mizzima

Suu Kyi campaigns in Dawei

2012-01-30T15:12:00.000+06:30

Monday, 30 January 2012 12:29 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Burmese voters got their first real taste of Aung San Suu Kyi the political campaigner on Sunday as thousands of supporters greeted her in Dawei, the site of a huge industrial project planned for southern Burma.

Thousands gathered along the roads, villages and towns to see the 66-year-old Nobel peace prize winner who spoke sounding like a Western-style politician seeking votes for her party, the National League for Democracy, which will contest all empty seats in the Parliament in the April 1 by-election.

“There are certain laws which are obstacles to the freedom of the people, and we will strive to abolish these laws within the framework of the Parliament,” Suu Kyi said to widely enthusiastic supporters waving NLD flags and wearing T-shirts with Suu Kyi’s picture, according to Reuters news group. She spoke after meeting officials of her NLD party in Dawei.

NLD officials said Suu Kyi will travel to Mandalay to campaign in early February before campaigning for her own seat in a poor, rural constituency on the southern outskirts of Rangoon.

While speaking to the crowd in Dawei, about 380 kilometres south of Rangoon, she outlined what sounded like an NLD campaign agenda. She wants to revise a 2008 army-drafted Constitution that gives the military authority to take control of the country in a state of emergency and to occupy a quarter of the seats in parliament. Observers say that would require support of other opposition parties, but even then it could not be accomplished without support of the ruling party, the government-back Union Solidarity and Development Party.

“We need to amend certain parts of the Constitution,” she said, adding the international community was poised to help Burma with development aid “once we are on an irreversible road to democracy,” Reuters quoted her saying.

Alluding to Burma’s long history of ethnic conflicts, and the fighting that has taken place since June between the government and ethnic Kachins, she said, “Diversity is not something to be afraid of, it can be enjoyed. If there is a person who remains without independence, it means the entire country lacks independence.”

A diplomat who heard her speech, said: “She's becoming more and more explicitly political and talking about the importance of policies,” according to Reuters.

Suu Kyi said the elections must be “free and fair,” and that any government that lies must be removed.

Agence France Press news agency quoted her as telling supporters: “If we move in the right direction our country will have many opportunities. We are eager to seize them.”

The Burmese government plans to build a huge industrial complex in Dawei, which is projected to be energy and shipping corridor that could transform the Southeast Asia region. It is largely funded by neighboring Thailand.

Earlier this month the authorities cancelled plans for a coal-fired power plant in the project because of environmental concerns, a move seen as a victory for local activists and a sign that the government is beginning to listen to the grassroots people.

Suu Kyi was under house arrest for much of the past 20 years, when the NLD won the 1990 election in Burma by a landslide. It was not allowed to take power.

Suu Kyi said the elections must be “free and fair,” and that any government that lies must be removed.

“Will never cheat the people,” she told the crowd. “If we cannot do, we will tell you frankly that we cannot do. And if we can do it, we will do it,” she said at Maungmagan beach near Dawei, according to Reuters. “For the NLD to do its duty, please vote for the NLD.”

SSA-North signs two peace agreements

2012-01-30T15:11:00.000+06:30

Monday, 30 January 2012 19:56 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – The Shan State Progressive Party and the Shan State Army-North (SSAN) signed two peace agreements with the government peacemaking team on Saturday.

The agreements were signed in Taunggyi, the Shan State capital, according to Maj Sai La, the SSAN spokesman.

One agreement included the resettlement of the party and army around Wanhai, the group’s main base; establishing liaison offices in Taunggyi, Lashio and Kholam; informing each side before one one travels in the area controlled by the other; and to hold further meetings, according to the New Light of Myanmar, a state-run newspaper.

The second agreement included the ratification of an earlier agreement; the non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national unity and perpetuation of national sovereignty on the basis of Panglong Spirit; the two sides will work together for local development, resettlement and improvement of people’s livelihood; and to cooperate in the fight against narcotic drugs

The agreements were signed by Aung Thaung for the Union and Sao Kherh Tai for the SSPP/SSA.

Sai La told the Shan Herald news agency that all Shan groups should join in talks with the central government, and he said he had already asked Hkun Tun Oo, who was released in the January 13 amnesty, to play a leadership role.

Hkun Tun Oo, 68, the leader of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, is widely respected by all Shan groups and other ethnic groups.

The news agency said the SSA-North is the 7^th armed movement to sign a cease-fire agreement with Naypyitaw. The remaining major groups that have not signed are the Kachin Independence Organization, Karenni National Progress Party and New Mon State Party.

Political parties discuss Kaladan project

2012-01-30T15:02:00.000+06:30

Monday, 30 January 2012 16:08 Ko Pauk

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Members of eight Burmese political parties arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss the Kaladan River project, a joint India-Burma trade venture.

The two-day meeting is hosted by Jamia Millia Islamia University, said Chin National Party chairman Zam Ciin Paul.

“I want our people to know what the project intends to do, what benefits the people will receive and what disadvantages people will suffer,” said Zam Ciin Paul. “It is in our area, so we want to know about it. As far as I know, our people will get very little benefit. The biggest benefit will go to the Indian government. It also intends to create a trade route to Asean,” said Zam Ciin Paul.

The project will turn the Kaladan River into a shipping route, he said, while adding that nearby paddy fields and bean fields could be damaged because of the intrusion of salty seawater.

“It’s important how much they will expand the river. If they dig, the river will lose its balance. The salt water will enter into the river. If they can’t control the salt water, our paddy fields and bean fields will be damaged. And all the farms near the river will be damaged for sure,” he said.

The Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project is intended to facilitate trade between India’s Mizoram State and other countries. The project includes dredging the Kaladan River to enable cargo vessels to navigate the river from Sittwe in Burma to Mizoram State in India, and it involves the construction of a river port at Paletwa. It also includes construction of a highway between Paletwa and Mizoram State.

A total of 15 Burmese delegates from the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, National Unity Party, National Democratic Force, Democratic Party (Myanmar), Chin National Party, Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), Pa-O National Organization and Inn National Development will attend the meeting.

Along with political parties, some NGOs and social groups including the Metta, Paungku and Thingaha organizations will attend along with Indian MPs, Indian ambassadors, professors, former foreign secretaries of India and the Chief Minister of Nagaland State in India.

The two-day meeting was organized by Jamia Millia Islamia University, the Tampadipa Institute and the Euro-Burma office.

Burma plans foreign investment tax exemption

2012-01-30T15:00:00.000+06:30

Monday, 30 January 2012 15:44 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Burma will introduce a law in this session of Parliament for an eight-year tax exemption for foreign investors as Western companies have “rushed” to build economic ties, an industrial minister told the Davos Economic Forum on Saturday.

Industry Minister U Soe Thane told reporters that as the country’s democracy reform continues, “They are rushing to us. We are just opening the door,” according to Agency France Press.

The minister said his first visit to Davos had been a success, and he met with many corporate officials who expressed interest in the country. He stressed Burma’s location between India and China, its fishing industry and its people, many of whom speak English, he said.

Deputy railways minister Lwin Thaung told AFP the government was looking to enact radical legislation to attract investors.

“Presently we have a Myanmar investment law which is rather restrictive, but we are now revising it,” he told AFP. “We have hired foreign consultants ... and we have told them to draw up the law so as to be more attractive than our neighbours.”

“It will give tax exemptions for up to eight years and, if the enterprise is profitable for Myanmar, we will extend the incentive. We have already drafted the bill ... and at the end of February the law will come out.”

Earlier, reports said that the European Union is considering lifting some sanctions against Burma as soon as February, according to diplomats in Brussels, and the U.S. has promised further reforms will be met with US rewards.

“Our political reforms are not connected to the pressure from the outside. It is what is good for the people, good for the country and for the whole world community,” Lwin Thaung said.

Burma hopes to see immediate investment is the tourist industry and U Soe said hotels were already struggling to cope with demand.

“Tourism is booming. In Yangon there's no room. And it's not only in Yangon but Mandalay and Inle Lake,” he said in reference to a major tourist attraction.

Burma tapping into Singapore’s financial expertise

2012-01-30T14:58:00.000+06:30

Monday, 30 January 2012 14:59 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Burmese President Thein Sein began a state visit to Singapore on Sunday, accompanied by a delegation of ministers who are expected to seek expertise in financial areas.

During the visit, which ends on Wednesday, the president will sign a memorandum of understanding on a technical co-operation program. Singapore will provide training for reforms in the legal, banking and financial sectors, according to Agence France Press.

“After so many years of isolation, their capacity to handle the expected inflow of investments and set up the much-needed regulatory frameworks have to be brought up to scratch as quickly as possible,” a source told AFP.

A Southeast Asian diplomat also said Burma needs to train accountants, bankers and other people with technical skills as well as in corporate governance.

“Singapore is the logical place where it can seek help,” said the diplomat, who asked not to be named.

The pact also calls on Singapore to share its best practices in trade, tourism and urban planning.

Observers said Burmese officials are looking on ways to jump start economic programs that will immediately benefit from closer ties with the West.

“If all goes well, Burma certainly looks forward to being welcomed from the political wilderness,” Song Seng Wun, a regional economist with Malaysian bank CIMB, told AFP. “It looks like the Burmese are in a hurry to catch up in the shortest possible time.”

After the official welcome ceremony at the residence of the president of Singapore, Thein Sein will meet Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. President Thein Sein will also have a breakfast meeting with Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Singapore, a regional financial centre and a favourite hub for global companies, is often seen as a model by its neighbours.

Thein Sein, a former prime minister and an ex-general who was a member of the junta, was appointed president in February last year after the November 2010 elections.

Airlines starting to look at Burma

2012-01-30T14:57:00.000+06:30

Monday, 30 January 2012 14:00 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – With the expected ramp up in tourism in Burma in the coming year, some airlines are wondering how long it will be before they can schedule more flights to benefit from an influx of business people and tourists, in spite of woefully weak infrastructure.

Emerging democratic reforms are leading to renewed interests in the country after decades of isolation, economic sanctions and a formerly repressive military regime.

Reuters news agency said Monday that Thai Airways International PCL, SilkAir, AirAsia Bhd, and JetStar are seen as the main beneficiaries from the opening up of the country. Each airline has a history of service to the International Airport in Rangoon.

“This is a huge country which will provide new growth for airlines, especially the low cost carriers,” Standard and Poor’s analyst Shukor Yusof told Reuters, adding that the yields that carriers enjoy on Yangon routes have been good.

Besides the lingering patina of British colonial buildings, ancient Buddhist temples and pristine beaches, the country is expected to attract the more adventurous tourists who want something different than the hustle and bustle capitals of Southeast Asia.

During the 2010-2011 (April-March) fiscal year, about 424,000 people visited Burma, according to official data, Reuters said. That compares to around 19 million tourists in Thailand each year.

Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld told Reuters, “We are considering opening more flights and destinations in Myanmar. We're only operating to Yangon at the moment, but we're currently looking at Mandalay and Bagan.”

Decades of economic failure, a crumbling infrastructure, and a lack of general facilities needed to support the tourism industry are further constraints, said observers.

However, some major hotel operators, including Starwood Hotels & Resorts – which runs chains such as Westin, Sheraton and Le Meridien – and Marriott International said recently that they wanted to start operating hotels in Burma.

NLD will try to repeal unjust laws

2012-01-30T14:53:00.000+06:30

Monday, 30 January 2012 13:15 Ko Pauk

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The National League for Democracy (NLD) plans to try to repeal laws that allow the Burmese government to detain people without trial and other laws used to oppress human rights.

Senior leader Tin Oo, who is also a member of NLD Law Affairs Committee, told Mizzima that two laws particularly, the Emergency Provisions Act and the Law Safeguarding the State from the Danger of Subversive Elements, popularly known as state protection laws will be the subject of motions to amend or repeal because they restrict human rights or are below the standards of international law.

Some of the laws go back to the British colonial government, he said.

A similar effort was undertaken in the last session of the Parliament. Thein Nyunt, a member of Parliament from the opposition New National Democracy Party, told Mizzima that he moved a motion to repeal and amend such laws during the second session of Parliament convened in September 2011.

“I moved the motion to repeal the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act in last parliament session,” he said. “I also moved a motion to release all political prisoners and grant amnesty, but I got only eight votes,” he said.

The Parliament is dominated by the government-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party and appointed military MPs, who total more than 80 per cent of seats in Parliament. If the NLD should win all contested 46 seats in the April 1 by-election it would hold less than 10 per cent of the seats.

Thein Nyunt said, “We will cooperate will everyone in repealing laws which are repressing people, which are not meeting the norms of international human rights standards.”

Arakan Liberation Party invited to peace talks

2012-01-30T14:14:00.000+06:30

Monday, 30 January 2012 13:28 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – The Burmese government has invited the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) to attend peace negotiations, a party spokesperson told the Narinjara news agency.

Khine Thukha, secretary-2 of the ALP, said the party received the request through its armed wing based on the Thai-Burma border on January 23. No date for the talks was available.

"The deputy leader of the regime's Union Level Peace Making Group, Thein Zaw, sent an invitation letter to our Vice President U Khine Soe Naing Aung," Khine Thukha told the website.

The ALP and its armed wing, the Arakan Liberation Army, have been fighting guerrilla wars against the government on the Indo-Burma and Thai-Burma border for the freedom and ethnic rights of Arakanese people in Burma, the website said.

The ALP party and its army were founded in 1973. Its headquarters is based on the Indian border near Arakan State.

Burma’s censorship dep’t to be abolished?

2012-01-27T14:10:00.000+06:30

Friday, 27 January 2012 22:13 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – The director of the Burmese Press Scrutiny and Registration Department (PSRD) repeated claims this week that the department would be abolished in coming months.

“The new press law, which is still in the process of being enacted, will guarantee freedom of expression in Burma,” Tint Swe told Radio Free Asia (RFA) in an interview on Wednesday. “It won’t take too long to adopt the press law—it would just be a matter of months after discussions at the upcoming parliament session.” Tint Swe made similar claims in November.

Tint Swe told RFA that the law had already been drafted by Burma’s Ministry of Information and sent to the Attorney General’s office for approval.

His remarks came as Rangoon journalists report that many prior censorship restrictions or advisories have been handed down in recent weeks. Among the items censored or advised to be toned down were calls by Aung San Suu Kyi and others for the release of all remaining political prisoners and comments by recently released 88-Generation student leaders.

Other censored items involved the news of the eviction of a popular abbot for his outspoken political views and criticism of possible election irregularities by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) ahead of April 1 elections, according to RFA.

Lawmakers in Parliament said this week that revisions to the country’s press law would probably come up in this session of the Parliament, which opened this week.

Burmese censorship rules have been modified in recent months and are now divided into two general categories:

Group 1 includes nearly 200 publications focusing on sports, health, arts, children’s literature, crime, business and technology, which don’t need to pass articles through censors prior to publication, but must submit copies after publication.

Group 2 includes around 160 publications focusing on news, economics, and religion, which must pass articles through censors prior to publication.

Money exchange services start next month

2012-01-27T14:09:00.000+06:30

Friday, 27 January 2012 18:11 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Four Burmese private banks will provide money exchange services in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand starting in February, according to Rangoon media.

The move is designed to begin foreign trade services with Asean members. The banks participating are the Cooperative Bank, Kanbawza Bank, Asian Green Development Bank and Ayeyawaddy Bank, said an article in the Yangon Times.

The service will allow migrant workers in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia to remit money to Burma.

The Cooperative Bank will handle remittances from workers in Singapore; the Ayeyawaddy Bank in Malaysia; the Kanbawza Bank in Thailand; and Asian Green Development Bank in Singapore and Malaysia.

Meanwhile, recent economic changes exempted Burmese citizens living abroad from paying income tax for money earned in foreign currency starting Jan. 1.

Changes in the banking sector in November last year now allow 11 private banks out of 19 to trade three foreign hard currencies – U.S. dollar, Euro and Singapore dollar.

The 11 private banks include Kanbawza Bank, Cooperative Bank, Myanmar Industrial Development Bank, Myawaddy Bank, Inwa Bank, Myanmar Oriental Bank, Asian Green Development Bank, Ayeyawaddy Bank, Myanmar Pioneer Bank, United Amara Bank and Tun Foundation Bank.

There are three state-owned banks in Burma: Myanma Economic Bank, Myanma Foreign Trade Bank and Myanma Investment Commercial Bank.

The article said there are 15 foreign bank representative offices from nine countries operating in Burma; four from Singapore, two each from Bangladesh, Malaysia and Japan, and one each from Cambodia, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam and China.

Internal refugees need help: KNU

2012-01-27T14:08:00.000+06:30

Friday, 27 January 2012 14:44 Kyaw Kha

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – It’s past time to offer direct aid to tens of thousands of internal refugees in Karen State and other areas.

The Karen National Union (KNU) and Burmese government peace delegation will discuss the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) during the second round of peace talks, KNU officials said prior to the meeting.

KNU peacemaking committee Secretary Pado Saw David Htaw said that the KNU plans to prioritize the issue because internal refugees need to return to their villages and restart their lives.

“We will give second priority to the issue regarding refugees in Thai camps along the border area, because they don’t have as many problems getting food and shelter as the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) inside Burma,” Pado Saw David Htaw said.

Many refugees inside Burma have to hide in remote jungle camps in the Pegu Region and in Karen State. Food aid groups along the Thai-Burmese border can sometimes provide for IDPs, and the foreign-based Backpacker Health Worker Teams and KNU medical units can provide limited health services to IDPs, said the KNU.

There are around 100,000 IDPs, according to some estimates. Many villages have been burned down by Burmese troops, and many IDPs can not return to their villages because land mines have been planted by government and ethnic armies. DPs are homeless for various reasons, the first being renewed fighting since mid-summer 2011. Dam construction in Karen State has also been a factor.

The KNU peacemaking committee and the Burmese government delegation signed a cease-fire agreement in Hpaan on January 12, agreeing in principle on 11-points, which according to the agreement will be discussed further in coming talks.

Another key issue to be discussed, said David Htaw, is KNU-connected prisoners.

There are around 150,000 refugees in nine camps in Thailand with food and shelter provided by the Thailand-Burma Border Consortium, which is funded by international organizations. Most of the refugees are Karen who fled from their homes because of the fighting.

Most of the refugees’ homes and farmland have been destroyed and landmines have been planted in their areas.

A refugee who fled from Paingkyon Township to the Nu Po camp along the Thai-Burmese border told Mizzima, “There is only empty land in our villages. No one has solved the problem. Even if we want to return to the area to farm, we don’t have oxen and carts. Who will help us?”

A Karen refugee who fled three years ago from Kadimu village to the Mae La camp told Mizzima, “Here, we don’t know what our future will be. If we are sent to resettlement countries, it’ll be good for our children’s education. To return our villages, we’ll need guarantees that we can make a living in safety.” She said she fled because her village was burned down in February 2010 by the Burmese army.

Refugee groups say that both the Burmese government and the KNU have a responsibility to create conditions where internal and external refugees can return to their homes to restart their lives. After a genuine cease-fire, refugees will need support, including access to their farmland, seed crops, equipment and national identification cards.

International aid groups have called for the Burmese government to allow them full access to the area, in order to start the rebuilding process and national reconciliation. So far, the government has prevented full access to the area.

Up to 900 political prisoners may remain in Burmese jails

2012-01-27T14:07:00.000+06:30

Friday, 27 January 2012 14:08 Nay Myo

New Delhi (Mizzima) – As many as 918 political prisoners may still be locked up in Burmese prisons, but an accurate list of the number is still incomplete, say groups working on the political prisoner issue.

According to the list compiled by the Thai-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP-B), 918 political prisoners are still behind bars. According to the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, 388 are political prisoners are still being detained. The two groups use different criteria in defining a political prisoner. It is possible the exact number may never be known.

The Burmese government does not claim to have an accurate list of political prisoners, because it denies that it has political prisoners in its jails. Occasionally, it refers to the numbers compiled by the AAPP and NLD.

AAPP-B Secretary Teik Naing told Mizzima: “When we rechecked our list, we found that some of them were released but some were handed over to police and some were taken away by military units so that it is very difficult to make a complete list. We can confirm around 900 political prisoners are still behind bars.”

According to NLD spokesman Ohn Kyaing, the number of remaining political prisoners may likely increase and the NLD is still working on the exact numbers.

“According to our list, there were 591 political prisoners, and we found that 303 prisoners were released,” said Ohn Kyaing. “We are compiling a new list by collecting figures based on information from prisoners who were just released, and the new list is almost completed,”

A total of 651 prisoners are believed to have been freed during the January 13 presidential amnesty.

At a press conference in Naypyitaw on January 14, Home Minister Ko Ko said, “There are only prisoners in the prisons who are convicted for the crimes they committed. If you know there are monks who were arrested, please give us an accurate list of them.”

Taik Naing said that the AAPP defined those who were arrested and imprisoned in connection with a political issue as political prisoners.

“Some of these political prisoners were charged and framed up in criminal cases such as a narcotic drug cases, misappropriation cases, gambling cases, etc. But we saw them all as political prisoners because they were arrested for their political activities, and then charged with other cases and imprisoned,” he said.

Ohn Kyaing said the NLD considered those who were imprisoned in bomb blast cases and charged under the Unlawful Associations Act were regarded as political prisoners.

“We list all of them who were charged in bomb blast cases, charged in the “saffron revolution” cases, those who were charged under sections of the Unlawful Associations Act in Taungoo, those who were charged under the Emergency Provisions Act and those who were charged with section 505 of Penal Code (causing disaffection to the State) as political prisoners. And some of them were charged with abetting these political prisoners. We list them also as the political prisoners,” he said.

‘Burma’s Plea’ to raise funds for Burma Campaign UK

2012-01-27T14:06:00.000+06:30

Friday, 27 January 2012 21:44 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – “Burma’s Plea,” a 407-page photo album of life in Burma by award-winning photographer Dimitra Stasinopoulou can be purchased from the Thailand-Burma Border Consortium. The funds from the sale by the TBBC will be donated to Burma Campaign UK.

Dimitra Stasinopoulou was born in Athens in 1953. After completing her studies, she worked in the banking sector for 20 years, and later on took up photography.

Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, writes in the introduction: "What the remarkable photographs in this book reveal are the people behind the statistics, and the lives and diversity of the ordinary people in one of the most extraordinary countries in the world.

“They show the beauty of its landscape, the unique architecture, and most of all, the character and essence of the people. It is a unique collection of a nation at work, at play, and at prayer. Burma is a country where people are quick to smile, but where a dark sadness lies beneath. It is all captured here, and the images will not easily be forgotten.”

This private edition is available in Thailand from TBBC’s Bangkok office for 1,500 baht each. For more information, contact tbbcbkk@tbbc.org

Suu Kyi addresses World Economic Forum

2012-01-27T14:04:00.000+06:30

Friday, 27 January 2012 12:26 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi told delegates to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday that the possibility of a great transformation “is in sight for our country.”

“An important step that will take us nearer to a truly revolutionary break through will be the inclusion of all relevant political forces in the electoral and legislative process of our country,” she said.

She said a sign of that break through was the inclusion of Burmese Trade Minister Minister U Soe Thane in this year’s conference.

Here is the full text of her remarks:

Once again I have the honor and the privilege of addressing this gathering of thinkers and doers, movers and shakers, who are in positions to influence the direction that our world will take in the foreseeable future. I would like to express my thanks to the organizers of the World Economic Forum, especially to Professor Schwab who made it possible for this message to be sent and who also kindly invited me, very warmly, to join you here. That I am, very regretfully, not able to be with you today is due to reasons which are closely related to the theme of this meeting – “The great Transformation: Shaping New Models.”

Last year I spoke of the challenges that Burma was facing, our missed opportunities, our fundamental need for political stability, national reconciliation and rule of law, that we may be able to achieve genuine democratization, human development and economic growth. The aspirations of our people, not only to catch up with the rest of the world, but to make their own contribution towards a safer, happier planet for us all.

A year on I can say that we have taken some steps towards meeting those challenges. We are not yet at the point of a “great transformation,” but we have a rare and extremely precious opportunity to reach such a point. That Minister U Soe Thane is attending the 2012 World Economic Forum is a sign of the positive changes that have been taking place in our country. I would like to appeal to all those who wish to promote the interests of Burma, and other nations and societies struggling for peace and stability, development and prosperity, to support us in our efforts to take the next crucial task, that will enable us to bridge the gap between potential and fulfillment.

It gives me intense satisfaction, I do not think it will be going too far to say that it thrills me, to learn that the purpose of this Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum is to ensure that the leaders exercise their responsibilities, jointly, boldly and strategically to improve the state of the world for future generations.

May I be so bold as to say that this is a happy paraphrase of a major aim of my party, The National League for Democracy, except that we aspire, modestly, to start with our own country before we extend our efforts to the rest of the world.

This brings me back to the reason why I am not with you today. As I said earlier, the possibility of a “great transformation” is in sight for our country. An important step that will take us nearer to a truly revolutionary break through will be the inclusion of all relevant political forces in the electoral and legislative process of our country.

