News &Articles on Burma Tuesday, 21 February 2010 ----------------------------------------------- BA-SSA stand-off in Tachilek The Lady to tour Shan State in March: NLD candidate Burma to "seriously consider" poll monitors Myanmar poised to host ASEAN in 2014, Myanmar: prelate describes Kachin humanitarian crisis Burma to consider poll monitors: ASEAN Burma will upgrade two airports to international status Burma to consider ASEAN poll monitors Myanmar to consider allowing neighbors to observe elections Suu Kyi's party says Burma poll restrictions lifted Philippines and Myanmar schedule trade meeting in Manila Burma Aims to be Role Model for Media, Says Govt Official Government's factional 'business deals' adds tensions to ethnic peace plans -------------------------------------- BA-SSA stand-off in Tachilek Tuesday, 21 February 2012 17:28 S.H.A.N. The Shan State Army (SSA) South that had signed the ceasefire agreement on 2December and the Burma Army are in a state of deadlock in Monghai, northwest of Tachilek, opposite Maesai, since last week, according to Lt-Col Gawn Zeun, Commander of the SSA's Shan State East military region. Both sides have been reinforcing and already 4 clashes have taken place since 6 February. The last one took place today. "The Burma Army wants to push all our forces to the Thai-Burma border," he said. "This is our land of birth. We cannot allow them to treat us this way." The SSA claims that according to the agreement reached with Naypyitaw's negotiator U Aung Min, it will operate outside the main motorroads and major towns, where Burma Army units are based. The Burma Army however argues, according to the signed agreements, the SSA is entitled to operate freely only in the Homong-Mong Hta area, opposite Maehongson and Chiangmai provinces. According to the 16 January agreement, Homong and Monghta subtownships are designated as seats of the SSA headquarters. Meeting Sao Yawdserk, SSA leader, in Chiangmai on 5 February, U Aung Min said he knew the Homong-Monghta area was not big enough to accommodate both the SSA and the thousands of civilians taking refuge near its bases. Accordingly he was looking for a suitable location. The SSA had requested that the resettlement area should be in Mongyawng township, as most of the areas along the Thai border have been occupied by the Wa people during the 1999-2001 forced relocations. "Unless something's done, the stand-off can escalate into a pitched battle," concluded Gawn Zeun. The SSA and Naypyitaw had earlier agreed to hold a third formal meeting but neither the date nor venue has been set. Loi Taileng, the SSA HQ, meanwhile, has lodged a formal complaint to Naypyitaw, said Yawdserk. It also included the killing of one SSA officer and his wife on 17 February while they were shopping at a village market in the Kyaukme-Hsipaw area. http://www.english.panglong.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4435:ba-ssa-stand-off-in-tachilek&catid=86:war&Itemid=284 --------------------------------------- The Lady to tour Shan State in March: NLD candidate Monday, 20 February 2012 15:02 S.H.A.N. National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be in Shan State North capital Lashio next month to support his campaign for a seat in the National Assembly, according to Sai Myint Maung, elected representative in the 1990 elections. "Her visit will be timely," he said. "Because my campaign will begin on 27 February." Asked why it took him so long to kick-start his campaign, he replied it was because he had to apply for permission from the Elections Commission first. He believes he stands a good chance of being re-elected, if fair play is ensured. "Of course, I have received reports of People's Militia Forces (PMFs) threatening villagers to vote only for the lions (the military proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party's emblem). But since I have no evidence to present to the authorities, there is as yet no plan to lodge a formal complaint." During the last elections in 2010, Lashio Elections Commission (EC) had demanded evidences such as photos, video tapes, audio tapes and witnesses or face libel action. Sai Myint Maung's competitors include Dr Nang Keng Phawng Tip (USDP), Sai Sam Min (Shan Nationalities Democratic Party), Luo Xingguang (Kokang Democracy and Unity Party) and another from Lahu National Democratic Party (LNDP). The last two are regarded as spoilers planted by the USDP, according to local sources. Sai Sam Min meanwhile says he expects less votes in Lashio, but more in the 4 outlying townships: Hsenwi, Kunlong, Tangyan and Mongyai. The seat was vacated by Dr Sai Mawk Kham who was later appointed as Vice President #2 in the Thein Sein administration. He had reportedly accepted defeat by his SNDP opponent Sai Thant Zin after the ballots were counted on 7 November. However he was declared as the winner the next day, after adding the advance votes which arrived later in the evening. Sai Myint Maung, a lawyer by profession, was a co-founder of the Shan State Democratic Party (SSDP) in 1988. After the party failed to obtain approval by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), then the ruling military setup, he joined the NLD and was elected by the Lashio constituency. http://www.english.panglong.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4426:the-lady-to-tour-shan-state-in-march-nld-candidate&catid=85:politics&Itemid=266 -------------------------------------- Burma to "seriously consider" poll monitors By AFP Published: 21 February 2012 President Thein Sein attends the ASEAN leaders Meeting with ASEAN Business Advisory Council in Nusa Dua, Bali (Reuters) Burma has promised to "seriously consider" allowing election observers for April 1 by-elections in which Aung San Suu Kyi is standing, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said today. It said Burma President Thein Sein made the pledge to visiting ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan during talks in the capital Naypyidaw. "We will seriously consider having observers from ASEAN ... during the April elections," Thein Sein was quoted as saying. The polls, which will see Suu Kyi run for a seat in parliament for the first time, are viewed as a key test of the authorities' commitment to budding reforms. A 2010 election which swept the army's political allies to power was marred by widespread complaints of cheating and intimidation. The opposition cannot threaten the ruling party's majority even if it takes all 48 available seats in the by-elections, but a Suu Kyi win would lend legitimacy to the fledgling parliament. Her National League for Democracy (NLD) party won a landslide victory in an election in 1990, but the then-ruling junta never allowed the party to take power. Suu Kyi was under house arrest at the time. She was released from her latest stint in detention a few days after the 2010 vote. The upcoming polls are being held to fill places vacated by those who have since become government and deputy ministers. http://www.dvb.no/news/burma-to-seriously-consider-poll-monitors/20348 --------------------------------------- Information to Empower Filipinos Myanmar poised to host ASEAN in 2014, plans and capacity building underway Tuesday 21st of February 2012 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThisMANILA, Feb. 21 - Myanmar will seriously consider allowing observers from ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat during the April by-elections, said Myanmar President Thein Sein. In a release sent to PIA, it said that, We will seriously consider having observers from ASEAN, and the ASEASN Secretariat during the April elections, he told visiting ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr Surin Pitsuwan. The two leaders agreed that such a move will boost transparency, which will add to the international goodwill that Myanmar had attracted so far. In a relaxed meeting which lasted more than an hourwell beyond the half an hour originally scheduledthe President spoke confidently of the countrys vision. Job creation is our top priority. We want to create as many jobs as we can, so Myanmar workers can work in the country, and ease the burden on our neighbouring countries like Thailand and Malaysia, he said, adding that plans for a deep sea port, as well as special industrial zones, are already in the pipeline to meet the objective of job creation. The President also concurred with Dr Surins suggestion that the Irrawaddy Delta area be developed as the next Rice Bowl of the world. Our population stands at 60 million now, and it is projected to hit 100 million in 20 years. We are certainly looking to develop the rice production capacity of the Delta area, as that will contribute realty to food security now only for our country, but also the world, the President continued. Echoing similar upbeat sentiment, Myanmars Minister for Information and Culture Kyaw Hsan said: We are not going back. We are going forward. Minister Kyaw Hsan added that plans and preparations are underway to make sure Myanmar is ready for the 2013 Southeast Asia Games, as well as chairing the ASEAN Meetings in 2014. He agreed with Dr Surin that Myanmar can tap the experience of the ASEAN family and the ASEAN Secretariat in hosting major events and meetings. The sense of confidence and determination is also captured in Dr Surins meeting with Mr Tin Naing Thein, Myanmars Minister for National Planning and Economic Development. Nothing that reforms had been smooth in the country, the Minister said political change in Myanmar is on track, and is ready to take off fully. One area which Myanmar has promised full cooperation, is the provision of economic data to what Dr Surin described as to fill in the blank in ASEANs economic report. The countrys Foreign Minister, Mr Wunna Maung Lwin, also gave his assurance that Myanmar is ready and willing to cooperate with the rest of the ASEAN family, in meeting its commitment to the region. But he also reminded some nations that the lifting of sanctions will help matters a lot more. Myanmar is keen to create employment and jobs to help its people. Many countries also said they are keen to help us. Statements and pronouncements have been made, but actual changes are needed now, he urged. Dr Surin Pitsuwan is leading a delegation from the ASEAN Secretariat on a four-day visit to Myanmar. The trip is to hold discussions with senior Myanmar officials, to find ways for Myanmar and the ASEAN Secretariat to explore cooperation, attachments, internships and workshops to help Myanmar prepare for the major events. Across the board officials that Dr Surin met are excited and determined that Myanmar will successfully host its regional, as well as international partners and media. All ASEAN activities are fully open to Myanmar now. Myanmars determination, and the assistance of ASEAN and our dialogue partners, will ultimately determine the pace and intensity of Myanmars integration into ASEAN and the world, said Dr Surin, summing up the meetings on the first day.(ASEAN/DFA) http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1781329822190 ------------------------------------- Myanmar: prelate describes Kachin humanitarian crisis RSS Facebook February 21, 2012 From Our Store: Witness of Suffering (eBook) A bishop in Myanmar (Burma) has described the humanitarian crisis in his diocese amid fighting between Myanmar's army and Kachin rebels. "Now there are over 57,000 displaced people," says Bishop Raymond Sumlut Gam of Banmaw. "The diocese is strongly influenced by the civil war and the people have fled to the cities and border areas." "Currently our Caritas takes care of 13,500 IDPs [internally displaced persons] in different camps," he added. We offer schooling, clothes, food, medicine, education, support, pastoral care and spiritual assistance. But the displaced people in remote and border areas live in poor conditions ... Respiratory diseases among children have broken out, but also dysentery, malaria, and tuberculosis, with a high risk of mortality." "Agricultural land around villages is scattered with landmines," he continued. "A [Christian], crossing his field of sugarcane, due to the explosion of a mine, lost his leg and right arm. Therefore the refugees are afraid to resume a normal life, and their future is precarious." 1.2% of the nation's 54.0 million people are Catholic, according to Vatican statistics. http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=13405&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CatholicWorldNewsFeatureStories+%28Catholic+World+News+%28on+CatholicCulture.org%29%29 -------------------------------------- Burma to consider poll monitors: ASEAN 21 February 2012 | 05:13:39 PM| Source: AFP Burma has promised to "seriously consider" allowing Southeast Asian observers for by-elections marking the opposition's return to mainstream politics, the ASEAN regional bloc said. The April 1 polls, which will see Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi stand for a seat in parliament for the first time, are viewed as a key test of the military-backed government's commitment to budding reforms. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said in a statement that Burma President Thein Sein made the pledge to its visiting Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan during talks in the capital Naypyidaw. "We will seriously consider having observers from ASEAN ... during the April elections," Thein Sein was quoted as saying. A 2010 election which swept the army's political allies to power was marred by widespread complaints of cheating and intimidation. Foreign election observers and international media were not allowed into the country for that vote, which was denounced by Suu Kyi's opposition party and Western powers as lacking legitimacy. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party held a news conference on Monday to warn that the fairness of the April vote was also under threat because it was being denied the use of suitable venues for campaign rallies. But just hours later the NLD said the authorities had eased the restrictions in a turnaround it described as "very significant." The opposition cannot threaten the ruling party's majority even if it takes all 48 available seats in the by-elections, but a Suu Kyi win would lend legitimacy to the fledgling parliament. The NLD won a landslide victory in an election in 1990, but the then-ruling junta never allowed the party to take power. Suu Kyi was under house arrest at the time. She was released from her latest stint in detention a few days after the 2010 vote. Suu Kyi's decision to stand for a seat in parliament is the latest sign of dramatic change taking place in the country formerly known as Burma after the end last year of nearly half a century of outright military rule. The regime has surprised observers with reforms including welcoming the NLD back into the political mainstream, signing ceasefire deals with ethnic minority rebels and releasing hundreds of political prisoners. The upcoming polls are being held to fill places vacated by those who have since become government and deputy ministers. The new military-backed government, which is dominated by former generals, assured visiting top EU officials last week that the vote would be democratic. Western nations are now considering further easing sanctions, adding to hopes of an end to decades of isolation, but controversy surrounding the 2010 vote means the upcoming by-elections will be heavily scrutinised. http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1628339/Burma-to- ---------------------------------------- Burma will upgrade two airports to international status Tuesday, 21 February 2012 15:03 Mizzima News (Mizzima) -- Burma is planning to create two more international airports, one in Bago to serve central Burma, and one at the Dawei deep-sea port project in the south, according to Civil Aviation Department officials. Both airports, which already exist, will be upgraded to international standards. The Dawei Airport in southern Burma will be upgraded to international status. Photo: en.wikipedia.org The Dawei Airport in southern Burma will be upgraded to international status. Photo: en.wikipedia.org Foreign investment is invited, most probably from Japan and Singapore, Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday. The two planned airport upgrades will become the Hanthawaddy International Airport in central Bago region, about 80 kilometres from Rangoon, and the Dawei International Airport at the Dawei deep-sea port in southern Tanintharyi Region. The existing Dawei domestic airport will be upgraded to international status within three years at a cost of about US$ 4 million, officials at the Civil Aviation Department were quoted as saying. The Italian-Thai Development Public Company is now expanding the Dawei airport runway and expansion of other facilities will follow, said the news agency. At present, Burma has three international airports, and 29 regional airports; international airports are located in Rangoon, Naypyitaw and Mandalay. Construction of the Dawei deep-sea port and industrial zone with road and rail links to Thailand is now underway. The project, which is estimated to cost $13 billion, is projected to be completed in 10 years in three phases. http://www.mizzima.com/business/6622-burma-will-upgrade-two-airports-to-international-status.html ------------------------------------- Burma to consider ASEAN poll monitors Created: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:12:43 GMT+0700 Burma has promised to seriously consider allowing election observers to monitor by-elections in April. The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) said in a statement that Burma's president Thein Sein had made the pledge to its visiting Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan. "We will seriously consider having observers from ASEAN ... during the April elections," Thein Sein was quoted as saying. The polls will see pro democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi stand for a seat in parliament for the first time. It is also being seen as a key test of the military-backed government's commitment to reform. Fairness threat A 2010 election which swept the army's political allies to power was marred by widespread complaints of cheating and intimidation. Foreign election observers and international media were not allowed into the country for that vote, which was denounced by Suu Kyi's opposition party and Western powers as lacking legitimacy. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party held a news conference on Monday to warn that the fairness of the April vote was also under threat because it was being denied the use of suitable venues for campaign rallies. But just hours later the NLD said the authorities had eased the restrictions in a turnaround it described as "very significant." The opposition cannot threaten the ruling party's majority even if it takes all 48 available seats in the by-elections, but a Suu Kyi win would lend legitimacy to the fledgling parliament. The NLD won a landslide victory in an election in 1990, but the then-ruling junta never allowed the party to take power. Suu Kyi was under house arrest at the time. She was released from her latest stint in detention a few days after the 2010 vote. The regime has surprised observers with reforms including welcoming the NLD back into the political mainstream, signing ceasefire deals with ethnic minority rebels and releasing hundreds of political prisoners. The upcoming polls are being held to fill places vacated by those who have since become government and deputy ministers. The new military-backed government, which is dominated by former generals, assured visiting top EU officials last week that the vote would be democratic. Western nations are now considering further easing sanctions, adding to hopes of an end to decades of isolation, but controversy surrounding the 2010 vote means the upcoming by-elections will be heavily scrutinised. http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201202/3436230.htm?desktop -------------------------------------------- Myanmar to consider allowing neighbors to observe elections By the CNN Wire Staff February 21, 2012 -- Updated 0906 GMT (1706 HKT) (CNN) -- The Myanmar government will "seriously consider" accepting observers from neighboring countries to monitor elections taking place in April, a regional organization said Tuesday. In a meeting Tuesday with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, President Thein Sein said Myanmar would consider allowing observers from the association to watch the elections. "The two leaders agreed that such a move will boost transparency, which will add to the international goodwill that Myanmar had attracted so far," the association said in a statement. Thein Sein met with ASEAN's Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar. Look inside Myanmar's young 'democracy' The 10-member association is comprised of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Its goal is to promote economic growth and regional stability. The international community has applauded recent political reforms in Myanmar, long secluded from the rest of the world after a military junta grabbed power in 1962. The generals have begun loosening their grip after international sanctions and criticism over their regime's human rights record. After boycotting elections in 2010, the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party will participate in the April by-elections. Suu Kyi registered last month to run for a parliamentary seat in Kawhmu after the regime agreed to negotiate with an ethnic rebel group and pardoned hundreds of political prisoners. Her party, the National League for Democracy, is putting up candidates for all 48 parliamentary seats that are being contested. Suu Kyi and her supporters, as well as international political leaders, have urged Thein Sein's government to ensure that the elections are carried out in a free and fair manner. Representatives from ASEAN allowed into Myanmar in 2010 did not carry out thorough monitoring of the elections that year, said Aung Saw, editor of the Myanamar exile magazine Irrawaddy, which is based in Thailand. "They were just taken to a few polling stations, that's it," he said. Western governments have made a number of gestures in recognition of Myanmar's recent political changes -- the United States announced in January that it would exchange ambassadors with the country for the first time since 1988. But the April by-elections are seen as a key gauge of the government's commitment to reform. The international attention trained on the elections may prompt the Myanmar government to allow more rigorous monitoring this time around, Aung Saw said. He noted that the Thailand-based Asian Network for Free Elections, which aims to promote and support democratization, is an example of a regional body that could provide independent election monitoring. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/21/world/asia/myanmar-elections/index.html ------------------------------------ Suu Kyi's party says Burma poll restrictions lifted AFP/NEWSCORE Last Updated: 10:40 AM, February 20, 2012 RANGOON, Burma -- Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party said Monday that the authorities lifted campaign restrictions ahead of closely-watched elections, just hours after it made a complaint. "They withdrew the restrictions. We can campaign freely," according to Nyan Win, a spokesman for the Nobel Peace Prize winner's National League for Democracy (NLD) party. "It's a very significant change. We are still hoping for fair play." Earlier Monday, the NLD had called a news conference to complain that it was being denied the use of sports facilities to hold rallies ahead of the April 1 polls, warning that the fairness of the vote was under threat. Suu Kyi, whose party boycotted a 2010 election because it thought the rules were unfair, is standing for a seat in parliament for the first time. The 2010 vote, which swept the army's political allies to power, was marred by widespread complaints of cheating and intimidation. The democracy icon has drawn crowds of tens of thousands of cheering supporters on the campaign trail, posing a security headache for her party. Earlier this month, she postponed a trip to the central city of Mandalay because her party said the venue offered by the authorities was too small. The NLD announced at the news conference that it also had been denied permission to use a venue in northern Kachin State for a planned speech by Suu Kyi later this week. But just hours later, the party said it received the green light from the election authorities. "They said that they can take care of Aung San Suu Kyi's security in the cities ... but they cannot reach the remote areas easily," Nyan Win said. Suu Kyi's decision to stand for a seat in parliament is the latest sign of dramatic change taking place in the country, referred to as Myanmar by the regime, after the end last year of nearly half a century of outright military rule. The regime has surprised observers with reforms, including welcoming the NLD back into the political mainstream, signing cease-fire deals with ethnic-minority rebels and releasing hundreds of political prisoners. The new military-backed government, which is dominated by former generals, assured visiting EU officials last week that the vote would be democratic. Western nations are considering further easing sanctions, adding to hopes of an end to decades of isolation, but controversy surrounding the 2010 vote means the upcoming elections will be heavily scrutinized. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/suu_kyi_party_complains_of_burma_WwqzDsplrRDz3jfEv29SbJ ----------------------------------------- Philippines and Myanmar schedule trade meeting in Manila The meeting "will provide the roadmap" to move Philippine-Myanmar relations further By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief Published: 16:06 February 21, 2012 Manila: The Philippines and Myanmar, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), scheduled a trade meeting in June to strengthen trade ties. In a meeting between Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Myanmar's Foreign Secretary U Wunna Maung Lwin in Myanmar in early February, they agreed that the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) will meet from June 5 to 6 in Manila, del Rosario said in a statement. JCBC is a mechanism for the Philippines and Myanmar to discuss bilateral issues, including trade and investment, air services, education, technical cooperation and other regional and international issues. The meeting "will provide the roadmap to move relations further," said del Rosario. Myanmar President Thein Sein also invited Philippine-based businessmen to invest in its oil and gas, agriculture, mining, forestry and timber products, development of deep sea ports and infrastructure, said del Rosario. The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation on tourism and anti-drug trafficking prevention. Thein Sein thanked del Rosario for the Philippines' support to lift economic sanctions against Myanmar. The Philippine foreign affairs secretary said his official visit to Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on February 8 and 9 happened when Myanmar was "at its crossroads of history". Before 2010, the Philippines was openly critical of Myanmar's military junta. Thein Sein, a former junta general was appointed president to head a civilian government after the 2010 elections. He ordered the release of political prisoners, including democracy icon Suu Kyi in 2010. The Nobel Peace laureate was under house arrest for 15 years. Myanmar also established its Human Rights Commission, and passed a new labour law, and began peace process with various ethnic groups. In response, the US announced plans to restore diplomatic ties with Myanmar. After promising to fast track reforms, the Asean approved Myanmar's chairmanship of the Asean leaders' summit in 2014. Asean members also include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Asean's dialogue partners in its yearly meetings include Australia, China, European Union, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia, US, Since the 1990s, Europe and the United States imposed tough financial and economic sanctions against Myanmar due to alleged gross human rights violations and failure to institute democratic reforms. http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/philippines-and-myanmar-schedule-trade-meeting-in-manila-1.984133 --------------------------------------------------- Burma Aims to be Role Model for Media, Says Govt Official By SAW YAN NAING / THE IRRAWADDY Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Burmas media will serve as a role model for the Southeast Asian region as the long-isolated country opens up, said Ye Htut, a senior official from the Ministry of Information. In an interview with The Irrawaddy editor Aung Zaw in Burmas capital Naypyidaw, Ye Htut, the director general of the Information and Public Relations Department in the Ministry of Information, said that Burmese media freedom can now be said to be better when compared to nations such as Singapore, Malaysia and Laos. In Singapore, publications cannot publish news about the opposition on their front pages. Malaysia is the same. We are now better than Singapore, Malaysia and Laos. I hope our media will become a role model within Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations], he said. Ye Htut also said that government servants in the past were afraid to talk to the media as they were restricted, and feared for their careers. It was not because they were afraid to talk to the press. It was because they had to be very careful about what they said. There were no guidelines or public relations training to instruct them on how to address the media, he said. Ye Htun added that spokespersons for all respective government departments will deal with the media. We also plan to host public relations training for civil servants from all government departments, said Ye Htut. Asked his opinion about exile Burmese media, Ye Htut said that in the past there were misunderstandings between the government and exile media organizations. While the government misunderstood and accused exile media, the exile media also thought that the government didnt want change and only wanted to hold on to power. Now I think we have met in the middle. If you [exile media] write something wrong, we will inform you. And you can now ask us if you want to know something, said Ye Htut. He said that international technicians may come to Burma to help build an infrastructure for Internet and communications. Presently, we only have one door. They should come and open more doors for us or teach us how to open these doors by ourselves, he said. The official said that Naypyidaw is currently discussing a media law which will probably be in place by late 2012. The Press Scrutiny and Registration Division will be phased out after that new law comes into effect, he said. However, he said that the censorship board will remain as a watchdog for media groups. It will monitor the press, solve problems and oversee violations of copyright, he said, adding that he had personally worked on drafting this media law since 2008 when he went to Europe to observe foreign media laws. We went overseas to learn about media law starting in 2008. We took as a model the Press Complaints Commission in England. This group consults, monitors and solves disputes when plaintiffs wish to sue publications, said Ye Htut. We think we will call this board the Media Freedom and Ethnic Promotion Committee. It will include journalists, well-known lawmakers, and representatives from the Press Complaints Commission, he added. Ye Htut said that Burma started to allow for media freedom in 2008 and has since permitted constructive criticism against the government. In the past, the censors even controlled the news about celebrities, he said. For example, the censorship board rejected news about celebrities who had died from drugs overdoses. Although Rangoon-based journals still have to pass through state censors, the government announced in June last year that publications and articles focusing on sports, technology, entertainment, health and childrens issues no longer had to be submitted. With the approval of Parliament, the media law will not be biased in determining who can apply to start up publications, said Ye Htut. The media law will be submitted to the Attorney Generals office where it may be amended. Then it will be sent to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw [combined Houses of Parliament] for approval. Journalists and publishers will also be invited to offer ideas, he said. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=23071 ------------------------------------------- Government's factional 'business deals' adds tensions to ethnic peace plans February 20 | Author: By Ehna A Karen leader warns that the Burma government's offers of 'business opportunities' to the various Karen and other ethnic armed factions in territory controlled by the Karen National Union will create conflict and fuel tension. A government newspaper, *Kyaymon*, reported that a breakaway group known as the KNU/KNLA Peace Council signed an initial seven-point agreement on 6thFebruary in the country's capital Naypyidaw. The agreement included the setup of various leisure businesses in the Karen towns of Pa-an, Myawaddy, Three Pagoda Pass, Kawkareik, Maw Taung, and Kawthaung. Maw Taung is a Thai-Burma border trading post in Southern Burma, the area that is still largely control by the KNU's 4th Brigade in the Mergui-Tavoy District. Saw Beeler, joint secretary of the KNU Mergui-Tavoy District told *Karen News*. "The agreement reached between the KNU/KNLA Peace Council and the resulting security issues are now the responsibility of the government. For us, [the KNU] we can't offer or guarantee security for the KNU/KNLA Peace Council businesses." The KNU/KNLA Peace Council and the Burma government agreed to continue and maintain the agreed peace deal and that the KNU/KNLA Peace Council can keep their arms. Referring to the Maw Taung businesses and other new investment opportunities in the south, Pastor Timothy Laklem, KNU/KNLA Peace Council Foreign Minister explained to *Karen News*. "The KNU/KNLA Peace Council plans to open businesses and take back Karen lands as much as we can. We don't bring our soldiers into the area as it already has Karen National Union troops based there. We will not have any conflict with the KNU as the area is large and the KNU themselves should also plan to retake their Karen land." Pastor Timothy said. "The KNU/KNLA Peace Council is also interested in investing in business such as fisheries and tourism." The KNU/KNLA Peace Council is led by Brigadier General Htein Maung and split from the KNU in February 2007 and immediately reached a ceasefire agreement with Burma's military regime at the time, forming it's headquarters in Hto Kaw Koo in Karen State. The KNU/KNLA Peace Council delegation was led by its chairman Brigadier Gen. Htein Maung, and included central committee members -- Pastor Timothy Laklem, Saw Ray Nu, Dr. Naw Ka Paw Htoo, Saw Eh Kaw Htoo, Saw Joseph, Dr. Saw Aung Than, Naw Karen Na -- the government delegation was led by U Aung Thaung and U Thein Zaw. The two delegations met and reached a peace agreement and business deal on February 6th. In 2010 the KNU/KNLA Peace Council refused to become a Border Guard Force under the control of the Burma Army. Military sources allege that the potential for future sources of conflict between ethnic ceasefire groups could be the New Mon State Party's (NMSP) proposal to the Burma government to grant them Ah Mla village for Mon new settlement. Ah Mla village was Karen village until villagers were forced to flee from it during a 1997 Burma Army offensive -- Ah Mla is in the heart of the KNU controlled Mergui-Tavoy District. The area has already seen trouble between the KNU Mergui-Tavoy District and NMSP. The KNU claims the NMSP is taking advantage of their previous ceasefire arrangement with the Burma government and taking lands of Karen villagers to expand their settlements in Karen State.http://karennews.org/2012/02/governments-factional-business-deals-adds-tensions-to-ethnic-peace-plans.html/ __._,_._
Where there's political will, there is a way
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
News &Articles on Burma-Saturday, 18 February 2010-uzl
News &Articles on Burma Saturday, 18 February 2010 ----------------------------------------------- Will Burma create a fair press law and a free press council? Burmas 1 April by-elections must be credible and transparent Aung San Suu Kyi's campaign trail begins in Pyapon township Thai opposition leader meets with Aung San Suu Kyi Burma soldier dies in Shan state battle with KIA Kuwait''s first resident ambassador to Myanmar takes office EU lifts admission restrictions on Myanmar president, others China arrests 12 drug trafficking suspects -------------------------------------------------- Will Burma create a fair press law and a free press council? By Zin Linn Feb 18, 2012 11:24PM UTC The people's parliament session of Myanmar (Burma) continued for the fifth day at People's Parliament Hall in Parliamentary Building in Nay Pyi Taw Friday, attended by Speaker of the People's Parliament (Lower House) Thura Shwe Mann and 346 Pyithu Hluttaw representatives, the state-owned media said today. At Friday's session, 11 questions were asked and answered, one proposal was discussed and one proposal submitted, according to the New Light of Myanmar newspaper. MP Tin Maung Oo of Shwe-pyi-tha Constituency made questions on "How to deal with the disappearance of one-side features of media houses which is the country's fourth estate, emergence of journals that can actually reflect the people's wishes and desires, getting rid of self-interested people for the publication of journals with affordable investments and measures to protect young reporters for promoting their skills and qualifications." The Deputy Minister for Information Soe Win replied that since the new government takes office, Ministry of Information has controlled the media sector through press scrutiny policies in order to disappear biased-writings in the country's fourth estate. He said that journalists on their parts are to do their works with the sense of liberty and accountability, rationality. When the press law comes out, media works have to obey the law and biased articles and news might disappear from media section if journalists and public do not accept it, the Deputy Minister said. Soe Win also said that there should be 'freedom and accountability' and 'freedom and rationality' in fourth estate publishing unbiased periodicals conveying the people's wishes with self-respect. Based on national interest, journalists must present an issue from various angles for public information. The Deputy Minister also explained that government has laid down five policies to ensure unity in democracy in the literary world. In the future, a 'Press Council' will be formed in harmony with the press law and it will supervise the journalistic work. When the new publishing law comes into force, people will have to be in charge of the literary sphere within its framework, he said. In addition, Deputy Minister Soe Win said that the Ministry of Information and Myanmar Writers and Journalist Association (MWJA) are in cooperation conducting basic journalism course, and special journalism course. International scholars as well as internal experienced journalists have been invited to give lectures. According to the deputy minister, three basic journalism courses have produced about 150 young journalists. Two basic writers' courses have also produced about 100 new writers. In the future, 'Press Council' and 'MWJA' will carry out journalism courses, workshops, seminars. Moreover, publishers and printing houses will also contribute to improve criterions of journalists. Journalists themselves will have to try hard with confidence for emergence of a proper fourth estate and professional journalists, the Deputy Minister Soe Win answered the respective questions. Although Soe Win said about the press law and the press council, he did not make clear of the procedure relating to the law and the council. In actual fact, there is no journalists' association in the country so as to promote and protect the rights of members of the media field. And the future press council should not be a government appointed club similar to the Myanmar Human Rights Commission. In January, the new media law, drafted by the Ministry of Information's Press Scrutiny and Registration Department (PSRD) was introduced at a two-day media workshop jointly organized by Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association and Singapore-based Asia Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC). Tint Swe, the deputy director general of the PSRD presented some hints of the draft law but not the subject matter of the press law. However, a source close to PSRD said that the draft law itself was adapted from the Printers and Publishers Registration Act enacted after the military coup by Ne Win in 1962. If the government has a plan to draw a press law, it should let the participation of experienced journalists, editors, producers and publishers from the respective media fields. Furthermore, the government should invite media law experts, journalism consultants, human rights defenders and members of media watchdog groups from the international circle in order to create a standardized press law and press council to honor the freedom of the press. Unless the government guarantees human rights including the freedom of expression and freedom of association, the international human rights watchdog groups will not believe that Burma is on the correct path of a democratic reform. http://asiancorrespondent.com/76322/will-burma-create-a-fair-press-law-and-a-free-press-council/ ------------------------------------------ Burmas 1 April by-elections must be credible and transparent By Zin Linn Feb 18, 2012 4:59PM UTC The Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General for Myanmar (Burma), Mr Vijay Nambiar, concluded a five-day visit (from 12 to 17 February 2012) at the invitation of the Government of Myanmar, according to a press statement on Friday by the United Nations Information Center, Yangon. In Naypyitaw, Mr. Vijay Nambiar was received by President Thein Sein, Speaker Shwe Mann, Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, and the Ministers of Labour and Social Welfare, Border Affairs, Industry, Railways, and Immigration, as well as the Union Peace Committee and Union Election Commission. The Special Adviser Mr. Vijay Nambiar, together with Vice-President Sai Mauk Kham, inaugurated the Conference on Development Options for Myanmar organized by the United Nations and the Government of Myanmar (Burma). Mr. Vijay Nambiar also met with the General Secretary of the USDP. He also met with the respective Chief Ministers and members of the State government and legislature and local ethnic representatives in Mon and Karen States. He also visited a field project of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and met with local civil society partners. The Special Adviser met again with NLD Chair Daw Aung San Suu Kyi In Yangon. He also held separate meetings with civil society, ethnic and business representatives. During his meetings the Special Adviser underscored three main concerns that describes domestic and international perceptions of the pace of reform which government has to carry out, according to a press release issued by United Nations Information Center Yangon. Three priorities along the lines of the reforms are mentioned as follow in the press statement. The first priority should be to ensure that both the process leading to, and the conduct of, by-elections on 1 April 2012 are credible and transparent to everybody. This includes ensuring conditions for a level playing field for all parties to compete openly and addressing complaints swiftly and transparently. The by-elections will be a critical test of the Governments commitment to broaden and enhance the credibility of the democratic process in the country, the Special Adviser says in his statement. The second priority is peace and national reconciliation which are essential to nations overall stability and development. It is closer than ever to a historic achievement after recent efforts to reach ceasefires and peace agreements by all parties. Progress is now needed with regard to the situation in Kachin State, including the needs of the displaced population. Overcoming decades of strife and mistrust through inclusive political dialogue remains an important prerequisite to building a durable peace, which the country requires in order to move forward as one, the press release says. The third priority in the Special Advisers statement says, It is urgent that the Government delivers on the socio-economic needs of the people so that they start benefitting in real terms from the reforms so far. Health, education and job creation remain key responsibilities for both central and local authorities in order to empower people to participate fully and equitably in the countrys development and growth. It also said that only through the implementation of good economic policies, the current transformation can be accelerated in the interest of the whole population of the nation. The press release points out that neither peace nor development can be sustained without respect for human rights and the rule of law. Mr. Vijay Nambiar has praised the Governments recognition of the importance of partnership with the UN helping Burma to meet the challenges and opportunities before it. According to him, the good offices of the United Nations are ready to work with all stakeholders in this important task. The Special Adviser said that he consider the international community must take action more forcefully to assist the people of Burma, especially to lift current restrictions on the UNs to-do list. The statement emphasized that it is the time to boost support and to adjust existing policies in order to help put together conditions for sustaining the reform and for the improvement of peoples of Burma. http://asiancorrespondent.com/76312/burma%e2%80%99s-1-april-by-elections-must-be-credible-and-transparent/ ---------------------------------- Aung San Suu Kyi's campaign trail begins in Pyapon township Published on Feb 18, 2012 Myanmar pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, (centre), receives flowers from supporters during her campaign trip in Pyapon township on Friday, Feb 17, 2012. -- PHOTO: APSmiling as she arrived at Hledon jetty, Myanmar's pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was greeted by throngs of supporters as she kicked off her campaign trail to Pyapon township in Ayeyarwady division on Feb 17. Flanked by Thein Swe, she was bestowed with a floral wreath and a bouquet of flowers as a welcoming gesture from her supporters. As she made her way through the swarming mass of thousands of cheering and tooting supporters, she received a kiss from a child. It was evident from the crowd's reaction that Ms Suu Kyi represents hope for her people in becoming a lawmaker in her country's parliament. Some supporters even went as far as to wait in a small boat to greet Ms Suu Kyi, who would be travelling on another to Pyapon township. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_768153.html ------------------------------------------------ MCOT online news: 18 February 2012 Thai opposition leader meets with Aung San Suu Kyi BANGKOK, Feb 18 - Thailand's Opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday flew to Myanmar to meet with pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. Mr Abhisit said before leaving for the neighbouring country that the meeting was arranged since his term as prime minister of Thailand. The meeting is aimed at boosting national reconciliation and democracy development in Myanmar, said the Democrat leader, adding that he will exchange ideas with the Nobel Peace Prize laureate over the directions of change within Myanmar. Mr Abhisit noted that Thailand's neighbour has changed rapidly and the phenomenon had an impact on the entire Southeast Asian region. The ex-premier added that he planned to follow up the development of democratic process in Myanmar, as well as help forge cooperation between the two countries and further strengthen the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in which Thailand and Myanmar are fellow member countries. The visit of the opposition leader came after Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra met with the National League for Democracy (NLD) party leader Aung San Suu Kyi last December, saying she supported the neighbouring countrys democratic process. Ms Yingluck praised Ms Suu Kyis spirit and strong determination to boost democratic development in Myanmar constructively. She said Thailand was an ally and a close friend of Myanmar and wanted to see its neighbour continue development in every field. (MCOT online news) http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/332503.html ---------------------------------------------------- Burma soldier dies in Shan state battle with KIA Created on Saturday, 18 February 2012 10:20 Published Date Written by KNG KIA soldiers who are resisting against offensive of Burma government troops in Northern Shan State. MUSE, Burma--- A Burmese soldier died on Thursday morning following a battle between the Kachin Independence Army's (KIA) new battalion near Mong Mit in northern Shan State. The soldier's body and his gun were retrieved by KIA troops following the end of a four hour firefight between government forces and KIA Battalion 34, according to local residents who witnessed the clash. Reached for comment officials from the KIA's 4th Brigade confirmed the clash and the involvement of Battalion 34, which was formed early last month. Yesterday also saw a similar skirmish break out between KIA Battalion 8 troops and government forces further south in the Namlet Bum area in Namtu Township, according to sources in the battalion. It is not yet clear if either side lost men during this fighting. Despite a strong push by the Burmese army to remove Battalion 8 from Namtu, Kutkai, Mandong, Namhkam and Muse townships the KIA has been able to regain some lost territory recently, according to a Battalion 8 officer on the ground in the area. The Shwe gas project's twin oil and gas pipelines are slated to be built in a lengthy stretch of Kachin Independence Organization territory in northern Shan state from Namtu to Muse. When completed the pipeline project will deliver fuel from Burma's Arakan coast to China's Yunnan province and provide millions in revenue for Burma's government. Although representatives of President Thein Sein had previously agreed to meet with their counterparts from the KIO for talks this week, this meeting is yet occur due to an apparent dispute over location. According to the KIO, the Burmese delegation refuses to meet again in China, site of two previous rounds of talks. http://www.kachinnews.com/news/2239-burma-soldier-dies-in-shan-state-battle-with-kia.html ----------------------------------------------- Kuwait''s first resident ambassador to Myanmar takes office 2/18/2012 1:32:00 PM | Kuwait News KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (KUNA) -- Issa Youssef Al-Shimali presented his credentials to President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Thein Sein, as Kuwait's first resident ambassador to the South Asian country. Al-Shimali conveyed the regards of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to President Sein, a statement by the embassy in Myanmar said, adding that bilateral relations at all levels were also discussed during the encounter. On his part, President Sein congratulated Al-Shimali on being designated as the first resident envoy in Myanmar, the statement noted. (end) sf.hb KUNA 181332 Feb 12NNNN http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2222163&language=en ------------------------------------------ EU lifts admission restrictions on Myanmar president, others BRUSSELS (Kyodo) -- The European Union on Friday suspended admission restrictions on 87 high-ranking government officials of Myanmar, including President Thein Sein, in response to developments in political reform in the Southeast Asian country. "We have seen historic changes in Burma/Myanmar and we strongly encourage the authorities to continue this process," Catherine Ashton, high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a statement. The EU is reviewing all restrictive measures on Myanmar, due to expire on April 30. Ashton said she will visit Myanmar shortly after the parliamentary by-elections slated for April 1. By then "I hope we will have had the chance to complete the review and to have made decisions at an EU level to respond to what I hope will be continued progress," she said. In January, the EU decided at its Foreign Affairs Council meeting that it will continue to ease its restrictive measures on Myanmar. The admission restrictions affect the president, the vice presidents, cabinet members and the speakers of the two houses of parliament and their family members, the EU said. The EU has slapped economic sanctions against Myanmar since the 1990s. Attention will shift to what the EU would do concerning its arms embargo and freeze on assets of key government officials and government-affiliated enterprises, in response to developments in Myanmar. (Mainichi Japan) February 18, 2012 http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/business/news/20120218p2g00m0bu030000c.html ------------------------------------------------ China arrests 12 drug trafficking suspects Last Updated(Beijing Time):2012-02-17 21:27 Chinese police have in the past week cracked two major drug trafficking cases in southwestern Yunnan Province and seized a total of 12 suspects, including two Myanmar nationals, local authorities said Friday. Six suspects were caught on Feb. 10 handling 27 kg of methamphetamine in the county of Fengqing, local police said, adding that a pistol and seven rounds of ammunition were also confiscated. In another case, also on Feb. 10, six suspects were apprehended with 20 kg of heroin. Five of them were detained in Yunnan's Dali city and another in Lanzhou of northwestern China's Gansu Province, police said. Both cases are under further investigation. China has always taken a zero-tolerance approach to drug trafficking, relentlessly cracking down on the crime. According to Chinese criminal law, those who smuggle, sell, transport or manufacture opium of more than 1 kg, or heroin or methamphetamine of more than 50 grams can be sentenced to 15 years in jail, life imprisonment or even death. Source:Xinhua http://en.ce.cn/National/Local/201202/18/t20120218_23083610.shtml __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (10)
Saturday, February 18, 2012
News &Articles on Burma-Friday, 17 February 2010-uzl
News &Articles on Burma Friday, 17 February 2010 ----------------------------------------------- EU eases travel ban on Burma, while war in Kachin State unresolved EU starts lifting Myanmar sanctions, rewards reforms PR Campaign Begins for Suspended Myitsone Dam EU lifts travel ban for Burma's top officials Burma to start disaster warning system UN official targets health, job creation World Bank returns to Burma after 25 years out Sky trains and subways for Burma? Restrictions on UN work in Burma should be lifted ----------------------------------------------- EU eases travel ban on Burma, while war in Kachin State unresolved By Zin Linn Feb 17, 2012 11:23PM UTC The European Union has eased travel restrictions for Burmas 87 high-ranking officials, including President and vice-presidents. International sanctions have been imposed on Burma since 1988, when the military harshly cracked down on pro-democracy protests, leaving an estimated 3,000 people dead. The United States and the European Union increased their sanctions after the junta refused to acknowledge the NLDs victory in 1990 elections and then arrested opponents and suppressed every type of opposition. Most of the sanctions target the top generals in particular. In addition to the U.S. and EU sanctions, the current army-backed government has suffered various sanctions from Australia, Canada and Japan. It has been left without development assistance from international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asia Development Bank. The Council said in its press release today that it suspended admission restrictions concerning 87 persons, comprised of the president, the vice presidents, cabinet members and the speakers of the two houses of parliament and their family members. Those individuals remain subject to a freeze of their assets within the EU. We have seen historic changes in Burma/Myanmar and we strongly encourage the authorities to continue this process. I have launched a full review of our policy towards Burma/Myanmar, and todays decision to suspend certain restrictive measures is a reaction to the positive signs coming from the country. I will visit Burma/Myanmar in April after the by-elections, by which time I hope we will have had the chance to complete the review and to have made decisions at an EU level to respond to what I hope will be continued progress, said Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The decision gave legal effect to an agreement among EU foreign ministers in January to commence easing sanctions on Burma. The ministers also pledged additional action if the reforms keep on. The Council has welcomed the dialogue between President U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It also hailed the changes to the Electoral Law adopted by the Parliament. The Council greeted the NLDs decision to register as a political party to contest the 1 April by-elections. The EU put together particular importance to the free and fair conduct of these elections. The EUs Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs visited Burma on 12 February for a three-day visit to assess the ongoing reforms and to encourage their continuation. He has also announced an aid package of about $200m (?128m) focused on health, education sectors. Commissioner Piebalgs said that if by-elections in April were free and fair, more sanctions were likely to be eased. The 27-nation bloc is reviewing its sanctions, which include an arms embargo, a ban on gems and an assets freeze on nearly 500 people and 900 entities. They are all due to expire on April 30. Ms Catherine Ashton said she will visit Burma in April following the by-elections in the South-East Asian country. In the meantime, Burmas armed forces continue nonstop to attack positions held by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in the Kachin controlled areas. Despite President Thein Sein ordered twice to halt the offensive against the Kachin rebels, the Burmese army has continued its aggressive operation against the KIA and Kachin civilians so far. As a consequence, lots of human rights abuses made by governments soldiers are taking place along the Sino-Burma border where the war-driven refugees run away. So, some analysts deem that Western democracies should think over and over again regarding lifting of sanctions as a reward for the Burma/Myanmar government if the unjust Kachin offensive failed to stop immediately. http://asiancorrespondent.com/76289/eu-eases-travel-ban-on-burma-while-war-in-kachin-state-unresolved/ ------------------------------------------- Feb 17, 2012 - 13:58 EU starts lifting Myanmar sanctions, rewards reforms By Justyna Pawlak BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union lifted travel restrictions against Myanmar president Thein Sein and other top officials on Friday in a first step towards rewarding the government for democratic reforms after half a century of military rule. The bloc's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, also held out the prospect of a further easing of sanctions, which target nearly a thousand firms and institutions with asset freezes, impose restrictions on hundreds of officials and include an arms embargo and investment bans. "We have seen historic changes ... and we strongly encourage the authorities to continue this process," Ashton said in a statement. By April, she said, EU governments will have held a review of their sanctions policy towards Myanmar and could take further steps, depending in part on the results of a parliamentary by-election. "I will visit (Myanmar) in April after the by-elections, by which time I hope we will have had the chance to complete the review and to have made decisions at an EU level to respond to what I hope will be continued progress," she said. On Thursday, the World Bank said it was in the process of returning to Myanmar, underlining a growing acknowledgement in the West of the southeast Asian nation's efforts to emerge from decades of isolation. Other multilateral lenders such as the Asian Development Bank have also taken preliminary