News & Articles on Burma-Sunday, 13 February, 2011

News & Articles on Burma
Sunday, 13 February, 2011
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"Tragic end" for Suu Kyi unless change: commentary
Myanmar state media says opposition heads for "tragic end"
Myanmar Times Publisher Arrested
Burmese journalists fear tighter controls
Australian newspaper boss held in Myanmar
China immorally exploits dam-projects in Burma’s Kachin State
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"Tragic end" for Suu Kyi unless change: commentary
Reuters

Soldiers stand at attention during a ceremony to mark the 64th Myanmar Union Day in front of the City Hall in the new capital Naypyitaw Reuters – Soldiers stand at attention during a ceremony to mark the 64th Myanmar Union Day in front of the City …
By Aung Hla Tun Aung Hla Tun – Sun Feb 13, 5:00 am ET

YANGON (Reuters) – Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party will "meet their tragic end" if they stick to their position including support for Western sanctions, state media said on Sunday.

In the first direct criticism of Suu Kyi since she was released from house arrest in November, days after a pro-military party swept elections widely dismissed as unfair, state media also invited Suu Kyi to cooperate "in building a democratic nation."

"If Daw Suu Kyi and the NLD keep going to the wrong way ignoring the fact that today's Myanmar is marching to a new era, new system and new political platforms paving the way for democracy, they will meet their tragic end," state-run newspapers said in a commentary.

"Daw" is an honorific for women.

The state-run newspapers have long been mouthpieces of the military, which ruled the country, also known as Burma, after taking power in a 1962 coup.

Myanmar held its first elections in two decades last November, but the military shows no sign of loosening its grip on power even though a new civilian-led administration is officially taking over.

The warning to Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the previous election in 1990 but was never allowed to govern, comes days after the NLD said it supported Western sanctions but wanted talks on whether to modify them.

Suu Kyi, asked by Reuters at a party function on Saturday to elaborate, said she saw no reason to lift sanctions now.

The newspaper commentary, titled "Sanctions, Daw Suu Kyi and NLD," was signed Yan Gyi Aung, which means Great Victor and was apparently a pseudonym. Commentaries frequently carry such pen-names in state-run newspapers.

Suu Kyi, the daughter of the country's independence hero, has been excluded from politics since 1989, when she was first detained, a year after the military crushed a student-led uprising.

She has no stake in the new army-dominated system and authorities have ignored her calls for dialogue.

"BIG-HEADED"

Western countries including the United States and the European Union, have imposed sanctions because of Myanmar's human rights record and its suppression of the democracy movement.

There have been hopes last year's election, and Suu Kyi's release, would lead to the end of sanctions on the resource-rich country. Analysts say Western governments will pay heed to Suu Kyi's opinion when deciding whether to maintain sanctions.

Critics say sanctions have not worked and they leave others such as China, India, Thailand and Singapore free to do growing volumes of business with impoverished Myanmar.

The commentary author accused the 65-year-old Nobel laureate and her party of instigating the sanctions.

"Her stance on sanctions has become the policy of theirs," he said, referring to Western governments.

"How big-headed the NLD is to stick to the weapon of sanctions until it gains power by demanding that any changes and modifications should be made in consultation with the party, let alone lifting the sanctions."

But on a conciliatory note, the author did invite Suu Kyi and her party to participate in public life.

"I would like to invite them to cooperate with the people in building a democratic nation in the interests of the nation and the people," Yan Gyi Aung said. He did not elaborate.

(Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing by Ron Popeski) http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110213/wl_nm/us_myanmar
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Myanmar state media says opposition heads for "tragic end"

Feb 13, 2011, 8:32 GMT

Yangon - Myanmar's state-run media on Sunday blasted democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and her party for supporting sanctions on the regime, warning that they were heading for 'tragic ends.'

The New Light of Myanmar and other state-owned newspapers carried a commentary on the position paper of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Suu Kyi's party, on economic sanctions that was released on February 8.

The NLD's four-page paper stated that there was little evidence that economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar by Western democracies had hurt the Burmese people more than the regime's poor economic policies, and called on the US, Europe, Australia and Canada to consult with the NLD before modifying the penalties.

