by Mizzima News Friday, 31 July 2009 20:10The kangaroo court pretends there’s no problem in tackling the case of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi but it had to postpone hearing dates without coming up with a sound reason. This reveals, though they have the upper hand, they are in a crisis as well.The court fixed July 31 for pronouncing its judgment on the ‘National League for Democracy’ (NLD) party General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi’s case in which she has been charged with violating her house arrest term by the police as the prosecutor....
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thailand to setup pilot project for refugees
by Usa Pichai Friday, 31 July 2009 18:17Chiang Mai (mizzima) – Thailand’s Ministry of Labour has initiated a dialogue with businessmen on a pilot project that envisages Burmese refugees, living in camps along the border, an opportunity to work outside their camps in the day and return by nightfall.Labour Minister Phaitoon Kaewthong, during a meeting with the United States Committee for Refugees and Immigration (USCRI) on Thursday said the ministry plans to setup a pilot project in Mae Sot, the Thai-Burma border town, to allow refugees in the...
Fake eggs enter Burmese market
by Mizzima News Friday, 31 July 2009 10:56Rangoon (Mizzima) - Burma’s state-run television on Thursday cautioned that fake-eggs, which look like normal eggs, have been entering the country through border gates.The chemically-made fake eggs are much darker in colour and have no separate core, according to the Myanmar Television announcement at 8 p.m. (local time).The TV also urged people to report to the authorities if they detect such eggs.------------------------------------------------------------------------What is a fake egg?A fake egg is...
Protests outside Burmese Embassy in Bangkok
by Mizzima News Friday, 31 July 2009 20:56Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - At least 20 Burmese pro-democracy activists on Friday staged a brief protest outside the Burmese embassy in Bangkok, demanding the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the verdict on whose trial has been postponed to August 11 by the court in Rangoon’s Insein prison.The protesters - members of political parties, students, and migrant workers - condemned Burma’s military rulers for putting Aung San Suu Kyi on trial saying it is trumped up to convict her and sentence...
Six NLD members freed
by Phanida Friday, 31 July 2009 21:30Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Six members of the opposition National League for Democracy, arrested on Thursday evening, were freed by authorities on Friday.Thet Thet Aung of Rangoon’s Dagon Myothit Township, Htein Win and Khin Win Kyi of South Dagon Township, Nyunt Hlaing of San Chuang Township, who is an elected member of Parliament in the 1990 elections, Naw Ohn Hla and Khin Myat Thu were released after being detained for several hours since Thursday evening, according to NLD spokesperson, Ohn Kyaing.On Thursday...
Northern Commander meets KIO in Laiza
by Myo Gyi Friday, 31 July 2009 21:08Ruili (Mizzima) – The Commander of the Northern Military Command Maj-Gen Soe Win, along with leaders of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), the largest ceasefire ethnic armed group in Kachin state, on Friday arrived in the Sino-Burma border town of Laiza, the KIO headquarters, for a meeting.Soe Win and the KIO leaders arrived in the border town after the commander held talks with Kachin Church leaders in Myitkyina on July 29.Eyewitnesses said the commander and KIO leaders were in a meeting in Laiza...
Ministry orders checks on “black listed” tourists
by Nem Davies Friday, 31 July 2009 19:30New Delhi (Mizzima) – Tour agencies have been directed by Burma’s Ministry of Hotel and Tourism to check tourists applying for ‘Arrival Visa’ with the list of people banned from entering the country.“The people banned are among those ‘black listed’ and the list is with the Immigration Department,” Ohn Myint, Deputy Director at Ministry of Hotel and Tourism in Naypyitaw, told Mizzima.The notice states that persons included in the ‘black list’ will not be issued ‘Arrival Visa’. Tour agencies as such are required...