steps towards resuming activities, while the United States has eased some restrictions. CRACKDOWNS EU sanctions were imposed after bloody military crackdowns on a pro-democracy movement, whose figurehead is Nobel Peace Prize-winning dissident Aung San Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi, who was freed in 2010, has reversed her stance on boycotting the army-dominated political system following the reforms and will stand in the April polls. Last March, a civilian administration took office in the former Burma after decades of army rule, although a new parliament is still dominated by military personnel and an army-backed party that won a general election in November 2010 amid opposition complaints of rigging. But hundreds of political prisoners have been freed and the new government appears eager to repair relations with the West. Myanmar's strategic location at a crossroads in Asia and its natural resources mean it has long been regarded as an investment opportunity by its neighbours, particularly China. Now the country, which missed out on Asia's economic boom, is being eyed with interest by Western investors. Myanmar's ports on the Indian Ocean make it an important ally for Beijing. China's state energy group CNPC has started building a crude oil port there, part of a pipeline project aimed at cutting out the long detour oil cargoes take through the congested and strategically vulnerable Malacca Strait. Friday's easing of European travel bans affects 87 people, including Myanmar's vice-presidents, cabinet members and the speakers of the two houses of parliament and their families, along side the president. The officials remain subject to an EU asset freeze. (Reporting by Justyna Pawlak; Editing by Rosalind Russell) Reuters http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/EU_starts_lifting_Myanmar_sanctions,_rewards_reforms.html?cid=32142584 ---------------------------------------- PR Campaign Begins for Suspended Myitsone Dam By BA KAUNG / THE IRRAWADDY Friday, February 17, 2012 China Power Investment Corporation (CPI), the major investor in the suspended US $3.6 billion Myitsone dam project in Burma, has reportedly embarked on a public relations campaign in Kachin State in the hope of restarting the project in the near future. On Thursday, media groups inside Burma reported that over the past two weeks, CPI employees have been distributing pamphlets extolling the benefits of the megadam project to locals in Aung Myaytha and Mali Yang villages in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State. A villager in the area was quoted in the report as saying that the pamphlets said that the Myitsone project will benefit the local residents and it will not have any negative impact because it will be constructed in a very systematic way. The report comes five months after Burmese President Thein Sein made the historical decision to suspend the project until at least 2016 when his presidential term expire. He cited environment concerns and public criticism; pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was among the many public voices calling for the dam's suspension. The decision to abort the multimillion-dollar hydropower project angered the Chinese government which called for friendly consultations with Naypyidaw to resolve the matter while insisting that the Myitsone hydropower plant is a China-Myanmar joint-investment project which has gone through scientific feasibility studies and strict examinations by both sides. A 6000-megawatt dam project planned for construction at the confluence of Burma's largest river, the Irrawaddy, the Myitsone dam is part of a seven-cascade dam project mainly financed and built by Chinese state-owned companies. Much of the electricity it was to generate was scheduled to be exported to China. Many assumed that the construction of six smaller hydro-dam projects in Kachin State were also halted along with Myitsone dam closure in September. But the latest reports indicate that construction is ongoing at those smaller dam projects. Sources have also reported that CPI officials have visited the dam sites last month when they conducted meetings with local officials aimed at implementing the projects. Several observers in Kachin State say they believe that CPI and the Chinese investors are still intent on realizing this project despite the popular concerns within Burma. Earlier in January, Chinese energy lobbyist Zhang Boting published an essay stating that the Myitsone dam construction will contribute to poverty alleviation efforts in Burma. The essay was published on the website of the Chinese governments most authoritative mouthpiece, The Peoples Daily. Zhang is the deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Hydropower Engineering Association in charge of international projects. CPI also published an essay recently on its website, describing as objective Suu Kyi's criticism of the ecological problems of the Myitsone dam project, but saying that the Burmese democracy icon is not a professional ... and so cannot comprehensively and accurately evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of construction of hydropower projects and dams. Patrick Boehler contributed to this report. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=23057 ------------------------------------------ Radio Australia News EU lifts travel ban for Burma's top officials Last Updated: 4 hours 40 minutes ago The European Union has eased travel restrictions for 87 high-ranking Burmese officials, including President Thein Sein. Hailing the "remarkable programme of political reform" in Burma, the EU said it eased restrictions for the president, the vice presidents, cabinet members, the speakers of the two houses of parliament and their families. "We have seen historic changes in Burma and we strongly encourage the authorities to continue this process," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement. The decision gave legal effect to an agreement among EU foreign ministers in January to begin easing sanctions on Burma. The ministers also pledged further action if the reforms continue. The 27-nation bloc is reviewing its sanctions, which include an arms embargo, a ban on gems and an assets freeze on nearly 500 people and 900 entities. They are all due to expire on April 30. "I will visit Burma in April after the by-elections, by which time I hope we will have had the chance to complete the review and to have made decisions at an EU level to respond to what I hope will be continued progress," Ms Ashton said. http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201202/3433809.htm ----------------------------------------- Burma to start disaster warning system By NAW NOREEN Published: 17 February 2012 Satellite image from NASA shows Cyclone NArgis sweeping over southern Burma in May 2008 (Reuters) Burma will capitalise on developments in its domestic internet system to better prepare the country for possible future natural disasters. A foundation run by former meteorology department chief Tun Lwin is being set up to tackle Burma's poor monitoring system. Ecodep will open a centre in Irrawaddy division, where tens of thousands of people lost their lives in 2008's Cyclone Nargis. "We will mainly [distribute] information via the internet -- now there are big towns with internet access in the [Irrawaddy] region, such as Bogale and Phyarpon," he said. Staff would be trained in how to use the internet, and warnings would be distributed to fishermen and farmers via bodies like the Fisheries Association and the Rice Association. "Our aim is to provide swift and solid information for grassroots people while using language that they can understand and offering them advice." Tun Lwin hasn't had an easy relationship with the Burmese government -- following Cyclone Nargis, which left up to 140,000 people dead, he resigned his post. Authorities claimed he had failed at his job of providing warning of natural disasters, but he says he told the government of the impending disaster several days in advance, and that they sought to use him as a scapegoat to cover their own ineptitude. http://www.dvb.no/news/burma-to-start-disaster-warning-system/20306 -------------------------------------------- UN official targets health, job creation By AFP Published: 17 February 2012 U.N special envoy to Burma Vijay Nambiar talks to reporters after he met Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, at Suu Kyi's residence in Rangoon February 16, 2012 (Reuters) A top UN official urged Burma Friday to ensure that a new reform drive benefits citizens of the impoverished nation in areas such as healthcare and education. Vijay Nambiar, special adviser to the UN chief on Burma, made the appeal at the end of a five-day visit during which he met key figures including President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Nearly one year after a quasi-civilian government took over from outright military rule, Nambiar praised the changes under way, which have "attained an unprecedented level of initiative," a UN press release said. The priorities he highlighted on his visit included credible by-elections in April, peace with ethnic rebel groups and deliverance on the needs of the people, "so that they start benefiting in real terms from the reforms so far". "Health, education and job creation remain key responsibilities for both central and local authorities in order to empower people to participate fully and equitably in the country's development and growth," said the statement. Only with "sound economic policies" can the change "be accelerated in the interest of the entire population of Myanmar [Burma]," it added. The new regime --- dominated by former generals --- has begun to usher in a string of reforms, including the release of hundreds of political prisoners. The progress has been hailed by Western powers who are mulling easing sanctions on Burma, which remains one of the world's most isolated and least developed countries despite a wealth of natural resources. http://www.dvb.no/news/un-official-targets-health-job-creation/20301 ------------------------------------------------ World Bank returns to Burma after 25 years out By HANNA HINDSTROM Published: 17 February 2012 World Bank President Robert Zoellick has been urged to emphasise civic participation in Burma's development (Reuters) The World Bank is set to re-engage with Burma 25 years after freezing its lending, but the Southeast Asian country must first repay several hundred million dollars in outstanding arrears. The announcement came as the global financial institution held a board of directors meeting on the future of the country yesterday and is the latest sign that the international community is ready to welcome Burma back in from the cold. "We are encouraged by developments in Myanmar [Burma] and we have begun the process of re-engaging with the government to support reforms that will benefit all of the people of Myanmar, including the poor and vulnerable," said the bank's vice president for East Asia and Pacific, Pamela Cox. The World Bank froze all its operations in Burma in 1987 after the country's repeated failure to meet its loan repayments or to implement economic or political reform. According to Reuters, Burma owes some $US11.02 billion in external debt run up decades ago, while its foreign currency reserves are a little over $US7 billion. Both the United States and the European Union have begun easing their sanctions against Burma and have indicated that they will remove further restrictions provided free and fair by-elections are held on 1 April. Cox highlighted the importance of budget transparency and working closely with civil society organisations to promote social accountability and inclusivity. Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch urged the World Bank to "take special care to avoid further bolstering the economic elite" in its re-engagement process. Continued violence in many of Burma's border areas -- notably Kachin state -- has been a key source of concern for potential donors. The Bank insists that it will provide technical assistance on economic incentives to help with the peace process in border areas in an effort to promote peace and security. Although the US -- the World Bank's largest shareholder --- waived sanctions on limited technical assistance earlier this month, additional restrictions means it is still required to oppose any new lending by the institution. Despite vast natural resource wealth, Burma remains the poorest country in Southeast Asia and ranks 149 out of 187 on the UN's Human Development Index. http://www.dvb.no/news/world-bank-returns-to-burma-after-25-years-out/20309 ------------------------------------------- Sky trains and subways for Burma? Rail transport minister has audacious plans for Burma's commercial capital Patrick WinnFebruary 17, 2012 03:12 Burma trains 2012 02 17 Are subways and elevated rail lines coming to Yangon, the impoverished former capital of Burma? In an interview with Reuters, the rail transport minister of Burma (officially titled Myanmar) said the government has designs on lines akin to modern rail systems in Bangkok or Beijing. If completed, this would be a stunning development for a city where decrepit buses and taxis routinely afford passengers a view of the road through holes in their floorboards. It's also a bit ambitious for a government with more pressing needs; run-down hospitals and broke schools come to mind. And what happened to those plans to build a subway in Burma's new capital modeled on rail lines in North Korea? ----------------------------------------------- Restrictions on UN work in Burma should be lifted February 17, 2012 3:48 pm Rangoon - The international community should lift restrictions on UN programmes in Burma to support its government's reforms, a visiting senior UN official said Friday. "Now is the time to step up support and to adjust existing policies in order to help build conditions for sustaining the reform and for the betterment of Myanmar's peoples," said Vijay Nambiar, special adviser on Myanmar to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. "It is urgent that the government delivers on the socio-economic needs of the people so that they start benefiting in real terms from the reforms so far," he said at the end of a five-day visit to Burma. The statement seemed directed at the United States, which is the largest contributor to the UN budget at 22 per cent and which has blocked UN agencies in Burma from working directly with the government for the past two decades. The restrictions were meant to punish the former ruling military junta for its poor human rights record and refusal to make political reforms. The civilian, albeit pro-military government that came to power in March after the country's first elections in 20 years has pushed through a series of political and economic reforms that have prompted a flood of high-levels visits to the once-pariah state. "The changes currently under way in Burma have attained an unprecedented level of initiative as recognized by a range of stakeholders across the political spectrum," Nambiar said as he prepared to leave Burma after talks with President Thein Sein, legislative Speaker Shwe Mann and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.//DPA http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Restrictions-on-UN-work-in-Burma-should-be-lifted-30176114.html __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (9)
