US senator cancels Myanmar trip on nuclear suspicions
by Rachel O'Brien – 1 hr 5 mins ago
BANGKOK (AFP) – A prominent US Senator abruptly cancelled a trip to military-ruled Myanmar on Thursday after new allegations that the junta is working with North Korea to develop a nuclear program.
Democratic lawmaker Jim Webb, who had been due to arrive in the capital Naypyidaw late Thursday, released a statement saying it would be "unwise and potentially counter-productive" to visit in light of the latest suspicions.
He had been due to hold talks with detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the country's reclusive military junta.
Previous details of possible links between nuclear-armed North Korea and Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, prompted Washington to express concern, even though it has pursued a new policy of engagement with the junta.
"News reports published today contain new allegations regarding the possibility that the Burmese government has been working in conjunction with North Korea in order to develop a nuclear programme," Webb said.
He later told journalists that the documentary, to be aired by news network Al Jazeera on Friday, contained claims by a former Myanmar military officer reported to have "hundreds of files" revealing the junta's ambitions.
Webb also referred to an allegation by US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell last month, on his way out of Myanmar, that the junta had violated a UN ban on all North Korean arms exports.
The alleged violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1874 was "in respect to a shipment that may have contained arms from North Korea to Burma," Webb said at a Bangkok press conference.
"There are now two unresolved matters related to activities of serious concern between these two countries," he said, while stressing that he did not know the validity of the two allegations.
"Until there is further clarification on these matters, I believe it would be unwise and potentially counter-productive for me to visit Burma."
The senator from Virginia, a strong supporter of engaging Myanmar, will now return to Washington on Friday.
He became the first senior US official to meet junta chief Than Shwe in August, winning the release of eccentric American John Yettaw, who was jailed for swimming to Suu Kyi's house.
President Barack Obama's administration last year launched a dialogue with Myanmar's military rulers, after concluding that Western attempts to isolate the regime had met with little success.
But Washington has sharply criticised preparations for this year's elections -- the first in twenty years -- which have been condemned by critics as a ploy to legitimise the military rulers' grip on power.
Following his visit to see top Myanmar officials in May, Assistant Secretary of State Campbell called for "immediate steps" to address fears the polls would lack legitimacy.
He also called for a "transparent process" to be put in place as a way for Myanmar to assure the international community of its commitments to the resolution on North Korean arms.
Myanmar severed ties with Pyongyang in 1983 following a failed assassination attempt by North Korean agents on then-South Korean president Chun Doo-Hwan as he visited the Southeast Asian nation. The attempt left 21 people dead.
But with both countries branded "outposts of tyranny" by the United States they have tried rebuilding relations in recent years.
During a visit to Thailand last July, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said North Korea could be sharing atomic technology with Myanmar.
The junta did not make any comment on Thursday.
"I still strongly believe that a continuation of a dialogue between the United States and the government of... Myanmar is very important for the balance in this region," said Webb after cancelling his trip.
by Rachel O'Brien – 1 hr 5 mins ago
BANGKOK (AFP) – A prominent US Senator abruptly cancelled a trip to military-ruled Myanmar on Thursday after new allegations that the junta is working with North Korea to develop a nuclear program.
Democratic lawmaker Jim Webb, who had been due to arrive in the capital Naypyidaw late Thursday, released a statement saying it would be "unwise and potentially counter-productive" to visit in light of the latest suspicions.
He had been due to hold talks with detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the country's reclusive military junta.
Previous details of possible links between nuclear-armed North Korea and Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, prompted Washington to express concern, even though it has pursued a new policy of engagement with the junta.
"News reports published today contain new allegations regarding the possibility that the Burmese government has been working in conjunction with North Korea in order to develop a nuclear programme," Webb said.
He later told journalists that the documentary, to be aired by news network Al Jazeera on Friday, contained claims by a former Myanmar military officer reported to have "hundreds of files" revealing the junta's ambitions.
Webb also referred to an allegation by US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell last month, on his way out of Myanmar, that the junta had violated a UN ban on all North Korean arms exports.
The alleged violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1874 was "in respect to a shipment that may have contained arms from North Korea to Burma," Webb said at a Bangkok press conference.
"There are now two unresolved matters related to activities of serious concern between these two countries," he said, while stressing that he did not know the validity of the two allegations.
"Until there is further clarification on these matters, I believe it would be unwise and potentially counter-productive for me to visit Burma."