We are now reconstructing our party and preparing to contest by elections scheduled for first April. That we may extend our efforts for peace, national reconciliation, here I would like to emphasize the need to resolve ethnic conflicts and democratization into the national assembly. The work connected with these preparations is keeping me away from your meeting this year but I hope the fruit of our labors will contribute towards to a closer, positive links between our domestic economy and global developments.

Economic progress is dependent on more than the fiscal and monetary measures that have been advocated for Burma by international financial Institutions. Such measures will need to be up held by judicial and legislative reforms, which will guarantee that sound regulations and laws will be administrated justly and effectively.

We wish to create a political, social and economic environment that will bring ethical, new and innovative investments to our country. We would like to draw up our blue print for a sustainable new model economy with a view to the future needs of our globe, social and environmental concerns, woven into food, water and energy needs.

Once again I would like to end with an appeal to all of you: please support our endeavors to make Burma the shining representative of what can be possible if we cooperate in our efforts to make our world a happier, safer home for all our peoples.

In conclusion, may I say that I very much hope that the day will come when I too can be part of this distinguished, vibrant gathering.
Thank you.

Meeting Suu Kyi was ‘quite a moment’: McConnell

2012-01-27T14:03:00.000+06:30

Friday, 27 January 2012 12:09 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – A top U.S. lawmaker, in an address to his colleagues in the U.S. Senate, said he never thought he would get to meet Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in person.

“It was quite a moment,” Senator Mitch McConnell said, to be welcomed by her in her home in Rangoon, during his two-day visit to Burma earlier this month.

Senate Minority Leader McConnell said recent democratic changes in Burma are real and, “I am pleased to say that change is clearly in the air. It appears Burma has made some progress towards democracy in the past six months, made more than it has in decades.”

McConnell said the long isolated country’s new government has taken “undeniably positive steps towards reform.” He supported the exchange of ambassadors between Washington and Rangoon, but he said more must be done.

“The government of Burma still has a substantial way to go to achieve real and lasting reform,” McConnell said. “I do not support, and I do not think the [Obama] administration would support lifting the [U.S.] sanctions that have been imposed unless there is much further progress.”

McConnell, the senate Republican leader from Kentucky, was the original author of the United States’ sanctions legislation on Burma.

After he return from Burma this week, McConnell gave an interview to National Public Radio about what first drew his interests to Burma.

“I read about it in the newspaper like everyone else,” he said. “It was an interesting story: the uprising in '88, the election in 1990 in which Suu Kyi got 80 percent of the vote and their outrageous decision to put her under arrest for most of the next 20 years, the inability to go accept the Noble Peace price in '91.”

“All of that I found a fascinating and interesting story. Even though I thought the chance of influencing events there were quite remote, I started taking about it.”

He told NPR reporter Michele Kelemen that eventually he push the Burmese sanctions legislation through Congress, and then Suu Kyi managed to send him a hand-written note that he said he framed and hung in his office.

“To be perfectly candid with you, I wasn't all that confident things would ever change,” he said.

He said Burma’s upcoming parliamentary elections are an important test of progress, and he urged a full reconciliation between Burma’s government and the country’s ethnic minorities before sanctions are lifted.

Joint parliament session to debate budget on Tuesday

2012-01-26T13:40:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 26 January 2012 22:43 Myo Thant

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A joint session of both houses of the Burmese Parliament will have only one day to deliberate on next year’s budget, say lawmakers. The joint session will meet on Tuesday in Naypyitaw.

Parliament speaker Khin Aung Myint told lawmakers on Thursday that the budget would be the only item on that day’s agenda.

Upper House MP Phone Myint Aung told Mizzima that ministers and state government officials would brief lawmakers throughout the day.

“We were told that we must remain in session until the deliberations on the budget are finished,” he said.

Rakhine National Development Party (RNDP) MP Dr. Aye Maung told Mizzima on Wednesday that lawmakers would try to cut items from the budget that were non-essential projects.

In the Upper House session on Thursday, lawmakers raised a number of questions:

Border and Development Affairs Minister Thein Htay told MPs that infrastructure improvement work would be done as funds become available.

Upper House MP Khin Waing Kyi asked about the national plan for future energy sufficiency. Energy Minister Than Htay answered, saying that Burma currently consumes 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day and domestic production was only 20,000 barrels per day. Current production is not sufficient for the demands in the country, he said.

Upper House MP Myo Mhint of Mandalay constituency No. 6 moved a motion to change from the current imperial metric system.

Rangoon constituency No. 1 MP Khin Waing Kyi moved a motion to increase maternity leave from the current 45 days.

Parliament will debate the motions in future sessions. MPs said the current third session of Parliament would last about one month.

Thailand PM touts Dawei in India

2012-01-26T13:39:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 26 January 2012 18:21 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Burma’s Dawei deep-sea port industrial zone could be India’s long-sought transport corridor to Southeast Asia.

In her address to business associations in New Delhi on Wednesday, Shinawatra said Thailand is commitment to building a deep sea port in southern Burma and a massive industrial complex to serve as a gateway to Southeast Asian countries, according to an article on the Indianexpress.com website.

Estimated to cost more than $50 billion when completed, and to be implemented in multiple phases, the Dawei project could be the biggest infrastructure project ever in Southeast Asia.

Once translated into reality, the shipping-industrial complex will put the recent Chinese port development in Gwadar (Pakistan) and Hambantota (Sri Lanka) and Kyauk Phyu (Myanmar) into the shade, the article said.

Unlike the Chinese ports, which are surrounded by underdeveloped hinterlands, Shinawatra’s proposal for a Chennai-Dawei corridor will connect economically prosperous regions. From Chennai, Dawei is directly across on the other side of the Bay of Bengal.

The Dawei development project also came up for discussion in Delhi this week in talks with Burma’s visiting foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin.

Burma ‘has a high growth potential’: IMF

2012-01-26T13:36:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 26 January 2012 16:25 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – After a two-week assessment period, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team says Burma has the potential to become “the next economic frontier in Asia.”

Meral Karasulu, the deputy division chief of the Asia and Pacific Department at the International Monetary Fund, who led the IMF assessment team, said in a statement released on Wednesday: “Burma has a high growth potential and could become the next economic frontier in Asia, if it can turn its rich natural resources, young labor force, and proximity to some of the most dynamic economies in the world, into its advantage.”

She said the process of upgrading Burma's antiquated financial system has already begun with recent changes in the exchange rate and restrictions on current international payments and transfers. The IMF team studied current processes and analyzed factors that could streamline and enhance Burma’s financial system, including aspects of its budget expenditures.

“As this essential process continues, channeling the reform momentum to improving monetary and fiscal management and to structural reforms would allow taking full advantage of the positive effects of exchange rate unification,” she said.

Karasulu said modernizing Burma’s economy would require changes to enhance the business and investment climate, modernizing the financial sector, and further liberalizing trade and foreign direct investment.

She said Burma’s real GDP growth is expected to increase to 5½ per cent in FY2011/12 and 6 percent in FY2012/13, driven by commodity exports and higher investment supported by robust credit growth and improved business confidence.

“Inflation, projected at 4.2 percent for FY2011/12, is expected to pick up to 5.8 per cent in FY2012/13 as the recent decline in food prices phases out,” she said.

She noted that the parallel market exchange rate of the kyat has appreciated by about 32 per cent in nominal effective terms since end-FY2009/10. The appreciation pressures are primarily due to large foreign inflows into the economy, which cannot find an outlet due to exchange restrictions on current international payments and transfers, she said.

The technical work by the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) is already under way to establish the necessary market structure. Ultimately, the unification of the exchange rate would require moving away from the “export first” policy. In light of the appreciation pressures, she said certain exchange restrictions can be removed immediately, for example, by allowing the use of all foreign currency bank account balances for imports, easing import licensing requirements and access to the newly established foreign exchange retail counters.

“A successful exchange rate unification would require improvements in all areas of macroeconomic management,” she noted. “This will have to start with establishing a monetary policy framework to focus on price stability. The authorities’ plan to grant operational autonomy and accountability to CBM is a welcome first institutional step towards this goal.”

Noting Burma’s recent reduction in interest rates, she said, “We do not see room for further interest rate cuts in the near term in light of the buoyant growth expectations and the inflation outlook. Within the current regulatory constraints on financial intermediation and impediments to productive investment, lower real interest rates would risk channeling savings to potentially speculative outlets, such as real estate.”

Stimulating productive investment is now resting on structural policies to reduce barriers to private sector development and improve financial intermediation, she said.

“The discussion of the 2012/13 budget in the new Parliament provides a historic opportunity to redefine national spending priorities and bring fiscal transparency,” she said. “We welcome the authorities’ plans to reorient spending to health and education, while targeting a moderate fiscal deficit, which we project to be about 4.6 percent of GDP, about 1 percent lower than the last year’s deficit. A prudent fiscal policy is essential to maintain macroeconomic stability, especially during the exchange rate unification process.

She sad overall, Burma’s fiscal balance is expected to improve in the medium term, but mainly due to new gas exports from the Shwe and Zawtika projects once they come on line.

“These additional revenues should be used to build human capital and infrastructure,” she said. “These are key priorities to alleviate poverty and reduce bottlenecks to industrialization,” she said. “The sizable development needs of Myanmar would require additional fiscal revenues, primarily from non-resource based sources, to safeguard fiscal sustainability and prevent boom-and-bust cycles associated with fluctuations in commodity prices. There is room to increase revenues by improved tax policies that should emphasize direct taxation over indirect taxes to protect the poor.”

“The adoption of a market-determined exchange rate in SEEs’ operations would allow better assessment of their performance, and provide an opportunity to accelerate SEE reforms. These efforts should focus on containing their losses by gradually reducing regressive subsidies, which benefit higher income groups, to protect the most vulnerable poor.

A key to Burma’s growth potential lies in more banks, she said. “Modernization of the financial system should be expedited to facilitate broad-based growth. Improvements to financial intermediation should begin by phasing out the deposit-to-capital ratio and expanding the list of collateral, including to all crops. Expansion of bank networks, especially in rural areas, is essential to increase access to finance. Nurturing a stronger commercial banking culture requires price competition. Interest rate liberalization started with some freedom in setting deposit rates, and should be extended to loan products. A level playing field between state and private banks, including in the areas of regulation and supervision, is critical to promote competition.”

Allowing joint ventures with foreign banks would expedite the transfer technology and prepare the sector for Asean financial integration in 2015, she said.

Another key reform area lies in he agriculture sector, which needs more credit to increase productivity and improve rural livelihoods.

“The planned land reform provides a unique opportunity, and should ensure that land titles of farmers can be used as collateral. However, credit alone will not suffice to increase rural growth, which is essential to alleviate poverty,” she said. Investment in rural infrastructure, including through community-driven development initiatives, and spending on health and education, are also essential.

Hotel chains eyeing Burma as new market

2012-01-26T13:35:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 26 January 2012 15:15 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – The topic of hotels in Burma came up in Davos Switzerland this week when two international hoteliers said they would like to open hotels in the once-isolated country.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts – which runs hotel chains such as Westin, Sheraton and W – and Marriott International, said during the World Economic Forum in Davos they wanted to expand into Burma.

“Marriott would love to be there if the conditions are right,” said Arne Sorenson, president and CEO-elect of Marriott International, according to Reuters news agency. “Burma has captured people's imagination for decades.”

Recently, the Burmese tour industry has voiced frustrations at the limited number of hotel facilities, and its poor tourism infrastructure, including guides, transportation, airlines seats and promotional activities.

The only chain hotels now are Asian-based companies such as Shangri-la Hotels & Resorts, which runs the Traders Hotel in Myanmar’s commercial capital of Rangoon, according to Reuters.

Burma’s tourism authority said this month that about 300,000 tourists visited last year, according to government figures, a mere trickle compared to neighbors Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

“I think it’s time for people like us to look at Burma,” Vasant Prabhu, vice chairman and chief financial officer of Starwood Hotels & Resorts was quoted as saying.

A key to international hotel chains entering the Burmese market will be the lifting of economic sanctions by the U.S., European Union and other countries. There has been talk that selected sanctions might be lifted as early as April, following the country’s by-election.

U.S. and European sanctions, imposed in response to years of human rights abuses, have left much of the country in poverty. One-third of its estimated 60 million people live on less than a dollar a day.

EU looking at 150 million euro aid package

2012-01-26T13:34:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:49 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – EU diplomats are talking about an aid package to Burma, perhaps reaching 150 million euro, Agence France Presses (AFP) said on Wednesday.

The aid package, aimed at health, education, agriculture and institutional capacity building, was discussed by EU foreign ministers at talks in Brussels on Monday, an anonymous source told AFP.

EU ministers agreed to the immediate lifting of travel bans on Burma leaders as a first step towards easing its sanctions.

It also called for the unconditional release of remaining political prisoners “within the next few months” and a “free and fair” April 1 election.

Observers said a key element in an aid package would probably be full access to an estimated 40,000 ethnic refugees who have fled widespread fighting and are surviving on limited aid. Along border areas. International donors have generally been denied access to the area.

In 2011, the European Commission donated over 22 million euros (US$ 30 million) for humanitarian and disaster relief activities inside Burma and refugee camps along the Thai-Burmese border.

EU sanctions target nearly a thousand firms and institutions with asset freezes and visa bans that affected almost 500 people, according to Reuters news agency. The sanctions also include an arms embargo, a prohibition on technical assistance related to the military and investment bans in the mining, timber and precious metals sectors.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Monday “quite extraordinary changes” had taken place in Burma in the last weeks and months.

Ashton said she would visit Burma in April after the elections, coordinating the visit with Aung San Suu Kyi, with the aim of offering “full support in what we hope will be a very successful transition”.

Earlier this month, the European Union said it would open a representative office in Burma to manage aid programmed and promote political dialogue.

The United States has decided to upgrade diplomatic ties with Burma as a result of its reforms and is considering lifting its sanctions if April's elections are fair and open.

NMSP forms peace delegation

2012-01-26T13:32:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:22 Kun Chan

(Mizzima) – New Mon State Party Vice Chairman Nai Rao Sa will lead a delegation for a second round of peace talks at Mawlamyaing in Mon State on February 1.

“Our posture is the same as before,” NMSP Secretary-General Nai Hong Sar told Mizzima. “We want to talk about a nationwide cease-fire. Stopping the fighting is not the main thing. The main thing is to hold a political dialogue.”

On January 20, NMSP chairman Nai Htaw Mon said in his closing speech at the 6th Mon National Conference that it was not difficult to agree to a cease-fire with the Burmese government, but it was difficult to hold a political dialogue.

Two member groups of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), the Chin National Front and the Karen National Union, have signed cease-fire agreements with the Burmese government.

“The UNFC turned into a paper tiger, so it’s not easy to promote the interests of all ethnic people,” Nai Hong Sar told the Mon National Conference.

The UNFC was formed on February 17, 2011, as an ethnic alliance against the Burmese government’s military attacks and political pressure. The UNFC comprises six dedicated member groups and six associated member groups.

Before the NMSP has peace talk with the Burmese government the NMSP delegates will seek advice from Mon political and social organizations inside Burma, Nai Hong Sar Pon Khaing said.

NMSP central executive committee members met at party headquarters at Ye Chaung Phya and formed the delegation on Tuesday.

Delegates are party Vice Chairman Nai Rao Sa, central executive Nai Tala Nyi, central executive Nai Lari Ga Kaung, central committee member Nai Aye Mon (Mawlamyaing District chairman), central committee member Nai Banyar Lel (Dawei District chairman), central committee member Nai Aye Ka (Thaton District secretary) and NMSP central military committee Lieutenant Colonel Nai Banyar Channun.

New book praises Suu Kyi’s nonviolence

2012-01-26T13:31:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 26 January 2012 11:58 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – A new book “Evolving the Spirit – From Democracy to Peace” by Anthony Russell praises Aung San Suu Kyi as one of the leaders who uses a religious spirit in her efforts to establish democracy and peace in Burma.

Author Russell writes: “What fascinates me is the single belief-system that runs through all the great religions. Cut away the political fat and they all throb with a single spiritual beat.”

The book, launched by Burma Campaign UK on Wednesday, describes 10 steps to help reach peace, the understanding that once we change personally, none around us can remain unaffected. “This change can then ripple out to affect the world beyond,” said Russell.

“Taking the principle of non-violence to the wider world is even today political dynamite,” he writes. “Aung San Suu Kyi represents that spirit to perfection. There is nothing naive about her. She is sophisticated, knowledgeable and deeply grounded in her morality and common sense. She has every chance of leading Burma out of the morass in which it finds itself.”

However, the book carries a warning, made clear by Gandhi’s writings as well as his sudden demise, that nonviolence is not the passive, easy approach traditionally portrayed. To Russell, “It is as controversial and threatening today as in Roman times though just as relevant.”

The book includes contributions from the BBC’s World Affairs Editor John Simpson, the conservationist Chris Darwin, and UK Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Russell has been involved with the Burma Campaign UK promoting awareness of human rights. A staunch advocate of nonviolence and an anti-war campaigner, he is a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and has said he would like the West as to promote democratic principles more strongly. He believes that only strengthened international law, in the form of the UN, ICC and the IMF, can bring lasting peace.

All the great faiths of the world, he argues, share a “golden threat” of truth, which is all that really matters, as the rest is “mere politics.”

In “Evolving the Spirit',” he argues that peace in the world comes from international cooperation on one level but just as importantly, from each of us as individuals. Each person’s ultimate power is achieved by assuming the “dignity of the mature,” he has said, “acting not reacting,” having no enemies and not judging others or taking revenge.

U.N. behind-the-scenes work paying off: Ban

2012-01-26T13:29:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 26 January 2012 13:09 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is “very pleased” with democratic reforms so far in Burma and that he plans another visit there soon.

The freeing of political prisoners was a major step toward reconciliation, he told Voice of America, while noting that he and other U.N. diplomats have continuously and patiently carried out public and behind-the-scenes diplomacy with the former military regime and the newly elected Burmese government.

He said previous U.N. visits to Burma, “set the stage for international engagement with Burma.”

In the past month, a parade of international leaders met with Burmese officials, in hopes of speeding up its changes to a more democratic system. Critics of Burma say despite the recent transition from military to civilian rule, Burmese generals still dominate its Parliament and politics.

Vice president talks to Dawei residents

2012-01-25T17:24:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 22:21 Ko Wild

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burma’s Vice President Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo has met with residents of the Dawei (Tavoy) Special Economic Zone project who will be relocated, confirming 18 villages would be relocated.

The vice president met with a number of the homeowners and told them the giant energy project in southern Burma will create better social and economic conditions for the country, according to state-run newspapers.

Government officials said 23,120 people from 3,984 homes in 18 villages will be relocated. A total of more than 100,000 acres of agricultural land including rubber plantations, cashew plantations, coconut palm plantations and palm plantations will be lost in the relocation project.

Earlier authorities said the compensation for the owners of the plantations would depend on the type of plantation; now the authorities have agreed to give a maximum of 2 million kyat per one acre as compensation, according to Tin Maung Swe, a project official.

The state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar reported that the vice president called for government officials to assist the relocated villagers in the process. More than 20 officials including ministers and deputy ministers, and the chairman of the Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited that is carrying out the project accompanied the vice president.

Earlier, residents said that 21 villages would be relocated. Some smaller villages were combined with larger ones, so the number is now 18, residents’ said.

During the vice president’s trip he met with monks and villagers from seven villages at the Leshaung village monastery.

“All Tin Aung Myint Oo did was tell us we had to move. He told the monks that the government will work for the villagers to achieve a better future and will make the country more developed,” a resident who attended the meeting told Mizzima.

The village heads of a number of area villages told the officials they would be ready to move.

The exact time when the villagers will be relocated is not yet known, because the government is still working on replacement homes and infrastructure, sources said.

SSA-S leaders prepare to set up businesses

2012-01-25T17:23:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 22:03 Phanida

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – After signing its cease-fire agreement with the Burmese government, Shan State Army – South (SSA-S) leaders have concluded a seven-day tour of businesses in three cities.

At the invitation of the government peace team led by Railway Minister Aung Min, a seven-member SSA-S team visited Rangoon and Mandalay and a three-member team visited Muse in northern Shan State.

“Our visits are just to survey businesses,” said Major Sai Lao Sai. “We looked at basic economic activities such as agriculture, livestock, gem stones, metal mining and timber extraction.”

Part of the peace negotiation process involved Burmese government assistance in establishing businesses for Shan leaders to operate in their control areas.

Major Sai Lao Sai said they planned to grow long-term cash crops such as tea in their control area but other businesses such as gemstones, mining and timber extraction are also under consideration.

The SSA-S leaders returned on Tuesday. The Burmese government invited SSA-S leader Lieutenant General Ywet Sitt to go along, but he didn’t accept the invitation because other talks and negotiations have not yet concluded, Major Sai Lao Sai said.

During meetings with government officials in Taunggyi in Shan State on January 18, the SSA-S requested government ministers to assist in providing technology and helping to set up SSA-S businesses as soon as possible.

During the peace talks, the union government signed an agreement in principle on 11-points that include implementation of economic activities, development work in the region, delineation of SSA-S control areas and opening of liaison offices.

On other matters, the government peace team leader, Aung Min, told the SSA-S to negotiate further with local military commands to reduce the number of government forces in the area around SSA-S headquarters and around Ho Mein and Meng Htar townships.

“If the government does not reduce the troop buildup in our HQ area, the implementation of our businesses will be delayed. How can we live in such a small area with so many of their troops,” said Major Sai Lao Sai.

The SSA-S will hold a central committee meeting in a few days, and then negotiate for a reduction of Burmese troops in their area, he said.

Burmese army shoots pregnant Kachin teacher: BCUK

2012-01-25T17:22:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 20:51 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Burma Campaign UK (BCUK) said it has confirmed reports that a pregnant Kachin woman was shot and killed by Burmese Army soldiers on January 11.

A statement released on Wednesday said Mangshang Ying Wang was shot by Burmese Army soldiers on January 11 at 9 a.m. on Hpakan Road in Kachin State. It is believed that soldiers from Battalion 58 under the command of Lieutenant Ye Min Twi, Lieutenant Ko Ko Latt and Colonel Htun Naing were in charge of soldiers in that area, according to the BCUK statement. It did not cite a source for its information.

Mangshang Ying Wang was four months pregnant, the BCUK said, and she was taken to a hospital where she died later that day. Another woman, Gawlu Seng Hkawn, was also shot and injured in the attack, it said.

In June 2010, the Burmese government broke a cease-fire with the Kachin Independence Organization, an armed political party in Kachin State in northeast Burma.

The Burmese Army has been deliberately targeting civilians since resuming the fighting, said BCUK. “The attacks by the Burmese Army have forced up to 50,000 people to flee their homes. The military-backed government continues to block international aid from reaching these people,” it said in a press statement.

“The soldiers who carried out the attack should be arrested and put on trial”, said Zoya Phan, campaigns manager at Burma Campaign UK. “There has been good news from Burma recently, but there is still more bad news than good news. It is time the international community took a more balanced approach to what is really happening in Burma.

“For decades these kind of attacks have taken place with no action taken against the soldiers and their commanders. The scale of this indicates this is Army policy, not individual soldiers behaving badly.”

She said the breaking of the cease-fire in Kachin State was expected, but the international community took no action to try to prevent it happening, and no action to ensure aid could reach those who fled the attacks.

“Attacks like this should remind the EU that they shouldn’t get carried away by the good news and relax sanctions too soon,” she said. “Those EU members whose diplomats are privately arguing that even the arms embargo should be lifted in April, should come out publicly and explain why they think it’s a good idea to sell arms to a government that shoots unarmed women.”

Press freedom ranking

2012-01-25T17:21:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 18:58 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Burma ranked 169, slightly higher than China and Vietnam, in the ranking of countries with a free press in an analysis by Reporters Without Borders. Burma was in the bottom 10 in countries with the most restrictive free speech and press.

In 2010, Burma was ranked seven places lower, reflecting a slight improvement in a loosening of prior censorship laws. However, newspapers and journals are still required to have all articles approved by censors before publication.

In its assessment of Burma, the report said: “Burma showed signs of beginning to carry out reforms including partial amnesties and a reduction in prior censorship, but it remained largely under the control of an authoritarian government run by former members of the military junta reinvented as civilian politicians. Less than 10 of its journalists remain in prison at the start of 2012.”

Many arrests were made in Vietnam (172nd), the report said. In China (174th), the government responded to regional and local protests and to public impatience with scandals and acts of injustice by “feverishly reinforcing its system of controlling news and information, carrying out extrajudicial arrests and stepping up Internet censorship.”

“This year’s index sees many changes in the rankings, changes that reflect a year that was incredibly rich in developments, especially in the Arab world,” said a press release. “Control of news and information continued to tempt governments and to be a question of survival for totalitarian and repressive regimes. The past year also highlighted the leading role played by netizens in producing and disseminating news.”

