Myanmar party sorry for not bringing democracy
AP - Wednesday, April 7
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – The party of detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Tuesday it was sorry it could not bring democracy to the country because of repression by the military government but it will continue its nonviolent struggle.
The National League for Democracy last week decided to boycott the first scheduled elections in two decades. It said the electoral laws imposed by the ruling junta, which would prevent Suu Kyi from taking part, were undemocratic.
In a statement Tuesday, the NLD said its leaders and the party members had sacrificed and worked relentlessly. The party "earnestly apologizes to the people" for its failure to achieve national reconciliation and democracy, due to arrests, repression, harassment and threats by the authorities.
"However, the League will never turn its back to the people or to its struggle for democracy," the statement said. "We pledge to continue to achieve our goals for democracy through systematic, peaceful and nonviolent means."
Myanmar, also known as Burma, which has been ruled by its military for 48 years. The government has touted the polls as part of a "roadmap to democracy." Critics say the elections are a sham designed to cement the power of the military.
The junta says it will hold the elections this year but has not set a date.
The NLD statement said the electoral laws imposed by the junta for the polls are "unjust' and "unrealistic."
The party's refusal to participate is likely to undermine the vote's credibility in the eyes of foreign governments and the United Nations, which have urged the diplomatically isolated junta to ensure all groups take part.
Suu Kyi's party won the last elections held in Myanmar in 1990 by a landslide but was barred by the military from taking power.
Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate, has spent 14 of the last 20 years in jail or under house arrest.
AP - Wednesday, April 7
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – The party of detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Tuesday it was sorry it could not bring democracy to the country because of repression by the military government but it will continue its nonviolent struggle.
The National League for Democracy last week decided to boycott the first scheduled elections in two decades. It said the electoral laws imposed by the ruling junta, which would prevent Suu Kyi from taking part, were undemocratic.
In a statement Tuesday, the NLD said its leaders and the party members had sacrificed and worked relentlessly. The party "earnestly apologizes to the people" for its failure to achieve national reconciliation and democracy, due to arrests, repression, harassment and threats by the authorities.
"However, the League will never turn its back to the people or to its struggle for democracy," the statement said. "We pledge to continue to achieve our goals for democracy through systematic, peaceful and nonviolent means."
Myanmar, also known as Burma, which has been ruled by its military for 48 years. The government has touted the polls as part of a "roadmap to democracy." Critics say the elections are a sham designed to cement the power of the military.
The junta says it will hold the elections this year but has not set a date.
The NLD statement said the electoral laws imposed by the junta for the polls are "unjust' and "unrealistic."
The party's refusal to participate is likely to undermine the vote's credibility in the eyes of foreign governments and the United Nations, which have urged the diplomatically isolated junta to ensure all groups take part.
Suu Kyi's party won the last elections held in Myanmar in 1990 by a landslide but was barred by the military from taking power.
Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate, has spent 14 of the last 20 years in jail or under house arrest.
******************************************************
Myanmar to escape censure at ASEAN summit: observers
by Ian Timberlake – Mon Apr 5, 10:46 pm ET
HANOI (AFP) – Myanmar's widely condemned election plans will loom large at this week's ASEAN summit, but criticism is unlikely from regional nations with their own flawed records on rights and democracy, observers say.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit is being chaired by communist Vietnam, a one-party state that is accused of overseeing deteriorating human rights.
Laos and Cambodia are other members worried about setting a precedent that would make discussion of human rights more acceptable within the bloc, said Christopher Roberts, from the University of Canberra, Australia.
"I think that's a central concern," said Roberts, a lecturer in Asian politics and security.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has said he will urge members at the talks to call for a reversal of Myanmar's electoral laws, which he said contravene the junta's promises to embark on a "roadmap to democracy."
Myanmar's opposition, the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, said last week it would boycott the ballot -- the first in two decades -- expected to be held later this year.
Under the new electoral laws, the party would have to expel Suu Kyi if it wanted to participate because she is serving a prison term. The Nobel peace laureate has been detained for 14 of the last 20 years.
Without her, the vote cannot be free and fair, say Japan, Australia and Britain. The United States blamed the ruling junta for the opposition boycott, saying the regime had missed an opportunity to move forward.
Leaders of ASEAN's 10 members are to hold their talks, a twice-yearly event, on Thursday and Friday.
Myanmar has always escaped formal censure from the grouping in the past and observers see virtually no chance of this meeting producing a joint statement criticising the Myanmar vote.
"They are holding an election. Why are you complaining? This is the mentality of a lot of the ASEAN," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore (ISEAS).
Although a big question mark surrounds the legitimacy of Myanmar's next government, "not every regime in ASEAN is legitimate anyway," he said.
Thailand's army-backed government, for example, is under pressure from street protesters demanding snap polls to replace an administration they say is undemocratic after coming to power in a 2008 parliamentary vote.
The ASEAN summit comes just a few days after its host, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, held talks in Myanmar with junta leaders.
An Asian diplomat said he expected Dung would have told the ruling generals that the elections will be under global scrutiny and "need to be credible".
But Dung would not have pushed the regime to allow Suu Kyi to run in the polls because Myanmar could then ask Vietnam to release its own prominent detainees, said the diplomat, who requested anonymity.
Human rights activists say ASEAN's longstanding principle of non-interference in members' internal affairs also restricts its ability to criticise Myanmar.
Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, said Vietnam "has consistently resisted efforts to raise human rights issues within ASEAN."
The bloc's diverse membership ranges from Communist Laos, one of Asia's poorest nations, to the Westernised city-state of Singapore, the absolute monarchy of Brunei and the vibrant democracy of Indonesia.
"I see a growing gap in the values within the ASEAN states", which are divided between conservatives and those -- often led by Indonesia -- seeking change, said University of Canberra's Roberts.
The region is at a crossroads, said Yap Swee Seng, executive director of Forum-Asia, an umbrella for regional rights groups.
Rapid economic development and rising education levels have created a strong middle class that is helping to push many countries -- including Vietnam, but not Myanmar -- from authoritarian-style rule towards more democratic systems, said Yap.
"The people are demanding more and more participation in the decision-making," he said, adding the issue is whether regimes will be able to adapt to those demands.
by Ian Timberlake – Mon Apr 5, 10:46 pm ET
HANOI (AFP) – Myanmar's widely condemned election plans will loom large at this week's ASEAN summit, but criticism is unlikely from regional nations with their own flawed records on rights and democracy, observers say.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit is being chaired by communist Vietnam, a one-party state that is accused of overseeing deteriorating human rights.
Laos and Cambodia are other members worried about setting a precedent that would make discussion of human rights more acceptable within the bloc, said Christopher Roberts, from the University of Canberra, Australia.
"I think that's a central concern," said Roberts, a lecturer in Asian politics and security.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has said he will urge members at the talks to call for a reversal of Myanmar's electoral laws, which he said contravene the junta's promises to embark on a "roadmap to democracy."
Myanmar's opposition, the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, said last week it would boycott the ballot -- the first in two decades -- expected to be held later this year.
Under the new electoral laws, the party would have to expel Suu Kyi if it wanted to participate because she is serving a prison term. The Nobel peace laureate has been detained for 14 of the last 20 years.
Without her, the vote cannot be free and fair, say Japan, Australia and Britain. The United States blamed the ruling junta for the opposition boycott, saying the regime had missed an opportunity to move forward.
Leaders of ASEAN's 10 members are to hold their talks, a twice-yearly event, on Thursday and Friday.
Myanmar has always escaped formal censure from the grouping in the past and observers see virtually no chance of this meeting producing a joint statement criticising the Myanmar vote.
"They are holding an election. Why are you complaining? This is the mentality of a lot of the ASEAN," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore (ISEAS).
Although a big question mark surrounds the legitimacy of Myanmar's next government, "not every regime in ASEAN is legitimate anyway," he said.
Thailand's army-backed government, for example, is under pressure from street protesters demanding snap polls to replace an administration they say is undemocratic after coming to power in a 2008 parliamentary vote.
The ASEAN summit comes just a few days after its host, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, held talks in Myanmar with junta leaders.
An Asian diplomat said he expected Dung would have told the ruling generals that the elections will be under global scrutiny and "need to be credible".
But Dung would not have pushed the regime to allow Suu Kyi to run in the polls because Myanmar could then ask Vietnam to release its own prominent detainees, said the diplomat, who requested anonymity.
Human rights activists say ASEAN's longstanding principle of non-interference in members' internal affairs also restricts its ability to criticise Myanmar.
Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, said Vietnam "has consistently resisted efforts to raise human rights issues within ASEAN."
The bloc's diverse membership ranges from Communist Laos, one of Asia's poorest nations, to the Westernised city-state of Singapore, the absolute monarchy of Brunei and the vibrant democracy of Indonesia.
"I see a growing gap in the values within the ASEAN states", which are divided between conservatives and those -- often led by Indonesia -- seeking change, said University of Canberra's Roberts.
The region is at a crossroads, said Yap Swee Seng, executive director of Forum-Asia, an umbrella for regional rights groups.
Rapid economic development and rising education levels have created a strong middle class that is helping to push many countries -- including Vietnam, but not Myanmar -- from authoritarian-style rule towards more democratic systems, said Yap.
"The people are demanding more and more participation in the decision-making," he said, adding the issue is whether regimes will be able to adapt to those demands.
******************************************************
China-based cyber-spies targeted India: researchers
By Lucy Hornby – 2 hrs 57 mins ago
BEIJING (Reuters) – A cyber-espionage group based in southwest China stole documents from the Indian Defense Ministry and emails from the Dalai Lama's office, a group of Canadian researchers said in a report released Tuesday.
The cyber-spies used popular online services, including Twitter, Google's Google Groups and Yahoo mail, to access infected computers, ultimately directing them to communicate with command and control servers in China, according to the report, "Shadows in the Cloud."
"We have no evidence in this report of the involvement of the People's Republic of China (PRC) or any other government in the Shadow network," wrote the authors, who are researchers based at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs.
"But an important question to be entertained is whether the PRC will take action to shut the Shadow network down."
They concluded the network was likely run by individuals with connections to the Chinese criminal underworld, and information might have been passed to branches of the Chinese government.
"I don't know what evidence these people have, or what their motives are," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said, in response to questions about the report.
She added that China could investigate if it were provided with evidence.
"Our policy is very clear. We resolutely oppose all Internet crime, including hacking."
Stolen documents recovered by the researchers contained sensitive information taken from India's National Security Council Secretariat, the group said.
They included secret assessments of India's security situation in its northeastern states bordering Tibet, Bangladesh and Myanmar, as well as insurgencies by Maoists.
