by Mungpi
Wednesday, 30 September 2009 23:08
New Delhi (Mizzima) – China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday denied media reports that local Burmese authorities had ordered Chinese citizens in North-eastern Shan State to leave, and said the situation along the border is “stable and in order.”
Replying to a question, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said, “According to our knowledge, the reports are not true. The current situation on the China-Myanmar border is stable and in order.”
Earlier, media reports suggested, that the...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
US’s Burma policy; Is it flawless?
by Mungpi
Wednesday, 30 September 2009 22:24
New Delhi (Mizzima) - (Analysis) Accepting the failure of sanctions to usher in political change, the Burmese opposition and analysts said, the new US policy on the Southeast Asian nation could be the right approach but warned that the military junta could use it to its advantage, as it is not flawless.
The United States on Monday said, under its new Burma policy, it would seek direct engagement with the military rulers of Burma, but would continue with sanctions that can be phased out or tightened...
KIO wants partial cooperation with junta
by Phanida
Wednesday, 30 September 2009 21:24
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), an ethnic armed group in Northern Burma, have proposed the junta to cooperate with some of its departments.
Representatives of the KIO put up their proposal during a meeting with Commander of the junta’s Northern Command Maj-Gen. Soe Win on Tuesday, where they also discussed on the junta’s proposal to transform the Kachin independence Army (KIA), armed wing of KIO, into the Border Guard Force (BGF).
“Soe Win just wanted us to accept...
Burmese delegates meet US Assistant Secretary
by Mungpi
Wednesday, 30 September 2009 15:17
New Delhi (Mizzima) - In what appears to be the first step of engagement, US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on Tuesday met Burmese delegates led by Minister of Science and Technology U Thaung.
Philip J. Crowley, deputy spokesperson of the state department, on Tuesday told reporters that Campbell is to meet U Thaung and his delegates in New York. The meeting was also attended by Burma’s permanent representative to the United Nations Than Swe.
The meeting comes in the wake of the US on...
Australian companies urged to withdraw from Burma
by Salai Pi Pi
Tuesday, 29 September 2009 21:16
New Delhi (Mizzima) – Campaigners have called on Australian companies to pull out of Burma, as the military rulers are benefitting from their investments, helping prolong the regime’s rule.
Zetty Brake, a spokesperson of Burma Campaign Australia (BCA), on Tuesday said they have called on Australian companies including Jetstar airline to drop business deals in Burma.
Investment by Australian companies’ is estimated to have funded around US $ 2.8 billion to the Burmese regime in revenue, according...
Hostility between Thai police seniors over border crossing to casinos
by Usa Pichai
Tuesday, 29 September 2009 20:09
Bangkok (Mizzima) - A casino in the Golden Triangle near the Thailand-Burma border has become the centre of conflict among high level Thai police officers after the former Deputy Metro Police Chief was arrested by the local police in Chiang Rai province.
Pol. Lt. Col. Santhana Prayoonrat, former Deputy Metro Police, 2nd Department sued Pol. Col. Sutham Chartarsa, Chiang Saen district Police Chief in the Chiang Rai district court on Tuesday for maltreatment. Santhana, has claimed that he was...
Landmines halt refugee return in Karen State
by Brian McCartan
Tuesday, 29 September 2009 18:55
Mae Sot, Thailand (Mizzima) - Fighting largely came to an end in Karen State’s central Hlaing Bwe Township three months ago, but villagers who fled to Thailand in June to avoid the offensive are still afraid to go home. They say that unless landmines are removed, the area will still be too dangerous when Thai permission for their stay runs out at the end of the rainy season.
A forced recruitment campaign by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), which began in May and a joint DKBA-Burmese...
KNLA demolishes DKBA’s bulldozer and excavator
by Don Talenywun
Tuesday, 29 September 2009 19:26
Mae Sot, Thailand (Mizzima) - A demolition operation by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), an ethnic armed rebel group, has destroyed a D6 Caterpillar bulldozer and a 20-tonne excavator near the village of Ta-ah Tah in Karen State in Burma.