“This year’s index finds the same group of countries at its head, countries such as Finland, Norway and Netherlands that respect basic freedoms,” said the report. “This serves as a reminder that media independence can only be maintained in strong democracies and that democracy needs media freedom.”

The United States (47th) also owed its fall of 27 places to the many arrests of journalist covering Occupy Wall Street protests.
Assessing China, the report said: “China, which has more journalists, bloggers and cyber-dissidents in prison than any other country, stepped up its censorship and propaganda in 2011 and tightened its control of the Internet, particularly the blogosphere. The first protest movements in Arab countries and the ensuing calls for democracy in China’s main cities set off a wave of arrests with no end yet in sight.”

Its ranking of the Philippines said: “In the Philippines (140th), which rose again in the index after falling in 2010 as a result of the massacre of 32 journalists in Ampatuan in November 2009, paramilitary groups and private militias continued to attack media workers. The judicial investigation into the Ampatuan massacre made it clear that the response of the authorities was seriously inadequate.”

For Indonesia, the report said: “In Indonesia, an army crackdown in West Papua province, where at least two journalists were killed, five kidnapped and 18 assaulted in 2011, was the main reason for the country’s fall to 146th position in the index. A corrupt judiciary that is too easily influenced by politicians and pressure groups and government attempts to control the media and Internet have prevented the development of a freer press.”

To see a full report, go to
http://en.rsf.org/IMG/CLASSEMENT_2012/C_GENERAL_ANG.pdf

Sanctions are not cause of economic problems

2012-01-25T17:19:00.002+06:30

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 18:29 Nyein Chan Aye

(Commentary) – Nowadays the Burmese “sanctions” question is a hot topic. I have neither opposed nor supported Western sanctions because I believe it’s not the main reason for the problems of our motherland, including the bad economy.

According to Aung San Suu Kyi, the Western targeted sanctions mainly affect the regime and its cronies and it makes the least possible effect on ordinary Burmese. They were put in place because of their [U.S., UK and their allies] principles, commitment to freedom and democracy and their willingness to support Burma's democracy groups.

Because of recent developments the sanctions will be lifted eventually whether some activists [exiled] agree or not. Even now, some constraints are already eased. Aung Sun Suu Kyi herself, welcomes foreign investment with some specific conditions such as accountability, credibility, transparency, and so forth, for the interest of Burmese commoners.

One noteworthy fact is that even if the Western countries ease or lift the sanctions, it does not mean they have complete trust of the current regime. Their hidden reason is because of geopolitics and power balancing in Asia (particularly, in South East Asia).

I, however, strongly believe that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flow to Burma will be below expectations, even though the sanctions are lifted.

What are the major reasons for the sluggish inflow of FDI? Naturally, peace and security are mandatory to attract FDI, but the required preconditions and post-conditions are a more challenging job for the current government.

There are many other important factors that must be put in place to ensure an attractive investment climate in Burma. For instance, good governance, political and economic stability, consistent macroeconomic policies (consistency and predictability are required both in political and economical polices), basic infrastructure, rules, regulations and associations (up to international standards), rule of law, guarantee of property rights, including intellectual property law, freedom of expression and press, accountability, credibility, transparency, absence of corruption and still more critical issues. That’s why sanctions alone are not the critical issue.

As I said at the beginning, I'm neutral in this matter. Let me finish with some other points: if they are lifted, Burma is likely to ease political and economical ties with China and Burma will have closer relationships with democratic nations.

In conclusion, I would like to ask all exiled Burmese activists not to express their pro-sanction views publicly. Let the NLD and the respective concerned countries decide by themselves. As I said, there will not be a significant change in Burma's economics without more changes in the regime’s policies and procedures.

When the time comes, a clear-cut picture will appear, showing who and what has been responsible for the nation's poverty.


Nyein Chan Aye is a resident of Australia.  Photo: Facebook

Lawmakers will try to cut state budgets to reduce deficit

2012-01-25T17:19:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 12:27 Myo Thant

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – During the opening session of the Burmese Parliament on Thursday, lawmakers will review state budgets for the 2012-13 financial year in hope of reducing the deficit.

Dr. Aye Maung of the Rakhine National Development Party (RNDP) told Mizzima that they would try to control spending on some nonessential state projects.

“We must cancel unnecessary projects during this time of a financial crunch,” he said. “The projects which we must spend money on by borrowing loans and are not essential should not be done because Burma is a poor country,” he said.

The former SPDC government enacted a state budget for the 2011-12 financial year with a 2.3 trillion kyat deficit. A total of 2201.45 billion kyat was for the central government and 170.495 billion kyat was for state and regional governments.

A preliminary meeting on state budgets for the 2012-13 financial year was held in Naypyitaw on January 17, attended by lawmakers from the public accounts committee, and ministers from finance, national planning, construction, electricity, railway, defence and health ministries.

Finance Minister Hla Tun told the meeting that they reduced 50 billion kyat from the deficit for 2011-12 financial year, but he could not project in which sectors they could reduce the deficit in the proposed budget, Tin Nwe Oo of the National Democratic Force told Mizzima.

“Despite holding a meeting, they didn’t show us a detailed budget to us,” he said. “The finance minister just said the amount could be reduced this financial year. He didn’t give us the figures in detail but he showed some on a projector,” Tin Nwe Oo said.

Another participant in the meeting, MP Phone Myint Aung of the New National Democracy Party said that there would be a deficit also in 2012-13 financial year.

“We saw their figures in a computer presentation. There would be a deficit again in the next financial year but the Parliament has to deliberate on the new budget before passing it as a law,” Phone Myint Aung told Mizzima.

The current budget enacted by the previous government will end on March 3. The first budget of the new government led by President Thein Sein will start on April 1. MPs said they expected the new budget to be published in the government Gazette for public information.

NLD member sets shirt on fire in protest

2012-01-25T17:18:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 12:01 Kyaw Kha

(Mizzima) – A National League for Democracy (NLD) member set fire to his shirt bearing an NLD logo on Monday in objection to NLD electoral candidate Tin Tin Yi.

He set himself on fire in front of the NLD office in Myeik Township, Tanintharyi Region.

He told people he objected to Tin Tin Yi’s candidacy because she had neglected the Myeik Township NLD in times of trouble, and she did not deserve to be an NLD candidate, according to eyewitness NLD members.

“He said in front of the office that she neglected the party for 20 years. She contacted the party only after it had decided to contest in the by-elections,” Launglon Township NLD candidate Aung Soe told Mizzima.

A Myeik Township NLD member told Mizzima, “Tin Tin Yi is rich. The young member feels upset because Tin Tin Yi was given the position that the members who sacrificed for the sake of the party for many years should hold. We discussed it this morning and now everything is ok.”

To contest in the coming April 1 by-election, the NLD chose its candidates based on gender balance and a priority to residents, well-educated people and people who have relevant experience. The central NLD reviewed the nominations made by NLD canvassing committees and decided who would be appointed as candidates.

“Our central NLD does not know Tin Tin Yi. The NLD officials of the region made the list, and we chose candidates. We don’t know whether the reason for the objection is correct or not,” NLD spokesman Nyan Win told Mizzima.

Thirteen out of 48 NLD candidates are women. Tin Tin Yi will contest for a Lower House parliamentary seat in Kyunzu in Myeik District.

In the 2010 general elections, Industry Minister Soe Thein of the Union Solidarity and Development Party [USDP] won the seat.

Pakistan wants closer oil and gas ties with Burma

2012-01-25T17:17:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 12:38 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Burma for a two-day official visit on Tuesday to promote trade and economic cooperation.

The Pakistani president planned to raise the issue of upgrading institutional relations with Asean to a full dialogue partnership. He will also meet with Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.

Zardari said in a statement that he wanted to congratulate her on what it called “the beginning moments of her triumph” as she reenters the political arena, seeking a seat in Parliament in the April 1 by-election.

He met with his Burmese counterpart President Thein Sein Tuesday in Naypyitaw.

Zardari and Thein Sein discussed increasing bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sectors, according to press reports.

Former army captain to be tried again

2012-01-24T16:19:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:27 Phanida

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A hearing for former political prisoner Nay Myo Zin who is charged with taking illegal items into Insein Prison while he was an inmate was held on Tuesday. The court is likely to deliver a verdict soon, sources said.

Nay Myo Zin, a former Burmese Army captain, was sentenced to 10 years in prison under the Electronics Act in August 2011. He was released from prison on January 12 in the presidential amnesty.

Insein Prison authorities have now charged him with taking illegal items into the prison including T-shirts bearing General Aung San’s portrait and key ring holders bearing Aung San Suu Kyi’s photograph.

“I have to testify today,” Nay Myo Zin told Mizzima. “The judge asked me who gave the T-shirts to me when I went to the hospital and with what intention did I take the shirts into the prison. I was asked where I kept the shirts and whether I filled out a search form.”

Nay Myo Zin said that when he was admitted to Kyimyindaing Hospital in Rangoon to receive medical treatment on August 23, 2011, members of a National League for Democracy blood donation group came to visit him and gave him various items. When he was discharged from the hospital, he showed the items to prison security officials and then took them into the prison.

Nay Myo Zin took two T-shirts bearing General Aung San’s portrait, six key ring holders bearing General Aung San and Aung San Suu Kyi’s photographs, three photos of Aung San Suu Kyi, two badges with the text, “General Aung San is the father of the army,” 15 stickers with General Aung San’s photograph and a Newsweek journal that contained a picture of a meeting of Burmese President Thein Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi.

Nay Myo Zin said his trial reflects the split nature of the newly formed government at this time. While President Thein Sein is instituting reforms, lower-level staff still follow the former junta’s attitudes and customs, he said.

“They may be worried that they could be held accountable. Or maybe their superior officials failed to revoke the 20-year old attitudes in which General Aung San’s picture was not allowed, so they do it based on the old attitudes,” Nay Myo Zin said.

On January 27, Nay Myo Zin’s lawyer Hla Myin will present his defense. A verdict could be handed down by the end of the month.

Nay Myo Zin, 36, is a former Burmese army captain; he served for 10 years. He resigned from the army in 2005. He actively took part in an NLD-affiliated blood donation and social group.

Khin Nyunt has more than freedom to be happy about

2012-01-24T16:18:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:03 Mark Farmaner

(Commentary) – When Burmese President Thein Sein came to power there was a lot of speculation that he would just be a puppet, with Than Shwe following the Ne Win model of pulling strings behind the scenes. But if anyone has been pulling strings behind the scenes, even if not literally, it has been Khin Nyunt.

The agenda followed by Thein Sein appears so eerily similar to initiatives by Khin Nyunt, the ousted intelligence chief and prime minister, that they could be using the same blueprint. The difference now is that Than Shwe isn’t there to block its implementation.

Khin Nyunt wanted an end to Burma’s pariah status. He wanted Burma to become a more modern and powerful country, taking its rightful place in the region and the world.

To do this, he understood that there would have to be some kind of accommodation with Aung San Suu Kyi. He understood that the horrific human rights abuses committed in ethnic states was damaging to Burma’s reputation, and that the conflict needed to be ended.

That is not to say he was a true reformer, far from it. As U.S. diplomatic cable from August 2005, released by Wikileaks, revealed, “The hypothesis being that the disgraced prime minister was a moderate or a reformer who lost out to the hard-liners in a power struggle ... General Khin Nyunt was a hard-liner, albeit a more polished and approachable one. He was a pragmatist who cultivated foreign countries and a purported dialogue with the opposition simply as a means to mollify the international community and perpetuate the regime’s absolute control.”

This is the man who ran Burma’s torture chambers. He knew about horrific abuses taking place such as the use of rape as a weapon of war by the Burmese Army, but denied it. He defended the dictatorship internationally, and was effective in doing so.

Thein Sein has a similar track record of direct links to human rights abuses and defending the dictatorship on the international stage. He was twice named by the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Burma for ordering his troops to commit human rights abuses while he was a regional commander in Shan State. He mastered skills in delaying and duping the international community while representing the regime on a committee to tackle the use of child soldiers, and later became the international face of the dictatorship, as Khin Nyunt had done, in the role of prime minister.

The similarities between the political approaches of Khin Nyunt and Thein Sein were evident from the moment Thein Sein became president. Thein Sein’s headline-grabbing inaugural speech to Parliament had echoes of the language used by Khin Nyunt. There was a more open acknowledgement of problems that existed and promises that action would be taken to address them.

Khin Nyunt expended political capital negotiating with Aung San Suu Kyi to bring her and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), into the National Convention. Indeed, it is thought an agreement was almost in place before he was arrested and placed under house arrest.

Thein Sein has also done the same, reaching agreement for the NLD to enter Parliament.

Khin Nyunt also negotiated cease-fire agreements with armed ethnic political parties, as Thein Sein has belatedly started to do after first breaking three cease-fires. In another similarity, negotiations addressing the political issues at the root cause of the conflict have also been put off until a later date. In the case of the round of cease-fire agreements made 20 years ago, that later date never arrived.

In 2003, Khun Nyunt announced the seven-stage roadmap which would lead to the drafting of a new constitution and elections. This was widely seen at the time as designed to head off proposed international sanctions following the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi following the Depayin Massacre. Thein Sein chaired the National Convention drafting the principles of that Constitution, and led the pro-military party into the elections.

Khin Nyunt also knew the value of engaging with the international community. Like Thein Sein, and in stark contrast to Than Shwe who often claimed to be “too busy,” he is much more willing to meet diplomats and visiting ministers.

This was a tactic that Khin Nyunt found highly effective. Many diplomats and U.N. officials based in Burma fell under his spell, just as many appear to have fallen under the spell of Thein Sein now.

There are undoubtedly similarities in approach between Thein Sein and Khin Nyunt. The big question: is the end goal the same? Khin Nyunt’s end goal wasn’t democracy and human rights. It was about taking off the rough edges off the dictatorship in order to get sanctions lifted and international legitimacy.

Thein Sein has gone further than Khun Nyunt was able to go. However, despite some very welcome developments, it is noticeable that so far no repressive laws have been repealed, and no power relinquished at all. In a recent interview with the Washington Post, President Thein Sein pointedly refused to make a commitment to repeal censorship laws instead saying; ‘The media needs to take responsibility and proper actions. Media freedom will be based on the accountability they have.”

If Thein Sein wants to show he is a real reformer, he needs to go beyond “Plan Khin Nyunt” and implement deeper reforms, such as repealing repressive laws and bringing in new laws which guarantee the rule of law and a democratic society.

So far, however, it just looks like Khin Nyunt’s plan, which along with his new freedom, gives Khin Nyunt more than one reason to be happy.


Mark Farmaner is director of Burma Campaign UK

Burma reforming, but abuses continue: HRW report

2012-01-24T16:17:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 16:36 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Burma, while introducing democratic reforms in 2011, failed to seriously address the “still dire human rights situation in the country,” Human Rights Watch said on Monday in its World Report 2012.

Burma’s newly elected parliamentary government followed up on this progress in early 2012 by releasing several hundred political prisoners. The government has followed through on promised democratic reforms, new reforms to improve human rights, and institute legal, economic, and social reforms, the human rights watchdog said.

However, the new reforms largely failed to address ongoing, serious human rights violations in the country, especially abuses related to the long-running civil armed conflicts in ethnic minority areas.

“Releasing key political prisoners was a crucial step and Burma’s government has voiced promises to reform, but it must also address decades of gross human rights violations,” said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch in a statement released with the report. “2011 may have been a year for cautious optimism, but there was no measurable decline in serious abuses, and enacting new laws is not a substitute for respecting the rule of law.”

In December, Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi re-registered her party, the National League for Democracy, and announced plans to contest scheduled by-elections in April 2012. Two government amnesties, in May and October respectively, released an estimated 316 political prisoners. In January 2012, 651 prisoners were released, among them at least 287 political prisoners including prominent members of the 88 Generation students movement – which led the 1988 uprising against the military junta – monk leaders, and journalists.

Nevertheless, said the report, Burma continued to imprison hundreds for peaceful acts of free expression. Human Rights Watch called on the Burmese government to agree to an independent international mechanism to access prisons and publicly report on the whereabouts and condition of remaining political prisoners.

Burma’s government-formed National Human Rights Commission called the report “unreasonable” because it failed to cite progress over the course of the year.

The report failed to credit the break from the former junta by President Thein Sein, who many in the West say is a reformer, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said, responding to the report on Monday.

“I think it’s unreasonable to make a broad report on the whole of 2011 – you have to look at the year as it progressed from March [when the government came to power],” said Sitt Myaing, secretary of the NHRC.

Regarding the fighting with ethnic armed groups, he said: “We don’t want to deny the mental, physical and economic suffering of civilians – there is always a collateral damage in armed conflicts – and that people had been killed or injured. But we will only know the truth behind this if we observe carefully which group caused this.”

He said one clear sign of improvement was the formation of the NHRC in 2011, which is tasked with handling complaints from Burmese of rights abuses committed by government authorities.

In January 2012, the Burmese government entered into separate preliminary cease-fire talks with the Karen National Union and the Kachin Independence Organization. Several other ethnic armed groups agreed to cease-fires or talks with the government in late 2011, the report noted, such as the Shan State Army-South and the United Wa State Army. Human Rights Watch said that the Burmese military continues to violate international humanitarian law through the use of extrajudicial killings, torture, sexual violence, beatings, abusive forced labor, antipersonnel landmines, and pillaging of property, particularly in Kachin, Shan, and Karen States.

Burmese army units in Karen State forced convicts to work as porters in ongoing operations in combat zones, mistreating them through beatings, torture, and use as “human shields” to deter attacks or clear antipersonnel landmines, the report said.

The army continues, it said, “to actively recruit and use child soldiers, even as the government cooperates with the International Labour Organization on demobilizing child soldiers.” Ethnic armed groups have also been implicated in serious abuses, such as recruiting child soldiers and using antipersonnel landmines around civilian areas.

The report noted the heavy fighting in Kachin State, where more than 50,000 civilians were internally displaced by fighting since June, fleeing Burmese army abuses such as forced labor, extrajudicial killings, and attacks on civilian areas, with several thousand seeking refuge in China.

In December, President Thein Sein publicly called for the Burmese army to cease attacks against the Kachin Independence Army, but fighting in northern Burma has continued. In January 2012, he is reported to have repeated the request with respect to attacks in all ethnic areas.

“The government’s commitment to a genuinely inclusive political system will be tested in the April by-elections,” Pearson said. “To show it’s serious about ending rights violations, the government should also permit an independent international mechanism to investigate alleged abuses.”

In 2011, Burma’s pledges of reform resulted in visits from several Western foreign ministers and envoys to meet with senior members of government and opposition leaders. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) granted Burma the chair of the grouping for 2014.

“The flurry of diplomatic visits to Burma shouldn’t detract from the challenges that lie ahead,” Pearson said. “If 2011 was the year of promises, 2012 is the year Burma’s government needs to end the country’s culture of impunity, release all remaining political prisoners, and demonstrate through actions that it respects human rights.”

Dawei energy project moving forward

2012-01-24T16:16:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 13:13 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Italian-Thai Development Plc. (ITD), the developer of the Dawei deep-sea port project on the southern coast of Burma, needs to secure around US$ 8.5 billion to move ahead on the infrastructure phase of the massive mega-billion project.

Thailand's largest construction company by market value, ITD will require the backing of Thailand, Burma and a blend of international partners, Somchet Thinaphong, managing director of Dawei Development Co (DDC), told The Bangkok Post on Monday.

The local Burmese investor Max Myanmar has agreed to acquire 25 percent of DDC, which ITD had set up to manage the Dawei project. The Thai contractor has said it will maintain at least a 51% stake in DDC, while other partners are welcome, he told the newspaper.

ITD has been granted a 75-year concession for the energy project that will cover 250 square kilometers. Located on the Andaman shoreline, Dawei is about 350 kilometers west of Bangkok. The project will supply oil and other goods to Southeast Asia, bypassing the Strait of Malacca and cutting costs.

The Dawei Special Economic Zone includes an integrated steel mill, power plants, a petrochemical complex and a fertilizer plant. Separate entities will be set up to invest in each project, Somchet said.

“China, Japan and South Korea are the key strategic partners of our projects,” he said. “Finding a balance for each of these groups is important. For example, if we have a lot of Chinese partners, the U.S. might not be happy with that.”

Somchet told the Post that the Thai and Burmese governments would provide support in four areas for the Dawei project.

– First is physical infrastructure such as roads in Thailand to link with Burma roads.

– Second is simplifying border procedures between the two countries under the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

–Third is financial transactions such as money exchange between the two countries.

– Fourth is enhancing competitiveness of Thai and Burmese businesses in cross-border investment.

He said Burmese authorities have yet to issue ITD a notice that Dawei's planned coal-fired power plants had been halted after environmental protests, as reported by various media on January 9 after remarks by Burmese officials.

Somchet told Reuters news agency that its power plant partner, Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Pcl, would decide on fuel type within three months, including the possibility of using natural gas funneled to the site on a 50- kilometre (31 mile) pipeline from fields in Burma.

Ban all coal-fired power plants in Burma: environmentalists

2012-01-24T16:15:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 13:30 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Environmentalists are calling for a full moratorium on all existing and planned coal-fired power plants in Burma, following the announcement early this month that a proposed 4,000-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Dawei was terminated.

Burma’s Minister of Electricity No.2 Khin Maung Soe announced that the plant in the Dawei Special Economic Zone would be cancelled due to the potential environmental impacts.

Burma currently has plans to construct seven coal-fired power plants across the country, and two are currently operational, according to a statement issued by the Pa-Oh Youth Organization and Shan Sapawa Environmental Organization on Monday.

The largest is the 120-megawatt Tigyit plant in southern Shan State, which emits clouds of poisonous gases and produces more than 100 tons of toxic fly ash per day, the statement said.

A report released last year detailed how air and water pollution in Tigyit is threatening the agriculture and health of nearly 12,000 people.

According to the Electricity Minister, the government may still build a 400-megawatt plant in Dawei, over three times the size of the Tigyit plant.

Another coal-fired plant by the main developer of the Dawei project, Italian-Thai Public Company Limited, is underway in eastern Shan State without public scrutiny, the group said. The Mong Kok plant will produce 369 megawatts and export power to Thailand.

“If the government is really concerned about the impacts of coal, it should stop all coal plants in Burma,” said Khun Myo Hto of the Pa-Oh Youth Organization. However small, a coal plant can be deadly for local communities, he said.

Burma lacks a comprehensive energy plan that addresses environmental and social impacts and local energy needs and despite chronic energy shortages, exports vast energy resources to neighboring countries. This includes the export of natural gas, which is much less polluting than coal.

“Why is the government selling off our country's natural gas and leaving us to choke on the toxic emissions of dirty coal?” asked Khun Myo Hto.

For more information about coal projects in Burma, see www.paohyouth.org and www.shansapawa.org

EU lifts travel ban on top Burmese officials

2012-01-24T16:14:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 12:32 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – The European Union has eliminated some targeted travel sanctions against top-level Burmese leaders in response to the release of hundreds of political prisoners on January 13.

The removal was called a “first step” officials said in Brussels after the announcement on Monday.

Burmese President Thein Sein, two vice presidents, various cabinet members and speakers of the two houses of Parliament can now be issued visas to European countries, according to a statement by the EU. Other sanctions that ban weapons sales, freeze assets and block certain imports of minerals will remain in place.

Thein Sein, a former general, has released dissidents, eased media restrictions and sought peace with ethnic rebels during 2011 and early this year.

Recently, a parade of U.S. officials including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and senators Mitch McConnell, John McCain, and Joseph Lieberman have said the removal of some U.S. sanctions will take place if reforms continue, perhaps as early as late April.

“If you had asked me during my last visit here whether I could envision the Congress lifting all sanctions against this country, I would have said that such a scenario seemed faint and distant,” McCain told reporters in Rangoon on Sunday. “Today, however, it appears increasingly possible.”

The EU foreign-policy chief, Cathy Ashton of Britain, said EU ministers have been “working closely” with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and that she will probably visit Burma in April.

Burma has embarked on a number of reforms, which observers say are being made at the expense of conservative factions in the military. The quicker the Burmese economy improves the stronger hand Thein Sein has in terms of securing a permanent foothold in guiding the country toward democracy. The Burmese budget is woefully inadequate to meet the people’s needs in education, health, and infrastructure. Most of the country’s budget goes to support the military and fund the army’s war against ethnic armed groups, a number of which have recently signed cease-fires. Thein Sein has said the country must have peace in order to progress economically.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels hailed the recent reforms as a “remarkable program” of change demonstrating the newly elected government’s commitment to replace the military’s decades long grip on absolute rule.

In a statement, the ministers said the EU would increase assistance to reduce poverty and for professional training, and called for “progressive engagement” by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

“These changes are opening up important new prospects for developing the relationship between the European Union and Burma/Myanmar,” the EU statement said.

EU sanctions were imposed after bloody military crackdowns on a pro-democracy movement led by Nobel Prize-winning dissident Aung San Suu Kyi, who is seeking a seat in Parliament in the April 1 by-election.

Earlier this month, the European Union said it would open a representative office in Burma to manage aid programs and promote political dialogue.

