U.N. assembly condemns Myanmar rights record
Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:28pm EST
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The U.N. General Assembly condemned wide-ranging human rights violations in Myanmar in a resolution adopted early on Thursday.
The resolution on the country formerly known as Burma, voted through by 86-23 with 39 abstentions, "strongly condemns the ongoing systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Myanmar."
It also called on Myanmar's military rulers to immediately release opposition leader and Nobel peace prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, as well as freeing more than 2,000 other prisoners of conscience.
In November, Myanmar's U.N. envoy, Than Swe, rejected the non-binding resolution, then in draft form, calling it "glaringly deficient" and little more than "another means to maintain pressure on Myanmar in tandem with sanctions."
Swe could not be reached for comment on Thursday's vote.
Assembly condemnations of the human rights situation in North Korea, Myanmar and Iran have become an annual ritual in recent years.
This year's vote came after U.N. special rights investigator on Myanmar Tomas Ojea Quintana told the General Assembly in October that "the situation of human rights in Myanmar remains alarming."
Envoys from nations that rights groups have also accused of having poor human rights records -- including China, Russia, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Egypt and Zimbabwe -- say they generally vote against such resolutions because they oppose singling out specific countries.
Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:28pm EST
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The U.N. General Assembly condemned wide-ranging human rights violations in Myanmar in a resolution adopted early on Thursday.
The resolution on the country formerly known as Burma, voted through by 86-23 with 39 abstentions, "strongly condemns the ongoing systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Myanmar."
It also called on Myanmar's military rulers to immediately release opposition leader and Nobel peace prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, as well as freeing more than 2,000 other prisoners of conscience.
In November, Myanmar's U.N. envoy, Than Swe, rejected the non-binding resolution, then in draft form, calling it "glaringly deficient" and little more than "another means to maintain pressure on Myanmar in tandem with sanctions."
Swe could not be reached for comment on Thursday's vote.
Assembly condemnations of the human rights situation in North Korea, Myanmar and Iran have become an annual ritual in recent years.
This year's vote came after U.N. special rights investigator on Myanmar Tomas Ojea Quintana told the General Assembly in October that "the situation of human rights in Myanmar remains alarming."
Envoys from nations that rights groups have also accused of having poor human rights records -- including China, Russia, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Egypt and Zimbabwe -- say they generally vote against such resolutions because they oppose singling out specific countries.
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Washington Post - Little word from U.S. on Nyi Nyi Aung, jailed in Burma
By Glenn Kessler, Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 24, 2009
After his arrest in September, the American was held for 17 days in a dank Burmese jail and denied food, medical treatment, sleep and the chance to speak with a U.S. government official. Even after he finally met with a representative from the U.S. Embassy, the American was transferred to solitary confinement in a cell for military dogs.
But the harsh treatment on what advocates say are trumped up charges has barely merited a peep from the Obama administration.
Nyi Nyi Aung, a Montgomery Village resident and Burmese democracy advocate who has traveled there often, appears to be politically inconvenient for both the United States and the Burmese military dictatorship at a moment when the two countries have taken tentative steps toward engagement after years of stormy antagonism.
"It is shocking to me that an American citizen has been treated this way and higher U.S. officials are silent on that," said Wa Wa Kyaw, Nyi Nyi's fiancee and also a U.S. citizen and Maryland resident. "It will let the generals think, 'We can do whatever we want, even torture and inhumane treatment of a U.S. citizen,' because America wants to do the engagement policy."
In one apparent concession to American sensitivities, the Burmese government in October abruptly dropped charges of instigating unrest in concert with pro-democracy groups. Instead, it accused Nyi Nyi of purely criminal acts -- allegedly possessing a forged Burmese identification document and failing to declare U.S. currency totaling more than $2,000. His lawyers say he is innocent of both offenses; they note that he appears to have been seized by authorities before he even made it through customs, where he would have had to declare the currency.
Officials at the Burmese Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.
Burma, also known as Myanmar, is regarded as one of the world's most oppressive nations, ruled by generals who have enriched themselves while much of the country remains desperately poor. The National League for Democracy, the party of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won a landslide electoral victory in 1990, but the military leadership refused to accept it. Since then, she has been under house arrest for most of the time, as have hundreds of her supporters.
The 40-year-old Nyi Nyi was one of the leading organizers of demonstrations against the junta in 1988 and fled the country after a violent crackdown, eventually settling in the United States as a political refugee in 1993. He became a U.S. citizen in 2002 and earned a college degree in computer science, but he also remained deeply involved in Burmese democracy efforts.
Wa Wa said that her fiancee managed to often travel to Burma to visit his family and work with the Burmese underground because his U.S. passport is in his legal name, Kyaw Zaw Lwin. In his professional and personal lives in the United States, he has used Nyi Nyi Aung -- an amalgam of a childhood nickname and his father's first name -- and for years the Burmese government never made the connection.
But last summer Nyi Nyi's profile was raised when he helped deliver a petition to senior United Nations officials with 680,000 signatures calling for the release of all political prisoners in Burma.
Wa Wa, who has lived with Nyi Nyi since 2005, also has secretly traveled back to Burma even though she is a political refugee. "We have taken the risk because we want to organize and train the new generation for democracy and freedom," she said.
Nyi Nyi's mother and sister are serving prison sentences of five years and 65 years, respectively, for their involvement in 2007 anti-government demonstrations known as the "Saffron Revolution." Wa Wa said that he tried to enter the country again in part to see his ailing mother. But he appears to have been seized as soon as he landed at the airport in September.
Nyi Nyi's treatment in prison has attracted worldwide attention, with both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International issuing statements on his case. Fifty-three members of the House of Representatives, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard L. Berman (D-Calif.), sent a letter last week to Senior Gen. Than Shwe calling for Nyi Nyi's immediate release and return to the United States.
On Nov. 6, Sen. Barbara Milkulski (D-Md.) sent Wa Wa a letter saying she had asked Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to condemn the detention in the "strongest terms possible." But Clinton -- who over the summer called for the release of another American, John Yettaw -- has been silent. Yettaw, who was tried for entering Aung San Suu Kyi's compound, eventually was freed through the intervention of Sen. James Webb (D-Va.), when he traveled to Burma and met with senior leaders in August.
Sources also said that Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell did not raise the case when he met with senior Burmese officials in a rare high-level visit to Burma last month, though it has been raised at lower levels. Jared Gensler, a Washington lawyer who is assisting Wa Wa, said Westerners put on trial in Burma are usually treated well and then deported, but Nyi Nyi appears to be the first American of Burmese descent on trial, which might account for the rough treatment.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the department is handling the case as it would for any American citizen. "Embassy representatives have monitored his court appearances and been able to talk with him in that setting," he said. "We continue to press the Burmese government for ongoing consular access as required by the Vienna Convention so that we can ensure that he is treated appropriately."
By Glenn Kessler, Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 24, 2009
After his arrest in September, the American was held for 17 days in a dank Burmese jail and denied food, medical treatment, sleep and the chance to speak with a U.S. government official. Even after he finally met with a representative from the U.S. Embassy, the American was transferred to solitary confinement in a cell for military dogs.