Confidential information taken from Indian embassies include assessments of Indian relations with West Africa, Russia, former Soviet republics and the Middle East, it said.
Information supplied by visa-seekers to the Indian embassy in Afghanistan and the Indian and Pakistani embassies in the United States were also compromised, the report said.
"We have heard about the hacking report and the concerned department is looking into the case," said Sitanshu Kar, spokesman for the Indian Defense Ministry.
TIBETAN CONNECTION
A year ago, the same researchers described a systematic cyber-infiltration of the Tibetan government-in-exile, which they dubbed GhostNet.
Some of the command and control centres listed in the GhostNet report went offline, the researchers said, but provided leads for the latest investigation.
Domains used in both attacks resolved to an IP address in Chongqing, a large city in southwest China, while addresses in the nearby city of Chengdu were used to control Yahoo Mail accounts used in the attacks, the report said.
The report traced part of the network to individuals in Chengdu who are graduates of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and alleged to have links with the Chinese hacking community.
Attacks using social engineering to gain trust and access have garnered more attention since Google announced in January that it, along with more than 20 other companies, had suffered a hacking attack out of China. Google ultimately withdrew its Chinese-language search service from the mainland.
The cyber-spies managed to penetrate a circle of individuals with knowledge of Indian military projects, as well as acquiring information about military engineering projects, the report said.
A U.N. commission based in Thailand was also compromised.
The data gathered by the researchers showed that security breaches in one group can result in the theft of confidential information from another organization, a factor that makes it hard to distinguish the ultimate purpose of the cyber-spying.
The researchers said the capture of the emails from the Dalai Lama's office allowed the spies to track who might be contacting the Tibetan spiritual leader, who China accuses of seeking Tibetan independence.
By Lucy Hornby – 2 hrs 57 mins ago
BEIJING (Reuters) – A cyber-espionage group based in southwest China stole documents from the Indian Defense Ministry and emails from the Dalai Lama's office, a group of Canadian researchers said in a report released Tuesday.
The cyber-spies used popular online services, including Twitter, Google's Google Groups and Yahoo mail, to access infected computers, ultimately directing them to communicate with command and control servers in China, according to the report, "Shadows in the Cloud."
"We have no evidence in this report of the involvement of the People's Republic of China (PRC) or any other government in the Shadow network," wrote the authors, who are researchers based at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs.
"But an important question to be entertained is whether the PRC will take action to shut the Shadow network down."
They concluded the network was likely run by individuals with connections to the Chinese criminal underworld, and information might have been passed to branches of the Chinese government.
"I don't know what evidence these people have, or what their motives are," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said, in response to questions about the report.
She added that China could investigate if it were provided with evidence.
"Our policy is very clear. We resolutely oppose all Internet crime, including hacking."
Stolen documents recovered by the researchers contained sensitive information taken from India's National Security Council Secretariat, the group said.
They included secret assessments of India's security situation in its northeastern states bordering Tibet, Bangladesh and Myanmar, as well as insurgencies by Maoists.
Confidential information taken from Indian embassies include assessments of Indian relations with West Africa, Russia, former Soviet republics and the Middle East, it said.
Information supplied by visa-seekers to the Indian embassy in Afghanistan and the Indian and Pakistani embassies in the United States were also compromised, the report said.
"We have heard about the hacking report and the concerned department is looking into the case," said Sitanshu Kar, spokesman for the Indian Defense Ministry.
TIBETAN CONNECTION
A year ago, the same researchers described a systematic cyber-infiltration of the Tibetan government-in-exile, which they dubbed GhostNet.
Some of the command and control centres listed in the GhostNet report went offline, the researchers said, but provided leads for the latest investigation.
Domains used in both attacks resolved to an IP address in Chongqing, a large city in southwest China, while addresses in the nearby city of Chengdu were used to control Yahoo Mail accounts used in the attacks, the report said.
The report traced part of the network to individuals in Chengdu who are graduates of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and alleged to have links with the Chinese hacking community.
Attacks using social engineering to gain trust and access have garnered more attention since Google announced in January that it, along with more than 20 other companies, had suffered a hacking attack out of China. Google ultimately withdrew its Chinese-language search service from the mainland.
The cyber-spies managed to penetrate a circle of individuals with knowledge of Indian military projects, as well as acquiring information about military engineering projects, the report said.
A U.N. commission based in Thailand was also compromised.
The data gathered by the researchers showed that security breaches in one group can result in the theft of confidential information from another organization, a factor that makes it hard to distinguish the ultimate purpose of the cyber-spying.
The researchers said the capture of the emails from the Dalai Lama's office allowed the spies to track who might be contacting the Tibetan spiritual leader, who China accuses of seeking Tibetan independence.
******************************************************
Asian summit to weigh winding down stimulus measures
John Ruwitch - NHA TRANG, Vietnam
Tue Apr 6, 2010 8:35am EDT
NHA TRANG, Vietnam (Reuters) - Southeast Asian leaders will consider ways to unwind emergency stimulus policies without jeopardizing recovery in the fast-growing region at a summit this week in Hanoi, a draft statement says.
But Myanmar, due to hold its first election in two decades, could again test ASEAN's consensus when the group that includes a monarchy, a military dictatorship, communist states and democracies turns to politics at the April 8-9 summit.
Leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations agreed at last year's summit on coordinated policies, including rate cuts, credit support and government spending after their export-oriented economies fell into a sharp but short recession during the global financial crisis.
While most of their economies having jumped back on a fast growth path, the recovery was "fragile" and required "decisive, timely and coordinated" action to maintain momentum, a draft media statement from finance ministers from the 10 ASEAN countries says.
"We will continue to pursue expansionary policies until recovery is secured, but at the same time, we will stand ready to withdraw our fiscal, monetary and financial sector support once private demand has become self-sustained," it said.
But the statement said exit strategies would be "guided by our respective economic fundamentals, consistent with the goal of medium-term fiscal sustainability, price stability and financial stability."
The ministers are meeting this week with central bank chiefs in Vietnam's southern resort of Nha Trang.
Another draft, the "ASEAN Surveillance Report," says the ASEAN economy is expected to grow by about 4.9 percent to 5.6 percent in 2010, against 1.9 percent last year. An earlier draft estimated 2010 growth at 4.5 percent.
A key challenge is to manage the robust capital inflows from foreign investors that have helped support the recovery but could pose a risk by strengthening currencies too much and reducing export competitiveness, the surveillance report says.
POLICY DILEMMA
Leaving stimulus measures in place for too long could fuel inflationary pressures or destabilizing asset bubbles, but pulling the plug too quickly could derail economic growth.
"As economic growth is far from self-sustaining, the fiscal stimulus should continue, though fiscal consolidation measures should also be put in place," the surveillance report says.
Authorities needed to use monetary and exchange rate policy to "minimize the incentives for volatile capital flows and cross-border transactions," it says.
But the group will not be acting in concert on exiting the stimulus policies, Indonesia's deputy central bank governor, Hartadi Sarwono, said.
"I think on G20 cases, it's much more relevant rather than the ASEAN countries, although we have already seen that some countries already changed monetary policy -- Malaysia, China," he told Reuters on the sidelines of the Nha Trang meeting.
He said China's yuan currency did not come up at the meeting.
"No, basically because the currency of the Chinese ... is basically on a global China versus United States, China versus the rest of the others. It's not really ASEAN countries."
The surveillance report noted the "urgency for exiting from stimulus measures is not high, as inflation risk remains benign, debt levels are sustainable, and there is little evidence that private demand is self sustaining."
The report recommends removing credit support before raising interest rates, given that inflation remains mild. Measures to reduce budget deficits could begin when private demand recovers.
The ASEAN ministers and central bank chiefs are also meeting with officials from Japan, China and South Korea in Nha Trang.
Known as "ASEAN + 3," this group is working on a "regional surveillance" unit to provide an early warning of macroeconomic risks and an Asia bond market initiative in a region with high savings rates but undeveloped capital markets.
COMMUNITY VISION
ASEAN has ambitious plans to establish a political and economic community by 2015 and the theme of this year's summit is to translate that "vision into action."
The economic community aims to be a single market and production base with free flow of goods, services, capital investment and skilled labor, while the political community envisions joint foreign policy and security initiatives.
That is much easier said than done in a region with a huge disparity in income and development levels, different political systems, long-standing rivalries and territorial disputes.
Yet, incrementally, the resource-rich region of 584 million people, with a combined gross domestic product of $2.7 trillion, is stitching together the economic community, even if the political and security one is more of a pipe dream at the moment. Myanmar as usual will test ASEAN's political cohesiveness.
The military-ruled nation faces criticism from some members over its new election laws because they prevent political detainees, notably democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, from running in the election, a date for which has yet to be announced.
John Ruwitch - NHA TRANG, Vietnam
Tue Apr 6, 2010 8:35am EDT
NHA TRANG, Vietnam (Reuters) - Southeast Asian leaders will consider ways to unwind emergency stimulus policies without jeopardizing recovery in the fast-growing region at a summit this week in Hanoi, a draft statement says.
But Myanmar, due to hold its first election in two decades, could again test ASEAN's consensus when the group that includes a monarchy, a military dictatorship, communist states and democracies turns to politics at the April 8-9 summit.
Leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations agreed at last year's summit on coordinated policies, including rate cuts, credit support and government spending after their export-oriented economies fell into a sharp but short recession during the global financial crisis.
While most of their economies having jumped back on a fast growth path, the recovery was "fragile" and required "decisive, timely and coordinated" action to maintain momentum, a draft media statement from finance ministers from the 10 ASEAN countries says.
"We will continue to pursue expansionary policies until recovery is secured, but at the same time, we will stand ready to withdraw our fiscal, monetary and financial sector support once private demand has become self-sustained," it said.
But the statement said exit strategies would be "guided by our respective economic fundamentals, consistent with the goal of medium-term fiscal sustainability, price stability and financial stability."
The ministers are meeting this week with central bank chiefs in Vietnam's southern resort of Nha Trang.
Another draft, the "ASEAN Surveillance Report," says the ASEAN economy is expected to grow by about 4.9 percent to 5.6 percent in 2010, against 1.9 percent last year. An earlier draft estimated 2010 growth at 4.5 percent.
A key challenge is to manage the robust capital inflows from foreign investors that have helped support the recovery but could pose a risk by strengthening currencies too much and reducing export competitiveness, the surveillance report says.
POLICY DILEMMA
Leaving stimulus measures in place for too long could fuel inflationary pressures or destabilizing asset bubbles, but pulling the plug too quickly could derail economic growth.
"As economic growth is far from self-sustaining, the fiscal stimulus should continue, though fiscal consolidation measures should also be put in place," the surveillance report says.
