by Ko Wild Monday, 29 June 2009 12:50Chiang Mai (mizzima) - Several monks on Saturday refrained from going out to collect swan offering in Myingyan town in Mandalay division, following a visit and offerings made by junta’s Minister of Industries (1) Aung Thawng.Monks in Burma, who usually go out at dawn for food offerings from devotees, on Saturday refused to go when they came to know that the visiting Industries Minister Aung Thawng would also make offerings to the monks.A local monk told Mizzima that ‘Ponya Thaharya’, the group that regularly...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
High Court rejects appeal over Suu Kyi’s defense witnesses
by Salai Pi Pi Monday, 29 June 2009 17:24New Delhi (Mizzima) – Burma’s High Court on Monday rejected an appeal by legal counsels to reinstate two allegedly key defense witnesses in the ongoing trial of Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.Nyan Win, a lawyer of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi – who is being charged for allegedly violating the terms of her previous house arrest – said the High Court had rejected a final appeal for the reinstatement of the remaining two defense witnesses, Tin Oo and Win Tin, who were earlier disqualified...
Monday, June 29, 2009
Burma reports detecting A/H1N1
by Mizzima News Monday, 29 June 2009 11:50Chiang Mai (mizzima) – Burma’s state-owned radio on Saturday announced that the first case of A/H1N1 influenza has been detected in the country.A young girl aged 13 was brought to hospital on Friday after she reportedly suffered symptoms of the flu. It was later found that she was suffering from A/H1...
Thailand burns six tons of drugs
by Usa Pichai Monday, 29 June 2009 15:02Chiang Mai (mizzima) – The government of Thailand burnt six tons of narcotic drugs on World Drug Day on June 26, even as UNODC tries to raise awareness among young people, the high risk group relating to drug abuse.Wittaya Kaewparadai, Minister of Public Health presided over the function to burn the drugs which were seized in 4,426 drug related cases in Thailand. The drugs were worth about 9,300 million baht (282 million US$).The drugs destroyed were mainly Marijuana - 2,980 kilograms,Methamphetamine -...
U2 to launch tour with Suu Kyi in audience
by Mizzima News Monday, 29 June 2009 16:39Mizzima News - Internationally acclaimed Irish band U2 is poised to commence their latest tour tomorrow, with attendees encouraged to don Aung San Suu Kyi masks during the playing of 'Walk On'."U2 believe the world must not be allowed to forget Aung San Suu Kyi and on the 360 Tour fans are being invited to wear the mask when the band play 'Walk On', which was written for her," explains the iconic pop/rock band on their website.Dedicated to Burma's detained opposition leader, a portion of the lyrics for...
Sunday, June 28, 2009
News updates on 9th day of Aung San Suu Kyi's trial
Interview with Ohn Kyaing (NLD Information department)Thursday, 28 May 2009 19:07“U Kyi Win testified for about two hours. It took quite a long time because there were a lot of cross questioning. According to U Nyan Win, who was briefing reporters, there are two points in U Kyi Win’s testimony.”“The first point is, the prosecution insisted that the restriction imposed on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi refers to the restrictions of the fundamental rights, as defined in the 1974 constitution. They tried to prove their point. And the defence witness Kyi Win...
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Tenasserim hydropower project under survey
by Ko Shwe Friday, 26 June 2009 15:45Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Thai surveyors and Burmese authorities are surveying the Tenasserim River, in Burma’s southernmost Tenasserim Division, for a potential dam site to generate electricity for export to Thailand and Singapore.Sources in the area said Thai authorities have placed a representative in Tenasserim Division to observe river levels and to record water levels both during the rainy and summer seasons.A source, recently arrived on the Thai-Burmese border from the area, said, "They [Thai authorities]...
Ashin Gambira’s prison term reduced by five years
by Phanida Friday, 26 June 2009 16:17Chiang Mai (mizzima) – Monk Ashin Gambira, arrested and sentenced to 68 years in prison for his lead role in anti-junta protests in September 2007 has had his prison term reduced by five years by a district court in Insein prison on Thursday.The western district court reduced the sentence of Gambira, leader of the All Burma Buddhist Monks Association by five years. He was charged under the Electronics Act. The reverend monk, who was charged on 16 counts, will now have to serve 63 years in prison.The Electronics...