Friday, February 17, 2012
News &Articles on Burma-Thursday, 16 February 2012-UZL
News &Articles on Burma Thursday, 16 February 2012 ----------------------------------------------- SSA: We don't trust the military, but it's time to enter the ring Ethnic MPs ignore order to don Burmese costume on Union Day Burma reforms 'not set in stone' 8 million 'ecstasy' tablets, weapons seized in Tachileik China notes increase in meth drug smuggling Nationwide peace is near: Aung Min Opposition Leader Bets On Myanmar Reforms Burma needs to end ethnic wars for genuine change Outcast no more Rule of law holds key to Myanmar reforms Daw Aung San Suu Kyi says Burma is just an ethnic nationality Myanmar to promote railway sector with loans from China, India -------------------------------------------- SSA: We don't trust the military, but it's time to enter the ring Thursday, 16 February 2012 10:55 S.H.A.N. In response to critics, bother former supporters and rivals alike, who say the movement's leadership has gone nai"ve by entering a ceasefire pact with Naypyitaw, the Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) argues the matter of trust, though important, is secondary. "The world wants peace in Burma and our people want a respite from the endless conflict," said 73 year old Sao Pai Mong, the RCSS/SSA's principal adviser. "We know (by offering ceasefire talks and eventual political dialogue) the regime has challenged us to fight in the ring (and not outside it as it used to). By accepting the challenge, it doesn't mean we have placed our fate in the regime's hands." He cited several reasons why Naypyitaw especially the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) could not be trusted: continued construction of fortifications, refusal to withdraw its troops to towns and cities, and continued harassment and attacks on the SSA, among others. It shows they have only changed clothes but they still remain the same people, he said. Nevertheless, he believes Lt-Gen Yawdserk, leader of the SSA South, as the RCSS/SSA is commonly known, is correct in concluding a ceasefire agreement with President Thein Seins government. You cannot win by staying outside the ring, he reasoned. And we believe in our leaders ability to handle the problems that come with it. At the same time, he will need a lot of second line leaders who are as farsighted and share the same breadth of vision. He said the second phase of the peace process, as announced by U Aung Min, Naypyitaws chief negotiator on 19 November 2011, should focus on education and healthcare for the people and capacity-building for members of the movement. Asked what he thought about President Thein Sein, he replied, The Burmese leaders have a poor track record of getting rid of those who had performed outstanding services for the nation. Just look at the examples: Aung San after he won over the non-Burmans, Kyaw Zaw after he defeated the Kuomintang and Khin Nyunt after he achieved ceasefire agreements with several armed opposition movements. President Thein Sein certainly cannot afford to be careless. The RCSS/SSA signed the ceasefire agreement on 2 December and became one of the 7 major armed movements that are at an uneasy truce with the regime. The second agreement, signed on 16 January, has designated some 2,000 square kilometer area stretching along the Thai Burma border, opposite Maehongson and Chiangmai for resettlement and development. But the Burma Army so far has refused to implement it. Loi Taileng, the SSA Souths main base, is still conferring with Naypyitaw on how to go about it, said Yawdserk yesterday. http://www.english.panglong.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4422:ssa-we-dont-trust-the-military-but-its-time-to-enter-the-ring&catid=85:politics&Itemid=266 ------------------------------------------- Ethnic MPs ignore order to don Burmese costume on Union Day Thursday, 16 February 2012 11:07 S.H.A.N. More than half of non-Burman ethnic MPs just ignored instruction to wear Burmese attire to attend the Union Day dinner party hosted by President Thein Sein on 12 February, according to Shan MPs. Sai Hak aka Thiha Kyaw (Photo: Kawli Media) "It could be a mistake by the organizers," said Sai Hak aka Thiha Kyaw, People's Assembly representative for Mongyai township, Shan State North. "Anyway, since it was a Union Day and not a Burman Day, most of us decided that the order was not meant for us non-Burmans." Among the Shans at the dinner party, there was only Sai Mawk Kham, Vice President #2, who had chosen to wear the traditional Burmar/Burman garb, according to government-owned MRTV news. The Union Day came into being when Burma, Federated Shan States, Chin Hills and Kachin Hills signed the Panglong Agreement in 1947 to form what was to become the Union of Burma. http://www.english.panglong.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4423%3Aethnic-mps-ignore-order-to-don-burmese-costume-on-union-day&catid=85%3Apolitics&Itemid=266 -------------------------------------------- RADIO AUSTRALIA NEWS Burma reforms 'not set in stone' Last Updated: 5 hours 10 minutes ago The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma has warned that reforms in the country are not yet set in stone. Burma has seen some astonishing change in the last year since opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest. Ms Suu Kyi is now a candidate in elections due to be held in April. But the UN Special Rapporteur, Tomas Ojean Quintana, has told Newsline that the military still hasn't entirely relinquished its hold on power. "There is an important process of reform that I see irreversible in some aspects at the same time I see that the military still holds an important piece of the power," he said. "It is too soon to say that everything is finished and now there is democracy in the country." Mr Quintana said he has been told by the Burmese Government that it is considering allowing international observers in to monitor the April elections. http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201202/3432808.htm?desktop -------------------------------------------- 8 million 'ecstasy' tablets, weapons seized in Tachileik Thursday, 16 February 2012 12:34 Kyaw Kha Chiang Mai (Mizzima) -- Police were tipped off to a huge drug shipment probably bound for Thailand stored in three homes in a village outside of Tachileik on the northern Thai-Burma border on Monday. Around 8.7 million amphetamine tablets and assorted weapons were confiscated, said Burmese authorities. Ecstasy pills are a staple of the drug trade around the Golden Triangle. Photo: wikipedia.orgAuthorities raided three houses in the Lwetawkham village tract in Tachileik Township and found amphetamine-type tablets, assault rifles and drug-making material, according to a source close to the police. "One of the members of this drug gang gave police a tip-off by phone. All of the owners of the houses are ethnic Akha and all of them managed to escape the raid. Only the drugs, weapons and equipment were found," a source told Mizzima. The raids took place on Monday morning. One AK-47 assault rifle, one M-16 rifle, a .38 pistol and one M-22 rifle were seized. Sixty kilograms of caffeine used in making the drugs was also seized. The Tachileik police said that the drugs were probably going to be sent to Thailand. In its 2011 report, the UN anti-narcotics agency sounded the alarm over soaring production and consumption of heroin and new "designer drugs" that are again making Southeast Asia a major drugs hub. The agency's World Drug Report 2011 warned that Burma has become a prime source of synthetic narcotic methamphetamine. A record 15.8 tons of methamphetamine pills were seized in 2009, the latest year for available figures, up by more than one third from 2008. Most of the drugs came from or were seized in Burma, which the UNODC called "one of the primary sources of methamphetamine pills in Southeast Asia." Burma has also seen a surge in opium poppy production to make heroin, according to the agency. The world opium market is now said to be valued at more than $US 68 billion a year. The Golden Triangle of Laos, Burma and Thailand are at the center of the drug trade. The UN said that governments and experts in Asia had reported a "significant" increase in use of amphetamine-type stimulants over the past year, particularly of methamphetamine. http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/6596-8-million-ecstasy-tablets-weapons-seized-in-tachileik.html --------------------------------------------- China notes increase in meth drug smuggling Thursday, 16 February 2012 17:12 Mizzima News (Mizzima) -- A Chinese official says "speed" drugs such as methamphetamine, or "ice," are significantly on the rise, and China will step up efforts to combat border smuggling. Opium poppies growing in a cultivated field in Tanai Township in southern Kachin State. Photo: Mizzima Opium poppies growing in a cultivated field in Tanai Township in southern Kachin State. Photo: Mizzima The increase is especially noticeable in some border areas owing to "domestic and overseas factors," he told China Daily on Tuesday. Ma Yan, a vice-president of a criminal tribunal under the Supreme People's Court, said illegal drug making in border areas, particularly southwest China, is causing serious concern. Yang Wu, a 32-year-old farmer, was among those arrested by poice. Yang was sentenced to death for smuggling with his accomplices up to 18 kilograms of the new-type "designer" drugs. They transported the drug from Southwest China's Yunnan Province, which borders Burma, and sold them in East China's Zhejiang Province. Capital punishment is considered in cases involving the production or smuggling of "a large amount of drugs" and for repeat offenders, Ma said, without specifying how many of those convicted have been sentenced to death. Sun Jungong, a spokesman of the Supreme People's Court, said last year more than one in four dealers among the total 19,000 drug criminals received severe sentences -- from five years in prison to the death sentence -- 11 percent more than those convicted of other types of crime. China Daily reported on Tuesday that drug trafficking in the Golden Triangle was on the rise and a crackdown was underway aimed at blocking smugglers from entering the country's western border region. The Mekong River threads along the Golden Triangle, the border area between Burma, Laos and Thailand, which in recent months has been the scene of clashes between drug runners and Burmese and Thai soldiers who work on the river to ensure the safety of cargo ships. Xinhua reported in December that Chinese cargo ships departing from Yunnan Province were escorted by five patrol vessels. When they entered a section of the Mekong River on the Laos-Thailand border, a fleet of 10 Thai patrol vessels loaded with armed officers and heavy machines guns waited to escort them to Chiang Saen port in Thailand. An armed helicopter hovered in the sky. Meanwhile, clashes between Burmese soldiers and a Burmese drug gang led by Sai Naung Hkam occurred on the Mekong River during a joint patrol by Burma and Laos forces. Two Burmese soldiers were killed. The drug gang was led by Sai Naung Hkam, a former officer in the now defunct Mong Tai Army, which was headed by the late Burmese drug lord Khun Sa, who had a close relationship with former Burmese junta military officers. Residents say Sai Naung Hkam extorts money from cargo ships running on the Mekong River. On October 31, a four-country meeting between China, Laos, Thailand and Burma was held in Beijing, in which it was agreed to conduct joint law enforcement along the Mekong River. http://www.mizzima.com/news/regional/6599-china-notes-increase-in-meth-drug-smuggling.html -------------------------------------------- Nationwide peace is near: Aung Min Thursday, 16 February 2012 15:25 Mizzima News (Mizzima) -- Burma's peace negotiator says all remaining armed rebel groups should have cease-fire deals signed within three months. After that, he said, will come dialogues on-going dialogues intended to provide "everlasting peace." Government peace delegation leader Rail Transportation Minister Aung Min speaks at a press conference in this file photo. Photo: MizzimaIn his first interview with a foreign news organization, Aung Min, a retired general and the current minister for rail transportation appointed by President Thein Sein to solve the decades old hostilities, told Reuters news agency on Wednesday the government and ethnic armed groups were beginning to trust each other. "This is a chronic disease that has been happening for over 60 years. Successive governments couldn't cure the disease because the remedy didn't fit," Aung Min told the agency in his first interview with a foreign news group. Burma has changed, he said, allowing for a new approach to peace talks. After the cease-fires, the negotiations will cover broad areas, such as ethnic groups' longing for a true federal system, with broad powers granted to states or regions, similar to systems in the U.S. and the European Union. Nine of 16 rebel groups have signed cease-fire agreements with the government, he said, and he expected six more agreements to be reached within a few months. The Kayah Nationalities Progressive Party (KNPP) would sign a deal on March 1, he said, and five smaller parties were expected to sign soon. He declined to comment about the fighting still going on in Kachin State despite an order by President Thein Sein and the armed forces commander-in-chief for troops to end offensives. The era of former junta leader, Senior General Than Shwe, who ruled Myanmar during an era of brutal suppression of democratic groups, is over. He said Than Shwe had no influence in the current government, in which he played a large role in putting it in place. "Than Shwe has retired completely. We don't need to follow his orders or influence. There is now virtually no contact," he was quoted as saying. He said Than Shwe spends a lot of time reading now, and the country owned him thanks for putting in place a peaceful transition to democracy. Regarding rumours of tensions between more democratic and more conservation groups in the government and military, he said they were just rumours and "we are all" for President Thein Sein. He credited Thein Sein as putting in place a "three-step plan" for peace, first involving cease-fires, followed by political negotiations, followed by a special assembly of Parliament which would offer a formal peace agreement. Whether self-determination was involved in the process, he said he couldn't say, but he left the door open in terms of amending the 2008 Constitution, and "the groups would be encouraged to form political parties and join Parliament." Aung Min painted a colorful picture of previous cease-fire negotiations, reflecting scenes of deep distrust of the government. He said a few ethnic leaders were afraid to eat food offered to them for fear it was poisoned, and some refused to accept token gifts. "At first they didn't trust me, they carried out body searches on me for weapons," he told Reuters. "They weren't brave enough to eat food I had brought, in case I poisoned them. They didn't accept gifts and souvenirs in