China's Premier Wen Jiabao visits Myanmar
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao begins official 2-day visit to Myanmar
On Wednesday June 2, 2010, 11:15 am EDT
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- Premier Wen Jiabao arrived Wednesday in military-ruled Myanmar for a two-day official visit, the first by such a high-ranking Chinese figure in almost a decade.
Wen is scheduled to meet junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe, Prime Minister Thein Sein and other top leaders Thursday in Naypyitaw, the country's capital. The visit wraps up Wen's four-nation Asia tour after previous stops in South Korea, Japan and Mongolia.
China is Myanmar's main ally, giving diplomatic and economic support. Myanmar is shunned by the West because of its poor human rights record and failure to hand over power to a democratically elected government.
The trip comes at a politically sensitive time as the ruling generals prepare for elections being boycotted by the party of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The polls are part of the government's "roadmap to democracy," which critics have dismissed as a sham. They say the military, which has been in power since 1962, shows little sign of relinquishing control, and note the government has made every effort to prevent Suu Kyi from taking part.
Wen will sign a trade package that will strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, according to China's state Xinhua News Agency, quoting Chinese ambassador to Myanmar Ye Dabo.
Ye said China wanted to expand cooperation in hydropower, energy, mining, communications, fisheries, manufacturing and infrastructure.
China is now Myanmar's third largest trading partner and investor after Thailand and Singapore, with bilateral trade totaling $2.907 billion in 2009. Up to January 2010, China had invested $1.848 billion in Myanmar, or 11.5 percent of Myanmar's total foreign direct investment.
China's then-President Jiang Zemin visited Myanmar in December 2001, and then-Premier Li Peng came in 1994.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao begins official 2-day visit to Myanmar
On Wednesday June 2, 2010, 11:15 am EDT
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- Premier Wen Jiabao arrived Wednesday in military-ruled Myanmar for a two-day official visit, the first by such a high-ranking Chinese figure in almost a decade.
Wen is scheduled to meet junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe, Prime Minister Thein Sein and other top leaders Thursday in Naypyitaw, the country's capital. The visit wraps up Wen's four-nation Asia tour after previous stops in South Korea, Japan and Mongolia.
China is Myanmar's main ally, giving diplomatic and economic support. Myanmar is shunned by the West because of its poor human rights record and failure to hand over power to a democratically elected government.
The trip comes at a politically sensitive time as the ruling generals prepare for elections being boycotted by the party of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The polls are part of the government's "roadmap to democracy," which critics have dismissed as a sham. They say the military, which has been in power since 1962, shows little sign of relinquishing control, and note the government has made every effort to prevent Suu Kyi from taking part.
Wen will sign a trade package that will strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, according to China's state Xinhua News Agency, quoting Chinese ambassador to Myanmar Ye Dabo.
Ye said China wanted to expand cooperation in hydropower, energy, mining, communications, fisheries, manufacturing and infrastructure.
China is now Myanmar's third largest trading partner and investor after Thailand and Singapore, with bilateral trade totaling $2.907 billion in 2009. Up to January 2010, China had invested $1.848 billion in Myanmar, or 11.5 percent of Myanmar's total foreign direct investment.
China's then-President Jiang Zemin visited Myanmar in December 2001, and then-Premier Li Peng came in 1994.
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AsiaOne News - China, Myanmar to shore up 'marriage of convenience'
Wed, Jun 02, 2010
AFP
BANGKOK - Myanmar will roll out the red carpet for the Chinese premier this week as relations between the two allies, seen as a "marriage of convenience" at the best of times, go through a rocky patch.
Prime Minister Wen Jiabao heads to the military-ruled country Wednesday for a two-day visit that comes against a backdrop of shifting relations between the neighbours, and ahead of Myanmar's first elections in two decades.
It is the first visit by a Chinese premier since 1994.
The Asian economic powerhouse has long helped keep Myanmar afloat through trade ties, arms sales, and by shielding it from UN sanctions over rights abuses as a veto-wielding, permanent member of the Security Council.
In return, China is assured of a stable neighbour and gets access to natural resources from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
"It's always been a marriage of convenience," said Professor Ian Holliday, a Myanmar expert at the University of Hong Kong.
"The generals in Myanmar need some sort of international support in the Security Council. China needs access to natural resources inside Burma. It also needs transportation across Burma for oil and gas."
Energy-hungry China is the junta's key ally and trade partner, and an eager investor in the isolated state's sizeable natural resources. In November its top oil producer began construction of a pipeline across Myanmar.
But ties between the two countries frayed last year when fighting between Myanmar's isolated ruling junta and rebel ethnic armies in the remote northeast drove tens of thousands of refugees into China.
China issued a rare admonishment to Myanmar, urging it to resolve the conflict that broke out in Kokang, a mainly ethnic Chinese region of Myanmar's Shan state.
"You can see a shift in the Chinese policy on Burma because of the border instability," said Win Min, a Burmese academic at Chiang Mai University in northern Thailand.
"It was the first time that China criticised the regime very openly," he said.
Wen's visit comes as the country prepares for polls planned for the end of this year, which critics have dismissed as a sham due to laws that have effectively barred opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from participating.
Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), was dissolved last month after refusing to re-register as a political party, a move which would have forced it to expel its own leader because she is serving a prison term.
The NLD won the last national polls in 1990 by a landslide but the ruling generals refused to recognise the result. Suu Kyi has spent much of the past 20 years in jail or house arrest.
The military has ruled Myanmar since 1962, partly justifying its grip on power by citing the need to fend off ethnic rebellions that have plagued remote border areas for decades.
In recent years the regime has been able to reach peace pacts with key ethnic groups, co-opting some to become junta-backed border forces.
But August's outbreak of fighting in Kokang showed the tensions near the surface that will be a concern for Beijing.
"The last thing the Chinese want is a refugee crisis on their Western border, which is the most unstable part of China in any case," said Holliday.
"They're not particularly bothered about whether the country is democratic or not, though I think instrumentally they feel that democracy probably would be helpful in the Burmese case. It would help to stabilise the country."
