but he was widely criticised for suppressing political freedoms.

Mr Ben Ali was born to a modest family near the city of Sousse in 1936.

He completed his education in France and the US before rising up the hierarchy in the Tunisian security establishment and serving as ambassador to Poland in the early 1980s.


He became prime minister in 1987, shortly before ousting Tunisia's first post-independence ruler, Habib Bourguiba, in a bloodless palace coup. President Bourguiba was declared mentally unfit to rule.

Mr Ben Ali promised a gradual transition towards democracy, though in his first two presidential polls - in 1989 and 1994 - he was elected unopposed.

But even after multi-party presidential elections were introduced in 1999 they were still one-sided affairs, with Mr Ben Ali winning huge majorities.

The constitution was changed twice so he could continue to serve.

He won his final five-year term in 2009, with his share of the vote dropping just below 90%.

Giant posters

Under Mr Ben Ali's rule, Tunisia saw steady economic growth.

It was praised for a progressive stance on women's rights and for economic reforms. Tunisia's beaches became a top destination for European tourists.

But unemployment among a swelling population of young people remained high, and large sections of the Tunisian interior remained poor.


Mr Ben Ali was forced out after a wave of demonstrations In the style of many Arab rulers, Mr Ben Ali's face became a constant presence in Tunisia, with giant posters of the president visible in public spaces across the country.

Political protest was not tolerated and human rights groups accused Mr Ben Ali's regime of unfairly arresting and mistreating political dissidents.

Under the surface, there was resentment against the perceived corruption surrounding the ruling elite, some of which was detailed in a US diplomatic cable published by Wikileaks at the end of 2010.

Mr Ben Ali was married twice with six children. His second wife, Leila Trabelsi, played a prominent role in Tunisian public life and allegedly help amass huge economic holdings for her extended family.

With no obvious rivals to Mr Ben Ali, there was speculation that he was looking to pass on power to one of his relatives.

In the final days of 2010, a series of protests began in the centre of the country after a young graduate set himself on fire when stopped from selling fruit and vegetables without a licence.

The protests, advertised widely through social media networks, gradually spread.

Mr Ben Ali initially blamed the demonstrations on a fringe of "extremists". But he changed tack on 13 January, expressing deep regrets for the deaths of protesters, pledging to introduce media freedoms, and promising to step down in 2014.

A day later he stepped down, after his offer of concessions failed to quell the unrest and huge crowds that had taken to the streets of Tunis.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali flees Tunisia as interim president takes control


A Tunisian demonstrator holds a placard reading "Game Over" during a rally in front of the country's interior ministry. The president, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, has relinquished power after weeks of protests. Photograph: Fethi Belaid/AFP/Getty Images
Mohammed Ghannouchi, the prime minister, declares temporary rule after president is forced out by protests

Friday 14 January 2011
Angelique Chrisafis in Tunis and
Ian Black, Middle East editor
guardian.co.uk

Tunisia's president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled his country tonight after weeks of mass protests culminated in a victory for people power over one of the Arab world's most repressive regimes.

Ben Ali was variously reported to be in Malta, France and Saudi Arabia at the end of an extraordinary day which had seen the declaration of a state of emergency, the evacuation of tourists of British and other nationalities, and an earthquake for the authoritarian politics of the Middle East and north Africa.

Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi announced to the country he had taken over as interim president, vowing to respect the constitution and restore stability for Tunisia's 10.5m citizens.

"I call on the sons and daughters of Tunisia, of all political and intellectual persuasions, to unite to allow our beloved country to overcome this difficult period and to return to stability," he said.


But there was confusion among protesters about what will happen next, and concern that Ben Ali might return before elections could be held. "We must remain vigilant," warned an email from the Free Tunis group, monitoring developments to circumvent an official news blackout.

Ben Ali, 74, had been in power since 1987. On Thursday he announced he would not stand for another presidential term in 2014, but Tunisia had been radicalised by the weeks of violence and the killings of scores of demonstrators.

