News & Articles on Burma-Tuesday, 12 July, 2011(uzl)

News & Articles on Burma
Tuesday, 12 July, 2011
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Govt Compromise Needed to Avert All-out Civil War: KIA
Govt. Pressure Threatens NLD Existence
Ethnic Armies Must Defend Each Other: OMCC
Myanmar, Laos pledge to further friendly relations, close co-op
3 killed in helicopter crash off Myanmar waters
Burma will test Yingluck’s foreign policy agenda
Rakhine MPs disqualified by ruling
Will Burma hit Wa Army as next target?
USDP Looks to Bolster Executive Membership
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Govt Compromise Needed to Avert All-out Civil War: KIA
By BA KAUNG Tuesday, July 12, 2011

The phrase “independence for Kachin State” is popular these days among residents of Laiza, the headquarters of the rebel Kachin Independence Army (KIA), whose ongoing clashes with government troops continued until Monday, when artillery fire from the Burmese army side reportedly fell on Chinese territory.

Although KIA leaders do not use this phrase and only call for more political rights from the central government, they are now hinting at the inevitability of a major all-out war with the Burmese army, which could eventually force them to separate from Burma, if the Burmese government does not make any move to respond to the KIA's calls for autonomy, which it has been fighting for since 1963.

“We want a true federal state, but if the government uses force to deal with us, we will be unavoidably pushed behind the lines of 1948,” said Brig-Gen Gun Maw, the KIA deputy military chief who is playing the principal role in current discussions with the Burmese government aimed at ending the armed clashes between the two sides.

By referring to 1948—the year Burma regained its independence from Britain—he was suggesting that the country could once again be divided into two parts: central Burma, or Burma proper, and the mountainous regions predominantly populated by ethnic minorities such as the Kachin and the Shan, which were administered separately under the British.

According to a KIA draft of a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese government seen by The Irrawaddy last week, the KIA will only agree to a six-month temporary ceasefire if Naypyidaw commits to a political dialogue during this period. And the KIA wants the United Nationalities Federal Council, which represents the armed ethnic groups in Burma, to play a leading role in this dialogue.

Many KIA leaders also want to see changes in the current military-drafted Constitution coming out of this possible dialogue. Asked what will happen if the government does not make any political concessions, Gun Maw said, “Wars will continue to take place throughout this region. It only depends on the government to decide. We only ask for the proper solutions.”

To sound out public opinion among the Kachin people, the KIA leaders held a public discussion in Laiza on Tuesday with more than 120 representatives from different parts of Kachin State. The representatives unanimously said that a true federal union should be the goal of a political dialogue with the Burmese government, according to KIA spokesman La Nan.

While such formal talks continue to produce calls for federalism, however, on the ground, there is considerable resistance to the idea of pushing for a federal union. “What union? There was no union before Burma's independence. We lived by ourselves with our own resources,” said Maj Tang Sang, a KIA officer in Laiza.

The armed clashes between the two sides, which started on June 9 near a Chinese-built hydropower power plant in northern Burma, ended a 17-year ceasefire between the Burmese army and the 10,000-strong KIA, which controls territory along the Sino-Burmese border.

Since the fighting started, relations between the KIA and Chinese officials have been relatively static. KIA officials were privately furious that Burmese troops were permitted to enter China's border areas late last month to pick up several military trucks sold to the Burmese army, giving rise to rumors that the Burmese army was planning to attack the KIA from Chinese territory.

Asked if the KIA would be compelled to restrain its future military operations due to concerns about how such actions would affect Chinese interests in Kachin State, Hkwun Nawng, the official representing the KIA in its relations with China, said, “We respect China's recent call for peaceful solutions between us and the Burmese government, but there is nothing that we won't touch simply because it is Chinese.”

Meanwhile, armed clashes continue between the two sides. Since last Friday, the Burmese army has been firing artillery at the KIA's stronghold and former headquarters at Pajau, near Laiza. According to a KIA spokesman, some of the artillery fell on Chinese territory.
The renewed civil war in Kachin State has already displaced an estimated 20,000 people in Kachin State. More than 15,000 war refugees are still living in relief camps in Laiza and have not received any help from the international community since the fighting broke out early last month. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21679
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Govt. Pressure Threatens NLD Existence
By KO HTWE Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Continued government pressure on Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) to stop its political activities has raised doubts over the how long the party can survive, claim senior members.

The Ministry of Home Affairs sent a letter to Suu Kyi and NLD Chairman Aung Shwe on June 28 which urged them to stop engaging in unlawful activities in opposition to the new Parliament and government.