Myanmar has been hit by several bomb blasts in recent years that the junta has blamed on armed exile groups or ethnic rebels, including one in April at a controversial dam project that involves two Chinese power companies.
Although it was unclear who was behind the attack, observers say there is resentment against the Chinese influence, particularly in northeast Myanmar.
In some areas "there's a lot of resentment that the country is becoming an economic colony of China to a certain extent", said Holliday.
Wed, Jun 02, 2010
AFP
BANGKOK - Myanmar will roll out the red carpet for the Chinese premier this week as relations between the two allies, seen as a "marriage of convenience" at the best of times, go through a rocky patch.
Prime Minister Wen Jiabao heads to the military-ruled country Wednesday for a two-day visit that comes against a backdrop of shifting relations between the neighbours, and ahead of Myanmar's first elections in two decades.
It is the first visit by a Chinese premier since 1994.
The Asian economic powerhouse has long helped keep Myanmar afloat through trade ties, arms sales, and by shielding it from UN sanctions over rights abuses as a veto-wielding, permanent member of the Security Council.
In return, China is assured of a stable neighbour and gets access to natural resources from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
"It's always been a marriage of convenience," said Professor Ian Holliday, a Myanmar expert at the University of Hong Kong.
"The generals in Myanmar need some sort of international support in the Security Council. China needs access to natural resources inside Burma. It also needs transportation across Burma for oil and gas."
Energy-hungry China is the junta's key ally and trade partner, and an eager investor in the isolated state's sizeable natural resources. In November its top oil producer began construction of a pipeline across Myanmar.
But ties between the two countries frayed last year when fighting between Myanmar's isolated ruling junta and rebel ethnic armies in the remote northeast drove tens of thousands of refugees into China.
China issued a rare admonishment to Myanmar, urging it to resolve the conflict that broke out in Kokang, a mainly ethnic Chinese region of Myanmar's Shan state.
"You can see a shift in the Chinese policy on Burma because of the border instability," said Win Min, a Burmese academic at Chiang Mai University in northern Thailand.
"It was the first time that China criticised the regime very openly," he said.
Wen's visit comes as the country prepares for polls planned for the end of this year, which critics have dismissed as a sham due to laws that have effectively barred opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from participating.
Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), was dissolved last month after refusing to re-register as a political party, a move which would have forced it to expel its own leader because she is serving a prison term.
The NLD won the last national polls in 1990 by a landslide but the ruling generals refused to recognise the result. Suu Kyi has spent much of the past 20 years in jail or house arrest.
The military has ruled Myanmar since 1962, partly justifying its grip on power by citing the need to fend off ethnic rebellions that have plagued remote border areas for decades.
In recent years the regime has been able to reach peace pacts with key ethnic groups, co-opting some to become junta-backed border forces.
But August's outbreak of fighting in Kokang showed the tensions near the surface that will be a concern for Beijing.
"The last thing the Chinese want is a refugee crisis on their Western border, which is the most unstable part of China in any case," said Holliday.
"They're not particularly bothered about whether the country is democratic or not, though I think instrumentally they feel that democracy probably would be helpful in the Burmese case. It would help to stabilise the country."
Myanmar has been hit by several bomb blasts in recent years that the junta has blamed on armed exile groups or ethnic rebels, including one in April at a controversial dam project that involves two Chinese power companies.
Although it was unclear who was behind the attack, observers say there is resentment against the Chinese influence, particularly in northeast Myanmar.
In some areas "there's a lot of resentment that the country is becoming an economic colony of China to a certain extent", said Holliday.
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People's Daily Online - Envoy: Chinese firms can do more in Myanmar
08:08, June 02, 2010
Chinese investors can do more in Myanmar to match their country's economic clout, Myanmar's top envoy in Beijing has said.
"China can do more for economic cooperation and infrastructure development (in Myanmar)," Ambassador Thein Lwin said in an e-mail interview with China Daily.
The ambassador listed energy, transport and telecommunications as major sectors for Chinese companies to invest in, as resource-rich Myanmar is keen to improve its infrastructure.
China is the second-largest trading partner and the fourth-largest foreign investor of Myanmar. Two-way trade hit $1.73 billion from January to August last year, while Chinese investment totaled $330 million, figures from the Chinese Foreign Ministry showed.
Thein cited a China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline project, one of the largest foreign investments in Myanmar, as one that would benefit both countries.
Many factors - regional development, infrastructure construction, local employment and environment - should be considered, he said.
In November 2008, the two countries agreed to build a $1.5-billion oil pipeline and $1.04-billion natural gas pipeline, which will reportedly be able to deliver 240,000 barrels of oil a day and 12 billion cubic meters of gas a year to China.
"I hope the project would bring in more Chinese business people to Myanmar," the ambassador said.
Thein also said the free trade agreement (FTA) between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Myanmar is a member, will help promote economic ties.
"Most of the business people welcome the arrangement," he said, referring to the world's largest free trade area in terms of population. The FTA was implemented on January 1.
Calling China a good neighbor and true friend, Thein said Beijing always stands ready to help his country's peace and stability.
In April, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Beijing wishes to see parties in Myanmar achieve national reconciliation through consultation and realize stability, democracy and development.
Thein said the two nations have enjoyed good, long-term ties. Myanmar is one of the few Asian countries that established diplomatic relations in the early days of the People's Republic of China. The two countries also maintained frequent high-level official exchanges in the past decades.
Similarly, the ambassador emphasized the significance of promoting people-to-people exchanges.
He said he was glad to see that China has become a new destination for Myanmar students in recent years. They used to regard countries such as Singapore and the United States as their first choice.
Wang Chenyan contributed to this story.
08:08, June 02, 2010
Chinese investors can do more in Myanmar to match their country's economic clout, Myanmar's top envoy in Beijing has said.
"China can do more for economic cooperation and infrastructure development (in Myanmar)," Ambassador Thein Lwin said in an e-mail interview with China Daily.
The ambassador listed energy, transport and telecommunications as major sectors for Chinese companies to invest in, as resource-rich Myanmar is keen to improve its infrastructure.
