News & Articles on Burma-10 August, 2013

--------------------------------------- Suu Kyi urges people to support amendment of Constitution Myanmar's Underground Communist Party Claims Key Role in '88 Uprising Human Rights Rapporteur to visit Chin State for the first time Featured Speaker calls for deliberations on tax rate change 2 Kachin Men on Trial after Torture by Military Interrogators NEC opens 2 offices in Myanmar China in Myanmar Myanmar has yet to build genuine democratic nation - Suu Kyi MPP refutes MHA assertion on Indo-Myanmar border fencing Myanmar takes measures to end recruitment of child soldiers Prisoners allege abuse in Myanmar Veteran BBC reporter Christopher Gunness returns to Myanmar Myawaddy border trade reopened Thai police use water cannon on Rohingya asylum seekers -------------------------------------- Suu Kyi urges people to support amendment of Constitution Mizzima: 09 Aug 2013 05:30 Written by Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint, Kay Zin Oo NLD chairman Aung San Suu Kyi speaking at the silver jubilee ceremony of Myanmars 8888 pro-democracy uprising on August 8, 2013. Photo: Hong Sar / Mizzima NLD chairman Aung San Suu Kyi speaking at the silver jubilee ceremony of Myanmars 8888 pro-democracy uprising on August 8, 2013. Photo: Hong Sar / Mizzima Aung San Suu Kyi, Chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD), speaking at the silver jubilee ceremony of Myanmars 8888 pro-democracy uprising on August 8 said that people should not shy away from amending the Constitution. The NLD contested in the April 2012 by-election partly because they intend to push for amendment of the Constitution. The Constitution is composed by men. If we dare not amend it, does it not imply that living people fear something lifeless? The lifeblood of a Constitution is the citizens acceptance and trust, said Aung San Suu Kyi in her speech. She also made remarks on the rule of law and peace. She pointed out that there are delays in bringing about changes in the Constitution. If one asks whether the country has rule of law; we have to reply, No. If one asks whether peace is really established in the country; we have to say, No again. If one asks whether the Constitution has already been amended, we have to say that the amendment process has not even started yet, said Suu Kyi. She urged the people be fearless in their endeavors for the future of the country and to follow the path of non-violence in working towards a political goal. If we achieve our goals through violent means, it indicates that we are incompetent. Some people use violent ways in order to achieve their goals quickly. Achieving a goal quickly is not the same as achieving a goal through the right way. Resorting to violence to achieve a goal will inflict wounds that will take a long time to heal, Suu Kyi warned. NLD patrons Win Tin and Tin Oo, members of ethnic armed groups, USDP Vice Chairman Htay Oo and USDP Joint Secretary Thein Zaw attended the ceremony. It is the first official 8888 ceremony that was approved to be held inside the country since 1988. http://www.mizzima.com/news-91481/prisoner-watch/9816-su-kyi-urges-people-to-support-amendment-of-constitution ------------------------------ Myanmar's Underground Communist Party Claims Key Role in '88 Uprising RFA, 2013-08-08 Hla Kyaw Zaw adorns a T-shirt with the image of Argentine revolutionary Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, while resting at home in Kunming in China's Yunnan province, Aug. 8, 2013. Photo courtesy of Hla Kyaw Zaw. The banned Communist Party of Burma (CPB) claims it played a key role in the 1988 student-led, pro-democracy uprising in Myanmar, saying its ironic use of "multiparty democracy" as a slogan for ousting the country's dictatorship drew popular support from the people and laid the foundation for the country's ongoing reforms. "I don't see the 1988 uprising as a failure," a key CPB leader, Hla Kyaw Zaw, told RFA's Myanmar Service from Kunming, the capital of China's southwestern Yunnan province, where she lives in exile. "Even though we did not succeed in our mission to oust the military dictatorship at that time, it helped sow the seeds of a formidable political opposition," she said in an interview in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the August 8, 1988 bloody revolt on Thursday. Her father Brigadier General Kyaw Zaw had founded Myanmar's military but joined the CPB in 1976 and moved to China, where he died last year. He and current opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's independence hero father Aung San were members of the legendary "Thirty Comrades" who trained in Japan in the struggle for independence from Britain. Aung San founded the CPB in 1939 but severed ties with it in 1946 following a rift. Support Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Party central committee member, said the CPB had set the pace for the 1988 uprising by launching a campaign to replace the dictatorship under General Ne Win with multiparty democracy. The campaign drew support from the people, who were fed up with the leader's nationalization and other programs that made Myanmar one of the world's most impoverished nations, she