The senator from Virginia, a strong supporter of engaging Myanmar, will now return to Washington on Friday.
He became the first senior US official to meet junta chief Than Shwe in August, winning the release of eccentric American John Yettaw, who was jailed for swimming to Suu Kyi's house.
President Barack Obama's administration last year launched a dialogue with Myanmar's military rulers, after concluding that Western attempts to isolate the regime had met with little success.
But Washington has sharply criticised preparations for this year's elections -- the first in twenty years -- which have been condemned by critics as a ploy to legitimise the military rulers' grip on power.
Following his visit to see top Myanmar officials in May, Assistant Secretary of State Campbell called for "immediate steps" to address fears the polls would lack legitimacy.
He also called for a "transparent process" to be put in place as a way for Myanmar to assure the international community of its commitments to the resolution on North Korean arms.
Myanmar severed ties with Pyongyang in 1983 following a failed assassination attempt by North Korean agents on then-South Korean president Chun Doo-Hwan as he visited the Southeast Asian nation. The attempt left 21 people dead.
But with both countries branded "outposts of tyranny" by the United States they have tried rebuilding relations in recent years.
During a visit to Thailand last July, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said North Korea could be sharing atomic technology with Myanmar.
The junta did not make any comment on Thursday.
"I still strongly believe that a continuation of a dialogue between the United States and the government of... Myanmar is very important for the balance in this region," said Webb after cancelling his trip.
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Chinese and Myanmar leaders sign deals, discuss border
Thu Jun 3, 5:26 am ET
YANGON (AFP) – The Chinese premier signed major deals and discussed the thorny issue of border stability with neighbouring Myanmar's junta chief on Thursday during a visit to the military-ruled country.
Wen Jiabao met Senior General Than Shwe in capital Naypyidaw during his three-day visit, which comes ahead of Myanmar's elections later this year and is the first by a Chinese prime minister to the country in 16 years.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in Beijing the two sides had "reached consensus on many issues and signed a lot of major deals which marks another step forward".
Jiang told a briefing Myanmar's premier Thein Sein was included in the talks, during which the two sides signed a series of agreements on trade, finance, energy, science and technology.
China is the junta's key ally and trading 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 August when fighting between Myanmar's isolated ruling junta and rebel ethnic armies in the remote northeast drove tens of thousands of refugees into China.
"Premier Wen Jiabao said China values its good neighbourliness with the Myanmar side from a strategic perspective," said the spokeswoman.
She said the premier wanted to bring relations "to a new high" on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries.
China Radio International also reported on Thursday that Premiers Wen and Thein Sein attended a signing ceremony for a China-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines project.
The pair were due to attend an inauguration ceremony at Myanmar International Conference Centre in Naypyidaw which was built and funded by China, before Wen returned to Yangon to fly out of the country.
He arrived in Yangon on Wednesday afternoon for what the state-controlled New Light of Myanmar newspaper said was a "goodwill visit", before visiting a school and the famed Shwedagon Pagoda.
Thu Jun 3, 5:26 am ET
YANGON (AFP) – The Chinese premier signed major deals and discussed the thorny issue of border stability with neighbouring Myanmar's junta chief on Thursday during a visit to the military-ruled country.
Wen Jiabao met Senior General Than Shwe in capital Naypyidaw during his three-day visit, which comes ahead of Myanmar's elections later this year and is the first by a Chinese prime minister to the country in 16 years.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in Beijing the two sides had "reached consensus on many issues and signed a lot of major deals which marks another step forward".
Jiang told a briefing Myanmar's premier Thein Sein was included in the talks, during which the two sides signed a series of agreements on trade, finance, energy, science and technology.
China is the junta's key ally and trading 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 August when fighting between Myanmar's isolated ruling junta and rebel ethnic armies in the remote northeast drove tens of thousands of refugees into China.
"Premier Wen Jiabao said China values its good neighbourliness with the Myanmar side from a strategic perspective," said the spokeswoman.
She said the premier wanted to bring relations "to a new high" on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries.
China Radio International also reported on Thursday that Premiers Wen and Thein Sein attended a signing ceremony for a China-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines project.
The pair were due to attend an inauguration ceremony at Myanmar International Conference Centre in Naypyidaw which was built and funded by China, before Wen returned to Yangon to fly out of the country.
