Sunday, 10 October 2010
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Global Action Against Junta's Planned Sham Election
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/epHUQdoXLjZ-IRlHI7rEtA?feat=directlink
Global Action Against Junta's Planned Sham Election
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) joined hands together with democratic forces around the world showing our opposition on the junta's planned sham election and its results.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Myanmar's Sham Election
We are now a month away from the first elections in Burma in 23 years. That should give us cause to celebrate. Sadly, that is wishful thinking. Burma’s 55 million people continue to suffer brutal oppression. Abject, needless poverty is, for most, a daily reality. These elections will be little more than a sham to perpetuate military rule.
So when Asian and European leaders meet on Monday in Brussels, the U.K. will be calling for us to speak with one voice against the gross mistreatment of the Burmese people.
That means being unequivocal: These elections will be neither free nor fair. Opponents of the ruling party lack resources and are systematically targeted by the current regime. Thousands of political prisoners remain incarcerated. Various ethnic parties have been refused the right to participate. Last month the military dissolved the National League for Democracy — its biggest perceived threat.
The situation is little better for those parties which are being allowed to participate. The regime they oppose has passed deeply unfair election laws and runs the election commission. In Burma all media is heavily censored by the state.
So the election result is a foregone conclusion. Under the constitution a quarter of seats are already reserved for the military. In half of the remaining seats parties loyal to the regime will run uncontested, their opponents unable to field a candidate. The regime is therefore guaranteed a substantial majority — before a single vote is even cast.
The consequence for Burma is the return to power of a ruling elite that has presided over widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, rape and torture. That same regime has been guilty of profound economic mismanagement and corruption. While they routinely blame sanctions for weak development, the truth is that they have squandered Burma’s natural resources and export opportunities. The country’s infant mortality rate is now amongst the highest in Asia.
These failings are undeniable. Yet some are tempted to overlook the deep flaws in the approaching election. Clearly, it would be more convenient for the international community to quietly agree that any election is better than no election. Burma would recede in the mind, allowing us to “move on.” That is attractive for nations that insist we should not interfere in one anothers’ affairs. And the West could not be accused, as it sometimes is, of attempting to recreate the world in its own image.
These are not reasons to ignore the truth. The European Union has already made it clear that sanctions — targeted at the regime and its sources of revenue — will not be lifted until genuine progress is made on the ground. We must now work with our Asian partners, using our collective clout, to push for that progress. Members of the Asia-Europe Meeting group, or ASEM, account for nearly 60 percent of the global population — and the same proportion of global trade. Burma’s military regime should know that, until it satisfies international demands, it will meet the same disapproval whether it looks East or West.
Not only is that our shared moral duty, but it is in our strategic self-interest too. Without a process of national reconciliation in Burma, the risk of instability is real. Ethnic cease-fires look increasingly fragile. A return to conflict would have devastating humanitarian consequences, undermining regional security and leading to further refugee flows into neighboring countries and beyond.
So we must continue to exert pressure on the regime to engage all opposition and ethnic groups in a meaningful dialogue. The objective must be a fair settlement that gives ethnic groups a political voice and protects their minority rights. All prisoners of conscience — including the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi — must be released without delay. Reconciliation must be geared toward the social and economic development that has long evaded the Burmese state.
This week is an opportunity for Asian and European nations to reaffirm that message. Military men must know that swapping their uniforms for suits will not change the demands of the international community. We will not be pacified by a democratic facade. Our expectations will not drop.
Nick Clegg is deputy prime minister of Britain.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/opinion/04iht-edclegg.html
So when Asian and European leaders meet on Monday in Brussels, the U.K. will be calling for us to speak with one voice against the gross mistreatment of the Burmese people.
That means being unequivocal: These elections will be neither free nor fair. Opponents of the ruling party lack resources and are systematically targeted by the current regime. Thousands of political prisoners remain incarcerated. Various ethnic parties have been refused the right to participate. Last month the military dissolved the National League for Democracy — its biggest perceived threat.
The situation is little better for those parties which are being allowed to participate. The regime they oppose has passed deeply unfair election laws and runs the election commission. In Burma all media is heavily censored by the state.
So the election result is a foregone conclusion. Under the constitution a quarter of seats are already reserved for the military. In half of the remaining seats parties loyal to the regime will run uncontested, their opponents unable to field a candidate. The regime is therefore guaranteed a substantial majority — before a single vote is even cast.
The consequence for Burma is the return to power of a ruling elite that has presided over widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, rape and torture. That same regime has been guilty of profound economic mismanagement and corruption. While they routinely blame sanctions for weak development, the truth is that they have squandered Burma’s natural resources and export opportunities. The country’s infant mortality rate is now amongst the highest in Asia.