U.N.-Burmese gov’t to work on urban development

2012-01-24T16:13:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 12:38 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – An urban research and development institute has been opened jointly by the Burmese government and the United Nations, in a sign of greater U.N. involvement in Burma’s rapidly changing government.

Burmese Minister of Construction Khin Maung Myint, and U.N. officials opened the Urban Research and Development Institute (URDI), established with UN-HABITAT support, which will undertake research conduct training programmes on urban planning and management that will include fostering urban-rural interaction.

In his opening remarks, Khin Maung Myint, expressed his hope that the newly opened URDI will assist the government’s endeavors of building a new, modern and developed nation.

UN-HABITAT Myanmar plans to undertake projects in 2012 involved in urban poverty reduction, urban planning and development, urban-rural linkages, research, training and capacity building, land governance, local governance and leadership training and capacity development.

Suu Kyi to have access to media: presidential adviser

2012-01-23T17:12:00.000+06:30

Monday, 23 January 2012 18:42 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) - The chief political adviser to Burmese President Thein Sein, Ko Ko Hlaing, told ABC Radio Australia on Monday that the government is serious about free and fair April 1 by-elections, and Aung San Suu Kyi will have the same access as other party leaders to the media.

Ko Ko Hlaing told the news group that Senator John McCain’s remarks in Rangoon on Monday about the possibility of removing U.S. economic sanctions were encouraging.

“The chairman of the National Election Commission already has made some comment that the upcoming elections will be free and fair, because it's very important for Myanmar politics and the main opposition force, the NLD has re-registered as a formal political party and it will compete in the by-election, including its leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”

The Burmese government is “quite serious” on the matter of free and fair elections, he said.

Asked if Suu Kyi would have free and fair access to Burmese media, Ko Ko Hlaing said “Suu Kyi will have equal opportunities and equal chances provided by the government media and also other media.”

Regarding her safety, he said, “Of course, in her previous visits to rural areas Suu Kyi was quite secure and safe, and the government provided a proper security plan for her. So I believe that she will be secure and safe in her campaign. Her constituency is not far away from Yangon [Rangoon] and there will be much popularity in the local audience, and the local authority will make a proper security plan for her.

“I don't think the government will neglect her in security matters, because it's a concern for them also,” he said.

On the cease-fire agreements with ethnic armed groups in Burma and the chances for a long-term peace, he said: “If you study our country's history, our insurgencies have a long history for many decades, so this simply cannot be wiped out overnight. Our strategy for peace is through development. And we have contact with nearly a dozen ethnic armed groups, and we're starting peace talks and with nearly half of them, we have reached initial peace agreements and with some of them, we are now starting political dialogues.”

He said that after political dialogues with individual groups, “We will bring them into Parliament for discussions with the lawmakers. And after that, we'll make a permanent peace agreement in our Parliament. And so, we hope that this peace process will enhance our reform, as well as our rule of law.”

Responding to observers who say the Burmese military is still engaged in clashes with armed groups, Ko Ko Hlaing said: “…even well-disciplined and well-developed army like NATO and the United States army, they've committed abuses, like their urinating on the dead bodies of the Taliban, and also rape cases on the Okinawa marine base.

“…but the Myanmar army has rules and regulations and laws to prosecute the offenders. And we now have a National Human Rights Commission and this commission has arrived in the Kachin area, to study the situation of human rights.”

He said he thought Burma would make progress in human rights. After more cease-fires and peace talks, he said, “There will be no more fighting and no more human rights violations by both sides or their troops.”

NMSP prepares to talk politics

2012-01-23T17:11:00.000+06:30

Monday, 23 January 2012 21:10 Kun Chan

(Mizzima) – It isn’t difficult to agree to a cease-fire with the Burmese government, but it is difficult to achieve a long-term peace with the Burmese government, says the New Mon State Party [NMSP].

That’s the opinion of NMSP chairman Nai Htaw Mon who will meet with the government at Mawlamyaing in a few days.

“To agree to a cease-fire is easy,” he told delegates in his closing speech at the 6th Mon National Conference on Friday. “Our party also wants to achieve a cease-fire. But the current government that came from a military background is chauvinistic, and it is difficult to hold a political dialogue.”

He told delegates to learn from their experiences of the previous 15-year cease-fire period and not to be content with only a cease-fire.

During the previous cease-fire period, he said some NMSP members conducted businesses and they were content with conditions and some retired from the party. But Nai Htaw Mon pointed out that a political dialogue was not conducted and the government deployed more troops near the party’s control area and confiscated land from Mon people.

In 1995 when the NMSP signed a cease-fire with the former junta, it had about 7,000 soldiers; in 2010 when the cease-fire agreement was broken, it had about 2,000 soldiers.

At the first preliminary meeting with the government’s union level-peace delegation on December 22, 2011, NMSP General-Secretary Nai Hong Sar told the government delegation that after a cease-fire has been signed, a political dialogue needs to be conducted as soon as possible.

On Monday, NMSP central executive committee prepared for a peace negotiation meeting this week, according to NMSP foreign affairs official Nai Hong Sar Pon Khaing.

“The discussion started today,” he said. “But I’m not sure exactly when our party will talk with the government. I think it’ll be this week.”

The 6th Mon National Conference was held in the Three Pagoda Pass area from January 18 to January 20. Seventy-seven Mon representatives (including NMSP representatives and Mon representatives from Burma, Thailand and foreign countries) and 15 observers attended the conference.

The conference, organized by the Mon National Federation, discussed political affairs, military affairs, education and leadership issues. Representatives agreed to urge Mon political parties in Burma to combine as one and to make the Mon National Federation function in a way similar to the Burmese Lower House of Parliament.

‘The path to peace is better’

2012-01-23T17:10:00.000+06:30

Monday, 23 January 2012 13:37 Mizzima News

(Interview) – National Democratic Force (NDF) leader Khin Maung Swe is preparing to take part in the third session of the Burmese Parliament, which starts on January 31. Mizzima managing editor Sein Win talked to Khin Maung Swe at the party’s headquarters in Rangoon about the Parliament, military representatives, the ethnic peacemaking process and the possible make up of the Parliament after the April 1 by-election.

Question: How do you see the make up of the new Parliament, and will the people have more influence in the processes?

Answer: How much influence the people can have will depend on the electoral results. I’m a former NLD [National League for Democracy] member. The situation of the 1990 general election and the 2010 general election were not similar. In the ethnic areas, it’s sure that most of the ethnic parties will win seats in the coming election. But, I don’t think the NLD will win all 48 parliamentary seats. Anyway, if candidates of the NLD and other democratic forces including our party can enter the new Parliament, it will be more open and transparent. As for our party, the number of seats we will win may be small; maybe two or three; if we are lucky, may be 4, 5 or 10.

In the past, the lawmaking process was delayed. In the new Parliament, the length of time for the lawmaking process will be more reasonable. Before, maybe because the oversight committees did not have experience or because of some other reasons, we experienced delays. The speed of lawmaking anyway is slow. So, to speed up the process, the democratic forces need to be strong. The stronger the democratic force, the more voice we can give to the people. The more the MPs will speak out. We believe that the role of the new Parliament will be more active than before.

Q: Could the NLD and NDF join forces?

A: We don’t see a situation in which our party needs to be dissolved. If she [Suu Kyi] had wanted, she would have told us to join with them before the NLD was re-registered. Now, it seems that she does not want to use us again, so when they registered [NLD], we were not a part of that process. Anyway, talking about cooperation, we will always welcome cooperation. We want to cooperate in order that the democratic forces can make progress in going ahead and speed up the political process. But, Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD will determine if we cooperate in that process.

Q: Have you talked to Suu Kyi about cooperating in Parliament?

A: Yes. We’ve spoken about it through the media, but she hasn’t replied because she is very busy. She has to prepare for the by-elections. So after the by-elections, the NLD may issue a statement, I think. Then, we can decide what we should do.

Q: What are the biggest challenges to bring about reform through parliamentary politics?

A: The problem in the last sessions was that former ministers answered questions in the first parliamentary session by being defensive against [the criticisms] of ministries’ actions. In the second parliamentary session, the former ministers became the chairmen of the committees. So, they tried to protect their interests. It’s only human nature to protect their interests. Even I would protect my interests. For instance, talking about the car import, they collect a very high tax. If they reduced the tax, their interests would be threatened. It’s only human nature that they cannot lower the tax immediately. Regarding the cases related to their interests, they may need more time, I think. The economic reform process will gain momentum on the basis of the President’s decisions.

Q: Some people hope that the attitude of military representatives [in Parliament] will change. On the other hand, some think that the military representatives will simply obey the orders of their superior officers.

A: Everything depends on the make-up of Parliament. Every time a new Parliament is formed, new possibilities occur. Now, the Parliament is a combination of former military officers and people from democratic groups. The situation will change as time goes on. So, there is no reason that the current MPs will exist in the next Parliament. Even the army is not the previous army.

It needs to “back up” the Constitution. Another thing is that the army does not lead the political economic and administrative processes, so the results are a more democratic environment.

Q: Do your party’s MPs and military representatives talk to each other?

A: Yes, we go together to teashops and food shops. It’s clear that the military representatives usually only support proposals. I think they will not be active unless their three main national concerns are threatened. They have about 25 percent of the Parliament. If their interests were threatened, their role would be important.

Q: Talking about political interests, we have heard that the USDP [Union Solidarity and Development Party] has some small parties under their pocket, that they’ve “bought” their support. Have you experienced that?

A: No, we they don’t have control over us. We are former NLD members. In some rural areas, there was no other party to contest; so local people invited us to contest against them.

Q: The USDP is Burma’s financially strongest party. Are there any dangers in competing with it?

A: We should not underestimate the people. Aung San Suu Kyi, the person who we can rely on, will enter parliamentary politics. She is a popular force in politics. I do not see anything dangerous. Among the USDP MPs, there are not only former military officers but also former ordinary government employees, managers and doctors. They also want democracy. If the army’s grasp on power is relaxed as time goes by, we will get to a new situation. That’s usual. We can see the events in South Korea and Peru. In the past, they were under military dictatorships and after 14 years, the opposition party won even under the current constitution drawn up by the army and after the party won, it could amend the constitution. As for us, we need to take more than one decade to amend [the Constitution].

Q: They [those countries] could conduct economic reforms successfully. Can we achieve economic reform within one decade?

A: It depends on the peace issue. Our country could collect one trillion from taxes but the military expense is 1.3 trillion. If we can establish peace, those expenses will be reduced. As a consequence, the budget allocation for education and health may be increased. Similar opportunities will arise. Opportunities will arise in ethnic areas, too. Near the end of President Thein Sein’s tenure, our country will be able to grasp economic reform, I think.

Q: How can corruption be eliminated?

A: To secure their livelihood, both superior officials and lower-level employees are involved in corruption. Just changing the habits of five top officials cannot affect lower-level employees. When the country’s economy becomes strong and it can stabilize the inflation rate and government employees earn sufficient salaries, corruption will be eliminated.

Q: Concerning peace with ethnic groups, the current cease-fire agreements largely just talk about stopping the fighting. That will not be sufficient to have long-lasting peace.

A: If the peace situation does not improve, it cannot be successful. Now, they [the government] has given promises that it will work for the development of the states. Now we’ve reached a point in which political problems will be solved via political means. So, it’s very likely that peace will be established by the time the process ends.

Q: You are optimistic that there will be long-lasting peace?

A: The government has promised that it will be brought about within three years. So, we have to wait and see. The [current] peace offer is different from the peace offers made under Ne Win’s government and peace offers in 1955 and 1963. This is the turning point.

To speak frankly, this is the military’s last chance. If they cannot establish peace, there will be very little chance for economic development. Without peace, there can be no unity. If we cannot build a genuine union, peace will not be established. So No. 1 is to establish peace.

No. 2 is to solve problems politically and amend the Constitution and make the outline for power sharing between the local governments of states/regions and the union [central] government. And [the government] needs to give autonomy. Only if peace has been established, will it dare to give autonomy. Otherwise, they will not do it. If they give autonomy [without peace], separation could occur. So peace is No. 1.

To have political equality, to create business opportunities and to improve the economy, education and health, peace is essential.

Like I said before, if the military expense which is more than one trillion is reduced, many opportunities will emerged for us. Now there will be challenges. Later, they will become opportunities. Regarding peace, although I am not optimistic, in comparison with peace processes in the past, the current peace processes are better––nobody can deny it.

Q: Regarding fighting with ethnic armed groups, some observers say the Burmese army does not want to solve the problems that could lead to long-lasting peace.

A: According to the Constitution, the government must provide leadership in forming the Border Guard Force. Just stopping the fighting is not a final solution. There will be political demands. The 1947 Constitution could not guarantee the union and the ethnic people could not have autonomy. The1974 Constitution was worse. Now, after the elections, the government’s actions are more transparent than actions in the past, so the path to peace is better.

Burmese author speaks at Jaipur Literary Festival

2012-01-23T17:09:00.000+06:30

Monday, 23 January 2012 17:23 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Thant Myint-U, the well-known Burmese historian, says Burma’s giant neighbor India can help it achieve a democratic system after decades of brutal repression by a military regime.

Speaking at the Jaipur Literary Festival on Sunday, he said: “In the economic arena, China has invested massively in Myanmar. But the Chinese influence is very small in the decision-making process,” according to the Indo Asian News Service. Jaipur is the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan.

The author of the influential “The River of Lost Footsteps: A Personal History of Burma,” Thant Myint-U said Burma’s new government seeks to balance China’s influence and gain more friends among Asian countries, Europe, Russia, India and the United States.

Thant’s newest book “Where China Meets India: Burma and the New Crossroads of Asia,” looks carefully at Burma’s stance regarding it neighbors India and China, two countries on the brink of much larger roles in the world in coming decades.

He noted that India and Burma were both colonies of Britain. 'There is much India can do in sharing democratic practices,' he said on the day before Burma’s Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin began a five-day visit to India.

Early on when his first book was published, Thant took criticism for speaking out in support of Burma’s leaders in their efforts to move toward democracy, saying the reformers were sincere.

“Burma is no longer isolated. More Burmese now have access to the Internet. Burma is genuinely trying to move to a democratic system. It's experiencing a degree of political change, freedom of the media and liberal values,” he said, according to the IA news group.

On Burmese President Thein Sein, he said: “He was also the senior general who has no allegations of corruption against him. He is thinking about his legacy as the man who presided over the democratic transformation of Burma.”

India announced a $500 million aid package for various development projects in Burma during a visit by Thein Sein to New Delhi in October.

Reporting on Thant’s talk at the Jaipur festival, the Times of India said Thant believed Burma’s economy was much better than it was some years back, “But there is still a long way to go.”

Speaking at the same event, author Peter Popham, who has published a biography of Aung San Suu Kyi, said that freedom of speech and press are improving.

“When Suu Kyi was asked if she would like to be the president of the country ever, she declined. Then she added that still, she would like a country where she could have become the president if she wanted it,” Popham was quoted as saying.

88-Students will be active in politics

2012-01-23T17:03:00.000+06:30

Monday, 23 January 2012 12:49 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Burma’s “88 Generation Students Group” will work with all democratic forces to build democracy, but it will not form a political party right now, leaders said in a press conference in Rangoon on Saturday.

In a press statement, the group, led by Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi, said they didn’t see the glass “half full or half empty” in terms of progress.

“We are neither optimistic or pessimistic. We just try to see things as they are,” said Ko Ko Gyi, who was serving a prison sentence of 65 years and was released in the amnesty this month. “We don’t care whether the glass is half full or half empty. We will just watch what they will do with the water already in the glass.”

The leaders said the group, which led the 1988 demonstrations which saw hundreds killed and thousands jailed, said it would fully cooperate with the government, including the military, to build a “new state.”

“We will cooperate with all national forces for the emergence of a wider peace process through talks being held at present,” said the statement.

“For democracy, peace and development, we will do all we can to the best of our ability to cooperate with the government led by the president, the People’s Parliament, the National Parliament, the military, all political parties, ethnic nationalities and all the pro-reformists from all walks of life in our society.”

The group has said that it supports the candidacy of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy, who is running for a seat in Parliament in the April 1 by-election.

“We support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s decision to take part in the upcoming election for the emergence of genuine democracy,” the group said in a press conference attended by more than 500 people.

Burmese foreign minister in India

2012-01-23T17:02:00.000+06:30

Monday, 23 January 2012 14:13 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Burmese Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin arrived in New Delhi on Sunday to meet his Indian counterpart S. M. Krishna to discuss preparations for the Indian prime minister’s visit to Burma in early May. Burmese President Thein Sein visited India in October last year.

India and Burma have increased contact since Burma began a series of democratic reforms last year, signing a number of agreements involving military equipment, training, economic development and security issues along their joint border.

Burmese Deputy Home Minister Brigadier-General Kyaw Zan Myint and the Indian home secretary met last week in Naypyitaw to discuss a memorandum of understanding on border affairs and matters of common interest.

During President Sein’s visit, the two countries had reaffirmed their “unequivocal and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, agreeing on enhancing effective cooperation and coordination between the security forces of the two countries in tackling the deadly menace of insurgency and terrorism.”

The talks also involved ways to share intelligence to combat insurgency, arms smuggling and drug trafficking, and an agreement to strengthen border management mechanisms.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Myanmar around May 10, sources said on Sunday, as well as attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit meeting.

U.S. senators look to Suu Kyi for lifting sanctions policy

2012-01-23T16:27:00.000+06:30

Monday, 23 January 2012 12:17 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Two influential U.S. senators said lifting economic sanctions could depend on the views of Nobel Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, as they prepared to arrive in Rangoon on Sunday.

Senators Joseph Lieberman and John McCain said Suu Kyi’s views and the fairness of the April Burmese by-election could begin a process of easing of the sanctions, as early as April.

McCain, speaking to reporters in Bangkok on Saturday, said he was “very encouraged” by recent events in Burma including the amnesty last week, which saw about 300 political prisoners released, according to some sources. Myanmar's government has also implement many reforms during the past year.

“There is no doubt in my mind; [I am] absolutely certain that if this is a free and fair election, there will be no problem coordinating with every other country in the world to bring the sanctions to a close,” McCain said. “I have to say that I am still a bit skeptical, not a lot, a bit skeptical, but I will certainly try to keep an open mind as we go through this process.”

The senators will hold talks with Burmese President Thein Sein and opposition leader Suu Kyi starting Monday.

Both senators said the ultimate decision over when to lift sanctions would rely heavily on advice from dissident leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who will seek a seat in Parliament in the April 1 vote.

“I wouldn’t say we’re giving her a total veto,” Sen. Lieberman said. “But she has the trust of the U.S., he said, and her views over when to end sanctions would heavily influence U.S. policy.”

“My personal view is that we should not lift any sanctions before April," and possibly not even then if enough progress isn’t made,” he said. “We should all applaud what is happening in Myanmar but there are many times in history where we learned things aren't what we thought they were. Let's not rush into judgments we may regret later on.”

McCain said he didn’t really understand why the country’s leaders were moving so quickly to back reforms. The U.S., the European Union and other Western nations have imposed numerous sanctions against the country’s leadership, blocking most U.S. companies from doing business and freezing the assets of many individuals close to the former military regime.

He said that holding free and fair parliamentary by-elections on April 1 is a key requirement, and he would ask Burmese authorities to allow election monitors to oversee the voting, which is being held to fill 48 parliamentary seats that were vacated over the past year.

“If those elections are free and fair, I don't see any way in which we can’t reward” the government, he said. However, there were other requirement, he said, including freedom of the press, freedom of movement around the country for all citizens, and an end to forced labor and persecution of ethnic minorities.

“I’d love to see a situation where they hold free and fair elections and we lift sanctions,” McCain said. But “I’m not sure that’s going to be the case.”

Rohingya photo exhibit to open

2012-01-23T16:17:00.001+06:30

Monday, 23 January 2012 12:25 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – A photography exhibition depicting the plight of Rohingya refugees, “Exiled To Nowhere: Burma’s Rohingya,” by Greg Constantine will run from January 28 to February 29 in Chiang Mai.

The exhibit marks the opening of Documentary Arts Asia, a group dedicated to photojournalism, which will hold an opening party at 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 28.

The gallery, located near Chiang Mai Gate at 12/7 Waulai Road, Soi 3, will also offer a course in photography and photojournalism on February 10-11. For more information contact Ryan Libre at ryan@cdaf.asia

Thein Sein gives interview to The Washington Post

2012-01-20T17:06:00.000+06:30

Friday, 20 January 2012 17:06 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Burmese President Thein Sein has given his first-ever foreign interview to the The Washington Post, which was published on Friday, January 20. Reporter Lally Weymouth spoke with him in Naypyitaw in a wide-ranging interview that covered Aung San Suu Kyi as a possible cabinet minister, establishing peace in ethnic areas, North Korea and other issues.

Her first question was why did Thein Sein undertake a reform process that has moved Burma toward democracy in a series of governmental laws and decrees during 2011.

“The reform measures are being undertaken based on the wishes of the people [who want] to see our country have peace and stability as well as economic development,” he said. “To have internal peace and stability and economic development, it is important to have good relations with the political parties that we have in our country. That is why we have had engagement with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. In my meeting with Daw Aung Sang Suu Kyi, we were able to reach an understanding between the two of us.”

Thein Sein, who is a former general, said he wanted “to shed some light” on cease-fire negotiations with ethnic armed groups and the series of peace negotiations that have taken place during the past six months. An end to the violence is a key demand among Western nations, which have called for peace and free access to ethnic area of the country.

“First of all, we need to build confidence between the two sides,” he said. “We have reached agreements on certain things.

“This requires the two sides to sign an agreement and return to the legal fold without carrying arms. There are a total of 11 armed groups in our country. We have engagement with all the armed groups. We also have agreements with some of the ethnic armed groups. But this is not over yet. We are continuing negotiations.” He said he wanted to achieve “eternal peace in the country,” but that it would take time.

Asked if Suu Kuy could be picked as a cabinet member, Thein Sein appeared to dance around the question, saying, “All of the cabinet ministers that we have now are appointed based on the agreement given by the Parliament. If one has been appointed or agreed on by the Parliament, we will have to accept that she becomes a cabinet member.”

Looking at U.S.-Burma relations, he said he hoped the U.S. would upgrade relations to the ambassadorial level, and that U.S. sanctions would ease and eventually be eliminated, a point he returned to in the interview several times.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) responded to Thein Sein’s statement by saying it would be too early for the U.S. and its allies to lift economic sanctions because the reforms aren't complete yet, according to The Associated Press. A spokesperson said they welcomed the notion of a Cabinet post for Suu Kyi, while saying it was too early to discuss the matter, but she “is a very capable leader and she could take any leading position.”

Regarding the Burma and North Korea relationship, he told the The Washington Post: “These are only allegations. We don't have any nuclear or weapons cooperation with (North Korea).”

RFA airs satellite TV news program in Burma

2012-01-20T17:05:00.000+06:30

Friday, 20 January 2012 21:37 Mizzima News

Rangoon (Mizzima) – Radio Free Asia’s Burmese service broadcast the first episode of a nightly television news program in Burma on Thursday.

Hosted by two co-anchors, the half-hour program aired via television satellite at 8:30 p.m. local time, and featured news about Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s registration to participate in the country’s upcoming elections and interviews with recently released Burmese political prisoners.

In a recorded statement that aired on the inaugural program, Suu Kyi praised Radio Free Asia (RFA) for its continued excellence in delivering accurate news and information to the Burmese people, according to a statement released by RFA on Thursday.

“It’s a great honor to greet the viewers of Radio Free Asia’s first ever television program in Burma. While I was under house arrest, not only did Radio Free Asia keep me informed about the latest news happening in Burma, it gave me knowledge,” Suu Kyi said.

Nyein Shwe, the director of the Burmese service, said, “With the vastly growing popularity of television in Burma, this is an exciting opportunity for Radio Free Asia to build on the phenomenal success of our radio journalism.”

The program will air seven days a week, with new episodes on weekdays and repeated content on weekends. With content gathered within Burma from videographers and stringers, the nightly program will feature interviews, news, and reports on developments in the country, with an immediate focus on the April 1 elections, according to the statement.

The televised program will supplement the four hours of daily RFA Burmese broadcasts via satellite and shortwave. Television episodes are also available online on the RFA Burmese service’s website at http://www.rfa.org/burmese/.

Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and publishing online news, information, and commentary in nine East Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. RFA broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” RFA is funded by an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors.

If ‘fair’ election, U.S. may lift some sanctions: McCain

2012-01-20T17:04:00.000+06:30

Friday, 20 January 2012 14:08 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Speaking in Vietnam before he arrives in Burma on Friday evening, U.S. Senator John McCain said with a free and fair April 1 by-election, some U.S. sanctions could be lifted.

McCain, who is traveling with Senator Joe Liberman, said Burma could expect “some response from the United States in terms of the status quo between our countries as it exists now.”

“And certainly lifting of the sanctions, or some of them, would be part of that consideration,” McCain said.

