News & Articles on Burma-Friday, 13 May, 2011

News & Articles on Burma
Friday, 13 May, 2011
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Burma Rethinks Censorship. A Bit.
UN ‘very encouraged’ by new Burma govt
Myanmar president meets Chinese military leader
Chinese, Myanmar military leaders hold talks in Nay Pyi Taw
Myanmar eyes 'fraternal' ties with China
Myanmar parliament speaker meets Chinese military leader
China to gauge Burma’s insurgency policy
Burma UN Special Envoy Meets Suu Kyi, NLD Executives
Burma's 100 days of parliament: More 'Nays' than 'Yeas'
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THE DIPLOMAT
Burma Rethinks Censorship. A Bit.
May 13, 2011By Steve Finch

On a winding street in a wealthy suburb of Rangoon, the Orwellian-sounding Press Scrutiny and Registration Division quietly alters and deletes words, paragraphs and sometimes entire articles prior to publication in Burma’s 350 privately-owned newspapers, journals and magazines. It’s been that way during nearly 50 years of military rule in what ranks as one of the world’s most heavily restricted press environments.

But after a landslide (and widely-criticised) election win for a ruling party filled with former military men, Burma’s new government has offered strong indications it may at last relax the rules.

‘In Myanmar (Burma) there will be more freedom of press…in line with (the new) constitution,’ Information Minister Kyaw Hsan said in a speech in Rangoon reported in the state mouthpiece New Light of Myanmar on May 2.

His comments came after the country’s new President Thein Sein reportedly told his Cabinet at the end of March: ‘We have to respect the role of the media…we are required to inform the people about what they should know.’

Questions remain though as to how far the regime will actually go in easing restrictions, how these would work and whether Burma’s long-suffering press industry will be any freer as a result, even if the right to ‘publish freely’ is enshrined in the country’s 2008 Constitution.

Under proposed changes, coverage on mostly benign subjects, including sport and entertainment, would no longer have to pass through the office of the censor before hitting newsstands.

However, copies would have to be submitted after publication, while coverage on news and business would still be subject to the same censorship, a process that requires editors to ferry large quantities of copy back and forth to the scrutiny board late into the night on deadline day.

According to the Burma Media Association, an organisation of Burmese journalists in exile, that means about 40 percent of the country’s publications would still be subject to censorship, all of which print articles deemed the most sensitive by the government.

‘To be able to bypass the current censorship process is a step in the right direction, but it can’t be considered as a step towards press freedom,’ says BMA President Maung Maung Myint.

While the new rules would reduce the workload for many publications, journalists in Burma warn that these proposed changes would also present a new set of problems. Whereas editors currently work in an environment where they can try to push against the censorship board—if they are prepared to deal with rejected articles that must be replaced quickly before going to press—the new rules would mean the buck stops with the publication itself. That would undoubtedly lead to more self-censorship and a higher chance editors end up flouting largely unspoken rules on what can and can’t be published, said one editor in Rangoon.

‘To get suspended, they would have deliberately ignored the censorship board, and editors would have known the risks they were running,’ the editor said on condition of anonymity. ‘Now they will have to be guessing what is acceptable and what is not.’

The government has repeatedly made it clear that under the new system being considered—and widely tipped to be passed given recent prominent media coverage—editors will increasingly be in the firing line as responsibility shifts away from the censors.

‘Publishers and editors will need to decide themselves whether they are breaking the law or not when they publish,’ said Burma’s chief censor Tint Swe in an interview in The Myanmar Times, a privately-owned weekly. ‘If they break the laws, there are two ways to charge them. Call and remind the publisher or editors not to do it again, or file a lawsuit if the case is serious.’

But what exactly are the rules? In the past, the censorship board has decided to reject photographs of Burmese football crowds, for instance, on the basis they have sometimes too closely resembled groups of demonstrators. And aside from overtly negative political coverage, one of the big no-nos in Burma remains images of women deemed a little too sexy in what is a traditional, predominantly Buddhist country. Entertainment editors note censors sometimes insist straps be airbrushed onto strapless tops, while the acceptable length of female hem lines is usually a guessing game.

‘Entertainment journals are likely to have the most difficult time,’ said the editor, adding many have been suspended in the past.

