Myanmar's Suu Kyi proposes cooperation with junta
Tue Nov 17, 4:05 am ET
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is ready to cooperate with Myanmar's ruling junta in lifting foreign sanctions but it remains uncertain if the reconciliation efforts will yield results.
In a letter to junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe released Tuesday, Suu Kyi has requested a meeting to explain how she would cooperate in tasks "beneficial to the country." She does not specify what those might be.
"The letter is very significant. It clearly shows Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's willingness to work with the government in the interest of the nation," said her National League for Democracy party spokesman Nyan Win. 'Daw' is a term of respect used for older women.
The party, which released the text, had previously described in general terms the contents of the letter, dated Nov. 11. The government has yet to respond.
Suu Kyi's initiative is the latest move to try to break the political deadlock that began when the NLD won a 1990 general election. The military refused to allow it to take power and increased repression of the country's pro-democracy movement, causing the United States and another Western nations to isolate it with economic and political sanctions.
However, the Obama administration, acknowledging that such moves failed to foster reforms, is now seeking to engage it through high-level talks instead of simply applying sanctions.
It's difficult to judge the significance of the latest moves, said Donald Seekins, a Myanmar expert at Japan's Meio University, noting that there have been previous stillborn attempts at reconciliation.
"They tend to warm up and then get very cold again, depending upon the general political circumstances," he said.
Seekins speculated that the junta's reaction to the U.S. initiative might depend on whether it wants to loosen its close ties with China, its neighbor and closest ally.
This is the second letter Suu Kyi sent to the junta leader since August, when she was sentenced to 18 months' more house arrest for harboring an uninvited American citizen. She has been detained for 14 of the past 20 years.
In September, she wrote to Than Shwe stating her willingness to cooperate with the military government to have international sanctions eased — an apparent shift in her position. She had previously welcomed sanctions as a way to pressure the junta to come to an accommodation with the pro-democracy movement.
In her new letter, she also seeks permission to meet with the NLD's central executive committee members and visit old and ailing party leaders.
"She has taken up an approach that cannot be rejected and we are all very hopeful that the government will respond positively to her letter and we hope for a positive outcome," said Nyan Win.
Tue Nov 17, 4:05 am ET
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is ready to cooperate with Myanmar's ruling junta in lifting foreign sanctions but it remains uncertain if the reconciliation efforts will yield results.
In a letter to junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe released Tuesday, Suu Kyi has requested a meeting to explain how she would cooperate in tasks "beneficial to the country." She does not specify what those might be.
"The letter is very significant. It clearly shows Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's willingness to work with the government in the interest of the nation," said her National League for Democracy party spokesman Nyan Win. 'Daw' is a term of respect used for older women.
The party, which released the text, had previously described in general terms the contents of the letter, dated Nov. 11. The government has yet to respond.
Suu Kyi's initiative is the latest move to try to break the political deadlock that began when the NLD won a 1990 general election. The military refused to allow it to take power and increased repression of the country's pro-democracy movement, causing the United States and another Western nations to isolate it with economic and political sanctions.
However, the Obama administration, acknowledging that such moves failed to foster reforms, is now seeking to engage it through high-level talks instead of simply applying sanctions.
It's difficult to judge the significance of the latest moves, said Donald Seekins, a Myanmar expert at Japan's Meio University, noting that there have been previous stillborn attempts at reconciliation.
"They tend to warm up and then get very cold again, depending upon the general political circumstances," he said.
Seekins speculated that the junta's reaction to the U.S. initiative might depend on whether it wants to loosen its close ties with China, its neighbor and closest ally.
This is the second letter Suu Kyi sent to the junta leader since August, when she was sentenced to 18 months' more house arrest for harboring an uninvited American citizen. She has been detained for 14 of the past 20 years.
In September, she wrote to Than Shwe stating her willingness to cooperate with the military government to have international sanctions eased — an apparent shift in her position. She had previously welcomed sanctions as a way to pressure the junta to come to an accommodation with the pro-democracy movement.
In her new letter, she also seeks permission to meet with the NLD's central executive committee members and visit old and ailing party leaders.
"She has taken up an approach that cannot be rejected and we are all very hopeful that the government will respond positively to her letter and we hope for a positive outcome," said Nyan Win.
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Death toll passes 30 in Myanmar ferry sinking
Tue Nov 17, 5:47 am ET
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – Searchers have recovered more bodies from a ferry accident in Myanmar, bringing the confirmed death toll to 31, with about a dozen people still unaccounted for.
An official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to release information, said Tuesday that 23 of the dead were female and eight male. The motorized ferry "Nay Win Tun," carrying more than 176 persons, sank in the Ngawun River on Sunday night after colliding with an oil barge soon after it left Pathein, 84 miles (134 kilometers) west of Yangon.
Search and rescue operations were continuing, but the chances of finding the remaining missing persons were slim, said the official.
Tue Nov 17, 5:47 am ET
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – Searchers have recovered more bodies from a ferry accident in Myanmar, bringing the confirmed death toll to 31, with about a dozen people still unaccounted for.
An official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to release information, said Tuesday that 23 of the dead were female and eight male. The motorized ferry "Nay Win Tun," carrying more than 176 persons, sank in the Ngawun River on Sunday night after colliding with an oil barge soon after it left Pathein, 84 miles (134 kilometers) west of Yangon.
Search and rescue operations were continuing, but the chances of finding the remaining missing persons were slim, said the official.
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Afghanistan, Iraq among the world's most corrupt
By KIRSTEN GRIESHABER, Associated Press Writer – Tue Nov 17, 6:57 am ET
BERLIN (AP) – Afghanistan and Iraq, countries that receive billions of dollars a year in international support, are among the world's most corrupt nations, a watchdog group said in a report released Tuesday.
Lawless Somalia remained the world's most corrupt country, followed by Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan and Iraq, Transparency International said in its annual Corruption Perceptions Index.
Singapore, Denmark and New Zealand were the most principled countries around the globe, it said.
"The results demonstrate that countries which are perceived as the most corrupt are also those plagued by long-standing conflicts, which have torn their governance infrastructure," the report said.
The ranking measures perceived levels of public sector corruption in 180 countries and draws on surveys of businesses and experts.
"Stemming corruption requires strong oversight by parliaments, a well performing judiciary ... anti-corruption agencies, vigorous law enforcement ... as well as space for independent media and a vibrant society," Transparency chairwoman Huguette Labelle said in a statement.
She added that the international community must find ways to help war-torn countries to develop their own institutions.
The Berlin-based organization attributed the least corruptible countries' strong performance to their "political stability, long-established conflict of interest regulations and solid, functioning public institutions."
Afghanistan, which slipped to 179th place from 176th, has been dogged by corruption for years. Under heavy pressure from the U.S. government, Afghan President Hamid Karzai unveiled an anti-corruption unit and major crime fighting force on Monday following his fraud-tainted re-election.
Karzai's inability or unwillingness to tackle cronyism and bribery the past five years has given Taliban insurgents another argument with which to win support from the Afghan people. Nations supplying troops and aid are running out of patience with his government.
Transparency said public-sector corruption is rampant in Afghanistan.
"Examples of corruption range from public posts for sale and justice for a price to daily bribing for basic services," the report noted.
The United States, which was in 19th place compared with 18th last year, remained stable despite Transparency's concerns over a lack of government oversight of the financial sector.
"A swift government response to the financial crisis and moves towards regulatory reforms that include transparency and accountability measures may play a role in the country's score," the report said. "Nonetheless, it remains to be seen whether proposed reforms are far-reaching enough and to what extend they will be implemented."
The report also pointed out that the U.S. legislature is another reason for concern, as it is "perceived to be the institution most affected by corruption."
There were some bright spots in the new report — Bangladesh, Belarus, Guatemala, Lithuania, Poland and Syria were among the countries that improved the most.
While corruption in Bangladesh is still widespread, "a caretaker government's nationwide crackdown on corruption during 2007-2008 and the instruction of institutional and legal reforms" have improved the conditions.
In Poland, the establishment of a ministerial office for anti-corruption and an increased number of investigations into corruption have improved the situation.
"No region of the world is immune to the perils of corruption," the watchdog's report said.
