Sunday, 28 February 2010 13:49 Mizzima News
(Mizzima) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Friday said he is ‘appalled and saddened’ that Burma’s military government has rejected an appeal filed by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers against her sentencing in August 2009.
“I am appalled and saddened that Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal against the sentence imposed by the regime has been denied,” Brown said. However, he said the “failed appeal is sadly no surprise.”
Brown said from start to end the sole purpose of the show trial has been...
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Car carrying Burmese migrants shot at three killed
Friday, 26 February 2010 22:35 Sai Zuan Sai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Three illegal Burmese migrants in Ranong were shot dead when Thai security forces opened fire on a car carrying them after it failed to stop at the checkpoint, Ranong police station sources said.
The police on duty said out of 15 illegal Burmese migrants, one male adult and two children were killed and five injured. The injured were sent to Ranong hospital for treatment.
"The police opened fire on the car, when it failed to stop at the checkpoint set up by police and some soldiers....
FEC prices show downward trend
Friday, 26 February 2010 21:22 Khai Suu
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC) prices have been falling over the past one month, traders said.
In December 2009, the FEC price increased from Kyat 970 against the US dollar and touched the highest of Kyat 1,060 in January this year. It fell gradually and reached Kyat 1,020 on February 24 and closed at about Kyat 1,000 today - a Kyat 20 decline.
"FEC price was Kyat 1,020 on February 24 and Kyat 900 yesterday. But it closed today at Kyat 1,000, a trader at the Money Exchange market...
Little Hope for Burma's Political Prisoners
Friday, 26 February 2010 19:02 Larry Jagan
BANGKOK (Mizzima) - The United Nations special rapporteur for human rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana believes there that the country’s political prisoners will not be freed any time soon. “There seems to be no movement on political prisoners since my last trip [a year ago],” the UN envoy told Mizzima in an interview in Bangkok a few days ago. “In fact the government continues to deny that there are any prisoners of conscience.”
At the same time more critics of the government and activists have been...
Pervasive drug production linked to rebel groups: UNODC
Friday, 26 February 2010 13:23 Sai Zuan Sai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - The eradication of drug production in Burma is contingent upon a reduction in the number of ethnic armed forces, stipulates a United Nations Office of Drug Control (UNODC) report.
According to the report, drug cultivation and trafficking is critical to the survival of ethnic armed forces.
Shan State is said to be the biggest region for drug production, an area which is also home to a score of ethnic armed forces.
But Shan State Army (South) spokesman Major Sai Lao Sai defended...
Melted Euphoria
Friday, 26 February 2010 03:24 Kyi Sin Thawda (Commentary)
As I was leaving the township chicken market, a young man in a blue municipal uniform approached me. I was surprised and scared.
“Brother, I just saw you taking photos in the market. Please come with me for a while” he said.
“No, I didn’t take any photos” I replied. “The gadget I’m holding in my hand is an MP3 player” I tried to explain.
Pointing to my MP3 player he shot back “I’ve seen these small cameras in magazines. They come with a TV, you can explain it to us later. Please...
NLD CEC approves 100 CC members
Friday, 26 February 2010 03:19 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Burma today approved 100 members of the new Central Committee (CC).
The CEC began the selection and scrutiny of nominees for the CC sent by branches of States and Divisions of the party as of February 22. It approved the finalized list of new CC members today.
The final list has to be sent to the party Chairman U Aung Shwe tomorrow for his approval following which it will be released in the first week...
Thursday, February 25, 2010
KWO’s report on horrifying abuse of women village chiefs
Thursday, 25 February 2010 19:23 Usa Pichai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Horrifying abuses heaped on ethnic Karen women in Burma, who became village chiefs because male village heads were at greater risk of being killed, has been revealed by an ethnic women’s organization in its latest report released on Thursday.
The Karen Women’s Organization’s (KWO) latest report “Walking Amongst Sharp Knives” is based on interviews of 95 Karen women from 2005 to 2009 on their experience of being village heads and being targeted for systematic abuse by Burmese Army...