And security has been tight at the NLD headquarters in Rangoon's Shwe Gone Daing Township since the order was received, with plain clothes police officers photographing those entering and leaving the building at night.

Around 10 NLD youth members are currently guarding the office at night under the instructions of party vice-president Tin Oo. The NLD sent its own letter to the Burmese authorities asking for negotiation but no reply has so far been received.

“The situation for NLD long-standing is critical. We believe we have done nothing wrong in accordance with the law. They [the government] also believe that they are right and sent this letter to put us under some pressure. We believe that we can negotiate these differences through political dialogue so we urge them to enter discussions with us,” said NLD spokesperson Nyan Win.

This latest round of government pressure on the NLD comes after party leader Suu Kyi called for the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma during video testimony to the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The government also put pressure on the NLD to officially register itself, but the party leadership has declined to do so as they refuse to accept the 2008 constitution which sets down the new registration regulations, said Nyan Win.

According to state-run newspapers, the NLD was dissolved on Sept. 14, 2010, for not taking part in last year's election. The NLD pointed to legislation that prohibited its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, from participating in the general election.

Rangoon-based veteran politician Chan Tun said sending the letter and attempts to pressurize the NLD to register are threat tactics against the party which has been organized in accordance with law.

“Members of the NLD will take risks to defend the party without fear of jail despite the government trying to dissolve the party,” said Chan Tun.

Another Rangoon-based politician, Phyo Min Thein, believes that NLD should try a legal route to cement its legitimacy through the courts. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21678
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Ethnic Armies Must Defend Each Other: OMCC
By LAWI WENG Tuesday, July 12, 2011

The Overseas Mon Coordinating Committee (OMCC) has called on the 12 members of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) to honor its agreement to defend each other against aggressive acts of the Burmese Army.

The statement released by the OMCC on Sunday said, “We urge UNFC members to abide by its policy of standing firmly together and helping each other when any member of the alliance is under attack.

“Unity among members of the alliance is the only weapon that can deter aggressive acts of the Burmese Army,” the statement continued.

The OMCC condemned government troops for launching military offensives in Kachin and Shan states and related human rights abuses. The group is an umbrella organization which has been formed by Mon people who live outside Burma.

The organization provides funds for the New Mon State Party (NMSP) to spark a revolution in its ethnic areas. The NMSP became a member of the UNFC after its ceasefire agreement with the former Burmese junta broke down last year.

However, on Monday the OMCC questioned how the NMSP was using donated money towards political change. The NMSP leadership responded that they wanted government troops to attack them first.

The OMCC also criticized the NMSP for not abiding by the UNFC policy of helping fellow members under attack from government forces, with ethnic groups within Kachin and Shan states currently engaged in large-scale conflicts with Burmese government troops.

“It is meaningless to create this organization when no one helps each other even though they have already formed an alliance,” said Nai Sunthorn, chairman of the Thailand-based Mon Unity League.

“They [the NMSP] do not hesitate when they are hunting animals or killing each other, but they are very hesitant when they have to fight government troops,” he added.

While some OMCC members acknowledge that no one wants civil war in Mon areas, many believe that fighting is necessary in order to pressurize the regime into engaging in political dialogue.

OMCC member Siri Mon Chan, from Australia, said, “Now is the best time strategically, militarily and politically for the NMSP and other ethnic groups to launch well coordinated attacks from different fronts in different ethnic areas simultaneously instead of first waiting for attacks by Burmese troops and then to retaliate.

“In warfare, time, places and [strategic environments] are critical. It is very disadvantageous to wait and allow enemies to choose favorable situations for their attacks.”

Some members of the OMCC urged NMSP Secretary Nai Hang Thar to launch an offensive against government troops. But Nai Hang Thar responded that he did not have the necessary authority to order such an assault, and that the party leadership needs to be convinced that this is the right move.

Critics claim that if UNFC members do not come to the aid of Kachin and Shan ethnic groups who are currently under attack by the Burmese Army, then the organization's reputation will be severely damaged as a consequence.

And OMCC members say that the UNFC will be regarded merely as a “paper-tiger” propaganda machine by both the Burmese government and international community.

The UNFC was formed early this year from a dozen ethnic armed groups. Leaders of the 12 met European Union members on July 7 and asked for more pressure to be put on the new civilian administration to stop military offensives in ethnic areas. http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21674
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Myanmar, Laos pledge to further friendly relations, close co-op
10:54, July 12, 2011
by Feng Yingqiu

Leaders of Myanmar and Laos have pledged to further the existing friendly relations and close cooperation between the two countries, saying that the move will not only bring about tangible results but also further strengthen the international and regional peace, stability and development.

