News & Articles on Burma-Friday, 11 February, 2011

News & Articles on Burma
Friday, 11 February, 2011
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Can Shan Vice-President create peace in Shan-land of Burma?
New Govt Talks Tough on Tax Evasion
DKBA Changes Tactics, More Civilians at Risk
Than Shwe ‘ordered shooting of monks’
Election body delays lawsuit hearings
Myanmar's opposition says sanctions on junta work
Free political prisoners now: 88 Generation leaders
Burma Regime Misses Another Chance
NDF to Raise Reform Issues in Parliament
Than Shwe to Head Extra-Constitutional 'State Supreme Council'
Burma Army deploys more tanks to Shan army’s territory
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AsianCorrespondent.com
Can Shan Vice-President create peace in Shan-land of Burma?
By Zin Linn Feb 11, 2011 10:18PM UTC

Burma Army is reinforcing more platoons and tanks to military front line areas in Shan State South’s Mongnawng township, opposite Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’’s controlled territory, referring local sources Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N.) reported.

Six tanks were sent from Taunggyi and arrived in Mongnawng, southeast of SSA’s First Brigade headquarters on 9 February. And over 20 tanks more are expected to arrive in the next few days, according to local sources. On the same day, 6 military trucks carrying about 200 men and supplies were reportedly heading to Mongnawng as well, an eye witness said. “All soldiers were armed and in full uniforms.”

However, the military authorities have been limiting all trucks running on the motor roads – between Kehsi and Monghsu townships – leading to SSA’s HQ Wanhai. Kehsi is situated in the west of Wanhai and Monghsu in the east of it.

Regarding the movement, it is said this is the first time that the military junta reinforces more troops to rebel armed groups after the calls of parliament. The reinforcement to rebel groups was temporarily stopped when the military called for the first session of the parliament

The SSA side says the military reinforcement and instruction of blocking the road to its area are like a signal of the military junta’s plan to launch military operation against the group.

The SSA has also ordered its fighters to be well-prepared, but all must shun taking confrontation again. However, there has been no sign of tension among the two sides yet, the officer said.

According to the SSA’s record, the group has already fought with the Burma Army 7 times since the group denied the Naypyitaw’s Border Guard Force (BGF) program.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sai Mauk Kham, a Shan physician, has been elected as a vice president in Burma’s Parliament. The vice presidency to Sai Mauk Kham has become a debatable issue in the Shan community, with several welcoming the news, but others revealing displeasure that he comes to the job as a member of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

Khuensai Jaiyen, editor of Shan Herald Agency for News said that Sai Mauk Kham might not be participated in tackling issues as national security and the economy, but from optimistic point of view he may be likely to promote health, education and culture.

Coincidently, village heads in district under Northeastern Region Command in Shan State North have been instructed to conscript people in their areas and send those recruits to its headquarters based in Lashio within a week, according to local sources.

Each village tract is assigned to provide 60 men whether they are new men or serving men for military training. They all must arrive at the regional HQ by 7 February, according to a village headman. Elderly people in the villages shared their views on this new recruitment that the military regime is about to rush to end the movements of the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’s First Brigade. Many local people forecast that after the new USDP government formed, Burma’s armed forces are likely to commence major operations against rebels of anti-Border Guard Forces (BGF) program.

The SSA has also ordered its fighters to be well-prepared, but all must shun taking confrontation again. However, there has been no sign of tension among the two sides yet, the officer said. According to the SSA’s record, the group has already fought with the Burma Army 7 times since the group denied the Naypyitaw’s Border Guard Force (BGF) program.

Although Dr. Sai Mauk Kham, a Shan physician, elected as a vice president in Burma’s Parliament, he has no power to take part as a negotiator in the conflict between the Burmese Army and the Shan rebels. Many political analysts believe that the boss of the military has cleverly picked Sai Mauk Kham as a vice president to represent the ethnic population especially for the Shan. But, the reality is that he is more likely a pawn created by military than an ethnic Shan spokesperson.