China is the second-largest trading partner and the fourth-largest foreign investor of Myanmar. Two-way trade hit $1.73 billion from January to August last year, while Chinese investment totaled $330 million, figures from the Chinese Foreign Ministry showed.
Thein cited a China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline project, one of the largest foreign investments in Myanmar, as one that would benefit both countries.
Many factors - regional development, infrastructure construction, local employment and environment - should be considered, he said.
In November 2008, the two countries agreed to build a $1.5-billion oil pipeline and $1.04-billion natural gas pipeline, which will reportedly be able to deliver 240,000 barrels of oil a day and 12 billion cubic meters of gas a year to China.
"I hope the project would bring in more Chinese business people to Myanmar," the ambassador said.
Thein also said the free trade agreement (FTA) between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Myanmar is a member, will help promote economic ties.
"Most of the business people welcome the arrangement," he said, referring to the world's largest free trade area in terms of population. The FTA was implemented on January 1.
Calling China a good neighbor and true friend, Thein said Beijing always stands ready to help his country's peace and stability.
In April, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Beijing wishes to see parties in Myanmar achieve national reconciliation through consultation and realize stability, democracy and development.
Thein said the two nations have enjoyed good, long-term ties. Myanmar is one of the few Asian countries that established diplomatic relations in the early days of the People's Republic of China. The two countries also maintained frequent high-level official exchanges in the past decades.
Similarly, the ambassador emphasized the significance of promoting people-to-people exchanges.
He said he was glad to see that China has become a new destination for Myanmar students in recent years. They used to regard countries such as Singapore and the United States as their first choice.
Wang Chenyan contributed to this story.
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EarthTimes - New Zealand Parliament calls for freedom for Aung San Suu Kyi
Posted : Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:25:41 GMT
Wellington - The New Zealand Parliament voted unanimously Wednesday to urge Myanmar's military rulers to reinstate full civil rights for Aung San Suu Kyi and allow her to contest the forthcoming general election.
Maryan Street, an opposition Labour member and chairwoman of the Cross-Party Parliamentary Group on Burma, said elections planned for this year would be a sham if the democracy activist and Nobel peace laureate was not permitted to stand.
Suu Kyi led the National League for Democracy to victory in the 1990 elections, but the ruling junta never allowed the party to take office.
"Her release from house arrest and the reinstatement of her democratic rights, together with the release of the estimated 2,200 other political prisoners held by the junta, are the only things which will make these elections credible in the eyes of the world," Street said.
Posted : Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:25:41 GMT
Wellington - The New Zealand Parliament voted unanimously Wednesday to urge Myanmar's military rulers to reinstate full civil rights for Aung San Suu Kyi and allow her to contest the forthcoming general election.
Maryan Street, an opposition Labour member and chairwoman of the Cross-Party Parliamentary Group on Burma, said elections planned for this year would be a sham if the democracy activist and Nobel peace laureate was not permitted to stand.
Suu Kyi led the National League for Democracy to victory in the 1990 elections, but the ruling junta never allowed the party to take office.
"Her release from house arrest and the reinstatement of her democratic rights, together with the release of the estimated 2,200 other political prisoners held by the junta, are the only things which will make these elections credible in the eyes of the world," Street said.
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Updated : 5:32 PM, 06/02/2010
VOVNews.vn - Vietnam, Myanmar mark 35 years of diplomatic ties
The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) held a meeting in Hanoi on June 2 to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Myanmar.
VUFO vice chairman Nguyen Van Kien and Myanmar ambassador to Vietnam Khin Maung Soe recalled traditional relations between Vietnam and Myanmar. Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1975, bilateral relations have been strengthened and developed in many fields. Leaders from the two countries often exchange visits.
With great efforts both sides have achieved significant results in economic and trade co-operation. Despite the global economic crisis, two-way trade value reached US$108.2 million in 2008 and US$99 million in 2009.
In recent years, many Vietnamese businesses have implemented big projects in Myanmar, including the Vietnam Army Telecommunications Group (Viettel), the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group and the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam.
Furthermore, the two countries have discussed a number of measures to boost co-operation in agriculture, forestry, seafood, transport, electric equipment manufacturing, automobile assembly, tourism, construction, and civil aviation. They have fostered co-operation in multilateral forums, such as ASEAN, Greater Mekong sub-region (GMS) and the Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS).
VOVNews.vn - Vietnam, Myanmar mark 35 years of diplomatic ties
The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) held a meeting in Hanoi on June 2 to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Myanmar.
VUFO vice chairman Nguyen Van Kien and Myanmar ambassador to Vietnam Khin Maung Soe recalled traditional relations between Vietnam and Myanmar. Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1975, bilateral relations have been strengthened and developed in many fields. Leaders from the two countries often exchange visits.
With great efforts both sides have achieved significant results in economic and trade co-operation. Despite the global economic crisis, two-way trade value reached US$108.2 million in 2008 and US$99 million in 2009.
In recent years, many Vietnamese businesses have implemented big projects in Myanmar, including the Vietnam Army Telecommunications Group (Viettel), the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group and the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam.
Furthermore, the two countries have discussed a number of measures to boost co-operation in agriculture, forestry, seafood, transport, electric equipment manufacturing, automobile assembly, tourism, construction, and civil aviation. They have fostered co-operation in multilateral forums, such as ASEAN, Greater Mekong sub-region (GMS) and the Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS).
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Outlook (India) - Trade With Bhutan, Myanmar From Arunachal Soon
Itanagar | Jun 01, 2010
Border trade with Bhutan and Myanmar through Arunachal is on the cards, chief customs commissioner, Central excise & service tax, Northeastern region, DD Ingty said here today.
Ingty, who called on Arunchal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu at his official residence here, said border trade with Bhutan through Dongshengmang in Tawang and with Myanmar through Pangsau Pass will undoubtedly change the economy of the Northeastern region.
He assured to extend every possible help for expediting the process of re-opening the border trade in the state.
Khandu informed Ingty that basic infrastructure like roads, trade centres and other required infrastructures have already been built in the gateways to facilitate the trade and that only a go-ahead signal from the Centre is awaited.
