EU, ASEAN urge 'credible' elections in Myanmar
17 mins ago
MADRID (AFP) – The nations of Southeast Asia and the European Union urged Myanmar to make upcoming elections "credible and transparent" as the EU pressed Yangon to allow a team to visit the country to discuss the polls.
The call came at the end of a one-day ministerial conference in Madrid of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Myanmar, and the 27-nation EU.
The ministers called on Myanmar "to make the forthcoming elections a credible, transparent and inclusive process," they said in a final communique
"They believed that the early release of those under detention would contribute to making the elections more inclusive and help bring about a peaceful political dialogue," they said in apparent reference to detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
A Spanish official earlier said that EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton hopes to finalise agreement with Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win late on Wednesday on an "exploratory mission" of the EU to Yangon to discuss the polls.
The EU said last month it hopes to send a team to Myanmar to discuss the elections, scheduled by the end of November, amid concerns the vote will not be free and fair.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) is boycotting the polls, the first for 20 years, as it would have been forced to oust its iconic leader and recognise the junta's constitution if it had signed up.
Suu Kyi's NLD won the last elections in 1990, but the military junta, in power since 1962, refused to recognise those results.
Since then the Nobel Peace prize winner has spent much of the time under house arrest.
Ashton will make clear to U Nyan Win that "if the Myanmar authorities want a credible political process they have to respect a minimum standard of democracy," Jose Eugenio Salarich, in charge of Asia-Pacific affairs at the Spanish foreign ministry.
The junta in Yangon must include "all political parties -- government parties and opposition parties" and also "release Suu Kyi and other political prisoners," he said.
But he warned that the EU mission would be "very complicated, very delicate" with "no guarantees" that it will be able to see opposition leaders.
Myanmar said earlier this month that it does not want foreign election observers at the polls.
The talks between Ashton and U Nyan Win are scheduled on the sidelines of the EU-ASEAN meeting.
The representatives also discussed tensions on the Korean peninsula, Afghanistan, Iran's nuclear programme, the Middle East peace process, security issues, climate change and the global economic crisis.
"The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to keep markets open, reject protectionism, refrain from raising new barriers to trade and investment," the final communique said.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand and Vietnam.
17 mins ago
MADRID (AFP) – The nations of Southeast Asia and the European Union urged Myanmar to make upcoming elections "credible and transparent" as the EU pressed Yangon to allow a team to visit the country to discuss the polls.
The call came at the end of a one-day ministerial conference in Madrid of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Myanmar, and the 27-nation EU.
The ministers called on Myanmar "to make the forthcoming elections a credible, transparent and inclusive process," they said in a final communique
"They believed that the early release of those under detention would contribute to making the elections more inclusive and help bring about a peaceful political dialogue," they said in apparent reference to detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
A Spanish official earlier said that EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton hopes to finalise agreement with Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win late on Wednesday on an "exploratory mission" of the EU to Yangon to discuss the polls.
The EU said last month it hopes to send a team to Myanmar to discuss the elections, scheduled by the end of November, amid concerns the vote will not be free and fair.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) is boycotting the polls, the first for 20 years, as it would have been forced to oust its iconic leader and recognise the junta's constitution if it had signed up.
Suu Kyi's NLD won the last elections in 1990, but the military junta, in power since 1962, refused to recognise those results.
Since then the Nobel Peace prize winner has spent much of the time under house arrest.
Ashton will make clear to U Nyan Win that "if the Myanmar authorities want a credible political process they have to respect a minimum standard of democracy," Jose Eugenio Salarich, in charge of Asia-Pacific affairs at the Spanish foreign ministry.
The junta in Yangon must include "all political parties -- government parties and opposition parties" and also "release Suu Kyi and other political prisoners," he said.
But he warned that the EU mission would be "very complicated, very delicate" with "no guarantees" that it will be able to see opposition leaders.
Myanmar said earlier this month that it does not want foreign election observers at the polls.
The talks between Ashton and U Nyan Win are scheduled on the sidelines of the EU-ASEAN meeting.
The representatives also discussed tensions on the Korean peninsula, Afghanistan, Iran's nuclear programme, the Middle East peace process, security issues, climate change and the global economic crisis.
"The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to keep markets open, reject protectionism, refrain from raising new barriers to trade and investment," the final communique said.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand and Vietnam.
***************************************************
US senator Webb to return to Myanmar
2 hrs 25 mins ago
YANGON (AFP) – A US senator who secured the release last year of an American jailed for swimming to the home of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi will return to Myanmar for talks with the junta, his office said Wednesday.
Democratic lawmaker Jim Webb, a strong supporter of engaging Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, also plans to visit South Korea and Thailand during his May 29-June 6 trip to Asia.
The visit "comes at a time of great unrest in the region following the North Korean torpedo attack on a South Korean vessel, violent protests in Thailand and provocations from the Burmese regime," his office said in a statement.
Webb became the first US official to meet the Myanmar junta's reclusive leader Than Shwe in August, when he won the release of American John Yettaw, an eccentric Vietnam War veteran who was sentenced to seven years' hard labour.
Yettaw, who suffers from epilepsy and diabetes, said he had intruded on Suu Kyi's house on a "mission from God" to warn about a vision that she would be assassinated, but his actions landed her with another 18 months' house arrest.
Webb met Suu Kyi during his last trip and urged the country's military rulers to free the detained opposition leader.
A Myanmar official said the Virginia senator -- who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs -- was likely to meet Suu Kyi again when
he visits the country from June 3-5.
"He will meet government officials here and is also likely to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi again and also with her party's (former) senior members," said the official, who asked not to be named. "Daw" is a term of respect in Myanmar.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) was forcibly dissolved after refusing to meet a May 6 deadline to re-register as a political party -- a move that would have forced it to expel its own leader.
Suu Kyi has been in jail or under house arrest for most of the past 20 years. The NLD won 1990 elections by a landslide but was prevented by the junta from taking power.
2 hrs 25 mins ago
YANGON (AFP) – A US senator who secured the release last year of an American jailed for swimming to the home of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi will return to Myanmar for talks with the junta, his office said Wednesday.
Democratic lawmaker Jim Webb, a strong supporter of engaging Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, also plans to visit South Korea and Thailand during his May 29-June 6 trip to Asia.
The visit "comes at a time of great unrest in the region following the North Korean torpedo attack on a South Korean vessel, violent protests in Thailand and provocations from the Burmese regime," his office said in a statement.
Webb became the first US official to meet the Myanmar junta's reclusive leader Than Shwe in August, when he won the release of American John Yettaw, an eccentric Vietnam War veteran who was sentenced to seven years' hard labour.
