I've only been a salaried worker of the Post for two months back in 1992, but

I've felt a part of the newspaper from its conception. Michael didn't really have

a clue about the trade and so when he was putting his vision together he kindly asked

me to become a special adviser to the Post alongside my illustrious colleagues, Nate

Thayer and James Pringle.

I can only remember giving him one piece of advice-go weekly. Well, he ignored that

pearl. But I'm honoured to be a special adviser and wear it like a badge of honour.

I contributed pieces to the first couple of issues gratis. A few of us did, excited

at the thought that we were a part of history-the birth of a free Cambodian press.

Then Michael and Kathleen decided they'd hire my expertise on a monthly basis for

$500. It was money for old rope-I didn't even have to come into the office but wrote

my stories at home and faxed them in. Michael soon realised that this was a rather

costly exercise and ended the arrangement after a few weeks. But I've contributed

a bit here and there over the years, including Reuters stories of mine that the Post

used in the mid 1990s.

I was also a major source for the Gecko column for a while. One small item was picked

up by the wires and became front-page news in Malaysia-welcome press for the Post.

I've even acted in a movie filmed at the Post-playing the part of a sympathetic journalist

in a documentary drama about the problem of landmines. It's been fun. I'll be drinking

a toast to Michael, Kathleen, the Post and her staff past and present.

Thanks for the memories.

óLeo's classic article "City grapples with urban growth" appeared

in Volume 1, Issue 1, page 1. He now works for the Far Eastern Economic Review in

Hong Kong.