News & Articles on Burma-Sunday, 23 October, 2011-uzl

News & Articles on Burma Sunday, 23 October, 2011 -------------------------------------- Australia must step up efforts for substantive reforms in Burma Myanmar launches anti-dengue fever campaign in Yangon Flooding Devastates Thailand, Burma Heavy rains destroy some roads, bridges and buildings More than 100 killed in flash floods in central Myanmar Dozens dead, hundreds missing after heavy rains and landslides Exile voices in demand among domestic journals Democracy and Peace Party calls for abolition of ruling-USDP ----------------------------------------------- Australia must step up efforts for substantive reforms in Burma Saturday, 22 October 2011 12:27 Dr. Myint Cho (Commentary) -- Following the recent release of some 200 out of over 2,000 political prisoners under the recent amnesty program in Burma, Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd wrote an article in The Australian on 14 October stating that while "Burma's political processes evolve," Burma needs to take further steps. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/opinion/first-signs-that-burma-will-improve-human-rights/story-e6frgd0x-1226166188328 Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd Photo: Australian government Though welcoming the recent changes in Burma, Rudd again urged greater political freedom and security for opposition figures and parties, as well as peaceful negotiated settlements to ethnic conflicts. However, Rudd also needs to call for the release of the remaining political prisoners. The release of political prisoners and greater freedoms for Burma's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and political parties were at the top of Rudd's agenda during his meeting with President Thein Sein in Burma in July this year. After Rudd's visit, President Thein Sein took a series of initiatives, including talking with Suu Kyi and releasing some 200 political prisoners; moves which have won applause in some quarters. Rudd, in response, said, "These signs of reform, a long time coming, are indeed welcome." Yet, while these changes are enticing to some, it is vital to appreciate that over 1,500 political prisoners remain in Burma's notorious jails. Human rights abuses also continue unabated, particularly in ethnic minority areas where some serious abuses amount to crimes against humanity and/or war crimes. At the same time, the prospect of inclusive, meaningful dialogue remains uncertain. Despite the serious negative developments in Burma's human rights landscape, Burma's neighbours, businesspeople and political parties which contested the sham elections in 2010 have hailed the recent changes as significant progress and continue to lobby Western democracies, including Australia, to lift their sanctions on Burma. We also cautiously welcome the changes, but take the view that sanctions should be lifted only when the regime meets the demands of Western democracies, such as the release of all political prisoners, cessation of human rights abuses and the onset of an inclusive dialogue for national reconciliation. Suu Kyi has also shared this view. We respect Rudd's recent remarks, but again we call on him not only to maintain Australia's targeted sanctions on Burma but also to effectively work with the leaders of the U.S., E.U., India, China and ASEAN to press for genuine substantive reforms in Burma. Otherwise, all will again be hoodwinked by these cosmetic gestures. We have seen it before. While Thein Sein was prime minister of the previous military junta he enacted some superficial gestures, took advantage of divided international opinion and finally secured support from some nations regardless of the fact that there were no substantive reforms. By using his experience and skills, President Thein Sein is now racing against time to relax international pressure, have sanctions lifted, assume the ASEAN chair in 2014, and achieve domestic and international recognition as an elected civilian government while still refusing the existence of political prisoners and human rights abuses in the country. We understand that President Thein Sein deserves the "benefit of doubt" over his initiatives and that he also needs time to prepare for an inclusive and meaningful dialogue for national reconciliation and for peace talks with ethnic armed groups to end Burma's protracted civil war. However, he doesn't need more time to consider the cessation of human rights abuses and the release of all remaining political prisoners. He must do so without delay if he is really committed to national reconciliation and democratization. Otherwise, his apparent commitment to democracy will continue to ring hollow. As Rudd has noted, the people of Burma are desperate for genuine democratic change and deserve nothing less. On their behalf, he must step up his efforts to hold the Burmese government accountable. Dr. Myint Cho is director of the Sydney-based Burma Office and has been working for the promotion of democracy and human rights in Burma since 