News & Articles on Burma-Monday, 20 December, 2010

News & Articles on Burma
Monday, 20 December, 2010
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Politics Join Social Issues on Burma's CSO Agendas
Amartya Sen: Burma's Neighbors Support 'Insanely Dictatorial' Junta
Businesses Suffering in Three Pagodas Pass
NDF Drafts Bills to Submit to Parliament
Politics Join Social Issues on Burma's CSO Agendas
Many affected by border dIsputes wIth Burma
India starts Kaladan river project in Myanmar
Australia appoints new Burma ambassador
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Politics Join Social Issues on Burma's CSO Agendas
By KO HTWE Monday, December 20, 2010

Politics have found a place on the agendas of Burma's civil society organizations (CSO) since the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, according to leading members of the movement.

“Before Suu Kyi's release the CSO only focused on social work but now members discuss politics,” said Myo Yan Naung Thein, a trainer for CSO capacity building. “They are a bridge between government and public.”

Mya Nandar, a member of the New Myanmar foundation, confirmed that her CSO wanted to be involved in politics as well as perform social work. “But we have to mind our step.”

Mya Nandar said she chose to be a social worker at the time of Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

The community-based organizations were formed to rush aid to the surviving victims of the cyclone, which killed more than 140,000 people and left hundreds of thousands destitute and homeless.

Myo Yan Naung Thein said CSO were a force for democracy because they were in touch with the common people and could tackle social work that INGOs couldn't perform.

Young people aged between 18 and 40 are involved in education, health, environment and humanitarian work for at least 150 CSO based in Rangoon. Some groups have as many as 1,000 members.

They are financed with grants from international nongovernmental agencies (INGOs), foreign embassies, donations from friends and family members working abroad and fund-raising events.

Phyi Sone Htet, a members of the “Green one,” said Suu Kyi's support had “invigorated” his CSO in its environmental work.

“Green one” organizes weekly discussion sessions, which Phyi Sone Htet said were carefully monitored by the authorities.

NLD central executive committee member Ohn Kyaing said Suu Kyi is scheduled to meet shortly with CSO leaders and members.

“We have to do our work based on understanding with the authorities and if somebody like Suu Kyi stands with us it is helpful for our work,” said Thint Zaw Than, a member of a CSO that focuses on education.

Burma reportedly has 64 non-governmental organizations and 455 officially recognized community-based associations. But there are many more CSOs in the country not registered who are working to engage the social work. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20354
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Amartya Sen: Burma's Neighbors Support 'Insanely Dictatorial' Junta
By THE IRRAWADDY Monday, December 20, 2010

The renowned Indian economist Amartya Sen called the Burmese regime “insanely dictatorial” and harshly criticized its neighbors, China, India and Thailand, for making a lot of money by helping to keep the Burmese people under a dictatorship, according to Bangkok-based English newspapers.

“Myanmar [Burma] is a hell-hole version of old Burma,” Sen told The Nation during a visit to Thailand last week. “They [Burmese junta] are treating their countrymen with barbarity, rape, murder and displacement of minority groups who continue to be pushed out of their country. It's a dreadful situation.”

Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, left, with Thailand's Nation Group Editor-in-Chief Suthichai Yoon during his visit to Bangkok last week. (Photo: The Nation)
Sen, Asia's first Nobel laureate in economics, met Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during his visit and candidly criticized Thailand's policy on Burma.

“I told him [Abhisit] both India's and Thailand's Burma policies are at fault. Abhisit laughed, then said he understands why I say that,” Sen was quoted in the newspaper. “The generals have their own national interests. But protecting national interests, as it were, at the cost of the Burmese people is not the right thing to do. I will say that to China, too, if I have a chance.”

Amartya Sen, a professor of economics and philosophy at Harvard University, said that targeted sanctions on the junta are more effective than general sanctions which hurt ordinary people and suggested that democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi “could play a vital role on this, if she wants change.”

He also accused the West of doing business with the junta in spite of imposing economic sanctions on the junta.