Authorities needed to use monetary and exchange rate policy to "minimize the incentives for volatile capital flows and cross-border transactions," it says.
But the group will not be acting in concert on exiting the stimulus policies, Indonesia's deputy central bank governor, Hartadi Sarwono, said.
"I think on G20 cases, it's much more relevant rather than the ASEAN countries, although we have already seen that some countries already changed monetary policy -- Malaysia, China," he told Reuters on the sidelines of the Nha Trang meeting.
He said China's yuan currency did not come up at the meeting.
"No, basically because the currency of the Chinese ... is basically on a global China versus United States, China versus the rest of the others. It's not really ASEAN countries."
The surveillance report noted the "urgency for exiting from stimulus measures is not high, as inflation risk remains benign, debt levels are sustainable, and there is little evidence that private demand is self sustaining."
The report recommends removing credit support before raising interest rates, given that inflation remains mild. Measures to reduce budget deficits could begin when private demand recovers.
The ASEAN ministers and central bank chiefs are also meeting with officials from Japan, China and South Korea in Nha Trang.
Known as "ASEAN + 3," this group is working on a "regional surveillance" unit to provide an early warning of macroeconomic risks and an Asia bond market initiative in a region with high savings rates but undeveloped capital markets.
COMMUNITY VISION
ASEAN has ambitious plans to establish a political and economic community by 2015 and the theme of this year's summit is to translate that "vision into action."
The economic community aims to be a single market and production base with free flow of goods, services, capital investment and skilled labor, while the political community envisions joint foreign policy and security initiatives.
That is much easier said than done in a region with a huge disparity in income and development levels, different political systems, long-standing rivalries and territorial disputes.
Yet, incrementally, the resource-rich region of 584 million people, with a combined gross domestic product of $2.7 trillion, is stitching together the economic community, even if the political and security one is more of a pipe dream at the moment. Myanmar as usual will test ASEAN's political cohesiveness.
The military-ruled nation faces criticism from some members over its new election laws because they prevent political detainees, notably democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, from running in the election, a date for which has yet to be announced.
******************************************************
MYANMAR: Dam construction to displace thousands
06 Apr 2010 14:37:58 GMT
Source: IRIN
TANGHPRE, 6 April 2010 (IRIN) - A dam being built in Myanmar's northern Kachin State will displace more than 15,000 people, activists warn.
According to the Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG), based in Thailand, which has called for a halt to the dam's construction, over 60 villages are being forced to relocate without proper resettlement plans.
Thousands will lose their livelihoods, including farming, fishing and non-timber forest product collection, the group claims.
"The government is going to drive us out of our village," claimed Ma Jar*, a 40-year-old mother of three in Tanghpre, an agricultural village of just over 1,000. Until now she has never struggled to support her family, earning about US$1,500 per year from the djenkol bean trees, a local delicacy in Myanmar, she grows on her land.
Massive project
The Myitsone Dam - a joint effort by Myanmar's military government and the China Power Investment Corporation and the China Southern Power Grid Cooperation – will inundate approximately 766 sqkm of pristine rainforest, creating a reservoir roughly the size of New York City, says International Rivers [see: http://www.internationalrivers.org/] , a NGO based in the US.
Located 1.6km below the confluence of the Mali and N'Mai rivers, the source of the Ayeyarwady River - which bisects the country from north to south and empties into the Andaman Sea - the dam will be the largest of seven proposed along the three rivers.
Construction of the Myitsone Dam began at the end of 2009 and is expected to be completed in 2017. At an expected height of 152m, the dam will be the 15th largest hydroelectric power station in the world, producing 3,600MW of electricity which Myanmar's military government will sell to China, bringing in over $500 million annually.
Running out of time
But with the May deadline to leave their homes approaching, many residents have expressed frustration over the lack of information about how much compensation they will receive and when.
"We have to leave in just over a month. We should have been told by now," complained one.
Officials from the Asia World Company - a Burmese company facilitating the project - are reportedly calculating land size and property values of those affected, although no actual date has been confirmed.
"A flawed compensation process that has no independent oversight or accountability mechanisms is being carried out using intimidation by military authorities," Ah Nan, a KDNG spokeswoman, claims.
To qualify, each land owner must produce a land title; however, in this rural state where armed conflicts have been raging for years, most people inherited their land and do not possess proper deeds, making it unlikely that they will be compensated at all, she says.
At the same time, those who do qualify may find that only building costs will be taken into account, and not the land, while calculations of farm land are based on only rough estimates.
For example, for plantations or orchards, it is assumed that only one tree is planted every 3m, regardless of how many actual trees are planted.
Moreover, villagers are being forced to sign compensation agreements regardless of their accuracy in calculating losses, with someone from the authorities coming to each household to demand their signature, the KDNG reports.
As a result, some residents are rushing to local authorities to receive certification letters attesting to ownership – a process many fear will prove ripe for corruption and bribery.
Meanwhile, those who have viewed the new relocation site where homes are being built near the village of Kyinkanlonkarzwut, between Myitsone and Myitkyina, to accommodate those affected, are not happy.
"The houses are very tiny and in a small compound… It's far short of my expectations," one woman complained, describing her current home as more than double the size of the new home being offered.
Risks and resistance
Some residents have even written to the country's ruling military leader. In October, residents in Tanghpre submitted an open letter to Senior General Than Shwe detailing their opposition and requesting additional surveys to determine the dam's long-term impact.
The dam is less than 100km from a major faultline, posing a risk to basin inhabitants should an earthquake weaken the dam structure or cause landslides in the reservoir. If the dam were to break during an earthquake, thousands would be at risk of flooding in Myikyina, Kachin State's largest city, just 40km downstream, the group warned.
06 Apr 2010 14:37:58 GMT
Source: IRIN
TANGHPRE, 6 April 2010 (IRIN) - A dam being built in Myanmar's northern Kachin State will displace more than 15,000 people, activists warn.
According to the Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG), based in Thailand, which has called for a halt to the dam's construction, over 60 villages are being forced to relocate without proper resettlement plans.
Thousands will lose their livelihoods, including farming, fishing and non-timber forest product collection, the group claims.
"The government is going to drive us out of our village," claimed Ma Jar*, a 40-year-old mother of three in Tanghpre, an agricultural village of just over 1,000. Until now she has never struggled to support her family, earning about US$1,500 per year from the djenkol bean trees, a local delicacy in Myanmar, she grows on her land.
Massive project
The Myitsone Dam - a joint effort by Myanmar's military government and the China Power Investment Corporation and the China Southern Power Grid Cooperation – will inundate approximately 766 sqkm of pristine rainforest, creating a reservoir roughly the size of New York City, says International Rivers [see: http://www.internationalrivers.org/] , a NGO based in the US.
Located 1.6km below the confluence of the Mali and N'Mai rivers, the source of the Ayeyarwady River - which bisects the country from north to south and empties into the Andaman Sea - the dam will be the largest of seven proposed along the three rivers.
Construction of the Myitsone Dam began at the end of 2009 and is expected to be completed in 2017. At an expected height of 152m, the dam will be the 15th largest hydroelectric power station in the world, producing 3,600MW of electricity which Myanmar's military government will sell to China, bringing in over $500 million annually.
Running out of time
But with the May deadline to leave their homes approaching, many residents have expressed frustration over the lack of information about how much compensation they will receive and when.
"We have to leave in just over a month. We should have been told by now," complained one.
Officials from the Asia World Company - a Burmese company facilitating the project - are reportedly calculating land size and property values of those affected, although no actual date has been confirmed.
"A flawed compensation process that has no independent oversight or accountability mechanisms is being carried out using intimidation by military authorities," Ah Nan, a KDNG spokeswoman, claims.
To qualify, each land owner must produce a land title; however, in this rural state where armed conflicts have been raging for years, most people inherited their land and do not possess proper deeds, making it unlikely that they will be compensated at all, she says.
At the same time, those who do qualify may find that only building costs will be taken into account, and not the land, while calculations of farm land are based on only rough estimates.
For example, for plantations or orchards, it is assumed that only one tree is planted every 3m, regardless of how many actual trees are planted.
Moreover, villagers are being forced to sign compensation agreements regardless of their accuracy in calculating losses, with someone from the authorities coming to each household to demand their signature, the KDNG reports.
As a result, some residents are rushing to local authorities to receive certification letters attesting to ownership – a process many fear will prove ripe for corruption and bribery.
Meanwhile, those who have viewed the new relocation site where homes are being built near the village of Kyinkanlonkarzwut, between Myitsone and Myitkyina, to accommodate those affected, are not happy.
"The houses are very tiny and in a small compound… It's far short of my expectations," one woman complained, describing her current home as more than double the size of the new home being offered.
Risks and resistance
Some residents have even written to the country's ruling military leader. In October, residents in Tanghpre submitted an open letter to Senior General Than Shwe detailing their opposition and requesting additional surveys to determine the dam's long-term impact.
The dam is less than 100km from a major faultline, posing a risk to basin inhabitants should an earthquake weaken the dam structure or cause landslides in the reservoir. If the dam were to break during an earthquake, thousands would be at risk of flooding in Myikyina, Kachin State's largest city, just 40km downstream, the group warned.
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Globe and Mail - Myanmar opposition apologizes for failing to achieve democracy
National League for Democracy is boycotting first scheduled elections in two decades
The Associated Press Published on Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2010 9:00AM EDT
Rangoon — The party of detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Tuesday it was sorry it could not bring democracy to the country because of repression by the military government but it will continue its nonviolent struggle.
The National League for Democracy last week decided to boycott the first scheduled elections in two decades. It said the electoral laws imposed by the ruling junta, which would prevent Suu Kyi from taking part, were undemocratic.
In a statement Tuesday, the NLD said its leaders and the party members had sacrificed and worked relentlessly. The party “earnestly apologizes to the people” for its failure to achieve national reconciliation and democracy, due to arrests, repression, harassment and threats by the authorities.
“However, the League will never turn its back to the people or to its struggle for democracy,” the statement said. “We pledge to continue to achieve our goals for democracy through systematic, peaceful and nonviolent means.”
Myanmar, also known as Burma, which has been ruled by its military for 48 years. The government has touted the polls as part of a “road map to democracy.” Critics say the elections are a sham designed to cement the power of the military.
The junta says it will hold the elections this year but has not set a date.
The NLD statement said the electoral laws imposed by the junta for the polls are “unjust' and ”unrealistic.“
The party's refusal to participate is likely to undermine the vote's credibility in the eyes of foreign governments and the United Nations, which have urged the diplomatically isolated junta to ensure all groups take part.
Ms. Suu Kyi's party won the last elections held in Myanmar in 1990 by a landslide but was barred by the military from taking power.