said. "In 1985, our party congress decided to use the multiparty democracy theme to unite all classes of people. We even sent letters to retired politicians to join the 'liberation struggle' and set up cells for the purpose," she said. Some analysts say the party used democracy as a front knowing full well the people would reject communist ideology, as it seldom encourages multiparty democracy. Hla Kyaw Zaw insisted that by introducing a campaign for multiparty democracy the CPB had "planted in the mindset" of the people the ideals of freedom, which she said helped fuel the victory of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy in 1990 polls which the ruling military junta did not recognize. Hla Kyaw Zaw said that on the military front, the CPB had launched attacks from two major bases in Shan state along China's border and crushed Myanmar government forces there at the same time students were leading the uprising which began in the then capital Yangon in 1988. "The government was in a dilemma as it faced mass demonstrations in Yangon and an assault in Shan state," she said although eventually the military retook power in September 1988 and went on a brutal crackdown across the country and regained control of the situation. No government officials have ever been held accountable for the violence, which left an estimated 3,000 people dead. Reforms Asked to comment about ongoing reforms by President Thein Sein, who took over in 2011 after landmark elections and five decades of military rule, Hla Kyaw Zaw said the key to making reforms permanent is ending the armed ethnic conflicts in the country. "If such conflicts cease, the military cannot flex its muscle, and its role in the administration of the country will be minimal," she said, calling also for the 2008 constitution to be amended to end the military's powerful role. Reported by Khin Maung Soe for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Soe and Khet Mar. Written in English by Parameswaran Ponnudurai. http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/communist-08082013195849.html ----------------------------- Human Rights Rapporteur to visit Chin State for the first time Featured Friday, 09 August 2013 06:12 http://www.chinlandguardian.com/ Written by Editor 9 August 2013: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burma, Tom᳠Quintana, will be making his first ever visit to Chin State next week. Quintana's Chin State stop is part of an 11-day itinerary including visits to Rakhine State, Kachin State, Shan State, Meikhtila in Mandalay Region, Naypyitaw and Rangoon. The trip to Chin State shows the priority that the Special Rapporteur has given to the situation of religious and ethnic minorities. Quintana said that in addition to Rakhine State and Meikhtila, "Visiting Chin State, Kachin State and Shan State will give me an opportunity to assess the human rights situation of other religious and ethnic minorities in Myanmar [Burma], and provide me with an insight into how peace negotiations are progressing." Specifically on the peace process, Quintana said: "He will be encouraging the inclusion of clauses on the promotion and protection of human rights in future political agreements with ethnic armed groups. The Chin National Front and Union-level Peace Working Committee agreement signed 9 December 2012 calls for the creation of an independent Chin Human Rights Committee, although the mandate of the body has yet to be finalized. Quintana has highlighted the human rights impacts of growth in Burma's industrial and extractive sectors, and political prisoners including people arrested for involvement in land disputes and protests against large-scale development projects as nation-wide issues which he will raise with the government. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur is scheduled to meet with government officials, members of Parliament and the judiciary, the National Human Rights Commission, and civil society in Naypyitaw and Rangoon. On 21 August, at the end of his mission, Mr. Quintana will present preliminary observations at a press conference at Rangoon International Airport at 18:15. His full report on the visit will be presented to the General Assembly on 24 October 2013. http://www.chinlandguardian.com/index.php/national-news/item/1853-human-rights-rapporteur-to-visit-chin-state-for-the-first-time ----------------------------- Mizzima News Speaker calls for deliberations on tax rate change 09 Aug 2013 05:17 Written by Thiha Ko Ko Category: Politics Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament) Speaker Thura Shwe Man urged the Parliament to table the tax rate change bill for deliberations. He called for passing a revised tax bill instead of issuing mere notifications on tax rate change by the Ministry concerned. Speaker Thura Shwe Man stressed on the rights and duties of lawmakers guaranteed by the Constitution and the need to amend and repeal archaic laws that are not beneficial to the people or the country. Since these laws are out-of-date people find it difficult to abide by them. Union Minister Win Shein of Finance Ministry said that it would be more appropriate to levy taxes according to recommendations given by the