1984. http://mizzima.com/edop/commentary/6095-australia-must-step-up-efforts-for-substantive-reforms-in-burma.html --------------------------------------------------- Myanmar launches anti-dengue fever campaign in Yangon English.news.cn 2011-10-23 20:40:55 YAGNON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar has launched anti-dengue high fever campaign in seven townships in Yangon simultaneously as a prevention measure against the disease, according to the Health Department Sunday. The campaign was carried out in the weekend in collaboration with health department staff and members of social organizations. Dengue preventive and control measures were occasionally launched in schools and wards in Myanmar with the aid of World Health Organization, U.N. Children Fund, three Disease Fund, Global Fund and Japan International Cooperation Agency. According to statistics, a total of 181 people died of dengue fever in Myanmar's Yangon region in the past five years alone, out of 19,000 such cases occurring in the region during the half decade. According to earlier report, the number of people infected with dengue fever in the whole country in 2009 amounted to 3,129 with 37 deaths registered. However, according to the Yangon City Development Committee, the city saw less dengue fever occurrence in 2010 with death rate reducing to one percent in the year from over six percent in 1970. Meanwhile, the Myanmar health authorities are stepping up preventive measures against dengue fever in this sensitive rainy season by extending injection to people. The authorities are also introducing medicine with better effect, combating larva, giving education talks on the prevention and control especially in markets. Dengue fever mostly infected under-15 children, especially those between three and nine years old, but now such disease had also been found among some adult people, the authorities said, warning that dengue fever occurs regardless of age and season. Myanmar, along with Indonesia and Thailand, suffers dengue outbreak most in Southeast Asia region that makes up 52 percent of the dengue-prone areas in the world. Editor: Yamei Wang http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2011-10/23/c_131208068.htm ---------------------------------------- October 23, 2011; VOA News Flooding Devastates Thailand, Burma Thai people wade through a flooded area at Don Muang district in Bangkok, Thailand, October 23, 2011. Photo: AP Thai people wade through a flooded area at Don Muang district in Bangkok, Thailand, October 23, 2011. Thailand battled to protect Bangkok Sunday from being swamped by flood water, while officials in neighboring Burma say floods there have killed at least 100 people. Authorities in Thailand's capital shored up weak areas in the city's defenses and attempted to protect infrastructure. The flooding is the worst to hit Thailand in decades, killing at least 356 people, displacing more than 110,000 and doing huge damage to the economy. In neighboring Burma, an official said flooding killed at least 100 people last week. The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper mentioned the flooding Sunday, but kept the toll to three dead and 80 missing. Heavy rains since July have inundated large parts of Southeast Asia, forcing millions from their homes. Another 336 people have died in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. A growing number of countries are pledging aid to the flood-ravaged region. Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters. http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Flooding-Devastates-Thailand-Burma-132400988.html ----------------------------------------- New Light of Myanmar: Sunday, October 23, 2011. Heavy rains destroy some roads, bridges and buildings in some townships of Sagaing, Magway Regions Flood victims evacuated to safety, provided with necessary assistance NAY PYI TAW, 22 Oct - Such was the force of torrential rains that roads and bridges and some buildings were damaged in some townships of Sagaing and Magway Regions on 19 and 20 October. Heavy rains pummeled in Hsalingyi Township of Sagaing Region, knocking down Taungyamar creek bridge (Wakkhok bridge) and Thamaryoe bridge, destroying toe wall at the southern section of Yamar bridge, forcing people from 315 houses in Donetaw village, 180 of Gontaw village and 140 of Ywatha village to be evacuated to monasteries on hillocks and damaging two houses in Wadawgyi village and leaving 25 people homeless. It toppled six rooms of the wall of Pale Township People's Hospital and a wooden bridge near Padaukkon village and brought the temporary delay in running of vehicles on Monywa- Shwebo motorway near Sayit village in Ayadaw Township as it flooded the road and destroyed a box culvert. Road transportation was stopped as torrential rains filled Alethein creek (sandy creek) between Thazi and Koebin village in Monywa Township with water and water level had reached two feet above the two bridges in Kaunghsint village in Yinmabin Township. The high rains had flooded urban ward (b) and extended ward (b), forcing some 10 households to be evacuated to safety. flee their homes. Moreover, 