News & Articles on Burma-Sunday, 05 February 2012

News & Articles on Burma Sunday, 05 February 2012 ---------------------------------------- Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar Surapong plans Myanmar talks to stop checkpoint closures in Tak Burma: Don't Believe the Hype U.S. Calls for International Observers at Burma By-Elections Australians in Burma for business talks Burma hosts regional dialogue Burma's rebel group warns ceasefire deal is unstable Burma to introduce electronic visa applications Exile-run news agency plans to open office in Burma -------------------------------------------- Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar By Tomas Ojea Quintana, 5 February 2012, Yangon International Airport, Myanmar Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar By Tomas Ojea Quintana, 5 February 2012, Yangon International Airport, Myanmar I have just concluded my six-day mission to Myanmar - my fifth visit to the country since I was appointed Special Rapporteur in March 2008. I would like to express my appreciation to the Government of Myanmar for its invitation and hospitality, and for the cooperation and flexibility shown during my visit. During the mission, I met with the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Border Affairs, the Attorney-General, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Union Election Commission, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Information, the Deputy Minister of Education, the Deputy Minister of Labour, as well as the Speaker and several members of the Pyi Thu Hluttaw. During my meetings in Nay Pyi Taw, I also met with some of the Presidential Advisors and representatives of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, as well as with members of the various Government and Parliamentary peacemaking groups, including the Minister of Rail Transportation. In Yangon, I had another fruitful exchange of views with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I met with members of the recently-established National Human Rights Commission and discussed a range of human rights issues. Additionally, I met with three prisoners of conscience in Insein Prison, as well as with released prisoners of conscience, including members of the 88 Generation Students Group, some of whom I had previously addressed in my reports or had visited in prison. Also in Yangon, I met with representatives of civil society organizations and ethnic parties, as well as members of the United Nations Country Team. I thank the Resident Coordinator and the Country Team for the support provided to me during my mission. I also travelled to Kayin and Mon States where I met with the respective Chief Ministers and representatives of state government, as well as ethnic parties in state parliaments. At the conclusion of my mission, I briefed the diplomatic community. Since my last visit in August 2011, there has been a continuing wave of reforms in Myanmar, the speed and breadth of which has surprised many international observers and many in the country. The impact of these reforms on the country and on its people is immediately perceptible. During my mission, Parliament was meeting in its third regular session and was discussing a number of important issues, including, for the first time, the country's budget. Legislative reforms were underway, including a new draft media law which I was told would abolish censorship and provide some guarantees for the freedom of opinion and expression. Campaigning for the by-elections scheduled on 1 April had begun in earnest and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's activities and statements were covered in the national media. An initial agreement was reached with another armed ethnic group and negotiations continued with others. It was therefore important to assess the human rights situation in light of these developments and at this key moment in Myanmar's history. My report containing my assessment will be presented to the Human Rights Council in March 2012. Of great importance is the release of many prisoners of conscience, including a significant number in January this year, as well as many prominent figures over the past few months. I welcomed their release in all my meetings and commended the Government for taking this bold step. I stressed that they, and all people of Myanmar, should be allowed to play an active role in political and public life. In my meeting with released prisoners of conscience, I received a clear signal of their intention to engage constructively in the political process and their commitment to further democratic transition. Our discussion also addressed ongoing human rights concerns, including continuing limitations on the freedoms of association and assembly, and of opinion and expression, the continuing conflict in ethnic border areas, particularly in Kachin State, and the need to address longstanding social and economic development challenges. I am, however, concerned by information received that some of those released were being monitored or followed. I therefore urge that any restrictions on their exercise and full enjoyment of human rights should immediately be removed. I also met with three prisoners of conscience at Insein Prison, one of whom I had previously met during my mission last year. While I was informed that prison conditions had generally improved, I also received allegations of continuing ill-treatment by prison officials and the continuing transfers of prisoners to prisons in remote areas, often without their prior notification and without proper notification of family members. Of particular concern is the information I received of remaining prisoners of conscience being held not only in Insein but also in other prisons; information which was also conveyed during my meeting with