Hyundai signs US $ 1.4 billion contract for gas facilities in Burma
Thursday, 25 February 2010 17:53 Mizzima News (News Brief)
(Mizzima) - South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) on Tuesday signed a contract for a US $ 1.4 billion project to build gas facilities in military-ruled Burma.
A HHI press release on Tuesday said, the company signed the contract for SHWE project in Burma’s western coast with Daewoo International Corporation, which had sent a letter of intent for the project in October 2009 to HHI.
Under the contract, HHI would build offshore gas fields in the Bay of Bengal by March 2013, and will...
Burma-India boost relations with naval parley
Thursday, 25 February 2010 15:25 Kyaw Mya
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Burmese Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Nyan Tun’s five-day visit to India, is yet another instance of giving a leg up to bilateral relationship between the two countries, particularly in areas of defence, a New Delhi based Burmese Member of Parliament in exile said.
Dr. Tint Swe, Information Minister of the National Coalition Government of Union of Burma (NCGUB), said while Indo-Burma relationship had relied more on economic cooperation, in recent years it had made inroads in the fields...
Burma-Bangla border safe haven for robbers
Thursday, 25 February 2010 14:49 Nyein Chan
Dhaka (Mizzima) - Plagued by an increasing number of robberies along the Burma-Bangladesh border, villagers in Maungdaw Township, northern Arakan State have been compelled to build guard posts and arrange for sentry duty, sources said.
With authorities failing to act, villagers along the Naf River collectively began arranging for guard duty in groups of five from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The guards alert villages at the sight of suspicious strangers.
“Since we cannot rely on the border security force [known...
ASEAN Head: Burma election is 'new beginning'
Thursday, 25 February 2010 13:17 Thomas Maung Shwe
(Mizzima) - ASEAN’s Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan claimed today in an interview with the BBC program Hardtalk that Burma’s upcoming 2010 election would be a “new beginning” for the country plagued by four decades of military misrule and mismanagement.
The election is seen by many governments in ASEAN as a promising development. Many Burmese democracy activists however are wary of coming out in support of an election that will held at a yet to be determined date, using a yet to be announced...
Media persona urged to join pro-democracy movement
Thursday, 25 February 2010 13:03 Kyaw Kha
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Media persona both at home and abroad, have been exhorted to join the pro-democracy struggle in Burma, by veteran journalist Ludu Sein Win and film director Win Pe.
In a video communiqué sent to the Burma Media Conference being held in northern Thailand from February 24, Ludu Sein Win said, "The media’s objective is interlaced with the cause of democracy and freedom of our country. So I would like to ask all of you to join hands and be of mutual assistance and cooperation until...
Aung San Suu Kyi happy with reorganization of NLD’s CC
Thursday, 25 February 2010 12:26 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Aung San Suu Kyi, general secretary of the National League for Democracy has expressed her happiness with the reorganization of the party Central Committee (CC).
The pro-democracy leader also conveyed her thanks to party Vice-Chairman Tin Oo for carrying out party duties soon after he was released from house arrest. She spoke to her lawyers Nyan Win and Kyi Win. They visited her home on University Avenue yesterday between 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for monitoring the renovation of her residence.
"Daw...
Security beefed up on Burma-Laos border
Thursday, 25 February 2010 11:57 Sai Zuan Sai (News Brief)
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - In the wake of the murderous ambush on the Burmese police force on the Mekong River, in the Golden Triangle on February 20, which left 14 policemen dead and missing, the junta has beefed up security in the area and sealed the international border with Laos.
"There is a tactical command controlled by the Military Operation Command No. 18 in this area. A 200-strong people's militia force led by this tactical command is monitoring people at the checkpoints," an officer...
Army seizes farmlands in Arakan State
Thursday, 25 February 2010 09:10 Nyein Chan
Dhaka (Mizzima) - Army units have seized nearly 300 acres of farmland owned by local farmers in Sittwe and Ponnakyun Townships in Arakan State since the beginning of last month.