Re-opening border trade will not only augment the economy of Arunachal but also provide ample job opportunities and self employment avenues for the entire region.
Arunachal finance minister Setong Sena, state tourism secretary Bandana Deori, industries & trade and commerce commissioner Makbul Pertin were also present at the meeting.
Itanagar | Jun 01, 2010
Border trade with Bhutan and Myanmar through Arunachal is on the cards, chief customs commissioner, Central excise & service tax, Northeastern region, DD Ingty said here today.
Ingty, who called on Arunchal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu at his official residence here, said border trade with Bhutan through Dongshengmang in Tawang and with Myanmar through Pangsau Pass will undoubtedly change the economy of the Northeastern region.
He assured to extend every possible help for expediting the process of re-opening the border trade in the state.
Khandu informed Ingty that basic infrastructure like roads, trade centres and other required infrastructures have already been built in the gateways to facilitate the trade and that only a go-ahead signal from the Centre is awaited.
Re-opening border trade will not only augment the economy of Arunachal but also provide ample job opportunities and self employment avenues for the entire region.
Arunachal finance minister Setong Sena, state tourism secretary Bandana Deori, industries & trade and commerce commissioner Makbul Pertin were also present at the meeting.
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Aljazeera.Net - Myanmar's military ambitions
UPDATED ON: Wednesday, June 02, 2010
18:09 Mecca time, 15:09 GMT
Myanmar's ruling generals have started a programme to build nuclear weapons. They are trying to develop long-range missiles.
Elections later this year are aimed at convincing the world they are moving towards democracy. But fearing attack from the US and an uprising by their own people, Myanmar's generals are instead digging themselves in with a nationwide network of bunkers.
With top-secret material gathered over five years, this film reveals how Myanmar is trying to become the next nuclear-armed North Korea.
Key files and other information has been smuggled out by defecting army Major Sai Thein Win, a former deputy commander of a top-secret military factory at a town called Myaing.
Before leaving, he smuggled out thousands of files detailing a secret programme by Myanmar's ruling generals to build nuclear weapons.
To check Sai Thein Win's claims, the Democratic Voice of Burma had him show the files to Bob Kelley, a former intelligence officer at North America's nuclear facility Los Alamos and an ex-director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Files and photos were also shown to Geoff Forden, a military research scientist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The experts agree Myanmar is a long way from achieving its goals.
But many believe that with its stated intent to one day acquire nuclear weapons, Myanmar's military ambitions should be taken seriously.
Myanmar's military ambitions can be seen from Friday, June 4, at the following times GMT: Friday: 0600; Saturday: 1900; Sunday: 0300; Monday: 1400; Tuesday: 0530; Wednesday: 1900; Thursday: 0300.
UPDATED ON: Wednesday, June 02, 2010
18:09 Mecca time, 15:09 GMT
Myanmar's ruling generals have started a programme to build nuclear weapons. They are trying to develop long-range missiles.
Elections later this year are aimed at convincing the world they are moving towards democracy. But fearing attack from the US and an uprising by their own people, Myanmar's generals are instead digging themselves in with a nationwide network of bunkers.
With top-secret material gathered over five years, this film reveals how Myanmar is trying to become the next nuclear-armed North Korea.
Key files and other information has been smuggled out by defecting army Major Sai Thein Win, a former deputy commander of a top-secret military factory at a town called Myaing.
Before leaving, he smuggled out thousands of files detailing a secret programme by Myanmar's ruling generals to build nuclear weapons.
To check Sai Thein Win's claims, the Democratic Voice of Burma had him show the files to Bob Kelley, a former intelligence officer at North America's nuclear facility Los Alamos and an ex-director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Files and photos were also shown to Geoff Forden, a military research scientist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The experts agree Myanmar is a long way from achieving its goals.
But many believe that with its stated intent to one day acquire nuclear weapons, Myanmar's military ambitions should be taken seriously.
Myanmar's military ambitions can be seen from Friday, June 4, at the following times GMT: Friday: 0600; Saturday: 1900; Sunday: 0300; Monday: 1400; Tuesday: 0530; Wednesday: 1900; Thursday: 0300.
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Journalism.co.uk - Burmese journalists commended in collective Amnesty prize
Posted: 02/06/10 By: Judith Townend
In a departure from tradition for its 19th Media Awards, Amnesty International UK last night awarded its special prize for journalism under threat to a group of journalists rather than an individual - those operating in Burma.
The prize was received at Tuesday's Amnesty International UK Media Awards ceremony on behalf of the journalists by former prisoner of conscience Daw Nita May, now based at the BBC Burmese Service.
"Without the information they are able to get from independent journalists, people in Burma would not know the real state of affairs," she said.
Elections could be held in Burma later this year, the first in two decades, and the organisation believes it is more important than ever to support the work of the country's media workers, who work in risky conditions with repressive media laws and regulation.
"Journalism is all too often a perilous pursuit and perceived as a threat by authorities," said Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK.
"Independent journalism is very important for the people of Burma, both as an avenue in which to express their opinions, but also as a vital source of information. Independent news on the upcoming elections process is vital in keeping the world's attention focused on Burma in what is going to be a critical year."
There are 2,200 political prisoners imprisoned by the ruling junta in Burma, including more than 40 journalists. State restrictions on international media reporting on news in Burma were highlighted during the pro-democracy protests in 2007, in which protestors and Japanese photographer Kenji Nagai were killed.
Posted: 02/06/10 By: Judith Townend
In a departure from tradition for its 19th Media Awards, Amnesty International UK last night awarded its special prize for journalism under threat to a group of journalists rather than an individual - those operating in Burma.
The prize was received at Tuesday's Amnesty International UK Media Awards ceremony on behalf of the journalists by former prisoner of conscience Daw Nita May, now based at the BBC Burmese Service.
"Without the information they are able to get from independent journalists, people in Burma would not know the real state of affairs," she said.
Elections could be held in Burma later this year, the first in two decades, and the organisation believes it is more important than ever to support the work of the country's media workers, who work in risky conditions with repressive media laws and regulation.
"Journalism is all too often a perilous pursuit and perceived as a threat by authorities," said Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK.