Yettaw, who suffers from epilepsy and diabetes, said he had intruded on Suu Kyi's house on a "mission from God" to warn about a vision that she would be assassinated, but his actions landed her with another 18 months' house arrest.
Webb met Suu Kyi during his last trip and urged the country's military rulers to free the detained opposition leader.
A Myanmar official said the Virginia senator -- who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs -- was likely to meet Suu Kyi again when
he visits the country from June 3-5.
"He will meet government officials here and is also likely to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi again and also with her party's (former) senior members," said the official, who asked not to be named. "Daw" is a term of respect in Myanmar.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) was forcibly dissolved after refusing to meet a May 6 deadline to re-register as a political party -- a move that would have forced it to expel its own leader.
Suu Kyi has been in jail or under house arrest for most of the past 20 years. The NLD won 1990 elections by a landslide but was prevented by the junta from taking power.
***************************************************
China's Wen to meet with Myanmar junta leaders
Wed May 26, 1:44 am ET
BEIJING (AFP) – Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will meet with leaders of Myanmar's junta to discuss energy cooperation and aid to the southeast Asian nation during a visit next week, a top diplomat said Wednesday.
During the June 2-3 visit, Wen will hold talks with reclusive junta chief General Than Shwe, Prime Minister Thein Sein and other top officials, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun told reporters.
"The two countries will sign a number of cooperation documents covering economy, trade, finance, energy, science and technology," Zhang said, without offering specifics.
Last year, bilateral trade between the neighbours reached 2.91 billion dollars, up 10.7 percent year-on-year, as progress was made in joint projects involving energy, transportation and power supply, Zhang said.
China is the isolated state's sole major ally on the diplomatic stage and one of its key trading partners.
Energy-hungry China is an eager buyer of Myanmar's sizeable natural gas reserves and has in the past tried to shield its ruling junta from international sanctions imposed over its poor human rights record.
"We will offer help to Myanmar, to help it grow its economy and improve the well-being of its people," Zhang said.
"We will offer assistance as our ability permits to the national development of Myanmar, particularly in those areas that will benefit the general public, such as transport and education."
Wen's visit to Myanmar will be the final stop of a four-nation tour that will take him to South Korea, Japan and Mongolia starting Friday.
In April, Wen postponed a trip to Myanmar, Brunei and Indonesia due to a huge earthquake in northwestern China that killed more than 2,000 people.
Wed May 26, 1:44 am ET
BEIJING (AFP) – Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will meet with leaders of Myanmar's junta to discuss energy cooperation and aid to the southeast Asian nation during a visit next week, a top diplomat said Wednesday.
During the June 2-3 visit, Wen will hold talks with reclusive junta chief General Than Shwe, Prime Minister Thein Sein and other top officials, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun told reporters.
"The two countries will sign a number of cooperation documents covering economy, trade, finance, energy, science and technology," Zhang said, without offering specifics.
Last year, bilateral trade between the neighbours reached 2.91 billion dollars, up 10.7 percent year-on-year, as progress was made in joint projects involving energy, transportation and power supply, Zhang said.
China is the isolated state's sole major ally on the diplomatic stage and one of its key trading partners.
Energy-hungry China is an eager buyer of Myanmar's sizeable natural gas reserves and has in the past tried to shield its ruling junta from international sanctions imposed over its poor human rights record.
"We will offer help to Myanmar, to help it grow its economy and improve the well-being of its people," Zhang said.
"We will offer assistance as our ability permits to the national development of Myanmar, particularly in those areas that will benefit the general public, such as transport and education."
Wen's visit to Myanmar will be the final stop of a four-nation tour that will take him to South Korea, Japan and Mongolia starting Friday.
In April, Wen postponed a trip to Myanmar, Brunei and Indonesia due to a huge earthquake in northwestern China that killed more than 2,000 people.
***************************************************
EU seeking deal on election mission to Myanmar
26 mins ago
MADRID (AFP) – The European Union is seeking a deal with Myanmar to send a mission to Yangon to discuss the country's upcoming elections, a Spanish official said Wednesday during an EU-ASEAN conference in Madrid.
EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton hopes to "finalise" agreement on an "exploratory" EU mission during talks in the Spanish capital with Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win, said the official, Jose Eugenio Salarich, in charge of Asia-Pacific affairs at the Spanish foreign ministry.
The EU said last month it hopes to send a team to Myanmar to discuss the elections, scheduled by the end of November, amid concerns the vote will not be free and fair.
The National League for Democracy (NLD), party of Myanmar's detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, is boycotting the polls, the first for 20 years, as it would have been forced to oust its iconic leader and recognise the junta's constitution if it had signed up.
Suu Kyi's NLD won the last elections in 1990, but the military junta, in power since 1962, refused to recognise those results.
Since then the Nobel Peace prize winner has spent much of the time under house arrest.
Ashton will make clear to U Nyan Win that "if the Myanmar authorities want a credible political process they have to respect a minimum standard of democracy," Salarich said.
The junta in Yangon must include "all political parties -- government parties and opposition parties" and also "release Suu Kyi and other political prisoners," he said.
But he warned that the EU mission would be "very complicated, very delicate" with "no guarantees" that it will be able to see opposition leaders.
Myanmar said earlier this month that it does not want foreign election observers at the polls.
The talks between Ashton and U Nyan Win are scheduled on the sidelines of a one-day ministerial conference between foreign ministers and senior officials from the 27 EU members and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The global economic crisis, security issues and climate change are also on the agenda.
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, opened the conference with a call for greater cooperation to confront the crisis.
"Our friends in ASEAN are emerging (from the crisis) with less problems than Europe is experiencing, thanks to its dynamism and the general situation in Asia and the Pacific," he told the delegates.
He said EU hopes ASEAN can take "an open and comprehensive attitude to jointly confront the temptations of protectionism, open markets, create a favourable environment for investments and cooperate in efforts the economic and institutional framework at a global financial level."
The ministers are also expected to discuss relations with China, given the role that the Asian giant plays in trade with both the EU and ASEAN.
An ASEAN-China free trade pact came into effect earlier this year, establishing the world's biggest free-trade zone in terms of population, covering nearly two billion consumers.
The European Union is the world's largest market for Chinese exports, but the bloc has voiced concerns about growing protectionism and unequal treatment for European firms in China.
Salarich said the ministers will also discuss the tensions between North and South Korea.
But he said the recent turmoil in Thailand is not on the agenda as it is an "internal situation" in a member country, although the country's representative at the talks, Jitriya Pinthong, deputy permanent secretary of the foreign ministry, may make a statement about it.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand and Vietnam.
26 mins ago
MADRID (AFP) – The European Union is seeking a deal with Myanmar to send a mission to Yangon to discuss the country's upcoming elections, a Spanish official said Wednesday during an EU-ASEAN conference in Madrid.
EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton hopes to "finalise" agreement on an "exploratory" EU mission during talks in the Spanish capital with Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win, said the official, Jose Eugenio Salarich, in charge of Asia-Pacific affairs at the Spanish foreign ministry.
The EU said last month it hopes to send a team to Myanmar to discuss the elections, scheduled by the end of November, amid concerns the vote will not be free and fair.
The National League for Democracy (NLD), party of Myanmar's detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, is boycotting the polls, the first for 20 years, as it would have been forced to oust its iconic leader and recognise the junta's constitution if it had signed up.
Suu Kyi's NLD won the last elections in 1990, but the military junta, in power since 1962, refused to recognise those results.
Since then the Nobel Peace prize winner has spent much of the time under house arrest.
Ashton will make clear to U Nyan Win that "if the Myanmar authorities want a credible political process they have to respect a minimum standard of democracy," Salarich said.
The junta in Yangon must include "all political parties -- government parties and opposition parties" and also "release Suu Kyi and other political prisoners," he said.
But he warned that the EU mission would be "very complicated, very delicate" with "no guarantees" that it will be able to see opposition leaders.
Myanmar said earlier this month that it does not want foreign election observers at the polls.
The talks between Ashton and U Nyan Win are scheduled on the sidelines of a one-day ministerial conference between foreign ministers and senior officials from the 27 EU members and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The global economic crisis, security issues and climate change are also on the agenda.
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, opened the conference with a call for greater cooperation to confront the crisis.
"Our friends in ASEAN are emerging (from the crisis) with less problems than Europe is experiencing, thanks to its dynamism and the general situation in Asia and the Pacific," he told the delegates.
He said EU hopes ASEAN can take "an open and comprehensive attitude to jointly confront the temptations of protectionism, open markets, create a favourable environment for investments and cooperate in efforts the economic and institutional framework at a global financial level."
The ministers are also expected to discuss relations with China, given the role that the Asian giant plays in trade with both the EU and ASEAN.
An ASEAN-China free trade pact came into effect earlier this year, establishing the world's biggest free-trade zone in terms of population, covering nearly two billion consumers.
The European Union is the world's largest market for Chinese exports, but the bloc has voiced concerns about growing protectionism and unequal treatment for European firms in China.
Salarich said the ministers will also discuss the tensions between North and South Korea.
But he said the recent turmoil in Thailand is not on the agenda as it is an "internal situation" in a member country, although the country's representative at the talks, Jitriya Pinthong, deputy permanent secretary of the foreign ministry, may make a statement about it.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand and Vietnam.
***************************************************
Spain: EU pressing to send mission to Myanmar
Wed May 26, 8:22 AM
By The Associated Press
MADRID (AP) - A Spanish official says the European Union wants to send a mission to Myanmar as the country's military rulers prepare its first elections in 20 years.
But the official says the delegation will go only if it has guarantees it will be able to meet with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Spanish Foreign Ministry official for Asian policy, Jose Eugenio Salarich, says EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Myanmar's foreign minister, U Nyan Win, will discuss the proposed trip Wednesday in Madrid, on the sidelines of an EU meeting with ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations.
Elections in Myanmar are scheduled to be held sometime this year.
Wed May 26, 8:22 AM
By The Associated Press
MADRID (AP) - A Spanish official says the European Union wants to send a mission to Myanmar as the country's military rulers prepare its first elections in 20 years.
But the official says the delegation will go only if it has guarantees it will be able to meet with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Spanish Foreign Ministry official for Asian policy, Jose Eugenio Salarich, says EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Myanmar's foreign minister, U Nyan Win, will discuss the proposed trip Wednesday in Madrid, on the sidelines of an EU meeting with ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations.
Elections in Myanmar are scheduled to be held sometime this year.
***************************************************
Strategy Page - China Will Make It All Better
May 26, 2010: Growing Chinese investments in Burma are being threatened by Burmese military operations against ethnic Chinese tribesmen (the United Wa Army) living near the Chinese border. An army offensive last year sent nearly 40,000 Wa refugees into China. The Chinese did not like this, and was not able to control the news (of ethnic Chinese being "oppressed" by Burmese troops). This details got out via the Internet and people texting each other. While that sort of thing is no problem in Burma (which has much tighter censorship than China), the Chinese want the Burmese to calm down. To that end, some senior Chinese officials are going to visit Burma, to work out these problems. China considers Burma a valuable ally and client state. As a political outcast to most of the world, Burma needs this Chinese support. There is an informal ceasefire between the Wa and the Burmese troops, but fighting could break out at any time.
In the north, non-Chinese Karen tribes, that had made a peace deal with the government, are now having second thoughts. Over the last two decades, the government has worked out peace deals with many of the northern tribes (that were never really part of "Burma", but were incorporated in British colonial Burma, which became independent right after World War II.) But these peace deals have not gone well, as there is not a lot of love between the ethnic Burmese and the tribes (who are a mixed bag of ethnicities.) So some factions of the Karen army are resisting the Burmese army once more.
May 15, 2010: A Thai soldier was shot dead by Burmese troops along the border. The killing was the result of a dispute with a group of Burmese soldiers seeking to get two of their number, who had been injured by a landmine, to an aid station. The Thai soldiers were in a boat, and refused the Burmese request to turn around and take the wounded soldiers to the Burmese military camp (and medical care). An argument broke out, and one of the Thai soldiers was shot dead. The river is the border.
May 26, 2010: Growing Chinese investments in Burma are being threatened by Burmese military operations against ethnic Chinese tribesmen (the United Wa Army) living near the Chinese border. An army offensive last year sent nearly 40,000 Wa refugees into China. The Chinese did not like this, and was not able to control the news (of ethnic Chinese being "oppressed" by Burmese troops). This details got out via the Internet and people texting each other. While that sort of thing is no problem in Burma (which has much tighter censorship than China), the Chinese want the Burmese to calm down. To that end, some senior Chinese officials are going to visit Burma, to work out these problems. China considers Burma a valuable ally and client state. As a political outcast to most of the world, Burma needs this Chinese support. There is an informal ceasefire between the Wa and the Burmese troops, but fighting could break out at any time.
In the north, non-Chinese Karen tribes, that had made a peace deal with the government, are now having second thoughts. Over the last two decades, the government has worked out peace deals with many of the northern tribes (that were never really part of "Burma", but were incorporated in British colonial Burma, which became independent right after World War II.) But these peace deals have not gone well, as there is not a lot of love between the ethnic Burmese and the tribes (who are a mixed bag of ethnicities.) So some factions of the Karen army are resisting the Burmese army once more.