These failings are undeniable. Yet some are tempted to overlook the deep flaws in the approaching election. Clearly, it would be more convenient for the international community to quietly agree that any election is better than no election. Burma would recede in the mind, allowing us to “move on.” That is attractive for nations that insist we should not interfere in one anothers’ affairs. And the West could not be accused, as it sometimes is, of attempting to recreate the world in its own image.
These are not reasons to ignore the truth. The European Union has already made it clear that sanctions — targeted at the regime and its sources of revenue — will not be lifted until genuine progress is made on the ground. We must now work with our Asian partners, using our collective clout, to push for that progress. Members of the Asia-Europe Meeting group, or ASEM, account for nearly 60 percent of the global population — and the same proportion of global trade. Burma’s military regime should know that, until it satisfies international demands, it will meet the same disapproval whether it looks East or West.
Not only is that our shared moral duty, but it is in our strategic self-interest too. Without a process of national reconciliation in Burma, the risk of instability is real. Ethnic cease-fires look increasingly fragile. A return to conflict would have devastating humanitarian consequences, undermining regional security and leading to further refugee flows into neighboring countries and beyond.
So we must continue to exert pressure on the regime to engage all opposition and ethnic groups in a meaningful dialogue. The objective must be a fair settlement that gives ethnic groups a political voice and protects their minority rights. All prisoners of conscience — including the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi — must be released without delay. Reconciliation must be geared toward the social and economic development that has long evaded the Burmese state.
This week is an opportunity for Asian and European nations to reaffirm that message. Military men must know that swapping their uniforms for suits will not change the demands of the international community. We will not be pacified by a democratic facade. Our expectations will not drop.
Nick Clegg is deputy prime minister of Britain.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/opinion/04iht-edclegg.html
Thursday, 30 September 2010
PM to visit Burma next month
NEW YORK -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva plans to pay a one-day visit to Burma next monthb to confirm cooperation between the two countries.
Mr Abhisit will hear the Burmese government’s plans for after the election on Nov 7 and discuss the status of former opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, other jailed prisoners and the problems of some ethnics minorities groups.
He is scheduled to visit the neighbouring country on Oct 11.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Thailand will assure Burma about the preparation of the border negotiation, connectivity, roads and bridges building as well as the progress of the roads building project at Kho Khareng which is funded by the Thai government.
“The Thai government also wants to learn more about the Burmese privatization which has just started with its state enterprises and the open market policy. We are interested to learn which sectors will be of interest to the Thai private sector and confirm our readiness to cooperate on the economic front,’’ said the foreign minister.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/198938/pm-to-visit-burma-next-month
Mr Abhisit will hear the Burmese government’s plans for after the election on Nov 7 and discuss the status of former opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, other jailed prisoners and the problems of some ethnics minorities groups.
He is scheduled to visit the neighbouring country on Oct 11.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Thailand will assure Burma about the preparation of the border negotiation, connectivity, roads and bridges building as well as the progress of the roads building project at Kho Khareng which is funded by the Thai government.
“The Thai government also wants to learn more about the Burmese privatization which has just started with its state enterprises and the open market policy. We are interested to learn which sectors will be of interest to the Thai private sector and confirm our readiness to cooperate on the economic front,’’ said the foreign minister.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/198938/pm-to-visit-burma-next-month
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Burma rejects criticism of elections
Burma's foreign minister on Tuesday rejected international criticism of the country's election insisting that the junta is committed to a "free and fair'' vote.
The minister, U Nyan Win, said the election in Burma on November 7, which the opposition has said would be a sham, was "a critical phase of its political transformation process.''
He told the UN General Assembly that more than 3,000 candidates from 37 parties would take part in the vote for 1,171 parliamentary seats.
"Such a large participation made it crystal clear that the elections become virtually inclusive,'' the minister said.
U Nyan Win made no mention of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, nor UN and international demands that she be freed for the vote.
"The people will exercise their democratic right to elect the representatives of their own choice who can serve their interest better,'' the minister said.
"With its ample experiences and lessons learned in holding multiparty general elections in the past history, Burma is confident in its ability to conduct the elections in an orderly manner.
"Whatever the challenges facing us, we are committed to do our best for the successful holding of the free and fair general elections for the best interest of the country and its people.''
A UN ministerial group said Monday that the election will not be credible unless the military rulers release Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition detainees.
