Trespassing of forests in Burma from Thailand

by Usa Pichai Sunday, 29 November 2009 01:06 Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Thai officials have seized illegal logs in the National Park on the Thailand-Burma border, even as local Burmese authorities lodged a protest with Thailand after they found about 2,000 acres of forests in Burma had been trespassed and cleared. Thai senators, who are members of the military committee of Thailand’s Senate, led by Pol Gen Sonthaya Sangpao, used a helicopter to inspect the contentious National Park on the Thailand–Burma border in Chumporn Province, given the severe...

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South, Southeast Asian MPs unite on Burma

by Salai Pi Pi Sunday, 29 November 2009 00:33 New Delhi (Mizzima) – Parliamentarians from South and Southeast Asia on Friday jointly urged Burma’s military junta to implement genuine democratic reforms, starting with re-drafting of a constitution where all stake holders should take part. Parliamentarians from India, Nepal and Singapore agreed that changes in Burma are crucial for the region but admitted that it requires coordinated effort by all regional countries including India and China in pushing the Burmese generals to implement change. They...

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Thailand surveys location for second bridge with Burma

by Usa Pichai Saturday, 28 November 2009 13:46 Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Thailand has started searching for a suitable location to build the second Thailand-Burma Friendship Bridge on the Moei River even as the Thai Deputy Commerce Minister is slated to visit Burma to discuss border trade. Tak provincial officials are surveying for a location to build a new bridge, which may be situated in Thasailoud village in Mae Sot district. Search is also on for another land about 1000 rais [250 acres] to build a ‘One Stop Service Center’ (OSS) and warehouses...

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Handcuffing of Burmese-American in court protested

by Mungpi Friday, 27 November 2009 22:18 New Delhi (Mizzima) – The lawyer of detained Burmese born American, Kyaw Zaw Lwin (alias) Nyi Nyi Aung, said he had objected to handcuffing the accused during the trial and had submitted an objection letter, but it was rejected by the court. Kyi Win, one of the defence attorneys of the Burmese-American, on Friday told Mizzima that Kyaw Zaw Lwin has been handcuffed during the court sessions, which he said was against Burma’s law. “I have submitted an objection letter, but it was rejected and he [Kyaw...

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Increased drug threat due to instability in Burma: report

by Mungpi Friday, 27 November 2009 21:25 New Delhi (Mizzima) - Political instability in Burma could lead to an increase in trafficking of illicit drugs and may result in the shifting of clandestine manufacturing facilities across the borders of neighbouring countries, a new report by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime said on Thursday. The UNODC, in its report “2009 Patterns and Trends of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants and Other Drugs in East and South-East Asia”, said the unstable political situation in Burma in 2009, could serve as...

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Burmese cultural troupe to perform in northeast India

by Mithu Choudhury Friday, 27 November 2009 20:13 Guwahati, Assam (Mizzima) - A 15-member cultural troupe from Burma is to arrive in India’s North-eastern region on Saturday to showcase their country’s traditional art and culture, officials said. During their 10-day, (November 28 to December 7), visit to three North-eastern states — Nagaland, Manipur and Assam — the Burmese cultural troupe will perform various traditional dances at capitals of the three states - Kohima, Imphal and Guwahati, a Manipur government official said. The official...

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The faces of two HIV positive patients

by Phyu Phyu Thin Friday, 27 November 2009 07:58 Mizzima News – I would like to tell you the stories of two hapless and vulnerable HIV patients in Burma. The first is a female farmer hailing from Magwe Division. She contracted the deadly virus from a blood transfusion after being admitted to a hospital for a miscarriage. Not knowing how she contracted HIV, she accused her husband of having unprotected extra-marital sex. She did not accept her husband's protestations and continued with her accusations against him. The truth only set in once...

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Burmese pro-democracy activists brief Indian intellectuals

by Salai Pi Pi Friday, 27 November 2009 01:12 New Delhi (Mizzima) – A group of Indian intellectuals and Burmese pro-democracy leaders in exile on Thursday held a brainstorming seminar on the possibilities of democratic transition in Burma and the role of its giant neighbours – India and China. Speaking at the seminar, titled “The Paranoia of Unpredictability: Is democracy possible in Burma/Myanmar?” held in Jamia Millia Islamia University, speakers discussed Burma’s current political scenario, the ruling junta’s 2008 constitution and the planned...

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Swiber bags US $ 77 million contract

by Mizzima News Thursday, 26 November 2009 20:03 New Delhi (Mizzima) - Singapore’s Swiber Holdings Ltd. has bagged its first offshore pipeline installation contract in Burma. In a press release on Thursday, Swiber said it has been awarded a US$ 77 million Letter of Award (LoA) for laying 150-kilometres (93 miles) of subsea gas pipelines by the state-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE). “The six-month project is expected to commence in the 1st quarter of 2010 with the date of completion targeted for the 2nd quarter of 2010,” the press...