"Independent journalism is very important for the people of Burma, both as an avenue in which to express their opinions, but also as a vital source of information. Independent news on the upcoming elections process is vital in keeping the world's attention focused on Burma in what is going to be a critical year."
There are 2,200 political prisoners imprisoned by the ruling junta in Burma, including more than 40 journalists. State restrictions on international media reporting on news in Burma were highlighted during the pro-democracy protests in 2007, in which protestors and Japanese photographer Kenji Nagai were killed.
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The Irrawaddy - What Message Will Wen Jiabao Bring to Burma?
By BA KAUNG - Wednesday, June 2, 2010
In addition to talks on China's multi-billion dollar energy projects in Burma and stability at the two countries' joint border, Chinese premier Wen Jiabao is expected to offer some advice about Burma's planned election when he meets military supremo Snr-Gen Than Shwe during his visit to the country which begins on Wednesday.
Wen's visit —the first visit of a Chinese premier to Burma in 16 years—could open up “a new page of good-neighborly and friendly cooperation,” the Chinese ambassador to Burma, Ye Dabo, was quoted as saying in China's state-run news agency, Xinhua, on Tuesday.
The “new page” which the Chinese ambassador alludes to is mostly likely the relationship between the Chinese Communist government and a newly elected Burmese parliament, albeit under de facto control of the military generals.
Indeed, the coming advent of an election in Burma is an important development for China, which is frequently left to defend the Burmese junta's human rights record at the UN Security Council. Beijing's task will undoubtedly be more palatable when standing up for an elected government rather than a a rogue military state—much the same as when China protects North Korea on the world stage.
“If Burma had an elected government, then China would also be able to improve the perception of its own people towards its relations with Burma,” said Thakhin Chan Tun, Burma's ambassador to China and North Korea during the 1960s and 70s.
It is in the Chinese leadership's interest that Burma's election is viewed as success. At a time when the Burmese regime faces a crisis of legitimacy without the participation of major opposition political parties, most notably Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, it is likely Wen will advise Than Shwe to make a few concessions toward making the election more credible—symbolically, at least.
The Chinese premier may urge Naypyidaw to make the election more inclusive by bringing parties, especially those representing ethnic groups, into the fold. Another suggestion could be that the regime accept election observers from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Although China itself is a one-party state that never holds national elections, it has dispatched election observers since 2005 to the Palestinian territories, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan and, most recently, to Sudan, whose controversial election China called a "smooth and orderly success.”
Despite the fact that the Burmese officials openly stated to US diplomat Kurt Campbell, who visited Burma last month, that Burma could not accept international monitoring groups since “it [Burma] is rich with election experience”, they might be swayed into welcoming a more innocuous team of Chinese observers.
Sean Turnell, a Burma specialist from Macquarie University in Australia, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday that China wants to see the stability and a semblance of legitimacy, and that it wants to remove the pressure that is sustaining the economic sanctions against Burma—the sanctions that it sees as undermining Burma's stability.
Also on the agenda during his two-day visit, Wen will look to strengthen China's interests in post-election Burma by signing several bilateral agreements with the regime on science and technology, energy and trade. China is currently building a 2,000-km oil pipeline from Burma’s Arakan State to China’s Yunnan Province, and, according to Earth Rights International, no less than 69 Chinese multinational corporations are currently involved in at least 90 hydropower, mining, and oil and gas projects across Burma.
China, which shares a 2,190 km border with Burma, is the country's third biggest foreign trade partner after Thailand and Singapore. Its foreign trade with Burma reached US $1.8 billion in 2009, according to official statistics.
Besides seeking assurances from Burma that secure China's vast economic interests in the counrty, Wen is reportedly expected to stress the importance of stability at the Sino-Burmese border, where skirmishes took place last year between the regime's troops and an armed ethnic group, sending tens of thousands of refugees into China. Beijing issued a rare admonishment to the regime on the incident and, in return, Burma grudgingly apologized.
In a letter from Human Rights Watch to the Chinese premier, the NGO called on Wen to focus on four issues during his trip: the 2010 election; security at the border areas; regional engagement and diplomacy; and trade and investment relations.
However, perhaps the most intriguing topic of discussion between the two leaders will be Burma's relationship with North Korea. It was China that arranged a secret mission of senior Burmese military officials to Pyongyang last year; and since then, international suspicions have grown that Burma is trying to obtain nuclear technology from North Korea.
Wen was in South Korea last week when he notably did not join in international condemnations of North Korea over the alleged sinking of a South Korean warship. In addition, a recent report by UN experts indicates that Pyongyang is involved in banned nuclear and ballistic activities in Iran, Syria and Burma. The United States government has expressed its concern over the issue.
According to analysts in China, although Beijing does not object to Burma acquiring weapons and military equipment from other countries, it is opposed to the Burmese junta developing chemical or nuclear weapons or any kind of weapon of mass destruction.
At the end of the day, it would be hard to imagine that something secret and sensitive is happening between North Korea and Burma without the knowledge of China. However, what if it were? And what if Beijing got wind of it?
Then, the Chinese premier would certainly have something to say when he sat down with Than Shwe. Not that the outside world would ever know what transpired between the two on this subject.
By BA KAUNG - Wednesday, June 2, 2010
In addition to talks on China's multi-billion dollar energy projects in Burma and stability at the two countries' joint border, Chinese premier Wen Jiabao is expected to offer some advice about Burma's planned election when he meets military supremo Snr-Gen Than Shwe during his visit to the country which begins on Wednesday.
Wen's visit —the first visit of a Chinese premier to Burma in 16 years—could open up “a new page of good-neighborly and friendly cooperation,” the Chinese ambassador to Burma, Ye Dabo, was quoted as saying in China's state-run news agency, Xinhua, on Tuesday.
The “new page” which the Chinese ambassador alludes to is mostly likely the relationship between the Chinese Communist government and a newly elected Burmese parliament, albeit under de facto control of the military generals.