The United States has upgraded diplomatic ties with Burma following the recent release of hundreds of political prisoners, saying more rewards would follow with concrete steps toward democracy and improving human rights, particularly in ethnic areas. Recently, Burma launched a series of moves designed to move the country towards democracy.

McCain, a former navy pilot and prisoner of war in Vietnam, said ties between the U.S. and Vietnam should be strengthened to help counter China’s influence in the region, but Vietnam's human rights record would limit progress.

“There is increased tensions with China about the South China Sea and other issues, and we believe that a multilateral approach to China and an increase in our strategic partnership with Vietnam is certainly called for,” he said, but impossible now because of the country’s human rights record.

McCain was a Republican presidential nominee in the 2008 election. Graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958, he became a naval aviator, flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, his plane was shot down, he was seriously injured, and captured by the North Vietnamese. He was a prisoner of war until 1973. McCain experienced episodes of torture, and his war wounds left him with lifelong physical limitations.

He is known for his work towards restoring diplomatic relations with Vietnam in the 1990s.

Four dissolved ethnic parties to re-register

2012-01-20T17:03:00.000+06:30

Friday, 20 January 2012 13:46 Kyaw Kha

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Four well-known ethnic political parties that were dissolved in the 1990 general election will re-register to run candidates, according to party officials.

Officials from the Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD), Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) and Zomi National Congress (ZNC) said they will re-register because the government amended the political party registration law and released political prisoners including Khun Tun Oo, the SNLD leader.

The SNLD, led by Khun Tun Oo, was automatically dissolved following the 2010 political party registration law; the remaining three parties were dissolved in 1993 when former General Khin Nyunt was in power. All four parties objected to the 2008 Constitution and the 2010 electoral laws and decided not to re-register and contest in the 2010 general election.

SNLD spokesman Sai Late told Mizzima, “We give first priority to re-register the party and top priority for the health of party chairman [Khun Tun Oo] and secretary [Sai Nyunt Tin]. Presently, we are holding a party central executive meeting. It’s very likely that we will register.” However, it’s not certain if the party will contest in the April 1 by-election, he said.

The SNLD won the largest number of parliamentary seats in Shan State in the 1990 general election and won second place in the whole country.

The ALD, the third largest winning party in the 1990 general election, will register the party in early February but it will not contest in the by-election. It will conduct activities regarding national affairs, education, health and farmers’ affairs, according to ALD leader Aye Tha Aung.

“The government amended some electoral laws. Moreover, politicians like Khun Tun Oo and Min Ko Naing whom we urged the government to release have freedom. That’s why we’ve decided to re-register the party,” Aye Tha Aung told Mizzima.

Similarly, the MNDF and ZNC plan to re-register in February or after the by-election, according to party leaders.

“This month ethnic leaders including Khun Tun Oo will hold a meeting. Then, we will register the parties. Under the current circumstances, it is unlikely to contest in the coming by-election,” MNDF Vice Chairman Nai Ngwe Thein said.

The MNDF was formed on October 11, 1988; five out of 19 MNDF candidates won parliamentary seats in the 1990 general election.

ZNC chairman Pu Cin Sian Thang told Mizzima, “We haven’t held a meeting with party members. I think they will agree in order to get a chance to conduct activities legally.”

On Wednesday, a meeting between former MPs of 1990 general election was held at Khun Tun Oo’s home and he suggested the political parties re-register.

The United Nationalities Alliance [UNA], a coalition of 11 ethnic political parties that contested in the 1990 general election, will hold a meeting in January.

The parties planning to register said the UNA and the Committee Representing the People's Parliament members would not object to their plan to re-register because of Burma’s current political atmosphere.

PTTEP seeks Burma partners

2012-01-20T17:02:00.000+06:30

Friday, 20 January 2012 12:25 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – PTTEP, Thailand’s state-owned oil company, wants to sell stakes in the M11 field off Burma’s coast in February.

“We are looking to find two partners to come in for investment in M11 but, that being said, we will still have to hold a 40-50 per cent stake and be a major shareholder,” Reuters quoted PTTEP chief Anon Sirisaengtaksin telling reporters on Thursday.

PTTEP has four exploration and production projects in Burma including Yadana, Yetagun, Zawtika and Block M3, M7 and M11, where it holds 100 per cent interest.

Anon said PTTEP would be able to sign contracts for two fields in Burma in February.

Human rights document to be judged by universal standards

2012-01-20T17:00:00.001+06:30

Friday, 20 January 2012 13:29 Mizzima News

(Commentary) – The long-awaited Human Rights Declaration by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is expected to be finalized in the coming months, but human rights groups say the process has been surrounded in secrecy, raising concerns. The process also calls for the setting up of a human rights body.

The drafting process under the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights is now in full swing and is expected to gather momentum, but challenges abound when trying to reconcile the desires of the 10-member regional body, many of whose governments are recognized as not free, and which limit the scope of human rights.

Writing in the Bangkok Post on Friday, Vitit Muntarbhorn, a professor of law at Chulalongkorn University, outlined some of the challenges.

First is the long-cherished Asean principle of national sovereignty and "non-interference in the internal affairs of a state," which has been citied as reason for Asean not to become involved in controversial issues in the past.

“From an international perspective, however, sovereignty itself comes with the responsibility to protect human rights. Moreover, international human rights advocacy is a part of international law and jurisdiction, and cannot be considered to be interference in the affairs of a sovereign state. This is easily illustrated by the fact that all Asean countries were and are against apartheid, and have never considered their advocacy on this front to be interfering in the internal affairs of another state,” Vitit wrote.

“Second, there may be a question as to whether to refer to various particularities, such as by means of the term ‘Asean values,’” in the draft text.

He said the term itself has a negative connotation because the term implies that there should be deference to "authority," dictating that the government's action should prevail over the rights of individuals and that economic rights should prevail over political rights.

“A better term is to underline ‘values in Asean’ which support universal human rights standards,” said Vitit. “A positive list of these values includes our commitment to peace, non-violence from the home to the state level, and a caring community that cherishes human dignity and the rights and freedoms of individuals to help strengthen international human rights law rather than to compromise it.”

Third, he said the draft declaration should aim for “a balance between responsibilities on the part of individuals and responsibilities on the part of the state and other non-state actors.”

“Internationally, every person is already under a duty towards his or her family, community and state, and he/she must exercise his or her rights with due regard to the rights of others. For instance, freedom of expression cannot be used to defame others,” he said.

“However, the duties and limitations to be imposed on individual rights must also be based on fair and transparent criteria: there must be a limitation on the limitations.

“Internationally, therefore, if there are to be such limitations to constrain the exercise of human rights, they must be in accordance with the law and not be based on arbitrary action; necessary in view of the risks; proportionate to the circumstances; and in the pursuit of democratic aims.”

Vitit emphasized that the universal principle of human rights is based on non-discrimination.

“They are not only the rights of our nationals but of all persons on our territory, including stateless persons, refugees, displaced persons, migrant workers, minorities and indigenous peoples, bearing in mind gender sensibility,” he said.

Human rights are also premised on basic minimum standards of humane treatment for all: protection from violence, access to justice and access to basic services and assistance, including free and compulsory education, birth registration and emergency healthcare.

“On another front, it is now internationally accepted that every nation has a responsibility to protect its population from serious violations, such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, failing which the international community can offer a helping hand and take other actions under the UN charter,” he said.

The Asean Human Rights Declaration will be judged, said Vitit, on whether it unambiguously meets universal human rights standards.

SSA will stop collecting taxes, recruits: Officer

2012-01-20T17:00:00.000+06:30

Friday, 20 January 2012 12:18 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Taxes will no longer be collected by the Shan State Army (SSA) South, following the signing of a cease-fire and peace talks.

A Shan officer at the Loi Hsarm Hsip base, opposite Chiangmai’s Fang district, told local people it is the first time that ordinary people will not have to pay taxes, the Shan Herald website reported on Thursday.

In addition, the ethnic armed group will stop recruitment of soldiers, said the officer.

The news came out when the officer spoke to local Shan residents in Pongpakhem, located 16 kilometres north of the Thai-Burma border, the website reported.

“Lt. Awng Hseuk spoke to several hundred people gathered to listen to him, telling them that they will stop collecting taxes and also stop collecting ordinary people for army recruitment,” said a local resident. The SSA has not officially announced the new policy.

Since the SSA and Burmese government signed the latest agreement in Taunggyi earlier this week, an SSA team has held public meetings in three cities explaining the cease-fire and peace talks.

A local resident told the website the SSA soldiers did not carry weapons, and Burmese army troops provided security during the talk.

“People came to a public gathering despite most of them were not invited. People were very happy to see them,” said a local resident who attended the meeting.

The Shan State Army-South was one of the largest rebel factions fighting against Burmese troops. The commander of the SSA, Lieutenant General Yawd Serk, announced that there was no more SSA South and SSA North and there would be only one SSA in a ceremony held at its headquarters in Loi Taileng in May 2011.

Comedian Zarganar, Khin Nyunt hold meeting

2012-01-19T16:56:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 19 January 2012 19:53 Ko Wild

(Interview) – The Burmese comedian Zarganar; director and actor Zin Wine; directors Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi and Kyi Phyu Shin and former intelligence chief and prime minister Khin Nyunt met for a conversation on January 15. On Monday, Zarganar, along with Zin Wine, met with San Pwint, a former major in Military Intelligence who arrested Zarganar two times. Khin Nyunt was ousted and arrested in 2004 and sentenced to 44 years in prison in 2005 on various corruption charges. San Pwint was arrested and charged in the same case. Mizzima correspondent Ko Wild talked with Zarganar about his visit with Khin Nyunt at his home.

Question: Why did you ask to meet with Khin Nyunt?

Answer: I met with him on January 15 at 5 p.m. at his home.

Since I was released from prison, I urged the president to release [former] General Khin Nyunt too.

So, when he was released from prison, he sent his niece to give me a message that he would like to say thanks to me for boldly urging [the president] to release him. His niece told me that he wanted to say thanks to me personally. He is elderly, so I told his niece I would go to him.

At that time, I was in Phyu. When I was arrived back in Rangoon, Zin Wine, and our colleagues and I had a meeting, and they said they also would like to meet with Khin Nyunt. That’s why they accompanied me.

Q: Is it unusual that Khin Nyunt spoke to the media as soon as he was released and then he met with you?

A: It’s not unusual. In fact, [former] General Khin Nyunt and I had never met. When he had considerable power, I was not included in the movie people who received support and help from him. Nearly all of the movie people obtained phone permits, land and car permits from him. I was not included in those movie people. In fact, when he was in power, I was arrested. I was arrested two times during his tenure.

Not only him. San Pwint from intelligence agency 6, who arrested me personally, was also released from prison. I went to him and greeted him. Now I have nothing to do with [personal grudges]. I don’t hold grudges. San Pwint arrested me personally two times. And Major Khin Maung Htwe. I greeted them, too.

Because they also have done things for the country in the past. I don’t hold any personal grudges against people who did bad things to us. Now, they’re released from prison. So, I greeted them. I just welcomed another person who was released from prison recently. I have no other intentions. Anyway, some people may think that why I can forgive them. In fact, I was the person who suffered. Even I can forgive.

Before that, I had never met with Khin Nyunt. He told me that when he had authority, he and I had never met and at this time there is nothing he can help me with. I replied to him that’s no problem. Those things [give-and-take] are not in my mind.

Q: When did you meet with San Pwint?

A: Yesterday morning.

Q: Some people criticized you on the grounds that you met with Khin Nyunt, and he had many pro-democracy activists arrested.

A: Those arguments tend to be never-ending. Ask the critics whether Thein Sein and Shwe Mann had the power of arrest at that time. Now, those people and Aung San Suu Kyi have shaken each others’ hands. So, why should I hold personal grudges? I think those [critics’] comments are meaningless. I don’t want to explain them. We who have personally suffered and were tortured don’t say anything, but people who suffered nothing are saying [angry] words.

Q: When you met with Khin Nyunt, what did you say?

A: We talked about films. He said that he read about our ‘Freedom Film Festival’ in journals, and he was pleased. He told me that he would like to watch those movies. This was the first subject we talked about. The second subject is that he was placed under house arrest for seven years as if he was in a prison. He said he felt very uncomfortable. In those days, he practiced meditation and now there is nothing [no personal grudges] in his mind. He said he did his past actions in accord with his duties, and he did not hold personal grudges.

Q: He told the media that he would not be involved in politics. Did he say that he was interested in social affairs and peace making?

A: We did not talk about it. But regarding peace, he personally met with General Mya [former Karen National Union chairman Saw Bo Mya] when he was alive. At that time, although they could take some steps, agreement was not reached. He [Khin Nyunt] and San Pwint led peace talks at that time. He says he has those videos. The negotiation was cancelled after they [Khin Nyunt and his colleagues] were arrested. There are some things they did. He and San Pwint also went to Khun Sa [a drug lord] and talked to him. We talked about it. I asked him what I would like to know. He said their peace talk with Khun Sa was successful.

Q: Did you see his two sons?

A: Yes, I saw both Ye Naing Win and Zaw Naing Oo.

Q: When you went to San Pwint, who accompanied you? What did you talk about?

A: Zin Wine and I went. Just for a short time. We greeted him. Because when Zin Wine and I were arrested and detained in Intelligence Unit No. 6, the official who personally arrested us was Major San Pwint. That’s why we went to him to greet him. But, we could not chat too much because there were many people.

Q: When were you arrested and detained by Intelligence No. 6?

A: Shortly after the ‘8888’ uprising. Zin Wine and I were the first ones who were arrested in Burma.

KIO-Gov’t peace talks progressing slowly

2012-01-19T16:54:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 19 January 2012 21:56 Myo Thant

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Political talks are moving slowly between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the Burmese government, during the second day of meetings.

“The government and KIO will continue negotiations on political issues,” said a statement issued by the two groups meeting in Ruili, China.

The KIO agenda on Thursday centered around national equality and regional autonomy, issues long valued by ethnic groups trying to establish a federal union in which they are given more control over their political and cultural affairs.

KIO Brigadier General Gwan Maw told Mizzima the KIO wanted to solve the problems that have led to decades of fighting, and the signing of a cease-fire could take a back seat while political issues are sorted out.

“We believe that the fighting is the consequence of political [problems]. So, we believe that the problems must be solved politically, not by the military,” said Brigadier General Gwan Maw.

Whether a cease-fire will be achieved or not will depend on the discussions, Gwan Maw said. Normally, ethnic armed groups and the government sign a cease-fire first and then engage in political talks.

Despite the peace talks, small-armed clashes between Burmese government and KIO troops broke out on Thursday in Kutkai Township, an area controlled by KIO Brigade No. 4, a KIO officer told Mizzima. Gwan Maw said that peace delegates talked about the fighting in the meeting.

Meanwhile, the state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar said on Thursday that a mine blast planned by “KIA insurgents” killed two civilians in Kamaing Township on January 16.

Thirteen government peace delegates including team leader Aung Thaung, Ethnic Affairs and Domestic Peace Making Committee member Thein Zaw, Upper House MP Khet Htein Nan and Minister Aung Kyi attended the meeting.

On the KIO side were 12 delegates including KIO delegation leader Swam Ma Lut Gan, La Hpai La, Jee Naung, Lagyaung Khaung Lone, Zaw Khone, Khun Naung, La Hpai Zaw Yaw, Zaw Taung and Brigadier General Gwan Maw.

Popular abbot must leave monastery in one month

2012-01-19T16:53:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 19 January 2012 21:26 Myo Thant

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The abbot of the Thadu Pariyatti Monastery must leave his teaching monastery by February 19, confirming his eviction following an appeal to the state Sangha authority.

The abbot signed a bond in front of Rangoon Region Sangha authorities and government officials confirming his eviction.

“I signed as they directed and agreed to leave my monastery,” said Abbot Shwenyawah. “I have no plan yet to move to another monastery. I’m still considering what to do next with calmness and a cool head.”

The authorities banned the abbot from preaching sermons in February 2011 for one year for teaching things incompatible with Buddhism.

In addition, the highest Sangha authority on December 12, 2011, ordered him to leave his monastery in Kyimyindine, Rangoon, and to halt all training conducted in this monastery, which teaches about 1,000 student-monks. The ban came because he preached a sermon at the NLD Mandalay Region branch office in September 2001, in violation of a Sangha order. The abbot’s appeal was rejected. Religious classes for higher exams are taught at his monastery.

The popular abbot did relief work during Cyclone Nargis, which hit southern Burma in 2008, distributing relief supplies and drinking water and disposing of corpses.

Minister Aung Min seeks talks with Thailand-based groups

2012-01-19T16:52:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 19 January 2012 20:13 Ko Wild

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burmese presidential special peace envoy and Rail Transportation Minister Aung Min has offered two exile-based democratic groups to meet for political talks the first week of February, said group leaders.

General-Secretary Dr. Naing Aung of the Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB), which consists of seven organizations, said that peace facilitators Hla Maung Shwe and Dr. Kyaw Yin Hlaing conveyed the message verbally. The same message was given to Aung Moe Zaw, the chairman of the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS).

“They told me that this was an official offer from the government minister and special envoy for peace…for informal talks,” Naing Aung told Mizzima.

Naing Aung, who is also the director of the Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), said that he had informed member organizations.

The FDB was formed to work for the “emergence of a democratic transition which will lay down foundations for good government, rule of law and justice” in early 2004 with a core group of seven member organizations which fled to the border after the then-military regime brutally suppressed the 1988 popular uprising.

DPNS Chairman Aung Moe Zaw told Mizzima, “They informed us that Aung Min would meet with us, but the date for the talks will be set later. Meeting with him is good, but we must call a central committee meeting within days for deliberations on the details of this talk.”

The DPNS was formed during the 1988 popular uprising. It had about 100,000 party members at the time of the 1990 general election. It was abolished in January 1991 by the then military regime and various party leaders fled to the border.

Though President Thein Sein and his cabinet colleagues invited Burmese nationals in exile to come back home, precise and specific laws and regulations are still needed for people who left Burma because of their political objectives and beliefs, said Min Ko Naing, 88 Generation leader who was released on 13th Janaury.

“They just called us to come back, but there should be practical and specific opinions and steps taken for this purpose,” said Aung Moe Zaw said.

Recently, the government reached cease-fire agreements with five ethnic armed groups (the KNU, SSA-S, CNF, UWSA and Mongla group). This is the first time the government has extended an offer of political talks to democratic forces outside Burma.

Field report focuses on ways to reach Burmese refugees

2012-01-19T16:51:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 19 January 2012 17:12 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – While many humanitarian groups have called for more aid for Burmese refugees displaced by years of conflict, there is some optimism now that a series of cease-fire agreements may offer some hope to deliver badly needed food, medicine and shelter supplies.

A recent field report published by Refuges International (RI) focused on two key goals: allowing humanitarian groups freedom of access to refugee areas and the removal of elaborate donor restrictions.

The authors of the report, Lynn Yoshikawa and Kristen Cordell, assessed the humanitarian situation in November and December of last year.

There are an estimated 500,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Burma, and three million Burmese refugees in other countries, according to their study. There are also some 800,000 stateless Rohingyas in the west of the country, who live in dire humanitarian conditions because of their lack of basic human rights.

With the decrease in fighting now is the time for the humanitarian community – led by the UN Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) and supported by key donors like the European Union, United Kingdom, and United States – to expand operations in Burma, they wrote.
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“Burma’s new government has demonstrated a willingness to work with the international community on humanitarian needs created by both natural disasters and conflict,” they said. “The government has finally recognized the existence of IDPs, and invited the UN to assess the displaced needs in Kachin State. In December, the government also took the unprecedented step of allowing UN agencies to assist IDPs in areas outside of its control.”

The newly formed government offers opportunities denied to the donor community.

“Previously, all approvals passed through both the military and ministries. Now the military has been removed from the process, and there are multiple decision-makers. Over the past year, the government has signed numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), some of which had been languishing in bureaucracy for years,” they said.

In addition, they said some government officials at the regional levels (such as the chief ministers of Kachin and Karen states) are now able to act independently of the central government, which has helped to expand access for international aid agencies assisting IDPs.

“While many of these efforts remain personality-driven, they illustrate the new entry points to engage authorities on humanitarian issues,” they wrote.

Over the past decade, they said, local NGOs in Burma have developed significantly and are now estimated to number in the hundreds. In Kachin State, church and monastery compounds are hosting thousands of IDPs organized by volunteer groups, with assistance provided by UN agencies.

The World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF have established offices throughout Burma’s border regions, yet the UN has failed to leverage its comparative advantages to strengthen the humanitarian dialogue with the Burmese government, they said.

“The recent arrival of the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Burma and its growing dialogue with the government is an excellent opportunity for the incoming RC/HC to strengthen advocacy with the government to expand access to meet both immediate and long-term humanitarian needs, as well as request donors to increase humanitarian funding,” they wrote.

In recent years, the UK, EU, and Australia have significantly increased assistance inside Burma. However, the majority of the U.S. government’s $38.5 million contribution to Burma goes to organizations based in Thailand.

The research team said USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has spent only $100,000 in Burma since its response to Cyclone Nargis, despite widespread humanitarian needs resulting from conflict, natural disasters, and climate change.

Rolling back all U.S. sanctions may not be appropriate until key human rights benchmarks are met, they said, but removing specific barriers to technical assistance to key ministries and civil servants would allow Burma’s government to better respond to humanitarian needs and jumpstart the country’s stagnant development progress.

“While in Burma, RI met with aid workers who consistently spoke of civil servants operating at all levels of government without basic management, planning, and administrative skills,” they said. “One UN official said, ‘This government is like a newborn – it needs proper development and teaching.’”

Regional countries should also strengthen their engagement to build capacity of civil servants and lawmakers on public administration, policymaking, and program implementation, they said.

In the past year, local NGOs have significantly strengthened their advocacy with the government. One aid worker told RI, “NGOs here can fall into a trap if they do the government’s job without advocating and teaching [the government about] its obligations.”

For example, they said a local network of women’s organizations is helping government officials draft their implementation plan for the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. These steps will allow civil society to fully leverage new opportunities to influence the government, institute rights-based policies, and raise awareness of human rights, concluded the writers of the report.

To access the full report, go to http://refugeesinternational.org/policy/field-report/burma-opportunity-expand-humanitarian-space

ABSDF to hold peace talks with government

2012-01-19T16:49:00.002+06:30

Thursday, 19 January 2012 13:19 Ko Wild

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) on Tuesday agreed to have peace talks with the Burmese government, ABSDF Vice Chairman Myo Win said.

Most of the nine ABSDF battalions are based in areas controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), which has signed a cease-fire agreement with the government.

The ABSDF said that if it cannot cooperate with the KNU military wing, with which it has had a close relationship for more than 20 years, it could cooperate with the political wing in resolving problems that confront the ethnic communities, Myo Win said.

KNU General-Secretary Zipporah Sein said that despite its cease-fire with the government, many political issues remain to be discussed.

“Only if [the government] can establish a nationwide ceasefire, will problems be solved. Many political processes need to be resolved. The ABSDF has cooperated [with KNU], and we will discuss our alliance,” Myo Win told Mizzima.

In responding to the government peace-talk offer, “Our main message is that we also want to solve the political problems impartially. We’ve sent an official letter via our communication route,” Myo Win said.

The letter said the ABSDF is seeking national reconciliation, peace, a “genuine union” and democracy and human rights, he said.

Myo Win said the government said the ABSDF could pick the site of the peace talks.

Win Tin, a member of National League for Democracy patron committee, welcomed the negotiations. He said that the role of the ABSDF is as important as the role of ethnic groups in trying to establish peace. However, the ABSDF needs to beware of the Burmese army’s attitude, which appears to differ from the government’s approach to the peace talks.

“On December 10, the president ordered the commander in chief to stop military offensives [against ethnic armed groups]. But the attacks still continue,” Win Tin told Mizzima. “There are three sides. The first is all armed groups. The second is the government, and it knows that peace is needed for its survival and is doing its task. On the other hand, [the third side, the military] does not obey the government’s order and still launches military offensives.”

The ABSDF is an armed group formed by students who fled to border areas after the 1988 pro-democracy uprising. The group said it plans to take advice from members living in Burma and foreign countries.

