http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1101277/US-secretary-state-Hillary-Clinton-selects-squad-special-envoys-Bill-line-Pakistan.html?ITO=1490
By Paul Thompson
Last updated at 11:40 PM on 24th December 2008
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Hillary Clinton is forming a 'hit squad' of special envoys who will be sent to the world's troublespots to try to prevent conflict breaking out.
The diplomats will form the spearhead of the US state department as the new secretary of state seeks a bigger role for her office in Barack Obama's new government.
The former first lady has wasted no time as she begins building up her team in preparation for taking over as America's most senior diplomat from Condoleezza Rice next month.
Hillary Clinton with President Elect Barack Obama. Sources say that the former first lady is seeking a bigger budget as the new secretary of state
Sources in Washington suggested Mrs Clinton had embarked on an 'empire-building' exercise as she seeks an expanded role within Mr Obama's administration.
She wants a bigger budget and an expanded role for the state department, not just in foreign affairs, but in dealing with global economic issues in the current financial crisis.
Mrs Clinton has also told Mr Obama she wants to appoint high-profile special envoys.
Her husband Bill has been suggested as a possible envoy to deal with Pakistan and India.
Mrs Clinton has told Mr Obama that she would like to appoint high-profile special envoys. Suggestions include Richard Holbrooke, left, for Afghanistan or Iran, and former president and husband Bill Clinton for Pakistan and India
He used several envoys during his two-term presidency in the Nineties, with Richard Holbrooke the best-known for his roles in brokering peace deals in the Middle East and the Balkans conflict.
Mr Holbrooke is among the names being mentioned as a possible envoy either for Afghanistan or Iran. Martin Indyk, a former US ambassador to Israel, has also been mentioned.
While Mrs Clinton compiles a shortlist of envoys, she has already dipped into her husband's former team for two key advisers.
Jacob Lew, budget director in the Clinton administration, has been given the job of making sure the state department is not underfunded. Mrs Clinton wants extra money for the diplomatic corps as she seeks to improve America's standing in the eyes of the world. James Steinberg, a former deputy national security adviser to the former president, is also in her team as a trusted lieutenant.
Insiders said Mrs Clinton is determined to wrestle power back from the Pentagon, which under President Bush played a dominant role in the government. The US defence department took over the planning of reconstruction of Iraq following the 2003 invasion.
A recent report by a federal watchdog found the $117 billion that has been spent by the US on reconstruction work had done little to improve the country. The report, Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience, reveals a catalogue of mistakes and incompetence.
Friday, December 26, 2008
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton selects squad of special envoys, with Bill in line for Pakistan
Companies from China, Myanmar, S. Korea sign gas pact in Myanmar
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90778/90858/90863/6561510.html
The China National United Oil Corporation (CNUOC), Myanmar and a consortium, led by the Daewoo International Group Corporation, signed an export gas sales and purchase agreement dealing with the Shwe Project here Wednesday.
The Shwe gas project, which lies at A-1 block in Myanmar's Rakhine offshore area, has been developed by the Daewoo consortium comprising South Korea Gas Corporation, India's ONGC Videsh Ltd and Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL)
The agreement is a follow-up of a memorandum of understanding signed in Nay Pyi Taw in June this year between the CNPC, Myanmar and the Daewoo consortium on sale and transport of natural gas from offshore blocks A-1 and A-3.
Natural gas deposits were found at block A-1 (Shwe field and Shwephyu field) and block A-3 (Mya field) in the Rakhine offshore area in January 2004 and April 2005 respectively, explored by the consortium of oil companies led by Daewoo with 60 percent-stake. Other companies go to South Korea Gas Corporation (10 percent), ONGC Videsh Ltd of India (20 percent) and GAIL (10 percent).
The Shwe field holds a gas reserve of 4 to 6 trillion cubic-feet (TCF) or 113.2 to 170 billion cubic-meters (BCM), while the Shwephyu 5 TCF and the Mya 2 TCF with a combined proven reserve of5.7 to 10 TCF of gas being estimated by experts.
Myanmar has abundance of natural gas resources in the offshore areas. With three main large offshore oil and gas fields and 19 onshore ones, Myanmar has proven recoverable reserve of 18.012 trillion cubic-feet (TCF) or 510 billion cubic-meters (BCM) out of89.722 TCF or 2.54 trillion cubic-meters (TCM)'s estimated reserve of offshore and onshore gas, experts said, adding that the country is also estimated to have 3.2 billion barrels of recoverable crude oil reserve.
According to the Central Statistical Organization, in the fiscal year 2007-08, Myanmar produced 7.62 million barrels of crude oil and 13.393 BCM of gas.
Statistics also reveal that foreign investment in Myanmar's oil and gas sector had reached 3.243 billion dollars in 85 projects as of the end of 2007 since the country opened to such investment in late 1988, standing the second in the country's foreign investment sectorally after electric power.
In 2007, foreign investment in the oil and gas sector more than tripled to 474.3 million U.S. dollars compared with 2006, accounting for 90 percent of the total during the year which stood505.02 million, according to the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development.
Currently, 13 foreign oil companies, mainly from Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Indonesia, India, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Russia, are involved in oil and gas projects in Myanmar, according to official sources.