He arrived in Yangon on Wednesday afternoon for what the state-controlled New Light of Myanmar newspaper said was a "goodwill visit", before visiting a school and the famed Shwedagon Pagoda.
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EarthTimes - EU neighbours sign up to Myanmar sanctions
Posted : Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:47:24 GMT
Brussels - Countries neighbouring the European Union, from Iceland to Armenia, have signed up to the bloc's decision to keep trade and visa bans on the Myanmar regime, the EU said Thursday.
The EU first brought in sanctions in 2006 in a bid to push the junta towards democracy. In April, it extended them for a year, arguing a "lack of improvement in the human rights situation and the absence of substantive progress towards an inclusive democratisation process."
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia, Croatia, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Norway "have declared that they share the objectives" of the sanctions regime and "will ensure that their national policies conform" to it, an EU statement said.
The sanctions include measures such as a ban on the import of wood and metals from Myanmar, a ban on arms exports, a ban on financial links with over 1,200 regime-linked companies, and a visa ban on some 400 regime figures and their families.
Posted : Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:47:24 GMT
Brussels - Countries neighbouring the European Union, from Iceland to Armenia, have signed up to the bloc's decision to keep trade and visa bans on the Myanmar regime, the EU said Thursday.
The EU first brought in sanctions in 2006 in a bid to push the junta towards democracy. In April, it extended them for a year, arguing a "lack of improvement in the human rights situation and the absence of substantive progress towards an inclusive democratisation process."
Albania, Armenia, Bosnia, Croatia, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Norway "have declared that they share the objectives" of the sanctions regime and "will ensure that their national policies conform" to it, an EU statement said.
The sanctions include measures such as a ban on the import of wood and metals from Myanmar, a ban on arms exports, a ban on financial links with over 1,200 regime-linked companies, and a visa ban on some 400 regime figures and their families.
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EarthTimes - Chinese premier meets Myanmar chief; US senator cancels trip - Summary
Posted : Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:06:29 GMT
Yangon - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met Thursday with Myanmar's junta chief and witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation agreements with the pariah state.
Wen met with junta head Senior General Than Shwe in Naypyitaw, Myanmar's military capital, for private talks, officials said.
China has in the past expressed concerns about Myanmar's ability to hold a general election it plans some time this year, the first polls there in two decades.
Beijing is worried that the junta's condition that all armed ethnic minority groups must transform themselves into government militias prior to the polls could lead to fighting in Myanmar's northern states that border China.
A Myanmar military attack on the Kokang armed force last year led to thousands of refugees fleeing into China's Yunnan province.
Besides meeting with Than Shwe, Wen also held talks with his Myanmar counterpart, Thein Sein.
The two premiers witnessed the signing of 15 economic agreements on a natural gas pipeline, hydropower, grant aid, rail transport, border trade and mining.
Wen arrived in Yangon Wednesday, making him the first Chinese premier to visit Myanmar in 16 years. He was scheduled to depart Thursday. Meanwhile, US embassy sources in Bangkok announced Thursday that US Senator Jim Webb had cancelled a planned visit to Myanmar, also known as Burma, where he was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
"Senator Jim Webb, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs, has concluded his visit to Thailand and Korea and will not be travelling to Burma as previously scheduled," the US embassy said in a statement.
Webb was last in Myanmar in August when he met with Than Shwe who agreed to free US national John William Yettaw, 53, who had been sentenced to seven years in jail for swimming uninvited to the home-cum-prison of Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi.
Posted : Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:06:29 GMT
Yangon - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met Thursday with Myanmar's junta chief and witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation agreements with the pariah state.
Wen met with junta head Senior General Than Shwe in Naypyitaw, Myanmar's military capital, for private talks, officials said.
China has in the past expressed concerns about Myanmar's ability to hold a general election it plans some time this year, the first polls there in two decades.
Beijing is worried that the junta's condition that all armed ethnic minority groups must transform themselves into government militias prior to the polls could lead to fighting in Myanmar's northern states that border China.
A Myanmar military attack on the Kokang armed force last year led to thousands of refugees fleeing into China's Yunnan province.
Besides meeting with Than Shwe, Wen also held talks with his Myanmar counterpart, Thein Sein.
The two premiers witnessed the signing of 15 economic agreements on a natural gas pipeline, hydropower, grant aid, rail transport, border trade and mining.