Ms. Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate, has spent 14 of the last 20 years in jail or under house arrest.
National League for Democracy is boycotting first scheduled elections in two decades
The Associated Press Published on Tuesday, Apr. 06, 2010 9:00AM EDT
Rangoon — The party of detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Tuesday it was sorry it could not bring democracy to the country because of repression by the military government but it will continue its nonviolent struggle.
The National League for Democracy last week decided to boycott the first scheduled elections in two decades. It said the electoral laws imposed by the ruling junta, which would prevent Suu Kyi from taking part, were undemocratic.
In a statement Tuesday, the NLD said its leaders and the party members had sacrificed and worked relentlessly. The party “earnestly apologizes to the people” for its failure to achieve national reconciliation and democracy, due to arrests, repression, harassment and threats by the authorities.
“However, the League will never turn its back to the people or to its struggle for democracy,” the statement said. “We pledge to continue to achieve our goals for democracy through systematic, peaceful and nonviolent means.”
Myanmar, also known as Burma, which has been ruled by its military for 48 years. The government has touted the polls as part of a “road map to democracy.” Critics say the elections are a sham designed to cement the power of the military.
The junta says it will hold the elections this year but has not set a date.
The NLD statement said the electoral laws imposed by the junta for the polls are “unjust' and ”unrealistic.“
The party's refusal to participate is likely to undermine the vote's credibility in the eyes of foreign governments and the United Nations, which have urged the diplomatically isolated junta to ensure all groups take part.
Ms. Suu Kyi's party won the last elections held in Myanmar in 1990 by a landslide but was barred by the military from taking power.
Ms. Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate, has spent 14 of the last 20 years in jail or under house arrest.
******************************************************
ASEAN new dispute rule to add pressure on Myanmar
Lilian Budianto , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 04/06/2010 10:19 AM | World
The new ASEAN dispute settlement mechanism will increase the pressure for Myanmar to uphold its human rights commitment ahead of its upcoming election, says a commissioner for the grouping’s rights body.
Rafendi Djamin, Indonesian commissioner for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission for Human Rights, said the dispute settlement mechanism (DSM) was an option Jakarta could resort to when the military junta refused to hold an inclusive election, which includes the opposition party leader.
The dispute settlement mechanism, which will be signed by 10 ASEAN member states in its 16th ASEAN Summit in Vietnam this month, allows members disputing the implementation of the ASEAN Charter to take in a third party to help them solve differences.
The DSM, however, does not rule on sanctions for non-compliance members.
“There have been many negotiations concerning how we should implement the ASEAN Charter, including the establishment of its human rights body and the standard of rights enforcement as mentioned in the Charter,” Rafendi said.
“Members are forced into compromising their standard level because of the differences.
“But with the new DSM, we have more options to push countries, which block the way to move forward in rights enforcement, into obedience mode,” he said.
Rafendi said the credibility of the result of Myanmar’s election could be challenged and taken to DSM level if members found that the junta did not commit to upholding human rights principles as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter.
The new poll regulations issued by the junta has denied a convict to take part in its first election in two decades — a movement observers said would prevent Myanmar opposition party leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running for office.
Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN secretary-general, said there was no certainty about whether Suu Kyi could participate in the election but added the grouping had been increasing efforts to ensure that the elections would be inclusive.
“The issues have been discussed in various forums in ASEAN but it will be interesting to see what the end result is,” said Surin on the sidelines of a symposium on regional conflict at the ASEAN Secretariat on Monday.
“The constitution and legislation are there but we do not have clear indication about how the issue will develop.”
The DSM allows four options to settle disputes arising from different interpretations of the ASEAN Charter implementation.
They are mediation, conciliation, good office and arbitrary measures.
Human rights enforcement is said to be the provision in the Charter that is most susceptible to disputes, considering the different levels of rights enforcement and democratization among the 10 members.
“There are many ways to intervene in ASEAN affairs,” said Jusuf Wanandi, board of director member of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, at the symposium.
“But the question is how willing are we to undergo the intervention? Because mostly it is civil groups, and not so much the government, that is pushing for a reform in Myanmar.”
Lilian Budianto , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 04/06/2010 10:19 AM | World
The new ASEAN dispute settlement mechanism will increase the pressure for Myanmar to uphold its human rights commitment ahead of its upcoming election, says a commissioner for the grouping’s rights body.
Rafendi Djamin, Indonesian commissioner for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission for Human Rights, said the dispute settlement mechanism (DSM) was an option Jakarta could resort to when the military junta refused to hold an inclusive election, which includes the opposition party leader.
The dispute settlement mechanism, which will be signed by 10 ASEAN member states in its 16th ASEAN Summit in Vietnam this month, allows members disputing the implementation of the ASEAN Charter to take in a third party to help them solve differences.
The DSM, however, does not rule on sanctions for non-compliance members.
“There have been many negotiations concerning how we should implement the ASEAN Charter, including the establishment of its human rights body and the standard of rights enforcement as mentioned in the Charter,” Rafendi said.
“Members are forced into compromising their standard level because of the differences.
“But with the new DSM, we have more options to push countries, which block the way to move forward in rights enforcement, into obedience mode,” he said.
Rafendi said the credibility of the result of Myanmar’s election could be challenged and taken to DSM level if members found that the junta did not commit to upholding human rights principles as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter.
The new poll regulations issued by the junta has denied a convict to take part in its first election in two decades — a movement observers said would prevent Myanmar opposition party leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running for office.
Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN secretary-general, said there was no certainty about whether Suu Kyi could participate in the election but added the grouping had been increasing efforts to ensure that the elections would be inclusive.
“The issues have been discussed in various forums in ASEAN but it will be interesting to see what the end result is,” said Surin on the sidelines of a symposium on regional conflict at the ASEAN Secretariat on Monday.
“The constitution and legislation are there but we do not have clear indication about how the issue will develop.”
The DSM allows four options to settle disputes arising from different interpretations of the ASEAN Charter implementation.
They are mediation, conciliation, good office and arbitrary measures.
Human rights enforcement is said to be the provision in the Charter that is most susceptible to disputes, considering the different levels of rights enforcement and democratization among the 10 members.
“There are many ways to intervene in ASEAN affairs,” said Jusuf Wanandi, board of director member of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, at the symposium.
“But the question is how willing are we to undergo the intervention? Because mostly it is civil groups, and not so much the government, that is pushing for a reform in Myanmar.”
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April 07, 2010
The Jakarta Globe - Eyes on Indonesia to Put Pressure on Burma's Human Rights Record
Camelia Pasandaran & Putri Prameshwari
Even if Indonesia could help bring changes to Burma after this week’s summit for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, reforms there would not come easily, political and human rights experts said on Tuesday.
Teuku Rezasyah, an international relations expert from Bandung’s Padjadjaran University, said Indonesia had the opportunity to take the lead and encourage other members of Asean to influence Burma.
“Indonesia’s diplomacy has always used the soft approach, speaking heart-to-heart. Our president should use this summit to push for a democratic government in Burma,” he said, adding that Indonesia was well-respected in Burma.
Leaders of Asean’s 10 member states are scheduled to hold their biennial talks on Thursday and Friday in Hanoi, Vietnam.
A spokesman for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Dino Patti Djalal, said the president would leave for Hanoi today and return on Saturday. Aside from attending the opening ceremony, Yudhoyono is expected to attend working dinners, plenary sessions and an interparliamentary assembly, as well as meetings with other heads of state.
Dino said that Yudhoyono “mainly supports” the seven-step roadmap to democracy as promised by the Burmese government. Although the issue would not be discussed formally at the summit, it might be discussed at a working dinner if Burma brought it up, he added.
Yudhoyono had sent a letter to Sr. Gen. Than Shwe, Dino said, although he declined to go into further detail about what was in it.
Asked whether Indonesia would become involved as an observer in Burma’s polls, which are expected to be held later this year, Dino said the government first wanted to know plans for the elections, which Burma had yet to release as promised.
Rezasyah said that considering the current good relations between Asean countries, including Burma, there was general confidence that the region could influence Burma to take the path to democracy.
But Thant Myint-U, a Burmese human rights expert, said Indonesia should give its assistance at the grassroots level instead of focusing on Burma’s military junta. “There is a lot to be done,” he said, adding that it was time for a broader take on the issue.
Only person-to-person contacts and empowering nongovernmental organizations would lead to democracy, he added.
Other experts were less optimistic. Christopher Roberts, a lecturer in Asian politics and security at the University of Canberra in Australia, said Asean was still divided between conservative governments and those seeking change, such as Indonesia.
Yap Swee Seng, executive director of Forum Asia, an umbrella group for regional human rights organizations, said that unlike many other Asean countries, including Vietnam, rapid economic development and rising education levels had not created a strong middle class in Burma that could help push for democracy.
Hirim, an activist with the Indonesia-based Human Rights Working Group, said that even if Asean supported democracy in Burma, the change would not come easy. “It will not be quick,” she said. “It will take a strong commitment, starting with that from civil societies.”
The Asean summit is expected to produce a joint declaration on the region’s economic recovery and sustainable development, as well as a joint response on climate change.
The Jakarta Globe - Eyes on Indonesia to Put Pressure on Burma's Human Rights Record
Camelia Pasandaran & Putri Prameshwari
Even if Indonesia could help bring changes to Burma after this week’s summit for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, reforms there would not come easily, political and human rights experts said on Tuesday.
Teuku Rezasyah, an international relations expert from Bandung’s Padjadjaran University, said Indonesia had the opportunity to take the lead and encourage other members of Asean to influence Burma.
“Indonesia’s diplomacy has always used the soft approach, speaking heart-to-heart. Our president should use this summit to push for a democratic government in Burma,” he said, adding that Indonesia was well-respected in Burma.
Leaders of Asean’s 10 member states are scheduled to hold their biennial talks on Thursday and Friday in Hanoi, Vietnam.
A spokesman for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Dino Patti Djalal, said the president would leave for Hanoi today and return on Saturday. Aside from attending the opening ceremony, Yudhoyono is expected to attend working dinners, plenary sessions and an interparliamentary assembly, as well as meetings with other heads of state.
Dino said that Yudhoyono “mainly supports” the seven-step roadmap to democracy as promised by the Burmese government. Although the issue would not be discussed formally at the summit, it might be discussed at a working dinner if Burma brought it up, he added.
Yudhoyono had sent a letter to Sr. Gen. Than Shwe, Dino said, although he declined to go into further detail about what was in it.
Asked whether Indonesia would become involved as an observer in Burma’s polls, which are expected to be held later this year, Dino said the government first wanted to know plans for the elections, which Burma had yet to release as promised.