May 15, 2010: A Thai soldier was shot dead by Burmese troops along the border. The killing was the result of a dispute with a group of Burmese soldiers seeking to get two of their number, who had been injured by a landmine, to an aid station. The Thai soldiers were in a boat, and refused the Burmese request to turn around and take the wounded soldiers to the Burmese military camp (and medical care). An argument broke out, and one of the Thai soldiers was shot dead. The river is the border.
***************************************************
EarthTimes - Thirty years on, EU and ASEAN seek stronger partnership
Posted : Wed, 26 May 2010 13:19:46 GMT
Madrid - The European Union and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday pledged to upgrade their cooperation in order to support each other's integration efforts and to recover from the global crisis.
"We are both evolving very quickly," Brunei Foreign Minister Mohammed Bolkiah said as foreign ministers from the two blocs marked the 30th anniversary of their official relations at a Madrid meeting.
"Europe and South-East Asia need each other maybe more than ever before," Bolkiah said.
He was referring to the two blocs' reforms to step up regional integration - the EU's Lisbon Treaty and the new ASEAN charter - and the economic crisis.
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos - whose country holds the rotating EU presidency - called on ASEAN to help the EU dismantle trade barriers, boost investments and reform the global financial system.
The meeting was bringing together foreign ministers from seven of the 10 ASEAN countries, with Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia sending lower-level representatives.
Ministers from about 10 of the 27 EU countries were also attending, as well as EU foreign policy director Catherine Ashton.
The agenda of the meeting included this year's elections in Myanmar, the date of which has not yet been set.
The EU is hoping to send a mission to Myanmar to discuss the poll, a Spanish senior diplomat said, explaining that the EU would even be willing to send observers to the elections if they respected democratic standards.
Ashton was expected to stress to Myanmar the need to allow the opposition to contest the elections and to free political prisoners, including opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi, the source explained.
The EU would maintain sanctions against Myanmar while stepping up a dialogue with the regime, because "purely and simply isolating" the country had brought "very few results," the source said.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle commented on the rising tension between South and North Korea, describing the March sinking of a South Korean warship as an "aggressive military act that cannot be justified in any way."
"Of course South Korea has our solidarity," the minister said, calling for an "appropriate and well thought-out" reaction from the international community.
The political turmoil in Thailand was not officially on the agenda, because it was considered an internal Thai matter. However, Bangkok was expected to inform the EU about the situation in the country.
The ministers were due to discuss a large number of issues, among them climate change, terrorism, piracy, nuclear non- proliferation, natural disasters, and EU and ASEAN relations with China.
ASEAN and the EU are each other's third-largest trade partners, according to figures given by Moratinos.
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Posted : Wed, 26 May 2010 13:19:46 GMT
Madrid - The European Union and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday pledged to upgrade their cooperation in order to support each other's integration efforts and to recover from the global crisis.
"We are both evolving very quickly," Brunei Foreign Minister Mohammed Bolkiah said as foreign ministers from the two blocs marked the 30th anniversary of their official relations at a Madrid meeting.
"Europe and South-East Asia need each other maybe more than ever before," Bolkiah said.
He was referring to the two blocs' reforms to step up regional integration - the EU's Lisbon Treaty and the new ASEAN charter - and the economic crisis.
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos - whose country holds the rotating EU presidency - called on ASEAN to help the EU dismantle trade barriers, boost investments and reform the global financial system.
The meeting was bringing together foreign ministers from seven of the 10 ASEAN countries, with Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia sending lower-level representatives.
Ministers from about 10 of the 27 EU countries were also attending, as well as EU foreign policy director Catherine Ashton.
The agenda of the meeting included this year's elections in Myanmar, the date of which has not yet been set.
The EU is hoping to send a mission to Myanmar to discuss the poll, a Spanish senior diplomat said, explaining that the EU would even be willing to send observers to the elections if they respected democratic standards.
Ashton was expected to stress to Myanmar the need to allow the opposition to contest the elections and to free political prisoners, including opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi, the source explained.
The EU would maintain sanctions against Myanmar while stepping up a dialogue with the regime, because "purely and simply isolating" the country had brought "very few results," the source said.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle commented on the rising tension between South and North Korea, describing the March sinking of a South Korean warship as an "aggressive military act that cannot be justified in any way."
"Of course South Korea has our solidarity," the minister said, calling for an "appropriate and well thought-out" reaction from the international community.
The political turmoil in Thailand was not officially on the agenda, because it was considered an internal Thai matter. However, Bangkok was expected to inform the EU about the situation in the country.
The ministers were due to discuss a large number of issues, among them climate change, terrorism, piracy, nuclear non- proliferation, natural disasters, and EU and ASEAN relations with China.
ASEAN and the EU are each other's third-largest trade partners, according to figures given by Moratinos.
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
***************************************************
May 26, 2010 17:24 PM
Myanmar Family Nabbed For Drug Trafficking
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Police recently nabbed five members of a Myanmar family believed to be trafficking in drugs, at a terrace house in Pandan Mewah, Ampang.
Ampang Jaya police chief ACP Abdul Jalil Hassan said in last Sunday's raid at about 8.30am, police arrested a Myanmar couple and their three daughters while relaxing at their home.
"During the raid, police seized 69 small slabs of drug wrapped in black plastic and 25 straw tubes of what was believed to be heroin weighing 162.7gm and worth RM4,000," he told reporters at the district police headquarters Wednesday.
"All the suspects, aged between 15 and 54, have been staying in this country since a year ago and have been involved in selling drugs for the past six months," he said, adding that they were, however, tested negative for drug use.
Abdul Jalil said the drugs seized were meant for sale to other Myanmar migrants (70 per cent) in the Pandan Mewah and Ampang areas and the rest to locals
The suspects are being remanded for seven days from yesterday for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty.
Myanmar Family Nabbed For Drug Trafficking
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Police recently nabbed five members of a Myanmar family believed to be trafficking in drugs, at a terrace house in Pandan Mewah, Ampang.
Ampang Jaya police chief ACP Abdul Jalil Hassan said in last Sunday's raid at about 8.30am, police arrested a Myanmar couple and their three daughters while relaxing at their home.
"During the raid, police seized 69 small slabs of drug wrapped in black plastic and 25 straw tubes of what was believed to be heroin weighing 162.7gm and worth RM4,000," he told reporters at the district police headquarters Wednesday.
"All the suspects, aged between 15 and 54, have been staying in this country since a year ago and have been involved in selling drugs for the past six months," he said, adding that they were, however, tested negative for drug use.
Abdul Jalil said the drugs seized were meant for sale to other Myanmar migrants (70 per cent) in the Pandan Mewah and Ampang areas and the rest to locals
The suspects are being remanded for seven days from yesterday for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty.