released prisoners. I therefore reiterate that the Government should release all remaining prisoners of conscience without conditions and without delay. This is a central and necessary step towards national reconciliation and would greatly benefit Myanmar's efforts towards democracy. I am keenly aware that there are continuing discrepancies in the numbers of remaining prisoners of conscience from different sources. A comprehensive and thorough investigation is needed to clarify records and determine accurate numbers. I therefore encourage the Government to consider this issue urgently, including with the assistance of the international community as necessary. Also of significance are the many legislative reforms that have been undertaken or are underway, including the adoption of the Labour Organizations Law and the Peaceful Demonstration and Gathering Law, as well as the amendment to the Political Party Registration Law. In this respect, I am encouraged that the Parliament has been active in this legislative reform process. During my mission, I was informed that the process of drafting a revised Prisons Act, a new media law -- the Printing Press and Publications Law, and a new social security law, among others, were currently underway. At the same time, I note concerns regarding some of the provisions in the newly-adopted legislation, particularly the Peaceful Demonstration and Gathering Law, and in draft laws, particularly the Printing Press and Publications Law, which I will elaborate upon more fully in my upcoming report. I also note concerns regarding the lack of adequate consultation with relevant stakeholders, including civil society, on some of the draft laws being prepared. Another concern is the insufficient attention being paid to ensure the effective implementation of the newly-promulgated and reformed laws. This can be attributed to, among other factors, the slow pace in establishing the necessary implementing regulations and procedures, and the lack of corresponding capacity of institutions to implement. There is also a lack of clarity and progress on reviewing and reforming the laws that I have previously identified as not in full compliance with international human rights standards, such as the State Protection Law, the Electronic Transactions Law and the Unlawful Associations Act. These laws impinge upon a broad range of human rights and have been used to convict prisoners of conscience. During my mission, I addressed this issue with the Attorney General. While I welcome the assurances given that the Government is taking serious and gradual steps to reform these laws, I reiterate that this process should be accelerated. Regardless of efforts made to reform legislation, an independent, impartial and effective judiciary within the powers of the Constitution is needed to uphold the rule of law and act as a last guarantor for safeguarding fundamental freedoms and human rights in Myanmar. The judiciary is also essential for Myanmar's transition to democracy and should play an important role in ensuring checks and balances on the executive and the legislative. I have previously expressed concerns regarding the judiciary, and I remain concerned with its lack of independence and impartiality. In my meeting with the Chief Justice and other justices of the Supreme Court, there was little acknowledgement of any challenges and gaps, and a lack of willingness to address my previous recommendations. I therefore strongly call on the judiciary to take a proactive approach to apply laws in a way that would safeguard and guarantee fundamental freedoms and human rights in line with the Constitution and with international human rights standards. In this regard, I urge the judiciary to seek technical assistance from the international community, particularly the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other organizations. During the mission, I also had the opportunity to engage with members of the National Human Rights Commission for the first time since its establishment by Presidential Decree in September last year. I was informed of some actions undertaken by the Commission, including prison visits, visits to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kachin State, and the receipt and review of complaints from citizens. I was encouraged to hear that the resources available to the Commission may be increased significantly, including an increase in the number of staff supporting its work. Despite these positive developments, I am concerned that there are no indications as yet that the Commission is fully independent and effective in compliance with the Paris Principles. At present, it seems that the Commission cannot fully guarantee human rights protection for all in Myanmar. I was informed that the Commission's draft rules of procedure were being examined by the judiciary, and were awaiting the approval of the Council of Ministers. This sends the wrong signal that the Commission is not fully independent from the Government. Also, I was informed that its prison visits were dependent on presidential authorization. Moreover, while the President appointed Commission members representing different ethnic minority groups, the vast majority of the Commissioners are retired government civil servants. And some informed me that they were neither consulted nor informed in advance of their appointment. There also doesn't seem to be clarity on its procedures, including for handling complaints and conducting prison visits. In this respect, I was informed that interviews were conducted in the presence of prison officials. There is clearly a strong need to enhance the technical and substantive capacity of the Commissioners and its staff on human rights issues. I welcome the willingness of the Commission to seek training and technical assistance from