On 12 February 1947, the Panglong agreement was signed between leaders of the Frontier Areas and Aung San to unite and jointly fight for independence, and to establish an independent union, in accordance with the principle of the ‘Right of Self-determination’. If General Aung San did not promise equal opportunity and self-determination, the country might never have been founded under the title of the Union of Burma.

The late Shan leader U Shwe Ohn, a participant at the Panglong Conference, wrote in his paper -“Toward the Third Union of Burma” (1993) – the country would have been divided into two parts: Burma and the Frontier Areas, if the Panglong Agreement was not signed.

So, military boss Than Shwe has tactfully picked Sai Mauk Kham as Shan defender in order to shield the harsh criticism based on the ethnic autonomy topic. It is clear, Sai Mauk Kham is merely a namesake vice president. He will not be allowed to exercise authentic presidential power to help peace with his Shan national relatives.
http://asiancorrespondent.com/48251/can-shan-vice-president-create-peace-in-shan-land-of-burma/
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DKBA Changes Tactics, More Civilians at Risk
By SAW YAN NAING Friday, February 11, 2011

It has been three months since an election-day border clash broke out in Myawaddy between government troops and renegade Brigade 5 of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) that sent 20,000 refugees temporarily fleeing across the border to Thailand, and the area is still far from quiet.

Gunfire and explosions continue to be heard on the border, the latest being a bomb blast in Myawaddy town on Wednesday that killed 2 people and injured six others, with at least some of the victims being civilians.

According to sources on the border, the DKBA has changed its military tactics to target urban areas where government offices and buildings are located rather than fighting in the jungle. Maj San Aung of DKBA Brigade 5 said the brigade changed tactics because it has fewer fighters than the regime, so urban guerrilla warfare is a more effective way to hurt the junta.

As a result, however, more civilians may be caught up in the fighting and some Myawaddy locals are not happy with the change in tactics.

“If they [DKBA] want to fight, they should fight directly with the junta troops. They should not fight in urban areas. It impacts the civilians,” a resident of Myawaddy told The Irrawaddy.

“Many people in Myawaddy town are now in fear. Some parents don’t let their children go to study at school,” he added.

Other areas of Karen State have been similarly affected by the fighting. Residents of Kawkareik in southern Karen State are reportedly afraid to travel outside the town after a clash broke out on Wednesday evening between regime and Karen National Union (KNU) troops, according to Kawkareik residents.

A merchant in Kawkareik said that after the fighting began daily passenger buses stopped running on the route connecting Kawkareik and Myawaddy.

Brig-Gen Saw Lah Pwe, the commander of DKBA Brigade 5 who is also known as Na Kham Mwe, said the regime is still reinforcing its troops around his controlled areas in southern Karen State and does not seem to be seeking ceasefire talks with him.

The previous ceasefire between the junta and DKBA Brigade 5 broke down on Nov 8 after the ethnic Karen armed group refused to join the junta’s border guard force (BGF) under Burmese army control.

Observers said the regime likely will use a divide-and-rule strategy in an attempt to defeat the strongest ethic armed groups that have rejected the BGF, such as the United Wa State Army, which has about 30,000 troops, and the Kachin Independence Army, with some 10,000 troops.

But with respect to ethnic Karen armed groups such as DKBA Brigade 5 and the Karen National Union (KNU), the observers said the regime will only use military means in its attempt to totally defeat the militias. KNU sources said that the junta is sending troops, ammunition and food supplies to the KNU's stronghold area in Papun District in northern Karen State—raising concern among civilians that war is imminent.

Saw Lah Pwe said he doesn’t know when the border clashes will end. “We stay at our home, but they come and attack us. So we have to fight them back,” he said.

Dah Eh Kler, the secretary of the Karen Women’s Organization, said that women and children are the most vulnerable in the ongoing conflict. On Jan 30, a woman and two young boys from Karen State who sought refuge in Thailand were seriously injured by shrapnel from mortars that landed on the Thai side of the border, according to a statement released by the Women’s League of Burma on Feb 1.