But the harsh treatment on what advocates say are trumped up charges has barely merited a peep from the Obama administration.
Nyi Nyi Aung, a Montgomery Village resident and Burmese democracy advocate who has traveled there often, appears to be politically inconvenient for both the United States and the Burmese military dictatorship at a moment when the two countries have taken tentative steps toward engagement after years of stormy antagonism.
"It is shocking to me that an American citizen has been treated this way and higher U.S. officials are silent on that," said Wa Wa Kyaw, Nyi Nyi's fiancee and also a U.S. citizen and Maryland resident. "It will let the generals think, 'We can do whatever we want, even torture and inhumane treatment of a U.S. citizen,' because America wants to do the engagement policy."
In one apparent concession to American sensitivities, the Burmese government in October abruptly dropped charges of instigating unrest in concert with pro-democracy groups. Instead, it accused Nyi Nyi of purely criminal acts -- allegedly possessing a forged Burmese identification document and failing to declare U.S. currency totaling more than $2,000. His lawyers say he is innocent of both offenses; they note that he appears to have been seized by authorities before he even made it through customs, where he would have had to declare the currency.
Officials at the Burmese Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.
Burma, also known as Myanmar, is regarded as one of the world's most oppressive nations, ruled by generals who have enriched themselves while much of the country remains desperately poor. The National League for Democracy, the party of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won a landslide electoral victory in 1990, but the military leadership refused to accept it. Since then, she has been under house arrest for most of the time, as have hundreds of her supporters.
The 40-year-old Nyi Nyi was one of the leading organizers of demonstrations against the junta in 1988 and fled the country after a violent crackdown, eventually settling in the United States as a political refugee in 1993. He became a U.S. citizen in 2002 and earned a college degree in computer science, but he also remained deeply involved in Burmese democracy efforts.
Wa Wa said that her fiancee managed to often travel to Burma to visit his family and work with the Burmese underground because his U.S. passport is in his legal name, Kyaw Zaw Lwin. In his professional and personal lives in the United States, he has used Nyi Nyi Aung -- an amalgam of a childhood nickname and his father's first name -- and for years the Burmese government never made the connection.
But last summer Nyi Nyi's profile was raised when he helped deliver a petition to senior United Nations officials with 680,000 signatures calling for the release of all political prisoners in Burma.
Wa Wa, who has lived with Nyi Nyi since 2005, also has secretly traveled back to Burma even though she is a political refugee. "We have taken the risk because we want to organize and train the new generation for democracy and freedom," she said.
Nyi Nyi's mother and sister are serving prison sentences of five years and 65 years, respectively, for their involvement in 2007 anti-government demonstrations known as the "Saffron Revolution." Wa Wa said that he tried to enter the country again in part to see his ailing mother. But he appears to have been seized as soon as he landed at the airport in September.
Nyi Nyi's treatment in prison has attracted worldwide attention, with both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International issuing statements on his case. Fifty-three members of the House of Representatives, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard L. Berman (D-Calif.), sent a letter last week to Senior Gen. Than Shwe calling for Nyi Nyi's immediate release and return to the United States.
On Nov. 6, Sen. Barbara Milkulski (D-Md.) sent Wa Wa a letter saying she had asked Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to condemn the detention in the "strongest terms possible." But Clinton -- who over the summer called for the release of another American, John Yettaw -- has been silent. Yettaw, who was tried for entering Aung San Suu Kyi's compound, eventually was freed through the intervention of Sen. James Webb (D-Va.), when he traveled to Burma and met with senior leaders in August.
Sources also said that Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell did not raise the case when he met with senior Burmese officials in a rare high-level visit to Burma last month, though it has been raised at lower levels. Jared Gensler, a Washington lawyer who is assisting Wa Wa, said Westerners put on trial in Burma are usually treated well and then deported, but Nyi Nyi appears to be the first American of Burmese descent on trial, which might account for the rough treatment.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the department is handling the case as it would for any American citizen. "Embassy representatives have monitored his court appearances and been able to talk with him in that setting," he said. "We continue to press the Burmese government for ongoing consular access as required by the Vienna Convention so that we can ensure that he is treated appropriately."
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Strategy Page - Death Watch For MiG
December 24, 2009: Myanmar is buying twenty MiG-29s from Russia. Myanmar bought its first twelve MiG-29s in 2001. This new sale will earn Russia some criticism, because Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a military dictatorship with a very bad international reputation. But Russia is desperate to keep the MiG-29 from fading away. To that end, Russia also ordered 24 MiG-29Ks for its sole aircraft carrier, to replace the Su-33s that currently serve on the ship. However, most of the current news about the Mig-29 has been bad.
Malaysia, for example, admitted that it is getting rid of its MiG-29 fighters because the aircraft are too expensive to maintain. It costs about $5 million a year, per aircraft, to keep them in flying condition. Three years ago, Malaysia bought two more MiG-29s, in addition to the 18 it got in the 1990s. Two of those were lost due to accidents.
Malaysia has since ordered 18 Su-30 fighters, and will apparently order more to replace the MiG-29s. Malaysia also bought eight F-18Ds in the 1990s, and is getting rid of those as well. Russia has offered better prices on maintenance contracts for new Su-30s, in addition to bargain (compared to U.S. planes) prices.
Most of the MiG-29s provided satisfactory service. Malaysia was long a users of U.S. aircraft, so they have been able to compare Russian and American warplanes. The Russian aircraft cost less than half as much as their American counterparts. The Malaysians find that an acceptable situation, even though they face better trained pilots flying F-16s in neighboring Singapore.
The MiG-29 entered Russian service in 1983. Some 1,600 MiG-29s have been produced so far, with about 900 of them exported. The 22 ton aircraft is roughly comparable to the F-16, but it depends a lot on which version of either aircraft you are talking about. Russia is making a lot of money upgrading MiG-29s. Not just adding new electronics, but also making the airframe more robust. The MiG-29 was originally rated at 2,500 total flight hours. At that time (early 80s), Russia expected MiG-29s to fly about a hundred or so hours a year. India, for example, flew them at nearly twice that rate, as did Malaysia. So now Russia is offering to spiff up the airframe so that the aircraft can fly up to 4,000 hours, with more life extension upgrades promised. This won't be easy, as the MiG-29 has a history of unreliability and premature breakdowns (both mechanical and electronic).
In the last year, Russia grounded has grounded its MiG-29s several times, in order to check for structural flaws. Compared to Western aircraft, like the F-16, the MiG-29 is available for action about two thirds as much. While extending the life of the MiG-29 into the 2030s is theoretically possible, actually doing so will be real breakthrough in Russian aircraft capabilities. The Indians are going to take up the Russians on their upgrade offer. But the Malaysians are going to go with the more highly regarded Su-30.