The group _ which included ministers from neighbors China and India, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia as well as Britain and the United States _ "clearly reiterated the need for the election process to more inclusive, participatory and transparent,'' UN chief Ban Ki-moon said.
"Members called for steps to be taken for the release of political detainees including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,'' he added.
The minister, U Nyan Win, said the election in Burma on November 7, which the opposition has said would be a sham, was "a critical phase of its political transformation process.''
He told the UN General Assembly that more than 3,000 candidates from 37 parties would take part in the vote for 1,171 parliamentary seats.
"Such a large participation made it crystal clear that the elections become virtually inclusive,'' the minister said.
U Nyan Win made no mention of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, nor UN and international demands that she be freed for the vote.
"The people will exercise their democratic right to elect the representatives of their own choice who can serve their interest better,'' the minister said.
"With its ample experiences and lessons learned in holding multiparty general elections in the past history, Burma is confident in its ability to conduct the elections in an orderly manner.
"Whatever the challenges facing us, we are committed to do our best for the successful holding of the free and fair general elections for the best interest of the country and its people.''
A UN ministerial group said Monday that the election will not be credible unless the military rulers release Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition detainees.
The group _ which included ministers from neighbors China and India, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia as well as Britain and the United States _ "clearly reiterated the need for the election process to more inclusive, participatory and transparent,'' UN chief Ban Ki-moon said.
"Members called for steps to be taken for the release of political detainees including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,'' he added.
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Burmese Video: "Ar-Yone-Oo-Mar SHOCK Shi-Tae" Ads (Sunrise Shock) 08 September 2010
Burmese Video: "Ar-Yone-Oo-Mar SHOCK Shi-Tae" Ads (Sunrise Shock) 08 September 2010
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) today releases the Burmese video trailer, "Ar-Yone-Oo-Mar SHOCK Shi-Tae" (Sunrise Shock).
We are humbled to present the preview of our work, "Ar-Yone-Oo-Mar SHOCK Shi-Tae" (Sunrise Shock) video which is the collective efforts of the Burma democratic activists from UK.
We hope that this piece could be one of the corner stones when we could write the true Burma history.
We will share the video with all the democratic activists and organizations around the world as well as people inside Burma so that we can have the opportunity to see two different perspectives compare with junta's propaganda video, Ar-Yone-Oo-Mar-Phu-Tae-Kyar, with full of wrong and misleading information.
We are well aware of the challenges ahead trying to distribute our video inside Burma but we will use the modern internet technology believing that it could help us promoting the good news inside Burma.
Please see the link at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biRw3h...
For more information please contact Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) http://www.bdcburma.org
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) today releases the Burmese video trailer, "Ar-Yone-Oo-Mar SHOCK Shi-Tae" (Sunrise Shock).
We are humbled to present the preview of our work, "Ar-Yone-Oo-Mar SHOCK Shi-Tae" (Sunrise Shock) video which is the collective efforts of the Burma democratic activists from UK.
We hope that this piece could be one of the corner stones when we could write the true Burma history.
We will share the video with all the democratic activists and organizations around the world as well as people inside Burma so that we can have the opportunity to see two different perspectives compare with junta's propaganda video, Ar-Yone-Oo-Mar-Phu-Tae-Kyar, with full of wrong and misleading information.
We are well aware of the challenges ahead trying to distribute our video inside Burma but we will use the modern internet technology believing that it could help us promoting the good news inside Burma.
Please see the link at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biRw3h...
For more information please contact Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) http://www.bdcburma.org
Friday, 10 September 2010
Burmese Video Love Scene: "Ar-Yone-Oo-Mar SHOCK Shi-Tae"
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is embarking on media campaign so as to encourage everyone's participation working for democratisation of Burma. Media play important role to restore democracy in Burma so that Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is producing the video, "Ar-Yone-Oo-Mar SHOCK Shi-Tae", to share with all the people inside Burma so that they can have the opportunity to see two different perspectives compare with junta's propaganda video, Ar-Yone-Oo-Mar-Phu-Tae-Kyar which is full of wrong information".
In the video, there will be the information regarding why we should boycott junta's planned sham election which will be held on 7 November 2010. Addition, there will be more information about junta's unilaterally adopted sham constitution and why we must collectively lobby international governments including UNSC to to declare military entrenching constitution as NULL & VOID. This is part of the answer for Burma crisis.
For more information please contact Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) http://www.bdcburma.org
Monday, 6 September 2010
Burmese FM to Attend US-Asean Summit
Burma's Foreign Minister Nyan Win will attend the US-Asean summit convened by President Obama later this month in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
The White House on Friday announced that Obama will host a meeting with leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean). Obama has invited the leaders of the 10 Asean member states as well the Asean secretary-general to join him for the second ever US-Asean leaders' meeting, it said.
Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win attends the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers Informal Consultations in Hanoi in July. (Photo: Reuters)
Confirming that the top Burmese leader will not be attending the meeting, a senior US official said that no direct invitation was sent to Burma.
“The invitation went to the Asean chair [Vietnam], so we did not address an invitation to Burma directly,” the official told The Irrawaddy. “The Burmese have decided to send their foreign minister, Nyan Win.”
The White House said, at the first such meeting, held in Singapore in November 2009, Obama and the Asean leaders pledged to deepen cooperation in a number of areas of common concern, including trade and investment, regional security, disaster management, food and energy security, and climate change.
“The President looks forward to working with the leaders to assess the progress on these issues, to identify future efforts to strengthen US-Asean relations, and discuss multilateral approaches for greater regional cooperation,” the White House said.
It is understood that Obama will discuss the upcoming election in Burma, which the US has said lacks credibility.
Of late, the Obama administration has shown signs of adopting a stronger position against Burma; given that a year ago it had adopted a new policy of simultaneous engagement with and economic sanctions on Burma.
The US had two rounds of talks with the military junta, however top US officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, expressed frustration over the response of the junta toward a credible and transparent election and the release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19380
The White House on Friday announced that Obama will host a meeting with leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean). Obama has invited the leaders of the 10 Asean member states as well the Asean secretary-general to join him for the second ever US-Asean leaders' meeting, it said.
Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win attends the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers Informal Consultations in Hanoi in July. (Photo: Reuters)
Confirming that the top Burmese leader will not be attending the meeting, a senior US official said that no direct invitation was sent to Burma.
“The invitation went to the Asean chair [Vietnam], so we did not address an invitation to Burma directly,” the official told The Irrawaddy. “The Burmese have decided to send their foreign minister, Nyan Win.”
The White House said, at the first such meeting, held in Singapore in November 2009, Obama and the Asean leaders pledged to deepen cooperation in a number of areas of common concern, including trade and investment, regional security, disaster management, food and energy security, and climate change.
“The President looks forward to working with the leaders to assess the progress on these issues, to identify future efforts to strengthen US-Asean relations, and discuss multilateral approaches for greater regional cooperation,” the White House said.
It is understood that Obama will discuss the upcoming election in Burma, which the US has said lacks credibility.
Of late, the Obama administration has shown signs of adopting a stronger position against Burma; given that a year ago it had adopted a new policy of simultaneous engagement with and economic sanctions on Burma.
The US had two rounds of talks with the military junta, however top US officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, expressed frustration over the response of the junta toward a credible and transparent election and the release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19380
Thursday, 2 September 2010
"Lifeline service": BBC Burmese marks 70th anniversary
"Lifeline service": BBC Burmese marks 70th anniversary
By Bethan Jinkinson
BBC News
Burma's first post-Independence Prime Minister U Nu appeared on the BBC Burmese service in 1947
As the BBC Burmese service broadcast a programme marking its 70th anniversary, Sandhobasa, a monk, called in to say that he had been listening for more than two decades.
The broadcasts enriched his knowledge, he said, and he had become attached to them. He could, he said, name the day when every presenter joined or left the BBC.
Founded in 1940, the service has covered independence, uprisings and long years of military rule.
Small teams based in Bangkok and London's Bush House broadcast to an estimated 22.9% of Burma's adult population, and in times of national crisis these figures soar.
"The BBC plays a massive role in bringing accurate, impartial information to the people of Burma," says Soe Win Than, one of the editors at the service.
"People inside Burma cannot get free information. We are a lifeline service."
Essential listening
Last year Burma was voted 5th worst in the world in terms of media freedom by Reporters Without Borders; local media is heavily censored.
The BBC began broadcasting to Burma in 1940, when Burma was still part of the British empire
Soe Win Than says this is particularly true in times of crisis, such as during the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, or the 2007 protests led by monks.
"During the uprising the government slowed down the internet connections and blocked access," he says.
"People tuned in to the BBC to find out what was happening - and our listenership skyrocketed."
This also happened in August 1988, when hundreds of thousands of people took part in pro-democracy protests across the country.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
The people of Burma are deprived of the privilege of free information”
Soe Win Than
BBC Burmese service
Former student leader Aung Myo Tun said that during that time he listened to the BBC every day.
But it is not only in times of crisis that the BBC is essential listening in Burma.
Sit Maw, a 19 year-old student living in Burma's commercial capital Rangoon, is one of an estimated 8.3 million weekly listeners in Burma.