Court adjourns Suu Kyi's trial to July 3
by Mungpi Friday, 26 June 2009 18:41New Delhi (mizzima) - The special court in Insein Prison on Friday adjourned the hearing of the testimony of a second defense witness in the trial against opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to July 3rd, as the country’s High Court has yet to rule on an appeal to allow the remaining two defense witnesses.Nyan Win, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s legal team, said the court on Friday convened at about 10 a.m. (local time) and adjourned about thirty minutes later with the judge scheduling the testimony of Khin Moh...
UN special envoy begins visit to Burma
by Mungpi Friday, 26 June 2009 20:10New Delhi (mizzima) - United Nations Special envoy Ibrahim Gambari on Friday arrived in Burma’s former capital city of Rangoon and has reportedly headed for Naypyitaw, the new capital, to meet with officials from the ruling junta.During the trip Gambari is expected to meet with senior generals of the junta as well as with opposition party leaders from the National League for Democracy, including detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi.However a UN spokesperson in Rangoon declined to explain further details of the...
Friday, June 26, 2009
World Refugee Day observed in Mae Sot
by Usa Pichai Friday, 26 June 2009 16:20Chiang Mai (mizzima) – The United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and related organizations have held activities in honor of World Refugee Day in Mae Sot, a Thai-Burma border town, with the aim of raising awareness and understanding among the Thai population of the vast Burmese migrant and refugee population in the area.Yoshimi Saita, head of the UNHCR field office in Mae Sot, said in her opening remarks on Wednesday that there is a continuous flow of refugees crossing from Burma into Thailand,...
Authorities hold rare press briefing
by Mizzima News Thursday, 25 June 2009 14:31New Delhi (mizzima) - Burmese authorities are today holding a rare press briefing for journalists and diplomats concerning the case of John William Yettaw, an American currently standing trial for sneaking into pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s home in early May.The press conference is being held at the Drug Elimination Museum in Rangoon’s Kamayut Township. In attendance are reporters for both local and international media outlets along with several foreign diplomats.Mizzima will report on the...
Mizos call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi
by Salai Pi Pi Thursday, 25 June 2009 19:39New Delhi (Mizzima) – Scores of Mizo and Burmese activists on Thursday held a sit-in protest in Aizawl, capital of India’s northeastern state of Mizoram, calling for the release of detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.With banners declaring ‘Mizoram for Aung San Suu Kyi’ the protestors held a one-hour demonstration at Aizawl's Temple Square. The protestors expressed concern for the Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate, who is currently facing a trial under charges stemming from the trespassing...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Police Chief says Suu Kyi tardy in contacting authorities
by Mizzima News Thursday, 25 June 2009 17:51New Delhi (mizzima) - Burma’s Chief of Police, Khin Yi, on Thursday accused opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi for having not adequately informed police of the details of the first visit by American John William Yettaw, who is currently standing trial for his visits to the detained pro-democracy leader's Rangoon residence.Khin Yi, during a rare press briefing at the Drug Elimination Museum in Rangoon’s Kamayut Township, told journalists and diplomats that the detained Nobel Peace Laureate had not informed...
Burma restricts reportage on North Korean vessel
by May Kyaw Thursday, 25 June 2009 20:46Chiang Mai (mizzima) - Burma’s Censorship Board has restricted local journals from reporting on the progress of the North Korean vessel, Kang Nam.The restriction came after a local journal, Pyi Myanmar, in its international section, printed an AP story on the North Korean vessel, which is believed to be heading towards Burma.“I think if we run the story like today’s edition of the New Light of Myanmar, we might get permission. But others will not get it. I have heard that the Censorship Board failed to...
NDAK ready to turn into ‘Border Guard’ force
by Phanida & Myo Gyi Thursday, 25 June 2009 21:20Chiang Mai/Ruili – The ethnic armed group, the New Democratic Army – Kachin (NDAK), which has a ceasefire agreement with the ruling Burmese junta, has consented to the regime’s proposal of transforming its army into a ‘Border Guard’ force.NDAK Chairman Zahkung Ting Ying in an interview to Mizzima on Thursday said it had accepted the junta’s proposal to change its army into a border guard force during a meeting with the junta’s Northern Military Commander Brig-Gen Soe Win on June 24 at the NDAK...