OHCHR and the international community as a whole on the Paris Principles and other important substantive areas, such as handling human rights complaints and prison monitoring. I have stated previously and continue to believe that the upcoming by-elections on 1 April will be a key test of how far the Government has progressed in its process of reform. It is therefore essential that they are truly free, fair, inclusive and transparent. During my meeting with the Union Election Commission, I noted that developments, such as the easing of media restrictions and the revision of the Political Party Registration Law, resulting in the re-registration of a number of political parties, including the National League for Democracy, and the decision of some to contest the by-elections, may allow for the organization of more credible elections. And I was informed that the use of international observers was under consideration. While I was given assurances by the Chair of the Union Election Commission that the by-elections will be free and fair, I must stress that the credibility of the elections will not be determined solely on the day of the vote, but on the basis of the entire process leading up to and following election day. Thus, reports I received of campaign irregularities and restrictions on the ability of political parties to carry out campaign activities should be addressed seriously by the Union Election Commission. Additionally, lessons should be learned from the 2010 elections, and problems such as the high cost of registration, the use of advance votes, and the procedures and costs for filing a complaint should be addressed as a matter of priority. Further, respect for the freedoms of expression, assembly and association should be ensured. Also during my mission, I was informed about the various measures undertaken to address Myanmar's longstanding development challenges, including economic and financial reforms, and initiatives such as the conference on development policy options organized by the Government and the United Nations Country Team. Parliament was also discussing the budget, which proposes to increase spending in health and education. While I welcome the Government's commitment to socio-economic development and poverty reduction, many challenges remain and the situation is still dire. Concerns regarding the availability and accessibility of education and health care were specifically highlighted, as well as the need for the teaching of ethnic minority languages in schools in minority areas. Concerns regarding land confiscations and land grabbing, often without meaningful consultation of affected communities and any or adequate compensation, as well as the granting of economic concessions for energy or infrastructure projects without adequate environmental assessments done, were also brought to my attention. In this regard, I renew my call on the Government to ensure not only the realization, but also the protection of basic economic, social and cultural rights. These are fundamental rights that are equally essential to Myanmar's democratic transition, national reconciliation and its long-term stability. Concerns regarding the ongoing tensions and conflict with armed ethnic groups in border areas, particularly in Kachin State, were consistently raised during my mission. I received continuing allegations of serious human rights violations committed during conflict, including attacks against civilian populations, extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, internal displacement, land confiscations, the use of human shields, the recruitment of child soldiers, as well as forced labour and portering. And I must emphasize that I received reports of violations being committed by all parties to the conflict. While I welcome the Government's commitment to peace talks and the progress made in this regard, such as the agreements reached with various groups, including most recently, the Mon, it is vital that these allegations and reports be urgently addressed. I was informed that action had been taken on some cases involving military personnel, but much more needs to be done. It is also vital that the authorities and all armed groups ensure the protection of civilians in conflict-affected areas. I must also emphasize that the needs of those displaced and affected by the conflict must be addressed as a matter of priority. In this regard, it is important that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners have regular, independent and predictable access to all individuals, in particular IDPs, in need of humanitarian assistance, regardless of whether they are in Government or non-Government controlled areas. Further, delivery of humanitarian assistance under the United Nations umbrella cannot be linked to ongoing negotiations between the Government and armed groups or be made conditional to the Government's assistance to people in non-Government controlled areas. More broadly, efforts towards finding a durable political solution to the conflict must be accelerated and are essential for broader national reconciliation. These must address the root causes of the conflict, including systematic discrimination, displacement and economic deprivation affecting ethnic minorities. I therefore renew my call to the Government to develop a comprehensive plan to officially engage ethnic minority groups in serious and inclusive dialogue to resolve long-standing grievances and deep-rooted concerns. The Government should ensure that ethnic minorities are granted fundamental rights. This includes the Rohingya community. Finally, I remain of the firm conviction that justice and accountability measures, as well as measures to ensure access to the truth, are fundamental for Myanmar to move forward towards national reconciliation. During my mission, I