By KIRSTEN GRIESHABER, Associated Press Writer – Tue Nov 17, 6:57 am ET
BERLIN (AP) – Afghanistan and Iraq, countries that receive billions of dollars a year in international support, are among the world's most corrupt nations, a watchdog group said in a report released Tuesday.
Lawless Somalia remained the world's most corrupt country, followed by Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan and Iraq, Transparency International said in its annual Corruption Perceptions Index.
Singapore, Denmark and New Zealand were the most principled countries around the globe, it said.
"The results demonstrate that countries which are perceived as the most corrupt are also those plagued by long-standing conflicts, which have torn their governance infrastructure," the report said.
The ranking measures perceived levels of public sector corruption in 180 countries and draws on surveys of businesses and experts.
"Stemming corruption requires strong oversight by parliaments, a well performing judiciary ... anti-corruption agencies, vigorous law enforcement ... as well as space for independent media and a vibrant society," Transparency chairwoman Huguette Labelle said in a statement.
She added that the international community must find ways to help war-torn countries to develop their own institutions.
The Berlin-based organization attributed the least corruptible countries' strong performance to their "political stability, long-established conflict of interest regulations and solid, functioning public institutions."
Afghanistan, which slipped to 179th place from 176th, has been dogged by corruption for years. Under heavy pressure from the U.S. government, Afghan President Hamid Karzai unveiled an anti-corruption unit and major crime fighting force on Monday following his fraud-tainted re-election.
Karzai's inability or unwillingness to tackle cronyism and bribery the past five years has given Taliban insurgents another argument with which to win support from the Afghan people. Nations supplying troops and aid are running out of patience with his government.
Transparency said public-sector corruption is rampant in Afghanistan.
"Examples of corruption range from public posts for sale and justice for a price to daily bribing for basic services," the report noted.
The United States, which was in 19th place compared with 18th last year, remained stable despite Transparency's concerns over a lack of government oversight of the financial sector.
"A swift government response to the financial crisis and moves towards regulatory reforms that include transparency and accountability measures may play a role in the country's score," the report said. "Nonetheless, it remains to be seen whether proposed reforms are far-reaching enough and to what extend they will be implemented."
The report also pointed out that the U.S. legislature is another reason for concern, as it is "perceived to be the institution most affected by corruption."
There were some bright spots in the new report — Bangladesh, Belarus, Guatemala, Lithuania, Poland and Syria were among the countries that improved the most.
While corruption in Bangladesh is still widespread, "a caretaker government's nationwide crackdown on corruption during 2007-2008 and the instruction of institutional and legal reforms" have improved the conditions.
In Poland, the establishment of a ministerial office for anti-corruption and an increased number of investigations into corruption have improved the situation.
"No region of the world is immune to the perils of corruption," the watchdog's report said.
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France urges release of Aung San Suu Kyi
www.chinaview.cn 2009-11-17 08:05:17
PARIS, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- France has called on the Myanmese authority to release General Secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said on Monday in a press briefing.
"We hope the voice that appeals the Myanmar prime minister to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, can be heard," Valero said.
He said France shared a common view with U.S. President Barack Obama concerning Myanmar, urging for a real and quick reconciliation process.
In an Asian policy speech in Tokyo on Saturday, Obama said the United States would like better relations with Myanmar with conditions, and urged the unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
The release is an "indispensable condition for the election expected by the Myanmar authority in 2010 to be real democratic," Valero said.
As the opposition leader, Suu Kyi has been under house-confine for over 10 years, but was allowed to meet with diplomats in recent months under international pressure.
www.chinaview.cn 2009-11-17 08:05:17
PARIS, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- France has called on the Myanmese authority to release General Secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said on Monday in a press briefing.
"We hope the voice that appeals the Myanmar prime minister to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, can be heard," Valero said.
He said France shared a common view with U.S. President Barack Obama concerning Myanmar, urging for a real and quick reconciliation process.
In an Asian policy speech in Tokyo on Saturday, Obama said the United States would like better relations with Myanmar with conditions, and urged the unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
The release is an "indispensable condition for the election expected by the Myanmar authority in 2010 to be real democratic," Valero said.
As the opposition leader, Suu Kyi has been under house-confine for over 10 years, but was allowed to meet with diplomats in recent months under international pressure.
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U.S. TV channel to shoot elephant-featured documentary in Myanmar
www.chinaview.cn 2009-11-17 11:28:31
YANGON, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- A famous United States television channel, the National Geographic, will shoot a documentary film in Myanmar later this month, featuring elephant, the local weekly Flower News journal reported Tuesday.
The film, directed by two directors from French "Compass Falim"company, will be shot in the country's Bago division, the report said.
The National Geographic of the United States, a world famous TV channel and magazines featuring extraordinary events in nature and history around the world, started magazine business in 1888 and TV broadcasting in 1997.
There is an elephant sanctuary in Myanmar called Po-kyar in Bago division and located 346 kilometers north of Yangon.
The Po-Kyar zone is accommodating 86 elephants of different ages ranging from 1 year old to 68 years' as well as various kinds of rare bird species, 100-year-old tress and wild butterflies.
Most of the elephants take sanctuary in country's Bago Yoma andRakhine Yoma mountain ranges and some inhabit in Taninthaye division as well as in mangrove forest of Mainmahla (beautiful woman) island in Ayeyawaddy division.
www.chinaview.cn 2009-11-17 11:28:31
YANGON, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- A famous United States television channel, the National Geographic, will shoot a documentary film in Myanmar later this month, featuring elephant, the local weekly Flower News journal reported Tuesday.
The film, directed by two directors from French "Compass Falim"company, will be shot in the country's Bago division, the report said.
The National Geographic of the United States, a world famous TV channel and magazines featuring extraordinary events in nature and history around the world, started magazine business in 1888 and TV broadcasting in 1997.
There is an elephant sanctuary in Myanmar called Po-kyar in Bago division and located 346 kilometers north of Yangon.
The Po-Kyar zone is accommodating 86 elephants of different ages ranging from 1 year old to 68 years' as well as various kinds of rare bird species, 100-year-old tress and wild butterflies.
Most of the elephants take sanctuary in country's Bago Yoma andRakhine Yoma mountain ranges and some inhabit in Taninthaye division as well as in mangrove forest of Mainmahla (beautiful woman) island in Ayeyawaddy division.
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Daily Finance - Burma's oil-rich generals can afford to ignore Obama on Suu Kyi
Sam Gustin
Nov 15th 2009 at 3:00PM
President Barack Obama is trumpeting the stern criticism he gave the military generals who hold dominion over Burma, the resource-rich South Asian nation now known as Myanmar, at a meeting of Asian leaders on Sunday.
The Burmese junta is one of the most loathed regimes in the world -- a posse of paranoid, megalomaniacal cadres who kill, torture and repress their people with impunity. A throwback to the 20th century's failed Marxist revolutionary movements, the junta relies on Burma's vast resource wealth to maintain its grip on power.
And it is precisely that wealth -- which the generals capitalize on through bustling trade with China and India -- that allows them to ignore Obama's entreaties for reform.
Last year, China's trade with Myanmar increased 26% to $2.6 billion, according to Bloomberg. China National Petroleum, the quasi-communist nation's largest company, has started building a 480-mile pipeline from Burma to southwest China, while CNOOC, China's largest offshore oil producer, is exploring for oil in Burma.
Burma's annual oil-derived revenue of some $3 billion may seem small in the international stage, but it's enough to fund the junta's alarming military buildup, and gargantuan mansions and compounds for the military's top leaders. The regime clear-cut and leveled vast swaths of lush landscape to build its $2 billion, fascist-style jungle redoubt, Naypidaw, in the middle of the country -- out of a lunatic fear of an American naval invasion.
Meanwhile, the CIA estimates that Burma's per-capita GDP -- or average annual income -- is $1,200, or less than $4 dollars per day. The junta has ruled the country since 1962.
Obama's trip is designed to signal that the United States intends to maintain its influence in Asia, even as China's clout increases along with its nearly double-digit GDP growth. The United States conducts essentially no trade ($10.8 million) with Burma and thus is seen as having limited influence on the generals. Under George W. Bush, the U.S. had no relationship with the junta, other than vague denunciations from time to time.
The U.S. participates in harsh sanctions against the junta, but many analysts question their usefulness at a time when the generals are increasing their trade with China, India and other countries.