Today in the capital police fired teargas to disperse crowds demanding his immediate resignation. The state of emergency and a 12-hour curfew did little to restore calm. Analysts said the army would be crucial.

Tonight on the streets of Tunis, soldiers were guarding ministries, public buildings and the state TV building. All public meetings were banned, and the security forces were authorised to fire live rounds.

The city's main avenues were deserted except for scores of soldiers. Protesters who had earlier been beaten and clubbed by police in the streets still sheltered in apartment buildings. Army vehicles were stationed outside the interior ministry.

Opposition leader Najib Chebbi, one of Ben Ali's most outspoken critics, captured the sense of historic change. "This is a crucial moment. There is a change of regime under way. Now it's the succession," he told France's i-TELE television news. "It must lead to profound reforms, to reform the law and let the people choose."

Al-Jazeera television, broadcasting the story across an Arab world which has been transfixed by the Tunisian drama, reported that a unnamed member of Ben Ali's wife's family had been detained by security forces at the capital's airport. Hatred of the president's close relatives, symbols of corruption and cronyism, has galvanised the opposition in recent weeks. Tunisians were riveted by revelations of US views of the Ben Ali regime in leaked Wikileaks cables last month.

Ben Ali's western friends, adapting to the sudden change, asked for a peaceful end to the crisis. "We condemn the ongoing violence against civilians in Tunisia, and call on the Tunisian authorities to fulfil the important commitments ... including respect for basic human rights and a process of much-needed political reform," said a White House spokesman.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Wherever they are from, all dictators are the SAME!


DICTATORS: Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia (L) and Hun Xen of Cambodia (R)
Similarities between Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Hun Xen:

1. Families and cronies of Ben Ali own the businesses in the country: Similiar to the Hun Clan and Hun Xen's cronies in Cambodia
2. Ben Ali's political party controls all the country's state affairs: Similiar to the CPP in Cambodia
3. Tunisia's Ministry of Interior (and cops) terrorizes dissidents and represses human rights: Similar to Cambodia's CPP-controlled police state and judicial system

TIME TO GO DICTATORS!

Bye! Bye!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Ben Ali, Tunisia's dictator fleeing the country: Learn that lesson Hun Xen while you still have time!


Tunisian PM takes over as interim president of embattled country

January 14, 2011
From Rima Maktabi, CNN


Tunis, Tunisia (CNN) -- Tunisia's prime minister announced Friday that he is the interim president of his country's embattled government, the latest development in a fast-moving story of unrest and public outrage in a tiny but significant corner of the Arab world.

Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi announced on Tunisian state TV that he has taken over the responsibilities of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali -- who has ruled the nation since 1987.

"Based on constitution law No. 56, if the president of the republic cannot fulfill his duties, there will be an interim decision to move his executive powers to the prime minister," he said.

"Considering the fact that at the current time he (Ben Ali) cannot fulfill his duties, I take over today, the powers of the president of the republic.

"And I urge all the sons and daughters of Tunisia, from all political and intellectual backgrounds, of every affiliation, to adhere to the true national spirit. So we can safeguard our nation that is so dear to us, in order to overcome this difficult phase and return security.


"I pledge to respect the constitution and will pay specific attention to and will carry out the political, economic and social reforms that been announced this week. And to consult with all national parties of all political affiliations and all populations for the best of the nation."

The development comes amid media reports that Ben Ali has left the country following outrage over poor living conditions and repression of rights. Protesters who have held daily demonstrations have denounced corruption in the Ben Ali government and urged that he leave office.

Earlier Friday, Ben Ali dissolved the government and declared a state of emergency, state TV reported. He also called for parliamentary elections within six months. The moves came days after the president dumped the interior minister and fired a couple of aides.

Ben Ali was reacting to instability ripping through the North African country. He announced concessions in a nationally televised address Thursday to meet some grievances.