peoples representatives. The move will also encourage people to pay their taxes to the government willingly whereby the country would receive more taxes. The Ministry would, therefore, submit a bill for amending existing laws, so that it can evolve into a realistic taxation system. This bill would have provisions to confer upon tax authorities, the authority to amend existing taxation laws. They will also be authorized to revise the rate of taxes levied by various Ministries, the Minister added. http://www.mizzima.com/news-91481/prisoner-watch/9815-speaker-calls-for-deliberations-on-tax-rate-change ----------------------------- 2 Kachin Men on Trial after Torture by Military Interrogators By NYEIN NYEIN / THE IRRAWADDY| Friday, August 9, 2013 | Kachins protest in Myitkyina in July 2012 for the release of farmer Lahtaw Brang Shawng, who was freed last month as part of a presidential amnesty. (Photo: KDNG) Two ethnic Kachin men who were accused of having illegal connections to armed rebels and attacking a government office were tortured and sexually abused by the military before undergoing trial in northern Burma, their lawyer said. The two men, who were staying at a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) after fighting broke out in 2011 between the armed wing of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the Burmese government army, were arrested in June last year and initially charged with violating the Unlawful Association Act for alleged connections to Kachin rebels. Six months later, Brang Yong and Lahpai Gum were also blamed for an earlier bombing at a township government office in the city. No casualties were reported from the bombing, which took place in December 2011, but officials said the attack caused damages worth about 4 million kyat (US $4,000) to the building and a nearby van. The charges against my clients are baseless, their attorney Boung Mai told The Irrawaddy on Friday. He said the two men were IDPs, like tens of thousands of others in the state, and had fled from their village, Gan Daung Yan. Lahpai Gums case was heard in court last week, the attorney said. Hes just an ordinary farmer, not a member of the KIO, he said. The mens trial for allegedly violating the Unlawful Association Act began in June last year, and another trial for the bombing charges began in December, according to Mah Kha, another lawyer defending them. Brang Yong and Lahpai Gum were arrested from the Shweset IDP camp near the Kachin State capital of Myitkyina in June last year and were interrogated for 10 days by Military Affairs Security at military camps. During this time they faced severe abuse, according to Boung Mai, the attorney, who says red-hot knives were placed on their bodies. The scars from their burns are still on their bodies, said Boung Mai, adding that minor scars on their legs had faded. He said the two men were sexually abused by male officers during the interrogation. They were tortured in many brutal ways. It was inhumane. Since then, the men have been detained in prison and have only been allowed to meet with their families during trial, the attorney added. During the trial, the township police presented evidence against the men based on records provided by Military Affairs Security. The accused will appear in court again on Monday, he said. Last month, a Kachin farmer, Lahtaw Brang Shawng, was released under presidential order after being sentenced to two years in prison under the Unlawful Association Act. The farmer was also arrested in June last year while staying at an IDP camp, and he was sentenced to two years in prison after being accused of having links to the KIO. He was one of 26 Kachin detainees released as part of the presidential pardon last month, which came after peace talks between the government and Kachin rebels. A total of seven people, including Brang Yong and Lahpai Gum, are still being detained on charges related to the conflict in Kachin State. http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/41699 ------------------------------ NEC opens 2 offices in Myanmar Business Aug. 10, 2013 - 05:52AM JST ( 0 ) TOKYO NEC Corp has opened two offices in Yangon and Naypyidaw, Myanmar. Bringing its expertise in information and communications technology (ICT) as well as social infrastructure, NEC said it sees great potential in Myanmar, which has undergone rapid economic growth in recent years. NECs more than 35 years of experience with Myanmars communications infrastructure, including telephone switchboards, wireless equipment, satellite ground stations and broadcasting systems, has set a strong foundation to continue its support of the countrys technological progress. There is tremendous growth potential in Myanmar and this is an opportune moment for NEC to contribute to the countrys IT needs. NEC will focus on providing key international communication networks, such as submarine cable systems, ICT infrastructure for industrial parks, disaster prevention systems, security systems, e-government systems and mass-market IT solutions, said Takayuki Morita, senior vice president, NEC Corporation. Following the establishment of a Yangon office in February 2013, NEC has been aiming for opportunities to