For Burmese journalists and their publications, the penalties can be severe. Reporters Without Borders notes only China holds more journalists behind bars, ranking Burma 171st out of 175 countries in its 2010 press freedom index. Currently, 14 journalists languish in Burmese jails. When the government released Burmese democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi from seven and a half years of detention six days after last November’s election, nine journals were suspended for ‘excessive coverage.’ Hefty fines and editions pulled from newsstands means the costs can also be financial.

Still, many editors working within Burma’s media industry have said that after nearly half of century of rigid censorship, any relaxation of the strict rules would represent an improvement. The Rangoon-based editor estimated about 30 percent of a typical working week was taken up dealing with censorship, and with many weeklies seeking daily publishing licences, relaxed rules would make tighter deadlines more feasible. Only the New Light of Myanmar and its Burmese-language sister paper are currently permitted to print on a daily basis, but rumours in Rangoon suggest private journals may soon get the same opportunity.

On the spectrum of press freedom, these changes are all relative, says Benjamin Ismael on the Reporters Without Borders Asia Desk in Paris. Burma would move closer to a looser style of press restriction seen in other media industries in the region, he added, but in reality that means becoming more like China or Vietnam and less like the worst offenders such as North Korea.

‘China is in a way similar to Burma, but we could say that it is at a different stage, more advanced,’ says Ismael. ‘For now, we are looking at cosmetic reforms (in Burma).’

Steve Finch is a Phnom Penh-based freelance journalist. His articles have also appeared in The Washington Post, TIME.com, Foreign Policy, The Phnom Penh Post and The Bangkok Post.
http://the-diplomat.com/2011/05/13/burma-rethinks-censorship-a-bit/
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UN ‘very encouraged’ by new Burma govt
By AFP

A visiting top UN official said yesterday that recent signals from Burma’s new army-backed government were “very encouraging”, after talks with democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi.

“The government has made some very interesting statements… which are very encouraging,” Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, told reporters after meeting Suu Kyi.

But he added that it was important to watch whether there was real progress in areas such as human rights, notably whether the government will release Burma’s more than 2,200 political prisoners.

Rights campaigners warned Nambiar’s visit could be exploited by Burma’s leaders.

“It depends on the action of the government. We do hope that there will be a breakthrough,” said Nambiar, who met foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin on Wednesday in his first talks with Burma’s nominally civilian government since the dissolution of the junta at the end of March.

It was the second time the UN official has met Suu Kyi since her release from house arrest in November soon after an election that was marred by reports of intimidation and voter fraud.

Suu Kyi said she had discussed the issue of political prisoners with the UN official.

“We will have to wait and see… but we do not want to be negative,” she said.

Burma’s junta, the State Peace and Development Council, was disbanded at the end of March following the November polls.

New York-based Human Rights Watch urged Nambiar not to allow his visit “to be misused by the government to shore up its credibility on human rights in the absence of meaningful progress.”

“Should Nambiar fail to speak clearly about the need for meaningful reforms, the government will simply spin his visit to justify their abusive practices,” said HRW deputy Asia director Elaine Pearson.
http://www.dvb.no/news/un-%E2%80%98very-encouraged%E2%80%99-by-new-burmagovt/15644
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Myanmar president meets Chinese military leader
(Xinhua) Updated: 2011-05-13 15:47

NAY PYI TAW - Myanmar president U Thein Sein met with visiting Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou here Friday with the two sides exchanging views on issues of common concern.

U Thein Sein expressed delight to see major progress achieved in the two countries' cooperation in various sectors, including frequent reciprocal visits at high level.

The visit of Xu soon after Myanmar's formation of the new government has actively reflected the friendly relations between the two countries and the two armed forces, he said.

He added that strengthening of Myanmar-China unity and cooperation not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also contributes to the development and stability of the region.

On the occasion, Xu said 61 years after the two countries established diplomatic relation, bilateral ties have always maintained a healthy and stable development.

Noting that China-Myanmar friendship has strong foundation, deep cooperation and broad prospects, he stressed safeguarding of the China-Myanmar relations to conform to two countries' basic and long-term benefit.