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Burmese PM pats USDA on the back

by Mizzima News Thursday, 26 November 2009 19:03 New Delhi (Mizzima) - Burma’s Prime Minister Lt-Gen Thein Sein on Sunday had a word of appreciation for leaders of the pro-junta civilian organization – the Union Solidarity and Development (USDA) – and encouraged them to continue with their social services for the community. Thein Sein was speaking at the inauguration of the USDA annual meeting, which was attended by about 700 USDA representatives across the country. It is being held at Lewe Town in central Burma. Sources in Lewe township...

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Aid trickles in despite desperate need of Nargis victims

by Larry Jagan Thursday, 26 November 2009 16:06 Bangkok (Mizzima) - Eighteen months after Cyclone Nargis, which killed at least 140,000 people, hundreds of thousands of survivors remain in desperate need, according to the United Nations. More than 170,000 people are still without adequate shelter, while the vast majority of the farmers in the Irrawaddy Delta devastated by last year’s cyclone, are slipping into enormous debt, the head of the UN operations in Burma, Bishow Parajuli told Mizzima on Wednesday. “There is an enormous funding gap,...

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Fear of migrants joining anti-Thai government protests

by Usa Pichai Thursday, 26 November 2009 12:04 Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Apprehensive that Burmese migrant workers may join anti-government demonstrations, Thai officials have imposed restrictions along the border. Lt Gen Thanongsak Apirakyothin, Commander of the Thai Third Army said on Wednesday that the army has ordered officials along the Thai-Burma border in Northern Thailand to impose restrictions. The directives follow a report that migrant workers from neighbouring countries may join anti-government demonstrations likely in Chiang Mai...

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Violence against women rampant under junta: WLB

by Eint Cherry Wednesday, 25 November 2009 22:22 New Delhi (Mizzima) - An umbrella group of Burmese women on Wednesday said it is joining hands with several activists groups to bring Burma’s military rulers to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their crimes against Burmese people in general and women in particular. Women’s League of Burma (WLB) in its statement on the ‘International Stop Violence Against Women Day’ said women in Burma are victims of the ruling junta’s systematic rights violations, including sexual harassment. “Unless...

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Aung San Suu Kyi allowed repairing her home

by Nem Davies Wednesday, 25 November 2009 20:20 New Delhi (Mizzima) - Aung San Suu Kyi, detained Burmese opposition leader has been permitted to repair her lakeside home on Rangoon’s University Avenue, Nyan Win her party spokesperson said. The Rangoon municipality has granted the Nobel Peace Laureate permission to repair the balcony of her lakeside home, following a request about three months ago, Nyan Win told Mizzima on Wednesday. “The permission was granted about two weeks ago. Now Daw Suu is in discussions with engineers and the Special...

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Junta’s priority is elections, not easing sanctions: Win Tin

by Salai Han Thar San Tuesday, 24 November 2009 21:49 New Delhi (Mizzima) - The Burmese military junta’s priority is to get on with its planned 2010 elections rather than looking at easing western sanctions, leaving little chance of the junta supremo Snr Gen Than Shwe responding to detained opposition leader’s latest proposal, a senior member of her party said. Win Tin, a Central Executive Committee (CEC) member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), on Tuesday told Mizzima that the chances of Than Shwe responding...

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Thai officials rescue Burmese workers

by Usa Pichai Tuesday, 24 November 2009 19:38 Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Fifty four Burmese workers believed to be victims of human traffickers were rescued after Thai officials raided a frozen seafood factory in Trang Province, southern Thailand. On Monday, Thai officials from Bangkok and Trang province, led by Pol Lt Col Taweep Changtor, from Thai Immigration Police Office, raided a factory of the J.D.P Co. Ltd. a big dried fish producer and ice distributer in Kantang district of Trang Province. The raid followed information that Burmese workers...

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AI urges Int’l donors to pressurize junta

by Salai Pi Pi Tuesday, 24 November 2009 15:42 New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Amnesty International on Tuesday urged international donors, meeting in Bangkok this week, to pressurize Burma’s military junta to put a halt to harassment of activists helping survivors of Cyclone Nargis and ensure that sufficient aid reaches the affected. Benjamin Zawacki, AI’s Southeast Asia Researcher, told Mizzima on Tuesday that Burmese authorities continue to intimidate activists, who are helping survivors of the deadly cyclone, which lashed the country’s Irrawaddy...

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Chin assembly opposes junta’s elections

by Salai Pi Pi Monday, 23 November 2009 21:44 New Delhi (Mizzima) - While opposing the Burmese junta’s planned 2010 elections, the Chin National Council in exile on Monday said it will urge voters to selectively vote for pro-democracy candidates, should the regime continue with the polls despite widespread opposition. The Council, comprised of Chin political parties, armed group, students, youths, civil societies, women’s group, and intellectuals, said the elections, which will be based on the 2008 constitution, does not reflect the peoples’...