40 sections of the wall of Hmankin monastery in Myaynigon village in Pale Township and 25 sections of the wall of Dakkhinaya monastery in Hneypyawtaw village collapsed under strong inflow of rainwater into the monasteries. As high rains had collapsed Hsinka bridge across the creek on Monywa- Yagyi-Kalewa road in Kani Township, no road transportation was put into service. Some roads in KhinU, Kalay, Shwebo, Myinmu and Kanbalu Townships were submerged. Water entered homes and walls of some monasteries collapsed under floodwaters. So devastating was the flood in Shwechaung creek in Pakokku of Magway Region that 120 houses and one monastery on the bank of the creek were destroyed. Floodwater wiped out the Kyarpike creek bridge and wooden floors of Hsinsar bridge in Pauk. Water entered homes in Salin, Gangaw, Seikpyu and Myaing Townships. Some sections of railroad and motor road were submerged. There was no running of vehicles as two bridges on Gangaw-Kalay road were under six-foot high water. Hinkhwatkon suspension bridge, Thantay creek bridge and some bridges in Htilin Township and Kam creek bridge on Kyaukhtu-Saw road, Katin creek bridge and one house in Tapyin village of Saw Township and 11 houses in Knone village of Myaing Township had collapsed. Floodwaters eroded earthen banks of some rail tracks at Watsu quarter of Ward-1 in Myaing Township. Floodwater entered homes in Watsu ward, forcing 50 households to be evacuated to safe places. Distribution of drinking water, chlorinating lakes and wells to avoid outbreak of cholera and providing cash and kind to flood victims are being carried out by township health care groups at flooded wards and villages. Officials of township departments and Public Works are engaged in repair works for collapsed bridges and damaged roads. Running of vehicles returned to normal as floods subsided on road sections. http://www.myanmar.com/newspaper/nlm/index.html --------------------------------------- More than 100 killed in flash floods in central Myanmar Published on Oct 23, 2011 YANGON (AFP) - More than 100 people were killed in flash floods in central Myanmar caused by heavy storms this week, an official said on Sunday. 'So far, 35 dead bodies were found out of 106 missing people. The other 71 people are also believed to have been killed in the floods' on Thursday and Friday, a government official told AFP on condition of anonymity. 'We haven't found their bodies yet and are still searching.' He added that more than 2,000 houses were swept away by the mass of water that hit four towns in the Magway region, and some 6,000 homes were still flooded. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_726405.html ------------------------------------ Dozens dead, hundreds missing after heavy rains and landslides hit Burma 22 October 2011 151 views No Comment BY: BNO News YANGON (BNO NEWS) -- At least 58 people have been killed and hundreds more are missing after flash floods hit central Burma this week, officials told a Burmese news organization in exile on Saturday. The flooding happened on Thursday in the town of Pakkokku in the Magwe Division after torrential rains hit the region. A local official told Mizzima News that at least 58 people were killed while 320 others are still missing as a result of landslides and flood waters. Four relief centers in local monasteries have opened to assist flood victims. According to residents, at least 500 houses from an illegal slum quarter located along the Shwechaung stream were swept away by the flood waters. "There was a landslide along the bank of the stream, about 400 or 500 yards (365 to 457 meters) in length in some places. About 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) of soil eroded and the houses were swept away by the water. In total about 500 houses [were affected]," said one resident. South East Asia has been hit by unusually heavy monsoon rains in the past months, killing hundreds of people in flood-related incidents and affecting thousands of villages. Burma is also known as Myanmar. (Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.) http://channel6newsonline.com/2011/10/dozens-dead-hundreds-missing-after-heavy-rains-and-landslides-hit-burma/ ---------------------------------------- Exile voices in demand among domestic journals Saturday, 22 October 2011 12:04 Tun Tun New Delhi (Mizzima) -- In another cautious indication of the opening up of Burma's domestic media environment, interviews with exile Burmese media figures and activists are proliferating in domestic journals. The publication of interviews with the Democratic Voice of Burma's Chief Editor Aye Chan Naing, Irrawaddy Editor Aung Zaw and Mizzima's Managing Editor Sein Win were all this month permitted by Burma's censor board. "We think the government's policy is totally changed. It started around five or six months ago. A lot has changed," an editor whose journal was allowed to publish interview with the head of an exile media told Mizzima. Popular subjects for the interviewees included sanctions, whether exile media groups are looking to return to Burma, the Myitsone dam