A(H1N1) infection could be alarming in Burma: Experts
by Nem Davies Thursday, 30 July 2009 22:00New Delhi (Mizzima) – Even as Burma’s Ministry of Health on Thursday announced that the number of human infection of type A (H1N1) virus in the country has increased to 10, health experts sounded the alarm bell saying given the poor public health system, there is a likelihood of more people being infected with the virus in rural areas.“With an inadequate public health care system the situation could be alarming and difficult to control. What is more alarming is that it could go undiagnosed,” Dr. Voravit...
Lawyers oppose sale of Suu Kyi’s plot
by Phanida Thursday, 30 July 2009 20:27Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The sale of a plot of land in detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s house compound has been opposed by her lawyer through an official letter on Thursday.“We have sent our opposition to the two lawyers, whose names were in the announcement. We said the plot of land cannot be sold as it is owned by our client. We have sent a letter opposing it,” Nyan Win, Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyer told Mizzima.The July 24, issue of the state-run newspaper “Mirror” carried an announcement stating...
Host in the dark as Asean discusses energy
by Mungpi Thursday, 30 July 2009 19:13New Delhi (Mizzima) - Residents of Yan Myo Hlone ward in Chan Aye Thar Zan Township of Burma’s second largest city of Mandalay were in for a pleasant surprise, when they began to receive 10 hours of electricity supply since early this week against the usual six-hours a day.“Surprisingly, we started receiving electricity supply for 10 hours per day since Monday,” said a local resident, expression of happiness writ large on his face. He of course had no clue to why power supply has increased in his ward.While...
Opposition lawyer hounded by authorities
by Myint Maung Thursday, 30 July 2009 18:05New Delhi (Mizzima) – Nyi Nyi Htwe, a lawyer belonging to the opposition camp, recently released from jail and forced out of his profession, alleged he is finding it difficult to continue with his present calling of selling government lottery tickets because he is being hounded by authorities.The 33 year-old lawyer from Pegu town has been selling government lottery tickets to eke out a livelihood, after his bar license was revoked. He alleged that authorities had warned lottery dealers not to franchise...
Another person tests positive for Swine Flu in Burma
by Ko Wild Thursday, 30 July 2009 16:49Chiang Mai (mizzima): One additional person has tested positive for the A (H1N1) virus, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the whole country to 10, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health.State-run newspaper, Myanmar Ahlin, today reported that a 57-year-old man, who had returned from Singapore by flight MI-512 on July 20, has tested positive.Thirteen family members, 74 passengers on the same flight and 130 of Rangoon’s Mingaladon Airport staff are being monitored by Health Department...
Top commander meets Kachin religious leaders
by Phanida Thursday, 30 July 2009 16:32Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Ethnic Kachin spiritual leaders met the ruling Burmese Junta’s Commander of the Northern Military Command, Maj-Gen Soe Win, on Wednesday and held parleys regarding the transformation of the Kachin Independence Organization’s (KIO) armed forces into a Border Guard Force (BGF). The meeting, between Maj-Gen Soe Win-led junta delegation and leaders of the Myitkyina Christian Council (MCC) was held at St. Columban Catholic Church in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state. The meeting,...
Screening of motorcycle users to be intensified
by Ni Moe Myint Thursday, 30 July 2009 11:28Rangoon (Mizzima) – Rangoon authorities will intensify screening of motorcycle users, including intelligence personnel. Motorcycles are banned on Rangoon roads but for select people.Only the Military Affairs Security (MAS), Myanmar Police Force and some departmental staff are allowed to ride motorcycles in Rangoon. But because of some imposters, the authorities are registering the names and designations of each person before handing out permission.“The advisory letters have been sent to the ministries....
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Suffering and hope in a Burmese refugee camp
by Hnin Pan Ein Thursday, 30 July 2009 12:16(This article describes the lives and hopes of Burmese refugees in a Thai-Burma border camp)Mizzima News - Rays of sun pierce the clouds, bathing the entire mountain range and forest. At other times during monsoon season, drizzle and mist veil the mountains, including Noe Boe Mountain, hiding them from the outside world. In the far distance, from the village of Noe Boe, torrential streams of water can be seen cascading from surrounding mountains following the rain, the scent of seasonal wild flowers...