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Burma to commission ‘Ye’ hydro-power project in December

by Kyaw Thein Kha Monday, 23 November 2009 21:36 Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - The Burmese Ministry of Electric Power (1) will commission the Ye village hydro-power project in December, billed as the biggest in the country. “We will begin operating one turbine of the four for hydro-electricity. We will begin in December and run the turbines one after another in the following months. We are still unsure of the exact date but it might probably be the end of December,” Aye Aye Thant, Director Hydro-Electricity Department of the ministry told Mizzima. For...

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Australia to provide $15 million as Nargis aid to Burma

by Salai Pi Pi Monday, 23 November 2009 15:59 (New Brief) New Delhi (Mizzima) - Australia will provide further assistance of $ 15 million to Burma as humanitarian aid for recovery work in the Cyclone Nargis affected delta region, according to the Australian Foreign Ministry. Stephen Smith, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs on Saturday said the government will pledge a further $ 15 million as follow up humanitarian aid to help Burma’s delta region devastated by Cyclone Nargis in May, 2008. “This continues to be Australia’s desire to...

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Burma UN Resolution 2009: A paper punch

by Dr. Tint Swe Monday, 23 November 2009 13:28 Mizzima News - (Commentary) Passing a resolution on Burma in an international forum is an annual routine practice, which can embarrass the ruling military junta but as that cannot make a change in the country it does not impress the severely oppressed people of Burma. There have been over 30 resolutions already passed unanimously and later by voting at the UN bodies such as the UN General Assembly and UN Human Rights Commission. It is because none of them is binding and the condemned junta just...

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UN Committee condemns Burma’s rights violations

by Mungpi Saturday, 21 November 2009 22:03 New Delhi (Mizzima) - Burma’s ‘systematic and widespread’ human rights violations came in for severe condemnation by a special committee of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, which urged the junta to begin a process of genuine political reforms. The 192-nation world body’s Third Committee focusing on Human Rights, on Thursday approved a resolution on Burma by a vote of 92 in favour to 26 against, with 65 abstentions. The draft resolution condemns Burma for its systematic violation of...

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US hopes Suu Kyi’s proposal will pave way for political dialogue

by Mungpi Friday, 20 November 2009 21:13 New Delhi (Mizzima) - The United States on Thursday said it is aware of detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s proposal to the ruling junta supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe and hoped that it would lead to a dialogue between the two. “We’re aware of the letter that she’s written to the senior general, and we hope that this will be the beginning of a dialogue that will lead to her release,” Ian Kelly, spokesperson of the State Department said during a regular press briefing on Thursday in Washington. Kelly...

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Burmese commanders arrive in Naypyitaw for quarterly meet

by Salai Pi Pi Friday, 20 November 2009 20:31 New Delhi (Mizzima) - Commanders of Burma’s military commands arrived in the new jungle capital of Naypyitaw, as the ruling junta is set to commence its year-end quarterly meeting. Sources close to the military establishment in Naypyitaw told Mizzima that the junta supremo Senior General Than Shwe had directed the Commanders to reach Naypyitaw by November 20 for the quarterly meeting, scheduled to begin in the coming week. The quarterly meeting, according to the source, is likely to come up...

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Spirit of Panglong in Kolkata Court

by Nandita Haksar Friday, 20 November 2009 12:32 Mizzima News - (Commentary) For the lawyers practicing at the city sessions court in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal Thursday, November 12th, 2009 was just another busy day. They passed by the court of Ms Kalpana Dey without as much as a second look. For them the scene was familiar - lawyers dressed in their black gowns, the court clerks sitting at the table and the judge dictating to the stenographer. The curiosity of some lawyers was aroused when they heard some passionate arguments...

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Burma continues to fail to eliminate forced labour: ILO

by Mungpi Friday, 20 November 2009 19:28 New Delhi (Mizzima) - The International Labor Organization’s (ILO)’s Governing Body on Thursday said Burma’s ruling military junta has failed to implement recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry in eliminating the use of forced labour. The Governing Body’s decision was made on the information presented by the ILO’s Liaison Officer, and the statement made by the Permanent Representative of the Government of the Union of Myanmar (Burma). The decision notes that Burma has so far failed to fully...

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Obama leaves Asia empty-handed but raises hopes

by Larry Jagan Friday, 20 November 2009 18:38 Bangkok (Mizzima) - (Analysis) The United States President, Barack Obama’s has left Asia empty-handed on all the key issues facing the White House. There was little movement on the intractable problems of Burma and North Korea, while thorny bilateral issues with China, Japan and South Korea fared little better. But at least Washington was able to tell Asia’s leaders first-hand that the US approach to the region has changed. More critically, the new American administration clearly demonstrated...

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