Another Call for Aung San Suu Kyi's Release
The junta has come under international criticism for its imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi (pictured above), the Burmese national leader whose victory in elections 20 years ago the junta promptly annulled. For most of the time since then, Suu Kyi has been under house arrest at an isolated lakeside villa in Rangoon, the former capitol.
The generals have also been criticized for their brutal crackdown on monks, students and other pro-democracy activists two years ago -- a shocking episode during which they cut off the nation's communication infrastructure from the outside world.
In a meeting with Senior General Than Shwe, Obama called for Suu Kyi to be released.
"There are clear steps that must be taken: the unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi; an end to conflicts with minority groups; and a genuine dialogue between the government, the democratic opposition and minority groups," said Obama, who also called for the regime to provide basic services for its citizenry -- something that is lacking in many parts of the country.
"We're Not Going to Let the Burmese Tail Wag the ASEAN Dog"
Jeffrey Bader, director of East Asian affairs on the National Security Council, insisted that Obama's decision to meet with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations was designed not to punish them for their continued relations with the Burmese junta.
"The statement we're trying to make here is that we're not going to let the Burmese tail wag the ASEAN dog," said Jeffrey Bader, the National Security Council's senior director for East Asian affairs. "We're going to meet with all 10, and we're not going to punish the other nine simply because Burma is in the room, but this is not a bilateral."
ASEAN ministers released a statement that made no mention of Suu Kyi, instead "a cryptic reference to a previous ASEAN foreign ministers communique that called for her release," according to Dow Jones, although the document did call for the 2010 election in Burma to be "free, fair, inclusive and transparent."
Human-rights groups blasted the ministers' failure to mention Suu Kyi, calling it "another blow" to the country's repressed democracy movement. "We keep saying again and again that the U.S. should not send a mixed signal to the regime," said Soe Aung, a spokesman for the Forum for Democracy in Burma, a Thailand-based organization.
In September, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the U.S. would directly talk to the junta in order to press for democratic reforms. One month earlier, Sen. Jim Webb, (D-Va.), a retired marine officer, became the first elected U.S. official to have face-to-face talks with Than Shwe, the junta's reclusive boss.
Sam Gustin
Nov 15th 2009 at 3:00PM
President Barack Obama is trumpeting the stern criticism he gave the military generals who hold dominion over Burma, the resource-rich South Asian nation now known as Myanmar, at a meeting of Asian leaders on Sunday.
The Burmese junta is one of the most loathed regimes in the world -- a posse of paranoid, megalomaniacal cadres who kill, torture and repress their people with impunity. A throwback to the 20th century's failed Marxist revolutionary movements, the junta relies on Burma's vast resource wealth to maintain its grip on power.
And it is precisely that wealth -- which the generals capitalize on through bustling trade with China and India -- that allows them to ignore Obama's entreaties for reform.
Last year, China's trade with Myanmar increased 26% to $2.6 billion, according to Bloomberg. China National Petroleum, the quasi-communist nation's largest company, has started building a 480-mile pipeline from Burma to southwest China, while CNOOC, China's largest offshore oil producer, is exploring for oil in Burma.
Burma's annual oil-derived revenue of some $3 billion may seem small in the international stage, but it's enough to fund the junta's alarming military buildup, and gargantuan mansions and compounds for the military's top leaders. The regime clear-cut and leveled vast swaths of lush landscape to build its $2 billion, fascist-style jungle redoubt, Naypidaw, in the middle of the country -- out of a lunatic fear of an American naval invasion.
Meanwhile, the CIA estimates that Burma's per-capita GDP -- or average annual income -- is $1,200, or less than $4 dollars per day. The junta has ruled the country since 1962.
Obama's trip is designed to signal that the United States intends to maintain its influence in Asia, even as China's clout increases along with its nearly double-digit GDP growth. The United States conducts essentially no trade ($10.8 million) with Burma and thus is seen as having limited influence on the generals. Under George W. Bush, the U.S. had no relationship with the junta, other than vague denunciations from time to time.
The U.S. participates in harsh sanctions against the junta, but many analysts question their usefulness at a time when the generals are increasing their trade with China, India and other countries.
Another Call for Aung San Suu Kyi's Release
The junta has come under international criticism for its imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi (pictured above), the Burmese national leader whose victory in elections 20 years ago the junta promptly annulled. For most of the time since then, Suu Kyi has been under house arrest at an isolated lakeside villa in Rangoon, the former capitol.
The generals have also been criticized for their brutal crackdown on monks, students and other pro-democracy activists two years ago -- a shocking episode during which they cut off the nation's communication infrastructure from the outside world.
In a meeting with Senior General Than Shwe, Obama called for Suu Kyi to be released.
"There are clear steps that must be taken: the unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi; an end to conflicts with minority groups; and a genuine dialogue between the government, the democratic opposition and minority groups," said Obama, who also called for the regime to provide basic services for its citizenry -- something that is lacking in many parts of the country.
"We're Not Going to Let the Burmese Tail Wag the ASEAN Dog"
Jeffrey Bader, director of East Asian affairs on the National Security Council, insisted that Obama's decision to meet with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations was designed not to punish them for their continued relations with the Burmese junta.
"The statement we're trying to make here is that we're not going to let the Burmese tail wag the ASEAN dog," said Jeffrey Bader, the National Security Council's senior director for East Asian affairs. "We're going to meet with all 10, and we're not going to punish the other nine simply because Burma is in the room, but this is not a bilateral."
ASEAN ministers released a statement that made no mention of Suu Kyi, instead "a cryptic reference to a previous ASEAN foreign ministers communique that called for her release," according to Dow Jones, although the document did call for the 2010 election in Burma to be "free, fair, inclusive and transparent."
Human-rights groups blasted the ministers' failure to mention Suu Kyi, calling it "another blow" to the country's repressed democracy movement. "We keep saying again and again that the U.S. should not send a mixed signal to the regime," said Soe Aung, a spokesman for the Forum for Democracy in Burma, a Thailand-based organization.
In September, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the U.S. would directly talk to the junta in order to press for democratic reforms. One month earlier, Sen. Jim Webb, (D-Va.), a retired marine officer, became the first elected U.S. official to have face-to-face talks with Than Shwe, the junta's reclusive boss.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Continental Shelf
The Daily Star - UN body defers action on Myanmar claim
Unb, Dhaka
Further action by the UN commission concerned on Myanmar's claim on the outer-limits of the continental shelf in the Bay of Bengal has been suspended.
An official announcement from the ministry of foreign affairs here yesterday said the Union of Myanmar submitted their outer-continental-shelf claim on December 16, 2008 to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).
The presentation on the submission was held on August 24 this year before the commission where the formation of a sub-commission for Myanmar was deferred in consideration of the protest note of Bangladesh, which was communicated to the UN secretary general on June 23 this year.
The commission, in its 24th session, heard the explanation of the Myanmar authorities on the basis of their claim and the comments on the protest notes of Bangladesh.
It considered Bangladesh's objection with reference to disputes in the area as invoked under paragraph 5(a) of Annex I of the Rules of Procedure.
"The commission decided to defer further consideration of the submission and the notes verbale until such time as the submission is next in line for consideration," said the ministry release.
The decision was taken by the commission in order to take into consideration any further developments that might occur during the intervening period, including provisional arrangements of a practical nature provided for in the Rules.
"Consequently, further action on Myanmar's claim on the outer-limits of the continental shelf remains suspended," the foreign ministry said.
The dispute by the neighbour gathered pace, creating tensions across the border, as Bangladesh moved to explore gas in the Bay by leasing out hydrocarbon blocks to two foreign companies-one US and the other one Irish.
Continental Shelf
The Daily Star - UN body defers action on Myanmar claim
Unb, Dhaka
Further action by the UN commission concerned on Myanmar's claim on the outer-limits of the continental shelf in the Bay of Bengal has been suspended.
An official announcement from the ministry of foreign affairs here yesterday said the Union of Myanmar submitted their outer-continental-shelf claim on December 16, 2008 to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).
The presentation on the submission was held on August 24 this year before the commission where the formation of a sub-commission for Myanmar was deferred in consideration of the protest note of Bangladesh, which was communicated to the UN secretary general on June 23 this year.
The commission, in its 24th session, heard the explanation of the Myanmar authorities on the basis of their claim and the comments on the protest notes of Bangladesh.