Sittwe-based Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 232 appropriated 80 acres of land located in the villages Kyay Taw, Taung Nar and Yoe Tayoke, while Ponnakyun-based LIB 550 is reported to have taken control of 200 acres. The incorporated lands are to be used for army agribusiness endeavors.
"We have learned they will undertake rice...
Demonstration in Malaysian camp, 106 Burmese released
Thursday, 25 February 2010 09:05 Salai Han Thar San
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Officers from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) rescued 106 Burmese refugees yesterday from Malaysia’s Lang Geng Camp, according to refugees.
After administering interviews, the UNHCR recognized 300 detainees in the camp as refugees following a hunger strike begun on February 22nd. The hunger strike was in response to the lack of a UNHCR visit for the previous two months.
A leader of the refugee hunger strike who had been detained for seven months...
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
U Tin Oo and realpolitik
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 21:17 Yan Nyein Aung (Youth)
(Commentary)
The National League for Democracy (NLD) party Vice-Chairman U Tin Oo has been freed from house arrest and has resumed his duties. But the news of U Tin Oo’s release didn’t make waves and had a ripple effect as that of student leader Min Ko Naing and Baba (Uncle) U Win Tin’s did. Similarly this news did not get much media coverage. When Min Ko Naing was released, the National Convention was still in progress and basic principles for a new constitution had not yet been laid down....
‘Halt abuse of migrant workers in Thailand’: HRW
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 18:14 Usa Pichai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) -A rights group has made a fervent appeal to the Thai government to halt abuses by the police and withdraw discriminatory laws and policies against migrant workers from neighbouring countries.
The New York-based, Human Rights Watch released a report on Tuesday detailing the widespread and severe human rights abuses faced by migrant workers in Thailand. Abuses include killings, torture in detention, extortion, sexual abuse, and labour rights abuses such as trafficking, forced labour,...
Headless body found near Rangoon suburb Park
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 18:20 Kyaw Kha
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A man's body with no head was found near Hlawga Park, east of San Pya village, Htauk Kyant, Mingaladon Township, Rangoon Division, police said.
The headless body was found in the morning of February 12 which was the national holiday of Union Day. The body was found beside the Rangoon-Hmawbi highway near the entrance gate of Hlawga Park.
The Htauk Kyant Police Station said that the identity of victim is not yet known but he is not believed to be from the area. According to police...
Thai authorities clear landmines after soldiers injured
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 15:01 Usa Pichai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Last week after three Thai soldiers were injured by landmines near the Thai Burma border, Tak Province authorities launched an extensive search of the area and are presently removing lethal mines along the banks of the Moei River which divides Burma from Thailand. The soldiers were injured while on anti smuggling patrol in an area known for smuggling near Thasailuad village in Maesot district.
Following the explosion Master Sergeant Wutthikorn Khamchum had his right foot amputated,...
NLD leader Tin Oo awarded
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 12:51 Myint Maung
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Tin Oo the Vice-Chairman of the National League for Democracy was awarded for “bravery for national reconciliation” by the UNA, a coalition of ethnic parties, and his colleagues on February 20.
Released from a six-year house arrest term on February 13, the award was handed to the NLD Vice-Chairman at a ceremony in the house of Thakhin Thein Phe in Mayangon, Rangoon Division.
Pu Cing Tsian Thang the President of the Zomi National Congress (ZNC) said, “The bravery award for national...
Two policemen injured in clash with drug cartel sent to Rangoon
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 12:21 Sai Zuan Sai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Two policemen, injured in an ambush by drug traffickers on February 20, which claimed the lives of 14 police personnel, were sent to Rangoon General Hospital from Tachileik hospital by air yesterday.
The drug cartel’s army led by king pin Naw Kham opened fire on policemen on routine patrol in the Golden Triangle area bordering Burma, Laos and Thailand on Saturday, leaving 14 dead or missing and two injured. The policemen were from Wan Pong Township police force in Tachileik District,...
NLD commences Central Committee selection process
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 09:28 Kyaw Kha
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The National League for Democracy (NLD) yesterday initiated its Central Committee (CC) selection process at party headquarters in Rangoon.