The women's rights groups said that as the armed conflict drags on, there is no rest for anyone on the border, including the elderly, the ill, pregnant women and children— farmers can’t tend to their farms and children can't attend school, their statement said.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20733
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New Govt Talks Tough on Tax Evasion
By THE IRRAWADDY Friday, February 11, 2011

Burma's new government, led by recently elected President Thein Sein, is to issue strict laws and bylaws on taxation, including punitive measures for those who evade taxes, according to an official source.

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Friday, an official from the Internal Revenue Department (IRD) in Naypyidaw, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue (MFR), said that when Burma was under military rule most tax-related matters, including income tax, commercial tax and profit tax, were flexible and settled “constructively.” However, as the country is transforming into a democratic state, strict taxation laws will be enacted and every citizen will be obliged to pay taxes, he said.

“The prime minister [now President] Thein Sein told us to deal with tax-related matters strictly and objectively. He also directed us to amend the taxation laws as necessary so that taxes can be collected in accordance with international standards. New laws will include punishments—from fines to imprisonment—for those who avoid paying taxes,” said the IRD official.

Income tax, commercial tax, withholding tax and profit tax are likely to be strictly monitored under new taxation laws, he said.

“The Withholding Tax system, which came into effect on Jan. 1 this year, is now successful,” said an IRD official from Rangoon Division. “The government bank issues Letters of Credit to those who run import businesses only after they have paid the appropriate withholding tax. Now everyone in Burma's business world is paying it.”

A source close to the MFR told The Irrawaddy that although the existing taxation law states that anyone with a monthly salary higher than 30,000 kyat [US$ 30] has to pay tax, few people heed the regulation.

Official data suggests that only 1.09 percent of Burma's more than 50 million people regularly pay taxes.

“Income tax rates were specified at a cabinet meeting, led by the then Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein, held on April 6, 2006. I heard taxes will be collected at those rates,” said the Rangoon IRD official.

Those who earn 30,000-50,000 kyat per month will reportedly have to pay 12 percent income tax; 50,000-70,000 kyat is to be taxed at 14 percent; 70,000-90,000 kyat at 16 percent; 90,000-110,000 kyat at 17 percent; 110,000-150,000 kyat at 18 percent; 150,000-200,000 kyat at 19 percent; and anyone earning over 500,000 kyat ($500) per month will reportedly have to pay 30 percent tax.

“People have the perception that their tax money will fall into the pockets of government employees, because they see how rich the generals and high-ranking government officials are,” said a businessman in Rangoon. “I think IRD employees will be highly engaged in corruption if the new law punishes those who evade taxes.”

A Rangoon-based journalist said the income generated from selling the country's natural gas, oil and other natural resources is mostly spent on building up its army and other military affairs. Over the years, the health care and education sectors have been very poorly funded, he said.

“Citizens will not pay taxes if their government doesn't do anything for them,” said the journalist. “The regime spends almost all the state's money on the military. So who wants to pay tax? If the regime wants its citizens to pay taxes, it has to prove itself by doing something for the people.”
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20737
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Than Shwe ‘ordered shooting of monks’
By FRANCIS WADE
Published: 11 February 2011

Burmese junta chief Than Shwe had ordered troops to shoot protesting monks during the September 2007 mass uprising, leaked US diplomatic cables allege.

The claim is buried in the middle of a November 2007 cable sent from the US embassy in Rangoon to Washington by former US political and economic chief to Burma, Leslie Hayden.

Published in Norwegian daily, Aftenposten, the cable sees Hayden paraphrasing a redacted source who claims his “military contacts” knew of Than Shwe’s intent during the protests.

“According to [TEXT REMOVED BY AFTENPOSTEN]´s military contacts, both Than Shwe and Maung Aye gave the orders to crackdown on the monks, including shooting them if necessary,” it says, referring to the junta chief’s second-in-command.

“Number three General Thura Shwe Man personally opposed the order, but carried it out, quietly advising regional commanders to do so with minimal bloodshed.”

How many monks died in what became known as the Saffron Revolution is unknown, as is the total number of demonstrators killed by Burmese troops. Burmese state media put the official toll at 13, while UN Human Rights Council’s special rapporteur Paulo, Sérgio Pinheiro, quoted independent sources who claimed that 30 to 40 monks were among the more than 100 killed.