case there were bombs or booby-traps. I had to win their trust and confidence..." In the past, he said negotiators only sought cease-fires, but now Burma is seeking real peace, even though it will take time and will not be easy. "This is our plan for eternal peace," he said. http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/6597-nationwide-peace-is-near-aung-min.html ------------------------------------------ NPR Opposition Leader Bets On Myanmar Reforms by Anthony Kuhn February 15, 2012 Ethnic Karen women welcome opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to War Thein Kha village. The area is in Kawhmu Township, which Suu Kyi is campaigning to represent in Myanmar's parliament. February 15, 2012 The military-backed government of Myanmar, also known as Burma, has surprised many skeptics with the pace of its political reforms releasing political prisoners, easing censorship and making peace with ethnic insurgents. But none of these reforms have won it as much praise as its efforts to mend fences with opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. After nearly two decades under house arrest, Suu Kyi is now aiming to work for democracy within the system by running for a seat in parliament. Lately, she has been on the campaign trail, standing up through the sunroof of her SUV, gathering up bouquets of flowers and cheers from well-wishers. Her supporters pack the dusty roads leading to the township of Kawhmu, the rural constituency she hopes to represent. Campaigning For Parliament At the entrance to one village, Suu Kyi is greeted by ethnic Karen residents, chanting a traditional welcome. The farmers' mouths are stained a rusty red from chewing betel nut. Their cheeks are smeared with a white herbal sunblock. Kawhmu is deep in the countryside, a four-hour drive from Yangon, the country's largest city. Suu Kyi says she chose the area for its ethnic diversity. The area was hard-hit by Cyclone Nargis in 2008, and many residents were angry at the government's slow and feeble response to the emergency. Suu Kyi asks the villagers for their support as they sit in a sun-baked field. She says she's wary of making campaign pledges, warning that the road to a better Burma will not be an easy one. The recent political reforms haven't changed much in Kawhmu. There's not much industry and not many jobs here. "I and a lot of folks here want to vote for Suu Kyi," says 25-year-old farmer Sa Tun Lin. "I don't understand politics too well, but I want to choose someone who will work hard for the benefit of the people." Suu Kyi is the daughter of Gen. Aung San, the Burmese national hero who negotiated independence from Great Britain in 1947. She didn't get into politics until 1988, and she has spent much of the time since then under house arrest. Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, boycotted the 2010 elections as unfair. It was not until last December that she announced that she had changed her mind and decided to return to electoral politics. Skepticism Over Reforms Some of her colleagues, including the party's co-founder, 82-year-old Win Tin, think she is too optimistic. "I don't know whether you can trust, you see, this government or this president and so on," he says. "You cannot easily trust the army. The army can take power at any time according to that constitution." Win Tin, a journalist who spent nearly two decades in jail for his political activism, would prefer to build up the party before competing in elections. But he says he knows that Suu Kyi is "The Lady," and the only person with the charisma and credentials needed to lead the Burmese pro-democracy movement. "We have some different opinions on some issues," he concedes, "but anyhow, I stand with her, I follow her and I support her." If she's elected to parliament, Suu Kyi says she wants to revise the constitution, which mandates a leading role for the army and gives it the right to invoke emergency powers that can be exercised without any accountability. 'Joining Our Efforts' Even if Suu Kyi and her party sweep the April 1 by-elections, the military and the ruling party will still hold an overwhelming advantage in parliament. Pushing any major revisions through will be difficult. Speaking at party headquarters, Suu Kyi says diplomatically that she's not trying to get the military to give up any of its power. "I would like the military to cooperate with us in building democracy in Burma," she insists. "It's not a matter of relinquishing anything, but of joining in our efforts." Suu Kyi appears to be gambling that the new administration is serious about democratic reform. The government, meanwhile, is gambling that embracing Suu Kyi will persuade foreign powers to lift their sanctions on Myanmar. Officials have raised the possibility that that once in parliament, Suu Kyi could go from lawmaker to Cabinet minister. Her party won a landslide electoral victory in 1990, but the ruling junta refused to stand aside. Whether Suu Kyi and the party could some day have another chance at holding power will have to wait at least until the next general election in 2015. http://www.npr.org/2012/02/15/146892722/opposition-leader-bets-on-myanmar-reforms ------------------------------------------ Burma needs to end ethnic wars for genuine change By Zin Linn Feb 16, 2012 11:48AM UTC This February is the 65 Anniversary time of Burma's Panglong agreement which guarantee to form a democratic federal union. The agreement has been ignored by the military leaders as they did not support the 'Federalism' since 1962 military coup. The Panglong Agreement was signed on Feb. 12, 1947, between General Aung San and leaders of the Chin, Kachin and Shan ethnic groups guaranteeing to establish a genuine federal union of Burma. However, the civil war that made the country of inferior quality has been going on and on for over six decades. Although the government has been attempting through two peacemaking teams, the key ethnic rebel groups, Karen National Union (KNU) and Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) are still unconvinced of the plan for political settlement. The ethnic armed groups do not trust fully on government's peace talks. The fact is that while offering peace proposal, the government has been increasing its deployment of armed forces in the conflict zones. Besides, the Burma Army's soldiers are on the loose committing lots of crimes and human rights abuses in the ethnic territories. Moreover, the difficulties of ending the war against the KNU and the KIO are intertwined with the natural resources benefit in the respective ethnic states. Myitsone dam venture and Shwe-gas twin pipeline development projects are connected with the Kachin warfare and Dawei deep sea-port multi-billion mega projects need security guarantee by the KNU. Additionally, the government wants to show the international community that their peace process is on the progress. By doing so, the regime could earn the trust from the Western democracies and sanctions may lift at the same time. According to yesterday Reuters News, Burmese government expects to reach ceasefire deals with all of the country's ethnic minority rebel armies within three months before starting a process of political dialogue towards "everlasting peace," its top peace negotiator Aung Min, a retired general and minister for rail transportation, said on Wednesday. It was difficult to gain the trust of the ethnic minority factions, Aung Min said, but most were sincere about peace and some leaders had stayed with him at his home in Naypyitaw, he said. However, the second week of February seemed more skirmishing between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and government armed forces, even though there were reports about ceasefire or peace talks next week, according to Kachin News Group (KNG). On 9 February Burmese soldiers and armed-units from the KIO's military wing the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) exchanged firing of guns in two different places near the road of 800km Shwe-gas and oil pipeline venture, referring local residents of Namtu in the northern Shan township the Kachin News Group reported. Namtu Township under control of the KIO's 8th Battalion was also the site of combating on 8 February in the Bang-Wa area. On 8 February, there was armed conflict in Manje (Mansi) township in southern Kachin State. The KIA's Battalion 12 defended against the government forces from Light Infantry Division No. 99 for nearly three hours. The battle took place in an area beyond Mong Hkawng. A strength of two hundred Burmese army columns attempted an advance on the Kachin positions, quoting KIA officers based on the front line KNG said. At the beginning of this week fighting broke out near the KIA's Battalion 9 base in Daklek Bum mountain, situated between Kutkai and Nampaka next to the Mandalay-Muse Chinese border trade route. At least five Burmese soldiers from the Nampaka-based Infantry Battalion No. 123 died in action and more than 7 appeared to have been seriously injured during clashes, witnesses reported to the Kachin News Group. In addition, more than 20,000 combat soldiers from nearly 200 battalions have been deployed in the Kahin frontline, the biggest military maneuver in Burma's long-lasting civil war, as reported by Kachin News Group. Several Kachin citizens think the reason of renewing the war after a 17-year cease-fire is the desire for natural resources in Kachin State by the Burmese military-backed government. Despite the fact that Burma's President Thein Sein has issued an instruction twice to Burma's Commander-in-Chief to halt the offensive against the KIO, the war continues and the inhabitants continue to run for their lives. According to Reuters, Aung Min declined to comment on the conflict in Kachin State. The Kachin offensives launched by Burma Army are still raging on despite orders to stop fighting by President Thein Sein. Government has reached temporary ceasefire agreements with 9 ethnic rebel groups. Some armed ethnic groups are still to be discussed, including the KIA. The KIA is the second strongest armed ethnic group in military-ruled Burma. It has five brigades. Four of them are based in Kachin State. There are about 30 battalions, with over 30,000 fighters- including regular and reserved forces. Most political analysts believe stopping the aggressive wars on ethnic people is the most important issue to be addressed by the new Thein Sein government if it wants to build the nation to become an economic tiger in the region. http://asiancorrespondent.com/76168/burma-needs-to-end-ethnic-wars-for-genuine-change/ -------------------------------------- Outcast no more Posted on 16 February 2012 - 05:13am YAP MUN CHING visits Myanmar's old and new capitals to find its people revelling in a fresh wave optimism. IF THERE is any doubt that the Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw was built to impress, one only has to take the drive from its shiny new airport to the massive Parliament House. As the four-lane road widens to a 20-lane highway, there sits the massive complex made up of a series of large pagoda-roofed buildings set in a vast compound surrounded by a canal that reminded one vaguely of a moat. A sturdy black and gold iron grill gave the area a further line of defence. Barely six months ago, this building was symbolic of all that was wrong with Myanmar. To most outsiders, Myanmar was routinely viewed as a country of 60 million largely living in poverty under a super elite military class which had no compunction in locking up suspected dissidents regardless of whether they were women, children or monks. To fill the giant parliament, a controversial election was held in November 2010 to elect 330 lower house and 224 upper house representatives to complement the 25% of seats reserved for military appointees. Above all, the government was reviled for its treatment of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi whom it kept under house arrest for more than 15 years in total, while it secretly carved out a new capital in the sparsely populated central Burman plains. Myanmar, in short, was the "Golden Land" brought to its knees by decades of internal strife and mismanagement. Sometime in July last year, things began to change. All of a sudden, the country began liberalising at a pace dizzying even to those at the heart of the fight for greater political and civil rights. A year after releasing Suu Kyi after the expiry of her last detention order in November 2010, the new military-backed civilian government followed up on its reform drive by freeing most of its political prisoners. It went on to clear the way for Suu Kyi to contest in the April 2012 by-elections to replace cabinet ministers constitutionally required to vacate their parliamentary posts. Responding to these developments, Myanmar's biggest critics, the United States and United Kingdom, quickly deployed their envoys to re-engage with the government with promises of progressive sanctions relief upon further reform. From a position of isolation and neglect, Myanmar found itself transformed almost overnight into the top destination for diplomats and international business people. At a recent meeting with the latest delegation comprising top corporate leaders from the Asean Business Club, Vice-President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) Maung Maung Lay admitted that the organisation was finding itself "overwhelmed" by the sudden changes and ensuing international attention. "The reforms are moving at a much faster pace than we expected," he said. "The private sector has no means and capacity to digest what the government has undertaken recently. This is what we have to admit." UMFCCI joint secretary U Moe Kyaw said the surge of interest occurred soon after US President Barack Obama acknowledged the "flickers of progress" in Myanmar in a speech last November. "After Obama's speech and (US Secretary of State Hillary) Clinton's visit, we received many groups. However, we will always remember that Asean has been our friend in need and we will never abandon our friends from the region," he said during the roundtable session at the UMFCCI's office in Yangon. Attracting considerable attention from the business community are three special economic zones (SEZs) that are being developed to attract foreign investment. According to Moe, the first SEZ expected to come online in 2014 is the Thilawa Zone east of the Yangon River. Already, sections of the zone have been reserved for exclusive development by Chinese, Japanese and Korean investors. "These countries have deep pockets and they are incredibly interested," Moe said, adding that a mixed zone may be designated for interested Asean countries. While infrastructure plans are being drawn up, Moe said a more pressing need is for the legal framework to be developed to cope with these changes. "We are opening up for business but not too quickly. We have to first update our foreign investment law. This is a big step for Myanmar. We have many workers abroad and we have to look at attracting them to come back and develop businesses here. "We are also worried about the Asean Economic Community to open our doors to parties interested in our market and resources. We do not want to be pushed back and segregated," Moe added, pointing out that Malaysia and Thailand are