Rezasyah said that considering the current good relations between Asean countries, including Burma, there was general confidence that the region could influence Burma to take the path to democracy.
But Thant Myint-U, a Burmese human rights expert, said Indonesia should give its assistance at the grassroots level instead of focusing on Burma’s military junta. “There is a lot to be done,” he said, adding that it was time for a broader take on the issue.
Only person-to-person contacts and empowering nongovernmental organizations would lead to democracy, he added.
Other experts were less optimistic. Christopher Roberts, a lecturer in Asian politics and security at the University of Canberra in Australia, said Asean was still divided between conservative governments and those seeking change, such as Indonesia.
Yap Swee Seng, executive director of Forum Asia, an umbrella group for regional human rights organizations, said that unlike many other Asean countries, including Vietnam, rapid economic development and rising education levels had not created a strong middle class in Burma that could help push for democracy.
Hirim, an activist with the Indonesia-based Human Rights Working Group, said that even if Asean supported democracy in Burma, the change would not come easy. “It will not be quick,” she said. “It will take a strong commitment, starting with that from civil societies.”
The Asean summit is expected to produce a joint declaration on the region’s economic recovery and sustainable development, as well as a joint response on climate change.
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April 06, 2010 12:05 PM
Myanmar Government To See To Coming Election: Leader
YANGON, April 6 (Bernama) -- Myanmar's second top leader Vice Senior-General Maung Aye has said that the government will see to the coming multi-party general elections this year in accordance with the new constitution, China's Xinhua news agency cited a state-run daily as saying on Tuesday.
Maung Aye, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services and the Army Commander, made the remarks when addressing a graduation parade of army officers in the capital Nay Pyi Taw Monday, said the New Light of Myanmar.
"The government, the people and the Tatmadaw (armed forces) will see to the elections. So, you all have to keep your eyes and ears to potential danger that may be posed with foreign aid," Maung Aye noted.
The government is introducing a political system based on the state's seven-step roadmap as well as the market economy, he stressed.
He charged that in the nationwide referendum to approve the constitution as the 4th step of the roadmap, "internal and external elements attempted to disrupt the referendum by persuading the people not to cast votes or to cast 'no' votes", however, the constitution was approved.
He also called for beef-up of the political, economic and defense strength to ensure sovereignty.
Voiding the result of the 1990 general elections, the SPDC enacted a set of five electoral laws on March 8 to govern the coming elections, the first in two decades, inviting political parties, old or new, to register for taking part in the election.
So far, one old political party, the National Unity Party, and eight newly-formed ones have applied for registration.
However, the National League for Democracy (NLD), one of the former 10 legal political parties, refused to do so and is facing dissolution according to the party registration law.
Myanmar government announced a seven-step roadmap in August 2003 which mainly include the reconvening of the national convention, drafting of new constitution, holding of national referendum on drafted constitution, sponsoring general elections and formation of new civilian government.
Myanmar Government To See To Coming Election: Leader
YANGON, April 6 (Bernama) -- Myanmar's second top leader Vice Senior-General Maung Aye has said that the government will see to the coming multi-party general elections this year in accordance with the new constitution, China's Xinhua news agency cited a state-run daily as saying on Tuesday.
Maung Aye, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services and the Army Commander, made the remarks when addressing a graduation parade of army officers in the capital Nay Pyi Taw Monday, said the New Light of Myanmar.
"The government, the people and the Tatmadaw (armed forces) will see to the elections. So, you all have to keep your eyes and ears to potential danger that may be posed with foreign aid," Maung Aye noted.
The government is introducing a political system based on the state's seven-step roadmap as well as the market economy, he stressed.
He charged that in the nationwide referendum to approve the constitution as the 4th step of the roadmap, "internal and external elements attempted to disrupt the referendum by persuading the people not to cast votes or to cast 'no' votes", however, the constitution was approved.
He also called for beef-up of the political, economic and defense strength to ensure sovereignty.
Voiding the result of the 1990 general elections, the SPDC enacted a set of five electoral laws on March 8 to govern the coming elections, the first in two decades, inviting political parties, old or new, to register for taking part in the election.
So far, one old political party, the National Unity Party, and eight newly-formed ones have applied for registration.
However, the National League for Democracy (NLD), one of the former 10 legal political parties, refused to do so and is facing dissolution according to the party registration law.
Myanmar government announced a seven-step roadmap in August 2003 which mainly include the reconvening of the national convention, drafting of new constitution, holding of national referendum on drafted constitution, sponsoring general elections and formation of new civilian government.
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Tuesday April 6, 2010
Malaysia Star - Myanmar refugees forced to make a living by seeking alms
By ELAN PERUMAL, newsdesk@thestar.com.my
KLANG: They were babies in the arms of their mothers begging in the streets here. Now 40 years on they are on the very same streets themselves plying the trade.
And it looks like this “generational handover” of the trade will continue, as they themselves have their own children either in their arms or running around nearby begging from pedestrians.
Some of the women reportedly get pregnant often, as beggars carrying babies are usually more successful in getting the sympathy of passers-by.
The beggars are from a community of Myanmar refugees who first came here in the 1970s.
Social workers have said three generations are now living here, all of whom have had to resort to begging to make a living.
Malaysia Star - Myanmar refugees forced to make a living by seeking alms
By ELAN PERUMAL, newsdesk@thestar.com.my
KLANG: They were babies in the arms of their mothers begging in the streets here. Now 40 years on they are on the very same streets themselves plying the trade.
And it looks like this “generational handover” of the trade will continue, as they themselves have their own children either in their arms or running around nearby begging from pedestrians.
Some of the women reportedly get pregnant often, as beggars carrying babies are usually more successful in getting the sympathy of passers-by.
The beggars are from a community of Myanmar refugees who first came here in the 1970s.
Social workers have said three generations are now living here, all of whom have had to resort to begging to make a living.
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Inner City Press - On Myanmar, Japan "Disappointed" by Election Law, But Not on Council Agenda
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, April 5 -- Myanmar is not on the UN Security Council's April work plan presented to the Press on Monday by Japan's Yukio Takasu, this month's Council President.
Given the professed interest of Council members the U.S., France, UK as well as Japan, Inner City Press asked Ambassador Takaso what the Council or Japan will do, following the National League for Democracy's decision to boycott this year's election, from which Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners are excluded. Video here, from Minute 36:56, non-verbatim transcript below.
Ambassador Takasu said "we were hoping the general election would be inclusive, meaning that people are entitled to participate. It is up to Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi or some individual to participate or not. But with this legal impediment, it cannot be considered inclusive." Video here, from Minute 38:50.
"We were very disappointed" with the electoral law, Takasu continued, saying this was communicated by Foreign Minister Okada to either senior Secretariat staff, senior Myanmar leaders or both, the former to the latter.
With Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yet to replace former Myanmar envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who left the position in December, some wonder at the UN's and international community's commitment.
Others say that the U.S. Mission to the UN favors leaving interim envoy Vijay Nambiar in place until after the boycotted elections.
Could this be similar to the US's strange acceptance of Sudan's flawed election, on which it has requested a Council briefing this week, while on the ground Scott Gration praises it? And given Japan's initial disinterest in election flaws and violence in Iran, how seriously can we take its commitment to an inclusive and credible election in Myanmar? We'll see, this month. Watch this site.
Non-verbatim transcript by ICP's UnFriends On Myanmar of Ambassador Takasu's response to Inner City Press' Myanmar question:
Takasu ... There is very broad support of the role of the Secretary-General's good offices, and the message that the Secretary-General has been conveying to Myanmar's leaders and government has the full support of all of us. Myanmar has been making progress in democratization ... but now at this moment, this general election, they promised to do it this year. It is an extremely important occasion. So it's not only that it be free and fair ... but it should be inclusive and credible. I think there is broad support for that. What has happened since the publication of the electoral law including this disqualification of certain category of people. ...
It will not be a good basis for an inclusive and credible election. As far as Japan is concerned, we regret very much, because at a very senior level we have been talking very closely and we were hoping that this forthcoming general election would be not only free and fair but inclusive. Inclusive means that at least they are entitled to participate. ... However because of the legal impediment ... I don't think this is inclusive.
We are therefore very disappointed and this disappointment has been communicated very straightly from FM Okada himself, and that was conveyed to the very senior people in the Myanmar leadership. ...
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, April 5 -- Myanmar is not on the UN Security Council's April work plan presented to the Press on Monday by Japan's Yukio Takasu, this month's Council President.
Given the professed interest of Council members the U.S., France, UK as well as Japan, Inner City Press asked Ambassador Takaso what the Council or Japan will do, following the National League for Democracy's decision to boycott this year's election, from which Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners are excluded. Video here, from Minute 36:56, non-verbatim transcript below.
Ambassador Takasu said "we were hoping the general election would be inclusive, meaning that people are entitled to participate. It is up to Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi or some individual to participate or not. But with this legal impediment, it cannot be considered inclusive." Video here, from Minute 38:50.
"We were very disappointed" with the electoral law, Takasu continued, saying this was communicated by Foreign Minister Okada to either senior Secretariat staff, senior Myanmar leaders or both, the former to the latter.
With Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yet to replace former Myanmar envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who left the position in December, some wonder at the UN's and international community's commitment.
Others say that the U.S. Mission to the UN favors leaving interim envoy Vijay Nambiar in place until after the boycotted elections.
Could this be similar to the US's strange acceptance of Sudan's flawed election, on which it has requested a Council briefing this week, while on the ground Scott Gration praises it? And given Japan's initial disinterest in election flaws and violence in Iran, how seriously can we take its commitment to an inclusive and credible election in Myanmar? We'll see, this month. Watch this site.
Non-verbatim transcript by ICP's UnFriends On Myanmar of Ambassador Takasu's response to Inner City Press' Myanmar question:
Takasu ... There is very broad support of the role of the Secretary-General's good offices, and the message that the Secretary-General has been conveying to Myanmar's leaders and government has the full support of all of us. Myanmar has been making progress in democratization ... but now at this moment, this general election, they promised to do it this year. It is an extremely important occasion. So it's not only that it be free and fair ... but it should be inclusive and credible. I think there is broad support for that. What has happened since the publication of the electoral law including this disqualification of certain category of people. ...
It will not be a good basis for an inclusive and credible election. As far as Japan is concerned, we regret very much, because at a very senior level we have been talking very closely and we were hoping that this forthcoming general election would be not only free and fair but inclusive. Inclusive means that at least they are entitled to participate. ... However because of the legal impediment ... I don't think this is inclusive.
We are therefore very disappointed and this disappointment has been communicated very straightly from FM Okada himself, and that was conveyed to the very senior people in the Myanmar leadership. ...
