Friday, 30 April 2010 01:02 Myo Thein
Rangoon (Mizzima) - Turnout at the “Lifestyle and IT 2010” exhibition, which started on Wednesday at the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) Hall in Rangoon, has seen an 80 per cent drop in visitor numbers compared with other trade fairs held this year, organisers say.
About 10,000 visitors registered on the first day of this four-day show. Previous fairs this year saw 50,000 participants daily, a staff member of the organiser, Milky Way International, said. The show was opened by Rangoon Command chief Major General...
Friday, April 30, 2010
Social work to go on without party’s name, NLD says
Friday, 30 April 2010 00:05 Myint Maung
New Delhi (Mizzima) - The main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, will carry out social work among the people by officially registered with the authority concerned, but not in the party’s name, the party’s vice-chairman says.
National League for Democracy (NLD) vice-chairman Tin Oo told Mizzima the group would avoid using any name containing “NLD”.
“We won’t take names like Social Aid Group NLD or Legal Aid Group NLD. If we took such names … the authority concerned would not accept [registration]...
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Migrants lose money, peace of mind in Thai protests
Thursday, 29 April 2010 18:58 Usa Pichai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Migrant workers who work near the sites of now six-week old political protests in Bangkok have suffered financial losses and raised stress levels by security restrictions from both government security officials and the anti-government “red-shirt” demonstrators.
International Rescue Committee advocacy officer Adisorn Kerdmongkol told Mizzima the majority of migrant workers in Bangkok were not directly affected by the protests but that they were obstructed from work and feared travelling...
Report outlines regime’s post-Nargis ‘failure’
Thursday, 29 April 2010 22:50 Thomas Maung Shwe
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - A report just issued by New York-based Human Rights Watch sharply counters claims made by some that following Cyclone Nargis there was a general opening of space across Burma.
Human Rights Watch notes in its extensive research that despite making some significant gains in fixing areas severely affected by the cyclone the “Burmese government continues to deny basic freedoms and place undue restrictions on aid.”
The rights body’s deputy Asia director, Elaine Pearson, said:...
Locals interrogated on Myitsone bomb blasts
Thursday, 29 April 2010 21:51 Salai Han Thar San
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Local people from three nearby villages are being interrogated in connection with the serial bomb blasts in Myitsone, Kachin State, by the army unit based in the area.
The local Burmese Army Infantry Battalion 29 (IB 29) summoned villagers and questioned them in connection with the series of blasts in the Asia World company office building at the Myitsone hydropower project site and two nearby villages on April 17.
“People from every house in our village are being questioned....
DVB reporter’s appeal rejected
Thursday, 29 April 2010 20:46 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - A reporter for a non-profit media organisation lost her appeal in the Magway Division Court against a jail term of more than a quarter of a century handed down in Pakokku, her lawyer said yesterday.
Hla Hla Win, video reporter for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), based in Norway, was sentenced to 27 years in Myitkyina prison in Kachin State. Oral arguments of lawyers from both sides on her appeal against the decision handed down in a Pakokku court were heard on April 5 and the...
New Mon State Party prepares for war
Thursday, 29 April 2010 00:07 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - The New Mon State Party is making preparations in case war breaks out between it and the Burmese Army, after its militia under ceasefire rejected the junta’s order for it to be brought under the command of the Border Guard Force, a spokesman said.
The junta had given the party until April 22 to respond to its offer of a place for the party’s militia in the new guard force. The party rejected the offer and since has secured all documents from its communication offices and ceased their...
Moderate quake wakes Sittwe
Thursday, 29 April 2010 20:23 Khaing Suu
New Delhi (Mizzima) - A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck southeast of the coastal city of Sittwe, in the western state of Arakan (Rakhine) last night, a local resident and US geologists say.
The quake struck at 12:31 a.m. and was centered 55 miles (90 kilometres) southeast of Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State, 21.5 miles (35 kilometres) underground, according to the website of the United States Geological Survey.
“Nothing was damaged. It struck and the room was shaking, which woke us from our sleep,...
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
PM and cabinet ministers resign from military posts
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 22:22 Ko Wild
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Twenty-two of the junta’s cabinet ministers including Prime Minister Thein Sein resigned from their military posts this week, in what is seen by observers as paving the way for them to join the new “civilian” government.
Sources close to the authorities told Mizzima that the list included Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Major General Htay Oo (General Secretary of Union Solidarity and Development Association - USDA); Rail Transport Minister Major General Aung Min; Commerce Minister...