contribute further to local development. http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/nec-opens-2-offices-in-myanmar --------------------------------- Opinion China in Myanmar The Statesman 10 Aug 2013 The natural gas pipeline that connects China to Bay of Bengal through Myanmar has been operationalised very recently. This is a historic development, and fulfills a cherished Chinese ambition to connect the People's Republic to the Indian Ocean as part of its two-ocean strategy... There are lessons in these developments for India as well ~ SANJAY PULIPAKA and KRISHNAN SRINIVASAN Media reports of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the democratic uprising in Myanmar have obscured a more important development. The natural gas pipeline that connects China to Bay of Bengal through Myanmar has been operationalized very recently. This is a historic development, and fulfills a cherished Chinese ambition to connect the Peoples Republic to the Indian Ocean as part of its two-ocean strategy. The Indian Ocean is critical for China, because 80 per cent of its oil imports traverse the Malacca Straits. Therefore, China is establishing a network of relationships with Indian Ocean littoral states while developing secure and diverse energy routes. The new pipeline cannot completely eliminate the Malacca Straits as a significant transit zone, but it is a part of Chinas overall strategy to reduce excessive dependence on this route. The pipeline starts at Kyaukpyu in Myanmar and terminates in Kunming in China and its completion in just three years indicates the policy consistency and determination of Beijing to ensure that its economic momentum continues to receive necessary energy resources. China is also building an oil pipeline alongside the existing gas pipeline which will begin operations next year. These two pipelines will not only carry energy resources from the gas fields in the Bay of Bengal but also transport oil from the Middle East which can be off-loaded at Kyaukpyu and conveyed to Kunming. With a capacity to deliver 22 million tons of oil and 12 billion cubic meters of natural gas each year, these pipelines are being described by China as its fourth largest strategic energy asset. The completion of this pipeline assumes even greater significance, given the fact that the Myitsone Dam, which was being constructed by Chinese companies in northern Myanmar, had to be suspended in 2011. Numerous concerns were advanced against the construction of the pipeline, including environmental damage, absence of proportionate benefits to local communities and the criticism that natural gas from Myanmars offshore fields was being supplied to China while the country itself was experiencing blackouts. In spite of such anxieties, the project went ahead unimpeded, clearly demonstrating Chinas continuing strong influence in Myanmar. China has been making efforts in Myanmar to improve its image through corporate social responsibility activities. For instance, Chinese media have been making the case that the pipeline companies have spent some $ 20 million for social sector development in Myanmar and made provisions for schools and health clinics. After local protests against the Chinese-backed Letpadaung copper mine project, the profit-sharing agreement was renegotiated by which the Myanmar government received a larger share of the profits and greater allocations to CSR activities were made. With this re-negotiation, it is not surprising that there are demands to re-negotiate all the Chinese projects that were signed during the previous military rule. For the Myanmar government, such re-negotiation may appear attractive not only from the perspective of equity and the necessity to achieve environmental standards, but also because it results in providing greater resources at its disposal. Given the current political transition, the availability of such additional resources would enable Naypiydaw to expand expenditure on welfare schemes without reducing the budget for institutions associated with the military. The domestic compulsions of allocating adequate resources to various political constituencies will inspire some circles within Myanmars political system to press for re-negotiation of contracts with greater vigour, and such demands for re-negotiation could lead to souring the relations between Myanmar and China. With its huge investments in Myanmar, China is being compelled to take account of the ethnic conflicts in that country. Rarely do such Chinese interventions receive general approbation, and the responses to Chinas efforts to promote ethnic reconciliation have been mixed. For instance, China played a significant role in prevailing on the Myanmar government and the Kachin Independence Organisation to begin negotiations on a ceasefire agreement and the talks did result in a successful ceasefire agreement recently. However, the negotiations were delayed because China reportedly was uncomfortable with the presence of other international observers such as from the USA and UK. In the final discussions, the only international presence other than that of China itself was that of the United Nations, which did not go down well with some of the