controversy and the relationship between Aung San Suu Kyi and Naypyidaw. Referring to the newfound freedom in publishing interviews with exile media figures, one Rangoon editor commented, "I think it is allowed at present since they said all exiles are allowed to return home. Because of this change, I think they allow the interviews with exile people." He added that interviews with exiles are not only for promoting the journals, but also to test the attitude of censors regarding sensitive subjects such as the call for exiles to return to Burma. On 17 August President Thein Sein announced that exiles who want to return and participate in the country's development can do so by communicating their intention with respective state and regional governments. However, at the time of this announcement the censor board still did not approve publication of interviews with exile figures. "Allowing interviews with persons from the exile media is strange. In the coming period, they [the Burmese government] have a lot to talk about with the international community. So, I think that is why they do things [like permitting the publication of interviews with exiles]," said the journal editor. Naypyidaw is seeking the ASEAN chair in 2014 as well as the abolition of sanctions and resumption of international assistance. However, international criticism of the exact nature and extent of changes being implemented by the Burmese government continues to hamper these aims. "The government is trying to sell their image. It is the first impression people will have, so they are giving their best. They want to make it appear that they abolished all things of the past and are now doing their best," added the Rangoon editor. Some members of the exile-based Burma Media Association (BMA) believe that the redundancy in questions circulated to exile media figures is part of a strategy by the government to measure the attitude of the exile media to changes inside the country. "While it appears that the government has conceded something to some extent, at the same time they want to measure the attitude of journalists in these media organizations. I think they want to evaluate them," Zin Linn, vice president of BMA, told Mizzima. Journals permitted to publish the interviews are commonly held to be controlled by individuals close to the government and include Popular, Yangon Times, Eleven and publications of the United Media Group. http://mizzima.com/gallery/media-alert/6094-exile-voices-in-demand-among-domestic-journals.html ---------------------------------------------- Democracy and Peace Party calls for abolition of ruling-USDP Saturday, 22 October 2011 18:46 Nyi Thit Rangoon (Mizzima) - The Democracy and Peace Party (DPP) has called on the Election Commission to close down the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) over alleged election violations. Myo Nyunt, general secretary of the Democracy and Peace Party told reporters at a press conference in Rangoon on October 17 that his party had submitted a complaint to the Election Commission claiming the USDP violated party registration clauses in the 2010 Election Law by misusing state-owned money. "There is evidence and reasons why the ruling USDP party should not have been allowed to be registered in the first place and also should be abolished, even after it participated in the November election," he said, adding the complaint was submitted on October 14. "They (USDP) violated the clause 12 under Chapter 3 of the Election Law which prevents organizations not directly or indirectly obtaining and utlilizing state owned money, land, housing, buildings and vehicles. The USDP was transformed from the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) into a political party and state's money involving millions was used in the transformation from the USDA into the party," Myo Nyunt said. "We have not seen any public clearance and explanation on this (by the USDP). In the past, there was a public statement and clearing of this issue when the former Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) was transformed into the National Unity Party (NUP)," he noted. The NUP succeeded General Ne Win's Burma Socialist Programme Party to take part in the 1990 election. So far there has been no reply from the Election Commission to the complaint. The DPP claimed the 2010 November elections were not entirely free and fair. It, however, says that it will actively cooperate with the President Thein Sein government on common issues and would engage in consultations if it does not agree with the government. The party says that it welcomes the recent developments such as the meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and President Thein Sein, holding forums and workshops to develop economic policy changes, and the release of some political prisoners. The DPP, led by Aung Than, did not win any seats for its 19 candidates in the 2010 election. The USDP, led by former generals, won a landslide victory in the election. http://mizzima.com/news/election-2010-/6096-democracy-and-peace-party-calls-for-abolition-of-ruling-usdp.html