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Channel NewsAsia - China PM to meet with Myanmar military leaders
Posted: 26 May 2010 1418 hrs
BEIJING : Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will meet with leaders of Myanmar's military government to discuss energy cooperation and aid to the Aoutheast Asian nation during a visit next week, a top diplomat said Wednesday.
During the June 2-3 visit, Wen will hold talks with reclusive junta chief General Than Shwe, Prime Minister Thein Sein and other top officials, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun told reporters.
"The two countries will sign a number of cooperation documents covering economy, trade, finance, energy, science and technology," Zhang said, without offering specifics.
Last year, bilateral trade between the neighbours reached 2.91 billion dollars, up 10.7 per cent year-on-year, as progress was made in joint projects involving energy, transportation and power supply, Zhang said.
China is the isolated state's sole major ally on the diplomatic stage and one of its key trading partners.
Energy-hungry China is an eager buyer of Myanmar's sizeable natural gas reserves and has in the past tried to shield its ruling junta from international sanctions imposed over its poor human rights record.
"We will offer help to Myanmar, to help it grow its economy and improve the well-being of its people," Zhang said.
"We will offer assistance as our ability permits to the national development of Myanmar, particularly in those areas that will benefit the general public, such as transport and education."
Wen's visit to Myanmar will be the final stop of a four-nation tour that will take him to South Korea, Japan and Mongolia starting Friday.
In April, Wen postponed a trip to Myanmar, Brunei and Indonesia due to a huge earthquake in northwestern China that killed more than 2,000 people.
Posted: 26 May 2010 1418 hrs
BEIJING : Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will meet with leaders of Myanmar's military government to discuss energy cooperation and aid to the Aoutheast Asian nation during a visit next week, a top diplomat said Wednesday.
During the June 2-3 visit, Wen will hold talks with reclusive junta chief General Than Shwe, Prime Minister Thein Sein and other top officials, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun told reporters.
"The two countries will sign a number of cooperation documents covering economy, trade, finance, energy, science and technology," Zhang said, without offering specifics.
Last year, bilateral trade between the neighbours reached 2.91 billion dollars, up 10.7 per cent year-on-year, as progress was made in joint projects involving energy, transportation and power supply, Zhang said.
China is the isolated state's sole major ally on the diplomatic stage and one of its key trading partners.
Energy-hungry China is an eager buyer of Myanmar's sizeable natural gas reserves and has in the past tried to shield its ruling junta from international sanctions imposed over its poor human rights record.
"We will offer help to Myanmar, to help it grow its economy and improve the well-being of its people," Zhang said.
"We will offer assistance as our ability permits to the national development of Myanmar, particularly in those areas that will benefit the general public, such as transport and education."
Wen's visit to Myanmar will be the final stop of a four-nation tour that will take him to South Korea, Japan and Mongolia starting Friday.
In April, Wen postponed a trip to Myanmar, Brunei and Indonesia due to a huge earthquake in northwestern China that killed more than 2,000 people.
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ReliefWeb- Myanmar: Conflict to increase in Burma warns regional group
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Date: 26 May 2010
A regional organisation has warned that Burma's military is escalating violence in the ethnic minority states, ahead of upcoming elections, to be held under a new constitution.
The Alternative ASEAN Network for Burma says so far this year, over 43,000 civilians have been displaced, fleeing into neighbouring Thailand and China.
The network's coordinator Debbie Stothard says the situation will only get worse, as ethnic groups refuse to surrender their weapons.
"The constitution actually deprives the ethnic nationality groups control over their own lands and over natural resources, as well as justice, health and education," she said.
"And that has meant that the different ethnic nationality groups, the main groups, are refusing to surrender control of their armed forces, because that's the only political leverage that they have now."
Ms Stothard says over the past 18 months, there has been a increase in attacks in eastern Burma, targeting civilian communities in the ethnic areas.
"We've seen attacks taking place in Shan State, in Karen State, in Karenni area and in northern Mon State. And it's expected that Kachin State and other parts of the country will also be targeted."
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Date: 26 May 2010
A regional organisation has warned that Burma's military is escalating violence in the ethnic minority states, ahead of upcoming elections, to be held under a new constitution.
The Alternative ASEAN Network for Burma says so far this year, over 43,000 civilians have been displaced, fleeing into neighbouring Thailand and China.
The network's coordinator Debbie Stothard says the situation will only get worse, as ethnic groups refuse to surrender their weapons.
"The constitution actually deprives the ethnic nationality groups control over their own lands and over natural resources, as well as justice, health and education," she said.
"And that has meant that the different ethnic nationality groups, the main groups, are refusing to surrender control of their armed forces, because that's the only political leverage that they have now."
Ms Stothard says over the past 18 months, there has been a increase in attacks in eastern Burma, targeting civilian communities in the ethnic areas.
"We've seen attacks taking place in Shan State, in Karen State, in Karenni area and in northern Mon State. And it's expected that Kachin State and other parts of the country will also be targeted."
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ReliefWeb- Minister Kohout approved humanitarian aid for Burma
Source: Government of the Czech Republic
Date: 26 May 2010
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan Kohout approved granting a humanitarian aid for Burma on May 25, 2010. An amount of 2,5 mil. CZK will be granted through non-governmental organization People In Need. The humanitarian aid is aimed on ensuring of primary healthcare and improving nutrition of people living at borders with Thailand.
Humanitarian situation in Burma is oppressive in the long term. It results both from natural disasters and from complicated political and security situation, in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities at borders of Burma with Thailand, Bangladesh and India in particular. The Czech Republic aims for a systematic help for Burma inhabitants, i.a. through Czech non-governmental organizations working in the area.
Source: Government of the Czech Republic
Date: 26 May 2010
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan Kohout approved granting a humanitarian aid for Burma on May 25, 2010. An amount of 2,5 mil. CZK will be granted through non-governmental organization People In Need. The humanitarian aid is aimed on ensuring of primary healthcare and improving nutrition of people living at borders with Thailand.
Humanitarian situation in Burma is oppressive in the long term. It results both from natural disasters and from complicated political and security situation, in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities at borders of Burma with Thailand, Bangladesh and India in particular. The Czech Republic aims for a systematic help for Burma inhabitants, i.a. through Czech non-governmental organizations working in the area.
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The Irrawaddy - Karen Unity Seminar Calls for UN Probe
By SAW YAN NAING - Wednesday, May 26, 2010
A seminar in eastern Burma attended by more than 100 representatives of 37 Karen organizations has called for a UN investigation of crimes committed in the region by Burmese government troops.