It considered Bangladesh's objection with reference to disputes in the area as invoked under paragraph 5(a) of Annex I of the Rules of Procedure.
"The commission decided to defer further consideration of the submission and the notes verbale until such time as the submission is next in line for consideration," said the ministry release.
The decision was taken by the commission in order to take into consideration any further developments that might occur during the intervening period, including provisional arrangements of a practical nature provided for in the Rules.
"Consequently, further action on Myanmar's claim on the outer-limits of the continental shelf remains suspended," the foreign ministry said.
The dispute by the neighbour gathered pace, creating tensions across the border, as Bangladesh moved to explore gas in the Bay by leasing out hydrocarbon blocks to two foreign companies-one US and the other one Irish.
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Asian Tribune - US-Burma Relations to be Wary
Tue, 2009-11-17 04:48 — editor
By - Bo Htet Min
A US delegation led by Under-Secretary of State Mr Kurt Campbell and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel has made a visit to Burma. In order to grasp and consider the situation during the visit, I will present some inside stories.
Though it is said that US sanctions have never been effective, there were and are instances of their considerable impact. In the early days of American sanctions even when they were not stringent enough, an SPDC managing director wrote to the Burmese Embassy in Washington to help past US Customs blockage for Ministry of Industry-1's garment exports and other goods in 2000.
However, then Ambassador U Tin Win remarked, "A viper at rest is dangerous if provoked. So we have to be discreet not to touch it," and put the matter aside. At that time U Tin Win was General Khin Nyunt's close follower so that Industry-1 Minister U Aung Thaung dared not push the matter up.
In 2001 May, after U Tin Win was replaced with Ambassador U Linn Myaing, Minister U Aung Thaung personally made another demand to the new ambassador. Therefore U Linn Myaing had to take the matter up and made his embassy staff pursue the case. Only then the American officials became aware and surprised of the heap of goods labeled Made in Myanmar in Customs warehouses, resulting in complete prohibition (as U Tin Win had predicted).
After the 2003, Depayin massacre, the US imposed harsher economic sanctions which caused blockage of money transfers from Singapore to Burmese embassies in US dollars so that embassy staff received no salaries for a couple of months after which the US eased sanctions on some conditions.
Moreover problems arose in payment for 122 mm guns, missiles and radars ordered from Russia and Ukraine for the purpose of expansion of air defense facilities. Bosses of military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. (UMEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), Quartermaster-General, Director of Military Procurement and officials from Central Bank held an emergency meeting at the War Office and hotly looked for an alternative route by asking Gen. Than Shwe for permission to use Euro for exchange.
Purchase of weapons and equipment procured through a multi-tier of brokers and dealers became procrastinated and more costly. Targeted sanctions directly affected dictators' families, cronies and affiliated businessmen. Merchants and businessmen realized that their losses were due to military dictators. Dictators' families have to move their money away from Singapore to Dubai hastily.
The worst thing for SPDC was their inability to obtain visas for senior-level colonels and higher-ups to travel to Europe. This restriction of movement is particularly irritating for them because at the least they could not go shopping or sight-seeing to squander their booty.
Afterward Gen. Than Shwe put all the blame on democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, taking up this blame strategy as a weapon. In the past, at a tri-annual top brass meeting, Gen. Than Shwe has always said that US sanctions were not to be concerned, loopholes need to be found out, and that as an ASEAN member they need to exploit China, India and ASEAN countries (by luring them with economic incentives) through border crossings. Nevertheless at the War Office tri-annual meetings after 2003, Gen.
Than Shwe's tone changed.
He described his strategy thus, "We should masquerade Aung San Suu Kyi as an underling of US and the West. We must exaggerate impoverishment of workers caused by unemployment after closure of garment factories in Hlaing Thaya Industrial Zone due to US sanctions, and spread this in media. We need to wage psy-war to make the people hate America and Aung San Suu Kyi. Look at her speeches! You never hear of her opposing Western sanctions. So she seems to be pleased in private with the sanctions. We have to present her as a willing accomplice."
After that directive, the regime waged psy-war through Kyemon, Myanmar Alin, radio and TV with commentaries and news photos. An obvious strategic assault was Gen. Than Shwe's unilateral demand upon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to call for removal of sanctions if she wishes to conduct dialogue, thereby prompting the people to misunderstand her.
In reality economic decline and livelihood difficulties in the country are caused by SPDC despots' mismanagement, unrestrained pursuit of self-interest, monopoly of everything, failure of its agriculture and farm-mechanization projects, miscalculation of GDP, corruption, over-expansion of military strength and military's control of economy through UMEHL, MEC, etc.
The SPDC's worst conspiracy is its evil strategy to automatically character-assassinate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with its usual labels like American lackey, stooge or axe-handle even if the US partially removed the sanctions on her request for the sake of the people.
Nevertheless, depending on SPDC's conditions, the US might not impose sanctions however much she demands or might not remove them however much she requests to do so. Gen. Than Shwe is merely covering up junta's responsibility in the failure of its 20-year economic plan and livelihood breakdown by blaming US economic sanctions.
Moreover, the SPDC is approaching the US because it wants to strategically balance China's power with regard to the UWSA. The US has also said that Burma, unlike North Korea, should be handled with care. Hence the US delegation to Burma and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi particularly need to think up a strategy in advance to deal with the highly crafty SPDC.
Bo Htet Min is a former Burma Army regiment commander who defected to the people's side a couple of years ago. The piece was translated from Burmese to English by Gamanii - a writer.
Tue, 2009-11-17 04:48 — editor
By - Bo Htet Min
A US delegation led by Under-Secretary of State Mr Kurt Campbell and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel has made a visit to Burma. In order to grasp and consider the situation during the visit, I will present some inside stories.
Though it is said that US sanctions have never been effective, there were and are instances of their considerable impact. In the early days of American sanctions even when they were not stringent enough, an SPDC managing director wrote to the Burmese Embassy in Washington to help past US Customs blockage for Ministry of Industry-1's garment exports and other goods in 2000.
However, then Ambassador U Tin Win remarked, "A viper at rest is dangerous if provoked. So we have to be discreet not to touch it," and put the matter aside. At that time U Tin Win was General Khin Nyunt's close follower so that Industry-1 Minister U Aung Thaung dared not push the matter up.
In 2001 May, after U Tin Win was replaced with Ambassador U Linn Myaing, Minister U Aung Thaung personally made another demand to the new ambassador. Therefore U Linn Myaing had to take the matter up and made his embassy staff pursue the case. Only then the American officials became aware and surprised of the heap of goods labeled Made in Myanmar in Customs warehouses, resulting in complete prohibition (as U Tin Win had predicted).
After the 2003, Depayin massacre, the US imposed harsher economic sanctions which caused blockage of money transfers from Singapore to Burmese embassies in US dollars so that embassy staff received no salaries for a couple of months after which the US eased sanctions on some conditions.
Moreover problems arose in payment for 122 mm guns, missiles and radars ordered from Russia and Ukraine for the purpose of expansion of air defense facilities. Bosses of military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. (UMEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), Quartermaster-General, Director of Military Procurement and officials from Central Bank held an emergency meeting at the War Office and hotly looked for an alternative route by asking Gen. Than Shwe for permission to use Euro for exchange.
Purchase of weapons and equipment procured through a multi-tier of brokers and dealers became procrastinated and more costly. Targeted sanctions directly affected dictators' families, cronies and affiliated businessmen. Merchants and businessmen realized that their losses were due to military dictators. Dictators' families have to move their money away from Singapore to Dubai hastily.
The worst thing for SPDC was their inability to obtain visas for senior-level colonels and higher-ups to travel to Europe. This restriction of movement is particularly irritating for them because at the least they could not go shopping or sight-seeing to squander their booty.
Afterward Gen. Than Shwe put all the blame on democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, taking up this blame strategy as a weapon. In the past, at a tri-annual top brass meeting, Gen. Than Shwe has always said that US sanctions were not to be concerned, loopholes need to be found out, and that as an ASEAN member they need to exploit China, India and ASEAN countries (by luring them with economic incentives) through border crossings. Nevertheless at the War Office tri-annual meetings after 2003, Gen.
Than Shwe's tone changed.