Sparked by a sudden 66 percent rise in fuel prices, the protests became the biggest show of defiance against the ruling junta since the student uprising of 1988.

Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win responded to early criticism of the way the army handled the protests by saying that the hundreds of thousands of men and women on the streets had been encouraged by foreign or exiled forces.

“Recent events make clear that there are elements within and outside the country who wish to derail the ongoing process (toward democracy) so that they can take advantage of the chaos that would follow,” he said, making no reference to the deaths.

He also praised the initial “restraint” shown by troops in the early days of the protests, which gained momentum on 18 September, but said the subsequent crackdown was necessary “to restore the situation”. Up to 6000 people are believed to have been detained.

Despite the reverence with which Burma holds its monastic community, monks currently account for 254 of Burma’s 2,189 political prisoners. One monk, U Nanda Vathu, is serving a 71-year sentence, while nearly two dozen of those detained are serving sentences of 20 years or more.

The cable, dated 28 November 2007 and titled “BURMA: THE DIALOGUE IS DEAD”, is one of thousands released by whistleblowing website, Wikileaks. They also reveal French concerns about business operations in Burma, as well as heightened US concerns about Burma’s cosying relationship with North Korea.
http://www.dvb.no/news/than-shwe-%E2%80%98ordered-shooting-of-monks%E2%80%99/14228
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Election body delays lawsuit hearings
By AHUNT PHONE MYAT
Published: 11 February 2011

Hearings for nearly 30 lawsuits filed by aggrieved candidates in last November’s elections have been delayed due to the conflicting schedules of individuals involved.

Burma’s supreme election authority, the Union Election Commission (UEC), was due to hear the cases on 10 and 11 February but now says that parliamentary commitments mean they’ll be forced to postpone them.

“All hearings have been suspended,” said lawyer Myint Thwin, who is representing several complainants. “The UEC said they will contact us again around the 16th or 17th this month and also told us to make contact with them.”

So far 29 cases have been filed at the UEC alleging foul play in the controversial 7 November elections last year. All but two of these were lodged by members of the pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which won around 80 percent of seats.

Myint Thwin said however that there have been rumours the USDP was planning to withdraw some of their complaints.

The USDP, which was led by President Thein Sein and received the backing of the Burmese military, had been accused on a number of occasions of fraud and intimidation during the campaigning stage, as well as infractions on voting day itself.

Many of the allegations were directed at the party’s collecting of advance votes, although there were also numbers of reports claiming that USDP campaigners had coerced people into joining up. Villagers in Shan state also alleged that the names of dead people had appeared on voting lists.

Although the UEC, which was handpicked by the ruling junta, had been expected to weigh heavily in favour of the USDP, it has already dropped one case filed by a party member citing lack of evidence.

There are also thought to be around 100 complaints filed at local police stations around Burma that have not been picked up by the UEC.

A candidate for the opposition Democratic Party Myanmar told DVB shortly before the elections that three complaints it had lodged against the USDP’s campaigning tactics had been ignored by the UEC.
http://www.dvb.no/news/election-body-delays-lawsuit-hearings/14233
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Associated Press Featured Article
February 11, 2011
Myanmar's opposition says sanctions on junta work
By Associated Press ,

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — The pro–democracy party of Aung San Suu Kyi endorsed Western sanctions against Myanmar on Tuesday, saying they hurt the authoritarian regime not ordinary citizens and implying it's too early to lift them.

For weeks, there have been indications that the Nobel (News - Alert) Peace Prize laureate was questioning her longtime support of sanctions. But a four–page report issued by her party Tuesday was the first clarification of her position and could temper any momentum to lift sanctions.

Suu Kyi had suggested after her recent release from years of house arrest that she might be open to an easing of the measures. Her comments raised interest in the West, which has long taken its cues from her and her party on the subject.