For some, poppy cultivation continues to offer only hope
by Solomon Thursday, 25 June 2009 21:30New Delhi (mizzima) – Burma’s share of global opium production has roughly held steady over the last year, according to a 2009 drug production report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).The report, released on June 24, says poppy cultivation in Burma marginally increased to 28,500 ha (hectares) in 2008 from 27,700 ha in 2007, with the total potential value of opium production rising only three million dollars, to US$ 123 million, in 2008. Opium production in Burma continues to be dominated...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thai government urged not to repatriate Karen refugees
by Usa Pichai Wednesday, 24 June 2009 18:17Chiang Mai (mizzima) – The government of Thailand has been urged by Asian lawmakers and activists not to repatriate Karen refugees, who recently fled to Thailand in the wake of fighting along the border.Kraisak Chunhavan, chairman of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) expressed concern over the situation on the Thai-Burma border where the fighting between the Burmese Army and an ethnic armed group is on, resulting in several thousand Karen villagers fleeing for shelter on the Thai side.Kraisak...
High Court hears Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers' arguments
by Mungpi Wednesday, 24 June 2009 19:26New Delhi (mizzima) - Burma’s High Court on Wednesday heard defense arguments for allowing two more witnesses in the controversial trial against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but did not make any ruling on the matter.Nyan Win, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s legal team, said the defense team argued it is in accordance with the law to allow the remaining two witnesses – Tin Oo, Vice-Chairman of the National League for Democracy (NLD), and Win Tin, a veteran journalist and Central Executive Committee...
Palpable tension between junta and ethnic armed groups
by Solomon Wednesday, 24 June 2009 21:35New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Burmese Army has significantly increased its military presence in northern and eastern Burma, where ethnic ceasefire armed groups are based, following their widespread rejection of the junta’s proposal to transform to a border guard force.An official of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) told Mizzima on Wednesday that they have witnessed the Burmese Army relocating more troops along with arms including mortars in bases near their controlled areas in eastern Shan State.“We have seen...
Police patrol Rangoon, security tightened near Insein prison
by Myint Maung Wednesday, 24 June 2009 22:16New Delhi (Mizzima) – There is heightened security in Rangoon with at least 30 army trucks with uniformed riot police personnel, patrolling the city on Wednesday.The army trucks are each carrying at least 20 policemen and are patrolling various townships of Rangoon, eyewitnesses said.“We can see about 30 to 40 army trucks carrying uniformed policemen patrolling the city. It looks like they are on high alert. They also have machine guns mounted on the trucks. They came to our township at about 3 p.m....
Thai authorities urge refugees to return: aid workers
by Solomon Tuesday, 23 June 2009 15:12New Delhi (mizzima) - Authorities in Thailand are allegedly encouraging ethnic Karen refugees recently arrived in the wake of fresh fighting in eastern Burma to return to their homes, according to humanitarian aid workers along the Thai-Burma border.Iris, Coordinator of the Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP), a group working to help internally displaced persons inside Burma, told Mizzima on Monday that Thailand’s border security forces have urged Karen refugees to return to their homes,...
Suu Kyi’s trial internal affair of Burma: Russia
by Salai Pi Pi Tuesday, 23 June 2009 20:58New Delhi (Mizzima) – While urging the regime to conduct a fair trial of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the Russian Foreign Ministry on Sunday said the issue is an internal affair and does not warrant the attention of the UN Security Council.The Russian Foreign Ministry’s information and press department on Sunday said it rejects any attempts to bring the Burma issue to the United Nations Security Council saying it is an internal affair and does not pose a threat to peace and security of the region...
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Suu Kyi thanks supporters for birthday wishes
by Phanida Tuesday, 23 June 2009 12:56Chiang Mai (mizzima) - Burma’s opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has thanked the thousands of people both at home and abroad who wished her a ‘Happy 64th Birthday’ on June 19, which she spent confined in Rangoon's Insein Prison.The Burmese pro-democracy leader, during a meeting with her lawyers on Monday, conveyed her sincere gratitude to all supporters and well-wishers for remembering her on her birthday and wishing her good health.Nyan Win, one of her lawyers as well as...