'How big-headed the NLD is to stick to the weapon of sanctions until it gains power by demanding that any changes and modifications should be made in consultation with the party let alone lifting the sanctions,' said The New Light of Myanmar, a government mouthpiece.

'If Daw (Madam) Suu Kyi and NLD keep going to the wrong way ignoring the fact that today's Myanmar is marching to a new era, new system and new political platforms paving the way for democracy, they will meet their tragic ends.'

The article was one of the first public indications of the attitude of Myanmar's newly installed government towards the NLD following the November 7 election.

Myanmar's former junta often accused Suu Kyi and the NLD of bringing unnecessary hardships on the people through their support of Western economic sanctions, imposed since 1988 in response to the army's bloody crack down on a pro-democracy movement that left about 3,000 dead.

Suu Kyi, upon her relase from seven years under house arrest on November 13, said the NLD would review their stance on sanctions.

'Available evidence indicates that economic conditions within the country have not been affected by sanctions in any notable degree,' the NLD concluded.

The NLD blamed Myanmar's current economic malaise on the military regime's economic policies, that have stymied market forces, and cronyism between the regime and its select business partners.

Talk of lifting sanctions has increased since Myanmar held a general election on November 7.

The NLD, which lost is status as a legal political party when it refused to register for the elections, continues to be a powerful opposition force, partly due to the international esteem of its leader.

Suu Kyi's influence over Western democracies in persuading them to lift sanctions is deemed one of her few remaining political trump cards in dealing with the regime and the new government which is likely to be formed this month.

The government is slated to be packed with ex-military men connected with the former junta.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1618955.php/Myanmar-state-media-says-opposition-heads-for-tragic-end
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* FEBRUARY 13, 2011, 4:15 A.M. ET
Myanmar Times Publisher Arrested
Associated Press

The Australian editor and co-owner of an English-language newspaper in Myanmar has been arrested in what an associate suggests is a business dispute.

Myanmar Times' editor-in-chief Ross Dunkley is imprisoned in Yangon's main Insein Prison for violating a section of the immigration law applying to overstaying a visa, a business partner said Saturday. The offense is punishable by a maximum jail term of two years, or a fine, or both.

David Armstrong, Mr. Dunkley's partner in a separate newspaper venture, the Phnom Penh Post in Cambodia, issued a statement saying that Thursday's arrest "coincides with tense and protracted discussions... about the future direction of the publishing group, ownership issues and senior leadership roles" he has been holding with his Myanmar business partners. He did not elaborate.

The dispute comes as Myanmar's long-ruling junta prepares to hand the reins to a new government—nominally civilian but packed with its allies. The regime held a lavish national celebration at the isolated capital of Naypitaw for Union Day Saturday, where the leader of the junta, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, warned against any "disruption" of the new government, urging people to protect what he called the country's nascent "democracy system" a day after a Cabinet was approved. Union Day marks the anniversary of a 1947 agreement among the country's ethnic groups that paved the way to independence from Britain.

After decades of repressive military rule, critics say that Myanmar's self-described transition to democracy is a charade and that last year's election was orchestrated to perpetuate military rule. With one quarter of the seats in the new parliament filled by military appointees, and a lion's share of the remaining seats won by a military backed party, the army effectively retains power.

The future role of the junta officially known as the State Peace and Development Council remains unclear, though it is certain that the military will continue to be the dominant force in government.

Than Shwe's message on Saturday called on the nation's citizens to build and safeguard a "democracy system" that is "still in its infancy." He also urged people "to tackle any form of disruption to the new system."

The new parliament on Friday unanimously approved all of President-elect Thein Sein's Cabinet nominees, although they were not told which post each would take. Thein Sein, who was elected by parliament last week, was prime minister and a top member of the military junta that is handing over power to the new government. It is not clear when he and his Cabinet will be sworn in.

Most of the Cabinet appointees are former military officers who retired in order to run in last November's elections the country's first in 20 years and about a dozen were ministers in the junta's Cabinet. Only four of the appointees are strictly civilian.

The army has held power in Myanmar since 1962. With the military expected to continue to exercise power from behind the scenes, no loosening of restrictions on the press is expected. All daily newspapers and electronic media are directly controlled by the government.