The report is bound to anger Myanmar's military rulers who have long sought to have the sanctions lifted on grounds that they hurt the people of Myanmar and have pushed the country deeper into poverty. They have trumpeted elections held in November as evidence of their commitment to democracy, but the polls were widely criticized as rigged to cement the junta's power.

The release coincided with the resumption of parliament in the remote capital of Naypyitaw following Friday's appointment of the country's new president, Thein Sein, who served as prime minister under the junta. His selection by parliament last week was seen as the latest example of the junta's tightening its grip on power.

"Recently, there have been calls for the removal of sanctions," said the report, which was based on the National League for Democracy's own research and consultation with economists. "It can be asserted that these measures do not hurt the public at large."

"Targeted sanctions serve as a warning that acts contrary to basic norms of justice and human rights cannot be committed with impunity even by authoritarian governments," said the report, which blamed the country's hardships on "misguided government policies," not sanctions.

The United States first imposed broad sanctions on Myanmar in 1988 after the junta's crackdown on pro–democracy protests and subsequently tightened them, banning trade and American investment in Myanmar. Since then, the EU and other Western countries have added political and economic sanctions to punish the regime for its poor human rights record and failure to move toward democracy.

"The NLD calls for discussions with the United States, the European Union, Canada and Australia with a view to reaching agreement on when, how and under what circumstances sanctions might be modified in the interests of democracy, human rights and a healthy economic environment," the report said.

Suu Kyi's party boycotted November's election, the first in 20 years, calling it unfair and rigged in favor of the military's allies. The party won the previous elections in 1990 but was blocked at the time from taking power by the military.

Suu Kyi was detained for 15 of the last 21 years and released shortly after the election.

"We would urge the countries that are helping Myanmar's democratic movement to maintain their targeted sanctions," the party's vice chairman Tin Oo told reporters. "There is no tangible progress toward Myanmar's democratic reforms."
http://topnews360.tmcnet.com/topics/associated-press/articles/2011/02/11/143750-myanmars-opposition-says-sanctions-junta-work.htm
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Free political prisoners now: 88 Generation leaders
Friday, 11 February 2011 13:01 Ko Pauk

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Leaders of the 88-Generation Students group issued a statement on Thursday calling for the new Parliament to grant a general amnesty to all political prisoners.

The front page of the statement by the 88 Generation Students group calling for a general amnesty for all political prisoners and genuine movement toward national reconciliation.

The front page of the statement by the 88 Generation Students group calling for a general amnesty for all political prisoners and genuine movement toward national reconciliation.
Issued on the eve of Union Day, the statement also calls for the immediate implementation of national reconciliation.

‘They claimed that this [new Parliament] is a new political dimension and environment’, Myo Yannaung Thein, an 88-Generation Student leader, told Mizzima. ‘In this new political dimension, they should get rid of all the old political dimensions. The old laws enacted in their old political dimension should not exist anymore’.

The Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP) joint secretary Bo Kyi, responding to the statement, said: ‘We can assess if their new political dimension is really a new one only after seeing whether the political prisoners are released or not, and whether they are allowed to play in this new political dimension.’

Myo Yannaung Thein said, ‘If this new government really focuses on national reconciliation, they should issue an executive order granting general amnesty’.

The statement said that all national civic groups should join hands in calling for the release of political prisoners, noting that it was a major campaign issue for many political parties.

Amnesty has been granted in Burma three times in the post-independence era.

The first time was in 1963 prior to holding a peace talk; in 1974, after the approval of the 1974 Constitution and the convening of the first session of parliament under that constitution; and in 1980, when talks for internal peace were being held.

Under the 2008 Constitution, the president has the power to grant amnesty in accord with the recommendation of the National Defence and Security Council.

The new president, Thein Sein, is the former chairman of the United Solidarity and Development Party and a retired general. http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/4873-free-political-prisoners-now-88-generation-leaders.html
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VOANews.com
Burma Regime Misses Another Chance

Burma's highest court has upheld a decision to dissolve the country's leading opposition political party.

As a political force, however, the NLD will continue in the hearts and minds of the people.