Longing for my home
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 13:55 Hnin Pan Eain
(Mizzima) - On the 14th Waxing of Kasone, the moon looks down on our refugee camp and splashes its light upon us. The breeze blowing from Noe Boe Mountain just after the rain brings the scented smell of earth. I recollect Myoma Nyein’s ‘Let’s stay two of us alone under the moonlight’, thinking of the Maha Myaing forest and the reflection of moonlight in the Irrawaddy.
But there’s no chit-chat under the moonlight here. There’s no spacious ground for us to freely enjoy. There’s no one roaming after...
Pressure mounts on foreign energy firms in Burma to come clean
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 20:07 Larry Jagan and Mizzima News
(In the earlier version of this article published online on April 27 there were several misquotations, errors of concision, errors of fact, a typographical error within a quote and the policy of one company was incorrectly attributed to another. Mizzima deeply regrets these errors, which are detailed in retractions below the following article.)
Bangkok (Mizzima) - International pressure is mounting on multinational oil and gas companies operating in Burma to reveal how much they have...
Win Tin unhappy over EU parleys with junta
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 13:09 Ko Wild
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Though European Union’s extension of its existing economic sanctions against Burma for one more year was welcomed by the National League for Democracy (NLD), Win Tin, a senior leader was unhappy with its decision to continue parleys with the junta.
“When we wanted them to apply more pressure on the junta, they still wanted to talk with the regime. We are unhappy with this,” Win Tin a Central Executive Committee member of NLD said.
Given that the appalling human rights situation...
Karen ceasefire group apparently defies junta orders
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 16:40 Mizzima News
Mizzima News - The Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (KNU/KNLA) Peace Council, an armed ethnic ceasefire group, has apparently defied the Burmese junta’s order to transform into a state militia, saying the junta has not fulfilled its ceasefire agreements.
In a letter to Burmese Chief of Military Intelligence Lieutenant General Ye Myint, Chairman of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council, General Htay Maung, rejected the offer, stipulating that his group would not transform into a “Burma Army Militia...
Suspected artillery strike wounds four at dam project
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 23:52 Myint Maung
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Four workers were injured at the Thaukyegat hydropower project in Htantabin Township after shells believed to be fired by Karen National Union troops fell on the site operated by a subsidiary of Asia World Company, which has close ties to Burma’s ruling junta.
At least two shells hit the site in Pegu (Bago) Division yesterday. The injured were being treated at one of two Taungoo Township hospitals.
“We are not yet clear about [details of] the attack … whether it was a clash or...
Press Scrutiny and Registration Division director to be promoted
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 12:23 Salai Han Thar San
New Delhi (Mizzima) - The Ministry of Information's Press Scrutiny and Registration Division’s (PSRD) top official, Major Tint Swe, will be promoted to a position within a different department.
As he is to become Deputy Chief Director in another department also under the Ministry of Information, Lieutenant Colonel Myo Myint Aung will assume the position vacated by the departure of Major Tint Swe.
Lieutenant Colonel Myo Myint Aung joined PSRD as a Joint Director. Meanwhile, concerns have arisen...
Please don't prevent the hearse crossing your ward.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010 14:43 Khaing Suu
Interview with Kyaw Thu
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Kyaw Thu, actor turned founder of free funeral service, has been honoured with the "Citizen of Burma" award by the expatriate Burmese community through online voting.
Burmese communities living in 14 cities in the U.S. have voted to honour several leading social activists with "Citizens of Burma awards" on April 24 this year.
Q: Tell us how you feel on receiving the award?
A: I am glad that the expatriate Burmese acknowledge social workers in the country....
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Asia World doubles tolls on road to Bassein
Tuesday, 27 April 2010 17:17 Myo Thein
Rangoon (Mizzima) - Junta crony firm Asia World has without notice, since the Buddhist New Year, more than doubled tolls and is charging for river crossings on the Rangoon-Bassein (Pathein) Road, truck drivers say.
The total fees for using the road and bridge crossings rose from 35,000 Kyats (US$35) to 75,000 Kyats for a 10-wheeled truck (20 tons) and for a 12-wheeled truck (40 tons), from 40,000 Kyats to 90,000 Kyats.
Asia World rebuilt and upgraded the road on a build-operate-transfer basis.
There had...
With temperature air conditioner sales soar
Tuesday, 27 April 2010 12:07 Mizzima News
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Soaring temperatures in Rangoon has sent air conditioners flying of shop shelves with sales figures sky rocketing to 150 per cent compared to last year.