“You see what's happening? The Americans, British, French and Germans keep lecturing Thailand, India and China for not doing the right thing. But they don't do it either. I'm accusing the West of being a hypocrite,” said Sen.

Sen has become a strong critic of the junta after junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe made an official visit to India in July.

"It breaks my heart to see the prime minister of my democratic country—and one of the most humane and sympathetic political leaders in the world—engage in welcoming the butchers from Burma and to be photographed in a state of cordial proximity," Sen told the Bangkok Post shortly after the visit.

Sen questioned the world's largest democracy's morality during his interview with Bangkok Post, saying: “When our power to influence the world was zero, we spent our time lecturing the world on morality. And when we get a bit of power, although not as much as China, then we completely abdicated that responsibility.”

In 2004, in a US diplomatic cable sent from the United States' mission to India to Washington, which appeared on Wikileaks, Mitra Vashishta, the joint secretary of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs for South East Asia, said: “If India also isolates Burma, no one will be able to engage Rangoon on democracy or other issues.”
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20349
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Businesses Suffering in Three Pagodas Pass
By LAWI WENG Monday, December 20, 2010

Businesses engaged in mining, logging and furniture making are suffering in Three Pagodas Pass Township near the Thai border as Burmese junta military offensives continue in Karen-controlled areas, according to the residents of the township.

Seven Burmese mining companies and about 13 businessmen who were permitted unlimited logging in Burma have not restarted their businesses despite the end of the rainy season, according to Thu Rain, a resident of the town.

A shortage of wood to make furniture exists in Three Pagodas Pass. (Photo: Independent Mon News Agency)
“They do not dare go into KNU (Karen National Union) areas because there is frequent fighting,” he said.

A shortage of wood to make furniture exists. At the result, the price of hardwood has gone up.

“One ton of hardwood in the Three Pagodas Pass area is currently 20,000 baht, and it was 18,000 baht last year,” said Lawi Mon, a local resident .

The KNU granted more than 1,000 tons of timber to logging companies to harvest in the two main hardwood forest reserves in Kawkareik District last year. Revenue from mining and logging contracts are reportedly the KNU's main source of income, from which it subsidizes its war against the Burmese army.

Many businessmen in Three Pagodas Pass have already paid money to the KNU to work in mining and logging in the area, but the recent military offensives have curtailed most of their activity.

Brigade 6 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) issued an order last week prohibiting vehicles and people from crossing into their area on a main trade route from Thanbyuzayat to Three Pagodas Pass townships, reportedly because it believes the junta will launch more military offensives if the road is opened.

Many residents of the area serve as drivers for businesses and they have been hurt by the road's closure. “We already started our business last year at this time. We hope that the KNU will give permission [to cross] by the end of this year,” said a driver.

The township's economy has suffered since the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army troops seized the town on Nov. 10. On Nov. 29, the junta also banned boats for traveling from Three Pagodas Pass to Kyar Inn Seik Gyi Township.

The people in town rely on commodities exported from Burma, which are transported by boats during the rainy season. Most residents are now buying commodities from Thailand at higher prices.

Residents are worried that the price of commodities will continue to increase if the road remains closed, and they say there could be a rice shortage by the end of the year if Burmese commodities are not allowed to reach the township.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20352
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NDF Drafts Bills to Submit to Parliament
By BA KAUNG Monday, December 20, 2010

Leaders of National Democratic Force (NDF) were preparing a set of draft bills for the upcoming newly elected parliament despite its widespread defeat in Burma's controversial elections last month.

NDF leaders, renegades of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, said they are in the process of drafting about 35 parliamentary bills, 10 out of which would be submitted in the parliament, whose first session is scheduled to begin in February next year.

Than Nyein, chairman of the National Democratic Force party (NDF). (Photo: Reuters)
The party leaders said the bills are focused on creating improved changes in the country's economic, social and health sectors, and one of the bills would call for the release of all political prisoners in the country.