He described his strategy thus, "We should masquerade Aung San Suu Kyi as an underling of US and the West. We must exaggerate impoverishment of workers caused by unemployment after closure of garment factories in Hlaing Thaya Industrial Zone due to US sanctions, and spread this in media. We need to wage psy-war to make the people hate America and Aung San Suu Kyi. Look at her speeches! You never hear of her opposing Western sanctions. So she seems to be pleased in private with the sanctions. We have to present her as a willing accomplice."
After that directive, the regime waged psy-war through Kyemon, Myanmar Alin, radio and TV with commentaries and news photos. An obvious strategic assault was Gen. Than Shwe's unilateral demand upon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to call for removal of sanctions if she wishes to conduct dialogue, thereby prompting the people to misunderstand her.
In reality economic decline and livelihood difficulties in the country are caused by SPDC despots' mismanagement, unrestrained pursuit of self-interest, monopoly of everything, failure of its agriculture and farm-mechanization projects, miscalculation of GDP, corruption, over-expansion of military strength and military's control of economy through UMEHL, MEC, etc.
The SPDC's worst conspiracy is its evil strategy to automatically character-assassinate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with its usual labels like American lackey, stooge or axe-handle even if the US partially removed the sanctions on her request for the sake of the people.
Nevertheless, depending on SPDC's conditions, the US might not impose sanctions however much she demands or might not remove them however much she requests to do so. Gen. Than Shwe is merely covering up junta's responsibility in the failure of its 20-year economic plan and livelihood breakdown by blaming US economic sanctions.
Moreover, the SPDC is approaching the US because it wants to strategically balance China's power with regard to the UWSA. The US has also said that Burma, unlike North Korea, should be handled with care. Hence the US delegation to Burma and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi particularly need to think up a strategy in advance to deal with the highly crafty SPDC.
Bo Htet Min is a former Burma Army regiment commander who defected to the people's side a couple of years ago. The piece was translated from Burmese to English by Gamanii - a writer.
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ReliefWeb - Call for real progress in protecting children affected by armed conflict in Myanmar
Source: Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers; Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict
Date: 09 Nov 2009
Joint Response to UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict's Conclusions on Myanmar
November 9, 2009, New York, – As international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) committed to protecting the rights of children in armed conflict, we welcome the conclusions by the UN Security Council Working Group (SCWG) on Children and Armed Conflict on Myanmar and call for their immediate implementation in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 1612 and 1882.
In particular, we strongly support the SCWG's call to all parties to conflict to agree to time-bound action plans to end recruitment and use of child soldiers; to end impunity against perpetrators of violations against children; and to provide full and unimpeded access to all areas of Myanmar to facilitate the monitoring and reporting of violations and to assist victims more effectively. Also commendable is the call to donors to increase funding to benefit children affected by armed conflict in Myanmar. However, funding should be channeled through the UN and independent NGOs and be contingent on their on-the-ground presence to monitor aid delivery to ensure compliance with humanitarian standards.
We note that the Secretary-General has listed the national army, the Tatmadaw Kyi, and several armed groups in five consecutive reports to the Security Council for violations of international standards prohibiting the recruitment and use of child soldiers. We strongly urge the SCWG to actively monitor progress by these parties in implementing its recommendations. If no progress is achieved by the end of this year, the SCWG should consider imposing a three-month timeframe for specific steps to be taken, or in accordance with Security Council resolution 1539 (para 5c) apply targeted measures.
Recent outbreaks of fighting in Kokang and Karen areas underscore the gravity of the situation for children in Myanmar and the urgent need for steps to protect their rights. In the lead up to the 2010 elections, the Government of Myanmar is pushing for 'cease-fire groups' to transform into "border guard forces" under government control. This has resulted in an upsurge in violence in some of the conflict and ceasefire areas placing children at increased risk of human rights abuses.
According to credible data gathered by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the vast majority of violations against children are committed by the state armed forces and associated armed groups. The limited measures so far taken by the Government have failed to bring an end to recruitment and use of children by the armed forces or prevented other grave violations against them. It is thus imperative that the SCWG closely monitors the situation to ensure its recommendations are implemented without delay.
To this end, it is essential that the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism in Myanmar is strengthened so that timely and accurate data is available on the impact of any measures that the government claims to have taken. As UN access to some conflict-affected areas continues to be restricted or prohibited, local and international NGOs are often the only actors bearing witness to violations committed against children. The UN Taskforce in Myanmar and its counterpart in Thailand should thus be encouraged to work with NGOs on documenting violations against children in Myanmar within the framework of Security Council resolutions 1612 and 1882.
For its part, the Government of Myanmar must now demonstrate measurable and real progress in ending abuses against children. As a first step, it should implement the commitment first made in September 20071 to bring its action plan against the recruitment and use of child soldiers in line with international standards within three months of the release of the conclusions. The Government must also immediately begin working with the UN Country Team to develop action plans to end killing and maiming, and rape and other grave acts of sexual violence against children in line with UNSC Resolution 1882.
In the meantime, immediate steps must be taken to improve protection of children from involvement in armed conflict and from abuses resulting from it, including:
- provide full and unimpeded access for the UN Country Team to all military facilities for identification and release of child soldiers
- facilitate full access for UN representatives to non-state armed groups (NSAGs) (cease-fire and non-cease-fire) to engage in dialogue on the design and implementation of action plans - permit unhindered humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas
- ensure the verified release of all children detained or imprisoned on charges of desertion or other alleged military crimes accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.
The SCWG should urge the UN Country Teams in Myanmar and Thailand to intensify their efforts to engage with relevant NSAGs to devise action plans to end recruitment and use of child soldiers, killing and maiming and sexual violence against children. These efforts should not depend on the finalization of the action plan with the Government of Myanmar. If the UN continues to be prohibited by the governments of Myanmar and Thailand from directly engaging with NSAGs, it should make use of the unique access of some NGOs to NSAGs by providing them with guidance on development and implementation of action plans and thus laying the appropriate foundation for subsequent UN engagement.
Source: Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers; Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict
Date: 09 Nov 2009
Joint Response to UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict's Conclusions on Myanmar
November 9, 2009, New York, – As international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) committed to protecting the rights of children in armed conflict, we welcome the conclusions by the UN Security Council Working Group (SCWG) on Children and Armed Conflict on Myanmar and call for their immediate implementation in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 1612 and 1882.
In particular, we strongly support the SCWG's call to all parties to conflict to agree to time-bound action plans to end recruitment and use of child soldiers; to end impunity against perpetrators of violations against children; and to provide full and unimpeded access to all areas of Myanmar to facilitate the monitoring and reporting of violations and to assist victims more effectively. Also commendable is the call to donors to increase funding to benefit children affected by armed conflict in Myanmar. However, funding should be channeled through the UN and independent NGOs and be contingent on their on-the-ground presence to monitor aid delivery to ensure compliance with humanitarian standards.
We note that the Secretary-General has listed the national army, the Tatmadaw Kyi, and several armed groups in five consecutive reports to the Security Council for violations of international standards prohibiting the recruitment and use of child soldiers. We strongly urge the SCWG to actively monitor progress by these parties in implementing its recommendations. If no progress is achieved by the end of this year, the SCWG should consider imposing a three-month timeframe for specific steps to be taken, or in accordance with Security Council resolution 1539 (para 5c) apply targeted measures.
Recent outbreaks of fighting in Kokang and Karen areas underscore the gravity of the situation for children in Myanmar and the urgent need for steps to protect their rights. In the lead up to the 2010 elections, the Government of Myanmar is pushing for 'cease-fire groups' to transform into "border guard forces" under government control. This has resulted in an upsurge in violence in some of the conflict and ceasefire areas placing children at increased risk of human rights abuses.
According to credible data gathered by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the vast majority of violations against children are committed by the state armed forces and associated armed groups. The limited measures so far taken by the Government have failed to bring an end to recruitment and use of children by the armed forces or prevented other grave violations against them. It is thus imperative that the SCWG closely monitors the situation to ensure its recommendations are implemented without delay.
To this end, it is essential that the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism in Myanmar is strengthened so that timely and accurate data is available on the impact of any measures that the government claims to have taken. As UN access to some conflict-affected areas continues to be restricted or prohibited, local and international NGOs are often the only actors bearing witness to violations committed against children. The UN Taskforce in Myanmar and its counterpart in Thailand should thus be encouraged to work with NGOs on documenting violations against children in Myanmar within the framework of Security Council resolutions 1612 and 1882.