Myanmar President U Thein Sein and visiting Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong made the pledge in their discussions held in Nay Pyi Taw Monday.

The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations, security cooperation along the Mekong basin, border region peace and stability, seeking ways to promote bilateral trade, bilateral cooperation in culture, tourism, religious affairs and education, and mutual cooperation in international and regional issues.

Besides, they also exchanged views on the efforts of Laos for the success of poverty alleviation and rural development in accordance with the 2015 UN Millennium Development Goals and transforming the nation into an industrialized one in 2020 and Myanmar's efforts for implementation of the eight tasks for rural development and poverty alleviation.

The Myanmar president praised Laos for its successful election and formation of a new government and the holding of the Southeast Asian Games, while the Lao prime minister expressed Laos' strong support for Myanmar's efforts to host the 4th Greater Mekong Subregion Summit at the end of 2011, 27th SEA Games in 2013 and 25th ASEAN Summits in 2014. http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/7437002.html
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3 killed in helicopter crash off Myanmar waters
09:06, July 12, 2011

Three people were killed in a helicopter crash off Myanmar waters Monday morning at about 10:30 a.m., official sources said.

With 11 people on board including nine passengers and two pilots, the French-made helicopter of Sikorsky SK-76 type working for the Heli-Union Oil Company between Yetagun and Kanbauk offshore oil fields crashed shortly into the Andaman Sea when taking off from the Yetagun oil field.

A Myanmar pilot died in the incident, the sources said, adding that eight were rescued.

The helicopter black box has not been found after the incident, the sources said.

The crash is said to have been due to technical failure.

Source:Xinhua http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/7436647.html
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Burma will test Yingluck’s foreign policy agenda
By DANIELLE BERNSTEIN
Published: 12 July 2011

A landslide victory in the Thai elections last month has put international attention firmly on Yingluck Shinawatra, the sister of exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and her Puea Thai party. Regional observers will be busy speculating about the shift in Thailand’s political landscape over the coming months, and included in this will be testing questions about what the change in leadership will mean for refugees from Burma, or Burma policy in general.

At her first formal press conference with the foreign media on Friday last week, Yingluck gave few details about her plans for refugees, telling reporters it was still too early as no official decisions had yet been made.

Asked however if she hoped the new government in Burma would make a better business partner for Thailand, and if there was any intention to increase engagement with Naypyidaw, the prime minister-elect was more decisive. “I think if we talk in a diplomatic way, I believe we can have the best results for both countries. All the countries in the region form a neighbourhood, so I think we have to find a way to do business together.”

Yingluck also thanked Aung San Suu Kyi for congratulating her on her victory at the polls, and insisted that she and Puea Thai intended to “support human rights.” While little elaboration was given about the exact meaning of this, Surapong Kongchantuk, the chairperson of a human-rights sub-committee for stateless people of the Lawyer’s Council of Thailand, isn’t so convinced.

“Although it’s a new government, the same faces always appear, except for the PM herself. So it’s quite predictable how this new government will act,” he said. “And since Yingluck is Thaksin’s sister, we can look to Thaksin’s track record as an indication of what to expect.”

Should the Puea Thai party’s slogan, ‘Thaksin thinks, the party acts’, not have been explicit enough, Yingluck in fact campaigned on the premise that a vote for her is a vote for her brother.

Surapong has been reporting to the government on the legal frameworks for repatriating refugees for almost 20 years, and has experience dealing directly with Thai policymakers across several administrations.

As the dust settles after the polls, and the impending reshuffle of people in positions of power ensues, he believes it could spell further months or years of neglect for some 150,000 refugees along Thailand’s border with Burma.

Earlier this year, the EU reduced funding to the nine official camps, and rice rations have been reduced as a result – a decision Surapong claimed amounts to harassed coercion in a report submitted to the Thai government last month. The report offers detailed proposals on how to deal with the refugees in accordance with international law, and determined that closing them under the current circumstances was not an option.

The report was submitted to the former prime minister, the National Security Council, and ministries of defense and interior, who all have yet to respond. “The government normally responds by thanking us for our concern, and claims they’ll discuss the matters with concerned authorities but we have not seen that they have addressed our concerns with action.”

