Periscope

In the aftermath, all sides involved--even the Cambodian government--agreed that the anti-Thai riots were orchestrated. But whodunit? Government critics, led by opposition leader Sam Rainsy, claim Hun Sen's ruling party organized them in order to incite confusion ahead of July's national elections. "If he can neutralize the opposition, it's very beneficial," says Rainsy. Events following the violence support the opposition leader's fears. As the riots died down, police shut down the country's only independent radio station and arrested its owner on charges of inciting rioters. Meanwhile, the two pro-government newspapers and a pro-Hun Sen radio station that spread the false stories about the Thai actress weren't even reprimanded. In addition, Cambodia's Interior Ministry is now focusing its investigation on an opposition parliamentarian from Rainsy's party, who one official says may have incited rioters. Arguing against this theory, several political analysts believe that Hun Sen may have hoped to attract voters by promoting Cambodian nationalism, not realizing the street protests would spiral out of control.

Regardless of who is to blame, Hun Sen's government will be waking up this week to the realization that it is in deep economic trouble. Thailand is one of Cambodia's largest foreign investors, but now its citizens are being encouraged not to go to Cambodia. Cambodia's recent tourist boom will undoubtedly suffer as travelers cancel plans to visit the country. And the Thai government is demanding reimbursement for the estimated $23 million in damages--about 3 percent of Cambodia's budget for 2003--despite accepting Hun Sen's apology late last week. Whether it was his plan or not, the aftershocks don't bode well for the Cambodian leader.

--Joe Cochrane

CHINA: An Unhappy New Year

At maternity wards across China, expecting mothers were trying to squeeze out their babies before the stroke of midnight last Friday to avoid having their children in the Year of the Sheep. The reason? Babies born in this new lunar year are supposedly followers rather than leaders, in addition to being timid and, well, sheepish. There is one benefit to being a Sheep, however. With the population dip that is currently being predicted, it should be easier for babies born this year to get into good universities since they'll have fewer classmates to compete against. Of course, whether they'll be assertive enough to apply is another question.

--Jen Lin-Liu