“A parliamentary member has a right to submit a bill, but how much it will get support in the parliament would be a different story,” said NDF Chairman Dr. Than Nyein.

In the election, the NDF won only 12 seats in the bicameral parliament, yet it is set to press forward with its stated agenda of working towards amendments to the controversial Constitution from within the parliament.

“Do you still see any other alternative to that?” questioned NDF Chairman Dr. Than Nyein.

This remains very much in contrast with the opposition groups led by Suu Kyi, which have called for a dialogue on national reconciliation with the country's military rulers. State media recently carried commentaries which said that national reconciliation could only be achieved by efforts from within the parliament.

Last month, the junta's proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) which won a landslide victory in the elections, reached out to pro-democracy political parties which contested in the elections, in an apparent attempt to take advantage of remaining differences between them and Suu Kyi-led opposition groups.

In letters sent to ethnic and opposition parties which contested in the elections, the USDP expressed a desire to work closely with them and would even listen to their advice on shared public interests.

To that end, it has reportedly invited the parties, including the NDF, to hold talks during next month before the parliament begins to operate.

“We would likely go and meet the USDP officials for these talks if they are serious about what they are saying,” said Khin Maung Than, an NDF member who unsuccessfully competed for a parliamentary seat in Kyaukse Township in Mandalay Division against Burmese Minister of Science and Technology U Thaung, who represented the USDP.

While a thaw seems yet to be broken between Suu Kyi and NDF leaders with their continued differences, they plan to meet by the end of this month—their first meeting since her release from house arrest last month.

“We will meet her not as political party members, but just as individuals,” Than Nyein said. “After all, we were all her colleagues before.”

After her release, Suu Kyi has said that she viewed the NDF only as one of the political parties which participated in the elections.

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Politics Join Social Issues on Burma's CSO Agendas
By KO HTWE Monday, December 20, 2010

Politics have found a place on the agendas of Burma's civil society organizations (CSO) since the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, according to leading members of the movement.

“Before Suu Kyi's release the CSO only focused on social work but now members discuss politics,” said Myo Yan Naung Thein, a trainer for CSO capacity building. “They are a bridge between government and public.”

Mya Nandar, a member of the New Myanmar foundation, confirmed that her CSO wanted to be involved in politics as well as perform social work. “But we have to mind our step.”

Mya Nandar said she chose to be a social worker at the time of Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

The community-based organizations were formed to rush aid to the surviving victims of the cyclone, which killed more than 140,000 people and left hundreds of thousands destitute and homeless.

Myo Yan Naung Thein said CSO were a force for democracy because they were in touch with the common people and could tackle social work that INGOs couldn't perform.

Young people aged between 18 and 40 are involved in education, health, environment and humanitarian work for at least 150 CSO based in Rangoon. Some groups have as many as 1,000 members.

They are financed with grants from international nongovernmental agencies (INGOs), foreign embassies, donations from friends and family members working abroad and fund-raising events.

Phyi Sone Htet, a members of the “Green one,” said Suu Kyi's support had “invigorated” his CSO in its environmental work.

“Green one” organizes weekly discussion sessions, which Phyi Sone Htet said were carefully monitored by the authorities.

NLD central executive committee member Ohn Kyaing said Suu Kyi is scheduled to meet shortly with CSO leaders and members.

“We have to do our work based on understanding with the authorities and if somebody like Suu Kyi stands with us it is helpful for our work,” said Thint Zaw Than, a member of a CSO that focuses on education.

Burma reportedly has 64 non-governmental organizations and 455 officially recognized community-based associations. But there are many more CSOs in the country not registered who are working to engage the social work.

Related Article: Some Burmese NGOs Say Suu Kyi Hampers Their Work
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20354
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Many affected by border dIsputes wIth Burma
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation, Ranong
Published on December 20, 2010

The disputes are seriously affecting the daily lives of people in the areas as many fear losing their farming lands.

The major areas of dispute are in the sea at the mouth of the Pakchan River, also known as the Kraburi River, where Thailand and Burma claim sovereignty over three islands near Victoria point. The islands are known locally as Koh Lam, Koh Kan and Koh Kinok.