stakeholders involved. Given the Myanmarese inclination for re-negotiation of contracts and the tentative ethnic peace process, China has evinced some hesitation in making major new investments in Myanmar: it is reported that Chinas investments in Myanmar during 2012-13 declined to $407 million compared to $4.35 billion during the previous fiscal years. The Chinese experience in Myanmar underlines a lesson for new investors from other parts of the world, namely that the capacity to influence the current Myanmarese 鬩te does not necessarily translate into sustainable business opportunity in the long-run. There are lessons in these developments for India as well. Firstly, one of the reasons for the emergence of China as a dominant player in Myanmar is because Indias connectivity network with Myanmar is lamentably poor. As a businessman in Mandalay complained, If I place an order with Chinese business houses, the goods will be delivered in one or two days, but if I place an order with India, it may take months. Secondly, steps to ensure easy movement of goods across the India-Myanmar border must be initiated and the north-eastern state governments must be closely associated with such measures. Thirdly, it must be remembered that large numbers of Indians were expelled from Myanmar in the 1960s, allegedly for unethical business practices. Whatever the merits of such reasoning, the residual presence of such negative perceptions must be recognized and addressed through creative public diplomacy campaigns. The writers are Fellow at ICRIER / Wadhwani chair and India's former Foreign Secretary respectively http://www.thestatesman.net/news/9640-china-in-myanmar.html ------------------------------ Myanmar has yet to build genuine democratic nation - Suu Kyi Published on Friday, 09 August 2013 16:00 The task of building a genuine democratic nation has not yet finished, said Myanmars opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a message to a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the pro-democracy movement in Mandalay. "The 1988 democracy movement emerged 25 years ago, and since then the struggle of those who really love democracy and human rights has not ceased. It is not wrong to say that the loyalty to that movement is the key factor in seeing signs of reform in Myanmar," Suu Kyi said in her message. Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy and Lower House MP, said the 1988 student uprising spread over the entire nation and Mandalay was among the places where the citizens actively participated in the nationwide movement. She urged the remaining democracy activists to continue to exert their efforts to promote democracy. In her speech delivered at Yangons commemorative ceremony, Suu Kyi said that Myanmar had failed to successfully implement rule of law, an internal peace process and constitutional amendments since the government embarked on a series of reforms in 2011. The lifeline of a constitution required the public trust and confidence, without which the constitution would become lifeless, the opposition leader added. "Here I urge all of you to be brave and united and to do what you should do for the good of the nation. Unity does not mean acting under an authoritative order but working under coordination and negotiation. We have to negotiate differences to seek common ground. Our ultimate goal is to live in peace," said Suu Kyi. She also called for reconciliation efforts between the people and the military. The people on their part should serve the interests of the nation taking lessons from the 1988 uprising and holding no grudge. Suu Kyi said the cause of democracy emerged due to the public strength of the people citizens should always be grateful for their efforts. http://elevenmyanmar.com/politics/3012-myanmar-has-yet-to-build-genuine-democratic-nation-suu-kyi -------------------------- Imphal Free Press MPP refutes MHA assertion on Indo-Myanmar border fencing IMPHAL, August 9: The Manipur Peoples Party (MPP) has strongly negated the statement of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that without the settlement of the International Boundary along with Boundary Pillars on Indo-Myanmar border, it is not possible to arrive at a definitive conclusion that a particular village or land is going to be lost. Addressing newsmen in this regard, Sovakiran, president MPP stated that nine villages under Chandel district have already merged with Myanmar terrirtory on account of the ongoing border fencing work along the Indo-Myanmar Border adding that a church situated in Govajang was also found inside the neighbouring country, Myanmar. He further demanded immediate halt of the undergoing border fencing works and to pull out pillars which have already erected while informing that the issue would be taken up in the Parliament. MPP spokesperson H Nabashyam said the claim of MHA that no portions of State land have been lost to Myanmar was totally false and malicious. He continued that the border fencing works should be done in accordance with the Indo-Burma Survey of India 1969-72 where 1116 pillars was erected along the border stating that since the pillars have been vanished now, similar erecting works of pillar should be done in the same place. Regarding the matter, a memorandum would be served to the CM of the State and Prime Minister of India in protest against the border fencing works and if the government continues with its works of border fencing, series of intense agitation would be launched in collaboration with CSOs of the State, he cautioned. 