Indeed, the coming advent of an election in Burma is an important development for China, which is frequently left to defend the Burmese junta's human rights record at the UN Security Council. Beijing's task will undoubtedly be more palatable when standing up for an elected government rather than a a rogue military state—much the same as when China protects North Korea on the world stage.
“If Burma had an elected government, then China would also be able to improve the perception of its own people towards its relations with Burma,” said Thakhin Chan Tun, Burma's ambassador to China and North Korea during the 1960s and 70s.
It is in the Chinese leadership's interest that Burma's election is viewed as success. At a time when the Burmese regime faces a crisis of legitimacy without the participation of major opposition political parties, most notably Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, it is likely Wen will advise Than Shwe to make a few concessions toward making the election more credible—symbolically, at least.
The Chinese premier may urge Naypyidaw to make the election more inclusive by bringing parties, especially those representing ethnic groups, into the fold. Another suggestion could be that the regime accept election observers from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Although China itself is a one-party state that never holds national elections, it has dispatched election observers since 2005 to the Palestinian territories, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan and, most recently, to Sudan, whose controversial election China called a "smooth and orderly success.”
Despite the fact that the Burmese officials openly stated to US diplomat Kurt Campbell, who visited Burma last month, that Burma could not accept international monitoring groups since “it [Burma] is rich with election experience”, they might be swayed into welcoming a more innocuous team of Chinese observers.
Sean Turnell, a Burma specialist from Macquarie University in Australia, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday that China wants to see the stability and a semblance of legitimacy, and that it wants to remove the pressure that is sustaining the economic sanctions against Burma—the sanctions that it sees as undermining Burma's stability.
Also on the agenda during his two-day visit, Wen will look to strengthen China's interests in post-election Burma by signing several bilateral agreements with the regime on science and technology, energy and trade. China is currently building a 2,000-km oil pipeline from Burma’s Arakan State to China’s Yunnan Province, and, according to Earth Rights International, no less than 69 Chinese multinational corporations are currently involved in at least 90 hydropower, mining, and oil and gas projects across Burma.
China, which shares a 2,190 km border with Burma, is the country's third biggest foreign trade partner after Thailand and Singapore. Its foreign trade with Burma reached US $1.8 billion in 2009, according to official statistics.
Besides seeking assurances from Burma that secure China's vast economic interests in the counrty, Wen is reportedly expected to stress the importance of stability at the Sino-Burmese border, where skirmishes took place last year between the regime's troops and an armed ethnic group, sending tens of thousands of refugees into China. Beijing issued a rare admonishment to the regime on the incident and, in return, Burma grudgingly apologized.
In a letter from Human Rights Watch to the Chinese premier, the NGO called on Wen to focus on four issues during his trip: the 2010 election; security at the border areas; regional engagement and diplomacy; and trade and investment relations.
However, perhaps the most intriguing topic of discussion between the two leaders will be Burma's relationship with North Korea. It was China that arranged a secret mission of senior Burmese military officials to Pyongyang last year; and since then, international suspicions have grown that Burma is trying to obtain nuclear technology from North Korea.
Wen was in South Korea last week when he notably did not join in international condemnations of North Korea over the alleged sinking of a South Korean warship. In addition, a recent report by UN experts indicates that Pyongyang is involved in banned nuclear and ballistic activities in Iran, Syria and Burma. The United States government has expressed its concern over the issue.
According to analysts in China, although Beijing does not object to Burma acquiring weapons and military equipment from other countries, it is opposed to the Burmese junta developing chemical or nuclear weapons or any kind of weapon of mass destruction.
At the end of the day, it would be hard to imagine that something secret and sensitive is happening between North Korea and Burma without the knowledge of China. However, what if it were? And what if Beijing got wind of it?
Then, the Chinese premier would certainly have something to say when he sat down with Than Shwe. Not that the outside world would ever know what transpired between the two on this subject.
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The Irrawaddy - AI Honors Burma's Independent Journalists
By SAW YAN NAING - Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Amnesty International presented its “Journalism under Threat” award to Burma's community of independent journalists at a London ceremony on Tuesday, paying tribute to their bravery in tackling dangerous and difficult work.
Several of those journalists contacted by The Irrawaddy said they were still active in conveying the true picture of events in Burma to the outside world.
One video journalist, identifying himself solely as Z Filmmaker, said an urge to “serve the people” had led him to cover the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, despite the risks he ran.
“Actually, I was very scared to do such adventurous work because if I got arrested, all my whole life could end up in prison,” he said. “But, I must do it to serve the people.”
He visited the worst-hit areas of Laputta and Bogalay Townships in the Irrawaddy delta, interviewing and filming local villagers. He and a foreign journalist friend were briefly arrested.
The video journalist said the experience had left its mark on him.
“I feel that I can get arrested and jailed at anytime,” he said. “It affected me psychologically. If I hear knocking on my door, I feel scared.”
Another video journalist, who uses the pseudonym Aung Win, said: “I was caught by police when I was shooting video footage of Nargis Cyclone victims. I thought I was going to be jailed.
“But when the police were checking my camera, I fled and escaped. It felt risky and very adventurous at the same time. It is obviously dangerous to work inside as a journalist.”
Burma was ranked 171st out of 175 countries in the 2009 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index while junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe is on the Reporters Without Borders list of 40 “Predators of Press Freedom.”
At least 12 Burmese journalists are currently imprisoned in Burma, according to Reporters Without Borders.
Some are serving jail terms of more than 20 years. The blogger Nay Phone Latte is serving 20 years and six months, the satirist Zarganar 45 years, Hla Hla Win 27 years and Win Maw (16 years).
Haider Kikabhoy, Amnesty International’s Burma campaigner said in a statement released on Tuesday: “Journalists in Myanmar [Burma] work in a very difficult and often dangerous environment. Those who attempt to report news and views independently of the government do so at great personal risk.”
“Many of these individuals are forced to carry out their legitimate work in secrecy or exile. Some of them have been threatened, harassed, imprisoned and even tortured.”
Some Burmese reporters in Burma say they have to use subterfuge in order to cover sensitive issues, posing as relief workers, donors or tourists instead of identifying themselves as journalists.