The Myanmar Times's Mr. Dunkley is known for founding English-language newspapers, often with a business emphasis, in authoritarian countries. The Myanmar Times uses many professional journalism conventions naming sources and portraying opposing sides of issues, though it generally pulls its punches when it comes to criticizing the government, which tightly restricts what is published.

Mr. Armstrong said in his statement, published on the website of the Phnom Penh Post, that Mr. Dunkley will be brought to court on Feb. 24.

"His lawyers in Yangon say Mr. Dunkley is confident he can answer any charges or allegations made against him and is looking forward to returning to lead the Myanmar Times group in the exciting times ahead for the publishers and the country," Mr. Armstrong said. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703843004576140071747132398.html
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Radio Australia News
Burmese journalists fear tighter controls

The editor of a publication in Burma says he's worried that tighter controls could be placed on journalists after the arrest of Australian journalist and businessman Ross Dunkley.

Mr Dunkley was arrested in Rangoon under Burma's Immigration laws, after returning from a business trip to Tokyo on February 10.

His lawyers say Mr Dunkley is confident he can answer any charges or allegations made against him.

Mr Dunkley is being held in prison until his next scheduled court appearance on February 24.

Aung Zaw, editor of Burmese magazine The Irrawaddy told Radio Australia News the climate is very difficult for the media.

He says there are currently over 30 bloggers and journalists who've been detained in Burma.
http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201102/3137555.htm?desktop
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Australian newspaper boss held in Myanmar
Sunday, 13 February 2011 00:33

NAYPYIDAW: The Australian head of Myanmar's only newspaper with foreign investment has been arrested in Yangon, officials and a business partner said yesterday, amid a power struggle at his group.

Ross Dunkley, co-founder of the Myanmar Times in a nation heavily criticised for its attacks on press freedoms, is being held in Myanmar's notorious Insein prison, according to his business partner in Cambodia.

Dunkley, who divides his time between Myanmar and Cambodia, where he is a key shareholder in Phnom Penh Post publisher Post Media, was detained in Yangon on Thursday after returning from a business trip in Tokyo.

The arrest "has nothing to do with his company" a Myanmar source said.

But Post Media chairman David Armstrong, who said Dunkley was detained in Yangon on immigration charges, said "a key point about the arrest is timing".

"It coincides with tense and protracted discussions Mr Dunkley and the foreign ownership partners in the Myanmar Times have been conducting with local partners," he said.

Negotiations have centred on "the future direction" of the media group, "ownership issues and senior leadership roles — all this at a time of significant political and economic change in Myanmar".

Dunkley's arrest comes after mounting rumours of a major power struggle at Myanmar Consolidated Media (MCM), the group that owns the Myanmar Times.

Exile news website the Irrawaddy said in January that Dunkley, who controls 49 percent of MCM, was trying to rebut an attempted editorial takeover by Myanmar partner Tin Tun Oo, who owns 51 percent.

Its report said an item in the state-owned Mirror newspaper referring to Tin Tun Oo as editor-in-chief of MCM had "sent shockwaves around the newsroom at the Myanmar Times" earlier that month.

The Irrawaddy said its sources suggested Tin Tun Oo "may well be successful as the military junta can interfere in the issue at any time".

Dunkley originally co-founded the Myanmar Times in 2000 with local partner Sonny Swe, the son of an influential member of the junta's military intelligence service.

But Sonny Swe was jailed in 2005 and his stake was handed to Tin Tun Oo, who the article said was close to the military regime's information minister.

MCM, which has offices in the capital Naypyidaw and Mandalay, as well as in Yangon, produces the Myanmar Times weekly in English and the country's official language, Burmese.

Armstrong said Dunkley is due to appear in court on February 24.

"His lawyers in Yangon say Mr Dunkley is confident he can answer any charges or allegations made against him and is looking forward to returning to lead the Myanmar Times group in the exciting times ahead — for the publishers and the country," he said.

Tin Tun Oo was a candidate for the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) during controversial November polls, but was not elected to the country's new parliament, which opened at the end of January.

Some have suggested political changes have created a glimmer of hope for a country ruled by the military for almost half a century, but critics see merely cosmetic alterations aimed at hiding the generals' power behind a civilian facade.