Rangoon boasts over 50 air conditioner shops. The machines are made in Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and China. The China made ‘Chigo’ brand of air conditioners are the most popular and sell the most because they come cheap. The Chigo air conditioner prices range from 180,000 Kyat (180 US$) to 1300,000 Kyat (1,300 US$).
An air conditioner...
Senator seeks Burmese perspective on US policy
Tuesday, 27 April 2010 18:46 Mungpi
Oklahoma City (Mizzima) - Burmese activists and community leaders in the United States have urged US Senator Richard Lugar to continue pushing for targeted sanctions on Burma’s military rulers, as they say the junta has failed to respond positively to the Obama administration’s new engagement policy, according to a senatorial aide.
Keith Luse, a senior Foreign Relations Committee assistant to Senator Lugar, told Mizzima that Burmese ethnic leaders at a meeting in the senator’s electorate of Indiana state on...
EU renews sanctions against Burmese regime
Tuesday, 27 April 2010 11:08 Mungpi
Oklahoma City (Mizzima) - European Union foreign ministers on Monday agreed to extend its existing economic sanctions against military-ruled Burma for another year, and called on the military regime to stop “violation of international human rights and humanitarian law”.
“The Council deems it necessary to extend the restrictive measures provided for in the current EU decision by another year,” a statement by the Foreign Ministers of the 27 European nations said.
But the council emphasised its readiness to revise,...
Wa Region needs export crops, Wa party says
Tuesday, 27 April 2010 23:51 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Exportable crops need to be planted in Wa regions that have yet to substitute opium cultivation with other crops, an ethnic Wa political party that is to register with the Election Commission, said. Wa National Unity Party patron Saw Philip Sam said the soil in the region was suitable for growing opium but substitute crops had failed to thrive.
“We need to raise the living standards of farmers. So, we need to review the foreign markets and … grow [cash] crops suited to the region. After...
Pakokku gale crushes three under tree
Tuesday, 27 April 2010 23:02 Kyaw Kha
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - A rainstorm has ripped through the riverside town of Pakokku in central Burma, destroying 30 houses and killing at least three residents, including two children, pinned beneath a toppled tree, residents said.
The gale started at 5:30 p.m. on Monday in Pakokku, which lies about 19 miles (30 kilometres) from Bagan, on the west bank of the Irrawaddy River in Magwe Division. The town was soon strewn with debris from damaged houses, and trees and power lines were down. Two children and...
Burmese youth detained ‘with 1,000 speed pills’
Tuesday, 27 April 2010 17:26 Nyein Chan
Dhaka (Mizzima) - A Burmese national has been arrested for alleged drug-trafficking by Bangladeshi border guards near the southernmost mainland border town of Teknaf in Chittagong division, sources close to the situation said.
Teknaf-based Bangaldeshi Rifles troop No. 42 detained Shu Ku, 24, on Saturday at Asia Body village, about three miles (five kilometres) south of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar district, after he crossed the border illegally from No. 4 Quarter, Butheetaung Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State. He...
Monday, April 26, 2010
NDF vows to continue armed struggle
Monday, 26 April 2010 22:50 Mizzima News
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - In a major development that may lead to fresh armed conflict between the armed ceasefire groups and the Burmese Army, the National Democratic Front - Burma (NDF) has declared that it will join hands with its allies to attack the junta on multiple front lines.
“The flames of civil war will be fuelled. We are discussing amongst ourselves to open many front lines around the country if the junta opens even one,” Mai Phone Kyaw, General Secretary of NDF, warned.
The NDF’s Central Committee...
NLD turns to grass-roots social work on May 7
Monday, 26 April 2010 21:56 Myint Maung
New Delhi (Mizzima) - The main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, is to halt its political activities and “plunge headlong into possible social work” from May 7, an NLD spokesman said.
Ohn Kyaing, a spokesman and party central executive committee member, made the comments today after attending a meeting of the committee at party headquarters in Bahan Township, Rangoon. “We will stop political work from May 7 and we will plunge headlong into possible social work,” he told Mizzima.
The...
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Police hold 7 youths amid post-blast crackdown
Sunday, 25 April 2010 16:42 Mizzima News
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Seven suspected "activists" in their 20s and 30s have been arrested in central Rangoon amid a security crackdown following blasts during New Year celebrations. Another youth evaded arrest, police and neighbours said.
About 60 armed police raided the home of the youths at No. 29, Ground Floor, 1st Street, Northern Kunchan Block 4, Kamayut near Hledan junction just after midnight on Saturaday morning. They seized three mobile phones and sealed the room.