10-Aug-2013 at 01:04 AM http://www.ifp.co.in/nws-16199-mpp-refutes-mha-assertion-on-indomyanmar-border-fencing/ -------------------------------------- Myanmar takes measures to end recruitment of child soldiers Aug 09,2013 YANGON, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar released 68 more child soldiers from the armed forces recently, signifying that it is moving further to end recruitment of under-age children in the armed forces. The 68 children, recruited previously and sent to different military command areas, were handed back to their parents on Wednesday. All other under-age child soldiers from the army are expected to be discharged within 18 months, the military authorities said. Assistance is being provided to the freed children by the military to pursue education and get job with healthcare extended to them. It was the fourth time the Myanmar military discharged child soldiers on Wednesday. The first release took place in September 2012 when 42 under-age children were handed back. A group of 24 was released in February 2013, with another 42 discharged in July 2013. Myanmar and the United Nations started engagement in a dialogue on issues related to child soldiers five years ago, agreeing to the appointment of a high level officials from the Ministry of Social Welfare to engage with the UN Country Team and especially the UN Children's Fund on all issues related to children and armed conflict, as well as the setting up of a monitoring mechanism to find out the real situation in the country regarding child soldiers with a task force established. Myanmar has made efforts and worked for ensuring not to recruit minors for military service, promising continuous supervision over the personnel concerned to ensure that they do not accept minors. The country launched the Committee for Prevention against Recruiting Minors into Army in January 2005. In June 2012, Myanmar and the United Nations signed a landmark agreement in Nay Phi Taw for the release of children from the country's armed forces. The new plan of action set out concrete and time-bound activities to ensure the separation of children from the Myanmar armed forces and to prevent further recruitment and use of children under age. In November 2012, Myanmar government and the United Nations Children's Fund signed a basic cooperation agreement for a 5-year national-level project for the development of children in the country. The agreement covers young children survival and development, accessibility of water, environmental cleanliness and personal hygiene, access to basic education and gender equality, HIV/AIDS and children, protection of children and education, supervision and assessment of social policy. http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=158914 ------------------------------- Special Reports Prisoners allege abuse in Myanmar Published: Aug. 9, 2013 at 10:22 AM NAYPYITAW, Myanmar, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- A lawyer for two men in the northern Myanmar state of Kachin said his clients were sexually abused by the military before they were brought to trial. Brang Yong and Lahpai Gum, two Kachin men accused of supporting armed rebels and attacking national interests, appeared before a regional court last week. Their attorney, Boung Mai, told Thai newspaper The Irrawaddy there was no validity to the charges. "The charges against my clients are baseless," he said Friday. "They were tortured in many brutal ways. It was inhumane." The attorney says his clients were internally displaced persons feeling unrest in the northern state. Both men were accused of violating laws on association with unlawful groups. Kachin has been the scene of intermittent conflict between rebel and government forces. Myanmar marked Thursday as the 25th anniversary of pro-democracy protests squashed violently by the military regime. Myanmar in 2010 held democratic elections, earning praise from the international community. Violence in Kachin, as well as communal conflict in western Rakhine state, have brought renewed criticism from some members of the human rights community. The Irrawaddy reports the government has released dozens of prisoners caught up in the fighting in Kachin this year. Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/08/09/Prisoners-allege-abuse-in-Myanmar/UPI-49731376058124/#ixzz2bWYB3wMq -------------------------------------- Veteran BBC reporter Christopher Gunness returns to Myanmar Published on Friday, 09 August 2013 15:52 The celebrated BBC correspondent Christopher Gunness has returned to Myanmar on Tuesday for the first time in over two decades to attend the 25th anniversary of the 1988 pro-democracy struggle. During 1988 uprising his reports helped bring the 1988 mass protests against military rule and their subsequent brutal crackdown by the army to world attention. He came to Myanmar via Thailand and Bangladesh, interviewing students and members of the public. He was subsequently blacklisted from returning to the country and after the military crack-down he stayed in Bangladesh to keep in touch with sources from Myanmar. His trip will take ten days and he has arranged to meet with people he encountered and interviewed back in 1988. His reporting provides an important outside witness account of this landmark event in Myanmars history. Christopher Gunness graduated from Oxford University and became a trainee at the BBC in 1982. He is part Indian and worked as a correspondence for the BBC's Eastern Service. He has since worked as a correspondent between 1986 and 1989 throughout Asia. In 1990 Christopher was posted to the United Nations in New York as the BBC correspondent. Gunness reported on the Iraq crisis and became a spokesman for the UN during the war in Yugoslavia. He worked for 23 years as a reporter and producer for the BBC. Christopher has continued to present daily current affairs programmes for the BBC World Service, and several of his documentaries for BBC Radio 4 and the World Service have won awards. http://elevenmyanmar.com/politics/3011-veteran-bbc-reporter-christopher-gunness-returns-to-myanmar -------------------------------------- Mizzima News Myawaddy border trade reopened 09 Aug 2013 12:50 Written by Min Thuya Category: Trade The Myawaddy border trade route has reopened after 10 days disruption due to landslides and heavy rainfall, on August 7. From yesterday, trucks from Myawaddy have resumed transportation of goods. Trucks from Yangon have also arrived Myawaddy, an official from Myawaddy border trade point told Mizzima on August 8. U Zaw Win, Treasurer of the Myawaddy Goods Transport Association said that passenger cars and trucks from Myawaddy Township have begun regular transportation. Food and basic supplies for flood victims in Karen state are also being delivered. The cross-border trade will return to its usual state within a few days. Now transportation has reached its normal condition. At the moment, we still have leftover imported goods and we will order more Thai goods after we run out of them, Nay lin Myit, a Thai goods trader from Myawaddy, told Mizzima. Due to heavy rainfall, all transportation routes from Myawaddy border trade area were closed since August 28. Importation of major goods from Thailand such as food stuffs and electrical goods were suspended. Likewise, banks in Myawaddy Township were also forced to close down. http://www.mizzima.com/business/trade/9817-myawaddy-border-trade-reopened ----------------------------------- Thai police use water cannon on Rohingya asylum seekers 09 Aug 2013 12:26 Written by AFP Thai police used water cannon to prevent scores of Muslim Rohingya boat people from Myanmar breaking out of a detention centre to celebrate the end of Ramadan, officials said Thursday. Some 261 Rohingya asylum seekers broke the locks on two rooms and then tried to storm the centre's secure front door in southern Phang Nga province, where many have been held for months, police told AFP. "Officials blocked them at the ground floor and are negotiating with them... but they still want to come out and refuse to go back to the rooms," according to provincial police chief Chalit Kaewyarat. He said police fired water cannon through the gated front door to prevent the refugees, who are all men, leaving and "to calm them down". "We will wait until they are calm before moving them (temporarily) to police stations," he added. A local official requesting anonymity confirmed the incident, adding the Rohingya men want to come out "for prayers for Hari Raya" -- as the festival of Eid, marking the end of the Muslim holy month, is known locally. Police said they would allow five of the detainees out at a time "but all of them still want to leave" prompting the angry stand-off. Many of the asylum-seekers have been locked up in the overcrowded and reportedly insanitary centre for several months, prompting rights groups to call for their release. Thousands of Muslim Rohingya boat people -- including women and children -- have fled the former junta-ruled country since Buddhist-Muslim clashes a year ago in the state of Rakhine in western Myanmar. Those who arrived in Thailand have been "helped on" by the kingdom's navy towards Malaysia -- their destination of choice -- or detained as illegal immigrants. Thailand initially said the asylum-seekers would be allowed to stay for six months while the government worked with the UN refugee agency UNHCR to try to find other countries willing to accept them. But overseas help has not been forthcoming so far, leaving the refugees in limbo, and separated from their families. A UNHCR spokeswoman Vivian Tan said the centres were not designed to hold "so many people for so long". "While the motives for this incident are still unclear, it reflects the growing frustration among the Rohingya being held in detention," she said. Tan urged Thai authorities to "urgently" transfer them to shelters that will allow families to be reunited and provide "greater freedom of movement". http://www.mizzima.com/news/rohingya-issues/9811-thai-police-use-water-cannon-on-rohingya-asylum-seekers