The five-day meeting, the seventh Karen National Unity seminar, also called for greater humanitarian assistance from the UN and the international community for Karen internally displaced people.
Although the Karen National Union (KNU) was represented at the seminar, several splinter groups were absent. They included the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), the KNU/KNLA Peace Council and the Karen Peace Force (KPF).
U Mahn, a Karen elder who is close to the DKBA, said that while he welcomed the seminar's aims : “Unity among Karen people can not prevail without the presence of Karen splinter groups.”
KNU General Secretary Zipporah Sein said: “It is time for all Karen people to reunify. They need to understand that their enemy is the Burmese military regime.”
Zipporah said the KNU planned to send open letters to breakaway groups appealing for unity. The letters would urge Karen splinter groups to realize they are being used as tools of the Burmese regime and to work together with the KNU, she said.
Eh Htoo Soe, joint secretary 2, of the Karen Youth Organization—one of the groups attending the seminar—said: “It will be hard to reach our goal if we are divided.”
Political motivation, understanding and knowledge were required in building unity, he said. Karen ceasefire groups needed to meet the KNU, share their viewpoints and search for solutions.
U Mahn also said he recognized the need for unity, but he remained pessimistic about the chances of achieving it. Meetings such as the Karen National Unity Seminar reached decisions which were then not followed through, he said.
There are seven Karen breakaway groups, which are involved more in border trade and taxation than in politics.
The Karen make up approximately 7 percent of the total Burmese population of approximately 50 million people. They live throughout Pegu, Rangoon, Irrawaddy divisions and in Karen and Mon States. Large number of Karen people also live in Thailand.
The KNU was founded in 1947 and has been fighting since then for autonomy. It lost many fighters when breakaway members formed the DKBA in 1995.
After signing a unilateral ceasefire with the Burmese regime, the DKBA staged daring attacks on Karen villagers in Karen State as well as on several Karen refugee camps along the Thai-Burmese border with the help of Burmese troops.
In 1997-98, Huay Kaloke refugee camp, about 10 km (6 miles) from Mae Sot, was attacked and burned down by DKBA soldiers.
The DKBA was also suspected of involvement in the assassination of the respected Karen leader Mahn Sha, who was gunned down in Mae Sot in February 2008.
An elderly Karen pastor in Rangoon said: “We are very sad when we hear of Karen people fighting and killing each other. We pray always for peace and unity among Karen people.”
By SAW YAN NAING - Wednesday, May 26, 2010
A seminar in eastern Burma attended by more than 100 representatives of 37 Karen organizations has called for a UN investigation of crimes committed in the region by Burmese government troops.
The five-day meeting, the seventh Karen National Unity seminar, also called for greater humanitarian assistance from the UN and the international community for Karen internally displaced people.
Although the Karen National Union (KNU) was represented at the seminar, several splinter groups were absent. They included the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), the KNU/KNLA Peace Council and the Karen Peace Force (KPF).
U Mahn, a Karen elder who is close to the DKBA, said that while he welcomed the seminar's aims : “Unity among Karen people can not prevail without the presence of Karen splinter groups.”
KNU General Secretary Zipporah Sein said: “It is time for all Karen people to reunify. They need to understand that their enemy is the Burmese military regime.”
Zipporah said the KNU planned to send open letters to breakaway groups appealing for unity. The letters would urge Karen splinter groups to realize they are being used as tools of the Burmese regime and to work together with the KNU, she said.
Eh Htoo Soe, joint secretary 2, of the Karen Youth Organization—one of the groups attending the seminar—said: “It will be hard to reach our goal if we are divided.”
Political motivation, understanding and knowledge were required in building unity, he said. Karen ceasefire groups needed to meet the KNU, share their viewpoints and search for solutions.
U Mahn also said he recognized the need for unity, but he remained pessimistic about the chances of achieving it. Meetings such as the Karen National Unity Seminar reached decisions which were then not followed through, he said.
There are seven Karen breakaway groups, which are involved more in border trade and taxation than in politics.
The Karen make up approximately 7 percent of the total Burmese population of approximately 50 million people. They live throughout Pegu, Rangoon, Irrawaddy divisions and in Karen and Mon States. Large number of Karen people also live in Thailand.
The KNU was founded in 1947 and has been fighting since then for autonomy. It lost many fighters when breakaway members formed the DKBA in 1995.
After signing a unilateral ceasefire with the Burmese regime, the DKBA staged daring attacks on Karen villagers in Karen State as well as on several Karen refugee camps along the Thai-Burmese border with the help of Burmese troops.
In 1997-98, Huay Kaloke refugee camp, about 10 km (6 miles) from Mae Sot, was attacked and burned down by DKBA soldiers.
The DKBA was also suspected of involvement in the assassination of the respected Karen leader Mahn Sha, who was gunned down in Mae Sot in February 2008.
An elderly Karen pastor in Rangoon said: “We are very sad when we hear of Karen people fighting and killing each other. We pray always for peace and unity among Karen people.”
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The Irrawaddy - USDP Handing Out 'Incentives' in Shan State
By KYAW THEIN KHA - Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is canvassing for votes and passing out “incentives” in townships and villages in Northern Shan State, local sources said on Wednesday.
“The USDP members are canvassing in the villages in Namhsang Township. They choose organizers in each village and ask them to tell people to vote for the USDP,” a source in Namhsang told The Irrawaddy.
Khun Pont, a senior USDP member in Namhsang, and other members reportedly have been canvassing in the townships and villages in the area since April, sources said.
Similarly, USDP members are canvassing villagers in the Nanhkan Township area, according to a villager in Mansat in Nanhkan Township, who asked to remain anonymous.
“The authorities brought USDP application forms to us last week. They came yesterday and collected the forms and took photographs of us,” said the source.
“It's not possible to canvass everybody with money,” said a source in Mansak village. “We don't know where the USDP gets its money from.”
“They gave incentives to canvass organizers in the villages, and said that the USDP will back them up with a computer, mobile phones and transportation fees if they bring people to the polling stations who will vote for the USDP,” he said.
One villager said that the USDP membership card was being used as an incentive. “If we become USDP members, they say we will be given money, and those who don't have a national identification card can easily travel across the country,” said one source.
The source said it was unclear if the USDP would give out incentives before the election or after.
Canvassing for votes by using local village authorities is illegal, according to Aung Thein, a prominent lawyer in Rangoon.
“Using the power of village authorities means that the USDP is violating the election laws,” said Aung Thein. “But, as they [the USDP] are acting like an elected party, nobody dares complain about their activities.”
In Yanangyaung Township in Magway Division, a USDP membership fee is 1, 000 kyat (US $1) and 500 kyat for a photograph, according to a source in Yanangyaung.