All Burma Students’ Democratic Front-ABSDF

No`	Subject	Year	Comment
1	ABSDF was formed	November 1, 1988	Kawmoora Base, Karen State
2	Tun Aung Kyaw (chairman) Than Win (general secretary)		- First ABSDF chairman - First ABSDF general secretary
3	Moe Thee Zun (chairman) Kyaw Kyaw (general secretary)	1989-1990	Second ABSDF conference
4	Divided into two groups; first group was led by Dr. Naing Aung, second group was led by Moe Thee Zun	1991	Third ABSDF conference
5	Dr. Naing Aung (chairman) Aung Thu Nyein (general secretary)	1996	Conference for reconciliation between the two groups (held instead of the fourth conference)
6	Dr. Naing Aung (chairman) Aung Thu Nyein (general secretary)	-	Fifth ABSDF conference
7	Some members led by Moe Thee Zun resigned from ABSDF and joined Democratic Party for New Society. Some members led by Dr. Naing Aung resigned from ABSDF and formed Network for Development and Democracy	-	The interim period between ABSDF’s fifth and sixth conference Sai Myint Thu (interim chairman)
8	Than Khe (chairman) Myo Win (general secretary)	-	Sixth conference
9	Than Khe (chairman) Kyaw Ko (general secretary)	-	Seventh conference
10	Than Khe (chairman) Sonny (general secretary)		Eighth conference
11	Than Khe (chairman) Sonny (general secretary)		Ninth conference
12	ABSDF is a member group of these alliance of armed groups		DAB/ NCUB/ FDB/SYCB
13	Former ABSDF members in international countries		US, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Norway, Australia, England, Finland, Newzeland
14	About 30 ABSDF members have been arrested [by government]		The list is still being compiled

Possible food shortage in Chin State: NGO

2012-01-19T16:47:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 19 January 2012 12:35 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Chin State, the poorest state in Burma, may again be facing a food shortage with up to 100,000 people affected, says the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) of Britain.

The humanitarian NGO said it sees evidence of renewed famine in Chin State following the Mawta famine that began in 2007. Chronic food shortages in parts of southern Chin State are particularly severe this year after a bad harvest, it said in a statement released on Wednesday.

The populations of Kanpetlet, Matupi, Mindat and Paletwa townships are at risk of forced migration when food stores run out, it said.

The cause of the last famine was a devastating rat infestation. The word “Mawta” is a dialectical word of the Chin people to describe the flowering of bamboo; a natural occurrence that takes place every 50 years. Bamboo covers a fifth of the area in Chin State, and its flower provides abundant food for rats.

Chin Human Right Organization (CHRO) has monitored the continuing effects of the Mawta famine. It has documented that Chin refugees in Dehli have doubled in the last year. In April 2011, a report from the United Nations OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) highlighted an increase in the cost of basic commodities and seasonal water shortages in the area.

Accurate information on the current situation in remote parts of Chin State is difficult to obtain. HART collected testimonial evidence from nine village representatives in the affected areas, who said that their villages harvested food supplies that are expected to last three months, running out between December 2011 and January 2012. The crisis faced by these villages is likely to be replicated across Chin State, said the NGO.

The situation could particularly bleak for those villages which have no roads connecting them to the outside world, it said, and the international community should respond once again to help prevent further famine.

For more information, see www.hart-uk.org

NMSP, Gov’t to resume talks soon

2012-01-19T16:46:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 19 January 2012 12:24 Kun Chan

(Mizzima) – A second round of peace talks between the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Burmese government will be held sometime after January 25.

NMSP General-Secretary Nai Han Thar said on Wednesday the two sides will meet in Mawlamyine. A preliminary talk was held on December 22, 2011. The talks have been delayed because the Mon are meeting now in their annual discussion of political and cultural issues.

The 6th Symposium on Mon National Affairs is underway in the NMSP control area at Bale Dun Phite village in Three Pagoda Pass. Members are discussing four major issues: politics, the Mon national army, Mon national education and the collective leadership for Mon national affairs.

On December 22, a Mon peace delegation met the government’s Union-level peacemaking delegation for preliminary. The Mon urged the government to stop all military offensives in Kachin State, to allow people to study the Mon language and literature, and to make the Mon language the official language of the state.

After the meeting, the government’s peace team leader, Aung Min, said, “I’m 100 percent satisfied with the meeting because the ethnic people trust us like we trust the ethnic people.”

The government delegation said there were three stages to a lasting peace: first, to stop fighting; second, to hold a political dialogue with all ethnic groups; and third, to put forward the issues in Parliament, and finally to amend the Constitution.

Delegates also discussed opening liaison offices and cooperating in business and development projects in Mon state. The talks included an agreement that each side would inform the other side in advance if one side wanted to enter the other’s control area with weapons.

The government delegation offered to continue peace talks in January. The Mon said they would take the offer to the 8th NMSP party conference now underway. The conference will last through January.

Farmers’ publish story of struggle to hold land

2012-01-19T16:21:00.000+06:30

Thursday, 19 January 2012 14:52 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – A 38-page booklet on “Forced expropriations of farmlands and partial victories” by the Farmers' Rights Defenders Network has been published, documenting the story of villagers of Sissayan, in Magway, who have opposed attempts of army-backed companies to take over their land.

Wong Kai Shing, director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, said the publication showed the strength of spirit and sense of natural justice among people in Burma.

“It is a very promising sign for Burma that such a strong spirit exists among the people around the country to stand up for their rights and resist attacks on their livelihoods and even their very lives,” Wong said.

“That people in Burma are themselves now documenting and publicizing their energetic struggle, with few resources and still relatively limited contact with human rights defenders from around the region also shows that they are maturing as human rights defenders and learning very fast,” he said.

The booklet is available here: http://www.humanrights.asia/resources/BurmeseSysayamFarmerBook.pdf

88-student, hip-hop singer file to run

2012-01-18T16:29:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 22:45 Myo Thant

Chaing Mai (Mizzima) – 88-generation student Sandar Min and hip-hop singer Zay Yar Thaw will run for the Burmese Parliament under the National League for Democracy banner.

Sandar Min will stand for the Zabu Thiri Township constituency in which current President Thein Sein won in the 2010 general election, and Zay Yar Thaw will stand for Pobba Thiri Township constituency, which current Vice President Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo won in the 2010 general election.

Sandar Min, aka Shwee, 40, participated in the 2007 “Saffron Revolution” and was sentenced to 65 years in prison for allegedly contacting illegal groups and threatening the security of the state. She was released from Myaungmya Prison under the presidential amnesty on January 13.

Hip Hop singer Zay Yar Thaw, aka Phyo Zay Yar Thaw, is the founder of Generation Wave. In 2008, he was sentenced to four years in prison for forming an illegal association and possessing foreign currency. He was released from prison under amnesty on May 17, 2011.

Zay Yar Thaw, 31, told Mizzima he still needed to learn many things about politics.

“Even in the Independence struggle, the leaders learned about politics through experience. To become a politician, I need to try hard and I have many things to learn,” Zay Yar Thaw said.

The NLD will contest all 48 open seats in the coming April 1 by-election. It declared 44 candidates on January 12 and 17.

On Wednesday, it selected four more candidates for the remaining four seats. Thirteen of the NLD electoral candidates are women.

Along with Sandar Min and Zay Yar Thaw, NLD members Nai Ngan Lin will contest in the Dekkhina Thiri Township constituency, which current Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Myint Hlaing won in the 2010 general election. Min Thu will contest in the Ottara Thiri Township constituency.

Nai Ngan Lin, 28, was arrested while he was surfing the Internet at a cyber café in Kyaunkmyaung in Rangoon in June 2009. He was interrogated at Aungthabyay Interrogation Center for more than two months and then released.

Min Thu, 50, from Mogok, Mandalay Region, received a bachelor degree in chemistry from Mandalay University in 1981. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison for allegedly insulting the government, disturbing officials during their duties and involvement in an unlawful assembly. He was released under the presidential amnesty on January 13.

NLD chairman Aung San Suu Kyi will contest in the Kawhmu Township constituency, Rangoon Region, in the by-election. She registered to run on Wednesday in Thanlyin Township.

KNU seeks release of KNU-connected prisoners

2012-01-18T16:28:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 22:07 Kyaw Kha

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Imprisoned members of the Karen National Union (KNU) and innocent civilians who might have aided the KNU should be freed following the signing of a cease-fire agreement between the KIO and the Burmese government, say KNU officials.

KNU Peace Building Committee Secretary Pado Saw David Taw said that a KNU prisoners’ list would be given to the government identifying people imprisoned under charges involving the unlawful associations act, bomb blast cases, murder and other offenses.

“We will demand this especially for those who provided food to us on the frontlines, who carried our belongings, and hosted us at their homes. They are in prisons for unlawful association. We want them back because they are our benefactors, and they provided for us,” David Taw told Mizzima.

After signing a cease-fire agreement in Pa-an on January 12, the KNU delegation proceeded to Naypyitaw where government Peace Making Committee leader and Railway Minister Aung Min reportedly asked them to compile the list of prisoners and send it to the government.

“Railway Minister Aung Min said they would work for the release as much as they could,” David Taw said. The list is still being finalized.

The Thai-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP-B) said that there were 69 prisoners in various prisons such as Taungoo, Insein, Thayet and Shwebo in connection with the KNU. Most are in Taungoo Prison.

“Some of them are just villagers, but they were charged with unlawful association and having contact with unlawful association groups. And also some of them were charged with murder, bombings, etc. This list of 69 people is just the list we can access,” said Bo Kyi, a joint-secretary of the AAPP. The prison terms range from three years to life in prison.

National League for Democracy party central executive committee member Nai Nai said about 10 prisoners involved in KNU cases had been released under the four previous amnesty orders issued by President Thein Sein. About 10 other prisoners including KNU leader Pado Mahn Nyein Maung are still in Insein Prison.

Pado Mahn Nyein Maung will be released soon, according to KNU officials. He went missing in July last year while he was visiting China. He was then detained and sent to Rangoon from Kunming, China, and later charged under the Immigration Act, holding a forged travel document and being a member of an unlawful group. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Government minister Aung Min tried to release and return Pado Mahn Nyein Maung with the KNU delegation when he met with them in Naypyitaw, but paperwork prevented his release in time.

According to the KNU, it will meet again with the government peace delegation in about 45 days to go over points in the peace agreement.

Suu Kyi files to run for Parliament

2012-01-18T16:27:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 15:40 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – It’s official – Aung San Suu Kyi has officially filed to run in the near-rural constituency of Kawhmu on the outskirts of Rangoon in the April 1 by-election. After filing papers to run on Wednesday, she was surrounded by hundreds of bystanders eager to get a glimpse of the 66-year-old democracy icon.

“Aung San Suu Kyi was the first member of the NLD to register. She's going to run for the lower house,” a senior party official, Win Htein, told Agence France-Presse.

Suu Kyi hinted this weekend that she could even take a position in the government, if asked, but said it “depends on the circumstances.”

AFP reported her saying, “It depends on the circumstances, and it depends (on) minister of what,” the Nobel laureate replied when asked whether she would accept a government post if offered one.

When a reporter suggested a post of foreign minister, she laughed, saying: “I will have to think very seriously about that.”

Some observers have speculated that she might be offered a position in health, education or the ethnic affairs area. In recognition of her image as Burma’s leading democracy advocate, a stream of top Western officials have beat a path to her home in Rangoon as soon as the arrive in the country.

Suu Kyi was held under house arrest for most of the past two decades, prior to her release in November 2010.

A top regime figure told AFP on Monday that Burma has “no other way” but to embrace democracy, and promised that the April poll would be democratic.

Her political party, the newly-reformed National League for Democracy, will seek seats in up to 48 constituencies throughout the country at various levels of government. The exact number and candidates has not been announced.

Debate is still swirling around Suu Kyi’s decision to run for Parliament, with some critics saying she may be neutralized in Parliament, when it’s seen that she is only one member of a small opposition group of lawmakers. Yet her move will be interpreted as endorsing the unfolding political process occurring in Burma, which has undergone a rapid number of political changes in the past year, including loosening of press laws, legalizing the right to demonstrate and organize as workers, the release of leading political prisoners, ethnic cease-fire agreements and the cancellation of unpopular giant development projects involving a hydropower dam and a coal-fired power plant.

Other observers say that in Parliament she may be better positioned to push for reforms to the 2008 Constitution, to organize a coordinated opposition movement of politicians and to push for a broad political discussion of ethnic issues which have festered for the past 60 years since Burma’s independence from Britain, preventing the country from enjoying peace and economic development in ethnic regions.

In December, Suu Kyi, responding to fear that her image and reputation would be lessened as a member of Parliament, said, “Some people worry about my reputation if I contest the by-elections. We shouldn't do politics for our reputation. We have to do what we think we should do. If I think I should, I will compete in the election.”

Burma tourism ready to takeoff?

2012-01-18T16:25:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 12:11 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – French, German and British tourist were the most frequent Western tourists in Burma last year. The largest number of tourists were from Thailand, followed by China.

The number of foreign visitors passing through Rangoon International Airport rose by 21.8 per cent in 2012 to nearly 360,000, reports said Sunday.

More than two-thirds were from Asian countries, led by Thailand with 59,010 visitors, followed by China with 32,757, according to Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

Europeans accounted for 65,367 travellers, led by France with 13,102 visitors, Germany with 10,932, and Britain 7,195.

“Arrival numbers are increasing 20 per cent to 30 per cent every year”, Lynn Zaw Wai Mang, general manager of Unique Asia Travel in Rangoon, was quoted by the news agency. “It means we need to build more hotels, expand airlines and develop our infrastructure so we can offer a better level of service to visitors.”

While the numbers are good, tourism industry spokesmen are citing potential problems down the road and calling for the newly elected government to undertake rapid infrastructure changes.

An article in the Myanmar Times on January 2 cited concerns about the country’s lack of hotels and transport capacity, poor infrastructure, high prices and inefficient booking systems.

“The Myanmar tourism industry is now at a point where we need to become more professional because the number of people who want to visit Myanmar is slowly growing,” Edwin Briels, general manager of Exploration Travel and Tour, was quoted as saying.

Others cited the availability of seats on domestic airline bookings as a serious issue.

“On one side arrival numbers are growing but on the other side we don’t have enough facilities to meet demand. We have a shortage of hotel rooms and domestic [airline] seats during this year’s high season and this issue can potentially have a huge negative impact on tourism. The ministry and private sectors must consider developing a master plan to solve these problems,” said an industry spokesperson.

Industry experts said more European and American tourists could be expected. “There will be a significant increase in leisure travellers from the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, the United States and Australia from 2012 onwards,” said one expert.

“Commercial travellers will also increase with the opening up of the economy. Therefore, major leisure destinations such as Bagan, Inle and Ngapali will benefit from the high-end leisure market, and Yangon as the key commercial hub will benefit from business travellers.”

Werner Rumpf, the managing director of Sun Birds Tours, said that for European demand to really take off the tourism industry would need to see more investment.

“It can be said in one sentence: build up much better infrastructure for tourism, such as more hotels, cars, flights, guides and last but not least improved roads so that clients can see this beautiful country overland,” he said.

China now No. 1 investor in Burma

2012-01-18T16:23:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 13:29 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – China has invested nearly US$ 14 billion in Burma, equal to 35 per cent of Burma's total foreign investments, according to government statistics. China is now Burma’s No. 1 investor, passing Thailand.

China's latest investment in Burma was in November 2011, with $4 billion in the power energy sector. Most of the $14 billion investments are in sectors involving hydropower energy, oil and gas and mining, according to a report in Eleven News in Rangoon.

Foreign investment in Kachin, Rakhine, and Shan states mostly come from China.

“Jade and timber extractions in Kachin State. Oil and gas in Rakhine State and mining in other states. [China] invested in hydro-electricity power projects in many parts of the country. Presently, 34.5 of the country's total foreign investments are from China [out of more than 30 countries that are investing],” according to a spokesperson from the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce quoted in the Eleven News report.

Until 2008, Chinese investment in Burma was around $1 billion, but it jumped to nearly $13 billion by 2011.

In a 2008 report on China’s investments in Burma, Earthrights International (ERI) identified at least 69 Chinese multinational corporations (MNCs) involved in at least 90 hydropower, oil and natural gas, and mining projects in Burma.

These projects varied from small dams completed in the last two decades to planned oil and natural gas pipelines across Burma to southwest China.

Because of Burma’s secrecy in revealing economic information, the information was pieced together from government statements, English and Chinese language news reports, and company press releases available on the Internet, the report said.

The report noted that very little information is disclosed to the Burmese public or the communities’ affected by the projects.

Limited energy resources have made Burma an attractive source for investments for China and other countries including India, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, among Asian countries.

While China has embraced a foreign policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, “the line between business and politics in a country like Burma is blurred at best,” the reported stated.

In pursuit of Burma’s natural resources, China has provided Burma with political support, military armaments, and financial support in the form of conditions-free loans.

For a copy of the report, go to http://www.eart hrights.org/pub lication/china-burma-increasin g-investment-ch inese-multinati onal-corporatio ns-burmas-hydro power-o

Burma makes Times’ ‘visit’ list

2012-01-18T16:22:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 11:59 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Burma is bracing for an influx of tourists, with the news of its move toward a more democratic system. Adding to the interests was a The New York Times’ article last week on “45 Places to Go” which noted the country’s “world-class boutique hotels and deserted beaches.”

Burma has been on the adventurous backpackers list for years, while other travelers chose to stay away and not support the country’s former military regime.

The article said “because the country has been so isolated, the deeply Buddhist ‘Land of the Golden Pagoda’ resonates with a strong sense of place, undiluted by mass tourism and warmed by genuine hospitality.”

Noting that Aung San Suu Kyi has called for sustainable development and “trickle down” tourism where dollars will do the most good, the article cited the ViewPoint eco-lodge on the banks of Inle Lake and the Amara Ocean Resort on Ngapali Beach — a pristine swath of coastline on the Bay of Bengal. The resort finances relief projects in the Irrawaddy River delta.

Other Southeast Asia locales mentioned were Ko Samui, a tranquil island in the Gulf of Thailand, and the famous Halong Bay in Vietnam with its picturesque limestone island-cliffs, which has been named a Unesco World Heritage site.

Koh Rong, Cambodia’s second largest island with a 43-kilometer long beach was also cited.

Also destined to become a must-see locale is Burma’s famous Bagan temple complex south of Mandalay, which was the first place Suu Kyi visited when she was released from house arrest in November 2010.

Philippines calls for end to Burma sanctions

2012-01-18T16:21:00.001+06:30

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 19:48 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – The Philippines has called on the West to end sanctions against Burma, because of its “unprecedented political and economic reforms.”

A staunch critic of the former Burmese military regime, the Philippines said in a foreign affairs statement the recent political prisoners’ amnesty justifies the removal of sanctions.

“This action demonstrates the political resolve and commitment of the Thein Sein Government to nurture an environment for an enduring national reconciliation and democracy,” said a statement issued on Wednesday by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“The Philippines views that the unprecedented political and economic reforms now underway in Myanmar should find reciprocal gesture from the international community and that international sanctions against Myanmar should already be lifted.”

The West, led by Europe and the United States, has imposed economic sanctions against the then Burmese junta since the 1990s for gross human rights violations and failure to institute democratic reforms.

Asian film festival with a ‘social conscience’

2012-01-18T16:21:00.000+06:30

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 17:28 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Films with a “social conscience” will be screened at the Second Lifescapes Southeast Asian Film Festival to be held from February 2-5 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The festival aims to raise awareness of film culture and filmmakers of mainland Southeast Asia who make meaningful social commentary in their work – showing the beautiful without flinching from a sometimes-grim reality.

Selected films will represent Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The festival is interactive, offering directors, producers, media representatives, NGO representatives and audience members the opportunity to join together in post-screening Q&A sessions, panel discussions and evening social functions throughout the program.

The festival is organized through the South East Asian Institute of Global Studies at Payap University in Chiang Mai; all activities will take place on the Payap University Mae Khao Campus in the Sirindhorn Learning Resource Center. Activities on the campus are free and open to the public.

Gov’t and SSA-S sign peace agreement

2012-01-17T17:51:00.001+06:30

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 23:01 Kyaw Kha

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A Burmese government national level peace delegation and the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S) signed an eleven-point peace agreement in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, on Monday.

A cease-fire agreement was signed in December 2011.

The peace agreement established a headquarters area for the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS)/SSA-S, declared operation areas for both sides, declared a cooperative plan for regional development, the reopening of liaison offices and the establishment of business ventures.

“These eleven points have been agreed to in principle. There are some other points to be raised, but we will discuss them at the second national level meeting,” a delegate told Mizzima.

Liaison offices would be opened in Taunggyi, Kholam, Kengtung, Mong Hsat and Tachileik, and trading offices would be opened in Muse and Nanhkan. The date to open offices was not disclosed.

The two sides agreed to negotiate areas where they can enter and agreed that each side would inform the other side in advance if one side wants to enter the other’s control area with weapons. They also agreed to cooperate in combating drug trafficking.

Withdrawal of troops will be discussed in the next meeting, according to sources close to delegates on both sides.

The Burmese government wants the SSA-S troops from Kengtung, Mong Ping and Mong Yawng to move to an area near the Thai-Burmese border. The SSA-S wants the withdrawal of government troops from Homain and Mong Hta, where the SSA-S headquarters would be opened.

“The subject regarding withdrawal of troops is the main problem. So, that will be debated. The government does not want to withdraw its troops. Similarly, the SSA-S does not want to withdraw its troops,” a source close to SSA-S told Mizzima.

The date to hold the second meeting between the government and SSA-S was not set. The SSA-S delegation was led by Brigadier General Sai Lu and Brigadier General Paung Khay. Eight delegates including Colonel Sai Hla and Lieutenant Colonel Sai Min attended the meeting.

Delegates from the government’s side included Rail Transportation Minister Aung Min; Forestry Minister Win Tun; Eelctric Power-2 Minister Khin Maung Soe; Shan State Chief Minister Sao Aung Myat; Border Affairs deputy Minister Zaw Win; Union Chief Justice Tun Tun Oo; Shan State Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Aung Thu; Colonel Kyaw Soe Lin from Ministry of Defence; General Staff Officer (Grade-1) of Triangle Regional Command Colonel Zaw Tun Myint; and General Staff Officer (Grade-1) Colonel Zaw Min Aye.

The eleven points agreed to in principle include:

1

To allow RCSS/SSA headquarters in Homain sub-township and Mong Hta sub-township

2

The government troops to negotiate and arrange in order that RCSS/SSA troops and their families be resettled in the locations mentioned in No. 1

3

RCSS/SSA will appoint village heads in the region; for township level administration the village heads will cooperate with government officials

4

Government soldiers in Homain sub-township and Mong Hta sub township to give help to RCSS/SSA; Both sides will discuss and negotiate to arrange for the security of RCSS/SSA leaders

5

Government troops and RCSS/SSA to negotiate to designate areas where they can enter in border areas

6

Each side agreed to inform the other side in advance if one side wants to enter the other’s control area with weapons

7

To open liaison offices between the government and SSA-S in Taunggyi, Kholam, Kengtung, Mong Hsat and Tachileik and trading offices in Muse and Nanhkan

8

Government ministers to arrange for SSA-S members to run businesses and companies in accord with existing policies, by providing helps and supporting required technology

9

To cooperate with the union government for regional development

10

To cooperate with the government in making plan for battling drug trafficking

11

The government and RCSS/SSA agreed in principle to the points discussed on January 16, 2012. Points will also be discussed in the coming second union-level meeting

KIO, Gov’t to talk about peace issues first

2012-01-17T17:49:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 21:18 Aye Lae

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – It is more urgent to talk about political issues, a cease-fire agreement can wait, says the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

The KIO said that it would meet with Burmese government peace delegation members on Wednesday to talk about the problems that led to renewed fighting in the first place.

KIO spokesman La Nang said its peace team would meet with a 13-member Union-level peace led by Aung Thaung in Ruili, China.

Unlike other ethnic armed groups, the KIO said it would not agree on a cease-fire first, La Nang told Mizzima.

“A cease-fire is only the political consequences,” he said. “We will focus on political talks which will be transparent, concrete and offer a clear path, and we will discuss how to resolve these political issues,” La Nang said.

The KIO signed a cease-fire agreement with the government in 1994, but renewed fighting erupted in June 2011.

“We had a lesson in the past,” said La Nang “After getting a cease-fire agreement first and resolving political issues later will have had no guarantees. This is the bitter lesson we learned from our experience.”

A KIO central committee on Tuesday, said, “The KIO will start talks with the Union Government Peace Making Group to achieve equality and self-determination rights through political means and political negotiations.”

Secretary Pado Saw David Taw of the Karen National Union (KNU), which signed a cease-fire agreement with the government on January 12, said, “I wish the KIO would consider a cease-fire because negotiations while fighting will have difficulties. I think a cease-fire first and political issues later would be a better way for them.”

This will be the first talk between the KIO and the government following the latest round of fighting.

Burma political affairs observer Aung Naing Oo said, “After reaching cease-fire agreements with the KNU, the KIO will be left as the sole fighting force against the government in practice. So the KIO is isolated and pressure is increasing.

“Both sides are trying to talk, but the difficulties still exist. The government and KIO have their own positions and policies, but the field-level troops also have problems and difficulties too. It’s difficult to say whether this talk will succeed or fail,” he said.

The KIO delegation has left for Ruili. The government delegation will arrive on Wednesday, La Nang said.

He said the two sides had to arrange a neutral venue on foreign land because the fighting is continuing around KIO headquarters in Laiza on the border.

The Union Peace Making Group formed by the Parliament is led by Aung Thaung; a second peace-making group formed by President Thein Sein is led by Railway Minister Aung Min.