Junta bans crossing Thai-Burma border at night
by Pho Zaw Thursday, 30 July 2009 11:59Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Burmese military junta has imposed restrictions on crossing the border into Thailand at night in villages of Kawh Thaung Township, Burma’s southern most town bordering Thailand’s Ranong.The Kawh Thaung District Chairman has issued an order restricting crossing the border into Thailand from the Phohtot, Mardam, Kha Mauk Gyi and Aye Chan Thar villages after 6 p.m. (local time). This is part of an operation to check drugs and human trafficking.The new order also states that people...
Six more brands of traditional medicine banned
by Pho Zaw Thursday, 30 July 2009 19:58Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - With six more brands of traditional medicines declared unfit for use by the Ministry of Health, the number of banned traditional medicines have risen to 22 in Burma.The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper on Thursday declared six types of traditional medicines unfit for use since these have not been registered.The medicines have reportedly been produced in Shan State’s capital Taunggyi, Southern Shan State’s Pintaya town, Innlay Lake, Rangoon’s North Dagon Myothit, and Rangoon’s...
Leaflets exhorting war against junta distributed
by Mizzima News Thursday, 30 July 2009 22:17Rangoon (Mizzima) - Activists on Thursday evening distributed leaflets in Rangoon’s Tharmwe Township urging the people to wage war against the military junta if the verdict on Friday finds opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi guilty and sentences her to a prison term, eyewitnesses said.The letters, signed by the ‘Committee leading peoples’ movement to destroy military rule and to restore democracy,’ says that “As Aung San Suu Kyi will be sentenced to a prison term on July 31, we urge everybody to take...
Predicting Suu Kyi’s trial is “contempt of court”: Junta’s mouthpiece
by Mungpi Wednesday, 29 July 2009 20:19New Delhi (Mizzima) – With speculation rife that the court will pronounce pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi “guilty”, Burma’s state-run newspaper on Wednesday warned against predicting the outcome saying it amounts to ‘contempt of court’.A commentary in the New Light of Myanmar, the junta’s mouthpiece, on Wednesday justified the trial against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her two live-in party mates and John William Yettaw, the American man, who swam across a lake and sneaked into Aung San...
Army Directorate restricts entry of Chinese travellers
by Myo Gyi Wednesday, 29 July 2009 20:11Ruili (Mizzima) – As of now Chinese travellers wanting to visit Burma through the border entry points must get prior approval of the Chief of Staff (Army) Office.The new rule has come into effect from July 16 for Chinese travellers to Burma.“It is mandatory from now on for Chinese tourists to send the advisory letter to the Chief of Staff (Army) Office before entering Burma. Their tour guide must escort them to Lashio first. If the persons in the list do not match with the persons at the exit point and...
Prices shoot up, onion to be imported
by Ni Moe Myint Wednesday, 29 July 2009 18:33Rangoon (Mizzima) – Prices of onions have doubled in a month and touched the highest point after 2006.The price of high quality onions, usually consumed by hotels, rose from Kyat 650 to 1,300 (approximately USD 1) last month while the price of the ordinary variety rose from Kyat 300 per viss (1.65 kg) to Kyat 800.In May and June this year, over 50,000 viss of onions were supplied to the commodity exchange in Rangoon but it came down to over 30,000 viss in July, according to statistics from the Myanmar...