The three islands were not mentioned in any treaty or map between Thailand and Burma or Britain which occupied Burma in 19th century, said the Foreign Ministry's Director of Treaties and Legal Affairs, Ittiporn Boonpracong.

An exchange note between the Siamese and British governments in 1868 suggested the islands of Saddle and Delisle belong to Siam, while Victoria, St. Matthew and the Birds' Nest group of islands belonged to Burma, then a British colony. The 1868 map, known later as the greenred map, also did not mention the three islands in question, he said.

The three islands are relatively small. There are no people, fresh water or beaches on the islands. The biggest is Koh Lam, only 25 rai in area. But they are landmarks for the sea boundaries of the two countries. Thailand used Koh Lam as the beginning marker of its sea boundary, while Burma used Victoria island so that the two countries have overlapping claimed areas in the Andaman sea, where fishery resources are plentiful.

Another disputed area is located in Ban Hat Chick, in Kraburi district of Ranong province, where both sides claim the small island of Koh Tayim (the island of grandfather Yim Thanabat) in the Kraburi River.

Originally, Koh Tayim island was supposed to be on the Thai side, since the deep water channel in accordance with the 1934 agreement is located close to Burma's shore. But local people dug a cannel to divert water flow in the river to facilitate logging transportation in the late 1980s, so the water channel near the Thai side is deeper.

Burma claimed sovereignty over the island, arguing the deep water channel was located close to the Thai side.

Samruam Thanabat, 48, a grandson of Yim Thanabat said the island had belonged to his family since the beginning as it is a part of their soil. "I dug the channel by myself to facilitate the logging operation," he said. "There's no way the island belongs to Burma."

Samruam plants palm oil trees in the island without any objection from Burmese authorities. "I have full rights over the island as it belongs to my family," he said.

Other conflict along the Pakchan River took place as Burma protested Thai embankment projects to prevent river bank erosion. Naypyidaw said the projects would affect its river bank too, and result in a change of boundary line in the river.

Thailand stopped construction of these projects on the river in Ranong province after a series of protests from Burma.

Prayong Thungrod, 63, a farmer at Mamu subdistrict in the province said he would lose a large area of paddy field due to river bank erosion. "Unless the embankment project continues, I will lose more land in the next wet season," he said.

Chief of Thailand's ThaiBurmese Joint Boundary Committee Vasin Teeravechyan said all border disputes are waiting for negotiation in the committee when the next meeting is resumed.

Thailand proposed a joint technical committee to handle the problems but Burma has not yet put its components in the body, he said. "We hope to have a meeting on boundaries with Burma early next year," he said. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/12/20/national/Many-affected-by-border-dIsputes-wIth-Burma-30144762.html
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India starts Kaladan river project in Myanmar
13:00, December 20, 2010

India has laid foundation for construction of port and waterway terminal of a Myanmar-India Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project in Sittway township of western Myanmar's Rakhine state, local media reported Monday.

The project was conerstoned in the Rakhine township Sunday, according to the official daily New Light of Myanmar.

The Kaladan river project aims at promoting trade between the two countries and is targeted to complete by 2013.

India stands as Myanmar's fourth largest trading partner after Thailand, China and Singapore.

According to official statistics, Myanmar-India bilateral trade reached 1.19 billion U.S. dollars in the fiscal year of 2009-10, increasing by 26.1 percent from the previous year.

Source: Xinhua http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/7236536.html
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Australia appoints new Burma ambassador

Posted 19 minutes ago

Australia has appointed a new ambassador to Burma.

Bronte Moules, who is currently serving in Bangkok, will replace the current ambassador, Michelle Chan, in January.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd says Australia uses its mission in Burma to promote political reform and human rights.

Mr Rudd says Australia remains deeply concerned about the political, economic and humanitarian situation in the country.

He has urged the Burmese authorities to involve democracy campaigner Aung Sang Suu Kyi and other political groups in national reconciliation.