Source:Xinhua
UN condemns human rights violations in Myanmar
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081225/ap_on_re_as/un_un_myanmar_rights_1
By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press Writer – Wed Dec 24, 8:58 pm ETUNITED NATIONS – The U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday strongly condemned widespread human rights violations in Myanmar and called on the government to free political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
The sharply worded resolution, sponsored by the United States, Israel and many other countries, was approved by a vote of 80-25 with 45 abstentions.
Myanmar accused the assembly of "blatant interference" in its internal political process and said it will not be bound by the resolution. Unlike the more powerful Security Council, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding but carry weight because they reflect the views of the 192-member world body.
Myanmar's representative, who was not identified, told the assembly the country had made significant political strides and was now on track for a smooth transition to democracy, with a seven-step political process including multiparty elections in 2010.
But the resolution expressed "grave concern" at the failure to include members of pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi's party and other political parties and some ethnic groups "in a genuine process of transition to democracy."
It said Myanmar's political processes "are not transparent, inclusive, free and fair, and that the procedures established for the drafting of the (country's new) constitution resulted in the de facto exclusion of the opposition from the process."
The General Assembly also expressed grave concern at the government's decision to go ahead with a referendum on the constitution "in an atmosphere of intimidation and without regard to international standards of free and fair elections."
It took note of the government's cooperation with the international community in delivering aid to victims of a devastating May cyclone "despite its initial denial of access, which resulted in widespread suffering and increased the risk of loss of life." The cyclone affected 2.4 million people and left an estimated 130,000 people dead or missing.
Myanmar's military, which has ruled since 1962 when the country was known as Burma, tolerates no dissent and crushed pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks in September 2007. It holds more than 2,100 political prisoners, up sharply from nearly 1,200 before the demonstrations, human rights groups say.
The General Assembly "strongly" called on Myanmar's government "to desist from further politically motivated arrests" and release political prisoners, including Suu Kyi who has spent more than 13 of the past 19 years under house arrest.
The General Assembly expressed concern over human rights violations, and of Myanmar's "continuing practice of enforced disappearances, use of violence against peaceful demonstrators, rape and other forms of sexual violence, torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment."
Junta Militants Arrested in Thailand: BBC (IRRAWADDY)
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14839
By MIN LWIN Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Thai authorities in the border town of Mae Sot have arrested an armed group of Burmese nationals, including women, who reportedly said that the Burmese military government had sent them to Thailand, according to BBC Burmese radio on Monday.
The BBC Burmese service said that 10 members of an unknown armed group were arrested and weapons were seized from at least four of them.
Sources in Mae Sot said that the Burmese junta has targeted prominent opposition leaders in exile in the past, as well as leaders of armed ethnic groups, pro-democracy organizations and human rights organizations, especially those based in Mae Sot.
Several dissidents along the Thai-Burmese border have claimed that assassinations have been ordered by the junta and suggested that Karen National Union General Secretary Mahn Sha was gunned down on February 14 by junta-backed assassins, although the murder was never officially solved.
Twenty undercover agents from the Burmese military authorities have been assigned and deployed in Thailand’s Mae Sot area to carry out assassinations, said opposition sources on the Thai-Burmese border.
Russia Urges Burma to Cooperate with UN-IRRAWADDY
http://theirrawaddy.blogspot.com/2008/12/russia-urges-burma-to-cooperate-with-un.html
By MIN LWIN
Russia’s ambassador to Burma has told Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win that Moscow will be in a better position to support the Naypyidaw regime if it cooperates with UN special envoy Ibraham Gambari, according to a leaked written account of their meeting.
The secret document, leaked to The Irrawaddy by a Burmese Foreign Ministry source, said the Russian ambassador, Mikhail Mgeladze, reassured Nyan Win of Moscow’s continuing support, while urging cooperation with the UN. The two met on December 6 at Nyan Win’s office in Rangoon.
Gambari has a standing invitation from Burma’s ruling junta to visit the country, but he has shown reluctance to return in view of the regime’s recent crackdown on the pro-democracy leadership, ignoring appeals from the international community.
Last week, the UN said there was no immediate plan for Gambari to visit Burma in the near future.
“He has no plans immediately to go to Myanmar [Burma],” Michele Montas, spokeswoman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.
Ban himself was earlier scheduled to visit Burma in December, but cancelled his trip after the Burmese military junta went back on its words and intensified its crackdown on pro-democracy activists.
“He [Ban] is not going to go there just for the sake of going. He has to have some indications that his visit will mean something,” Montas said.
The Russian ambassador’s meeting with Nyan Win was seen as quiet diplomatic pressure on the regime to cooperate with the UN.
Mgeladze restated Moscow’s position, however, that the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, the opening of a dialogue between Snr Gen Than Shwe and Suu Kyi and the presence of independent monitors at the 2010 election are only internal matters, the leaked document disclosed.
The Russian ambassador also said that he would not support six-party talks on Burma along the lines of this year’s North Korea initiative. A similar Burma initiative has been proposed by some dissidents.
Nyan Win told Mgeladze that the Burmese government would not accept such a proposal. Burma and North Korea were different matters, he said.