Malaysia expects to have all its MiG-29s out of service in about a year. If they can't be sold, they will simply be scrapped. Algeria, and several other nations, have turned down the MiG-29, which has acquired the reputation of being second rate and a loser. Russia, however, wants to preserve MiG as a brand, so it is not solely dependent on Sukhoi for its jet fighters. At this point, it looks like an uphill fight. MiG and Sukhoi are now both divisions of a state owned military aircraft company (United Aircraft). Technically, the MiG division is bankrupt. Sukhoi is profitable.
December 24, 2009: Myanmar is buying twenty MiG-29s from Russia. Myanmar bought its first twelve MiG-29s in 2001. This new sale will earn Russia some criticism, because Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a military dictatorship with a very bad international reputation. But Russia is desperate to keep the MiG-29 from fading away. To that end, Russia also ordered 24 MiG-29Ks for its sole aircraft carrier, to replace the Su-33s that currently serve on the ship. However, most of the current news about the Mig-29 has been bad.
Malaysia, for example, admitted that it is getting rid of its MiG-29 fighters because the aircraft are too expensive to maintain. It costs about $5 million a year, per aircraft, to keep them in flying condition. Three years ago, Malaysia bought two more MiG-29s, in addition to the 18 it got in the 1990s. Two of those were lost due to accidents.
Malaysia has since ordered 18 Su-30 fighters, and will apparently order more to replace the MiG-29s. Malaysia also bought eight F-18Ds in the 1990s, and is getting rid of those as well. Russia has offered better prices on maintenance contracts for new Su-30s, in addition to bargain (compared to U.S. planes) prices.
Most of the MiG-29s provided satisfactory service. Malaysia was long a users of U.S. aircraft, so they have been able to compare Russian and American warplanes. The Russian aircraft cost less than half as much as their American counterparts. The Malaysians find that an acceptable situation, even though they face better trained pilots flying F-16s in neighboring Singapore.
The MiG-29 entered Russian service in 1983. Some 1,600 MiG-29s have been produced so far, with about 900 of them exported. The 22 ton aircraft is roughly comparable to the F-16, but it depends a lot on which version of either aircraft you are talking about. Russia is making a lot of money upgrading MiG-29s. Not just adding new electronics, but also making the airframe more robust. The MiG-29 was originally rated at 2,500 total flight hours. At that time (early 80s), Russia expected MiG-29s to fly about a hundred or so hours a year. India, for example, flew them at nearly twice that rate, as did Malaysia. So now Russia is offering to spiff up the airframe so that the aircraft can fly up to 4,000 hours, with more life extension upgrades promised. This won't be easy, as the MiG-29 has a history of unreliability and premature breakdowns (both mechanical and electronic).
In the last year, Russia grounded has grounded its MiG-29s several times, in order to check for structural flaws. Compared to Western aircraft, like the F-16, the MiG-29 is available for action about two thirds as much. While extending the life of the MiG-29 into the 2030s is theoretically possible, actually doing so will be real breakthrough in Russian aircraft capabilities. The Indians are going to take up the Russians on their upgrade offer. But the Malaysians are going to go with the more highly regarded Su-30.
Malaysia expects to have all its MiG-29s out of service in about a year. If they can't be sold, they will simply be scrapped. Algeria, and several other nations, have turned down the MiG-29, which has acquired the reputation of being second rate and a loser. Russia, however, wants to preserve MiG as a brand, so it is not solely dependent on Sukhoi for its jet fighters. At this point, it looks like an uphill fight. MiG and Sukhoi are now both divisions of a state owned military aircraft company (United Aircraft). Technically, the MiG division is bankrupt. Sukhoi is profitable.
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Avon Messenger - Avon Middle High School Amnesty International sponsors letter writing campaign to free prisoner
Thu Dec 24, 2009, 08:00 AM EST
The Avon Middle-High School chapter of Amnesty International has just sponsored a letter writing campaign to free a prisoner of conscience in the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar (formerly Burma).
Over 300 letters were collected and sent to both the Myanmar government and to the Myanmar embassy in Washington, D.C.
On Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, students in grades seven through 12 wrote letters to the Myanmar government on behalf of Daw Ayung San Suu Kyi. Kyi, co-founder of the National League for Democracy, was imprisoned by the military junta after winning a democratic election in 1990. She has spent 14 of the last 20 years under some form of detention, including a recent sentence of eighteen months of house arrest.
Amnesty International’s mission is to promote human rights for everyone worldwide. It primarily targets governments, but also reports on non-governmental bodies and private individuals. To accomplish their goals, Amnesty International has developed several techniques. Letter-writing is one of the most effective ones used to free prisoners of conscience.
The Avon Middle High School chapter of Amnesty International will be planning more events in the future.
Thu Dec 24, 2009, 08:00 AM EST
The Avon Middle-High School chapter of Amnesty International has just sponsored a letter writing campaign to free a prisoner of conscience in the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar (formerly Burma).
Over 300 letters were collected and sent to both the Myanmar government and to the Myanmar embassy in Washington, D.C.
On Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, students in grades seven through 12 wrote letters to the Myanmar government on behalf of Daw Ayung San Suu Kyi. Kyi, co-founder of the National League for Democracy, was imprisoned by the military junta after winning a democratic election in 1990. She has spent 14 of the last 20 years under some form of detention, including a recent sentence of eighteen months of house arrest.
Amnesty International’s mission is to promote human rights for everyone worldwide. It primarily targets governments, but also reports on non-governmental bodies and private individuals. To accomplish their goals, Amnesty International has developed several techniques. Letter-writing is one of the most effective ones used to free prisoners of conscience.
The Avon Middle High School chapter of Amnesty International will be planning more events in the future.
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Construction of Myanmar new capital continues
www.chinaview.cn 2009-12-24 13:27:43
YANGON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The construction of Myanmar's new capital of Nay Pyi Taw continued after emergence of departmental buildings, houses, main roads, markets, hotels, motels and resorts around the region as the early phase over the past four years.
Some five new towns in the capital region are being developed in addition to the existing three -- Pyinmana, Lewe and Tatkon in the post-move period of the administrative capital there from Yangon.
The five new towns, named as Oathara Thiri, Dekkina Thiri, Poppha Thiri, Zapu Thiri, Zeyar Thiri, will bring the total number of townships constituting the district-level capital region to 8, deleting it as a township from Mandalay division.
Meanwhile, Myanmar continued to move its remaining government ministry offices from the former capital of Yangon to the new administrative capital as the final phase after most of the offices were well relocated there.
The offices of ministries' directorates will be left in Yangon as the ministries' offices in southern Myanmar, according to local reports.
Myanmar shifted its former administrative capital of Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw, about 390 km to the north, in November 2005. Nay Pyi Taw is located between middle mountain range of Bago Yoma and eastern mountain range of Shan Yoma.
The new capital covers an area of 7,054.37 square-km and has a population of 924,608, according to official figures.
More than a year after the move, the government formed a committee, chaired by U Soe Tha, Minister of National Planning and Economic Development, for auctioning some state-owned buildings left behind in Yangon.
The auction also covers some housing project buildings being implemented under government supervision and related land plots.