The peace-making group led by Aung Thaung has signed cease-fire agreements with the United Wa State Army and the Mongla group.
The peace-making group led by Aung Min has signed cease-fire agreements with the KNU, the Chin National Front, and the Shan State Army (South).

The following are members of the two Union peace-making teams:

Union Level Peace Making Group (Parliament):

1. Aung Thaung (Team leader)
2. Thein Zaw (Ethnic Affairs and Domestic Peace Making Committee Chairman) Deputy team leader
3. Aung Kyi
4. Ohn Myint (Cooperatives and Livestock Minister) member
5. Win Tun (Environment Conservation and Forestry Minister) member
6.  Lajun Ngan Sai (Kachin State Government, Chief Minister) member
7. Major General Zaw Win (Deputy Minister, Border Affairs Ministry) member
8. Brigadier General Aung Myat Oo (Deputy Commander, Northern Region Command) member
9. Tun Thein a.k.a. Tun Tun (MP, Manhsi constituency) member
10. Khet Htein Nan (House of Nationality MP, Myitkyina constituency) member
11. Colonel Kyaw Soe Win (Office of C-in-C of Defence Services) member
12. Colonel Than Aung (Kachin State government Border Affairs Minister) member (not included in this group constituted by President Office)
13. Colonel Win Then (General Staff Officer, Northeast Command HQ)

Union Level Peace Making Group constituted by President ‘s Office on December 12 for holding peace talk with ethnic Kachin armed groups

1. Aung Thaung (MP) Team leader
2. Aung Min (Railway Minister) Deputy team leader
3. Thein Zaw (Ethnic Affairs and Domestic Peace Building Committee chairman) Deputy team leader
4. Ohn Myint (Cooperatives and Livestock Minister) member
5. Win Tun (Environment Conservation and Forestry Union Minister) member
6. Lajun Ngan Sai (Kachin State Government, Chief Minister) member
7. Major General Zeya Aung (Commander, Northern Regional Command) member
8. Major General Zaw Win (Deputy Minister, Border Affairs Ministry) member
9.  Tun Thein a.k.a. Tun Tun (House of People MP, Manhsi constituency) member
10. Khet Htein Nan (House of Nationality MP, Myitkyina constituency) member
– Colonel Kyaw Soe Win (Office of C-in-C of Defence Services) member

Activists demand gas for Arakan electricity

2012-01-17T17:48:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 17:12 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – People in two townships in Arakan State are protesting, calling for the Burmese government to supply more gas to the region as a fuel to provide more electricity to the state which lacks sufficient electrical power.

Activists delivered an open letter to the Arakan state minister on Monday with the demand, said a statement by the Shwe Gas Movement, an activist group based in Thailand.

Last week, the Minister of Energy claimed it would make an agreement with firms to supply the gas for the region, but local activists are skeptical because of unfulfilled promises and the destructive impact the gas pipeline project has already had on local communities.

“The military government is trying to convince Arakan people that they will benefit from this project with construction jobs or a small share of revenue,” said Wong Aung of the Shwe Gas Movement. “The demand for 24-hour electricity before any export [of gas] shows that the Arakan people are not going to be bought off so cheaply.”

Currently, Burma’s new government is set to continue with a contract signed by the previous military junta to export 9.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas extracted from the Shwe gas fields to China.

“When it emerged that 90 per cent of the electricity produced by the Myitsone Dam would be sent to China, Burmese people rallied against the project due to severe energy shortages at home. The same anger is growing against the Shwe Gas Pipeline project,” the statement said.

Burma does not have an enforceable democratic legal structure to ensure revenue transparency and contract accountability or to ensure that its citizens receive tangible benefits from foreign investments in the extractive sector.

“At the moment there is only one way to ensure local people see real benefits and that is to allocate 100 per cent of the Shwe gas towards meeting domestic energy needs,” said Wong Aung.

Burma ranks 10th in the world in terms of natural gas reserves yet its per capita electricity consumption is less than 5 per cent of neighbouring Thailand and China, because the government exports most of its energy.

The Thailand-based Shwe Gas Movement has called for the Burmese government to suspend the Shwe natural gas project in Arakan State.

“Exporting the huge natural gas reserves from the Shwe Gas fields off Burma’s western coast will perpetuate the chronic energy shortages domestically,” it said in a statement in October, reported in Mizzima.

“The regime will earn an estimated US$ 29 billion from the sale of the gas, yet these revenues will not be used for social improvement. The revenues will disappear into a fiscal black hole that omits gas revenues from the national budget, clearly to the benefit of the regime and investors,” the statement said.

An underwater gas pipeline would carry offshore gas from block A1 and A3 to Kyaukphyu. About 40 per cent of the project is completed and the deep-sea port at Maday Island is about 80 per cent completed, according to the Shwe Gas Movement.

Gas reserves in the two blocks are estimated at 4.5 to 7.7 trillion cubic feet. Burma will earn an estimated US$ 29 billion from the sale of the natural gas to China over a 30-year period starting in 2013, say government officials.

The deep-sea port project and the joint pipeline for oil and natural gas will be completed in 2013. An electric railway for transporting goods is expected to be completed in 2015.

The offshore blocks in the Shwe Gas field, the biggest natural gas field in Southeast Asia, has an estimated 200 billion cubic meters of natural gas. The gas blocks in the western sea of Burma was discovered in late 2003. The cost of the gas pipeline linking Kyaukphyu and the Maday Island deep-sea port to Yunnan Province in China is estimated at US$ 3.5 billion.

In addition to the natural gas pipeline, an oil pipeline will be built to transport oil from Africa and the Middle East to China through the Kyaukphyu-Maday port passing along a route running through Minbu, Mandalay, Gokteik, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Lashio, Kutkai, Muse and Kyuhkok. The oil will then be transported to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province.

For more information, contact global@shwe.org

Report documents child abuse cases near Dawei economic zone

2012-01-17T17:47:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 16:03 Kyaw Kha

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – More than 150 child soldier and child labour cases have been documented in Yephyu Township, Taninthayi Region, in southern Burma, according to the Human Rights Foundation of Monland.

From May to October 2011, a total of 179 child abuse cases were found in Ye and Yephyu townships, of which 114 were child labour cases and 52 were child soldier cases, according to a survey. The area is near the Dawei deep-sea port special economic zone.

A report, “Coercion, Cruelty and Collateral Damage,” was released in Mae Sot, on the Burmese-Thai border, on January 13, which will be submitted to the U.N.

“Some children have to guard the gas pipeline, some were recruited to government troops, and some are working on road building projects as either wage workers or as substitutes for their parents,” said Thuta Zin of the Women and Child Rights Project, one of the compilers of the report.

The report also documents children killed and maimed by landmines and victims of sexual abuse. Both Burmese government troops, Karen National Union (KNU) and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) troops operate in the area.

Foundation director Nai Kasaw Mon said the government should emphasize the eradication of child soldiers and child labour in the territories concerned during cease-fire talks.

“After completing the cease-fire talks, it should work for the elimination of child soldiers and forced labor among children and then they should emphasize help for these children who are behind in education and health due to these conflicts,” Nai Kasaw Mon told Mizzima.

If a genuine cease-fire and peace cannot be built between the Burmese government and ethnic armed groups, the child soldier issue, child labour and other human rights violations will continue to occur, Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB) Director Aung Myo Min said.

Foundation director Nai Kasaw Mon said that their study on six points of child rights outlined in UN Security Council resolution 1612. Burma signed the UN Child Rights Convention in 1991, but the convention is still being violated by both government troops and ethnic armed forces, Nai Kasaw Mon said.

HURFOM will send its report to the Burmese government departments concerned, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), domestic human rights organizations and elected MPs from the constituencies concerned.

UN calls for further progress on human rights

2012-01-17T17:44:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 12:47 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – The U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma on Monday welcomed the amnesty and release a significant number of prisoners of conscience.

“I welcome the release of…individuals who have been imprisoned for exercising their fundamental human rights or whose fair trial or due process rights have been denied,” said Tomas Ojea Quintana.

While the exact number of prisoners released has yet to be determined, he said among those freed were individuals he had visited in jail.

“In this critical period for Myanmar, and in the lead-up to the by-elections in April, it is fundamental that all citizens, including those just released from prison, are allowed to play an active and constructive role in political and public life.”

“Based on lessons learnt from past elections, I call on the government to ensure respect for the rights to political participation and freedoms of opinion and expression, assembly and association – rights which are essential for the functioning of a democratic society.”

The special rapporteur also expressed concern that a number of prisoners of conscience remain in detention and called for their release without conditions and delay.

Separately, he expressed hope that there would be further progress in resolving political conflicts with armed ethnic groups throughout Burma and called on all parties involved to ensure the protection of civilians and respect for international human rights and humanitarian law.

“I renew my call on the government to develop a comprehensive plan to officially engage ethnic minority groups in an inclusive dialogue to resolve long-standing grievances and deep-rooted concerns,” Quintana said. “And all parties to this dialogue must ensure that investigations and accountability for past gross and systematic human rights violations are on the agenda. Ending discrimination and ensuring fundamental rights for Myanmar’s ethnic minorities is essential for national reconciliation and will contribute to Myanmar’s long-term political and social stability.”

He also called for unimpeded access for the UN and relevant actors to help address the crucial needs of ethnic groups and human rights issues in the country.

Quintana was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council in May 2008. As special rapporteur, he is independent from any government or organization and serves in his individual capacity.

For more information on Burma human rights issues, see http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/AsiaRegion/Pages/MMIndex.aspx

Japan and Burma sign business deals

2012-01-17T17:40:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 12:25 Ko Wild

(Mizzima) – Japan has signed MoUs with Burma involving investments in renewable energy and environmental conservation during talks last week, according to the state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar.

On January 12, Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano also met with Burmese officials to discuss the Dawei deep-sea port special industrial zone.

Officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Japan Overseas Development Corporation (JODC) met with Burmese officials to discuss investment deals in the giant special economic zone.

No agreements were signed. “They came for inquiry,” said a Burmese official. “Some people thought that we signed agreements…that’s not true. Japan is not fast like that.”

The MoUs involved investment cooperation between the Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration and JETERO-Yangon (Rangoon) and Myanmar Rural Area Energy Development Committee and Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization ( NEDO).

Japan’s NEDO will cooperate with the Myanmar Rural Area Energy Development Committee in operating a renewable energy project and conducting training workshops on renewable energy and environmental conservation, according to reports.

On January 11, Burma’s Electric Power 2 Minister Khin Maung Soe and NEDO discussed details on how to cooperate in the projects.

NEDO said that Burma’s electricity consumption is three times higher now than 20 years ago. The Burmese government has a plan to get 15 to 20 percent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2020, according to NEDO.

Presently, NEDO is digging water well for rural areas in Bagan and Nyaung Oo Township in Mandalay Region.

Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), which promotes human resources, training courses on wind turbine, small-scale hydroelectric power and solar energy, will undertake various training projects, Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) General-Secretary Myint Soe told Mizzima.

JETRO is producing car accessories in Burma and is involved in food, agricultural and clothing businesses in Burma.

Minister Edano met with Burmese President Thein Sein and Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his four-day trip last week.

Thai company plans to enter Burmese water market

2012-01-17T17:38:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 12:14 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – A Thai company, Hydrotek, an engineering firm, says it is planning to enter the water-management business in Burma, which is underdeveloped and will grow in the near future.

Chief executive officer Slib Soongswang told The Nation newspaper in Bangkok the company will focus on Burma and Laos, because they are similar to Thailand 30 years ago.

Slib said a lot of manufacturers lack a wastewater-treatment system, and a country with a growing industrial sector also normally lacks tap-water supplies, he said.

The Burmese government plans to issue a regulation on restricting wastewater from manufacturers in a few months, Slib told The Nation.

During a visit to Burma last week, Slib said he met with the head of the Rangoon City Development Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.

Water supply in Burma is 511,000 cubic metres a day, which reaches 60 per cent of the total population of 60 million people, he said. Wastewater treatment runs at 12,360 cubic metres a day. About 80-90 per cent of manufacturers in Burma have not installed a wastewater-treatment system.

Hydrotek has hired a Burmese consultant to conduct market research on water- and wastewater-treatment businesses. The company recently opened a representative office in Rangoon.

The Thai water-management market is expected to grow 15 per cent annually. Currently, the market is worth about Bt5 billion, the company said.

The issue of drinking water came up in the Rangoon Region Assembly in November, Mizzima reported, when a member,U Kyaw, said that the drinking water distributed by the Rangoon City Development Committee to the outskirts of Rangoon was insufficient and he urged the City Development Committee to distribute more water.

“Most of the people in our township are poor,” he said. “To get water, they have to wait until late at night, so they cannot sleep. Because of insufficient water there are health problems,” U Kyaw told the assembly.

In response to the motion, the Rangoon mayor said that Rangoon distributed 160 million gallons of water daily and there are plans to distribute more water.

“All MPs listen attentively. But when the motion was put into vote, it was supported by only 24 MPs. The military representatives and the USDP MPs objected,” a reporter told Mizzima.

Rangoon Mayor Hla Myint said that the Rangoon City Development Committee distributes water from Gyophyu Reservoir, Hlawgar Reservoir, Phoogyi Reservoir and Ngamoeyeik Reservoir to 33 townships in the city and distributes underground water to the townships through pump-wells.

Two special economic zones have brighter prospects

2012-01-17T17:25:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 17:57 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – The Burmese government and Karen National Union (KNU) cease-fire last week has renewed attention on two special economic zones in Myawaddy and Hpaan, says Burmese government peace committee member and Industry Minister Soe Thein.

Both zones are more than 1,000 acres, said Minister Soe Thein. Myawaddy and Hpaan are areas where many KNU members.

Minister Soe Thein noted that Myawaddy, opposite Mae Sot, Thailand, is a hub of business activities in the state.

“We would like to invite both businessmen and KNU members to conduct business” in the area, he said, and he invited businessmen to visit the Hpaan special economic zone.

U.S. Sen. Webb calls for Burma’s economic development

2012-01-17T17:09:00.000+06:30

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 12:57 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, the first American official ever to meet with now-former junta leader, General Than Shwe, said during Burma’s transitional period, the U.S. “should take advantage of all of the tools at our disposal to facilitate Burmese economic development, political reconciliation, and ultimately greater progress toward democratic governance.”

In 2009, Webb, on a personal visit, was among the first U.S. officials to call for a U.S. effort to engage the reclusive country, citing the danger of its long isolation from the West and the need for national reconciliation.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cited Webb’s efforts as important steps in the re-engagement with Burma, which is now experiencing a steady flow of statesmen and businessmen eager to establish relations with the newly elected government.

“The release of hundreds of political prisoners in Burma and the promised exchange of ambassadors with the United States are historic steps in a transitional period which has yielded greater opportunities for interaction with government leaders and civil society, and restructuring of government and military institutions,” Webb said.

How many political prisoners remain in jail?

2012-01-16T16:55:00.000+06:30

(Mizzima) – Western nations welcomed Burma’s release of political prisoners over the weekend, even as it became clear that the release did not include all the prisoners of conscience held in Burmese jails.

The exact number of freed political prisoners remains elusive, because of Burma’s secretive government. Recently, the National League for Democracy gave the authorities a list of 604 prisoners considered to be political detainees.

Home Minister Lt. Gen. Ko Ko said at a press briefing on Saturday that the government was able to locate 430 people on that list. Of the 430, 302 were freed Friday, he said, while 128 remained detained for breaking laws considered strictly criminal or for links with the Taliban, according to The Associated Press.

However, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) in Thailand has said as many as 1,000 political detainees might still be behind bars, mainly because they were convicted under statutes not regarded by the government as political offenses.

Many of the most prominent political prisoners who were serving long sentences were released. U.S. President Barack Obama praised the release as “a substantial step forward for democratic reform,” according to the AP.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke with Myanmar's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin and Suu Kyi over the weekend to emphasize U.S. support for “the path of reform,” according to a State Department spokesperson. She also announced that the U.S. would name an ambassador to the embassy in Rangoon, after an absence of more than two decades.

The AP said Norway on Saturday rewarded Burma by no longer urging Norwegian companies “to refrain from trade and investment in Burma.” In Oslo, the foreign minister said the recommendation had only a narrow application for Norway, and that the country would continue to follow the E.U.'s sanction regime.

Some human rights activists urged caution in removing Western sanctions.

“Pressure for progress on the remaining prisoners and other human rights concerns in Myanmar must not abate,” said Suzanne Nossel, Amnesty International USA's executive director. “The risk is that the restoration of ties between the two countries may be premature and could weaken the pressure to address critical areas of unfinished business in addressing serious human rights abuses in Myanmar.”

The release of prisoners came ahead of visits by two key U.S. senators influential in foreign affairs, Mitch McConnell and John McCain. McConnell arrives on Monday and will visit with Suu Kyi and government officials.

On Monday, French Minister for Foreign Affairs Alain Juppé ends a two-day visit. He met with Suu Kyi and ethnic opposition leaders on Sunday in Rangoon, and he will meet with President Thein Sein and the speakers of both houses of Parliament in Naypyitaw on Monday, according to Reuters.

“Like the rest of the international community, we have observed with a lot of attention the positive signs given by President Thein Sein,” Juppe said after meeting Suu Kyi at her home.

According to Agence France Presse, he said: “We will respond – France and the EU – positively and in concrete terms to these significant gestures.”

NLD senior leader Win Tin said, “The release of such a large number of political prisoners demonstrates the government's will to solve political problems through political means. This amnesty will ease political tension before the upcoming April by-election.”

McConnell says more democratic changes needed

2012-01-16T16:54:00.000+06:30

(Mizzima) – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, one of the toughest critics of Burma’s previous military government, says after a few more concrete moves toward democracy it’s right to consider removing U.S. sanctions, following a one-hour meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday.

The U.S. senate will also consider the appointment of a full-time ambassador, he said, during a press conference at the home of Suu Kyi.

McConnell has talked to Suu Kyi multiple time on the telephone, but he said he was “delighted” to meet her fact-to-face.
“There is, however, as everyone knows, much left to be done,” he said. “I think the improved relations with the various ethnic minorities are the most important thing we want to focus on at this point.”

Last week’s cease-fire with the Karen was a significant step forward, and should be followed by “progress made with other ethnic groups,” McConnell said.

He said the U.S. also looked forward to free and fair by-elections on April 1.

McConnell said the release of all political prisoners, ethnic peace discussions on political issues and free and fair April 1 elections would merit consideration of removal of sanctions. The sanctions restrict U.S. trade, investment and foreign aid to Burma.

Suu Kyi said McConnell was a committed supporter of democracy. “That is why I trust his judgment and I know that he will be watching the situation closely to find out what needs to be done, and as a seasoned democratic politician, he'll be able to judge how far we are progressing along the road to democratization,” she said.

The Republican minority leader will also meet with President Thein Sein on Tuesday. He said the support of democracy in Burma is based on U.S. values, and is not a matter of politics. U.S. Senator John McCain, also a Republican, will visit Burma in the coming days.

Asean human rights code process criticized

2012-01-16T16:52:00.001+06:30

(Mizzima) – The Asean panel charged with drafting a human rights code is working largely in secrecy and not consulting with human rights’ NGOs, raising concerns about its process, Amnesty International said in a statement last week.

“Not a single piece of substantive information on the process has been officially shared, and even the terms of reference of the drafting group have been kept confidential,” the right’s group said.

The statement said that when the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay traveled to the region in November, she was besieged by a similar concern from Asean civil society groups.

“That is a major concern to me as well,” she said, according to a statement by her office. “No discussion of human rights can be complete or credible without significant input from civil society and national human rights institutions. This is potentially a very important document that may set the tone for years to come.”

The Asean International Commission on Human Rights said in a statement last week that a drafting group has produced the “basic draft” of the Human Rights Declaration.

Officials say the Asean grouping hopes to finalize the draft of the rights charter in 2012, 19 years after foreign ministers agreed in Singapore in 1993 to “consider the establishment of an appropriate regional mechanism on human rights.”

The slow pace is a sign of the difficulty of reaching consensus in a grouping of governments that are plagued by human rights violations, particularly in Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

Dawei power plant to be renegotiated

2012-01-16T16:52:00.000+06:30

(Mizzima) – Burmese officials and the Italian-Thai Development company, the builder of the Dawei deep-sea port and industrial complex, will renegotiate the type of power plant after the government abruptly cancelled a coal-fired power plant last week.

The government’s decision “only means we have to renegotiate the source of fuel,” Somchet said in an interview in Bangkok on January 10, according to Bloomberg News. A new type of power supply will require the contract to be renegotiated and affect the cost, company officials said.

Myanmar’s decision is “nothing dramatic,” Somchet said, adding that the company would explore using natural gas instead.

PTT, Thailand’s biggest energy company, is studying whether to invest in a power plant in the Dawei project, chief executive officer Pailin Chuchottarworn told reporters in Bangkok earlier in the week.

Ital-Thai chairman Premchai Karnasuta said last month he expects to sign loan agreements in 2012 valued at $12.5 billion to develop the first stage of the projects. Japan Bank for International Cooperation will probably provide most of the funding for the port, road and railway links in Dawei, he said on December 26.

Ital-Thai is still seeking partners and financing for an integrated steel mill, oil, gas and petrochemical complex, and fertilizer plants, Bloomberg said.

Begin serious political talks with ethnic groups: U.S.

2012-01-16T16:50:00.000+06:30

(Mizzima) – The U.S wants the Burmese government to start serious political discussions to end decades of hostility with ethnic groups throughout the country, following last week’s cease-fire with the Karen National Union.

In a background briefing in Washington, D.C., a senior state department official said on Saturday, “We want the process that has played out with the KNU to be replicated across the country: ceasefires in place, serious political negotiations to begin, steps that will allow for the broadening of political and civic activity, and implementation of legislation that would protect freedoms of assembly, speech, and association.”

He said Assistant Secretary Tom Countryman would visit Burma soon for high-level consultations on that and several other key issues, including North Korea, which are central to the U.S. before the removal of sanctions.

“We have made clear our determination that the military ties between the two countries going forward be severed between North Korea and Burma. And we will be talking with them about Naypyitaw’s intention to sign the Additional Protocol of the IAEA. That still has not been finalized, but there are substantial progress that have been made in recent weeks,” said the spokesperson. The protocol agreement of the International Atomic Energy Agency requires a country to provide information about any nuclear program and allow for international inspections.

The spokesperson said the U.S. also emphasized that it wanted to see a complete halt of all efforts by Burma to acquire missiles or weapons from North Korea, as a requirement for the ending of U.S. sanctions.

‘They ordered me to renounce my monkhood’

2012-01-16T16:49:00.000+06:30

Monday, 16 January 2012 12:44 Ko Wild

(Interview) - Abbot Ashin Wayponela, aka Win Tin of Shwebonetha monastery in Mandalay, was released from Yamethin Prison under the recent amnesty. He was arrested in connection with a communal riot case between Buddhists and Islamists in Taungoo and received a 22-year prison term; he served more than 10 ½ years in Taungoo, Mandalay and Yamethin prisons. Mizzima reporter Ko Wild interviewed him on his prison experience and his future plans.

Question: How many monks and laymen were released with you?

Answer: A total of six prisoners were released from our prison. They are Ashin Thawbita, aka Thein Htike Soe; Ashin Thuwunna, aka Han Soe; Ashin Gawthita, aka Han Myint; Kaung Kaung, aka Zaw Myint; and Pho Thaung, aka Hla Myint.

Q: What is your monastery and please tell us your age and monkhood?

A: I am the Abbot of Shwebonetha monastery of Ashoka Yama Tike, Chanmyathasi Township, Mandalay Region, at the southern entrance of Phayagyi. I am 48, and I have 17 years in the monkhood.

Q: In which prisons did you serve and how many years?

A: I served a total 10 years 7 months and 16 days in prisons. First, I served in Taungoo Prison for about five months and then I was shifted to Mandalay Prison where I stayed only two days. Then I was transferred to Yamethin Prison on October 25, 2001. I was given a total of 22 years in prison.

Q: You were imprisoned in connection with a religious riot case. Please tell us about your case.

A: In this Taungoo riot incident, I was in Myo Hla, north of Taungoo. Then I was involved in a case in Myo Hla. This incident was a religious riot between Islamist Indians and Buddhists that took place in May 2001. The incident was triggered by a quarrel between novices and Islamist in the area and then it spread to other areas too. A disciple who supported me lived in Myo Hla, and I went there to meet them and to worship with them.

Q: Please tell us about the incident. How did you get involved?

A: There was no demonstration in this incident. They destroyed houses and threw stones at each other and it was just a riot. I just attended a meeting after this incident.

Q: How were you were arrested?

A: They didn’t arrest me at first. They arrested only my disciple from Myo Hla. Then I visited the intelligence office in Taungoo and surrendered myself on May 25, 2001. This was the No. 3 Intelligence Battalion in Taungoo.

Q: What happened next?

A: They interrogated me there, just questioning, nothing happened to me.

Q: How did they disrobe you?