Nyan Win told the ambassador that Burma’s two major allies, China and India, also opposed the six-party talks proposal.
The meeting between Nyan Win and Mgeladze also dealt with trade relations between Burma and the West. The two officials shared a view that France and Germany are interested in economic cooperation with the regime, although America and the UK take a tougher policy toward Burma.
The Russian ambassador assured Nyan Win that his government intended to strengthen its economic and diplomatic cooperation with the regime.
Burma and Russia celebrated this year the 60th anniversary of their mutual diplomatic relations, which were established with an exchange of notes in February 1948 at the embassy of the Soviet Union in London.
Burma’s late dictator Gen Ne Win developed a close relationship with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in the 1960s, sending socialist cadres to the Soviet Union to study socialism. Khrushchev visited Burma in 1960.
About 1500 students, mostly military officers, are currently studying in 11 institutions in Russia. Some 500 Burmese students have so far obtained degrees, including doctorates, in Russia, according to the Russian embassy in Burma.
Burma’s army chief and regime No 2, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, visited Russia in April 2006.
Burma has brought a 10 mega watt nuclear reactor and MiG 29 jet fighters from Russia.
Japan’s action to accept Burma refugees changes Asia’s image
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/commentary/the-china-post/special-to-the-china-post/2008/12/24/189008/Japans-action.htm
www.ChinaPost.com.tw
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Japan's action to accept Burma refugees changes Asia's image
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
By Nehginpao Kipgen, Special to The China Post
Japan's humanitarian decision on 18th December 2008 to accept refugees from the military-ruled Burma has significantly changed Asia's image. The move, which is unprecedented in the history of Japan, conveys a message to the international community that there is a country in Asia which opens its doors to asylum seekers and refugees.
Japan's policy toward Burma has traditionally been engagement. This principle was stated in uncertain terms by the then Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in January 1997 as: "Japan does not feel international isolation is the optimal way for the improvement of domestic situation in Myanmar."
Ryutaro also added that: "Japan thinks it's important to give Myanmar incentives to behave in line with international norms by drawing it out as a member of the international community. Japan also thinks that ASEAN membership should not provide a smokescreen for oppression in Myanmar."
Engagement policy toward the Burmese military regime fundamentally differentiate Japan from many of her western allies, most notably the United States' isolationist policy. These conflicting approaches have not helped both the economic giants to achieve their desired goals, but have instead prolonged the military rule.
Japan's initial hope for ASEAN leadership to address the situation in Burma has also turned out to be fruitless. Despite Japan's years of engagement policy, the oppression in Burma continues unabated. The recent arrests and the long-term prison sentences to peaceful protesters was an indication of a failed strategy.
It is, however, intriguing to see that Japan simultaneously opens lines of communication with both the Burmese military regime and the pro-democracy opposition groups. Like many other nations, Japan has also endorsed the role of the United Nations Secretary General's good offices.
With the political stalemate continuing to plague Burma, Japan's policy has seemingly vacillated in recent months. Japan's biggest western ally, the United States, has also theoretically shifted its policy. The U.S. Congress created a post for policy chief for Burma to increase pressure on the junta; the White House nominated Michael Green for the position on November 10.A noticeable strained bilateral relations between Japan and Burma was witnessed in the aftermath of the 2007 uprising, which was popularly coined by many as "saffron revolution." A Japanese photo journalist Kenji Nagai was shot and killed by the Burmese military in broad-daylight while covering the demonstration.
The troubling issue surfaced again on the 17th January 2008 meeting between Japan's Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura and his Burmese counterpart Nyan Win. Japan expressed its displeasure in a statement: "The Japanese side has not been convinced yet by the account given by the Myanmar police."
If this major humanitarian policy gets implemented, the Japanese government will accept about 30 Burmese refugees from Thailand starting 2010. This development not only surprises the international community, but also gives a new hope to the Burmese democratic movement.
This bold decision makes Japan to become the first country in the region to launch such an initiative. Not only was the move welcome by the Burmese democratic movement, but also by the chief of United Nations humanitarian agency.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said, "I am glad that Japan is starting with a small program. As such, I am confident that the pilot project will develop and expand into a regular and large program."
Japan's decision has broken the traditionally held perception that refugees are resettled only in western countries. This sets a good example for many other Asian nations. As long as no democratic society, which equally treats all ethnic nationalities, can be established in Burma, there will be more Burmese refugees.
Her status as an economic giant of Asia and the historical relationship the two countries had during Burma's independence struggle, Japan's involvement in Burmese democratic transition is essential.
In the absence of a coordinated international approach, Burma's military leaders will continue to have the upper hands in suppressing the aspirations of the Burmese people.
Both engagement and sanction imposing groups must come together to find amicable solution to decades-old Burma's problems.
It is high time for the international community to realize that neither engagement nor sanction alone, without a coordinated action, is effective enough to bring change in Burma.
Nehginpao Kipgen is the General Secretary of U.S.-based Kuki International Forum (www.kukiforum.com) and a researcher on the rise of political conflicts in modern Burma (1947-2004).
Copyright © 2008 The China Post.
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