The Myanmar government has made arrangement to allot lands in Nay Pyi Taw to long-service government employees as part of its efforts to develop the new capital, giving priority to such government employees, who have at least 10-year civil services and two years' in Nay Pyi Taw, to buy the allotted lands.
Since 2006, the Nay Pyi Taw City Development Committee has also invited investment from local nationals to develop the capital city, offering to allot them land plots for the purpose.
These allotted land areas are designated to build new living quarters, shopping complexes, highway terminals and car workshops.
According to the committee, on completion of all the buildings,30 years of land lease will be granted which is not transferable within the initial 10 years' period.
Meanwhile, Myanmar has also been striving for the improvement of transport link with Nay Pyi Taw as part of its development of the new capital.
A new 8-lane motor highway linking Yangon with Nay Pyi Taw directly and built by 12 giant private construction companies, has been put into service since March this year.
The Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw highway, which extends as 323.2 km, represents the prior part of the 563 km-long overall Yangon- Nay Pyi Taw-Mandalay highway.
Moreover, Myanmar is planning to build one more railway station in Nay Pyi Taw next to the existing Pyinmana station to facilitate rail transport to the new capital, saying that feasibility study and land survey are underway for the move.
The new station will be the second one after the first new being built since 2006 which is reportedly nearing completion.
In addition to zoological garden, water fountain garden, herbalgarden, national landmark garden and Ngalikekantha resort which have been in place, Myanmar local private companies have also constructed 42 new shopping complexes there, aimed at attracting more visitors to the city.
In Nay Pyi Taw, some modernized buildings such as governmental departments, residential quarters, private hospital, private bank,Union of Myanmar Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and Shwe Pazun bakery house have been constructed.
Meanwhile, other construction companies group are also implementing some international-level shopping center projects. Among them, the first private-run "Junction Center - Nay Pyi Taw" was built by the giant Shwe Taung Development company and was opened in August this year.
It is expected that Nay Pyi Taw will be further developed in the next decade to possess the characteristics of a city.
www.chinaview.cn 2009-12-24 13:27:43
YANGON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The construction of Myanmar's new capital of Nay Pyi Taw continued after emergence of departmental buildings, houses, main roads, markets, hotels, motels and resorts around the region as the early phase over the past four years.
Some five new towns in the capital region are being developed in addition to the existing three -- Pyinmana, Lewe and Tatkon in the post-move period of the administrative capital there from Yangon.
The five new towns, named as Oathara Thiri, Dekkina Thiri, Poppha Thiri, Zapu Thiri, Zeyar Thiri, will bring the total number of townships constituting the district-level capital region to 8, deleting it as a township from Mandalay division.
Meanwhile, Myanmar continued to move its remaining government ministry offices from the former capital of Yangon to the new administrative capital as the final phase after most of the offices were well relocated there.
The offices of ministries' directorates will be left in Yangon as the ministries' offices in southern Myanmar, according to local reports.
Myanmar shifted its former administrative capital of Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw, about 390 km to the north, in November 2005. Nay Pyi Taw is located between middle mountain range of Bago Yoma and eastern mountain range of Shan Yoma.
The new capital covers an area of 7,054.37 square-km and has a population of 924,608, according to official figures.
More than a year after the move, the government formed a committee, chaired by U Soe Tha, Minister of National Planning and Economic Development, for auctioning some state-owned buildings left behind in Yangon.
The auction also covers some housing project buildings being implemented under government supervision and related land plots.
The Myanmar government has made arrangement to allot lands in Nay Pyi Taw to long-service government employees as part of its efforts to develop the new capital, giving priority to such government employees, who have at least 10-year civil services and two years' in Nay Pyi Taw, to buy the allotted lands.
Since 2006, the Nay Pyi Taw City Development Committee has also invited investment from local nationals to develop the capital city, offering to allot them land plots for the purpose.
These allotted land areas are designated to build new living quarters, shopping complexes, highway terminals and car workshops.
According to the committee, on completion of all the buildings,30 years of land lease will be granted which is not transferable within the initial 10 years' period.
Meanwhile, Myanmar has also been striving for the improvement of transport link with Nay Pyi Taw as part of its development of the new capital.
A new 8-lane motor highway linking Yangon with Nay Pyi Taw directly and built by 12 giant private construction companies, has been put into service since March this year.
The Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw highway, which extends as 323.2 km, represents the prior part of the 563 km-long overall Yangon- Nay Pyi Taw-Mandalay highway.
Moreover, Myanmar is planning to build one more railway station in Nay Pyi Taw next to the existing Pyinmana station to facilitate rail transport to the new capital, saying that feasibility study and land survey are underway for the move.
The new station will be the second one after the first new being built since 2006 which is reportedly nearing completion.
In addition to zoological garden, water fountain garden, herbalgarden, national landmark garden and Ngalikekantha resort which have been in place, Myanmar local private companies have also constructed 42 new shopping complexes there, aimed at attracting more visitors to the city.
In Nay Pyi Taw, some modernized buildings such as governmental departments, residential quarters, private hospital, private bank,Union of Myanmar Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and Shwe Pazun bakery house have been constructed.
Meanwhile, other construction companies group are also implementing some international-level shopping center projects. Among them, the first private-run "Junction Center - Nay Pyi Taw" was built by the giant Shwe Taung Development company and was opened in August this year.
It is expected that Nay Pyi Taw will be further developed in the next decade to possess the characteristics of a city.
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Genocide plagues Burma, agency reports
Mission Network News - 12/24/2009
Myanmar (MNN) ― Atrocities are mounting in Burma--the country now known as Myanmar. Thousands of people have been killed by the military-led government. And many human rights workers say there's no end in sight.
President of Vision Beyond Borders Patrick Klein just returned from the border of Myanmar and Thailand and says the situation is desperate. "The government seems like it's intent on genocide. 500,000 people have died already. They say it surpasses Darfur because they document more than 3,300 villages that have been completely burned to the ground."
According to Klein, this is a strategic political move. "The government is trying to get rid of everybody who is in opposition to this current military regime. So, it's not just the Karen, but the Karen seem to be receiving the brunt of it."
The issue has been addressed by the Harvard Law School's report, "Crimes in Burma," but the rest of the world is ignoring it. Klein says, "It's baffling to us because we can't figure it out. Nobody seems to know what's going on. Nobody seems to be interested. When we talk, people in the States say, 'Really? That's happening in Burma? Well, we need to know that.'"
I asked Klein if he thinks it's genocide. "I heard one of the Burmese generals say, 'By the year 2010' (which isn't that far away) 'there will be no more Karen people left. We're going to wipe them off the face of the earth. The only ones you'll see will be in the photographs in the museums.'"
Klein says the international media seems to be ignoring the situation.
He says the Myanmar military isn't the only offender. Burmese orphans, refugees in bordering Thailand, are being threatened by Thai officials. "The Thai border police want to send them back into Burma. There are land mines everywhere. They're killing these people. And they want to send these kids back because they're kind of working with the government, underhandedly, to get money kickbacks from the government to send these kids back in, to slaughter them."