Burma's highest court has upheld a decision to dissolve the country's leading opposition political party, which was outlawed last year for failing to register according to conditions set down by Burma's ruling military regime. The decision leaves Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and thousands of other pro-democracy activists outside formal politics in Burma just as the regime claims to be moving the nation to civilian rule.

The high court took little time to decide against the National League for Democracy's appeal of lower court rulings that it be banned. A lawyer representing the NLD said that only the country's chief justice could now change the ruling, and he saw little likelihood of that happening. As a political force, however, the NLD will continue in the hearts and minds of the people.

The NLD won a resounding victory in Burma's last elections in 1990, but was kept from power by the military junta. As the nation prepared for new elections in November, the regime laid down restrictive rules on membership and political activities for parties wishing to offer candidates. The NLD refused to take part, calling the registration rules unfair and undemocratic. In return, it was barred from the race and declared illegal.

As the high court was ruling, the new parliament elected in November was being seated in a show of a supposed transition to democracy. Not only did the military leadership limit the ability of opposition candidates to campaign for elected seats, it guaranteed itself a strong hand in the next government with a large number of designated military appointees and full support for the government’s proxy party.

The United States is disappointed in the high court's decision to uphold the banning of the NLD. Authorizing recognition of that and other democratic and ethnic opposition parties would have been a good step to enter into a genuine and inclusive dialogue on the nation's future. Instead, the decision was another lost opportunity for bringing Burma much needed and fundamental change and progress toward reconciliation. http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/Burma-Regime-Offers-Another-Chance--115727979.html
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NDF to Raise Reform Issues in Parliament
By THE IRRAWADDY Friday, February 11, 2011

The National Democratic Force (NDF), which has four seats in the Upper House of Burma's new parliament and 12 seats in the Lower House, has vowed it will raise the issues of press freedom, a general amnesty, and economic and land reform in parliament, according to a party official.

Khin Maung Swe, a party leader and former political prisoner, said that their proposal included two questions—concerning press freedom and farmland reform—and two proposals: for a general amnesty and for the reform of Burma’s economy, which is riddled by corruption and nepotism.

“The press still cannot publish freely. Our MP, U Khin Maung Win, will raise this issue in the People's Assembly,” said Khin Maung Swe. “With regard to the issue of farmland reform, our MP U Aung Zin will bring to the floor of the Nationalities' assembly the question: 'How does the 1963 Farmland Law, which guarantees farmers' rights, apply to the current situation where farmland across the country is being seized by private companies?'”

Speaking to The Irrawaddy, Khin Maung Swe said that for national reconciliation to succeed in Burma, a general amnesty must be applied. NDF Lower House representative Than Win will raise the amnesty issue in parliament, he said.

“We will propose an amnesty for all political prisoners, as well as exiled activists and all armed groups,” he said. “It is not unusual [in other countries] for an incoming government to grant a general amnesty.”

The NDF leader said the party’s Upper House member Myat Nyana Soe will raise the issue of economic reform, and propose free and fair business competition instead of the current crony-manipulated economy.

Meanwhile, an independent MP in the Lower House, Thein Nyunt, said he too will propose a general amnesty; and the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party announced it will propose drafting a new law on hydro power.

However, no MP has asked to raise questions on defense, security, ethnic affairs or the status of political dissidents.

According to parliamentary regulations, an MP must inform the House Speaker 10 days in advance if he or she wishes to raise a question, 15 days in advance for a proposal, and no less than 30 days to propose a new law.

Other opposition leaders who did not take part in the elections are skeptical about the NDF approach since the parliament sessions in Naypyidaw are totally dominated by the military and its proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

“Questions and proposals must be tabled at least 10 days in advance, which means the USDP and military officers will have time for preemptive responses,” said Aye Thar Aung, a Arakan leader who is secretary of the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament.

“Less than 20 percent of parliament is non-USDP and non-military,” he added. “Therefore, we are faced with a situation where absolutely nothing may happen in Parliament.”
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20732
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Than Shwe to Head Extra-Constitutional 'State Supreme Council'
By THE IRRAWADDY Thursday, February 10, 2011

RANGOON—Although the Burmese military regime said that it will hand over state power to president-elect Thein Sein and the new government on March 15, junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe has now revealed that he will personally lead a newly created council called the “State Supreme Council,” which as its name implies will be the most powerful body in the country, according to sources in Naypyidaw.

Junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe, center, with Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, left, and a group of other regime generals.
Two bodies have now emerged in the new government's administrative structure that observers say will have powers that reach—either directly or indirectly—above and beyond the powers of the new civilian executive and legislative branches. The first is the eight-member State Supreme Council, which is nowhere mentioned in the 2008 Constitution and will be led by Than Shwe. The second is the eleven-member National Defense and Security Council (NDSC), which is called for in the 2008 Constitution and will be led by Thein Sein.

“The State Supreme Council will become the highest body of the state. While it will assume an advisory role to guide the future governments, the body will be very influential,” said a source close to the military.

The members of the State Supreme Council will be: Snr-Gen Than Shwe, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, Pyithu Hluttaw [Lower House] Speaker Thura Shwe Mann, President-elect Thein Sein, Vice President-elect Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, former Lt. Gen Tin Aye and other two senior military generals.

As required by the 2008 Constitution, the NDSC will be comprised of the president, two vice presidents, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, vice commander-in-chief, and the ministers of defense, home, foreign affairs and border affairs.

Meanwhile, according to sources in Naypyidaw, Burma's ruling State Peace and Development Council will hand over power to the new government on March 15. The sources said that army commanders, heads of the military's Bureaus of Special Operations and retired generals are currently meeting to discuss the transfer of power to the new civilian regime in Naypyidaw, which will consist mostly of former generals.

According to sources close to the military in Naypyidaw, there is discontent among the military because the latest appointments of certain high-ranking military officials to major positions in the new government structure was apparently based on loyalty to Than Shwe rather than military hierarchy.

In particluar, Lt-Gen Thura Myint Aung was not chosen by Than Shwe as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and after complaining of being assigned the position of defense minister he was removed and placed under house arrest.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20730
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Burma Army deploys more tanks to Shan army’s territory
Thursday, 10 February 2011 18:03 Hseng Khio Fah

Burma Army is reinforcing more troops and tanks to military front line areas in Shan State South’s Mongnawng township, opposite Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’’s controlled territory, according to local sources.

On 9 February morning, about 6 tanks were sent from Taunggyi and arrived in Mongnawng, southeast of SSA’s First Brigade headquarters. And over 20 tanks more are expected to arrive in the next few days, according to local sources.

During the same day, 6 military trucks carrying about 200 men and supplies were reportedly heading to Mongnawng as well, an eye witness said. “All soldiers were armed and in full uniforms.”

On the other hand, the military junta is also blocking all trucks running between Kehsi and Monghsu townships, on the motor roads leading to SSA’s HQ Wanhai. Kehsi is situated in the west of Wanhai and Monghsu in the east of it.

“Any types of vehicles are banned to pass that way now and the trucks are told to use other way,” a car driver said. “The instruction was given on 8 February.” he added.

Regarding the movement, it is said this is the first time that the military junta reinforces more troops to rebel armed groups after the calls of parliament. The reinforcement to rebel groups was temporarily stopped when the military called for the first session of the parliament

The SSA side says the military reinforcement and instruction of blocking the road to its area are like a signal of the military junta's plan to launch military operation against the group.

“This is the first time they block the road in 20 years of ceasefire movement. It is their policy to destroy us in several ways. They will hinder the food flows and reinforce more troops to us until we can’t stand. No matter, our top leaders know well about the junta’s plans,” an SSA officer told SHAN in anonymity.

The SSA has also ordered its fighters to be well-prepared, but all must shun taking confrontation again. However, there has been no sign of tension among the two sides yet, the officer said.

According to the SSA’s record, the group has already fought with the Burma Army 7 times since the group denied the Naypyitaw’s Border Guard Force (BGF) program. http://www.shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3459:burma-army-deploys-more-tanks-to-shan-armys-territory&catid=86:war&Itemid=284

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