Sally Thompson of the Thailand Burma Border Consortium resisted the urge to speculate about any direct effect on refugees. “It’s simply too early to tell what will happen with the camps.”

Nevertheless, Surapong expects policy shifts that might cause setbacks in his work with the government on refugee rights. “The Shinawatra family is a business family, and when the government was very business-oriented in the past, it was to the detriment of its human rights record and rights of refugees. That’s a concern.”

Thaskin and his family allegedly have direct business ties to the Burmese government. Surapong cited energy projects and other large infrastructure projects as particular concerns, and pointed out that this marks a significant change from the current outgoing foreign minister, Kasit Piromya, whose relationship with the government was “strained.”

“It appears that the Chinese and Burmese governments are cooperating on the military attack against the Kachin [Independence Army in northern Burma] for mutual benefit,” Surapong says. “The situation is not all too dissimilar from the situation along the Thai-Burma border, seeing as there are plans to build a deep-sea port in Tavoy. Should the situation on our borders escalate as they have in Kachin state and result in violence, it will have a very negative impact on the repatriation process.”

Another concern is that refugees from Burma simply are not a priority. The Ministry of Defense, which has been responsible for dealing with the refugees that crossed from Karen state, has its hands full with an insurgency in the south, and skirmishes on the Cambodia border over the Preah Vihear temple. The elections on 3 July also put authorities on high alert, given Thailand’s long history of political instability and protest.

Thaksin’s human rights record is far from clean: his war on drugs, which killed an estimated 2,500 alleged drug dealers without appropriate trials or investigations, is still in recent memory. Yingluck nevertheless made a campaign promise to “eliminate” drugs in 12 months. She was not able to elaborate on concrete plans at the press conference.

“I could be wrong,” Surapong concludes. I didn’t think [former prime minister] Abhisit [Vejjajiva] was going to use force against protestors or illegally repatriate Hmong Lao, but he did. So maybe Yingluck will surprise us.”
http://www.dvb.no/analysis/burma-will-test-yinglucks-foreign-policy-agenda/16498
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Rakhine MPs disqualified by ruling
By AHUNT PHONE MYAT
Published: 11 July 2011

Three elected representatives of Rakhine (Arakan) Nationalities Development Party have been disqualified by a tribunal of Union Election Commission after rival Union Solidarity and Development Party’s representatives filed complaints against them.

Kyaw Htun Aung of National Parliament, Aung Kyaw Zan of People’s Parliament and Maung Kyaw Thein of State Parliament, all from Pauktaw township, Arakan State in western Burma, were accused by USDP representatives of malpractice in the elections.

The UEC on July 6 ruled to disqualify the RNDP representatives, and ordered them to pay compensation of 1.5 million Kyat [1500 US$] each to the USDP representatives; for attacking previous military government and the USDP in their election campaigns last year, RNDP’s representative for nearby Myebon township Pe Than said.

“The Commission emphasised on allegations by the USDP that our representatives had slandered their party and defamed the government during election campaigns”.

“[The USDP] alleged that our representatives in their election campaigns defamed the government by saying that it killed students and monks in the 1988 uprisings and that the USDP is controlled by the generals behind the scene, as well as making claims that the RNDP was looking to establish an Arakanese Republic.”

The RNDP representatives are also required to pay guarantee of additional 1 million Kyat if they want to appeal the ruling. But Pe Than is not optimistic about the chance of winning.

“There is little chance of them winning the appeal since they will have to make it at the same tribunal.”

“However, we will defend our representatives under legal procedures with our lawyers and also will raise this matter to government organisations concerned.”

He also criticised the UEC’s decision as denying the will of the people who voted for the RNDP and urged the electoral body to take this into consideration.

“The people wholeheartedly supported us and we believe in their strength and see the truth [in their support.]”

The RNDP fielded 44 candidates in 2010 elections and won 35 parliamentary seats. Nine of their winners were contested by USDP representatives and six of them won the cases. http://www.dvb.no/uncategorized/rakhine-mps-disqualified-by-ruling/16502
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Will Burma hit Wa Army as next target?
By Zin Linn Jul 12, 2011 8:28PM UTC

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) believes it is the next target for the Burma Army following the attacks on the Shan State Army (SSA) “North” and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in March and June respectively, referring an informed source returning from the Sino-Burma border, Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N.) said today.

In March 2010, Chinese defense officials made an effort to repair the worsening relationship between the UWSA and the ruling military junta which demanded repeatedly the Wa to accept its Border Guard Force plan. Despite the fact that details are lacking, sources say China is making another attempt to convince the Burmese junta of the futility of war against the UWSA.