Klein says the stories of evil abound. "We heard a story about an eight-year-old boy who was told by the Burmese military, in front of his family, to climb a tree and climb as high as he could. They held him at gun point. He climbed as high as he could, and they told him to jump down, or they would shoot [his family]. So, he jumped to his death in front of his family."
Vision Beyond Borders was able to take in rice, medical supplies, toys for Christmas, and Bibles. Klein says, "Even in the midst of all these atrocities, many people are getting saved. So we want to keep providing Bibles."
Klein says nobody expects the situation to improve. "The elections are coming up in Burma in March. They believe 50,000 to 100,000 more refugees will come into Thailand before the election, and probably 150,000 more after the election."
Christian actor Kirk Cameron has agreed to be the narrator for a documentary on the situation in Burma. "We want to get that out around the nation," says Klein, "to call the churches to pray and ask God to intervene in the country to bring down this wicked government."
If you'd like to help Vision Beyond Borders with Bible and aid distribution, click here.
Mission Network News - 12/24/2009
Myanmar (MNN) ― Atrocities are mounting in Burma--the country now known as Myanmar. Thousands of people have been killed by the military-led government. And many human rights workers say there's no end in sight.
President of Vision Beyond Borders Patrick Klein just returned from the border of Myanmar and Thailand and says the situation is desperate. "The government seems like it's intent on genocide. 500,000 people have died already. They say it surpasses Darfur because they document more than 3,300 villages that have been completely burned to the ground."
According to Klein, this is a strategic political move. "The government is trying to get rid of everybody who is in opposition to this current military regime. So, it's not just the Karen, but the Karen seem to be receiving the brunt of it."
The issue has been addressed by the Harvard Law School's report, "Crimes in Burma," but the rest of the world is ignoring it. Klein says, "It's baffling to us because we can't figure it out. Nobody seems to know what's going on. Nobody seems to be interested. When we talk, people in the States say, 'Really? That's happening in Burma? Well, we need to know that.'"
I asked Klein if he thinks it's genocide. "I heard one of the Burmese generals say, 'By the year 2010' (which isn't that far away) 'there will be no more Karen people left. We're going to wipe them off the face of the earth. The only ones you'll see will be in the photographs in the museums.'"
Klein says the international media seems to be ignoring the situation.
He says the Myanmar military isn't the only offender. Burmese orphans, refugees in bordering Thailand, are being threatened by Thai officials. "The Thai border police want to send them back into Burma. There are land mines everywhere. They're killing these people. And they want to send these kids back because they're kind of working with the government, underhandedly, to get money kickbacks from the government to send these kids back in, to slaughter them."
Klein says the stories of evil abound. "We heard a story about an eight-year-old boy who was told by the Burmese military, in front of his family, to climb a tree and climb as high as he could. They held him at gun point. He climbed as high as he could, and they told him to jump down, or they would shoot [his family]. So, he jumped to his death in front of his family."
Vision Beyond Borders was able to take in rice, medical supplies, toys for Christmas, and Bibles. Klein says, "Even in the midst of all these atrocities, many people are getting saved. So we want to keep providing Bibles."
Klein says nobody expects the situation to improve. "The elections are coming up in Burma in March. They believe 50,000 to 100,000 more refugees will come into Thailand before the election, and probably 150,000 more after the election."
Christian actor Kirk Cameron has agreed to be the narrator for a documentary on the situation in Burma. "We want to get that out around the nation," says Klein, "to call the churches to pray and ask God to intervene in the country to bring down this wicked government."
If you'd like to help Vision Beyond Borders with Bible and aid distribution, click here.
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Pravda - Russian MiG-29 Jets 'Attack' China in Myanmar
24.12.2009 Source: Pravda.Ru
Russia will deliver 20 MiG-29 fighter jets to the Air Force of Myanmar (Burma). The deal is evaluated at nearly $600 million. Burma preferred Russia’s renowned jets to China, although its J-10 and FC-1 fighters are cheaper.
The deal became the largest contract to sell MiG-29 jets after Algeria terminated a similar contract with Russia in 2007. Russia has sold only six MiGs to Sri Lanka and gave away ten others to Lebanon since then.
As for Burma, China has been this nation’s major partner in commerce, including the defense industry, during the recent 20 years. The European Union and the United States have been practicing sanctions against Burma for decades. Burma is governed by a military junta, and nearly all opposition activists in the country are jailed.
It is China that eases the consequences of the political and economic blockade of Burma. It is worthy of note that the EU and the US are interested in Burma’s natural resources – its oil, natural gas and non-ferrous metals.
Why did Burma offend its long-term and close partner, China? How will the West react to Burma’s choice of Russian arms?
“In spite of the scandal, which occurred in 2007 during the shipment of MiG jets to Algeria, the MiG-29 jet is much more reliable and efficient than what China offered to Burma. It’s not Russia’s first deal with Burma – we delivered 12 MiG-29 fighters to this country in 2001,” Alexander Khramchikhin, deputy director of the Institute for Political and Military Analysis told Pravda.Ru.
“It goes without saying that China is not going to be happy with such a turn of events. China gradually ousts Russia from the countries with which Russia traditionally has relations in the field of defense cooperation. However, I do not think that Russia has a good reason to celebrate. The situation in the Russian defense industry becomes worse, which affects the export of arms.
“The deal with Burma will definitely trigger a harsh reaction from the West, which does not recognize the Burmese regime,” the expert added.
24.12.2009 Source: Pravda.Ru
Russia will deliver 20 MiG-29 fighter jets to the Air Force of Myanmar (Burma). The deal is evaluated at nearly $600 million. Burma preferred Russia’s renowned jets to China, although its J-10 and FC-1 fighters are cheaper.
The deal became the largest contract to sell MiG-29 jets after Algeria terminated a similar contract with Russia in 2007. Russia has sold only six MiGs to Sri Lanka and gave away ten others to Lebanon since then.
As for Burma, China has been this nation’s major partner in commerce, including the defense industry, during the recent 20 years. The European Union and the United States have been practicing sanctions against Burma for decades. Burma is governed by a military junta, and nearly all opposition activists in the country are jailed.
It is China that eases the consequences of the political and economic blockade of Burma. It is worthy of note that the EU and the US are interested in Burma’s natural resources – its oil, natural gas and non-ferrous metals.
Why did Burma offend its long-term and close partner, China? How will the West react to Burma’s choice of Russian arms?
“In spite of the scandal, which occurred in 2007 during the shipment of MiG jets to Algeria, the MiG-29 jet is much more reliable and efficient than what China offered to Burma. It’s not Russia’s first deal with Burma – we delivered 12 MiG-29 fighters to this country in 2001,” Alexander Khramchikhin, deputy director of the Institute for Political and Military Analysis told Pravda.Ru.
“It goes without saying that China is not going to be happy with such a turn of events. China gradually ousts Russia from the countries with which Russia traditionally has relations in the field of defense cooperation. However, I do not think that Russia has a good reason to celebrate. The situation in the Russian defense industry becomes worse, which affects the export of arms.