made a careful assessment as to whether the National Human Rights Commission could play a role in this regard. However, considering the lack of independence and the limited capacity of the Commission, it is crucially important that the Government of Myanmar involve stakeholders, including victims of human rights violations, in order to get their advice and views on how and when to establish truth, justice and accountability measures. It is also important to learn lessons from other countries that have experience in these processes. I heard from many interlocutors about the importance of moving forward. But I must stress that moving forward cannot ignore or whitewash what happened in the past. Thus, facing Myanmar's own recent history and acknowledging the violations that people have suffered, will be necessary to ensure national reconciliation and to prevent future violations from occurring. To conclude, I have previously stated that the steps taken by the Government had the potential to bring about an improvement in the human rights situation in Myanmar and deepen its transition to democracy. My mission confirmed that a positive impact has been made; however serious challenges remain and must be addressed. There is also a risk of backtracking on the progress achieved thus far. Therefore, at this crucial moment in the country's history, further and sustained action should be taken to bring about further change. Prior to its assumption of the Chairpersonship of ASEAN in 2014, I would encourage Myanmar to demonstrate concrete progress in improving its human rights situation. The international community should remain engaged and should support and assist the Government during this important time. I want to again thank the Government of Myanmar for its invitation and cooperation. I look forward to another visit to the country before my next report to the General Assembly in October 2012. I reaffirm my willingness to work constructively and cooperatively with Myanmar to improve the human rights situation of its people. ENDS http://unic.un.org/imucms/yangon/80/110/home.aspx ---------------------------------------- Bangkok Post Surapong plans Myanmar talks to stop checkpoint closures in Tak Published: 5/02/2012 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: News TAK : Thailand will hold talks with senior officials from Myanmar later this month on the Moei River embankment to try to prevent important trade checkpoints being closed again. Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and Thai officials have inspected one of the three checkpoints at Ban Huay Maha Wong in Mae Sot district. The Public Works Department built an embankment along the river which was opposed by Myanmar and resulted in the Mae Sot-Myawaddy checkpoint being closed since July 2010. The checkpoint was reopened on Dec5. After just two months, trade volume between the two countries has increased from two billion baht to 2.4 billion baht per month. Mr Surapong said he was confident the volume could hit 100 billion baht a year in the future. The Public Works Department built the embankment to prevent further erosion caused by a change in the river's current flow. But as a result, Myanmar has taken the attitude that the embankment requires the border demarcation between the two countries to be revised. "I will bring the facts and discuss them with Myanmar officials on Feb 13 when both countries meet on the sidelines of Asean-India Dialogue in New Delhi," Mr Surapong said. Thailand will explain that the embankment helps to prevent drastic erosion, he said, adding it should be acceptable to Myanmar. A government source said Myanmar has always disagreed with Thailand building the embankment even though it could slow any change in the course of the river. Thailand has asked Myanmar many times to start negotiations on border demarcation but there has been no response, the source said. In regards to labourers from Myanmar working in Thailand, Mr Surapong said he would also discuss discrepancies in the number. Thai records show there are about 900,000 workers, but the Myanmar government claims the number is closer to two million. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/278329/surapong-plans-myanmar-talks-to-stop-checkpoint-closures-in-tak ------------------------------------------------ Burma: Don't Believe the Hype By Russ Wellen, February 4, 2012 Some are comparing the glimpses of freedom's daylight in Burma to F.W. De Klerk handing over South Africa to Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress. Leave us not be too hasty. The Associated Press reports: Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has postponed a trip to central Myanmar because she could not obtain permission to hold a political gathering at a football stadium there, a party official said Thursday. ... The law requires that applications be made at least seven days in advance. Ohn Kyaing [a spokesman for Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy] said the NLD asked football authorities for use of the stadium, but the football federation said Mandalay's Election Commission must first approve the request. However, the Election Commission said the NLD needed to obtain permission from the football federation first. Whichever organization fears the wrath of the generals more: The failure to receive Election Commission permission strikes a sour note in the reconciliation process under the reforms of the elected but military-backed government of President Thein Sein. Meanwhile Burma activist Maung Zarni of the London School of Economics writes (not online): Despite the unfolding hysteria and hyperbolistic characterization of Burma today as "on the verge of great transformation", I remain unpersuaded that the country is on the road towards democratization. ... Those who rule the