Wen arrived in Yangon Wednesday, making him the first Chinese premier to visit Myanmar in 16 years. He was scheduled to depart Thursday. Meanwhile, US embassy sources in Bangkok announced Thursday that US Senator Jim Webb had cancelled a planned visit to Myanmar, also known as Burma, where he was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
"Senator Jim Webb, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs, has concluded his visit to Thailand and Korea and will not be travelling to Burma as previously scheduled," the US embassy said in a statement.
Webb was last in Myanmar in August when he met with Than Shwe who agreed to free US national John William Yettaw, 53, who had been sentenced to seven years in jail for swimming uninvited to the home-cum-prison of Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi.
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Chinese, Myanmar premiers attend celebrations of anniversary of diplomatic ties
English.news.cn 2010-06-03 20:32:23
NAYPYITAW, Myanmar, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Myanmar Prime Minister U Thein Sein on Thursday attended celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the China-Myanmar diplomatic relations.
Wen, the first Chinese premier to visit Myanmar in 16 years, said in a speech that China and Myanmar as neighbors have had more than 1,000 years of friendly exchanges.
The two countries have supported each other in the struggle for national independence and emancipation and in the fight against foreign aggression, said Wen.
During the past 60 years, the China-Myanmar good-neighborly and friendly cooperation has stood the test of changes of international situation and thrived, Wen said.
Wen called on the two countries to cherish the friendly ties, saying that to further develop bilateral ties is the common aspiration and in fundamental interests of the two peoples.
China-Myanmar relations now stand at a new starting point and have a bright future, said Wen.
He expressed the hope that Myanmar people could make new achievements on the path of building up their country. The Chinese people will always be a good neighbor, good friend and good partner to the Myanmar people,said Wen.
Bilateral ties will definitely keep moving forward on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and the friendship deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples will last from generation to generation, Wen said.
Thein Sein, for his part, spoke highly of the Myanmar-China traditional friendship, saying the two countries, following the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, have established a long-term friendship.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Myanmar-China diplomatic ties, Premier Wen's visit is of great significance in the history of bilateral ties, said Thein Sein.
The Myanmar prime minister said a series of celebrations will hopefully promote Myanmar-China relations of good-neighborliness and friendly cooperation.
Also on Thursday, Wen and Thein Sein took part in a handover ceremony for an international conference center, which was constructed with Chinese aid.
English.news.cn 2010-06-03 20:32:23
NAYPYITAW, Myanmar, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Myanmar Prime Minister U Thein Sein on Thursday attended celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the China-Myanmar diplomatic relations.
Wen, the first Chinese premier to visit Myanmar in 16 years, said in a speech that China and Myanmar as neighbors have had more than 1,000 years of friendly exchanges.
The two countries have supported each other in the struggle for national independence and emancipation and in the fight against foreign aggression, said Wen.
During the past 60 years, the China-Myanmar good-neighborly and friendly cooperation has stood the test of changes of international situation and thrived, Wen said.
Wen called on the two countries to cherish the friendly ties, saying that to further develop bilateral ties is the common aspiration and in fundamental interests of the two peoples.
China-Myanmar relations now stand at a new starting point and have a bright future, said Wen.
He expressed the hope that Myanmar people could make new achievements on the path of building up their country. The Chinese people will always be a good neighbor, good friend and good partner to the Myanmar people,said Wen.
Bilateral ties will definitely keep moving forward on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and the friendship deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples will last from generation to generation, Wen said.
Thein Sein, for his part, spoke highly of the Myanmar-China traditional friendship, saying the two countries, following the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, have established a long-term friendship.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Myanmar-China diplomatic ties, Premier Wen's visit is of great significance in the history of bilateral ties, said Thein Sein.
The Myanmar prime minister said a series of celebrations will hopefully promote Myanmar-China relations of good-neighborliness and friendly cooperation.
Also on Thursday, Wen and Thein Sein took part in a handover ceremony for an international conference center, which was constructed with Chinese aid.
*****************************************************
June 03, 2010 15:42 PM
OCM Confident Myanmar Can Host 2013 SEA Games Successfully
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) expressed confidence that Myanmar can be a successful host of the 2013 SEA Games although regarded as a poor country.
OCM honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said this was despite critics raising doubts of Myanmar's ability to host the games.
He added that it was common for certain countries to be skeptical whenever a games was awarded to a certain country.