“The deal with Burma will definitely trigger a harsh reaction from the West, which does not recognize the Burmese regime,” the expert added.
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Junta stocking up on weapons for rainy day: observer
Thursday, 24 December 2009 19:49 Mungpi
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Burmese military junta’s decision to purchase armament from Russia may have been triggered by their fear of budget constraints under the new government to be elected in 2010, an analyst said.
Win Min, a Burmese analyst based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, said the junta’s decision to purchase MiG 29 Fulcrum D fighter jets from Russia at a time when they should be busy preparing for next year’s elections, could be driven by its fear of budget constraints under the new government that will largely restrict them in their wild pursuit of weapons.
On Wednesday, Russia’s business daily Vedomosti told Mizzima, that Russia has signed a contract to deliver 20 MiG-29 K/KUB and about 8 to 10 Mi-35 attack helicopters, worth a total of US$ 640 million. The delivery will commence in 2010.
The arms purchase news comes days after the Nobel Peace Winning Economist Joseph Stiglitz’s visit to the military-ruled country, where he had advised the military government to reduce their spending on the military but to invest on education as the Burmese economy needs education to revive.
Stiglitz also advised the junta to use revenue, from the sale of natural resources including oil and natural gas, for opening a new era for the country, but warned that if they are not used wisely “valuable opportunities would be squandered.”
But Win Min said he believes the junta is acting on its worry that “it may not be able to buy this way after the 2010 elections under the new government’s budget constraints.”
The junta is also expanding the government-owned enterprises including the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings and the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) to ensure that the military has its own budget, which cannot be controlled by parliament, even after a new government is formed after the 2010 elections, Win Min added.
The UMEH is run by the Defence Ministry’s Directorate of Procurement and is engaged in almost all joint ventures. The MEC funnels revenue from private enterprise into defence spending while the UMEH provides opportunities for secondary incomes for military personnel and their families.
Win Min said, “generally all armed forces want new weapons like all kids want toys,” but it is sad to see that the Burmese military junta, despite expert advice given by Prof Stiglitz to reduce defence spending and to increase investments on education and health, is only concerned about its insatiable needs of purchasing new toys.
Protesting against the weapons transfer contract, nearly a dozen Burmese pro-democracy activists in New Delhi, India held a rally on Thursday afternoon in front of the Russian embassy.
“Burma has no enemy and there is no need to purchase weapons. And these weapons will only be used to intimidate and suppress the Burmese people,” Salong, a member of the Shwe Gas Movement, told Mizzima.
Shouting slogans – “We want peace, not MiG-29’ “Hey Russia we want peace” – the activists said, the Burmese junta, instead of spending on development projects, is spending revenue earned from the sale of oil and natural gas to purchase armaments.
According to the Vedomosti, the Burmese junta had also purchased 12 MiG-29 K/KUB fighter jets in 2001. Burma had also imported US$ 2 billion worth of weapons since 1989, mainly from China.
Burma’s military rulers, which has ruled the country for the past two decades, is known to spend less than 3 per cent of its GDP per annum for health and education while the military spending is about 40 per cent.
Another reason for the junta purchasing the fighter jets, Win Min said could be the junta’s wish to strengthen its air force on the borders generally and on the Chinese and Bangladesh in particular.
“The military might want to improve its air force on the borders generally, but especially on the China and Bangladesh borders, since they want to threaten the ceasefire [armed] groups, especially Wa [United Wa State Army] to agree to their proposal of transforming into the border guard force,” Win Min said.
He added that the purchase of MiG-29 Fulcrum D could also be “to have better bargaining power with Bangladesh on their disputed maritime areas, which has natural gas.”
Thursday, 24 December 2009 19:49 Mungpi
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Burmese military junta’s decision to purchase armament from Russia may have been triggered by their fear of budget constraints under the new government to be elected in 2010, an analyst said.
Win Min, a Burmese analyst based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, said the junta’s decision to purchase MiG 29 Fulcrum D fighter jets from Russia at a time when they should be busy preparing for next year’s elections, could be driven by its fear of budget constraints under the new government that will largely restrict them in their wild pursuit of weapons.
On Wednesday, Russia’s business daily Vedomosti told Mizzima, that Russia has signed a contract to deliver 20 MiG-29 K/KUB and about 8 to 10 Mi-35 attack helicopters, worth a total of US$ 640 million. The delivery will commence in 2010.
The arms purchase news comes days after the Nobel Peace Winning Economist Joseph Stiglitz’s visit to the military-ruled country, where he had advised the military government to reduce their spending on the military but to invest on education as the Burmese economy needs education to revive.
Stiglitz also advised the junta to use revenue, from the sale of natural resources including oil and natural gas, for opening a new era for the country, but warned that if they are not used wisely “valuable opportunities would be squandered.”
But Win Min said he believes the junta is acting on its worry that “it may not be able to buy this way after the 2010 elections under the new government’s budget constraints.”
The junta is also expanding the government-owned enterprises including the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings and the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) to ensure that the military has its own budget, which cannot be controlled by parliament, even after a new government is formed after the 2010 elections, Win Min added.
The UMEH is run by the Defence Ministry’s Directorate of Procurement and is engaged in almost all joint ventures. The MEC funnels revenue from private enterprise into defence spending while the UMEH provides opportunities for secondary incomes for military personnel and their families.
Win Min said, “generally all armed forces want new weapons like all kids want toys,” but it is sad to see that the Burmese military junta, despite expert advice given by Prof Stiglitz to reduce defence spending and to increase investments on education and health, is only concerned about its insatiable needs of purchasing new toys.
Protesting against the weapons transfer contract, nearly a dozen Burmese pro-democracy activists in New Delhi, India held a rally on Thursday afternoon in front of the Russian embassy.
“Burma has no enemy and there is no need to purchase weapons. And these weapons will only be used to intimidate and suppress the Burmese people,” Salong, a member of the Shwe Gas Movement, told Mizzima.
Shouting slogans – “We want peace, not MiG-29’ “Hey Russia we want peace” – the activists said, the Burmese junta, instead of spending on development projects, is spending revenue earned from the sale of oil and natural gas to purchase armaments.
According to the Vedomosti, the Burmese junta had also purchased 12 MiG-29 K/KUB fighter jets in 2001. Burma had also imported US$ 2 billion worth of weapons since 1989, mainly from China.
Burma’s military rulers, which has ruled the country for the past two decades, is known to spend less than 3 per cent of its GDP per annum for health and education while the military spending is about 40 per cent.
Another reason for the junta purchasing the fighter jets, Win Min said could be the junta’s wish to strengthen its air force on the borders generally and on the Chinese and Bangladesh in particular.
“The military might want to improve its air force on the borders generally, but especially on the China and Bangladesh borders, since they want to threaten the ceasefire [armed] groups, especially Wa [United Wa State Army] to agree to their proposal of transforming into the border guard force,” Win Min said.