The special KNLA squad, formed with soldiers of the Sixth Brigade’s 201 and 103 battalions, took the machines out with two kilograms of TNT.
The depot is on the western side of the southern reaches of the Dawna Mountain Range, about five days’ walk...
RI hails US’s new Burma policy
by Mungpi
Tuesday, 29 September 2009 18:31
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Refugee International on Monday hailed the United States for including an increase in humanitarian assistance to the Burmese people in its new policy announced by the State Department and urged the Congress to provide adequate funding for assistance to the Southeast Asian nation.
In a statement released after the announcement of the Burma policy by the State Department on Monday, RI said, International humanitarian aid for the Burmese people has not kept pace with the needs...
US to engage Burmese regime, sanctions to remain
by Mungpi
Tuesday, 29 September 2009 15:15
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The United States on Monday said it will directly engage with Burma’s military regime but will continue maintaining existing sanctions, and also consult regional countries including China and India in seeking change in Burma.
Kurt M. Campbell, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told reporters on Monday that the US intends to start direct dialogue with the Burmese authorities to pave the way towards better relations.
“We recognized that ultimately,...
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Burmese PM toes familiar line in UN speech
by Mizzima News
Tuesday, 29 September 2009 01:24
Mizzima News - In a much anticipated speech in front of the United Nations General Assembly, Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein delivered a short address largely rehashing the regime’s long held political vision for Burma and echoing standard junta ideology.
“The transition to democracy is proceeding,” Thein Sein informed delegates. “Our focus is not on the narrow interest of individuals, organizations or parties but on the larger interest of the entire people of the nation” – a line of thinking...
Activists fling shoes at Burmese FM in New York
by Mungpi
Tuesday, 29 September 2009 00:07
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Burmese activists in New York on Monday threw shoes at visiting Foreign Minister Nyan Win, an act of opposition against his representation of the Southeast Asian nation at the 64th United Nations General Assembly.
Moe Thee Zun, a former student leader and activist, said he, along with nearly 20 friends, laid in wait of the Burmese Foreign Minister near his guest house and flung shoes and other objects toward the car conveying Nyan Win to United Nations headquarters.
“I took...
Junta’s response to Suu Kyi will judge Burma’s future: Observers
by Salai Pi Pi
Monday, 28 September 2009 23:03
New Delhi (Mizzima) - There will be a positive change in Burma if the military junta responds properly to the offer of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to initiate discussions on having sanctions lifted, Burmese observers said.
Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s party the National League for Democracy (NLD) on Saturday sent a letter to the head of the Burmese military junta Senior General Than Shwe, in which Suu Kyi says she will cooperate with the regime in persuading lifting of sanctions...
Monday, September 28, 2009
Affluent Burmese can opt for career as pilot
by Phoe Zaw
Monday, 28 September 2009 21:23
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Ambitious and well heeled Burmese people, who might be in search of a career in flying, can now apply at a flying school in the Philippines by paying 35,000 US dollars.
An official of the Myanmar Golden Bridge Co. Ltd, in Rangoon’s Yakin Suburban Township said they have linked up with “The Cyclone Flying School” in Lyzon City in Philippines, offering admission to young Burmese people, who have passed Matriculation, and are looking at a career as a pilot.
“The applicants are...
Webb to meet Burmese Prime Minister
by Mungpi
Monday, 28 September 2009 20:48
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein, currently in New York to attend the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations, will meet US Senator James Webb, a strong advocate of engagement with the regime, on Monday.
Webb’s office said, the Virginia Senator has accepted an invitation by the UN Under-Secretary-General Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed to meet the Burmese Prime Minister on Monday in New York.
“I appreciate Ambassador Reed’s initiative in arranging this meeting, and I look...
Aung San Suu Kyi’s offer to Than Shwe on sanctions
by Mungpi
Monday, 28 September 2009 20:18
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Burma’s detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said she needs to talk to representatives of the United States, the European Union and Australia as a first step to persuade them to lift economic sanctions on the Southeast Asian nation.