While the Central Executive Committee (CEC) began selection work on Monday, the process could not be completed and the new CC list will likely not be announced till the coming Monday, according to the NLD.
"We received additional nominees and we have to recheck existing nominees as there are some objections and confirmation is needed at the grassroots...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Muslims in Arakan state get Temporary national ID cards
Monday, 22 February 2010 21:00 Nyein Chan
Dhaka (Mizzima) – As occurred prior to the may 2008 constitutional referendum, local authorities are reportedly going door to door issuing temporary national IDs to adult Muslims in some townships in Burma’s western Arakan State. Arakan is home to a large Muslim Rohingya minority many of whom are denied Burmese citizenship despite having lived in Burma for generations.
Since mid February staff from the Burmese Immigration and Manpower Department have issued ID cards at a fast pace to people in Rethe...
H1N1 traps Chin youths in Naypyidaw
Monday, 22 February 2010 19:26 Phanida
New Delhi (Mizzima) - A group of Chin youth who earlier this month made the long trip to Burma’s new capital Naypyidaw to participate in the 63rd anniversary celebration of Union day are now stranded because several members of the group showed symptoms of the H1N1 influenza virus.
On the 4th February approximately 50 Chin Youth headed to Naypyidaw to represent their state in a Union Day cultural dance program . Mizzima has been informed that when some members of the group got sick and showed signs of the...
Cars older than 1984 not to ply on Rangoon roads
Monday, 22 February 2010 18:26 Min Thet
Rangoon (Mizzima) – Cars older than 1984 will be banned from Rangoon roads in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, a senior officer from the Rangoon Division Transport Department said.
"Many people made queries in our office. Not all old model cars but we will certainly transfer models older than 1984. They will not be allowed to ply on Rangoon roads," he said.
Current commercial vehicles, trucks, passenger cars and taxis have license plates with letters KaKa and Kha Kha, From Ka to Ah and 1/Ka, 2/Ga among others....
Over 260 households being forcibly relocated
Monday, 22 February 2010 18:17 Khai Suu
New Delhi (Mizzima) – In yet another instance of high handedness by the Burmese military junta, over 260 households in Mudita Street, Ward No. 2 in North Okkalapa, Rangoon have been ordered to move from their current location, local residents alleged.
Most of the residents on Mudita Street, Ward No. 2 are slum dwellers.
The North Okklapa Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman and Ward No. 2 PDC Chairman issued the order on February 16. The order entails shifting from their places. The...
Monday, February 22, 2010
Bangladesh cracks down on Burmese Muslim refugees
Sunday, 21 February 2010 15:27 Larry Jagan
The Bangladesh authorities have cracked down on Burmese Muslim refugees seeking refuge from the brutal Burmese military regime. The police operation has created a major humanitarian crisis according to an aid agency working in the area, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
Over the past few weeks thousands of unregistered Rohingyas have fled their temporary homes in Bangladesh and sought safety in a makeshift camp, where they have no food, inadequate shelter and cannot work, according to the Arakan Project...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Hawk’s eye on net users in Sittwe by regime
Friday, 19 February 2010 21:36 Kyaw Kha
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Monitoring of internet cafes has been stepped up in a big way by the Burmese military junta authorities, where a hawk’s eye is being kept on surfers, cafe owners in Sittwe, Rakhine State said.
Café owners have been ordered to keep a record of the names of users, the websites they surf and whom they chat with, they said.
“Officials have given us a three-page regulation and ordered us to keep a record of the names of users, the websites they visit, and who they send emails to. Then...
NLD presents Aung San Suu Kyi case to UN rights envoy
Friday, 19 February 2010 16:50 Sai Zuan Sai, Myint Maung
Chiang Mai, New Delhi (Mizzima) – The National League for Democracy's (NLD) Central Executive Committee (CEC) told UN rights envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana yesterday that Aung San Suu Kyi must to be released.
Her release is vital for Burma's national reconciliation; the five NLD CEC members told Quintana during their one hour meeting at Rangoon's Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel.
“We talked with him about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We told him that she must be released. He also said that he wanted to meet...
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