A media watchdog called on Myanmar yesterday to end a “despicable” junta policy of jailing independent journalists after a video reporter was imprisoned for 13 years.

Maung Maung Zeya, 58, was sentenced on the same day last week that Myanmar announced a new president, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said, amid fears that the military has kept a firm grip on the new political system.

The prison term “should dispel any illusions that Burma is on a new path”, said CPJ Asia programme coordinator Bob Dietz, using the country’s former name.

“The old junta’s pretence that its elections would install a democratic government has been revealed for the sham that it really is.”

AFP http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/s.-asia/philippines/142375-australian-newspaper-boss-held-in-myanmar.html
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China immorally exploits dam-projects in Burma’s Kachin State
By Zin Linn Feb 13, 2011 9:09PM UTC

Kachin churches in Burma’s northern Kachin State joined in prayer to strengthen their opposition to the huge dam construction at the Myitsone, the confluence of the Mali Hka River and N’Mai Hka River, Kachin News Group said on 10 February 2011. Church leaders in the Kachin capital, Myitkyina, gathered at the Myitsone village of Tang Hpre, to join in a special prayer service with villagers seeking to halt dam construction at Myitsone, a significant site in the history of Kachin civilization, participants said.

On May 27, 2010, On behalf of the communities suffering from the Myitsone Dam project in Kachin State, Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG) appeal to Chinese President Hu Jintao to immediately halt the forced relocation and destruction of the villages of those opposed to this project by China’s state-owned China Power Investment Corporation (CPI).

KDNG said that the dam construction is against the choice of local people and violates China’s own dam construction guidelines as well as international standards. Burma’s military junta ordered over a thousand civilians from Myitkyina to forcibly relocate all the residents of Tang Hpre, the main village at the dam site, before the end of May 2010. If villagers refuse to leave, these civilians have been ordered to immediately pull down houses, schools and churches in Tang Hpre.

The CPI made a contract with junta’s No. 1 Electric Power Ministry in May 2007. The planned dam location is at the junction of May Kha and May Likha, 27 mile upstream from Myitkyina. This venture will generate 3,600 MW of electricity of a total of seven dams; five on May Kha and two on May Likha tributaries respectively.

The dam is being constructed by Burma’s Asia World Company, owned by former drug lord, Lo Hsing Han, and China’s state-owned China Power Investment Corporation (CIP). Security for the project is being provided by the Burmese military.

According to the Burma Rivers Network (BRN), the structure of the 152 meter-high Myitsone Dam, which will export electricity to China, started in on formally late last year. Thousands of Chinese migrant labourers have been brought in to build the dam. This development will inundate the famous Myitsone confluence at the starting place of the Irrawaddy river in Kachin State and permanently displace 15,000 people.

The dam, the first in a series of seven on the Irrawaddy and its tributaries, will have disruptive impacts on millions living downstream. Water will be stored and released depending on power demands in China, causing unpredictable water shortages and surges. This, in addition to decreased fish populations and blockage of rich sediments will affect countless farmers, fisherfolk and boat-operators along the river.

Anti-dam activists estimate that about 20 villages between Myitsone and Myitkyina downstream from the site will be flooded if the dams collapse. Many Kachin people at home and abroad, Kachin Student Union, Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and Kachin in exile are protesting against the huge and dangerous dam development.

Kachin people in exile signed a petition protesting against the dam project and appealing to halt it on 28 January and sent it to Chinese Prime Minister Wan Jia Bao through Chinese embassies in Thailand, India, Singapore, Britain and New Zealand.

The Kachin people officially appealed to Burmese military chief, Senior-General Than Shwe, in 2007, asking him to stop the Myitsone dam project. However, their request was ignored, the Kachin News Group (KNG) said.

The Burma Rivers Network (BRN) has welcomed the 17-January statement by the National League for Democracy (NLD) that dams are being constructed in Burma without any consideration for the environment or for local residents, and that the Myitsone dam, the first on the Irrawaddy, will have negative impacts on the entire country.
http://asiancorrespondent.com/48349/china-immorally-exploits-dam-projects-in-burma%E2%80%99s-kachin-state/