"The information in my country is not good," he says. "Most news is controlled by the government."
"We need free information about what is happening inside and outside the country and in the world today. That's why I listen to the BBC. "
His view is confirmed by research.
"Independent surveys also show that BBC Burmese has established itself as the most trusted, reliable source of information in Burma, says the BBC's Director of Global News, Peter Horrocks.
"It's not an exaggeration to say that its broadcasts have helped to keep the Burmese people informed - and empowered."
Huge following
In their weekly Have Your Say programme, listeners from inside Burma as well as countries like Bangladesh, Thailand and Japan call in to to take part in discussion.
"The people of Burma are deprived of the privilege of free information," says Soe Win Than.
Presenter Ne Win (R) was one of the service's best known voices; he retired in 1995
"The government in Burma is so paranoid that they censor publications with dark covers, as they believe they imply that Burma is still in the dark ages."
"Our Have Your Say programme gives the Burmese people a forum, a chance to talk about a range of topics, including politics."
BBC Burmese do not only broadcast radio. They also have a Burmese language website, and receive many emails a day.
They have just launched a newsletter aimed at Burmese migrants on the Thai-Burma border.
Not surprisingly BBC journalists enjoy a huge following in Burma.
"Every journalist in Burma wants to work for the BBC" says producer Moe Myint, one of the younger members of the team. "Nobody can compete in terms of audience or reputation."
But for those who work for the BBC, there is a personal cost. Moe Myint says that whenever he returns to Burma he is followed by the authorities "everywhere I go".
Several BBC Burmese journalists have experienced difficult circumstances due to the political situation in Burma.
Nita May spent three years in the notorious Insein prison, where she gave birth to a son.
Another member of staff took part in the student uprising in 1988 and had to escape through the jungles on the Thai-Burma border.
Now as journalists in London and Bangkok, they provide an essential link to the outside world for a country starved of independent news.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11164597
By Bethan Jinkinson
BBC News
Burma's first post-Independence Prime Minister U Nu appeared on the BBC Burmese service in 1947
As the BBC Burmese service broadcast a programme marking its 70th anniversary, Sandhobasa, a monk, called in to say that he had been listening for more than two decades.
The broadcasts enriched his knowledge, he said, and he had become attached to them. He could, he said, name the day when every presenter joined or left the BBC.
Founded in 1940, the service has covered independence, uprisings and long years of military rule.
Small teams based in Bangkok and London's Bush House broadcast to an estimated 22.9% of Burma's adult population, and in times of national crisis these figures soar.
"The BBC plays a massive role in bringing accurate, impartial information to the people of Burma," says Soe Win Than, one of the editors at the service.
"People inside Burma cannot get free information. We are a lifeline service."
Essential listening
Last year Burma was voted 5th worst in the world in terms of media freedom by Reporters Without Borders; local media is heavily censored.
The BBC began broadcasting to Burma in 1940, when Burma was still part of the British empire
Soe Win Than says this is particularly true in times of crisis, such as during the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, or the 2007 protests led by monks.
"During the uprising the government slowed down the internet connections and blocked access," he says.
"People tuned in to the BBC to find out what was happening - and our listenership skyrocketed."
This also happened in August 1988, when hundreds of thousands of people took part in pro-democracy protests across the country.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
The people of Burma are deprived of the privilege of free information”
Soe Win Than
BBC Burmese service
Former student leader Aung Myo Tun said that during that time he listened to the BBC every day.
But it is not only in times of crisis that the BBC is essential listening in Burma.
Sit Maw, a 19 year-old student living in Burma's commercial capital Rangoon, is one of an estimated 8.3 million weekly listeners in Burma.
"The information in my country is not good," he says. "Most news is controlled by the government."
"We need free information about what is happening inside and outside the country and in the world today. That's why I listen to the BBC. "
His view is confirmed by research.
"Independent surveys also show that BBC Burmese has established itself as the most trusted, reliable source of information in Burma, says the BBC's Director of Global News, Peter Horrocks.
"It's not an exaggeration to say that its broadcasts have helped to keep the Burmese people informed - and empowered."
Huge following
In their weekly Have Your Say programme, listeners from inside Burma as well as countries like Bangladesh, Thailand and Japan call in to to take part in discussion.
"The people of Burma are deprived of the privilege of free information," says Soe Win Than.
Presenter Ne Win (R) was one of the service's best known voices; he retired in 1995
"The government in Burma is so paranoid that they censor publications with dark covers, as they believe they imply that Burma is still in the dark ages."
