Unbelievable quote of the month: A Phnom Penh barman was asked what he would feel

if Pol Pot was really dead. The response: "If he is, I would feel sad because

we need a strong Khmer Rouge to protect us from Thailand."

** The U.S. Independence Day bash at Ambassador Quinn's residence heralded

a new user-friendly policy at the American Embassy which many observers nodded at

approvingly. Gate crashers abounded and were welcomed warmly.

Traditional American cuisine - dogs, burgers, pot-sal, and popcorn (allegedly from

Oz) - was devoured by one and all. One reveller after biting into a jumbo dog splashed

with ketchup was overheard exclaiming: "Yum!"

In typical American fashion, dressing down was the order of the day, led by Ambassador

Quinn himself who sported his favorite camping shirt. Prince Ranariddh threatened

to take off his coat but then decided against it, noting that "Papa" would

think it un-Prime-Minister-like.

Chea Sim advisor Chhang Song, adorned proudly in sneakers, Bermuda shorts and a golf

t-shirt, won the "Mr. Casual Award". A spokesman for the Mr. Casual Award

Foundation, commenting on the selection, said, "When the invitation says 'Casual'

Chhang Song knows what it means. He's our kind o' guy. More power to him!"

** Party-goers are now gearing up for the Quartorze Juillet celebration at

the French Embassy which will be strictly tenue de ville and has many of the over

1,800 invitees rushing to the dry cleaners to get their suits spruced up.

Psar Tmei bookies are now taking bets on who will be the first to get chucked into

the swimming pool, which couple will be the first to get caught petting heavily in

some remote corner of the embassy's expansive botanical gardens and - if tradition

is held up - how many people will still be jitterbugging when the sun rises the following

morning.

** A Siem Reap first: A soldier was arrested earlier this month in the provincial

capital for firing off his rifle during a thunder storm.

** Stories with more details needed: the two teams of cute beer gals who ended

up in an all-out, hair-pulling, slapping melee in some bar in Kompong Chhnang.