The USDP was founded by key junta leaders who are also members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), which was created by the government in 1993 as a civic and social organization.
On April 29, Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein and 26 military leaders registered the USDP as a political party. Observers say the government ministers have violated the election laws because they failed to resign their administrative posts in the government.
Article 4 of Political Party Registration Law bars a government official from forming a political party.
By KYAW THEIN KHA - Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is canvassing for votes and passing out “incentives” in townships and villages in Northern Shan State, local sources said on Wednesday.
“The USDP members are canvassing in the villages in Namhsang Township. They choose organizers in each village and ask them to tell people to vote for the USDP,” a source in Namhsang told The Irrawaddy.
Khun Pont, a senior USDP member in Namhsang, and other members reportedly have been canvassing in the townships and villages in the area since April, sources said.
Similarly, USDP members are canvassing villagers in the Nanhkan Township area, according to a villager in Mansat in Nanhkan Township, who asked to remain anonymous.
“The authorities brought USDP application forms to us last week. They came yesterday and collected the forms and took photographs of us,” said the source.
“It's not possible to canvass everybody with money,” said a source in Mansak village. “We don't know where the USDP gets its money from.”
“They gave incentives to canvass organizers in the villages, and said that the USDP will back them up with a computer, mobile phones and transportation fees if they bring people to the polling stations who will vote for the USDP,” he said.
One villager said that the USDP membership card was being used as an incentive. “If we become USDP members, they say we will be given money, and those who don't have a national identification card can easily travel across the country,” said one source.
The source said it was unclear if the USDP would give out incentives before the election or after.
Canvassing for votes by using local village authorities is illegal, according to Aung Thein, a prominent lawyer in Rangoon.
“Using the power of village authorities means that the USDP is violating the election laws,” said Aung Thein. “But, as they [the USDP] are acting like an elected party, nobody dares complain about their activities.”
In Yanangyaung Township in Magway Division, a USDP membership fee is 1, 000 kyat (US $1) and 500 kyat for a photograph, according to a source in Yanangyaung.
The USDP was founded by key junta leaders who are also members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), which was created by the government in 1993 as a civic and social organization.
On April 29, Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein and 26 military leaders registered the USDP as a political party. Observers say the government ministers have violated the election laws because they failed to resign their administrative posts in the government.
Article 4 of Political Party Registration Law bars a government official from forming a political party.
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Monks and students urge poll boycott
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 16:20 Kyaw Kha
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Clandestine monk and student organisations yesterday urged the people of Burma yesterday to boycott this year’s general elections to prevent activation of the junta’s controversial 2008 constitution.
People were also urged in the join statement issued by the All Burma Monks’ Alliance (ABMA), the 88-Generation Students and All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) to make votes null and void if they were forced to cast their votes.
As per the electoral laws, the election will be valid only if 51 per cent of eligible voters cast their votes.
“We shall make this election void by increasing the numbers of uncast votes and void votes,” 88-Generation student leader Tun Myint Aung, who has been on the run from the junta since the August 2007 uprisings, told Mizzima from his hideout. “In this way the regime will not get the legitimacy for its rule which it so badly needs.”
In collaboration with students, youths, monks across the country, the groups were planning to secretly distribute leaflets and CDs among the public, urging them to boycott the upcoming general election, he said.
It is estimated that there are more than 27 million eligible voters out of total population of more than 57 million (in 2008).
Political observers predict the general election will be held by the junta in either October or November this year.
The 2008 Constitution negates the need for military candidates to contest the election as 25 per cent of seats are reserved for armed forces personnel in all legislative bodies; the People’s Parliament (lower house), National Parliament (upper house) and People’s Assemblies in states and regions (local legislatures).
The parties that won the 1990 general election, which included the National League for Democracy (NLD) and those of ethnic groups, demanded revision of the constitution first and have refused to contest in this year’s election.
“The effectiveness of our boycott campaign will depend on our effort and acceptance by the people and the feasibility of doing this job”, ABFSU spokesman Zar Ni said.
Critics of this election speculated that the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) led by current Prime Minister Thein Sein would contest in all constituencies across the country. The government disclosed that the membership strength of the party’s pro-junta umbrella organisation, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), stood at more than 24 million. But it has not yet disclosed the total membership of the USDP.
“I dare say they will get less votes than they expected when the election is actually held”, ABMA spokesman U Awbartha told Mizzima confidently.
The abbot said the groups would continue their campaign until the election was rendered null and void.
Exile opposition group Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB) general secretary Dr. Naing Aung said that if more than 50 per cent of eligible voters boycotted the polls it would be an interesting turnout.
“It is crucial to have enough courage to speak out about our dislikes. They [the junta and pro-junta parties] will do their work of lying to the people and on the other hand the people have to do their own work to boycott the election and keep themselves aware of the electoral process,” he said. “But not simply the commitment to not vote, they must express their commitment to others even before voting.”
“Then they [the people] can expose [the junta’s] vote-rigging when the votes are being counted. We will try our hardest to achieve this mission and we need the co-operation of the people in accomplishing our work”, Dr. Naing Aung said.
NLD party led by Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory with more than 80 per cent of total seats in the 1990 general election but the military regime refused to transfer power to the winning party.
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 16:20 Kyaw Kha
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Clandestine monk and student organisations yesterday urged the people of Burma yesterday to boycott this year’s general elections to prevent activation of the junta’s controversial 2008 constitution.
People were also urged in the join statement issued by the All Burma Monks’ Alliance (ABMA), the 88-Generation Students and All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) to make votes null and void if they were forced to cast their votes.
As per the electoral laws, the election will be valid only if 51 per cent of eligible voters cast their votes.
“We shall make this election void by increasing the numbers of uncast votes and void votes,” 88-Generation student leader Tun Myint Aung, who has been on the run from the junta since the August 2007 uprisings, told Mizzima from his hideout. “In this way the regime will not get the legitimacy for its rule which it so badly needs.”
In collaboration with students, youths, monks across the country, the groups were planning to secretly distribute leaflets and CDs among the public, urging them to boycott the upcoming general election, he said.
It is estimated that there are more than 27 million eligible voters out of total population of more than 57 million (in 2008).
Political observers predict the general election will be held by the junta in either October or November this year.
The 2008 Constitution negates the need for military candidates to contest the election as 25 per cent of seats are reserved for armed forces personnel in all legislative bodies; the People’s Parliament (lower house), National Parliament (upper house) and People’s Assemblies in states and regions (local legislatures).
The parties that won the 1990 general election, which included the National League for Democracy (NLD) and those of ethnic groups, demanded revision of the constitution first and have refused to contest in this year’s election.
“The effectiveness of our boycott campaign will depend on our effort and acceptance by the people and the feasibility of doing this job”, ABFSU spokesman Zar Ni said.