Xu expressed that China will support unshakably the development of China-Myanmar ties, support Myanmar's development on a path chosen in line with the country's own status, safeguard Myanmar's just right on the international arena and make good neighbors, good partners and good friends together with Myanmar.

U Thein Sein spoke highly of China's development and the role played by China in the international affairs.

He attached importance to the practical cooperation with China in various sectors including on military affairs, affirming that Myanmar will abide by the "one China" policy no matter how the international situation changes.

Xu stressed the needs to maintain stability and prosperity in the China-Myanmar border areas, saying that it conforms to the fundamental benefits of the two peoples which is also the common responsibility of the two countries.

Xu said Chinese always respect Myanmar's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and understand the efforts made by the Myanmar government in maintaining national unity and stability.

Xu believed that the Myanmar government could properly cope with challenges from home and abroad and manage related issues peacefully to create a stable environment for Myanmar's economic development.

Xu briefed Thein Sein on China's socio-economic development.

The meeting was also attended by Xu's entourage and Chinese ambassador to Myanmar Li Junhua.

Xu arrived in Nay Pyi Taw Thursday on a four-day official goodwill visit to Myanmar at the invitation of General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Defense Services. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-05/13/content_12508012.htm
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Chinese, Myanmar military leaders hold talks in Nay Pyi Taw
English.news.cn 2011-05-13 00:21:30

NAY PYI TAW, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Xu Caihou, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, held talks with Commander-in- Chief of the Myanmar Defense Service General Min Aung Hlaing here Thursday shortly after Xu's arrival in Myanmar's new capital of Nay Pyi Taw.

Xu said China and Myanmar have long closely exchanged and lived on good term, having forged deep paukphaw (fraternal) friendship and stood the test.

He said Chinese President Hu Jintao highly attached importance to the deepening of the two countries' friendly and cooperative ties and have for many occasions met and discussed with Myanmar leaders, reaching common consent on consolidation of such ties.

At present, the exchange and cooperation between the two countries in various sectors continuously deepened and have made rich achievements, he said, adding that the Chinese side highly appreciated the development of the two countries' friendly and cooperative ties under the new situation. "My present visit is to further enhance the China-Myanmar traditional friendship, boost understanding, expand consent, deepen cooperation, push the friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries and the two armed forces ahead and strive for the maintenance of regional peace and stability," he said.

Xu said that for a long time the two armed forces have maintained friendly exchange and launched outstanding practical achievements in reciprocal visits at high level, training of military personnel, border personnel exchange, not only boosting respective defense and armed forces construction but also making new contribution to the all-sided development of the two countries ' relations .
Xu made a three-point proposal for the development of the two armed forces -- 1. enhancement of mutual trust strategically and consolidation of the friendly overall situation. 2. Strengthening of link and coordination and safeguarding of the two countries' common benefit and 3. Pushing forward of practical cooperation and exchange and deepening of the two armed forces' friendly ties.

During the talks, Myanmar military leader General Min Aung Hlaing welcomed Xu, who is the first foreign military leader to visit Myanmar after the formation of the new government, saying that it is bound to further the two countries' "paukphaw" friendship as well as the traditional friendship existing between the peoples of two countries and the two armed forces.

He agreed with Xu's three-point proposals, saying that the development of the two countries relations meets new opportunity under the new historical era, hoping that the existing close relations and exchange should be maintained to well safeguard the peace and stability of the two countries and the region and continue to boost the relations between the two countries and the two armed forces to a new level.

Min Aung Hlaing reiterated Myanmar's stance to stick to the One China policy and support China's stances on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.

The two side exchanged views on the international and regional peace and security, and informed each other's development of their armed forces.

Xu arrived here Thursday for a goodwill visit to Myanmar at the invitation of General Min Aung Hlaing.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-05/13/c_13872225.htm
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Myanmar eyes 'fraternal' ties with China
(Xinhua) Updated: 2011-05-13 16:46

NAY PYI TAW - Speaker of the Parliament of Representative (Lower House) of Myanmar U Shwe Mann met with visiting Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou here Friday and the two sides held discussions in a friendly atmosphere.

Related readings:
Myanmar eyes 'fraternal' ties with ChinaMyanmar president meets Chinese military leader
U Shwe Mann said ever since Myanmar and China forged ties, the two countries have as always respected each other and supported each other, especially in recent years, the two countries made frequent exchanges in various sectors, continuously raising the level of cooperation and making apparent achievements.