He added that the purchase of MiG-29 Fulcrum D could also be “to have better bargaining power with Bangladesh on their disputed maritime areas, which has natural gas.”
*************************************************************
Junta lobbies hard on international fora
Thursday, 24 December 2009 23:03 Mungpi
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Burma’s state-owned newspaper New Light of Myanmar on Wednesday reported the return of Foreign Minister Nyan Win from Denmark after attending the UN Climate Change Conference.
The newspaper said Nyan Win, besides delivering a speech at the conference, also met Foreign Ministers of the European Union led by the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and hosted by Danish Foreign Minister Per-Stig Moller at the sidelines of the Copenhagen Conference.
In a press statement, the EU said during the meeting, also attended by the EU special envoy to Burma Mr. Piero Fassino, European Union Foreign Ministers reiterated their willingness to continue a dialogue aimed at substantial improvements towards a transition to democracy and respect of human rights in Burma.
The ministers also told Nyan Win that “the elections in 2010 are an important opportunity for allowing inclusiveness and showing serious progress on national reconciliation, which is necessary to address the political and socio-economic problems facing Burma/Myanmar.”
The ministers also urged the Burmese military junta to take substantive steps towards free and fair elections.
The report about Nyan Win’s December 16 to 18 trip to Denmark, which came after a week, is among the many stories that the Burmese junta’s mouthpiece newspaper is reporting relating to activities of junta officials.
The English version of the newspaper, which usually carries stories of the military general’s development work, has for the past few weeks been carrying reports of foreign officials including a few heads of states, and deputies visiting the pariah state.
On Thursday, the newspaper reported the visit of a delegation led by Mr Li Chao, Chairman of the Central China Power Grid International Economic & Trade Co Ltd, and their meeting with Burmese Minister for Electrical Power (2) Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint.
On Wednesday, the newspaper reported the visit of Japanese Deputy Minister for Economics, Trade and Industry Mr. Hiroyuki Ishige and his meeting with Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein.
On Tuesday, the newspaper reported the visit by Chang Zhenming, Chairman and President of CTTIC Group of China and his meeting with Burmese Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Thein Swe.
Monday’s newspaper was filled with the visit of Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping and his meetings with Burmese military supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe, and Vice Snr Gen Maung Aye.
While most of the visiting officials are not heads of states and do not carry significant weight, the fact that many foreign officials are visiting the country, which is under Western sanctions, is significant, a Burmese analyst said.
Win Min, a Burmese analyst based in Thailand, said lately more countries are interested in visiting and dealing with the Burmese junta, and the new United States policy on the regime could be a factor contributing to the change.
“The US’s new policy on engagement with Burma (while maintaining the sanctions) may also partly encourage other country representatives to visit,” Win Min added.
The US in September announced a new policy on Burma’s military regime. Under the new policy, the US is willing to directly engage with the junta, while existing sanctions would remain.
As a first step in US-Junta relations, the Assistant Foreign Secretary Kurt Campbell led delegation in November visited Naypyitaw and held talks with junta supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe.
“I think it shows that many countries want to see if there can be an impact from their visits to open up the election process, while some countries may also want to secure their business interests before the elections,” Win Min said.
He said, as the Nobel Prize Winning economist Joseph Stiglitz concluded a visit to Burma, during which he was able to advise the Burmese generals on economic reforms, Japan may also be interested in checking out the possibilities a more open economy.
Win Min added that the visits by foreign officials could indicate that the junta has been working hard to gain international support for their roadmap, of which the fifth step is the general elections slated for 2010.
Thursday, 24 December 2009 23:03 Mungpi
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Burma’s state-owned newspaper New Light of Myanmar on Wednesday reported the return of Foreign Minister Nyan Win from Denmark after attending the UN Climate Change Conference.
The newspaper said Nyan Win, besides delivering a speech at the conference, also met Foreign Ministers of the European Union led by the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and hosted by Danish Foreign Minister Per-Stig Moller at the sidelines of the Copenhagen Conference.
In a press statement, the EU said during the meeting, also attended by the EU special envoy to Burma Mr. Piero Fassino, European Union Foreign Ministers reiterated their willingness to continue a dialogue aimed at substantial improvements towards a transition to democracy and respect of human rights in Burma.
The ministers also told Nyan Win that “the elections in 2010 are an important opportunity for allowing inclusiveness and showing serious progress on national reconciliation, which is necessary to address the political and socio-economic problems facing Burma/Myanmar.”
The ministers also urged the Burmese military junta to take substantive steps towards free and fair elections.
The report about Nyan Win’s December 16 to 18 trip to Denmark, which came after a week, is among the many stories that the Burmese junta’s mouthpiece newspaper is reporting relating to activities of junta officials.
The English version of the newspaper, which usually carries stories of the military general’s development work, has for the past few weeks been carrying reports of foreign officials including a few heads of states, and deputies visiting the pariah state.
On Thursday, the newspaper reported the visit of a delegation led by Mr Li Chao, Chairman of the Central China Power Grid International Economic & Trade Co Ltd, and their meeting with Burmese Minister for Electrical Power (2) Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint.
On Wednesday, the newspaper reported the visit of Japanese Deputy Minister for Economics, Trade and Industry Mr. Hiroyuki Ishige and his meeting with Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein.
On Tuesday, the newspaper reported the visit by Chang Zhenming, Chairman and President of CTTIC Group of China and his meeting with Burmese Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Thein Swe.
Monday’s newspaper was filled with the visit of Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping and his meetings with Burmese military supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe, and Vice Snr Gen Maung Aye.
While most of the visiting officials are not heads of states and do not carry significant weight, the fact that many foreign officials are visiting the country, which is under Western sanctions, is significant, a Burmese analyst said.
Win Min, a Burmese analyst based in Thailand, said lately more countries are interested in visiting and dealing with the Burmese junta, and the new United States policy on the regime could be a factor contributing to the change.
“The US’s new policy on engagement with Burma (while maintaining the sanctions) may also partly encourage other country representatives to visit,” Win Min added.
The US in September announced a new policy on Burma’s military regime. Under the new policy, the US is willing to directly engage with the junta, while existing sanctions would remain.
As a first step in US-Junta relations, the Assistant Foreign Secretary Kurt Campbell led delegation in November visited Naypyitaw and held talks with junta supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe.
“I think it shows that many countries want to see if there can be an impact from their visits to open up the election process, while some countries may also want to secure their business interests before the elections,” Win Min said.
He said, as the Nobel Prize Winning economist Joseph Stiglitz concluded a visit to Burma, during which he was able to advise the Burmese generals on economic reforms, Japan may also be interested in checking out the possibilities a more open economy.
Win Min added that the visits by foreign officials could indicate that the junta has been working hard to gain international support for their roadmap, of which the fifth step is the general elections slated for 2010.
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The Irrawaddy - Dissident Dies in Prison
By BA KAUNG - Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tin Tin Htwe, who was arrested during the 2007 Saffron Revolution, died in Insein Prison hospital on Wednesday night, according to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Burma (AAPP), a Thailand-based organization working for the rights of political prisoners in Burma. .