Two of the anti-Border Guard Force groups – United Wa State Army (UWSA) and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) – were reportedly advised by China not to join in with any groups opposing the military junta. If not they would be under attacks similar to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Shan State Army (SSA) North, quoting a Sino-Burma border source, Shan Herald Agency for News reported in April.

Apart from the Burma Army, UWSA is the strongest armed force which has been cultivating friendly relations with all anti-government revolutionary movements, other than joining their alliances, particularly the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) formed in February.

“We have nothing against the federal principle,” one of the top members of the Central Committee of the United Wa State Party (UWSP), the UWSA’s political arm, was quoted as saying.

“In fact, we wish to be a constituent state under the federal system. We are only biding our time before we can make an official announcement.”

“One other reason we are unable to join the UNFC,” the Central Committee member added, “is because China sees it as a pro-west grouping. That doesn’t mean we are not doing what we must. However one must remember that some things can be said but not done, while other things can be done but not said.”

The UWSA and its closest ally, Mongla-based National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) are entrenched along the Chinese border. Beside the two, Burmese government has yet to launch an offensive also against Thai-Burma border based New Mon State Party (NMSP), one of the leading members of the UNFC.

The UNFC’s aim is to set up a Federal Union Army which is yet to materialize. In a statement issued last 17 February, the UNFC said part of its basic principles and aims are to work for a better recognition of the ethnic armed groups, for ethnic equality, rights and self-determination, and for a genuine democratic federal Union of Burma.

Chinese officials suggested that unless (UWSA) and (NDAA) get involved with the UNFC, the military junta will leave the two alone, a source said. Even if correct, it might be also a trick by the junta. The junta doesn’t have the strength to make an offensive towards several ethnic groups at the same time, observers believe.

At present, the military junta has spread out more troops along the Salween River to break off a possible relationship between the UWSA and SSA ‘North’. The SSA is active in the west of the Salween while the UWSA is in the east.

Meanwhile, the Overseas Mon Coordinating Committee (OMCC) has called on the 12 members of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) to honor its agreement to defend each other against aggressive acts of the Burmese Army, according to the Irrawaddy News.

The OMCC’s 10-July statement urges UNFC members to stick to its policy of standing firmly together and helping each other when any member is under attack. The OMCC condemned government troops for its hostilities in Kachin and Shan states and violations of human rights. The group is an umbrella organization which has been formed by Mon people who live outside Burma. http://asiancorrespondent.com/59837/will-burma-hit-wa-army-as-next-target/
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USDP Looks to Bolster Executive Membership
By THE IRRAWADDY Tuesday, July 12, 2011

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), Burma's military-backed ruling party, is bolstering its membership by awarding salaries to township-, district- and state- and regional-level executive committee (EC) members.

The salaries of the EC members will depend on their level, according to USDP Rangoon Division EC members.

The USDP has also reshuffled its 17-member Central Executive Committee (CEC), adding a number of prominent members of the government to its ranks, including Thura Shwe Mann, the speaker of the Lower House of the Burmese legislature, who is now the USDP's vice chairman.

Other new members on the party's CEC are Aung Thaung, the former minister for industry (1); Thein Zaw, the former minister of communications, posts and telegraphs; and Soe Thar, the former minister of planning and development. Meanwhile, U Thaung, the former minister for science and technology, has been named party secretary, taking over that position from Htay Oo, who has become general-secretary.

“Executive members at the township level will receive between 60,000 and 80,000 kyat (US $75-$100) per month. District-level members will receive between 10,000 and 20,000 kyat ($12.50-$25),” said a Rangoon Division EC member.

The awarding of salaries to EC members is aimed at attracting more people to become members, said observers. After the 2010 election, the USDP promoted its ward-level EC members to township level, giving them more authority than township-level administrators.

Members of the USDP are also recruiting university students and other educated young people by offering them positions of authority and various privileges.

“This is partly in preparation for the by-election coming later this year. Before the election, they are trying to entice educated young people with the chance to travel to Japan,” said one youth from Tharkayta Township in Rangoon.

The USDP will send nearly 20 young people to Japan for an excursion along with youth members from other parties sitting in Parliament, including the National Democratic Force, the All Mon Regions Democratic Party, the National Unity Party, the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party and the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party.

The USDP won 259 out of 325 seats in the House of Representatives, 129 out of 168 seats in the House of Nationalities, and 495 of 661 seats in regional and state legislatures. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21675