He underlined that armed forces of the two countries have maintained good relations and have played an important role in the development of bilateral ties.

He held that furthering and pushing of Myanmar-China neighborly, friendly and cooperative ties is Myanmar's designated policy which conforms to the fundamental benefit of the two peoples.

He expressed wishes to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to consolidate the two countries' "paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship, further develop the cooperative and friendly ties with China and strengthen the multi-lateral cooperation in the international community, hoping that the Chinese side could continue to render support in the course of Myanmar's national development.

At the discussions, Xu said China and Myanmar, both belonging to key countries in Asia, are linked by river and mountains with mutual benefits related and close friendship between the two peoples.

Over 61 years after China and Myanmar established diplomatic ties, the two countries' relations have as always maintained a trend of healthy and stable development no matter how the international situation as well as their domestic situation changed, bringing about tangible benefit to the two peoples, he said.

At present, when facing complicated international situation, he vowed that the Chinese side would continue to uphold a foreign policy of living in good term and making partners with surrounding neighboring countries, making joint efforts with Myanmar friends to ensure the friendship could be inherited generation by generation by supporting each other and deepening cooperation.

Xu also briefed U Shwe Mann over China's socio-economic development, stressing the need for the two countries to handle well the complicated and sensitive issues related to security and stability when the two countries are amid a critical period of social development in order to better maintain peace and stability of their respective countries.

The meeting was also attended by Xu's entourage and Chinese ambassador to Myanmar Li Junhua. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-05/13/content_12508668.htm
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Myanmar parliament speaker meets Chinese military leader
16:46, May 13, 2011

Speaker of the Parliament of Representative (Lower House) of Myanmar U Shwe Mann met with visiting Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou in Nay Pyi Taw Friday and the two sides held discussions in a friendly atmosphere.

U Shwe Mann said ever since Myanmar and China forged ties, the two countries have as always respected each other and supported each other, especially in recent years, the two countries made frequent exchanges in various sectors, continuously raising the level of cooperation and making apparent achievements.

He underlined that armed forces of the two countries have maintained good relations and have played an important role in the development of bilateral ties.

He held that furthering and pushing of Myanmar-China neighborly, friendly and cooperative ties is Myanmar's designated policy which conforms to the fundamental benefit of the two peoples.

He expressed wishes to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to consolidate the two countries' "paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship, further develop the cooperative and friendly ties with China and strengthen the multi-lateral cooperation in the international community, hoping that the Chinese side could continue to render support in the course of Myanmar's national development.

At the discussions, Xu said China and Myanmar, both belonging to key countries in Asia, are linked by river and mountains with mutual benefits related and close friendship between the two peoples.

Over 61 years after China and Myanmar established diplomatic ties, the two countries' relations have as always maintained a trend of healthy and stable development no matter how the international situation as well as their domestic situation changed, bringing about tangible benefit to the two peoples, he said.

At present, when facing complicated international situation, he vowed that the Chinese side would continue to uphold a foreign policy of living in good term and making partners with surrounding neighboring countries, making joint efforts with Myanmar friends to ensure the friendship could be inherited generation by generation by supporting each other and deepening cooperation.

Xu also briefed U Shwe Mann over China's socio-economic development, stressing the need for the two countries to handle well the complicated and sensitive issues related to security and stability when the two countries are amid a critical period of social development in order to better maintain peace and stability of their respective countries.

The meeting was also attended by Xu's entourage and Chinese ambassador to Myanmar Li Junhua.

Source: Xinhua http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7379680.html
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China to gauge Burma’s insurgency policy
By FRANCIS WADE
Published: 13 May 2011

Security along the volatile border between China and Burma is expected to take centre stage during talks this weekend with senior Chinese military officials in Naypyidaw.

The vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, Xu Caihou, arrived in the Burmese capital yesterday evening for what analysts are billing as high level defence exchanges between the neighbouring states. Burma’s military chief, Min Aung Hlaing, is expected to return the gesture with a visit to Beijing next month.