Tin Tin Htwe, 38, from Bahan Township in Rangoon, reportedly died of a heart condition.
Her neighborhood, located within a kilometer east of Shwedagon Pagoda, was the scene of the first deadly crackdown during the Saffron Revolution when security forces fired on Buddhist monks.
She was arrested on Sept. 26, 2007, accused with 14 others of hurling stones at riot police. She was charged under sections 332 (hindering public servants from carrying out their duties) and 294 (obscene acts and songs in public), and released on bail. In November 2008 she was sentenced to three years and three months with hard labor, according to AAPP.
She was incarcerated in Pegu Division's Tharrawaddy Prison in 2008 before her recent transfer to Rangoon's Insein Prison hospital due to her deteriorating health.
The healthcare system in Burma's prisons is notoriously inefficient. “There are not enough medications in prison hospitals. There is no timely response to prisoners' health problems,” said Bo Kyi, the joint-secretary of AAPP.
Two other political prisoners also died in 2009––Salai Hla Moe, a member of the National League for Democracy, and Saw Cha Leik, a member of Karen National Union, who died in Myingyan and Thayet prisons respectively.
Tin Tin Htwe's death increased the number of political prisoners who have died in Burma's prisons to 143 since 1988.
According to AAPP, her body was moved on Wednesday night to her family home in Bahan and was to be cremated the following day.
A total of 2,173 political prisoners are being held in prisons throughout Burma. The military government stopped allowing visits of International Committee for the Red Cross personnel to prisons in 2005.
By BA KAUNG - Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tin Tin Htwe, who was arrested during the 2007 Saffron Revolution, died in Insein Prison hospital on Wednesday night, according to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Burma (AAPP), a Thailand-based organization working for the rights of political prisoners in Burma. .
Tin Tin Htwe, 38, from Bahan Township in Rangoon, reportedly died of a heart condition.
Her neighborhood, located within a kilometer east of Shwedagon Pagoda, was the scene of the first deadly crackdown during the Saffron Revolution when security forces fired on Buddhist monks.
She was arrested on Sept. 26, 2007, accused with 14 others of hurling stones at riot police. She was charged under sections 332 (hindering public servants from carrying out their duties) and 294 (obscene acts and songs in public), and released on bail. In November 2008 she was sentenced to three years and three months with hard labor, according to AAPP.
She was incarcerated in Pegu Division's Tharrawaddy Prison in 2008 before her recent transfer to Rangoon's Insein Prison hospital due to her deteriorating health.
The healthcare system in Burma's prisons is notoriously inefficient. “There are not enough medications in prison hospitals. There is no timely response to prisoners' health problems,” said Bo Kyi, the joint-secretary of AAPP.
Two other political prisoners also died in 2009––Salai Hla Moe, a member of the National League for Democracy, and Saw Cha Leik, a member of Karen National Union, who died in Myingyan and Thayet prisons respectively.
Tin Tin Htwe's death increased the number of political prisoners who have died in Burma's prisons to 143 since 1988.
According to AAPP, her body was moved on Wednesday night to her family home in Bahan and was to be cremated the following day.
A total of 2,173 political prisoners are being held in prisons throughout Burma. The military government stopped allowing visits of International Committee for the Red Cross personnel to prisons in 2005.
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US Demands Immediate Access to Jailed Citizen
By LALIT K JHA / WASHINGTON - Thursday, December 24, 2009
The United States on Thursday urged the Burmese military junta to provide immediate consular access to Kyaw Zaw Lwin, also known as Nyi Nyi Aung, the US national who was arrested on arrival at the Rangoon airport on Sept. 3 and is currently being subjected to a “military dog confinement” in the infamous Insein Prison.
“We call on the Burmese government to grant the United States immediate consular access as required by obligations under the Vienna Convention,” a State Department spokesman, Mark C. Toner, told The Irrawaddy.
A well-known democracy activist, Lwin was arrested by the Burmese authorities on Sept. 3, when he was attempting to visit his mother, an imprisoned democracy activist who has cancer. Later he was accused of using a forged Burmese identity card and illegally importing currencies into the country.
It was on Dec. 3 that he was lasted granted consular access. On Dec. 4, he went on a hunger strike, which he has now ended.
“We confirm that he ended his hunger strike,” Toner said, adding that the State Department is maintaining close communication with his family members and his representative.
“Because, we have not been granted consular access, it is difficult to say exactly how his health is,” he said. “We continue to seek ongoing access to him and do all we can to ensure that.”
On Wednesday, Washington-based international counsel of Lwin sought immediate intervention of the US Special Rapporteur on Torture, alleging that he was being tortured by authorities in Burma.
“Nyi Nyi Aung, who has been unjustly imprisoned in Burma since Sept. 3, 2009, is being subjected to torture by prison officials in Burma’s notorious Insein Prison. The torture is punishment for his hunger strike earlier this month protesting the conditions of Burma’s political prisoners,” said Lwin’s international counsel, Jared Genser and Beth Schwanke, of Freedom Now.
Last week as many as 53 US Congress members also wrote a letter to Snr-Gen Than Shwe urging Lwin's release.
By LALIT K JHA / WASHINGTON - Thursday, December 24, 2009
The United States on Thursday urged the Burmese military junta to provide immediate consular access to Kyaw Zaw Lwin, also known as Nyi Nyi Aung, the US national who was arrested on arrival at the Rangoon airport on Sept. 3 and is currently being subjected to a “military dog confinement” in the infamous Insein Prison.
“We call on the Burmese government to grant the United States immediate consular access as required by obligations under the Vienna Convention,” a State Department spokesman, Mark C. Toner, told The Irrawaddy.
A well-known democracy activist, Lwin was arrested by the Burmese authorities on Sept. 3, when he was attempting to visit his mother, an imprisoned democracy activist who has cancer. Later he was accused of using a forged Burmese identity card and illegally importing currencies into the country.
It was on Dec. 3 that he was lasted granted consular access. On Dec. 4, he went on a hunger strike, which he has now ended.
“We confirm that he ended his hunger strike,” Toner said, adding that the State Department is maintaining close communication with his family members and his representative.
“Because, we have not been granted consular access, it is difficult to say exactly how his health is,” he said. “We continue to seek ongoing access to him and do all we can to ensure that.”
On Wednesday, Washington-based international counsel of Lwin sought immediate intervention of the US Special Rapporteur on Torture, alleging that he was being tortured by authorities in Burma.
“Nyi Nyi Aung, who has been unjustly imprisoned in Burma since Sept. 3, 2009, is being subjected to torture by prison officials in Burma’s notorious Insein Prison. The torture is punishment for his hunger strike earlier this month protesting the conditions of Burma’s political prisoners,” said Lwin’s international counsel, Jared Genser and Beth Schwanke, of Freedom Now.
Last week as many as 53 US Congress members also wrote a letter to Snr-Gen Than Shwe urging Lwin's release.
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