A: They disrobed me in Taungoo military camp but not at the MI (3) office. There was a detachment interrogation center there at that time. They called this centre the old regional command HQ. They disrobed me on May 27, 2001, at the interrogation centre. They ordered me to renounce my monkhood too, but they couldn’t do this by order as per our Buddhist cannon law. They called in an Abbot, and he told me that and I was fully aware of our Buddhist cannon law.

Q: Where were you when were transferred after interrogation and where did you stand trial?

A: I spent only two days in the interrogation centre and then I was sent to Taungoo Prison. The trial was in Taungoo Prison. We were not taken outside. We stood trial in the prison because there were many groups in the prison ward where we were kept together. A judge came on the first day, and we were formally charged and on the second day he pronounced his sentence. This was a special tribunal, they said.

Q: Did the trial court sentence you alone?

A: No. There were more than 20 co-accused from the Myo Hla case alone, but I do not remember the exact number. There were over 10 accused in the Swa case and over 20 in the Kywe Bwe case and over 10 accused in the Taungoo case. I remember only the rough number.

Q: Did you get an opportunity to have a defence counsel, and on what charges and under which sections you were sentenced?

A: I couldn’t get access to a defence counsel, but they told me I could hire my lawyer if I wanted. How could I get a lawyer? I was in prison and not allowed to go outside. They refused when I asked them to hire a lawyer for me. I was charged with 5(j) of the Emergency Provisions Act and sentenced to seven years imprisonment on this charge and 10 years under section 436 and five more years under section 440 of penal code. They told me that these were mischief charges.

Q: How long did you spend in Taungoo Prison?

A: I served my prison term in Taungoo Prison from May to October 22, 2001, and then I was transferred to Yamethin Prison in Mandalay Region until I was released.

Q: How did the prison staff treat you, as a monk or as a layman?

A: They treated me as a monk because I told them that I was still in monkhood. I stayed there as a monk in accordance with our Buddhist cannon law though I wore a prisoner uniform.

Q: Did they offer you alms food as a monk?

A: No, but not in a rude manner, not so rude.

Q: Do you remember the names of Yamethin Prison superintendents? Did the treatment to you change when the superintendent of the prison changed?

A: The first prison superintendent I met there was Kan Myint; then Myint Shwe, followed by Tin Maung Cho and Khin Shwe. Yes, the form of treatment to us varied from one person to another. Anyway, the prison regulation and discipline have been eased gradually during these years. At first, they were too tight.

Q: How about your health, your reverence?

A: My health is good; I meditated in prison. I did regular walking as physical exercise too and had Vipassana discourse and practice while I was in prison. And I had my meal regularly to keep my health fit.

Q: Did you stay alone in Yamethin Prison?

A: Yes, I stayed in a secluded area in the prison. First I stayed in a prison cell with two other inmates and the last time there was only one person in my cell as the number of prisoners decreased in our prison.

Q: What about the healthcare in prison? Could you read in the prison?

A: The healthcare in the prison is not so bad but medicine supplies are limited. Yes, we could read books in the prison.

Q: How many co-accused in your Myo Hla riot case have been released?

A: I am the last in this group. I heard that those who were given 12-year prison terms were released in 2005 and those given 17-20-year term were released in October 2011.

Q: Did you get a remission given by President Thein Sein in May last year?

A: We got one-year remission from our sentence and then I got another 2 years when all prison terms over 20 years were commuted to 20 only. So I got total 3 years in remission.

Q: Were the monks released with you from Yamethin Prison co-accused in your Myo Hla case?

A: No, Ashin Thawbita and Ashin Thuwunna were involved in the Kywe Bwe case. They returned to Kywe Bwe now. Ashin Gawthita is from the Rangoon Nga Htat Gyi pagoda. He was arrested and charged with having connections with unlawful associations and other charges under Associations Act.

Q: What will you do now after your release?

A: I’ll go back to my monastery. I’ll be reordained and serve in the monkhood again. I’ll do religious work and social.

No grudge against anyone: Khin Nyunt

2012-01-14T18:30:00.000+06:30

Friday, 13 January 2012 19:40 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) – Former General Khin Nyunt, who was among the prisoners released on Friday, has spoken to reporters outside his home in Rangoon. Khin Nyunt, who contested for power with former junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe, said he had no plans to re-enter politics, and he supports the work of Aung San Suu Kyi.

“In the journals, I see President Thein Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi are working together, and I am very happy to see like that,” he said. “It is good for our country.”

Peace is also good for the country, he said, and he wished success to people who are working for peace.

“I believe in the people who are assigned this work,” he said. “The other side also wants peace too so if both sides reconcile…I think it will be successful.”

He said his son was a battalion commander when he was arrested. “Both me and my son were trained by the armed forces,” he said, so they have got discipline and they are committed to working for the country.

“We shall do everything which will be beneficial for our country and our people, but we won’t do politics,” he said.

He said he had no grudge against anyone. “I am doing religious work only. According to our religious teachings, everything is determined by our fate, everything must be in the cycle of being and nothingness. I understand this dhamma (rule). I feel I am lucky to be able to do religious work, and I will live peacefully with my family,” he said.

He said he lived most of the time in his home in Rangoon under house arrest. “I was taken to Insein for the first time in July 2005 and I was tried there. That’s all. The rest of the time during my imprisonment, I lived here peacefully without any trouble and harassment. I could live peacefully with the security agencies assigned to my security at my house,” he said. He said he had not met anyone since his release.

“I shall speak through the media only when I have something to say for the country,” he said, adding that he hoped the media gets more freedom and plays an important role in the country.

U.S. to name ambassador to Burma

2012-01-14T16:48:00.002+06:30

(Mizzima) – The United States will post an ambassador to Burma, an acknowledgment of Burma’s progress toward democracy, the Voice of America said on Saturday. The post has been vacant for two decades.

A series of reforms in Burma, including the sweeping release of political prisoners on Friday, has led U.S President Barack Obama’s administration to seek closer ties. Obama called Burma's decision to release hundreds of political prisoners “a substantial step forward for democratic reform.”

The Burmese government freed 651 prisoners on Friday, including key leaders in activist and ethnic groups.

The release comes after a visit to Burma of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who made clear a prisoner release was a condition for better relations. Clinton both said that more political reforms would be needed for the U.S. to offer direct aid to Burma. Washington withdrew its ambassador more than 20 years ago, after the military council ruling Burma at the time ignored the results of the opposition’s overwhelming victory in the 1990 election.

Joshua Kurlantzick, a fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, noted other signs of progress in Burma, such as a major U.S. business delegation scheduled to visit Burma, which some see as an economic opportunity on par with Vietnam after it opened up in the early 1990s. Business delegations from Japan have also been eying many sectors in the country.

Kurlantzick noted three other key conditions for better U.S. relations including the choice of the right ambassador.

“Burma isn’t France or Singapore; it remains a highly opaque government with many leaders extremely suspicious of the growing détente with the West,” he said. “As happened after the United States restored diplomatic ties with Vietnam and Laos, the administration will need to find an ambassador with extensive experience and contacts in the country, and should possibly look outside the Foreign Service, whether to U.S. academics focusing on Burma, or to its own Special Envoy, Derek Mitchell, to serve as ambassador.”

Another essential condition, he said, is gaining access to wider regions of the country.

“The prisoner releases, the cease-fires, the plans for the National League for Democracy to contest by-elections – all of these reforms are on the right path, and shocking to people following Burma just two or three years ago,” he said. “But U.S. officials need to be able to get into the ethnic minority regions of the country, particularly in the north and the northeast, to see whether regional army commanders are actually adhering to cease-fires.”

Last, the U.S. must “spend far more time trying to find ways to collaborate with China,” he said.

“Chinese officials are clearly worried that the U.S. détente may come at their expense, particularly if Western companies will eventually be swarming into Burma. Yet the growing diplomatic relationship need not come at China’s expense; China will remain Burma’s biggest donor, investor, and diplomatic partner.”

Most prominent political prisoners freed

2012-01-13T18:31:00.000+06:30

Friday, 13 January 2012 12:08 Mizzima News

Editor’s Note: This story is being updated throughout the day.

(Mizzima) – Hopes are high that many – if not all – of Burma’s political prisoners will be among the 651 prisoners released on Friday, as prison officials confirm prominent political prisoners have been freed already or are included in the amnesty.

So far, the release confirms that many of the most prominent political prisoners have been released, marking a historic moment in terms of national reconciliation. However, the number of political prisoners released is still uncertain, as remote prisons throughout the country release prisoners without providing official lists or confirmation.

The release began Friday morning as family and friends eagerly gathered in front of prison gates. Details of the release are coming in, but because of Burma’s lack of transparency, the information is piecemeal.

One of the most high-profile political prisoners, Min Ko Naing, has been freed, Mizzima has confirmed. An 88-Generation Student leader of the pro-democracy uprising in 1988 in which thousands of protesters were killed, he was sentenced to 65 years in prison.

Cheers and applause burst out upon his release from Thayet Prison, 545 kilometers north of Rangoon, where supporters gathered to see the quiet-spoken activist.

An activist Buddhist monk Ashin Gambira, a leader in the 2007 street demonstrations, was among 11 political prisoners released from Myaungmya Prison on Friday morning. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison.

An official from Taunggyi Prison in Shan State said two other prominent activists, Jimmy and Zaw Thet Htwe, would be freed there.

A family member of prominent prisoner Htay Kywe, one of the leaders of the 88 Generation Students Group, was quoted by Reuters as saying: "I've got confirmation that Ko Htay Kywe and almost all members of the 88-group and other prominent figures like Ashin Gambira and Khun Tun Oo will be released."

Former intelligence chief Khin Nyunt was released on Friday morning. It was the first time for him to meet his family since he was arrested and jailed seven years ago, sources said. Upon his release, he said he supported Aung San Su Kyi.

"The democratic process is on the right track," the 73-year-old Khin Nyunt told reporters, adding he did not plan to return to politics. Khin Nyunt, who was ousted by former junta leader Than Shwe, was Prime Minister from August 2003 until October 2004. Also released were a group of his former intelligence officiers as well as two of his sons, according to the China.org website. Khin Nyunt was removed from his post in October 2004 on charges of bribery and corruption.

Also freed was the chairman of the Shan National League for Democracy Khun Tun Oo. In 2005, Khun Htun Oo and other SNLD leaders were arrested on charges of treason and "inciting disaffection toward the government.” Khun Htun Oo was sentenced to 93 years imprisonment.

Prominent blogger Nay Phone Latt, who was serving a 20-year sentence, was released from Pa-an prison, his father told Mizzima. He was convicted under the Electronics Act for possession of banned videos and other offenses.

Khin Moe Moe, a member of Shan National League for Democracy (NLD), told Mizzima that 33 political prisoners including 88-generation student leaders Jimmy, Mya Aye, Kyaw Ko Ko, Yar Hu and Maung Kan were released from Taunggyi Prison in Shan State. Aung Kyaw Kyaw, the brother of Ashin Gambira, was included among the 33 political prisoners.

The Shan NLD will help newly released political prisoners, according to Khin Moe Moe.

“For those whose families cannot come [to Taunggyi], our Shan NLD is arranging accommodations,” he said.

Other reported releases of political prisoners included 88-generation students Mi Mi and That Zaw, released from Shwebo Prison; DVB reporter Hla Hla Win and 88- generation student Ant Bwe Kyaw from Katha Prison.

Eight political prisoners have been released from Sittwe Prison in Arakan State, sources told Mizzima. They are Ashin Sanda Thiri (aka) U Zin Pa Yit, Dr. Thet Lwin, Than Tin (aka) Ko Gyi Than, Pyace Phyo Hlaing, Aung Aung Kyaw, Zeya Oo, Kyaw Zin Win and Kyaw Lin Oo.

All Burma Federation of Student Unions leader Hanny Oo has been released from Lashio Prison, sources said. Local monastery officials said other prisoners released included Ngwe Soe Lin, Min Han, Myint Naing, Zarni Aung, Nyan Lin Htut and Min Zay Yar.

Two prominent Chin political activists Pu Kam Lam Khup (aka Kyaw Soe) and Anthony Kap Khan Khual, who were arrested in late 2007 for their roles in the famous “Saffron Revolution,” were released, according to the Chinland Guardian website. They were sentenced to 33 years and eight years, respectively.

Min Zeya, one of the 88-generation student leaders, was released from Lashio Prison, according to Cho Cho Win, his wife.

Six prisoners were reported released from Meiktila Prison: three were political prisoners and three were military intelligence personnel connected to former General Khin Nyunt.

The three political prisoners were NLD members Tun Tun Naing and Tun Tun Oo, both from Insein Township, who were arrested in connection with the 2007 demonstrations; and Myat Ko of Aunglan Township.

Six political prisoners were reported released from Yamethin Prison: Ashin Way Polla (aka Win Tin); Ashin Thawbita (aka Than Htike Soe); Ashin Thuwunna (aka Han Soe); Ashin Gawthita (aka Han Myint); Kaung Kaung (aka Zaw Win Myint); and Pho Thaung (aka Hla Myint).

An NLD volunteer and former military officer Nay Myo Zin, who worked as a volunteer for an NLD blood donor group, was released from Insein Prison on Friday. He was arrested in April 2011 and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Journalists working for the Burmese exile radio and TV station Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) have confirmed that all DVB journalists, including Hla Hla Win, Ngwe Soe Lin, Win Maw, Sithu Zeya and his father U Zeya, two freelance journalists (Thant Zin Aung and Zaw Thet Htwe) and the blogger Nay Phone Latt are among those who have been released, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Burma state radio and television said Thursday evening the amnesty was ordered so that those released can participate in the task of nation-building, a description that could be construed to refer to political prisoners.

If the release includes all of the political prisoners, a major condition for the removal of sanctions would be achieved, because it is a core demand of Western governments to improve relations with Burma.

The deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, a US-based campaign group, urged the Myanmar government to let the freed prisoners return to political activism.

“The government should ensure that there are no obstacles to these activists participating in public life and upcoming elections,” she said.

The amnesty comes less than two weeks after the government freed 6,656 convicts under an amnesty and reduced the sentences of 38,964 others through a clemency order.

However, only 34 political detainees were among those freed, causing general disappointment during a time of rising expectations due to the many democratic reforms the new military-backed government, which took office last year, has implemented.

"I think the government is releasing the prisoners apparently because the recent clemency order was strongly criticized by us and the international community," Ohn Kyaing, a spokesman for the opposition National League of Democracy party, told The Associated Press.

Jimmy on way home to meet his daughter

2012-01-13T18:29:00.000+06:30

Friday, 13 January 2012 21:00 Phanida

(Interview) – 88-Generation Student leader Jimmy, aka Kyaw Min Yu, who was arrested in 2007 for staging a protest against a price rise in fuel and commodities, was released on Friday from Shan State Taunggyi Prison. His wife Nilar Thein, also an 88-Generation Student leader, was released from Tharyarwaddy Prison. Their daughter Phyu Chi Nay Min was four months old when they were arrested. She is now 5. Mizzima reporter Phanida interviewed Jimmy about the new Burmese government, ethnic affairs, the future of the 88-Generation Students as a political party and other matters.

Phyu Naychi’s mother and father, activist Nilar Thein, and her activist husband, Kyaw Min Yu, popularly known as "Jimmy." Both were released from prison on Friday, January 13, 2012. Photo: en.wikipedia.org
Question: How are you?

Answer: Releasing prisoners is good, but only 10 out of a total of 11 political prisoners from Taunggyi Prison were released today. One remained in prison. He is Shwe Kyu, a university teacher. It’s not good. They should release everyone. Releasing political prisoners is good for the country. The entire world will appreciate this.

Q: What will you do first after your release?

A: I’ll meet all my friends, and we will make some decisions. We tried hard to reach this goal for many years. Now the government has accepted this path of dialogue, and if they will go along this path, we must cooperate with them in seeking our goals.

Q: Do you have a plan to form an 88-Gen group as a political party and to stand for election?

A: We have not yet decided on this matter. We will make this decision only after meeting with everyone.

Q: How do you see Aung San Suu Kyi’s decision to stand for election?

A: We accept it, and we support this. We have already made a decision to give her as much assistance as we can.

Q: How do you see the democratic changes being made by President Thein Sein’s government?

A: We could read about the activities of President Thein Sein in the weekly journals. These are constructive activities and matters. We profoundly accept that they are doing, what should be done, but I’d like to say there are many more things that should be done. We shall join hands with them for this work, and we shall do these things seriously.

Q: The government is working on reaching cease-fire agreements with ethnic armed groups?

A: This is what really should be done. This is our concept of achieving national reconciliation through dialogue. To reach this goal, we must have cease-fires with all ethnic armed groups and the next step must be reaching the peace goal. No country can develop and progress without national reconciliation. If we accept this concept, we must try hard to achieve peace.

Q: Do you have anything to say to democracy activists at home and abroad?

A: I’d like to say to our colleagues who had to leave country…now we have been released, and we will work for our country, and they have to do so too. They served our country alone before our release. We will try hard to let them come back home and work with us. I’d like to tell them to get ready to work for the future.

Q: And the last question. How do you feel about meeting with your daughter whom you haven’t seen for many years?

A: I feel happy as a father and as a human being.

‘We don’t need food, we need news.’

2012-01-13T18:28:00.000+06:30

Friday, 13 January 2012 20:35 Myo Thant

(Interview) – Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) party chairman Khun Tun Oo, who was arrested in 2005 on charges of treason and "inciting disaffection toward the government,” was sentenced to 93 years imprisonment. He was released today under the amnesty. Mizzima reporter Myo Thant interviewed Khun Tun Oo, 67, on the new government, ethnic affairs and his future plans.

Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) party chairman Khun Tun Oo. Photo: Facebook
Question: Did you know about your imminent release?

Answer: They didn’t tell us in advance, but we heard the amnesty news last evening, and we thought that it was strange and significant. And then at about 8:30 p.m. last night the prison staff came and told us the news.

Q: Did you have to sign any agreement for this release?

A: No, I didn’t sign any paper.

Q: How do you feel now?

A: I don’t have any feeling, and I am not happy because they arrested us and we did not commit any offence and they imprisoned us though we are innocent.

They arrested us and charged us with high treason. How could the chairman of a party like the SNLD commit such a crime? They told us that they came to arrest us on Khin Nyunt’s [the former intelligence chief] order. If I really committed this high treason crime, they could shoot me on the spot. And then they told us that we were imprisoned for forming the Shan State Consultative Council. Many other ethnic people formed such councils, but they arrested only our ethnic Shan people.

Q: The government has released prisoners four times now?

A: They had already given a promise to Hillary Clinton to release political prisoners and they want to take the Asean chairmanship so they have to release us; it was inevitably. The government has altered its course, and they have to take this democratic path.

Q: In the presidential order for amnesty, it states that the prisoners are released for national reconciliation. What do you think?

A: I believe only 55 per cent in that. I can’t believe 100 per cent in it because they signed a cease-fire agreement with the Karen yesterday but the fighting is still going on in Kachin State, so I can’t believe fully in them.

Q: There was military rule when you were arrested and now we have a new civilian government? What about that…

A: I can’t say our country has been significantly changed but I see many media people now and I think this is one of the changes and developments I can see.

Q: You mean the increase in media means development and progress?

A: As you know, media gives us news. There is a saying in prison, ‘We don’t need food, we need news.’ We knew what was going on outside through the media only. So I am very pleased and encouraged to see progress in media circles.

Q: What changes did you see in prison life after this government assumed power?

A: We could read all the journals published and we could watch TV too but we had to listen to radio secretly. The prison staff treated us well and we saw significant change in our prison life in 2010.

Q: Another change we can say is the NLD decision to contest the election.

A: I don’t want to give any comment on the NLD’s decision to contest in elections, but I think the NLD decided to do so to stand firmly with people and I hope they will and can stand for the people.

Q: Your SNLD party was also the brethren party of the NLD in the 1990 general election. What is your opinion on the future and the prospects of the SNLD?

A: In my opinion, if the SNLD does not become a legal party, we cannot publish even a statement or a document. The SNLD might reregister, but we have no time to stand for the by-elections. We can do political activity only after getting a legal status for our party. I have to discuss these matters with my colleagues.

Q: Now the government is trying to reach a peace agreement with armed ethnic groups.

A: What our ethnic people want is equality and the self-determination right, but not to secede from the union. We know about that disease and we have already had the medicine for that. So they need to resolve these political issues, not only sign peace agreements.

Q: Do you think the government will discuss these political issues?

A: As I said, I gave only 55 per cent marks to this government.

Q: What will you do after your release?

A: I have no specific plan yet and as for SNLD affairs, I must consult and discuss with my colleagues on the central committee.

The road to reform got a little less bumpy today

2012-01-13T18:27:00.000+06:30

Friday, 13 January 2012 19:58 Mizzima News

(Editorial) – Burma is on the path to peaceful development but there will be more challenges ahead, in spite of a joyous day in which most of the prominent political prisoners were released.

The scenes of joy over the unexpected release of political prisoners today indicates real change. Those released included well-known 88 Generation Student leader Min Ko Naing, the Shan ethnic nationalities leader Hkun Htun Oo and one of the Saffron Revolution leaders, Ashin Gambia. Even the formerly powerful ex-prime minister and Military Intelligence Chief Khin Nyunt was sprung from incarceration. This is an indication it is not business as usual in Burma. Today’s release of political prisoners was preceded by concrete reformist actions by the new government, notably the decision to halt the Myitsone Dam project financed by China and the cancellation of the 400-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the Dawei Project of Italian-Thai company.

Opening the gates of the prisons today for these people indicates the government has confidence in national reconciliation and is moving towards a more democratic society. But more challenges lie ahead. Burma needs judiciary system, reform of the suffocating bureaucratic system and serious attention to infrastructure and the struggling health and education systems.

That there was a delay in seeing this release was an indication of the struggle behind the scenes between the reformists and the old guard.

Talk of release has been on people’s lips for months. Political leaders like 88-Generation students, the Shan ethnic leaders Khun Htun Oo and former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt are important figures in politics and they have the potential to disturb the tranquillity of the streets and the government's seven-point Road Map to full democracy. However, after the historic move of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to jump into the electoral process, things have truly changed. With the acknowledgement by Western governments and the support of opposition forces – bar a radical minority communist group – Thein Sein’s government appears to have gained the confidence to move forward pursing the electoral process.

Nobody would have believed this if they had been told about it a year ago. President Thein Sein understands that national reconciliation includes the release of political prisoners. This process has been accelerated by today’s action.

There appears to be a tacit understanding for the opposition to stay off the streets. No demonstrations are in the offing. But a lot will depend on whether changes seep through to the grassroots. Certainly the atmosphere on the streets of Rangoon this week was one of more openness with discussion of politics no longer a taboo. Important changes are needed in the country’s budget in sectors like health and education, meaningful change to bureaucratic mechanisms, local administrations, and the judiciary. If this happens in a relatively short period of time, the popularity of the Thein Sein government’s moves will remain and a sense of forgiveness of the previous regime may be realized. If this fails to happen, there may be mass protests with the focus on the environment, land confiscation, corruption, and possibly over the continued armed confrontation in ethnic areas, if tension still exists.

Might there be a backlash from hardliners? Unlikely. The interesting point here is that the military’s Commander in Chief General Min Aung Hlaing was visiting Thailand when the amnesty was announced. Min Aung Hlaing is a member of the 11-member National Security Council, which has the final say on matter like amnesty of prisoners. This indicates little or no concern that things will fall apart should he depart Burma’s shores.

‘I will continue as an ABFSU member’

2012-01-13T18:26:00.000+06:30

Friday, 13 January 2012 18:37 Mizzima News

(Interview) – All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) member Honey Oo, 25, was released on Friday from Lashio Prison in Shan State. In 2008, she was a member of a group who reformed the ABFSU. Mizzima talks to her about her experience in prison and the future.

ABFSU member Honey Oo. Photo: aappb.org
Question: When were you released?

Answer: We released at around 8:30 or 9 a.m.

Q: When did you know that you would be released from prison?

A: This morning, a female prison ward official told us to pack.

Q: Did you need to sign any agreement?

A: No, I did not have to sign any agreement.

Q: How many years did you have to spend in the prison?

A: I was sentenced nine years and six months to prison under the Association Act. I had to spend 4 years and three months in prison.

Q: Were you moved around?

A: I had to move from Insein Prison to Lashio Prison. In the interim, I had to stay at Mandalay Prison temporarily.

Q: Lashio Prison is very cold. How did you pass the days as a woman?

A: There were not many problems. I would like to say one thing for the sake all female prisoners, not just for me. A female prison staff member often swears at prisoners. She usually uses rude words. She is Than Than Zin. Although she did not harm us physically, she used very rude language.

Q: How is your health?

A: I have to take medicine for stomach illness. My home is far away from the prison, so they could not support me with enough food. I cannot eat some food, so I encountered difficulties.

Q: What do you feel now?

A: I’m happy. I’m happy because all were released.

Q: Will you return to politics?

A: I’ll continue as an ABFSU member. As a member of the ABSFU, I will do everything I can for students. Thanks to all.