among countries which have been able to protect their national interests. Underscoring Myanmar's newfound voice in the international arena, Maung confidently described the recent developments in his country as "irreversible". "We are on the verge of taking off. We will face headwinds and there will be turbulences but we will take off. We have been ostracised in the past but we are now gaining trust among our friends overseas," Maung said. Spurring this new wave of optimism is the positive engagement that has taken place between the new government led by Prime Minister Thein Sein and the opposition helmed by Suu Kyi. In a move surprising even to many of her own supporters, Suu Kyi appears to have warmed up to Thein Sein unlike previous military leaders she had to deal with. The pair are reported to have met on several occasions and are said to have developed an understanding to work together in the interest of the country while keeping hardliners at bay. One of her supporters said this is because Thein Sein is known as one of the least corrupt generals. "We don't like the generals but at least this one is clean," he said. A more compelling reason, said other observers, is that geopolitical developments have made it worthwhile for both sides to put an end to the decades long standoff. "It is no longer necessary to talk about hardliners or softliners. The reforms will go according to the new world order. The government does not want to face an Arab spring in Myanmar or the mob justice that (former Libyan leader Muammar) Gaddafi received," said one Myanmar businessman. Similarly, the political opposition also finds it increasingly untenable to maintain its position in favour of western sanctions while global economic power shifts from a troubled Europe over to Asia. "(Suu Kyi) is a very intelligent woman. She knows that what we did in the past did not work so we have to try something else," said Kyaw Min Hlaing, an opposition supporter who contested in the 2011 elections under the flag of the National Democratic Force (NDF), an offshoot of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy. Hlaing, who lost his Yangon area constituency by a hair's breadth of 170 votes, said the new wave of openness ushered in by the elections has also resulted in more room for political expression in the once tightly controlled society. "People used to be afraid to express themselves. But they are now openly commenting and criticising the government," he said. Although unsuccessful in his bid for a parliamentary seat, Hlaing said that as the legitimate opposition candidate, he is permitted to shadow his political rival in the same constituency. "This is not because the government changed the laws. It is because they are finally following the law," he said. Characteristically, however, the Lady at the heart of the struggle is more circumspect about the developments. During a news conference held after an hour-long meeting with the Asean Business Club delegation, Suu Kyi cautioned that although the government's reform gestures are much welcomed, they are by no means irreversible and much effort remains necessary to ensure that Myanmar remains on its reform track. She said that foreign investors should "wait and see a little for their own good as well as that of the country", stressing that it is more important to first have sound investment laws and respect for the rule of law so that both investors and the people can benefit from economic development. While she maintained that she is not yet "satisfied" with the government's reform programme, she conceded that the opposition is nevertheless "pleased" with them. "I think they still need to be strengthened and they need to be put on the right path." Despite her careful approach, it is undeniable that Myanmar is experiencing a spring of sorts, very different from the one that took place in the Middle East a year ago. At no point since Suu Kyi entered the scene in 1988 has the military government been as accommodating to the civilian political opposition. Even more important to real peace in Myanmar is that the conciliatory gestures made by the military have not stopped with Suu Kyi. In tandem with their engagement with the democratic parties, the military is also negotiating crucial ceasefires and peace agreements with ethnic armed groups that have been waging a low intensity wars against the central government for decades. Late last year, the government signed a ceasefire with a Shan armed group, followed a month later by an agreement with its enemy for more than half a century, the Karen National Union. The Mon armed group is also reported to have reached an agreement with the government early this month. Talks are being held with the Kachin, Wa, Chin and other Shan groups. Whether the democratic opposition is playing any role in these developments is a matter for conjecture but in July, Suu Kyi wrote an open letter to the prime minister offering to act as mediator between the government and the armed insurgents. While it is true that there is nothing to stop the military from reversing its decisions, the unexpected breadth and pace of the reforms have shaken not a few sceptical minds. It may still be years before Myanmar will achieve a level of economic prosperity and political openness that will put it more at par with its better off Asean neighbours but at long last, it is finally taking the first tentative steps in the right direction. Yap Mun Ching's visit was made possible by the Asean Business Club. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com http://www.thesundaily.my/news/296367 --------------------------------------------- THE SUN DAILY Rule of law holds key to Myanmar reforms Posted on 16 February 2012 - 05:13am Last updated on 16 February 2012 - 05:40pm Yap Mun Ching Suu Kyi ... The rule of law will help us cope with the many ills of the country. Picture by Yap Mun Ching IT WAS some minutes after the doors to her verandah flew open that Aung San Suu Kyi emerged to meet waiting reporters. Unusually, she was held back on this occasion not by her supporters but by a group of star-struck CEOs. When she finally appeared, it was evident that the democracy advocate and until recently, one of the most famous prisoners of conscience, had no difficulty charming the corporate titans who run some of the largest companies in Southeast Asia. It is this ability to inspire that has made Aung San Suu Kyi such an iconic figure in her country and such a formidable foe to her detractors. Aside from her lineage as the daughter of slain independence hero Gen Aung San, the Lady (as she is widely known) has earned her stripes through personal sacrifice. In the two dozen years since she moved back to Yangon from her adopted home in Oxford, she has faced down death threats and prolonged imprisonment with the same quiet dignity and fortitude that she dealt with separation from her family. Now, as she prepares to run in the country's first by-election, she appeared happy and relaxed. Fielding questions from reporters, the Lady was in her element as she hinted at her campaign agenda and her views on issues as diverse as tourism in Myanmar, sanctions and Myanmar's prospective chairmanship of Asean. In her own words: It is said that the government may invite you to join the government if you win the by-election. What are your views on this? This is not a question I can answer at the moment. In the first place, I have not yet won and the government has not yet invited me. There are other considerations such as a clause requiring ministers to leave their parliamentary seats. I am not contesting (to join the government). Do you think Myanmar is ready for the Asean chairmanship in 2014? We are not yet in 2014. Politics is such that even one month can bring new developments. I think it is too soon to say whether Myanmar is ready but Asean has decided it is and political developments have to be served. I believe in the future of my country but I am cautious about predictions about the immediate future. What are your comments on the economic sanctions on Myanmar? The sanctions are a matter for the countries that imposed them. When they impose sanctions, these countries need to know why and under what conditions they can be dismantled. If they were dismantled, it would mean the conditions have been met and this would be a good thing for the country. You have spoken out against tourism in Myanmar. Have your views changed? Actually, we brought out a policy on tourism last year. We encourage tourism that benefits the public without hurting the environment. We believe in tourism that is ethical and environmentally conscious. There are over 100,000 Myanmar refugees in Malaysia. Do you think the time is right for them to consider returning? No, I think it is too early for them to return. They have got to have something to return to. I have been discussing the matter of migrant workers and refugees and how much more needs to be done for them, not just by the government of Burma but also by the governments of the host countries. What political reform are you most concerned about? I have been going on ad nauseum about the rule of law. I think it is very important to protect everyone's interests whether they are businessmen or citizens. The rule of law will help us cope with the many ills of the country. There is a view that political reforms are not progressing as fast as economic reforms. (Both) have to go in tandem. I don't think you can have genuine reforms without judicial reforms. It is no use having good investment laws if you don't have a good judicial system to make sure the laws are applied. Where would you like to see Myanmar in 10 years? I would like to see Myanmar ahead of all the Asean countries. Just a very simple ambition. http://www.thesundaily.my/news/296365 ------------------------------------ Narinjara News Date:2/16/2012 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi says Burma is just an ethnic nationality on 65th Union Day Rangoon: Myanmars democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has stated that Burman is just an ethnic nationality in the union of Burma. She said this in the ceremony of celebrating the 65th Union Day that was held by the six ethnic brotherhood parties in Rangoon, said U Hla Saw, the general secretary of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has said she recognizes the role of ethnic nationalities, also saying she generally supports the genuine union that is demanded by the ethnic peoples for equal ethnic rights. The wonderful words she stated in the ceremony are that Burma is also an ethnic nationality in the union, said U Hla Saw. He said the union day celebration was held by the Nationality Brotherhood Forum that is founded by the six ethnic political parties for their political collaborations. What Daw Aung San Suu Kyi spoke about in the ceremony is the point that we must discuss among our ethnic forces as well. We have never heard Burma mentioned as an ethnic nationality though the other seven nationalities are being mentioned as ethnic nationalities in the political history of Burma, said U Hla Saw. He said Burma is never described as an ethnic nationality; while the other people living in different regions in the union of Burma are being called Karen ethnic, Rakhine ethnic, Kachin ethnic and so on. U Hla Saw also said their ethnic political parties have collaborated and observed the union day in order to show their desire for a union that guarantees democracy and equal ethnic rights. Ethnic conflicts are the most important problems in our country and without democracy it will be difficult to solve those problems. At present, ethnic democratic parties are officially allowed to stand and the government has also agreed to ceasefires with the ethnic armed groups that are fighting for the ethnic rights. These are the constructive signs with respect to our union if we compare this to the eras of BSPP, SLORC or SPDC governments. As we hope for a more meaningful union that guarantees democracy and equal ethnic rights, we the ethnic parties have observed the union day collaboratively, said U Hla Saw. He said that a statement on the day was also jointly issued by the parties of the forum, and he read the statement to the attendees in the ceremony. I did not deliver any formal speech in the ceremony, but I gave the introductory speech spotlighting the present situations facing the ethnic regions before reading our parties statement on the union day, he said. According to their statement, Burma gained independence after all ethnic nationalities in the country agreed to build a union that guarantees democracy and equality of rights on this day, but the union that coined the independence since then has never existed until today and the ethnic states at present have become the poorest, the most backward, the most suppressed and the most war-torn regions in the false union. The parties also urged the other forces of democracy in their statement to work together and strive for turning Burma into a genuine union in the present transitional period to democracy. U Sai Nyaunt Lwin of the Shan National League for Democracy, who was recently released from prison, and other prominent politicians were also said to have attended the ceremony of the union day that was held collaboratively by the ethnic political parties. http://www.narinjara.com/details.asp?id=3258 ---------------------------------- Myanmar to promote railway sector with loans from China, India Updated: 2012-02-16 10:40 YANGON - The Myanmar railway authorities are making efforts to boost the railway sector of the country with loans from China and India, a local media reported Wednesday. For the coming fiscal year 2012-13 starting April, $155 million of loans obtained from the two neighbors will be used in purchasing new goods wagon, locomotives and passenger coaches from these countries to replace the outdated ones, said the Popular News. Better services will be offered along with the increase of train fare, a railway official was quoted as saying. Besides China and India, Myanmar has also been purchasing locomotives from France, Germany and Japan. According to an earlier report, the state-run Myanmar Railway was operating 27 locomotive repairing factories, 52 passenger coach maintaining factories, and the Myit Nge passenger coach and goods wagon factory. With about 130,000 passengers depending on rail transport in Yangon daily, the city circular trains are running about 200 rounds a day. Of the various types of trains running in Myanmar, there are 1, 252 passenger coaches, of which four-decade-old ones accounted for 32 percent. Of the 3,311 goods wagons, 40-year-old ones took 56 percent and out of 386 locomotives, 30-year-old ones represented 47 percent. According to statistics, the length of Myanmar's railroad has reached 5,726 kilometers (km) with 2,844 km more under construction. Meanwhile, 475 km more railways are set to be implemented in the future, aimed at narrowing the development gap between the urban and rural areas and promoting socio-economic development. Myanmar has steadily expanded its railway network in the last two decades, from 3,161 km in 1988 to 5,403 km in 2010. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/usa/business/2012-02/16/content_14622753.htm __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (8)