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Bangkok Post - EDITORIAL: An election in name only
Published: 6/04/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Burma's military regime has thrown aside all appearances of democracy and conciliation. Its new election law bans the opposition from participating in the coming polls. It gives special privileges to the military elite and their supporters.
The junta has snuffed out an appeal against the illegal imprisonment of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, and announced airily that she will be locked up for the duration of the election.
For these egregious actions, and for its general violence towards its citizens, Burma's rulers should be ostracised worldwide, and punished if they step outside their country.
Only a Burmese dictatorship could come up with an illogical plan that bars political detainees from the political process. Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Thailand intends to lobby Burmese authorities to make the elections more fair.
Thailand hopes all Burmese can participate, and that the junta will come to its senses regarding the incarceration of Mrs Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
The abhorrent state of politics in Burma is difficult to overstate. Last month the special United Nations envoy charged with investigating the country, said that charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity should be considered. Envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana issued a signed report that the entire Burmese junta, from Senior General Than Shwe on down, was guilty of "systematic violations of human rights".
One must never forget that Burma is, in fact, fully capable of conducting a civilised and democratic election. The army, under some of the very men who still hold power today, permitted free polls and a nationwide vote in 1990. Mrs Suu Kyi was locked up in the immediate lead-up and on polling day, but her National League for Democracy (NLD) won an overwhelming victory.
That election proved that democracy is more than just one day at the polls. The NLD was never permitted to take its place in parliament, the army launched a brutal and often violent crackdown to divide and conquer the election winners, and hundreds were jailed as political prisoners. Having lost the election, the junta simply stayed in power.
It is now trying to make its despotism legitimate with another election. The rules, of course, have changed. The army must win so no anti-military candidates can run, no dissidents can campaign, ward chiefs will keep track of just how each citizen votes.
By the sham constitution, the farcical vote results will mandate that the army must always have a deciding voice in the government. To cap it off, any soldier or member of the regime who may break any political rules or laws will receive amnesty automatically.
This is the election law which caught in Mr Kasit's throat, as it should repel anyone who favours democracy. The election laws forbid participation and bring huge penalties including still more prison time for political dissidents. The regime members, however, are automatically off the hook. This is almost a dictionary definition of tyranny.
The world cannot intervene in the internal affairs of Burma, but every nation and group can display its abhorrence of the Burmese dictatorship. Mrs Suu Kyi, the NLD political party and all non-violent political opponents of the government deserve full support.
Right-thinking people must take sides. They can show support for the opposition and make it clear to the Burmese junta that the election or its result cannot be respected under current circumstances.
Published: 6/04/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Burma's military regime has thrown aside all appearances of democracy and conciliation. Its new election law bans the opposition from participating in the coming polls. It gives special privileges to the military elite and their supporters.
The junta has snuffed out an appeal against the illegal imprisonment of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, and announced airily that she will be locked up for the duration of the election.
For these egregious actions, and for its general violence towards its citizens, Burma's rulers should be ostracised worldwide, and punished if they step outside their country.
Only a Burmese dictatorship could come up with an illogical plan that bars political detainees from the political process. Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Thailand intends to lobby Burmese authorities to make the elections more fair.
Thailand hopes all Burmese can participate, and that the junta will come to its senses regarding the incarceration of Mrs Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
The abhorrent state of politics in Burma is difficult to overstate. Last month the special United Nations envoy charged with investigating the country, said that charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity should be considered. Envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana issued a signed report that the entire Burmese junta, from Senior General Than Shwe on down, was guilty of "systematic violations of human rights".
One must never forget that Burma is, in fact, fully capable of conducting a civilised and democratic election. The army, under some of the very men who still hold power today, permitted free polls and a nationwide vote in 1990. Mrs Suu Kyi was locked up in the immediate lead-up and on polling day, but her National League for Democracy (NLD) won an overwhelming victory.
That election proved that democracy is more than just one day at the polls. The NLD was never permitted to take its place in parliament, the army launched a brutal and often violent crackdown to divide and conquer the election winners, and hundreds were jailed as political prisoners. Having lost the election, the junta simply stayed in power.
It is now trying to make its despotism legitimate with another election. The rules, of course, have changed. The army must win so no anti-military candidates can run, no dissidents can campaign, ward chiefs will keep track of just how each citizen votes.
By the sham constitution, the farcical vote results will mandate that the army must always have a deciding voice in the government. To cap it off, any soldier or member of the regime who may break any political rules or laws will receive amnesty automatically.
This is the election law which caught in Mr Kasit's throat, as it should repel anyone who favours democracy. The election laws forbid participation and bring huge penalties including still more prison time for political dissidents. The regime members, however, are automatically off the hook. This is almost a dictionary definition of tyranny.
The world cannot intervene in the internal affairs of Burma, but every nation and group can display its abhorrence of the Burmese dictatorship. Mrs Suu Kyi, the NLD political party and all non-violent political opponents of the government deserve full support.
Right-thinking people must take sides. They can show support for the opposition and make it clear to the Burmese junta that the election or its result cannot be respected under current circumstances.
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The Nation - China reassures MRC on water use
By Pongphon Sarnsamak,Supalak Ganjanakhundee
Hua Hin - Published on April 6, 2010
China yesterday reassured the Mekong River Commission that its use of the river is governed by care for the environment and full accommodation of the interests of downstream countries.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao told the summit of leaders from the four countries in the lower mekong basin - Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam - that his country follows many measures and acts in strict compliance with prevailing international environmental standards.
China came under heavy criticism for over-utilisation of the Southeast Asia's longest river as its series of hydropower dams are partly blamed for environmental events downstream, notably drought.
"We took many steps on our own initiative to protect the environment and some actions even came at the expense of hydropower development, " Song said in his prepared speech at the summit here.
China cancelled the Mengsong hydropower plant project on the mekong to prevent abnormal downstream water level fluctuations caused by power plant operation, he said.
China plans to build the Ganlanba counter-regulation reservoir, in order not to affect the water temperature of the Mekong, which is called the Lancang while passing through China.
It also set aside 200 million yuan (Bt964 million) for the stratified water intake project in the Nuozhadu hydropower plant construction plan, he said.
"The scientific survey and research has suggested that China's ongoing hydropower development has little impact on the water amount and environment of the mekong and its lower reaches," he said.
Instead, the regulating effect of the water dams can improve navigation conditions and help flood prevention, drought relief and farmland irrigation of the downstream countries, he said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who chaired the summit, praised China's contribution of hydrological data from the Jinghong and Manwan dams in China's southwestern Yunnan province to facilitate drought disaster relief of the downstream countries during this year's dry season.
Such cooperation would bring China closer to the downstream countries and the MRC, paving the way for China to become a full member of the grouping in the near future, he said.
The MRC, which looks after the lower part of the mekong River, expressed its wish to see dialogue partners China and Burma become full members.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh expressed support for China and Burma joining as full members.
Song did not make any comment on the MRC's invitation to be a member but said China would continue to strengthen its dialogue and cooperation with the MRC and jointly contribute to the economic and social development of the region.
The first MRC summit ended with the Hua Hin Declaration to show the commitment of the members to further cooperation through the MRC's strategic plan for 2011-2015.
The next MRC summit will be hosted by Vietnam in 2014.
By Pongphon Sarnsamak,Supalak Ganjanakhundee
Hua Hin - Published on April 6, 2010
China yesterday reassured the Mekong River Commission that its use of the river is governed by care for the environment and full accommodation of the interests of downstream countries.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao told the summit of leaders from the four countries in the lower mekong basin - Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam - that his country follows many measures and acts in strict compliance with prevailing international environmental standards.
China came under heavy criticism for over-utilisation of the Southeast Asia's longest river as its series of hydropower dams are partly blamed for environmental events downstream, notably drought.
"We took many steps on our own initiative to protect the environment and some actions even came at the expense of hydropower development, " Song said in his prepared speech at the summit here.
China cancelled the Mengsong hydropower plant project on the mekong to prevent abnormal downstream water level fluctuations caused by power plant operation, he said.
China plans to build the Ganlanba counter-regulation reservoir, in order not to affect the water temperature of the Mekong, which is called the Lancang while passing through China.
It also set aside 200 million yuan (Bt964 million) for the stratified water intake project in the Nuozhadu hydropower plant construction plan, he said.
"The scientific survey and research has suggested that China's ongoing hydropower development has little impact on the water amount and environment of the mekong and its lower reaches," he said.
Instead, the regulating effect of the water dams can improve navigation conditions and help flood prevention, drought relief and farmland irrigation of the downstream countries, he said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who chaired the summit, praised China's contribution of hydrological data from the Jinghong and Manwan dams in China's southwestern Yunnan province to facilitate drought disaster relief of the downstream countries during this year's dry season.
Such cooperation would bring China closer to the downstream countries and the MRC, paving the way for China to become a full member of the grouping in the near future, he said.
The MRC, which looks after the lower part of the mekong River, expressed its wish to see dialogue partners China and Burma become full members.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh expressed support for China and Burma joining as full members.
Song did not make any comment on the MRC's invitation to be a member but said China would continue to strengthen its dialogue and cooperation with the MRC and jointly contribute to the economic and social development of the region.
The first MRC summit ended with the Hua Hin Declaration to show the commitment of the members to further cooperation through the MRC's strategic plan for 2011-2015.
The next MRC summit will be hosted by Vietnam in 2014.
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The Irrawaddy - Many Won't Vote Without NLD
By KHAING THWE - Tuesday, April 6, 2010
RANGOON––In an Irrawaddy survey involving more than 500 people in Rangoon, nearly half said they do not intend to vote in the upcoming election if the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), does not contest it.
The Irrawaddy recently asked 520 Rangoon residents, both men and women, between the ages of 20 and 70, if they will vote in the election, even without the participation of Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD. Two hundred and fifty-two persons (48 percent) said they did not want to, while 198 persons (38 percent) said they will vote even if the NLD does not participate. The remaining 70 declined to answer or said they had not yet made up their minds.
“I only support the NLD,” said a 54-year-old construction engineer. “I voted for the NLD in the last election in 1990. If the NLD doesn't compete in this year's election, I won't have any party to vote for. I am not going to cast my ballot.”
A 30-year-old woman said that she will not vote in an election without an NLD presence as she knows Suu Kyi's party alone. She said that she does not know any other party and is not interested in them.
“The election will be meaningless without the NLD,” said a student from the Government Technical College. “All other parties contesting the election consist of people favorable to the regime. So, I am not going to vote.”
A majority of those who said they will not vote without the NLD participating thought the party had made the right decision in not registering for the election. Some said they had made the decision not to vote as a means of boycott, because they respect the NLD viewpoint and decision.
