Art show to benefit Cambodia schools

By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

Wood River High School senior Erica Evans wants to help children in Cambodia make art. Photo by David N. Seelig

Students in the Wood River Valley have a growing tradition of doing good things for the world. They found nonprofit groups, travel abroad to help out with non-governmental organizations and contribute philanthropic ideas to the local community.

Erica Evans, a senior at Wood River High School, has plans to bring the gift of art to children in Cambodia.

"I feel that culture is built off of the arts," said Evans, a member of the Amnesty International Club at Wood River High School.

Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organization. Its stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."

Evans' senior project will include gathering donated paintings, photography, sculptures and other artwork from the area and sell them at a silent auction on Friday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts classroom in Hailey.

Proceeds from sales of the artwork will be used to purchase art supplies that will be shipped to rural areas in Cambodia that were ravaged by the Khmer Rouge communists during the 1970s.

Evans took ceramics classes as a sophomore and now enjoys painting and sketching as part of her studio art class. The idea for her senior project came from her boss, Carol Knight, the owner of the Toy Store in Ketchum.

"I can't imagine art not being a part of my life," she said. "That's why I want to share it with these kids in Cambodia."

Amnesty International founder Larry Cox gave a keynote address at a conference attended by Evans two years ago, while she was on a trip to San Francisco with the Amnesty International Club.

"I learned that human rights have been violated around the world," Evans said.

She and others in the Amnesty International Club have participated in human rights awareness campaigns at the high school and in the community, including participation at the Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival and at the Festival of Women film festival

"As a result of becoming a member of Amnesty International, I decided I want to go into international studies and cultural studies in the future," Evans said.

Her plans after graduation include a year of study abroad in Costa Rica.

When Knight suggested that Evans consider Cambodia as a place to focus her energies, Evans got on the Internet and found out about the Cambodian School Project, an organization that builds schools in rural areas near Angkor Wat, an ancient temple complex.

She corresponded with Roger Garms, secretary of the Cambodian School Project, and arranged for proceeds from her art auction to benefit young students at the project's schools.

Her senior project also includes conducting research on the Khmer Rouge atrocities and human rights violations during the 1970s, which led to impoverished conditions in the region.

"I chose this project to raise money for the Cambodian people," Evans said. "There are four schools in the Cambodian School Project that don't have basic supplies. They are slowly getting back on their feet."

Evans has sent letters to artists in the community soliciting artwork for the auction. A silent auction of the work will take place at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts in Hailey on Friday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Evans at 720-9024.

Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com

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Hillary Clinton would not accompany Obama to India

Washington: For the first time in several years, the US Secretary of State will not be part of the Presidential delegation when Barack Obama visits India next month.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who has played a key role in accelerating the Indo-US relationship, will not accompany Obama during his November visit due to "scheduling conflict".

Clinton would be in Australia along with Defence Secretary Robert Gates for the 25th anniversary of the annual Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN).

This would be a distinct departure from the past, at least since the advent of the new era of Indo-US relationship since the Clinton Administration, that the Secretary of State would not be accompanying the visiting American President. When the Air Force One touched the New Delhi airport on the evening of March 19, 2000, Bill Clinton was not only accompanied by the First Lady Hillary Clinton and daughter Chelsea but also by his Secretary of State Madeline Albright.

Similarly on March 1, 2006 when George W Bush arrived in New Delhi he was accompanied by the then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The schedule of Obama's visit has not been announced yet, but it is expected that when he lands in Mumbai on the wee hours of November 6 he will be accompanied by the First Lady Michelle Obama.

This would also be the first overseas trip of his new National Security Advisor Tom Donilon.

In the absence of Clinton, a top State Department official is expected to accompany the US President.

Officials acknowledged that it would be a departure from the past tradition the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would not be travelling with Obama as has been in the past.

At the same time they noted that it is mostly because of the "scheduling conflict and the host of international activities that has been going on this year."

In fact, it is Clinton, who has played a key role in accelerating the Indo-US relationship during the Obama Administration.

It is she who described Indo-US relationship under the Obama Administration as 3.0 phase of the ties between the two largest democratic countries of the world.

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Cambodian police arrest French sex convict – officials

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 15:59:00 10/24/2010

Filed Under: Rape, Crime and Law and Justice, Children, Police

PHNOM PENH – Cambodian police have arrested a Frenchman convicted of raping a minor in France, who fled his home country six years ago to escape arrest, officials said Sunday.

Francis Leroun, 54, was detained in custody after his arrest on Saturday in a rented house in southern Cambodia at the request of a French court, according to provincial prosecutor Bou Bun Hang.

"We are awaiting further action from the appeal court," he told AFP on Sunday.