“We need to approach the authorities cleverly,” said Khin Thwe, a Rangoon journalist. “If we want to get the official statistics for our story, we can't approach them as journalists.”
Another woman journalist who worked for The Myanmar Times said: “Being an independent journalists in Burma is very risky job. We have to keep everything secret. Otherwise, you can get arrested anytime.”
One editor who works for a Rangoon journal said: “Your words can put you in jail. So, you have to be careful about every single word.”
Recognizing the difficulties of journalists working under such conditions in Burma, Amnesty International's Kikabhoy said: “These journalists persevere because they want the people of Myanmar— and the world—to receive other news besides state propaganda. This award recognizes their commitment and bravery as well as the contribution they make to the ongoing struggle for human rights in the country.”
The award for Burmese journalists was accepted on their behalf by Nita May, who works for the BBC Burmese Service. She said: “I am indeed very much honored to take part in the Amnesty International Media Awards Ceremony and to collect this award on behalf of all of my colleagues.
“I think it is brilliant that Amnesty is highlighting the perils facing journalists in Burma and hope that it gives courage and much needed support to media workers who risk so much in carrying out their valuable work of exploration and exposition.
“Without the information they are able to get from independent journalists, people in Burma would not know the real state of affairs,” said Nita May.
Kikabhoy said, “Independent journalism is very important for people in Myanmar [Burma], because in order to be able to exercise their human rights, people need to have the ability to not only express their opinions, but also to receive information.”
Despite the risks and difficulties they face, reporters in Burma earn only between 35,000 and 70,000 kyat (US $30—$60) per month. Editors generally make about 80,000 kyat ($70), and a chief editor can expect to take home a monthly salary of 200,000 to 300,000 kyat ($170—$260).
Many journalists were arrested along with activists and monks in the wake of the mass demonstrations in September 2007 and in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008.
“Burma is still poor in respecting the rights of professional journalists,” said a Burmese journalist in Rangoon who works for a foreign news agency.
Despite working for a foreign concern, the journalist said he still faces intimidation and threats by phone and email. His sources were also threatened by the authorities, he said.
Risks are particularly high for reporters who work for foreign-based media such as the BBC, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia and the Democratic Voice of Burma, he said.
In September 2008, several Web sites run by Burmese media groups in exile—The Irrawaddy, Mizzima, the Democratic Voice of Burma and Khitpyaing—came under repeated cyber attacks. Three of the agencies were bombarded by so-called “distributed denial-of-service” (DDoS) attacks, which overload Web sites with an unmanageable volume of traffic.
Z Filmmaker said journalists inside Burma have to think about how to work with the exile journalists. They need to establish a network and send the information that they can't report inside Burma to the exile media.
“It is important for journalists inside and outside Burma to join hands and work together to bring true information in the future . They have to respect, understand each other and work together to cover the upcoming election,” he said.
There are severe restrictions on what journalists can report about the election, Amnesty International pointed out. It said there were vaguely worded provisions in election laws stating that anyone who tries to “disrupt” the elections through speech or publication will be prosecuted.
“Independent news on the upcoming elections process is vital in keeping the world’s attention focused on Myanmar [Burma] in what is going to be a critical year in the country’s future,” said Kikabhoy.
By SAW YAN NAING - Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Amnesty International presented its “Journalism under Threat” award to Burma's community of independent journalists at a London ceremony on Tuesday, paying tribute to their bravery in tackling dangerous and difficult work.
Several of those journalists contacted by The Irrawaddy said they were still active in conveying the true picture of events in Burma to the outside world.
One video journalist, identifying himself solely as Z Filmmaker, said an urge to “serve the people” had led him to cover the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, despite the risks he ran.
“Actually, I was very scared to do such adventurous work because if I got arrested, all my whole life could end up in prison,” he said. “But, I must do it to serve the people.”
He visited the worst-hit areas of Laputta and Bogalay Townships in the Irrawaddy delta, interviewing and filming local villagers. He and a foreign journalist friend were briefly arrested.
The video journalist said the experience had left its mark on him.
“I feel that I can get arrested and jailed at anytime,” he said. “It affected me psychologically. If I hear knocking on my door, I feel scared.”
Another video journalist, who uses the pseudonym Aung Win, said: “I was caught by police when I was shooting video footage of Nargis Cyclone victims. I thought I was going to be jailed.
“But when the police were checking my camera, I fled and escaped. It felt risky and very adventurous at the same time. It is obviously dangerous to work inside as a journalist.”
Burma was ranked 171st out of 175 countries in the 2009 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index while junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe is on the Reporters Without Borders list of 40 “Predators of Press Freedom.”
At least 12 Burmese journalists are currently imprisoned in Burma, according to Reporters Without Borders.
Some are serving jail terms of more than 20 years. The blogger Nay Phone Latte is serving 20 years and six months, the satirist Zarganar 45 years, Hla Hla Win 27 years and Win Maw (16 years).
Haider Kikabhoy, Amnesty International’s Burma campaigner said in a statement released on Tuesday: “Journalists in Myanmar [Burma] work in a very difficult and often dangerous environment. Those who attempt to report news and views independently of the government do so at great personal risk.”
“Many of these individuals are forced to carry out their legitimate work in secrecy or exile. Some of them have been threatened, harassed, imprisoned and even tortured.”
Some Burmese reporters in Burma say they have to use subterfuge in order to cover sensitive issues, posing as relief workers, donors or tourists instead of identifying themselves as journalists.
“We need to approach the authorities cleverly,” said Khin Thwe, a Rangoon journalist. “If we want to get the official statistics for our story, we can't approach them as journalists.”
Another woman journalist who worked for The Myanmar Times said: “Being an independent journalists in Burma is very risky job. We have to keep everything secret. Otherwise, you can get arrested anytime.”
One editor who works for a Rangoon journal said: “Your words can put you in jail. So, you have to be careful about every single word.”
Recognizing the difficulties of journalists working under such conditions in Burma, Amnesty International's Kikabhoy said: “These journalists persevere because they want the people of Myanmar— and the world—to receive other news besides state propaganda. This award recognizes their commitment and bravery as well as the contribution they make to the ongoing struggle for human rights in the country.”