"Our Have Your Say programme gives the Burmese people a forum, a chance to talk about a range of topics, including politics."
BBC Burmese do not only broadcast radio. They also have a Burmese language website, and receive many emails a day.
They have just launched a newsletter aimed at Burmese migrants on the Thai-Burma border.
Not surprisingly BBC journalists enjoy a huge following in Burma.
"Every journalist in Burma wants to work for the BBC" says producer Moe Myint, one of the younger members of the team. "Nobody can compete in terms of audience or reputation."
But for those who work for the BBC, there is a personal cost. Moe Myint says that whenever he returns to Burma he is followed by the authorities "everywhere I go".
Several BBC Burmese journalists have experienced difficult circumstances due to the political situation in Burma.
Nita May spent three years in the notorious Insein prison, where she gave birth to a son.
Another member of staff took part in the student uprising in 1988 and had to escape through the jungles on the Thai-Burma border.
Now as journalists in London and Bangkok, they provide an essential link to the outside world for a country starved of independent news.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11164597
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Flood hits in Bago
The floods hit Bago starting from 29/08/2010 and the water is still rising. Around 200 households, nearly 600 people are temporarily refuge at the Shwe Nant Thar monestry. The Sayadaw (Monk) said they had to give 15 bag of rice everyday and it’s possible that the flood victims might be increase.
http://www.bdcburma.org/ActivitiesDetails.asp?id=15001 Sep 2010
01/09/2010
Sunday, 29 August 2010
US Press Briefing
August 25, 2010
BURMA
Elections
QUESTION: The Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi has given a call to
boycott the elections on November 7 in Burma.
MR. TONER: To what the elections?
QUESTION: Boycott the election – general elections in Burma. Do you
support her appeal? What’s your stand on that?
MR. TONER: On her appeal for --
QUESTION: -- to boycott --
MR. TONER: I didn’t hear.
QUESTION: Boycott.
MR. TONER: Boycott. I apologize. I didn’t hear the word “boycott.”
Well, we’ve said many times that we don’t feel that credible elections
can be held in Burma at this point.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2010/08/146276.htm
BURMA
Elections
QUESTION: The Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi has given a call to
boycott the elections on November 7 in Burma.
MR. TONER: To what the elections?
QUESTION: Boycott the election – general elections in Burma. Do you
support her appeal? What’s your stand on that?
MR. TONER: On her appeal for --
QUESTION: -- to boycott --
MR. TONER: I didn’t hear.
QUESTION: Boycott.
MR. TONER: Boycott. I apologize. I didn’t hear the word “boycott.”
Well, we’ve said many times that we don’t feel that credible elections
can be held in Burma at this point.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2010/08/146276.htm
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Kachin majority rejects regime’s order to disarm
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A majority of participants at a congress of ethnic Kachin groups has rejected disarming despite a Burmese military junta threat to end the ceasefire between the two sides, a spokesman said. Meanwhile, the main Kachin militia are gearing up for war, a soldier told Mizzima.
Women soldiers of the Kachin Independence Army parade in the ethnic group’s Sino-Burmese border stronghold of Laiza. The militia is gearing up for war with the Burmese Army as a junta-imposed deadline for it to disarm approaches next Wednesday, a KIA source said on Friday, August 27, 2010. Photo: Mizzima
The junta deadline for the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) to reply to its order for the group’s estimated 20,000 troops to disarm is September 1. The congress opened today in the Kachin stronghold of Laiza, a town near the Chinese border in Burma’s far north, and will end tomorrow (Saturday).
The 140 delegates from 18 districts who attended the congress all passed on their views that the KIO should retain its arms, one of the participants aid.
“The congress will continue tomorrow as we haven’t made a final decision. The aim of today’s meeting was just to collect the opinions from the delegates. From my point of view, we shouldn’t hand over our guns to the junta,” the KIO spokesman said.
Delegates from the KIO’s armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), were absent because they were preparing for war, a KIA soldier told Mizzima.
The deadline was delivered on Sunday at a meeting between the junta’s main negotiator with ethnic armed groups, Military Affairs Security chief Lieutenant General Ye Myint, and KIO delegates, at the Burmese Army’s Northern Command headquarters in Myitkyina, the state capital. He told the KIO that if the KIA failed to surrender its arms in the time allotted, the ceasefire would end.
Ye Myint went on to meet Zone Teet Yame from the junta’s Border Guard Force (BGF) and Lasang Aung Was from the people’s militia and told them to arrest former KIO staff from the beginning of next month, an officer from the militia, who attended the meeting, said on condition of anonymity.