Junta faces mounting pressure as Aung San Suu Kyi awaits fate
by Larry Jagan Wednesday, 29 July 2009 15:46Bangkok (Mizzima) - The special court in the notorious Insein prison will pronounce the verdict on the trial of Burma’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday as international pressure on the junta mounts to release her. On Monday night in the Irish capital of Dublin, Bono lead singer of the famous British rock band U2, announced that Aung San Suu Kyi had been awarded Amnesty International's most prestigious honour – she had been made the organization’s “Ambassador of Conscience” for 2009.“As powerful...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Registration extended to September 30 for migrants in fishery
by Usa Pichai Wednesday, 29 July 2009 15:58Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - The government of Thailand has extend the registration of migrant workers only for the fishery industry, even as workers are worried that the nationality verification process would mean problems for them in Thailand.Phumin Leethiraprasert, Deputy Spokesperson, Government House of Thailand said in a press conference on Tuesday that the Thai cabinet has agreed to extend the registration period for migrant workers in the fishery industry from the end of July to September 30.“The number...
Obama renews sanctions on Burma
by Mizzima News Wednesday, 29 July 2009 13:49New Delhi (mizzima) – The President of the United States Barack Obama on Tuesday renewed sanctions against military-ruled Burma, including banning of sales and import of Burmese gems into the US.A brief White House statement on Tuesday said, President Obama has signed the bill into law, which received overwhelming support of the Congress. The law imposes a ban on all imports from Burma for the next three years.“On July 28, 2009, the President signed into law: H.J. Res. 56, which renews import restrictions...
Electricity supply improves in Rangoon
by May Kyaw Tuesday, 28 July 2009 21:21Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – There has been a substantial improvement in electricity supply in Rangoon after severe shortage for months on end.The townships in Rangoon (Yangon) in the City Development Committee (YCDC) area are divided into four groups -- A, B, C & H. The H group gets round the clock electricity supply daily.The A, B and C groups are getting electricity from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. continuously and they get power alternatively and equally for the rest of the day.Hospitals, CNG filling stations, police...
Legally Suu Kyi is innocent: Defence lawyer
by Mungpi Tuesday, 28 July 2009 20:07New Delhi (Mizzima) – The over two-month long trial of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi points to her innocence, legally and the verdict to be pronounced on Friday will put to acid test the rule of law in the military-ruled country, her lawyer said on Tuesday.Nyan Win, one of Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers told Mizzima after the arguments put forward by the defence on Tuesday that testimonies of the witnesses, arguments of lawyers of both the defence and the prosecution have all proved that the Burmese...
New report on ‘food security’ in Burma
by Mungpi Tuesday, 28 July 2009 15:33New Delhi (mizzima) – Agricultural credit should be made available in order to prevent rural indebtedness and to improve agricultural production in Burma, said Dr. Noeleen Heyzer the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economics and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).Dr. Heyzer, who is on a week-long visit to military-ruled Burma to launch ESCAP’s study on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, said in order to ensure food-security and sustainable agriculture, countries in the region...
Court verdict of Suu Kyi’s trial on July 31
Mizzima NewsTuesday, 28 July 2009 14:53New Delhi (mizzima) - The special court in Rangoon’s Insein prison heard the final arguments and responses on Tuesday and will pronounce a verdict on Friday on the trial of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her lawyer said.(Update - 2)“Prepared for the Worse” Suu Kyi told her lawyerMizzima NewsTuesday, 28 July 2009 14:58New Delhi (mizzima)– Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday told her lawyer that she is “prepared for the worst” as the court prepares to pronounce its verdict on...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Burmese fishery delegation study Indian aquaculture
by Syed Ali Mujtaba Tuesday, 28 July 2009 12:22Chennai (mizzima) - As part of an ongoing exchange programme between India and Burma, a 15-member delegation from Burma’s fisheries department wrapped up an eight-day tour of India studying the remarkable aquaculture development in the country.The Burmese delegation visited the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, and Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh.The Burmese delegation evinced keen interest in the improved variety of ‘Jayanti Rohu’ fish developed by CIFA through...
Burma to replace old currency notes
by Mizzima News Tuesday, 28 July 2009 18:34Chiang Mai (mizzima) – The Rangoon branch of Burma’s central bank has announced that old and worn-out banknotes can be exchanged for new ones at the Myanmar Economic Bank.The currency notes which meets “the terms and conditions” can be exchanged at the Myanmar Central Bank’s branch office on Bo Suanpek Street in downtown Rangoon and at the branch offices of the Myanmar Economic Bank, the notice said.However, the notice, which states that banknotes of Kyat 10 to Kyat 200 can be exchanged at the stated...