Critics of this election speculated that the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) led by current Prime Minister Thein Sein would contest in all constituencies across the country. The government disclosed that the membership strength of the party’s pro-junta umbrella organisation, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), stood at more than 24 million. But it has not yet disclosed the total membership of the USDP.
“I dare say they will get less votes than they expected when the election is actually held”, ABMA spokesman U Awbartha told Mizzima confidently.
The abbot said the groups would continue their campaign until the election was rendered null and void.
Exile opposition group Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB) general secretary Dr. Naing Aung said that if more than 50 per cent of eligible voters boycotted the polls it would be an interesting turnout.
“It is crucial to have enough courage to speak out about our dislikes. They [the junta and pro-junta parties] will do their work of lying to the people and on the other hand the people have to do their own work to boycott the election and keep themselves aware of the electoral process,” he said. “But not simply the commitment to not vote, they must express their commitment to others even before voting.”
“Then they [the people] can expose [the junta’s] vote-rigging when the votes are being counted. We will try our hardest to achieve this mission and we need the co-operation of the people in accomplishing our work”, Dr. Naing Aung said.
NLD party led by Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory with more than 80 per cent of total seats in the 1990 general election but the military regime refused to transfer power to the winning party.
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70 youths held over dam blasts, Kachin group says
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 14:59 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – More than 70 youth activists have been arrested in a two-day sweep by authorities in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, in the wake of the Myitsone dam project site bombings, a Kachin social network group said.
In the first group, more than 20 youths were arrested and in the second, more than 50 arrested, on Sunday and Monday, the Kachin Democratic Network Group (KDNG), a pressure group based on the Sino-Burmese border protesting against the dam project said, citing local authorities.
Most of those held are members of the Education and Economic Development for Youth (EEDY), the youth wing of the biggest Kachin ethnic ceasefire group, the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO).
The military regime had not yet disclosed the reason for the recent arrests but Kachin organisations believed the goal was to question those detained over possible involvement in the blasts.
At least 10 bombs exploded leaving one Chinese worker injured on April 17 at the Myitsone hydropower dam project site near the May Kha-Mali Kha river confluence, the headwaters of the Irrawaddy River.
A KIO officer said many people had already been arrested in connection with these blasts and some had been released.
KIO secretary Dr. La Ja had visited the junta’s northern command headquarters in Myitkyina and met Command chief Major General Soe Win on May 19, demanding the release of all detained Kachin students.
“We told him to release these students if they are innocent or if they were connected with the blasts to let us meet them,” a KIO officer said. “We also demanded they be allowed access to defence counsel.”
“We told them to let these students face trial in accordance with the law and not to [continue to] detain them without trial”, the KIO officer said.
KIO formed the EEDY in 2003 based on ethnic interests under the command and supervision of Colonel Gwan Mau. Basic military training had been given to members in seven intakes of recruits and more than 2,000 had completed the course, a KIO source said.
Opposition groups have criticised the arrests over the dam bombings by unknown perpetrators as a pretext for pressure tactics against the KIO, which continues to reject the junta’s offer of bringing its troops into the Border Guard Force (BGF) under Burmese army command.
The controversial Myitsone hydropower dam project was started in early 2007 under a deal between the Chinese and Burmese governments. Construction of the massive dam three kilometres downstream from the May Kha-Mali Kha river confluence led to the forced relocation of 15,000 residents from at least 60 villages.
The project is being built by the junta’s Ministry of Industry No. 1 in association with junta crony company, Asia World, and the China Power Investment Corporation, one of the five largest state-run power producers. The 3,600 Megawatts electricity generated will be sold to supply China’s Yunnan province.
Local residents and environmentalists are protesting against the project over heritage, wildlife, ecological and seismic concerns. The site lies less than 100 kilometres from the Sagaing fault line, posing a risk to basin inhabitants if an earthquake weakens the structure or causes landslides in the reservoir. If the dam broke during a quake, it would endanger hundred of thousands of people downstream in Myitkyina.
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 14:59 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – More than 70 youth activists have been arrested in a two-day sweep by authorities in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, in the wake of the Myitsone dam project site bombings, a Kachin social network group said.
In the first group, more than 20 youths were arrested and in the second, more than 50 arrested, on Sunday and Monday, the Kachin Democratic Network Group (KDNG), a pressure group based on the Sino-Burmese border protesting against the dam project said, citing local authorities.
Most of those held are members of the Education and Economic Development for Youth (EEDY), the youth wing of the biggest Kachin ethnic ceasefire group, the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO).
The military regime had not yet disclosed the reason for the recent arrests but Kachin organisations believed the goal was to question those detained over possible involvement in the blasts.
At least 10 bombs exploded leaving one Chinese worker injured on April 17 at the Myitsone hydropower dam project site near the May Kha-Mali Kha river confluence, the headwaters of the Irrawaddy River.
A KIO officer said many people had already been arrested in connection with these blasts and some had been released.
KIO secretary Dr. La Ja had visited the junta’s northern command headquarters in Myitkyina and met Command chief Major General Soe Win on May 19, demanding the release of all detained Kachin students.
“We told him to release these students if they are innocent or if they were connected with the blasts to let us meet them,” a KIO officer said. “We also demanded they be allowed access to defence counsel.”
“We told them to let these students face trial in accordance with the law and not to [continue to] detain them without trial”, the KIO officer said.
KIO formed the EEDY in 2003 based on ethnic interests under the command and supervision of Colonel Gwan Mau. Basic military training had been given to members in seven intakes of recruits and more than 2,000 had completed the course, a KIO source said.
Opposition groups have criticised the arrests over the dam bombings by unknown perpetrators as a pretext for pressure tactics against the KIO, which continues to reject the junta’s offer of bringing its troops into the Border Guard Force (BGF) under Burmese army command.
The controversial Myitsone hydropower dam project was started in early 2007 under a deal between the Chinese and Burmese governments. Construction of the massive dam three kilometres downstream from the May Kha-Mali Kha river confluence led to the forced relocation of 15,000 residents from at least 60 villages.
The project is being built by the junta’s Ministry of Industry No. 1 in association with junta crony company, Asia World, and the China Power Investment Corporation, one of the five largest state-run power producers. The 3,600 Megawatts electricity generated will be sold to supply China’s Yunnan province.
Local residents and environmentalists are protesting against the project over heritage, wildlife, ecological and seismic concerns. The site lies less than 100 kilometres from the Sagaing fault line, posing a risk to basin inhabitants if an earthquake weakens the structure or causes landslides in the reservoir. If the dam broke during a quake, it would endanger hundred of thousands of people downstream in Myitkyina.
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