The KIO had said it would neither contest nor disturb the forthcoming elections on November 7.
It held a meeting with Kachin leaders and Christian leaders to gain their input from August 14 to 16, views that will be taken into account while reaching the final decision at this weekend’s congress.
In the last month, Ye Myint has been touring the country, pressuring armed ethnic ceasefire groups to bring themselves under junta command within the Burmese Army’s BGF and imposed the same September 1 (next Wednesday) deadline on the New Mon State Party (NMSP).
Last Friday he told United Wa State Army leaders in Tangyang that the junta would send the army into four townships in Wa-controlled territory the same day as security for electoral commissioners. The Wa leaders said they would defy the move.
http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/4299-kachin-majority-rejects-regimes-order-to-disarm.html
Women soldiers of the Kachin Independence Army parade in the ethnic group’s Sino-Burmese border stronghold of Laiza. The militia is gearing up for war with the Burmese Army as a junta-imposed deadline for it to disarm approaches next Wednesday, a KIA source said on Friday, August 27, 2010. Photo: Mizzima
The junta deadline for the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) to reply to its order for the group’s estimated 20,000 troops to disarm is September 1. The congress opened today in the Kachin stronghold of Laiza, a town near the Chinese border in Burma’s far north, and will end tomorrow (Saturday).
The 140 delegates from 18 districts who attended the congress all passed on their views that the KIO should retain its arms, one of the participants aid.
“The congress will continue tomorrow as we haven’t made a final decision. The aim of today’s meeting was just to collect the opinions from the delegates. From my point of view, we shouldn’t hand over our guns to the junta,” the KIO spokesman said.
Delegates from the KIO’s armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), were absent because they were preparing for war, a KIA soldier told Mizzima.
The deadline was delivered on Sunday at a meeting between the junta’s main negotiator with ethnic armed groups, Military Affairs Security chief Lieutenant General Ye Myint, and KIO delegates, at the Burmese Army’s Northern Command headquarters in Myitkyina, the state capital. He told the KIO that if the KIA failed to surrender its arms in the time allotted, the ceasefire would end.
Ye Myint went on to meet Zone Teet Yame from the junta’s Border Guard Force (BGF) and Lasang Aung Was from the people’s militia and told them to arrest former KIO staff from the beginning of next month, an officer from the militia, who attended the meeting, said on condition of anonymity.
The KIO had said it would neither contest nor disturb the forthcoming elections on November 7.
It held a meeting with Kachin leaders and Christian leaders to gain their input from August 14 to 16, views that will be taken into account while reaching the final decision at this weekend’s congress.
In the last month, Ye Myint has been touring the country, pressuring armed ethnic ceasefire groups to bring themselves under junta command within the Burmese Army’s BGF and imposed the same September 1 (next Wednesday) deadline on the New Mon State Party (NMSP).
Last Friday he told United Wa State Army leaders in Tangyang that the junta would send the army into four townships in Wa-controlled territory the same day as security for electoral commissioners. The Wa leaders said they would defy the move.
http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/4299-kachin-majority-rejects-regimes-order-to-disarm.html
Burma's ailing dictator resigns military post
Burma's reclusive and ailing dictator, Than Shwe, has resigned his military post, exiled Burmese media have reported, paving the way for him to become president in Burma's government after the elections.
Shwe, the despot who has brutally ruled south-east Asia's poorest country as commander-in-chief of the armed forces since 1992, yesterday handed control of the army to his adjutant general. However, the 77-year-old will remain head of the Burmese government.
More than a dozen other senior military officers also resigned, in an ominous sign for the country's forthcoming elections. Inside Burma, Shwe's resignation of his military role is being seen as a significant step towards ensuring he and his military cadres remain in charge after 7 November's national elections, the first to be held in Burma for two decades.
"I think this means only one thing – he wants to be president," a source inside Burma told the Guardian.
The country's new constitution says the presidency can only be held by a civilian, but it does insist the president and vice-president "shall be well acquainted with the affairs of the Union, such as … the military".
The junta's second-in-command, Maung Aye, also resigned, as did the regime's numbers three and four. It is understood they will stand as candidates for the junta's largest proxy party, the Union Solidarity and Development party (USDP), in constituencies in the capital, Naypyidaw.
An unnamed military official said 15 senior army officials had resigned their posts, but did not confirm that the junta's leader was among them. But a second source told agencies the resignations went right to the top: "All top leaders have given up their military positions."
It is the second major reshuffle since April, when 27 senior military figures, including the prime minister, Thein Sein, resigned to lead the USDP.