country now are the same guys who have ruled the country for the past 20 years. ... Yes, people change. Belligerent generals can become "reconcilers." [But there] is no moment of political awakening in the ruling quarter. In fact, writes Zarni Unlike de Klerk and his Afrikana [sic] colleagues in South Africa, the same old bunch of generals and ex-generals who are in power in Naypyidaw have not modified the political system in any appreciable or significant ways. The Afrikanas decided to DISMANTLE apartheid in South Africa ... and let Mandela and his ANC comrades to run the show, in exchange for safeguards of life, liberty and property of the White minority. Does anybody see "the generals and ex-generals doing that?" Zarni asks. By which he means: ... dismantle the military-run parliament, retire military men, ex- or in-service, from all line ministries, stop issuing unwritten orders to the judiciary, and withdraw from the civil administration from the village level -- in exchange for their ill-gotten billions, millions, and above and underground resources? Don't hold your breath. Their plan, Zarni writes: ... through the soft-spoken President Thein Sein -- the Burmese have a term for this type of operator -- "Kyaung Chi", meaning soft cat shit which looks and feels soft, but equally stinky and potent, it attempted to turn 'that woman' [Suu Kyi, of course] into a tool to get US sanctions that block any type of World Bank/ADB and IMF 'assistance' to Burma. Or as Simon Roughneen reports at the Irrawaddy: Behind the scenes, an 11-man National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) is said to be exercising real control, leaving President Thein Sein as the moderate-sounding front man attempting to launder the reputation of a cabal of military strongmen nationalists, who want Western sanctions lifted and to reduce the influence of an increasingly powerful China on their country. Meanwhile, writes Zarni: ... it's clear without serious and genuine change, the Lady isn't going to give them a blank check. So, the regime is going to be less inclined to continue playing 'nice nice' with the Lady. Thus the denial of the stadium permit. http://www.fpif.org/blog/burma_dont_believe_the_hype?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FPIF+%28Foreign+Policy+In+Focus+%28All+News%29%29 ---------------------------------------------- U.S. Calls for International Observers at Burma By-Elections Simon Roughneen January 26, 2012 A U.S. delegation fronted by Sen. John McCain and Sen. Joseph Lieberman will request that the Burmese government allow international observers to oversee April by-elections, which, if deemed free and fair, will almost certainly see the United States remove some sanctions on the Burmese government. "Obviously we will have to look carefully at the process of the elections," said McCain, who conceded that Burma's reforms in recent months---including the release of several hundred political prisoners---are "a dramatic change in policy and behavior in as short a time as a year ago." McCain confirmed that the delegation, which arrived in Burma on Sunday, would ask Burma's government to allow international observation of the April by-elections, in response to a question about the issue from this correspondent. A positive assessment by the observers could pay off for the Burmese government, which refused to allow international monitoring of the November 2010 elections. Removing some sanctions could come after a free and fair April by-election, said Lieberman, who added that "the president can remove some of the sanctions," but confirmed that others would require a legislative amendment. http://www.worldpress.org/Asia/3873.cfm --------------------------------------- Radio Australia News Australians in Burma for business talks Posted February 05, 2012 11:29:07 A group of Australians is in Burma for one of the first major business and academic gatherings since the Asian nation reopened its borders. Burma shifted to civilian rule in 2011, and is competing to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations from 2014. More than 40 delegates from a dozen countries are attending the two-day event, run by the Australian group AsiaLink. Speaking from Burma, which is also known as Myanmar, AsiaLink's Jenny McGregor says the event is another positive step for the country. "The connections that have been made now between the Myanmar team and the ASEAN team and the Australian team, we hope will really blossom and grow into much greater communication and collaboration over the next few years," she said. Ms McGregor says the conference should help the country's path to openness. She says businesspeople are being introduced so that once further sanctions are lifted they can come in and help get the economy moving. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-05/australian-delegates-arrive-in-burma/3812074 -------------------------------------------- Radio Australia News Burma hosts regional dialogue Last Updated: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 15:45:00 +1100 More than 40 delegates from a dozen counties are attending a two day event in Rangoon, run by the Australian group AsiaLink. It is one of the first major business and academic gatherings since the Asian nation re-opened its borders. Burma shifted to civilian rule in 2011, and is competing to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from 2014. Speaking from Burma, AsiaLink's Jenny McGregor says the event is another positive step for the country. "The connections that have been made now between the [Burma] team and the ASEAN team and the Australian team, we hope will really blossom and grow into much greater communication and collaboration over the next few years." http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201202/3423413.htm?desktop -------------------------------------------- Mail & Guardian Online. Burma's rebel group warns ceasefire deal is unstable KELLY MACNAMARA BANGKOK, THAILAND - Feb 04 2012 13:34 One of Burma's most prominent rebel groups on Saturday warned that the ceasefire deal seen as a breakthrough in relations with the regime is "fragile", as ethnic unrest continues to cast a shadow over reforms. The Karen National Union (KNU) signed a pact with a delegation of ministers from the new government on January 12 in a move that raised hopes of a permanent end to one of the world's longest-running civil conflicts. "We have to make the ceasefire durable. This is a tentative step and still very fragile," said Saw David Tharckabaw, vice president of the KNU in charge of foreign affairs. He said charges against a senior rebel figure and continuing conflict in other ethnic areas was eroding trust in Burma's nominally civilian government, which has launched a series of changes that have persuaded some Western powers to re-evaluate tough sanctions on the country. The KNU's Mahn Nyein Maung is facing trial for treason -- for which the maximum penalty is death -- despite assurances from the government's top negotiator that he would be freed, according to Saw David Tharckabaw. 'Have to see proof on the ground' "Not much is changing so the government can't keep its promises ... that is not good for us to continue trust-building," he said. "Some countries say there is a great change, real change, but we have to see proof on the ground, we cannot rely on promises." Civil war has gripped parts of Burma since its independence in 1948, and an end to the conflicts is a key demand of the international community. Tentative peace deals have been inked with several rebel groups, but fighting in Kachin has caused uncertainty about the progress of the reconciliation effort. Citing reforms, the United States announced plans to exchange ambassadors with Burma soon after the KNU ceasefire and a major release of political prisoners in January. Optimistic On Thursday, US assistant secretary of state for human rights Michael Posner said violence in the northern state was getting worse and called on Burma to address "serious human rights abuses". Saw David Tharckabaw said the KNU would look at Mahn Nyein Maung's treatment as well as ongoing unrest in northern Kachin province, where the army is fighting another rebel group, as indications of the regime's intentions. But he said the KNU remained committed to giving "peaceful resolution a chance" and would participate in further negotiations with the government later in February. President Thein Sein has surprised observers by freeing hundreds of political prisoners and reaching out to the opposition. Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is optimistic enough that she is seeking a seat in parliament in the April 1 by-elections. --Sapa-AFP http://mg.co.za/article/2012-02-04-burmas-rebel-group-warns-ceasefire-deal-is-unstable/ ------------------------------------------- Burma to introduce electronic visa applications February 5, 2012 2:33 pm Rangoon - Burma will introduce an electronic visa application system next month to facilitate visits to the once isolated state, news reports said Sunday. "We are trying to introduce an e-visa system from March that would allow international visitors to apply for a visa from anywhere via the internet before visiting Myanmar," Tourism Minister Tint San told the Myanmar Times. The liberalization of visa procedures is likely to facilitate another jump in tourist arrivals in 2012. Total arrivals to Burma last year were 816,369, up 26 per cent from 791,505 tourist in 2010, according to government sources. Tourism revenues amounted to 319 million dollars last year, compared with 254 million in 2010, she said. Burma has introduced a series of reforms since March.//DPA http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Burma-to-introduce-electronic-visa-applications-30175195.html ------------------------------------ Exile-run news agency plans to open office in Burma February 5, 2012 11:58 am Rangoon- The Burmese exile-run Mizzima News Agency is preparing to open a branch office in Rangoon, reports said Sunday. "If the government allowed us we could open it straight away and we have a strong belief that the government will allow us to do it," Mizzama editor-in-chief Soe Myint told the Myanmar Times. Soe Myint and his brother, managing editor Sein Win, visited Burma twice last month, on their first authorized trips since they fled the country in 1998. The New Delhi-based news agency has been covering the country's political and economic developments for more than a decade, without being subject to the heavy censorship exercised inside Burma. Soe Myint said that if allowed to open a Rangoon office, the group would seek to diversify into broadcast media. "If we have a chance, we want to open our head office here," he said."Our intention is to set up our own media group but if we have the chance to work with others, we may also do that." The government of President Thein Sein has relaxed restrictions on the local press and internet since coming to office in March. But it is doubtful that a bill to officially end censorship will be approved during the current legislative session that started on January26. "This parliamentary session is mainly focused on budgets and it probably won't be possible to (submit the draft for approval) before it ends," Tint Swe, deputy director of the Ministry of Information's media registration department, told the Myanmar Times. "The draft is only for print media and electronic media is not included."//DPA http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Exile-run-news-agency-plans-to-open-office-in-Burm-30175193.html __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (534)