“I don't think the election will be successful if many people, like us, do not vote,” said a 28-year-old taxi driver. “People need to join hands and they shouldn't go to the polling station.”
Those who said they will still cast their ballots in the election, with or without NLD participation, had different reasons for doing so, according to our survey.
“As a civil servant I have no choice but to vote. I won't be happy if the NLD doesn't compete in election and I will have to choose another suitable party and vote for it, but not the USDA [Union Solidarity and Development Association],” said a 53-year-old office worker.
He added that the regime will force civil servants and military personnel to vote in the election, and could also arrange to mark their ballots the way it wanted.
“If I don't go to vote, the authorities will get the chance to use my ballot,” a female trader said. “I can't let that happen, so I must vote.”
“We should vote because it is our right,” said a teacher in his 60s. “We must express our opinion. Also, [the election] authorities will convert our votes into theirs if we don't use them. I have thought about this and that's why I believe we should all vote.”
Most of those in favor of voting despite the NLD absence said they do not favor the opposition party decision not to register. Many said that people should vote in the election because during the 2008 constitutional referendum the election authorities had transformed unused ballot papers and advanced voting ballots into “Yes” votes.
A 40-year-old businessman told The Irrawaddy he has yet to think about whether he will cast his ballot in the coming election, as there will be no NLD candidate. He said that he will make his decision based on the political situation at that time.
“The political situation is changing all the time,” said an elderly man. “It will keep changing, so I can't say yet if I am going to vote.”
He said he believes the NLD was right not to register for the election, but that he was also concerned that NLD members would be driven out of politics due to the dissolution of the party, which would be a great loss for the people of Burma.
“The NLD is the party that was elected by the people,” said a retired headmistress. “I don't like the way the NLD members made the decision not to register for the election by themselves. I think they didn't pay attention to public opinion. People want the NLD to contest the election and they will vote for them. The NLD would surely win again if genuine elections were held.”
By KHAING THWE - Tuesday, April 6, 2010
RANGOON––In an Irrawaddy survey involving more than 500 people in Rangoon, nearly half said they do not intend to vote in the upcoming election if the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), does not contest it.
The Irrawaddy recently asked 520 Rangoon residents, both men and women, between the ages of 20 and 70, if they will vote in the election, even without the participation of Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD. Two hundred and fifty-two persons (48 percent) said they did not want to, while 198 persons (38 percent) said they will vote even if the NLD does not participate. The remaining 70 declined to answer or said they had not yet made up their minds.
“I only support the NLD,” said a 54-year-old construction engineer. “I voted for the NLD in the last election in 1990. If the NLD doesn't compete in this year's election, I won't have any party to vote for. I am not going to cast my ballot.”
A 30-year-old woman said that she will not vote in an election without an NLD presence as she knows Suu Kyi's party alone. She said that she does not know any other party and is not interested in them.
“The election will be meaningless without the NLD,” said a student from the Government Technical College. “All other parties contesting the election consist of people favorable to the regime. So, I am not going to vote.”
A majority of those who said they will not vote without the NLD participating thought the party had made the right decision in not registering for the election. Some said they had made the decision not to vote as a means of boycott, because they respect the NLD viewpoint and decision.
“I don't think the election will be successful if many people, like us, do not vote,” said a 28-year-old taxi driver. “People need to join hands and they shouldn't go to the polling station.”
Those who said they will still cast their ballots in the election, with or without NLD participation, had different reasons for doing so, according to our survey.
“As a civil servant I have no choice but to vote. I won't be happy if the NLD doesn't compete in election and I will have to choose another suitable party and vote for it, but not the USDA [Union Solidarity and Development Association],” said a 53-year-old office worker.
He added that the regime will force civil servants and military personnel to vote in the election, and could also arrange to mark their ballots the way it wanted.
“If I don't go to vote, the authorities will get the chance to use my ballot,” a female trader said. “I can't let that happen, so I must vote.”
“We should vote because it is our right,” said a teacher in his 60s. “We must express our opinion. Also, [the election] authorities will convert our votes into theirs if we don't use them. I have thought about this and that's why I believe we should all vote.”
Most of those in favor of voting despite the NLD absence said they do not favor the opposition party decision not to register. Many said that people should vote in the election because during the 2008 constitutional referendum the election authorities had transformed unused ballot papers and advanced voting ballots into “Yes” votes.
A 40-year-old businessman told The Irrawaddy he has yet to think about whether he will cast his ballot in the coming election, as there will be no NLD candidate. He said that he will make his decision based on the political situation at that time.
“The political situation is changing all the time,” said an elderly man. “It will keep changing, so I can't say yet if I am going to vote.”
He said he believes the NLD was right not to register for the election, but that he was also concerned that NLD members would be driven out of politics due to the dissolution of the party, which would be a great loss for the people of Burma.
“The NLD is the party that was elected by the people,” said a retired headmistress. “I don't like the way the NLD members made the decision not to register for the election by themselves. I think they didn't pay attention to public opinion. People want the NLD to contest the election and they will vote for them. The NLD would surely win again if genuine elections were held.”
******************************************************
The Irrawaddy - Burmese PM May Lead Political Party
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Burmese Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein may leave his current post to head the new political wing of the government-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), according to sources in Naypyidaw.
Although Thein Sein reportedly wants to retire and is having heart problems, inside military sources said Snr Gen Than Shwe asked him to remain and head-up the new political party.
Several government sources said Thein Sein has been told to hand over his current house and other state-owned properties to the government. The new election laws forbid political parties and their candidates from using state-owned resources, although there is an exemption for resources officially allotted by the government.
The rumor regarding Thein Sein's future is spreading fast among government servants, dissident circles and observers inside and outside Burma.
Thein Sein, who is known to be a trusted associate of Than Shwe (considered to be the patron of the USDA), was named prime minister in October 2007 and led the National Convention which resulted in the controversial 2008 Constitution. In 2001 he was appointed adjutant-general of the War Office and three years later was promoted to the Secretary-1 in the regime's ruling council.
Sources said two other high ranking officers and trusted aides of Than Shwe are expected to take leading roles in the future civilian government: Gen. Thura Shwe Mann, the joint chief of staff in the armed forces who is considered the junta's No 3 in command, and Maj-Gen Htay Oo, the minister of agriculture and irrigation and secretary-general of the USDA.
The 2008 Constitution grants 25 parliamentary seats to the military. It is not known if Thein Sein, Thura Shwe Mann and Htay Oo will run for the junta-sponsored political party as civilian candidates or be appointed to parliament as military representatives.
Sources say two high level officers close to Than Shwe will not enter the political arena. Lt-Gen Myint Swe, head of the Bureau of Special Operations (5), and Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, chairman of Mandalay Division, will reportedly remain in the military.
The USDA was formed in 1993, and according to official documents has 24 million members, almost half the population of Burma.
USDA members held 633 seats, or 58 percent, at the National Convention convened in 1993 to prepare guidelines for the new constitution. The guidelines were finally approved in 2007 and the Constitution was enacted in 2008.
Opposition group observers say most USDA members are civil servants who were recruited by harassment and intimidation. It also includes teachers, students, business people and political activists.
Many Burmese view the USDA as principally an instrument of the regime that carries out violent acts against opposition activists and civilians. The group has paramilitary members who perform surveillance and search for dissidents in hiding.
USDA members played a key role in the bloody crackdowns during the 2007 uprising and in a deadly attack on Aung San Suu Kyi's motorcade in 2003, in which 100 people were killed.
In November 2005, Htay Oo publicly told USDA members that if necessary the association will be turned into a political party.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Burmese Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein may leave his current post to head the new political wing of the government-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), according to sources in Naypyidaw.
Although Thein Sein reportedly wants to retire and is having heart problems, inside military sources said Snr Gen Than Shwe asked him to remain and head-up the new political party.
Several government sources said Thein Sein has been told to hand over his current house and other state-owned properties to the government. The new election laws forbid political parties and their candidates from using state-owned resources, although there is an exemption for resources officially allotted by the government.
The rumor regarding Thein Sein's future is spreading fast among government servants, dissident circles and observers inside and outside Burma.
Thein Sein, who is known to be a trusted associate of Than Shwe (considered to be the patron of the USDA), was named prime minister in October 2007 and led the National Convention which resulted in the controversial 2008 Constitution. In 2001 he was appointed adjutant-general of the War Office and three years later was promoted to the Secretary-1 in the regime's ruling council.
Sources said two other high ranking officers and trusted aides of Than Shwe are expected to take leading roles in the future civilian government: Gen. Thura Shwe Mann, the joint chief of staff in the armed forces who is considered the junta's No 3 in command, and Maj-Gen Htay Oo, the minister of agriculture and irrigation and secretary-general of the USDA.
The 2008 Constitution grants 25 parliamentary seats to the military. It is not known if Thein Sein, Thura Shwe Mann and Htay Oo will run for the junta-sponsored political party as civilian candidates or be appointed to parliament as military representatives.
Sources say two high level officers close to Than Shwe will not enter the political arena. Lt-Gen Myint Swe, head of the Bureau of Special Operations (5), and Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, chairman of Mandalay Division, will reportedly remain in the military.
The USDA was formed in 1993, and according to official documents has 24 million members, almost half the population of Burma.
USDA members held 633 seats, or 58 percent, at the National Convention convened in 1993 to prepare guidelines for the new constitution. The guidelines were finally approved in 2007 and the Constitution was enacted in 2008.
Opposition group observers say most USDA members are civil servants who were recruited by harassment and intimidation. It also includes teachers, students, business people and political activists.
Many Burmese view the USDA as principally an instrument of the regime that carries out violent acts against opposition activists and civilians. The group has paramilitary members who perform surveillance and search for dissidents in hiding.
USDA members played a key role in the bloody crackdowns during the 2007 uprising and in a deadly attack on Aung San Suu Kyi's motorcade in 2003, in which 100 people were killed.
In November 2005, Htay Oo publicly told USDA members that if necessary the association will be turned into a political party.
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NLD to abide by principles of non-violence
Tuesday, 06 April 2010 22:00 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - The National League for Democracy (NLD) will abide by the principles of non-violence even if the party ceases to exist in keeping with the Burmese junta’s harsh electoral laws, according to Win Tin a senior leader.
“We have decided not to re-register. So, the party may not exist and be forced to go underground. The military regime is propagating a rumour that we may resort to violence. But, we will abide by the principles of non-violence,” Win Tin said.
The NLD will forge ahead with its struggle for democracy peacefully under the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The junta’s electoral laws state the deadline to re-register is May 6. Without re-registration, the party will be automatically dissolved.