Burma lingering on the cusp of "failed state" status
by Mizzima News Tuesday, 23 June 2009 15:49Chiang Mai (mizzima) - Warning that the global recession could lead to more failed states, the 2009 Failed States Index lists Burma as in critical danger of state collapse due, primarily, to the misuse of power by the country's ruling military government.Though holding steady at number 13 in the global rankings, Burma's cumulative 2009 score deteriorated by an additional 1.2 percent from a year previously, according to the latest rankings released earlier this week.The study, a joint undertaking by Washington...
Suspect DPRK frigate continues southerly course
by Mizzima News Tuesday, 23 June 2009 17:37Chiang Mai (mizzima) - A North Korean ship suspected of carrying illicit weapons and possibly en route to Burma was plying the waters off Shanghai on Tuesday morning, as regional military officials and a U.S. destroyer continued to keep a close eye on the vessel's movements.South Korea's YTN said the ship was travelling in waters 200 nautical miles (230 miles, 370 kilometers) southeast of Shanghai at a speed of about 10 knots per hour.However there is still uncertainty regarding the final destination...
MWJA office in-charge commits suicide
by Phanida Tuesday, 23 June 2009 19:27 Chiang Mai (mizzima) - The office in-charge of the Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association (MWJA), Myint Lwin, committed suicide on Tuesday by jumping off the three-storey office building, colleagues said.Myint Lwin, (65) a resident of North Okklapa Township jumped out of the window of the MWJA office in downtown Rangoon’s Merchant Street in Kyauktada Township on Tuesday morning. He died instantly.“He arrived in the office at about 10 a.m. (local time) and was arranging seats and tables for a regular...
North Korean vessel exposes Pyongyang-Naypyitaw axis
by Mungpi Monday, 22 June 2009 20:01 New Delhi (Mizzima) - As the United States continues to track a North Korean frigate off the coast of China, analysts are calling for closer inspection of the vessel in order to confirm suspected military to military ties between the two estranged Asian nations.A Burmese military analyst said today the United States should request permission to search on board the North Korean ship, the Kang Nam, tracked by the US Navy since shortly after leaving port in its home country on Wednesday.Htay Aung, a researcher...
Activists call on India to release jailed ‘Freedom Fighters’
by Mungpi Monday, 22 June 2009 22:32New Delhi (Mizzima) – Twenty-one Burmese activists were briefly detained by Bangladesh police on Monday for holding a demonstration in front of the Indian Embassy in Dhaka demanding the immediate release of 34 Burmese rebels currently lodged in an Indian jail and facing trial.The activists, who were later released in the evening, call on the Indian government to immediately release the 34 ethnic Karen and Arakanese rebels as they are ‘Freedom Fighters’ and not insurgents or gun-runners.“We were calling for...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Army enlists youths as porters in Mandalay
by May Kyaw Monday, 22 June 2009 21:50Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - At least 50 youths hailing from central Burma’s Mandalay division were forcibly enlisted on June 1 by the Burmese Army to work as porters to carry military material such as rations and equipment, local villagers said.Youths, from at least seven villages in Mandalay division’s Thabeikkyin region, known for its gold mines, were forcibly enlisted to work as porters to carry army paraphernalia on the evening of June 1.“The youths were whisked away in five army trucks. The young men here...
U.N. envoy en route to Rangoon ahead of boss's visit
by Larry Jagan Monday, 22 June 2009 17:01Bangkok (mizzima news)- United Nations Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari is scheduled to arrive in Burma later this week to pave the way for the proposed visit of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in early July.The U.N. diplomat’s trip is expected to start on Friday, according to a Burmese government official. “It will be a short visit to discuss the national reconciliation process and make arrangements for Mr. Ban’s visit,” the official said on condition of anonymity.U.N. officials, when contacted, were...
Burma pulls down ASEAN
by Nem Davies Tuesday, 22 July 2008 21:56New Delhi - Burmese Foreign Minister, Nyan Win has reportedly hinted at Burma's opposition to empowering a Southeast Asian human rights body with investigative powers. This is a move seen by critics as a sign of stopping the regional bloc from progressing.Following Burma's ratification of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) charter on Monday, a high-level panel began a sitting to draft the Human Rights body's future makeup, role and powers that will be presented to a summit of ASEAN leaders...
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