In a letter to Snr Gen Than Shwe, on September 25, the detained Nobel Peace Laureate said, she is willing to work with the junta for the lifting of sanctions on Burma and asked to be allowed to hold talks with representatives of the countries...
Tensions on the rise inside refugee camps
by Don Talenywun
Monday, 28 September 2009 13:09
Umphang, Thailand (Mizzima) – Trouble is brewing among the refugees of Burma’s civil war. Stranded in northern Thailand, fed on rations donated by the international community, unable to travel freely and not allowed to work, tensions among refugees in camps strung out along Burma’s border are ready to blow.
Umpheim Mai refugee camp is on tenterhooks, with violence threatening to break out among residents at any time. A football game on Saturday afternoon descended into crowd violence at
game’s...
Sunday, September 27, 2009
US policy shift: The generals are dancing well
by Nyo Ohn Myint
Saturday, 26 September 2009 13:17
Mizzima News - (Commentary) Many observers, political activists and interested parties are wondering why the United States has finally decided to engage with Burma’s military regime. Obviously, Burma policy is part of United States foreign policy under President Obama’s new era of global engagement. However, whether Burma becomes a special case for the State Department, only time will tell.
“Burma’s political development is very complicated and the US government has taken this position with...
Saturday, September 26, 2009
More Korean textile units keen to invest in Burma
by Salai Pi Pi
Friday, 25 September 2009 23:14
New Delhi (Mizzima) – More Korean textile industries are keen to invest in Burma with the general elections due in 2010 in the military ruled country.
Speaking to Mizzima, Mr. Lee Seung Woo, a staff member of the Trade and Marketing Team of The Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI) said that Burma, where labour is cheap, will be one of its options for further investments in the textile industry in the future after it shifted its interest from China to Southeast Asian countries.
“The...
NUP to contest election with fresh blood
by Ni Moe Myint
Friday, 25 September 2009 19:47
Rangoon (Mizzima) – The National Unity Party (NUP) will contest the 2010 election with new blood rather than elders, party Joint Secretary Khin Maung Gyi said at a press conference this morning.
“It’s time to induct fresh blood into our party. We will contest the election with youths,” Khin Maung Gyi said at the 21st party founding anniversary held at its headquarters on University Avenue.
NUP has shortlisted 500 youths across the country who will contest in about 300 constituencies.
But Khin...
ICRC should revisit Burmese jails: AHRC
by Salai Pi Pi
Friday, 25 September 2009 20:32
New Delhi (Mizzima) - The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has urged the international community to mount pressure on Burma’s ruling junta to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to resume visits to detention centres, where widespread torture and abuses have been reported.
The Hong Kong-based, Rights group, in a statement on Thursday said maximum efforts are needed to renew the mandate of the ICRC in getting access to detention centres across Burma without delay, as some detainees...
Issuing Kyat 5,000 notes, signs of monetary erosion: expert
by Mungpi
Friday, 25 September 2009 19:20
New Delhi (Mizzima) - The surprise announcement to issue new 5,000 Kyat notes on Thursday by the military rulers, signals a serious erosion of the Kyat through inflation, and could cause a sharp fall in the value of the Burmese Kyat, an economic expert said.
Sean Turnell, Professor of Economics at the Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia said the announcement “signals above all the serious erosion of the Kyat through inflation. The issue of the new larger denomination note is official recognition...
Kachin rebels deny helping ULFA shift to Burma
by Salai Pi Pi
Friday, 25 September 2009 17:55
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), an ethnic armed rebel group in Burma, has rubbished media-reports that it is helping a Northeast Indian rebel outfit in shifting its camps to KIA controlled areas, but did not rule out the possibility of the presence of the Indian rebels in other parts of Kachin state in Northern Burma.
A report in the Indian newspaper ‘The Telegraph’ quoting Indian army intelligence on Thursday said, India’s northeast rebels, particularly the United Liberation...
Webb’s hearing on Burma to feature prominent Burma experts
by Mungpi
Friday, 25 September 2009 17:33
New Delhi (Mizzima) - United States Senator James Webb, a strong advocate of engagement with Burma, will have four Burma experts including Professor David I. Steinberg testifying on the importance of engagement with Burma, during the senate hearing he will chair on September 30.