Burma's last elections, in 1990, were won overwhelmingly by the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi. But the junta refused to recognise the result and Aung San Suu Kyi has spent most of the past two decades in detention.
Her party is boycotting the poll after she was excluded from participating by new election laws which forbid people in custody from running for office. She is due to be released less than a week after the 7 November election.
Supporters of the polls say any move towards democracy, however flawed, is an improvement on the current military rule. Thirty-seven non-regime parties have registered for the elections, but few have a national presence and none have the money or influence of the pro-regime party and its proxies.
But critics of Burma's "road map to democracy", including Britain, the US and the UN, have dismissed the election as a sham, saying the poll will only entrench and formalise military rule.
"We don't regard the forthcoming elections as being a legitimate expression of public opinion," Jeremy Browne, a Foreign Office minister, said in Bangkok last month. "We continue to have a very strong view the situation in Burma is unacceptable."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/27/burma-dictator-resigns-military-post
Friday, 27 August 2010
Suu Kyi Urges Supporters to Monitor Election Closely
In a message transmitted by her lawyer, Burma's detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said that although her National League for Democracy (NLD) is boycotting the upcoming election NLD members should monitor it closely and watch for voting irregularities.
Nyan Win, who was allowed to meet Suu Kyi on Tuesday, said: “Daw Suu said we cannot ignore the election even though we boycott it. She said all must keep a watch on the election process.”
During a press conference on Wednesday, he quoted her as saying that the future civilian government would be incapable of reining in the role of the president of the parliament, who will hold broad-ranging powers under the junta-designed 2008 Constitution.
Nyan Win said that Suu Kyi said the Nov. 7 choice of an election date showed disrespect to the people, and she also denounced state-run newspapers for making threats against the people regarding election activities.
Suu Kyi, whose current detention sentence is due to expire a week after the election on Nov. 7, said all Burmese people, including NLD members, are responsible for a free and fair election.
Suu Kyi's meeting with her lawyer followed last week's official NLD announcement of an election boycott.
Suu Kyi has said the Burmese election is unlikely to be free and fair because political parties will not have enough time to campaign.
Nyan Win said he discussed with the Noble Peace Laureate the latest election developments. According to Nyan Win, Suu Kyi said that people should not vote in the upcoming election if they have no party to support in the absence of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
“This is Daw Suu's answer to the debates she heard on the radio about what people should do without the NLD in this election,” said Suu Kyi's lawyer, Nyan Win, who met with the detained pro-democracy leader on Tuesday.
Meanwhile NLD members led by veteran official Win Tin recently toured Burma reminding people of their legal right to avoid voting.
As Burma's largest opposition party, the NLD won a landslide victory in the 1990 election but the military regime never acknowledged the result.
Although NLD members opposed to a boycott formed an opposition party, the National Democratic Force,to contest the November election, no pro-democracy party has emerged strong enough to compete with the junta's own proxy party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Source: http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19296
Nyan Win, who was allowed to meet Suu Kyi on Tuesday, said: “Daw Suu said we cannot ignore the election even though we boycott it. She said all must keep a watch on the election process.”
During a press conference on Wednesday, he quoted her as saying that the future civilian government would be incapable of reining in the role of the president of the parliament, who will hold broad-ranging powers under the junta-designed 2008 Constitution.
Nyan Win said that Suu Kyi said the Nov. 7 choice of an election date showed disrespect to the people, and she also denounced state-run newspapers for making threats against the people regarding election activities.
Suu Kyi, whose current detention sentence is due to expire a week after the election on Nov. 7, said all Burmese people, including NLD members, are responsible for a free and fair election.
Suu Kyi's meeting with her lawyer followed last week's official NLD announcement of an election boycott.
Suu Kyi has said the Burmese election is unlikely to be free and fair because political parties will not have enough time to campaign.
Nyan Win said he discussed with the Noble Peace Laureate the latest election developments. According to Nyan Win, Suu Kyi said that people should not vote in the upcoming election if they have no party to support in the absence of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
“This is Daw Suu's answer to the debates she heard on the radio about what people should do without the NLD in this election,” said Suu Kyi's lawyer, Nyan Win, who met with the detained pro-democracy leader on Tuesday.
Meanwhile NLD members led by veteran official Win Tin recently toured Burma reminding people of their legal right to avoid voting.
As Burma's largest opposition party, the NLD won a landslide victory in the 1990 election but the military regime never acknowledged the result.
Although NLD members opposed to a boycott formed an opposition party, the National Democratic Force,to contest the November election, no pro-democracy party has emerged strong enough to compete with the junta's own proxy party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Source: http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19296
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