The key areas for discussion will be the lengthy frontier region that plays host to a number of armed ethnic groups, as well as the security of the trans-Burma Shwe dual pipeline which, when it comes online in 2013, will become a key crutch for China’s soaring energy demands.

Military analyst Aung Kyaw Zaw told DVB today that China would be looking to gauge the new Burmese government’s policy towards ethnic armies along the border. China remains concerned about stability there following clashes in 2009 that forced an exodus of Burmese refugees across the border and exposed the central government’s flimsy hold on the region.

There is also the added problem of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Burma’s largest ethnic armed group located in northern Shan state, bordering China. Aung Kyaw Zaw said that the “Wa problem is very difficult to solve” for both governments, as China attempts to reconcile its historic support for the group with its strengthening ties to the Burmese government.

China has pumped significant capital into the Burmese economy in the past two years (some $US10 billion in 2010 alone) but has quietly reasserted its fears that political unrest in the country will jeopardise investments. This is nowhere more acute that the Shwe project, with the $US30 billion pipeline set to pass close to rebel territory before it enters Yunnan province.

The Times of India reported that as part of Beijing’s moves to strengthen its sea surveillance capabilities, more ships would be deployed to the Indian Ocean to monitor security around the Bay of Bengal, where the oil and gas pipelines begin.

Several bilateral agreements over maritime security are expected to be signed during talks with Xu Caihou this weekend, who becomes the first foreign military official to visit Burma since the nominally civilian government came to power in March.

Bar a sharp rebuke from China following the 2009 border clashes, the exchange of rhetoric between the governments has generally been one of mutual respect, with both declining to comment on their respective domestic controversies. This continued yesterday with Min Aung Hlaing reiterating Burma’s support “for the One China policy” and “China’s stances on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang”, according to Xinhua.
http://www.dvb.no/news/china-to-gauge-burma%E2%80%99s-insurgency-policy/15650
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Burma UN Special Envoy Meets Suu Kyi, NLD Executives
By HTET AUNG Thursday, May 12, 2011

The UN secretary-general's acting special envoy to Burma, Vijay Nambiar, met on Thursday with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi for the second time since her release from house arrest last November. He is also scheduled to meet separately with the National League for Democracy's (NLD) executive committee.

“The UN special envoy arrived around 5 pm at the house of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,” said Ohn Kyaing, a spokesperson for the NLD as well as one of the members of the NLD executive committee.

The meeting between the UN special envoy and Suu Kyi concluded at 7 pm, local time, in Rangoon, but no information regarding the discussions was immediately available.

Asked about the key issues that the NLD would raise in the meeting with the UN special envoy, Ohn Kyaing said on Thursday morning: “I think our stand will be in line with the party's recent letter to President U Thein Sein. The issues will first be our long-standing call for a political dialog. which should be conducted between the two leaders—Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Thein Sein.

“Second, we will request the UN to help cease the armed conflicts in the frontier area and to seek a peaceful settlement between the ethnic groups and the government. Third, the human rights violations in the ethnic areas should be addressed urgently. Fourth, as a prerequisite to show real democratic reform, the new government needs to release all the political prisoners who have long been detained for their political beliefs. Fifth, due to the long-term socio-economic deterioration of the country, millions of the poor Burmese people badly need large-scale humanitarian assistance. We will urge the UN special envoy to help address the humanitarian issue.”

On Tuesday, Suu Kyi spoke with Germany-based DW-TV regarding her assessment of the current political situation in Burma. “So far I haven't seen any meaningful change,” she said. “I know there have been elections, but the government that has taken over since the elections are the same as those who were in place before the elections ... We are still waiting to see whether there has been real change.”

Asked about the UN special envoy's major focus on this trip, Aye Win, the information officer for the Rangoon-based United Nations Development Program (UNDP), said: “So far, there has been no information available for the news media, but there will be a press statement after the conclusion of the special envoy's trip.”

Nambiar will stay three days in Burma and is scheduled to meet with both the new government and opposition leaders.

On Wednesday, the first day of the special envoy's visit, Nambiar met Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin and Home Minister Lt.Gen Ko Ko in Naypyidaw, according to the state-run New Light of Myanmar. The newspaper briefly reported about discussions on development issues and cooperation between Burma and the UN.