Officials said the reason for the emergency declaration is to protect Tunisians and their private property. People are not allowed on the street from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Early Friday evening, the streets in the capital, Tunis, were quiet. The airport in Tunis is essentially under a lockdown, with the facility closed and ringed by soldiers.

As part of the emergency, people in gatherings of three or more will be arrested or, if they try to run away and can't be stopped, will be fired on.

Earlier Friday, police, wielding batons and firing tear gas, dispersed demonstrators, a show of force that aggravated a peaceful gathering in the capital.

Security forces were seen brutally beating protesters, and the demonstrators fled. Fires were seen in the center of Tunis and downtown, and smoke was coming from a couple of locations.

The incident underscored concerns among Tunisians and in the international community that security forces have been badly overreacting to peaceful gatherings of protesters.

Tunisia is a pro-Western state supportive of U.S. policy in the Middle East and in the battle against terrorism.

It has been a relatively stable and more prosperous country in what diplomats call "a rough neighborhood."

The education level in Tunisia is relatively high for the Arab world, and the country is closely linked to France and French culture.

U.S. State Department officials said Friday the Obama administration is closely monitoring the situation in Tunisia and is urging all parties to work together peacefully to resolve the political unrest.

"We are calling for calm," one official said. "Obviously the people have expressed concerns, and it is the responsibility of the government to work toward responding to the concerns of its people.

"Clearly there are divisions within society that need to be healed. ... We call on parties to come together for political dialogue."

The United States, France, and Britain have issued travel advisories, strongly warning against nonessential visits, and a tourism company announced the evacuation of 2,000 German vacationers.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the organization is closely monitoring the situation in Tunisia and has called for restraint, respect for freedom of expression and dialogue to resolve problems peacefully.

Earlier, thousands congregated in front of the Interior Ministry and chanted slogans such as "Get out!" and "Freedom for Tunisia!"

Haykal Maki, a pro-opposition lawyer who was in the throng, said protesters wanted a "regime change," the resignation of Ben Ali and lawsuits addressing the regime's corruption.

Recent diplomatic cables from the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia obtained by WikiLeaks reveal growing disquiet with the government -- and especially nepotism within the government.

WikiLeaks published a 2009 cable recounting a lavish dinner for the U.S. ambassador given by Ben Ali's son-in-law, Mohamed Sakher El Materi, a prominent businessman.

The ambassador wrote in the cable: "After dinner, he served ice cream and frozen yogurt he brought in by plane from Saint Tropez (a high-end French resort), along with blueberries and raspberries and fresh fruit and chocolate cake."

The wave of demonstrations in Tunisia -- in which people protested high unemployment, alleged corruption, rising prices and limitations on rights -- was sparked by the suicide of an unemployed college graduate, a man who torched himself in December after police confiscated his fruit cart, cutting off his source of income.

Ben Ali on Thursday vowed to cut prices of basic foodstuffs, to lift censorship and to ensure police do not use live ammunition except in self-defense, and he indicated that he would not run again for president.

There was no evidence that live ammunition was used in Tunis on Friday to disperse the crowd.

"Enough violence," Ben Ali said after at least 21 people had died in days of riots.

The 74-year-old president added that he would not push to change the law setting an age limit for presidential candidates in the next election, set for 2014.

By then, he would have exceeded the 75-year age limit. "There will not be presidency for life," he said.

Organized mainly by the country's lawyers' union and other unions, Friday's demonstration came under the watchful eye of a contingent of riot police officers.

But the protesters were not shy about slamming the government and Ben Ali. Demonstrators shouted, "Public trial for the president's family!" and "Yes to water and bread, but no to Ben Ali!"

Reem Ben Yousef, a 37-year-old university professor, told CNN the protesters say the ruling family has robbed citizens and they want them to depart from public life.

Reem said that Ben Ali's address was staged and he was cynical about the presence of a pro-government demonstration after his speech.

"We do not believe in Ben Ali and his regime," she said.