For its part, the Government of Myanmar must now demonstrate measurable and real progress in ending abuses against children. As a first step, it should implement the commitment first made in September 20071 to bring its action plan against the recruitment and use of child soldiers in line with international standards within three months of the release of the conclusions. The Government must also immediately begin working with the UN Country Team to develop action plans to end killing and maiming, and rape and other grave acts of sexual violence against children in line with UNSC Resolution 1882.
In the meantime, immediate steps must be taken to improve protection of children from involvement in armed conflict and from abuses resulting from it, including:
- provide full and unimpeded access for the UN Country Team to all military facilities for identification and release of child soldiers
- facilitate full access for UN representatives to non-state armed groups (NSAGs) (cease-fire and non-cease-fire) to engage in dialogue on the design and implementation of action plans - permit unhindered humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas
- ensure the verified release of all children detained or imprisoned on charges of desertion or other alleged military crimes accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.
The SCWG should urge the UN Country Teams in Myanmar and Thailand to intensify their efforts to engage with relevant NSAGs to devise action plans to end recruitment and use of child soldiers, killing and maiming and sexual violence against children. These efforts should not depend on the finalization of the action plan with the Government of Myanmar. If the UN continues to be prohibited by the governments of Myanmar and Thailand from directly engaging with NSAGs, it should make use of the unique access of some NGOs to NSAGs by providing them with guidance on development and implementation of action plans and thus laying the appropriate foundation for subsequent UN engagement.
*************************************************************
The Nation - Forbidden places in disturbing Burma
Published on November 18, 2009
Human rights activists on Tuesday launched a guidebook that revealed the dark side of the tourist sites in Burma' Shan State as part of a campaign to get foreign visitors to rethink their planned vacation to the trouble plagued military-run state.
The book "gives tourists an alternative view of Shan State by providing a pictorial expos้ of the deliberate neglect, destruction and reinvention of local cultural and historical sites," said a press statement from the Chaing Mai-based Shan Women's Action Network (Swan).
The majority of war-torn Shan State is off limits to tourists, but some areas are open to foreign travelers but the "Forbidden Glimpses of Shan State" provides a unique insight into these areas, according to the statement.
"The guide depicts how Burma's military regime is erasing the last remaining palaces of the 34 former Shan principalities. This includes the demolition of the historic Kengtung Palace in 1991 to make way for a garish modern hotel," it said.
"The destruction of remnants of former Shan self-rule is contrasted with the regime's construction of new monuments that extol ancient Burmese kings and numerous replicas of the "Shwedagon" pagodas across Shan Stat."
"Photos of these lavish structures are juxtaposed with images of historic local Shan temples that have been desecrated and left derelict during the Burma Army's ongoing scorched earth campaigns," the statement added.
"We have not only been robbed of our rights, lands and resources. The regime is also robbing us of our culture and history," said Swan spokesperson Moan Kaein. "We want visitors to open their eyes to the repression going on around them, even in the cultural sites they are visiting."
The book also has photos of the scenic views from areas off-limits to outsiders but are under threat by the junta's development plans.
The book also displayed locations of jails in Shan State where prominent Burmese political prisoners are being incarcerated.
The book has been launched to coincide with the Shan New Year, celebrated this year on November 17, 2009. English, Shan, Burmese and Thai versions of the book can be
viewed on www.shanwomen.org
Published on November 18, 2009
Human rights activists on Tuesday launched a guidebook that revealed the dark side of the tourist sites in Burma' Shan State as part of a campaign to get foreign visitors to rethink their planned vacation to the trouble plagued military-run state.
The book "gives tourists an alternative view of Shan State by providing a pictorial expos้ of the deliberate neglect, destruction and reinvention of local cultural and historical sites," said a press statement from the Chaing Mai-based Shan Women's Action Network (Swan).
The majority of war-torn Shan State is off limits to tourists, but some areas are open to foreign travelers but the "Forbidden Glimpses of Shan State" provides a unique insight into these areas, according to the statement.
"The guide depicts how Burma's military regime is erasing the last remaining palaces of the 34 former Shan principalities. This includes the demolition of the historic Kengtung Palace in 1991 to make way for a garish modern hotel," it said.
"The destruction of remnants of former Shan self-rule is contrasted with the regime's construction of new monuments that extol ancient Burmese kings and numerous replicas of the "Shwedagon" pagodas across Shan Stat."
"Photos of these lavish structures are juxtaposed with images of historic local Shan temples that have been desecrated and left derelict during the Burma Army's ongoing scorched earth campaigns," the statement added.
"We have not only been robbed of our rights, lands and resources. The regime is also robbing us of our culture and history," said Swan spokesperson Moan Kaein. "We want visitors to open their eyes to the repression going on around them, even in the cultural sites they are visiting."
The book also has photos of the scenic views from areas off-limits to outsiders but are under threat by the junta's development plans.
The book also displayed locations of jails in Shan State where prominent Burmese political prisoners are being incarcerated.
The book has been launched to coincide with the Shan New Year, celebrated this year on November 17, 2009. English, Shan, Burmese and Thai versions of the book can be
viewed on www.shanwomen.org
*************************************************************
The Irrawaddy - Praise for Suu Kyi’s Letter Initiative
By SAW YAN NAING - Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The initiative taken by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in writing to junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe proposing talks has been welcomed by several regional observers.
In the letter to Than Shwe, dated Nov. 11, Suu Kyi thanked the regime for allowing her to meet with a visiting US delegation and asked for a bilateral meeting with Than Shwe.
Suu Kyi said she wanted to cooperate with the regime in efforts to end Western sanctions against Burma.
Roshan Jason, the executive director of the regional rights group Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC), told The Irrawaddy that he agreed with Burma watchers that a meeting between Suu Kyi and Than Shwe would be a very important development.
“Her initiation of this effort is indication of softening of her approach for the benefit of Burmese people and for the benefit of democracy in the country,” said Jason.
Suu Kyi should be allowed to consult leaders of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) and ethnic political parties before any meeting with Than Shwe, he said.
In her letter, Suu Kyi also asked to be allowed to meet with her NLD executive committee colleagues at her lakeside home in Rangoon.
Ohn Kyaing, a leading NLD member, said a meeting between Suu Kyi and Than Shwe was the most important element in solving political conflict in Burma.
Ohn Kyaing said he believed the reason that political conflicts still existed was because the two decision makers do not meet regularly and negotiate in harmony.
According to official records, Than Shwe and Suu Kyi have met three times between 1993 and 2003.
Some observers, however, remain skeptical about the chances of a meeting between Than Shwe and Suu Kyi. Than Shwe might leave such a meeting to his minions, they say.
Than Shwe created a liaison minister, Aung Kyi, to conduct recent contacts with Suu Kyi.
Aye Tha Aung, chairman of the Arakan League for Democracy, said Suu Kyi and Than Shwe need to negotiate and get to understand each other first, proceeding then to discussions with the ethnic groups.
By SAW YAN NAING - Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The initiative taken by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in writing to junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe proposing talks has been welcomed by several regional observers.
In the letter to Than Shwe, dated Nov. 11, Suu Kyi thanked the regime for allowing her to meet with a visiting US delegation and asked for a bilateral meeting with Than Shwe.
Suu Kyi said she wanted to cooperate with the regime in efforts to end Western sanctions against Burma.
Roshan Jason, the executive director of the regional rights group Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC), told The Irrawaddy that he agreed with Burma watchers that a meeting between Suu Kyi and Than Shwe would be a very important development.
“Her initiation of this effort is indication of softening of her approach for the benefit of Burmese people and for the benefit of democracy in the country,” said Jason.
Suu Kyi should be allowed to consult leaders of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) and ethnic political parties before any meeting with Than Shwe, he said.
In her letter, Suu Kyi also asked to be allowed to meet with her NLD executive committee colleagues at her lakeside home in Rangoon.
Ohn Kyaing, a leading NLD member, said a meeting between Suu Kyi and Than Shwe was the most important element in solving political conflict in Burma.
Ohn Kyaing said he believed the reason that political conflicts still existed was because the two decision makers do not meet regularly and negotiate in harmony.