On Thursday, the special envoy met with Suu Kyi at her lakeside residence in Rangoon, and is scheduled to meet separately with the members of the NLD executive committee.

On Friday, the special envoy is scheduled to meet with representatives from the eleven democratic parties, including the ethnic parties, which contested in the Nov. 7 election and secured some seats in parliament.

“We are invited to meet Mr. Vijay Nambiar at the office of the UNDP tomorrow [on Friday],” said Dr. Than Nyein, chairman of the National Democratic Force (NDF), a breakaway group of the NLD. “We haven't prepared for the discussion because we don't know the intention of the special envoy's mission this time. Therefore, we will respond to him based on his questions.”

Meanwhile, the US-based Human Right Watch said it is concerned that the new Burmese government will seek badly needed credibility from the visit by the UN special envoy.

“The UN and Nambiar should not allow his visit to be misused by the government to shore up its credibility on human rights in the absence of meaningful progress,” Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said on Wednesday.

“Should Nambiar fail to speak clearly about the need for meaningful reforms, the government will simply spin his visit to justify their abusive practices,” said Pearson.

Lalit K Jha from Washington contributed to this story. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21284
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Burma's 100 days of parliament: More 'Nays' than 'Yeas'
Fri, 2011-05-13 00:09 — editor : News Comments
Canbera, 13 May, (Asiantribune.com):

Australia's Foreign Minister, MPs, senior government officials, and foreign diplomats were today warned that Burma's political, economic, and humanitarian crises persisted despite the convening of the Parliament.

A video message from Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and statements from a leading ASEAN legislator, an economist, and a female activist drove the message home at a conference to mark 100 days since the convening of Burma's Parliament.

The event was held at the Australian National Parliament and hosted by the Australian Parliamentarians for Democracy in Burma, a cross-party group of Australian MPs. The group is co-convened by MP Laurie Ferguson, Senator Scott Ludlam, Senator Marise Payne, and MP Janelle Saffin.

In a video message to the conference, Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi highlighted the urgent need for the release of political prisoners. She said that the release of political prisoners was an essential benchmark to measure the regime's progress toward democracy. "If political prisoners are not released, then I think we can say that we shall need many, many more hundreds of days before we will see the light of democracy," Daw Suu said.

[Burma has more than 2,000 political prisoners including several imprisoned after the November 2010 elections].

Indonesian MP and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus President Mrs Eva Kusuma Sundari said that under current conditions, there was little hope that significant change in Burma would come through parliamentary channels. "Instead, as we experience in Indonesia, change is more likely to occur because people will be fed up with misrule and mismanagement."

Mrs Sundari warned that Burma's 2008 constitution that was modeled on Indonesia's discarded dwifungsi model was designed to secure the military's control of national politics. "It took the Indonesian democracy movement almost 30 years to convince the military to withdraw from politics.

Let us do better now and not condemn Burma to yet another generation of military rule," she urged.

Sean Turnell, Associate Professor of Economics at Macquarie University in Sydney, said that there had been no change in Burma's economic situation despite the elections and the convening of the Parliament. He pointed out that the regime published the national budget for the next two financial years before the Parliament convened. Such a move deprived the Parliament of its prerogative to debate the budget. As a result, the current year's budget, which allocates 51% to military expenditure and only 3% to healthcare, was not subjected to parliamentary scrutiny.

"Surprisingly, the regime failed to send a signal to the world that 'we are open for business' by promoting reforms designed to give a semblance of normalcy and make foreign investment more attractive," said Mr Turnell. He pointed out that Burma's chronic economic woes would continue because of the regime’s irresponsible approach to the management of the economy.

Ms. K'Nyaw Paw, a female activist from Burma's Karen State, reminded the conference that despite the elections and the convening of the Parliament, Burma’s military regime continued to commit widespread and systematic abuses against the civilian population. "The regime has forced over 1,200 villagers in Eastern Burma to work as porters for the military," she said, "Rape as a weapon of war continues with impunity in ethnic areas." She urged Australia to increase its overall aid to Burma, and to channel it to vulnerable populations in Eastern Burma's conflict zones by financing cross-border relief programs.

- Asian Tribune - http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/05/12/burmas-100-days-parliament-more-nays-yeas