Leroun escaped in 2004 but was tried in absentia and sentenced to 12 years in jail, a French embassy official said on condition of anonymity.

He said the embassy would ask the Cambodian court to extradite Leroun to France within two months.

Cambodia launched an anti-paedophilia push in 2003 to try to shake off its reputation as a sex predators' haven. Dozens of foreigners have since been jailed for child sex crimes or deported to face trial in their home countries.

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Cambodia back on the Suzuki track

Cambodia registered a 4-2 won over Timor Leste to put their AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 qualifying campaign back on track in Laos on Sunday.

The Cambodians had been held to a goalless draw by Laos in their opening qualifier, but Khim Borey's hat-trick handed them a vital victory against a Timor Lesete side which is now rooted to the bottom of the qualifying table.

With two places up for grabs at December's ASEAN grand gathering, Chiquito Do Carmo gave East Timor the lead before Borey scored three times in a frantic 14-minute, first-half spell

Substitute Nuth Sinoun added a fourth for Cambodia although a late Anggisun strike provided East Timor with some consolation.

Also on Sunday, the Philippines had the Younghusband brothers to thank after Simon McMenemy's charges battled back from the brink of defeat to earn a 2-2 draw with Laos.

Goals from Soukhaphone Vongchiengkham and Kanlaya Sysomvang had seemingly put Laos on their way to a crucial win.

However, Philip Younghusband pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 76^th minute, and his elder brother leveled matters deep into stoppage time to leave the Philippines top of the four-team group on goal difference from Cambodia.

The top placed team from the qualifying tournament will face Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, while the runners-up will play in Group B where they will be up against Vietnam, Singapore and Myanmar.

The final round of qualification games take place on Sunday when Cambodia tackle the Philippines and Laos play East Timor.

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Wayne Rooney signs new five-year

contract to end Manchester United exit saga

Sir Alex Ferguson happy to draw line under 'difficult week'

Uefa Champions League : Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) - (Gettyimages)

Wayne Rooney has performed a remarkable U-turn on his Manchester United future and has signed a new five-year contract days after he announced plans to leave.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson announced on Tuesday that the striker had informed him he would not ink a new deal.

A statement followed that night from Rooney that he had misgivings about the debt-ridden club's ambition and was immediately linked with Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea.

In a statement released on the United website, an agreement has been announced that followed, "intensive discussions between the club and the player’s representatives."

Rooney himself was "delighted" to tie his future to Old Trafford and revealed he had signed a new deal in the "absolute belief" the club are committed to maintaining its proud history.

He said: “I’m delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days, I’ve talked to the Manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this is where I belong. I said on Wednesday the Manager’s a genius and it’s his belief and support that have convinced me to stay.

“I’m signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history – which is the reason I joined the Club in the first place.

“I’m sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they’ve read and seen. But my position was from concern over the future. The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it’s up to me through my performances to win them over again.”

Ferguson was happy to draw a line over "a difficult week" and was pleased Rooney had "accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United’s great players".

“It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United. I said to the boy that the door is always open and I’m delighted Wayne has agreed to stay," the 68-year-old stated.

“Sometimes, when you’re in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand. I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.

“I’m pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United’s great players. It shows character and belief in what we stand for.

“I’m sure everyone involved with the Club will now get behind Wayne and show him the support he needs to produce the performances we know he is capable of.”

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Manchester United veteran Gary Neville: Team-mates have forgiven Wayne Rooney

Rooney Celebrating his goal with Gary Neville(Getty Images)

Gary Neville insists that Manchester United players have forgiven Wayne Rooney for questioning whether they have what it takes to win more silverware.

The 25-year-old forward had conceded that he was looking to move away from Old Trafford, citing a lack of ambition. But the former Everton man recently did a U-turn to sign a five-year deal with the Red Devils.

The right-back maintained that it was time to move on, but couldn't resist taking a swipe at Manchester City - who were thought to have been in line to sign Rooney.

"After a difficult week the best outcome has been reached for all parties – except Manchester City," Neville said, according to The Mirror.

"At one point it did look like he could be leaving, but the end result was the right one for both Wayne and United.

"He’s popular in the changing room and a well-liked person. Now he’s made the correct ­decision for his football career and life outside of ­football.

"Wayne has apologised to the fans and everyone connected with the club, so we have to put it all to bed now.

"There will be fall-out, but as soon as Wayne gets back on the pitch it will all be forgotten.

"The statement attributed to Wayne didn’t go down well, but we all make mistakes and United fans will accept that.

"It’s forgotten about as far as the players are concerned, as when our top players sign long-term deals it is a boost. Wayne is staying and we look forward to winning trophies with him in our team."

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