According to official records, Than Shwe and Suu Kyi have met three times between 1993 and 2003.
Some observers, however, remain skeptical about the chances of a meeting between Than Shwe and Suu Kyi. Than Shwe might leave such a meeting to his minions, they say.
Than Shwe created a liaison minister, Aung Kyi, to conduct recent contacts with Suu Kyi.
Aye Tha Aung, chairman of the Arakan League for Democracy, said Suu Kyi and Than Shwe need to negotiate and get to understand each other first, proceeding then to discussions with the ethnic groups.
*************************************************************
The Irrawaddy - Possible Release of Suu Kyi Cheers Political Prisoners
By KYI WAI - Tuesday, November 17, 2009
RANGOON — A 73-year-old mother broke into tears when she heard the message from her son, Tun Tun Oo, who is in Meik-Hitla Prison, one of thousands of political prisoners in Burmese jails.
The message was delivered by his brother, who had visited him in prison.
Tun Tun Oo told his mother not to worry about him, and "sooner or later, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be free."
"My son preferred to talk about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom rather than his own,” she said, holding back more tears. “He’s said repeatedly that only Aung San Suu Kyi can bring better times to Burma."
After news reports appeared recently saying that the regime might release Suu Kyi, people across Burma—and in prisons—have hoped the news is true, and not just another tactic by the military government to buy time before the 2010 election.
The Associated Press news agency reported on Nov. 9, that a senior Burmese diplomat said the junta will release Suu Kyi to take part in the reorganization of her political party.
The wife of a political prisoner in Kalay Prison said, "I told my husband, and he was very happy. He didn't ask about home immediately, but he asked about more Suu Kyi news and information about the NLD. He asked me to give him details about his colleagues who are not in prison."
She said she knew her husband wanted such news, and she had prepared magazines and journals to give to him, since authorities now allow prisoners to read the news in prison.
"They don’t have access to radio, so they don't know the latest news,” she said. “He told me to bring news. He wants it more than food and medicine. He thrives on it," she said.
Similarly, a family member of political prisoner Shwe Maung, who is bedridden in Pyapon Prison with a chronic illness, told The Irrawaddy that his morale improved noticeably when he heard the news of her possible release.
"His is suffering. He can't speak much, and he can't walk, but when he heard the news, he started feeling better," said a family member.
Rangoon tea shops, popular gathering places for regular gossip and the sharing of information with friends, have been buzzing with speculation about Suu Kyi’s release, and the neighborhood where her compound is located has seen more visitors and tourists.
"Since the news came out, more people are coming to the corner of University Avenue [where Suu Kyi lives], and frequenting teashops and restaurants close to Sayar San Road," said a resident who lives on University Avenue.
A Rangoon journalist said: “Some people believe she could be freed, but it will take time, while others have suspicions that the regime is just playing on the news to please the US. Nevertheless, it is obvious everybody wants to see her free."
The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma has estimated that there are 2,100 political prisoners in Burma.
By KYI WAI - Tuesday, November 17, 2009
RANGOON — A 73-year-old mother broke into tears when she heard the message from her son, Tun Tun Oo, who is in Meik-Hitla Prison, one of thousands of political prisoners in Burmese jails.
The message was delivered by his brother, who had visited him in prison.
Tun Tun Oo told his mother not to worry about him, and "sooner or later, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be free."
"My son preferred to talk about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom rather than his own,” she said, holding back more tears. “He’s said repeatedly that only Aung San Suu Kyi can bring better times to Burma."
After news reports appeared recently saying that the regime might release Suu Kyi, people across Burma—and in prisons—have hoped the news is true, and not just another tactic by the military government to buy time before the 2010 election.
The Associated Press news agency reported on Nov. 9, that a senior Burmese diplomat said the junta will release Suu Kyi to take part in the reorganization of her political party.
The wife of a political prisoner in Kalay Prison said, "I told my husband, and he was very happy. He didn't ask about home immediately, but he asked about more Suu Kyi news and information about the NLD. He asked me to give him details about his colleagues who are not in prison."
She said she knew her husband wanted such news, and she had prepared magazines and journals to give to him, since authorities now allow prisoners to read the news in prison.
"They don’t have access to radio, so they don't know the latest news,” she said. “He told me to bring news. He wants it more than food and medicine. He thrives on it," she said.
Similarly, a family member of political prisoner Shwe Maung, who is bedridden in Pyapon Prison with a chronic illness, told The Irrawaddy that his morale improved noticeably when he heard the news of her possible release.
"His is suffering. He can't speak much, and he can't walk, but when he heard the news, he started feeling better," said a family member.
Rangoon tea shops, popular gathering places for regular gossip and the sharing of information with friends, have been buzzing with speculation about Suu Kyi’s release, and the neighborhood where her compound is located has seen more visitors and tourists.
"Since the news came out, more people are coming to the corner of University Avenue [where Suu Kyi lives], and frequenting teashops and restaurants close to Sayar San Road," said a resident who lives on University Avenue.
A Rangoon journalist said: “Some people believe she could be freed, but it will take time, while others have suspicions that the regime is just playing on the news to please the US. Nevertheless, it is obvious everybody wants to see her free."
The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma has estimated that there are 2,100 political prisoners in Burma.
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Than Shwe should not let go of Suu Kyi’s offer: Observers
by Salai Han Thar San & Mungpi
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 22:20
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s proposal to meet the ruling junta’s military supremo Snr Gen Than Shwe in person to further discuss easing of sanctions, is a good step and could lead to a breakthrough in Burmese politics, observers said.
Detained Nobel Peace Laureate, through her party spokesperson, Nyan Win, on November 11, sent a second proposal requesting Than Shwe for a meeting in person to further discuss easing of sanctions.
According to the letter, released on Tuesday by the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi also requested Than Shwe to allow her to pay homage to ageing party Chairman Aung Shwe, Secretary U Lwin, and executive committee member Lun Tin, at their respective residences.
She also requested to allow a meeting with the NLD Central Executive Committee (CEC) at her lakeside residence after which she is willing to cooperate with Than Shwe on activities that serve the interest of the nation.
“I would like to request a meeting with Senior General Than Shwe to discuss on activities that we should be cooperating with him for the interest of the nation,” she added in her letter.
Aye Thar Aung, Secretary of the Committee Representing Peoples Parliament (CRPP), an alliance formed among various ethnic political parties and the NLD in Rangoon, said he welcomed Aung San Suu Kyi’s proposal.
“We would welcome any initiative that could start a dialogue and ultimately lead to national reconciliation,” Aye Thar Aung said.
Though the pretext of the meeting might be to follow up on easing western sanctions, it could be the first step in building trust between the opposition and the military, which can kick-start a process of national reconciliation.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s letter to Than Shwe is the second proposal sent by her in three months. In September, the Nobel Peace Laureate, told Than Shwe she is willing to cooperate with the government to help ease western sanctions, and requested to arrange a meeting between her and diplomats from United States, European Union, and Australia, which was granted.
“It is a good move from Aung San Suu Kyi. Than Shwe should have agreed for the talks a long time ago. But it is not too late now either. He should grab this opportunity and start the process of national reconciliation,” Aye Thar Aung said.
Meanwhile, Nyo Ohn Myint, foreign affairs in-charge of the NLD in exile (NLD-Liberated Area) said, he believes that Than Shwe is likely to make a positive response and meet the Burmese pro-democracy leader, as it would be more beneficial for the military regime to hold talks at this moment.
“Because after Aung San Suu Kyi offered her help to cooperate with the regime to ease sanctions, Than Shwe seems to be happy, and is becoming softer,” Nyo Ohn Myint said.
He said, the Burmese democracy icon is taking the right step in proposing a direct meeting with Than Shwe, and believes that it is the first move in her effort to start a process of national reconciliation.
“Aung San Suu Kyi’s action reveals that she is putting the people as her priority. And it is also timely for her to make the proposal,” he added.
But he said, Than Shwe will have to deal with political problems including ethnic nationalities aspiration for federal union, and democratic movement.
Aye Thar Aung said, “If Than Shwe fails to grab the opportunity and agree to meet Aung San Suu Kyi, the country would further suffer, and both sides would not benefit. But the military must understand it can no longer go ahead with its plan, and will lack support from the international community.”