Ohn Kyaing, a member of NLD’s information committee, said, “even if the party is dissolved, NLD will not abandon the people and its struggle for democracy. We will be with the people.” He continued “Although we have decided not to re-register, we will fight to the best of our ability by non-violent means. NLD is where self-sacrificing politicians gather.”
“NLD will plunge headlong into social work such as service programmes for HIV patients, social services for Nargis victims among others,” Win Tin said.
NLD will cooperate with all its political allies - experienced politicians, Committee Representing the People’s Parliament (CRPP), ethnic groups and diplomats. NLD will also maintain its contacts with the news media.
Should the NLD be dissolved, to manage the party’s properties, a managing committee was formed on April 5.
Tin Oo, who is presently vice-chair of the party, is the chairman of the committee with 17 members.
After the electoral laws were declared, the junta allowed opening of around 150 of 300 NLD offices in State and Divisions. Among them, the Mandalay office was closed again because the owner of the room was pressurized by the junta.
After the 2003 Depayin attack, NLD offices were closed but NLD members gathered in cafés and monasteries to carry on party activities.
The NLD was formed in the bloody aftermath of the 8888 uprising. In the 1990 parliamentary elections, the party won 392 out of 492 seats, but the junta did not transfer power.
Tuesday, 06 April 2010 22:00 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - The National League for Democracy (NLD) will abide by the principles of non-violence even if the party ceases to exist in keeping with the Burmese junta’s harsh electoral laws, according to Win Tin a senior leader.
“We have decided not to re-register. So, the party may not exist and be forced to go underground. The military regime is propagating a rumour that we may resort to violence. But, we will abide by the principles of non-violence,” Win Tin said.
The NLD will forge ahead with its struggle for democracy peacefully under the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The junta’s electoral laws state the deadline to re-register is May 6. Without re-registration, the party will be automatically dissolved.
Ohn Kyaing, a member of NLD’s information committee, said, “even if the party is dissolved, NLD will not abandon the people and its struggle for democracy. We will be with the people.” He continued “Although we have decided not to re-register, we will fight to the best of our ability by non-violent means. NLD is where self-sacrificing politicians gather.”
“NLD will plunge headlong into social work such as service programmes for HIV patients, social services for Nargis victims among others,” Win Tin said.
NLD will cooperate with all its political allies - experienced politicians, Committee Representing the People’s Parliament (CRPP), ethnic groups and diplomats. NLD will also maintain its contacts with the news media.
Should the NLD be dissolved, to manage the party’s properties, a managing committee was formed on April 5.
Tin Oo, who is presently vice-chair of the party, is the chairman of the committee with 17 members.
After the electoral laws were declared, the junta allowed opening of around 150 of 300 NLD offices in State and Divisions. Among them, the Mandalay office was closed again because the owner of the room was pressurized by the junta.
After the 2003 Depayin attack, NLD offices were closed but NLD members gathered in cafés and monasteries to carry on party activities.
The NLD was formed in the bloody aftermath of the 8888 uprising. In the 1990 parliamentary elections, the party won 392 out of 492 seats, but the junta did not transfer power.
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DVB News - Suu Kyi’s party calls for landmine ban
By KHIN HNIN HTET
Published: 6 April 2010
Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party has called for an end to the use of landmines in Burma following a rise in the number of mine-related deaths.
The party’s spokesperson, Ohn Kyaing, said the call was made because innocent civilians are being killed by landmines used by the Burmese troops and ethnic armed groups.
The majority of casualties occur in eastern Burma’s Karen and Shan states, where the Burmese army has been fighting decades-long conflicts with rebel groups.
“Landmines are used in war times. It is no strange thing that armed personnel involved in the fighting are being hit by landmines,” he said. “However [the NLD] is sad to hear that innocent civilians become victims and live their lives in danger because of leftover landmines.”
He added that if the NLD was given the authority to do so, it would sign an agreement like “many countries in the world…to end use of landmines”.
An International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) report in 2007 said that only Burma and Russia continue to use landmines on an ongoing basis, having not signed the global anti-landmine treaty. An earlier ICBL report in 2003 said that both Italian and US-made landmines were being used by the Burmese army.
The NLD statement was supported by the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament (CRPP) secretary, Aye Thar Aung.
“Landmines are not only being laid in military positions but also in civilian zones such as farmland, hillside cultivations and roads, and this is endangering lives,” he said.
In an effort to block supplies to insurgents, often accused of sheltering in civilian villages, the Burmese army has been known to plant mines along escape routes used by villagers and refugees.
Burma’s eastern Karen state, which borders Thailand, is littered with landmines, the byproduct of a 60-year conflict between the Burmese army and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), both of whom systematically use landmines.
Last week a five-year-old Karen boy was killed and his brother seriously injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded grenade that had been fired close to their village.
The brothers had recently been forced back across the border from Thailand where they had fled to last year after fighting broke out in Karen state. The repatriation by the
Thai army occurred despite warnings from aid groups that conditions in Karen state remained dangerous.
Another area of concern is the Burmese army’s use of civilians as minesweepers; people who are instructed to walk in front of troop patrols to detonate mines. Such practices have led to calls for the ruling junta to be investigated for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
By KHIN HNIN HTET
Published: 6 April 2010
Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party has called for an end to the use of landmines in Burma following a rise in the number of mine-related deaths.
The party’s spokesperson, Ohn Kyaing, said the call was made because innocent civilians are being killed by landmines used by the Burmese troops and ethnic armed groups.
The majority of casualties occur in eastern Burma’s Karen and Shan states, where the Burmese army has been fighting decades-long conflicts with rebel groups.
“Landmines are used in war times. It is no strange thing that armed personnel involved in the fighting are being hit by landmines,” he said. “However [the NLD] is sad to hear that innocent civilians become victims and live their lives in danger because of leftover landmines.”
He added that if the NLD was given the authority to do so, it would sign an agreement like “many countries in the world…to end use of landmines”.
An International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) report in 2007 said that only Burma and Russia continue to use landmines on an ongoing basis, having not signed the global anti-landmine treaty. An earlier ICBL report in 2003 said that both Italian and US-made landmines were being used by the Burmese army.
The NLD statement was supported by the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament (CRPP) secretary, Aye Thar Aung.
“Landmines are not only being laid in military positions but also in civilian zones such as farmland, hillside cultivations and roads, and this is endangering lives,” he said.
In an effort to block supplies to insurgents, often accused of sheltering in civilian villages, the Burmese army has been known to plant mines along escape routes used by villagers and refugees.
Burma’s eastern Karen state, which borders Thailand, is littered with landmines, the byproduct of a 60-year conflict between the Burmese army and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), both of whom systematically use landmines.
Last week a five-year-old Karen boy was killed and his brother seriously injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded grenade that had been fired close to their village.
The brothers had recently been forced back across the border from Thailand where they had fled to last year after fighting broke out in Karen state. The repatriation by the
Thai army occurred despite warnings from aid groups that conditions in Karen state remained dangerous.
Another area of concern is the Burmese army’s use of civilians as minesweepers; people who are instructed to walk in front of troop patrols to detonate mines. Such practices have led to calls for the ruling junta to be investigated for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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DVB News - 100-strong army convoy in Kachin
By AKT
Published: 6 April 2010
Around 100 Burmese army trucks have been spotted close to the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) as tension mounts over its refusal to transform into a border militia.
The convoy was seen close to the Laiza Bhamo-to-Myitkyina highway, apparently bound for the Kachin state capital, Myitkyina, a local resident reported. The KIA headquarters are located in nearby Laiza, which sits close to Burma’s northern border with China.
“The trucks looked like logging trucks and there were artillery guns on each one of them,” he said. “There were roofs on the trucks to cover up what’s inside but since the guns were very big, some parts of them were visible.”
Fears are growing that Kachin state will erupt in violence if the KIA, one of Burma’s principal ceasefire groups, continues to reject proposals to transform into a Border Guard Force (BGF).
Last month it emerged that the Burmese army was giving systematic militia training to civilians in Kachin state as a likely preparatory move towards boosting its presence there. The majority of Kachin state is under KIA control, and the training allegedly targeted ethnic Burman civilians, and not Kachin.
Troop deployments were also seen in a town around 20 kilometers from Laiza, while roadblocks were put in place to cut off supply routes feeding the KIA. The same tactic was yesterday reported to have been used in Burma’s northeastern Wa state to block food reaching the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which is also resisting the transformation.
The deadline for ceasefire groups to transform into Border Guard Forces is 28 April, after which they are likely to be declared illegal organisations by the Burmese junta.
But the majority of Burma’s 18 ceasefire groups have so far resisted the change, which would see them subordinated to the Burmese army and forced to reduce troop numbers.
Any fighting in the north of Burma could draw the ire of China, a strategically key ally for the junta but one that has warned against unrest along the shared border. Heavy fighting between Burmese troops and an ethnic Kokang army last June forced some 37,000 refugees into China, and drew a sharp rebuke from Beijing.
By AKT
Published: 6 April 2010
Around 100 Burmese army trucks have been spotted close to the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) as tension mounts over its refusal to transform into a border militia.
The convoy was seen close to the Laiza Bhamo-to-Myitkyina highway, apparently bound for the Kachin state capital, Myitkyina, a local resident reported. The KIA headquarters are located in nearby Laiza, which sits close to Burma’s northern border with China.
“The trucks looked like logging trucks and there were artillery guns on each one of them,” he said. “There were roofs on the trucks to cover up what’s inside but since the guns were very big, some parts of them were visible.”
Fears are growing that Kachin state will erupt in violence if the KIA, one of Burma’s principal ceasefire groups, continues to reject proposals to transform into a Border Guard Force (BGF).
Last month it emerged that the Burmese army was giving systematic militia training to civilians in Kachin state as a likely preparatory move towards boosting its presence there. The majority of Kachin state is under KIA control, and the training allegedly targeted ethnic Burman civilians, and not Kachin.
Troop deployments were also seen in a town around 20 kilometers from Laiza, while roadblocks were put in place to cut off supply routes feeding the KIA. The same tactic was yesterday reported to have been used in Burma’s northeastern Wa state to block food reaching the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which is also resisting the transformation.
The deadline for ceasefire groups to transform into Border Guard Forces is 28 April, after which they are likely to be declared illegal organisations by the Burmese junta.
But the majority of Burma’s 18 ceasefire groups have so far resisted the change, which would see them subordinated to the Burmese army and forced to reduce troop numbers.
Any fighting in the north of Burma could draw the ire of China, a strategically key ally for the junta but one that has warned against unrest along the shared border. Heavy fighting between Burmese troops and an ethnic Kokang army last June forced some 37,000 refugees into China, and drew a sharp rebuke from Beijing.
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