Number of A(H1N1) infected goes up to seven in Burma
by Mizzima News Tuesday, 28 July 2009 18:51Chiang Mai (mizzima) - With the detection of another person infected with the A(H1N1) virus, the number of infected people has risen to seven in Burma.The state-run newspaper, New Light of Myanmar, on Tuesday reported that the last man to be detected with the virus was 25 years of age, who returned from Thailand on July 16.The newspaper said, the man was transferred to Wei Bagi hospital and strict surveillance is being carried out on his six family members.According to a New Light of Myanmar report on...
USDA chief to visit Japan
by Nem Davies Tuesday, 28 July 2009 19:01New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Secretary General of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), a pro-junta civilian group, is all set to visit Japan for a trip meant to lobby, sources told Mizzima.Htay Oo, the USDA chief, is awaiting approval from the host country on his five-day proposed visit to Japan in the second week of August, sources said.The Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation, Lt-Gen Htay Oo is known as U Htay Oo and heads the USDA, of which Burma’s military supremo Snr. Gen Than...
Burma requests Thai PM to postpone visit
by Mizzima News Tuesday, 28 July 2009 19:11New Delhi (Mizzima) - The military junta has requested Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to postpone his trip to Burma by two to three weeks due to internal politics and the weather, the Bangkok Post reported.Abhisit Vejjajiva's official visit to Burma was earlier scheduled for Friday, July 31. However, the Burmese ambassador to Thailand requested for a postponement citing internal politics and the weather, the report quoted the PM's deputy secretary-general Panithan Watthanayakorn as sayi...
Final hearing of Suu Kyi’s trial to continue on Tuesday
by Mungpi Monday, 27 July 2009 20:06New Delhi (mizzima) – The special court in Rangoon’s Insein prison on Monday heard the concluding arguments of the prosecution lawyer in the trial of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi but fixed Tuesday for the defence to respond to the prosecution’s charges, her lawyer said.Nyan Win, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s legal team, said, “The court has fixed yet another session on Tuesday for the defence to argue on the prosecution’s claims.”The court session, which began at 10 a.m. (local time), on Monday...
Ban hits Sino-Burmese border trade
by Myo Gyi Monday, 27 July 2009 17:48Ruili (Mizzima) – Sino-Burmese border trade is taking a beating and passenger bus services on the second biggest border trade zone, Bamo-Lweje, have dwindled to a quarter because of a ban on the import of Chinese goods.The Burmese military junta banned import of Chinese goods from Jiang Peng, opposite Lweje, this month following which the volume of traffic fell considerably. Two passenger bus companies, Sein Lone Taung Dan and Shwe Hlegar plied over 70 buses. Now only 20 buses are plying on this route.“Many...
Concluding arguments of Suu Kyi's trial continue
by Mungpi Monday, 27 July 2009 14:50New Delhi (mizzima)- The special court in Rangoon’s notorious Insein prison on Monday resumed hearing of the concluding arguments on the trial of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, after the court ran out of time on Friday.The closing arguments on Monday began at about 10 a.m. (local time). Several foreign diplomats including from the United Kingdom and the United States were allowed into the court to hear the final arguments of the trial, which began on May 18.Lawyers of Aung San Suu Kyi’s two live-in...
Clinton’s myopia on Burma
by Enzo Reale Monday, 27 July 2009 12:24Did you think they had a "policy"? Think again. Since her first trip to Asia, last February, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been busy advertising the "new approach" to the region promoted by the Obama administration. Especially, regarding Burma, she announced a "policy review" in the months to come: "Clearly, sanctions haven't worked", she said, adding that engagement by the neighbouring countries also failed to bring change to the isolated nation.Officially the "policy review" is still on...
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