Aung San Suu Kyi’s proposals came as the international community, particularly the United States, is throwing light on the situation in Burma with an announcement of its new policy on the country.
It also coincided with the ruling junta’s effort to contain ethnic armed groups into its Border Guard Force issue, in conformity with its newly drafted and approved 2008 constitution, on which next year’s general elections would be based.
The US has made it clear that it will abandon its old policy of isolation and directly engage the military regime, but will maintain existing sanctions, which would be expandable or ease it depending on the junta’s behaviour.
by Salai Han Thar San & Mungpi
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 22:20
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s proposal to meet the ruling junta’s military supremo Snr Gen Than Shwe in person to further discuss easing of sanctions, is a good step and could lead to a breakthrough in Burmese politics, observers said.
Detained Nobel Peace Laureate, through her party spokesperson, Nyan Win, on November 11, sent a second proposal requesting Than Shwe for a meeting in person to further discuss easing of sanctions.
According to the letter, released on Tuesday by the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi also requested Than Shwe to allow her to pay homage to ageing party Chairman Aung Shwe, Secretary U Lwin, and executive committee member Lun Tin, at their respective residences.
She also requested to allow a meeting with the NLD Central Executive Committee (CEC) at her lakeside residence after which she is willing to cooperate with Than Shwe on activities that serve the interest of the nation.
“I would like to request a meeting with Senior General Than Shwe to discuss on activities that we should be cooperating with him for the interest of the nation,” she added in her letter.
Aye Thar Aung, Secretary of the Committee Representing Peoples Parliament (CRPP), an alliance formed among various ethnic political parties and the NLD in Rangoon, said he welcomed Aung San Suu Kyi’s proposal.
“We would welcome any initiative that could start a dialogue and ultimately lead to national reconciliation,” Aye Thar Aung said.
Though the pretext of the meeting might be to follow up on easing western sanctions, it could be the first step in building trust between the opposition and the military, which can kick-start a process of national reconciliation.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s letter to Than Shwe is the second proposal sent by her in three months. In September, the Nobel Peace Laureate, told Than Shwe she is willing to cooperate with the government to help ease western sanctions, and requested to arrange a meeting between her and diplomats from United States, European Union, and Australia, which was granted.
“It is a good move from Aung San Suu Kyi. Than Shwe should have agreed for the talks a long time ago. But it is not too late now either. He should grab this opportunity and start the process of national reconciliation,” Aye Thar Aung said.
Meanwhile, Nyo Ohn Myint, foreign affairs in-charge of the NLD in exile (NLD-Liberated Area) said, he believes that Than Shwe is likely to make a positive response and meet the Burmese pro-democracy leader, as it would be more beneficial for the military regime to hold talks at this moment.
“Because after Aung San Suu Kyi offered her help to cooperate with the regime to ease sanctions, Than Shwe seems to be happy, and is becoming softer,” Nyo Ohn Myint said.
He said, the Burmese democracy icon is taking the right step in proposing a direct meeting with Than Shwe, and believes that it is the first move in her effort to start a process of national reconciliation.
“Aung San Suu Kyi’s action reveals that she is putting the people as her priority. And it is also timely for her to make the proposal,” he added.
But he said, Than Shwe will have to deal with political problems including ethnic nationalities aspiration for federal union, and democratic movement.
Aye Thar Aung said, “If Than Shwe fails to grab the opportunity and agree to meet Aung San Suu Kyi, the country would further suffer, and both sides would not benefit. But the military must understand it can no longer go ahead with its plan, and will lack support from the international community.”
Aung San Suu Kyi’s proposals came as the international community, particularly the United States, is throwing light on the situation in Burma with an announcement of its new policy on the country.
It also coincided with the ruling junta’s effort to contain ethnic armed groups into its Border Guard Force issue, in conformity with its newly drafted and approved 2008 constitution, on which next year’s general elections would be based.
The US has made it clear that it will abandon its old policy of isolation and directly engage the military regime, but will maintain existing sanctions, which would be expandable or ease it depending on the junta’s behaviour.
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Shan culture in Burma being ‘erased’
Nov 17, 2009 (DVB)–International coverage of state-backed human rights abuses in Burma does not adequately address the subtler forms of abuse that are beginning to erode and distort ethnic cultures, a Shan group has warned.
The Burmese military government is replacing ethnic Shan culture with its “own homogenized and artificially imposed ‘Myanmar culture’”, say the Shan Women’s Action Network (SWAN), in a report released today.
The volatile Shan state in northeastern Burma is the country’s largest state and home to an estimated six million people.
Low-intensity conflict has eaten away at the region for more than half a century as armed ethnic groups fight for autonomy against the military government. It is also the country’s main drugs producing region, and thus heavily militarized.
The report, ‘Forbidden Glimpses of Shan State’, warns that tourists visiting the region are forbidden from seeing areas that “may soon be lost forever due to the regime’s development plans, funded by Thai and Chinese investors”.
Oil and gas pipelines that being developed from Burma’s western Arakan state to China’s southern Yunnan province will slice through Shan state, which in August and September was the scene of heavy fighting between an armed Kokang group and the Burmese army.
“The military junta is subtly destroying our cultural heritage in Shan state, such as historical pagodas and palaces, by building dams and gas pipelines,” said Ying Harn Fah, spokesperson for SWAN.
Moreover, "Shan State’s beautful forests, hills and rivers are fast being ravaged and polluted by unbridled resource exploitation by the regime and its cronies", it says.
The report states that around 150 army battalions are stationed in Shan state, who regularly confiscate farms, extort and tax villagers, and used as “free labour”.
It also claims that between 1996 and 1998, more than 300,000 Shan villagers “were forced at gunpoint from their homes and lands in an anti-insurgency operation” by the Burmese army.
A United States’ health academic, Professor Chris Beyrer, told the US House Foreign Affairs Committee during a testimony on US policy to Burma last month that 25 percent of Shan families had been forcibly relocated in the past year alone.
The report also highlights the plight of political prisoners being held in remote prisons in Shan state who “will never be physically seen by tourists but their presence should be a constant reminder to us all of the cruel reality of repression in Shan State and the rest of Burma today”.
Reporting by Naw Noreen
Nov 17, 2009 (DVB)–International coverage of state-backed human rights abuses in Burma does not adequately address the subtler forms of abuse that are beginning to erode and distort ethnic cultures, a Shan group has warned.
The Burmese military government is replacing ethnic Shan culture with its “own homogenized and artificially imposed ‘Myanmar culture’”, say the Shan Women’s Action Network (SWAN), in a report released today.
The volatile Shan state in northeastern Burma is the country’s largest state and home to an estimated six million people.
Low-intensity conflict has eaten away at the region for more than half a century as armed ethnic groups fight for autonomy against the military government. It is also the country’s main drugs producing region, and thus heavily militarized.
The report, ‘Forbidden Glimpses of Shan State’, warns that tourists visiting the region are forbidden from seeing areas that “may soon be lost forever due to the regime’s development plans, funded by Thai and Chinese investors”.
Oil and gas pipelines that being developed from Burma’s western Arakan state to China’s southern Yunnan province will slice through Shan state, which in August and September was the scene of heavy fighting between an armed Kokang group and the Burmese army.
“The military junta is subtly destroying our cultural heritage in Shan state, such as historical pagodas and palaces, by building dams and gas pipelines,” said Ying Harn Fah, spokesperson for SWAN.
Moreover, "Shan State’s beautful forests, hills and rivers are fast being ravaged and polluted by unbridled resource exploitation by the regime and its cronies", it says.
The report states that around 150 army battalions are stationed in Shan state, who regularly confiscate farms, extort and tax villagers, and used as “free labour”.
It also claims that between 1996 and 1998, more than 300,000 Shan villagers “were forced at gunpoint from their homes and lands in an anti-insurgency operation” by the Burmese army.
A United States’ health academic, Professor Chris Beyrer, told the US House Foreign Affairs Committee during a testimony on US policy to Burma last month that 25 percent of Shan families had been forcibly relocated in the past year alone.
The report also highlights the plight of political prisoners being held in remote prisons in Shan state who “will never be physically seen by tourists but their presence should be a constant reminder to us all of the cruel reality of repression in Shan State and the rest of Burma today”.
Reporting by Naw Noreen
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