Officers at divisional and...
Police hold 7 youths amid post-blast crackdown
Sunday, 25 April 2010 16:36 Mizzima News
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Seven suspected "activists" in their 20s and 30s have been arrested in central Rangoon amid a security crackdown following blasts during New Year celebrations. Another youth evaded arrest, police and neighbours said....
Friday, April 23, 2010
UDP said junta-backed parties will be the main rivals
Friday, 23 April 2010 23:35 Min Thet
Rangoon (Mizzima) - The junta-backed parties will be the main rivals of the Union Democracy Party if it is permitted to contest the forthcoming election, the party’s chairman has predicted.
He expressed his opinion at the party’s press conference about its registration with the Election Commission on U Chit Maung Road, Bahan Township, Rangoon on Friday.
To be a free and fair election, political prisoners should be released, the election process should be inclusive, the media should be free and international...
One seat for us would benefit Shan State, new party says
Friday, 23 April 2010 22:14 Khaing Suu
New Delhi (Mizzima) - A new ethnic Shan party believes winning even a single seat in the forthcoming election would be to Shan State’s advantage, Shan Nationalities Democratic Party officials said, explaining why they are joining the tough race.
The party had registered with the Election Commission at Nay Pyi Taw on April 8 and will contest in 44 Townships of the 55 in Shan State and some Townships of States or Divisions, the party’s chairman said.
“We will contest both Shan States and some other States...
Khin Maung Swe may run solo after May 6
Friday, 23 April 2010 01:33 Mizzima News
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Fissures in the National League for Democracy have deepened over the re-registration issue, with party Central Executive Committee member Khin Maung Swe leaning towards going it alone after the May 6 deadline for registration, when the group will cease to exist as a political entity.
Khin Maung Swe has however let it be known he would continue to be loyal to National League for Democracy (NLD) founder Aung San Suu Kyi and the party until the deadline. He is among the few leaders likely...
Thais top Burma investor, state news service reports
Friday, 23 April 2010 23:19 Usa Pichai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Thailand ranked first among country investors into Burma in the 10 years up to 2008, mainly is energy businesses, ahead of Britain and Singapore who apparently take second and third place.
Wassana Mututanond, Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI) investment advisor said Thailand had invested US$7.41 billion in Burma between 1988 and last year, making it the top investor in Burma in terms of investment value, according to a report on the Thai News Agency website on Friday.
The greatest...
New Zealand Senator against scholarships to Burmese junta employees
Friday, 23 April 2010 22:01 Sai Zuan Sai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Ms. Maryan Street, a New Zealand Senator has expressed her displeasure and has said today that she will try her utmost to stop her government providing scholarships to Burmese military government employees.
Her reaction came in the wake of a disclosure by New Zealand Foreign Minister Mr. Murray McCully that three Burmese government employees had arrived in the country for further studies. He also said that more will follow soon.
“We are concerned over giving scholarships to Burmese...
NLD youth leaders gear up for post May 6 days
Friday, 23 April 2010 22:17 Myint Maung
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Gearing up for activities after the junta’s deadline to register as a political party expires on May 6, and the National League for Democracy (NLD) ceases to be a political entity, youth leaders made field visits to 60 townships to explain the party’s position.
The NLD did not re-register with the Election Commission after deciding not to contest the elections because it was of the view that the electoral laws were ‘unjust and unfair.’
The Party Youth Works Implementation Task Force...
Fire at petrol station near Rangoon clinic
Friday, 23 April 2010 20:52 Mizzima News
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Fire broke out at a petrol station opposite a private hospital in the central northern Rangoon township of Bahan last night, fire officials said.
Five fire engines took about 10 minutes to bring the blaze across from the Shwegondaing Specialist Clinic at 7 East Shwegondaing Road under control Fire crews put out the flames at 5.25 p.m.
A local merchant told Mizzima how it started. “An electric cord dropped onto a petrol can and set it alight. Another can also caught fire,” a shop...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Chin Progressive Party not to waste poll advantage
Thursday, 22 April 2010 17:20 Mizzima News
New Delhi (Mizzima) - An ethnic Chin political party, which is to register with the Election Commission today, feels that though it is widely known that the junta’s multi-party general election this year will not be free and fair, it needs to participate for ethnic Chin people.
"Many say the forthcoming 2010 election will not be free and fair. But we, ethnic Chin groups that are very poor, must not waste this advantage. At the same time, it is also certain that the advantage will not be fully granted...
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