The award for Burmese journalists was accepted on their behalf by Nita May, who works for the BBC Burmese Service. She said: “I am indeed very much honored to take part in the Amnesty International Media Awards Ceremony and to collect this award on behalf of all of my colleagues.
“I think it is brilliant that Amnesty is highlighting the perils facing journalists in Burma and hope that it gives courage and much needed support to media workers who risk so much in carrying out their valuable work of exploration and exposition.
“Without the information they are able to get from independent journalists, people in Burma would not know the real state of affairs,” said Nita May.
Kikabhoy said, “Independent journalism is very important for people in Myanmar [Burma], because in order to be able to exercise their human rights, people need to have the ability to not only express their opinions, but also to receive information.”
Despite the risks and difficulties they face, reporters in Burma earn only between 35,000 and 70,000 kyat (US $30—$60) per month. Editors generally make about 80,000 kyat ($70), and a chief editor can expect to take home a monthly salary of 200,000 to 300,000 kyat ($170—$260).
Many journalists were arrested along with activists and monks in the wake of the mass demonstrations in September 2007 and in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008.
“Burma is still poor in respecting the rights of professional journalists,” said a Burmese journalist in Rangoon who works for a foreign news agency.
Despite working for a foreign concern, the journalist said he still faces intimidation and threats by phone and email. His sources were also threatened by the authorities, he said.
Risks are particularly high for reporters who work for foreign-based media such as the BBC, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia and the Democratic Voice of Burma, he said.
In September 2008, several Web sites run by Burmese media groups in exile—The Irrawaddy, Mizzima, the Democratic Voice of Burma and Khitpyaing—came under repeated cyber attacks. Three of the agencies were bombarded by so-called “distributed denial-of-service” (DDoS) attacks, which overload Web sites with an unmanageable volume of traffic.
Z Filmmaker said journalists inside Burma have to think about how to work with the exile journalists. They need to establish a network and send the information that they can't report inside Burma to the exile media.
“It is important for journalists inside and outside Burma to join hands and work together to bring true information in the future . They have to respect, understand each other and work together to cover the upcoming election,” he said.
There are severe restrictions on what journalists can report about the election, Amnesty International pointed out. It said there were vaguely worded provisions in election laws stating that anyone who tries to “disrupt” the elections through speech or publication will be prosecuted.
“Independent news on the upcoming elections process is vital in keeping the world’s attention focused on Myanmar [Burma] in what is going to be a critical year in the country’s future,” said Kikabhoy.
*****************************************************
DVB News - 100 houses relocated for airport
By NAW NOREEN
Published: 2 June 2010
Around one hundred families in Burma’s northern Sagaing division have been told to relocate to make way for the extension of a nearby airport.
Residents of Kalay town in Sagaing division told DVB that local authorities are distributing compensation forms to those set for relocation. One man said that most residents were unhappy about moving, and complained that the compensation wouldn’t enable them to build a new house.
“Some huts [being relocated] will only be compensated 140,000 kyat [$US140],” he said. He added that families in two-storey houses would be compensated 1.7 million kyat ($US1,700), “and these days you can’t really build a two-storey house with that amount of money”.
He said that the residents were also concerned about the monsoon season and lack of fresh water, while parents didn’t want to move their children so soon after school opened.
Affected residents are being moved to a 35-acre patch of farmland near Taungpela village, close to Kalay. The man said that authorities were preparing the land for housing and roads without acknowledging its owners.
The area of farmland is owned separately by seven people whom the Burmese government offered compensation of one million kyat ($US1,000). The landowners however rejected the offer, claiming that one acre is valued at three million kyat ($US3,000). Despite this, one landowner said that authorities were going ahead with the preparation.
“We can’t buy new land with the amount of compensation they offered; it is 2.5 million kyat [$US2,500] for land suitable to grow crops,” she said. “We have submitted an appeal [to the government] to let us stay and work on this land. It is rainy season now and we should be scattering seeds.”
She added that there would be swathes of extra space on the land given that 116 houses would not fill 35 acres. “One acre of land can provide space for about 10 houses, so 35 acres will make about 350. [The authorities] will take the extra spaces,” she said.
The government first approached the Kalay locals over the relocation in 2007 but were continually rejected. But in April this year authorities began laying out red flags on the land to signify the area they would appropriate.
By NAW NOREEN
Published: 2 June 2010
Around one hundred families in Burma’s northern Sagaing division have been told to relocate to make way for the extension of a nearby airport.
Residents of Kalay town in Sagaing division told DVB that local authorities are distributing compensation forms to those set for relocation. One man said that most residents were unhappy about moving, and complained that the compensation wouldn’t enable them to build a new house.
“Some huts [being relocated] will only be compensated 140,000 kyat [$US140],” he said. He added that families in two-storey houses would be compensated 1.7 million kyat ($US1,700), “and these days you can’t really build a two-storey house with that amount of money”.
He said that the residents were also concerned about the monsoon season and lack of fresh water, while parents didn’t want to move their children so soon after school opened.
Affected residents are being moved to a 35-acre patch of farmland near Taungpela village, close to Kalay. The man said that authorities were preparing the land for housing and roads without acknowledging its owners.
The area of farmland is owned separately by seven people whom the Burmese government offered compensation of one million kyat ($US1,000). The landowners however rejected the offer, claiming that one acre is valued at three million kyat ($US3,000). Despite this, one landowner said that authorities were going ahead with the preparation.
“We can’t buy new land with the amount of compensation they offered; it is 2.5 million kyat [$US2,500] for land suitable to grow crops,” she said. “We have submitted an appeal [to the government] to let us stay and work on this land. It is rainy season now and we should be scattering seeds.”
She added that there would be swathes of extra space on the land given that 116 houses would not fill 35 acres. “One acre of land can provide space for about 10 houses, so 35 acres will make about 350. [The authorities] will take the extra spaces,” she said.
The government first approached the Kalay locals over the relocation in 2007 but were continually rejected. But in April this year authorities began laying out red flags on the land to signify the area they would appropriate.
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