The hearing, entitled “U.S. Policy Toward Burma: Its Impact and Effectiveness” will also have Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Department of State, Mr. Thant Myint-U, Burmese historian,...
Friday, September 25, 2009
Clinton’s ‘Burma Policy’ preview: For better or worse?
by Mungpi
Thursday, 24 September 2009 23:07
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Washington’s preview of its Burma policy that will include engaging the Burmese generals has been received with mixed reactions with some saying it could be for the better but others maintaining it could render greater legitimacy to the rogue regime.
The US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday said Washington will engage directly with Burmese military generals in a bid to promote democratic changes in the Southeast Asian Nation.
Clinton, in her preview of...
Arrested Nargis donors not allowed to meet families
by Pho Zaw
Thursday, 24 September 2009 22:58
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Five social activists including Dr. Wint Thu from Myingyan, Mandalay Division were arrested and detained at the Special Branch (SB) of the Police office at the foot of the Mandalay hill, a source who is close to Dr. Wint Thu's family said.
Pol. Col. Thet Wei from Mandalay Division SB along with 20 police personnel arrested five activists including Dr. Wint Thu without giving any reason, from their homes on September 16. When their family members learnt that they were being...
Ban urges junta to create conditions for credible election
by Mizzima News
Thursday, 24 September 2009 22:56
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The United Nations Secretary General on Wednesday urged the Burmese government to create conditions for credible elections in 2010 and to allow the UN a role in the process of national reconciliation.
Ban Ki-moon made the appeal in the meeting of the ‘Group of Friends on Myanmar’, which was attended by foreign ministers of 14 countries, on Wednesday.
In a statement released after the meeting Ban said the meeting has given the ‘Group of Friends’ a chance to consolidate...
Thai FM meets Friends of Burma
by Usa Pichai
Thursday, 24 September 2009 20:50
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) —The Thai Foreign Minister held discussions with the Group of Friends of UNSG on Myanmar. The group wants the general election in 2010 in Burma to be “free”.
On Wednesday the Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya participated in the High-Level Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of UNSG on Myanmar (GoF) chaired by Mr Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, according to a statement released on Thursday from Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Kasit accompanied Prime Minister...
Burma to circulate 5,000 Kyat currency note
by Mizzima News
Thursday, 24 September 2009 20:15
(Mizzima) - Burma’s state-run media on Thursday announced that a new 5,000 Kyat denomination currency note will be in circulation from October 1.
The announcement by the Naypyitaw-based Central Bank of Myanmar on MRTV on Thursday evening said, the new currency note, that carries a picture of a white elephant and the Naypyitaw city, would be circulated as of October 1.
The announcement took the people by surprise and triggered fears of an impending price-hike, Mizzima’s correspondent in Rangoon...
Thursday, September 24, 2009
US embassy protests maltreatment of detained citizen
by Mungpi
Thursday, 24 September 2009 15:13
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The US embassy in Rangoon has officially protested against the alleged maltreatment of detained American citizen, Kyaw Zaw Lwin (alias) Nyi Nyi Aung, as the Burmese junta on Thursday publicly announced his arrest.
Drake Weisert, Assistant Public Affairs Officer, at the US embassy in Rangoon told Mizzima that Kyaw Zaw Lwin made claims that he had been mistreated when the US consular officer visited him in Insein prison in Rangoon on Sunday.
“The U.S. Embassy has submitted an...
Granting nationality to Origami boy champion uncertain
by Usa Pichai
Thursday, 24 September 2009 14:18
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - The Thai born boy, whose parents are from Burma, has become a role model for stateless children in Thailand after he won prizes at the Origami Airplane Contest in Japan. However, the Thai Ministry of Interior still has not guaranteed granting the boy Thai nationality.
Chaovarat Chanvirakul, the Thai Minister of Interior said that he congratulated Mong Thongdee (12), who is just back from the Origami Airplane Contest in Japan, where he won the third prize for Thailand in...
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