"When China was picked to host the 2008 Olympics, there was negative talk, but such skepticism was proved wrong by the host," he told Bernama.
Kok Chi said if Myanmar succeeded in hosting the SEA Games without any hitches, it would help elevate the image of the country internationally.
He added that OCM would also help Myanmar financially since the country had made an appeal for such assistance.
Kok Chi said Myanmar were currently developing a new township in the country and hope to take the opportunity of hosting the SEA Games in 2013, to build sporting facilities there.
"They (Myanmar) also hope to expedite the building of venues and facilities for the games," he said.
Myanmar, were awarded the host job for the 27th SEA Games during last week's Southeast Asian Games Federation (SGF) council meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, host of the 2011 SEA Games.
The last time Myanmar hosted the games was in 1969 when the country was known as Burma while the games was known as SEAP Games.
Myanmar are expected to host 27 sports.
OCM Confident Myanmar Can Host 2013 SEA Games Successfully
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) expressed confidence that Myanmar can be a successful host of the 2013 SEA Games although regarded as a poor country.
OCM honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said this was despite critics raising doubts of Myanmar's ability to host the games.
He added that it was common for certain countries to be skeptical whenever a games was awarded to a certain country.
"When China was picked to host the 2008 Olympics, there was negative talk, but such skepticism was proved wrong by the host," he told Bernama.
Kok Chi said if Myanmar succeeded in hosting the SEA Games without any hitches, it would help elevate the image of the country internationally.
He added that OCM would also help Myanmar financially since the country had made an appeal for such assistance.
Kok Chi said Myanmar were currently developing a new township in the country and hope to take the opportunity of hosting the SEA Games in 2013, to build sporting facilities there.
"They (Myanmar) also hope to expedite the building of venues and facilities for the games," he said.
Myanmar, were awarded the host job for the 27th SEA Games during last week's Southeast Asian Games Federation (SGF) council meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, host of the 2011 SEA Games.
The last time Myanmar hosted the games was in 1969 when the country was known as Burma while the games was known as SEAP Games.
Myanmar are expected to host 27 sports.
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Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Daily Star, (Bangladesh) - Myanmar's motivations
Jared Bissinger
CORRUPTION and political uncertainties have created incentives for Myanmar's junta to quickly settle the maritime boundary dispute with Bangladesh so that they, not their successors, can enjoy the spoils of offshore natural gas exploitation that the unresolved maritime boundary is blocking. These internal political pressures could lead to a settlement that is both quick and more favourable for Dhaka.
Myanmar's push to settle the maritime boundary comes from the small group of junta members who control the country's notoriously corrupt gas exports and stand to benefit from exports from the disputed area. In 2009, gas exports brought in about US $2.5 billion; however, little of this money found its way into the government's official budget.
That is because proceeds from natural gas sales are converted to kyat, Myanmar's local currency, at a market exchange rate of around 1,000/USD. But the transactions are recorded in the country's budget at the much lower official rate, currently 6.51 kyat/USD. This multi-tiered exchange rate helps the junta omit over 99% of the country's actual gas revenues from the official budget, and would likely be used for gas exports from the disputed area.
The fruits of Myanmar's creative accounting are spent by the junta and its cronies for personal and political purposes. Personal uses include mansions for top generals in the new capital Naypyidaw, special events such as the wedding of Than Shwe's daughter (which included wedding gifts worth an estimated US $50 million), and frequent travel to Singapore for, among other things, doctors visits or shopping excursions. Political projects funded by gas revenues include the construction of Naypyidaw in rural Myanmar, far from the dissent-prone former capital of Yangon, as well as the pursuit of nuclear technologies and a tunnel network. Gas revenues have also funded weapons purchases and allowed the junta to exert greater control over the country's military, the Tatmadaw. Gas revenues have given Myanmar's junta significantly more comfort and security, and additional revenues from the disputed area would likely only further enrich the junta.
Yet, the future for the junta and its cronies is rife with uncertainties about access to the corrupt stream of gas revenues. There is strong internal competition among the junta, other current and retired military officers, bureaucrats and the business class. The major uncertainty is not whether the junta will retain power, but who within the junta will retain power. These unknowns have intensified recently because of upcoming elections and the possible retirement of senior junta members. This instability gives the current junta a sense of urgency in its undertakings, especially those that could secure revenue. Few projects in Myanmar hold as great a promise of potential revenues as developing natural gas resources subsequent to settling the maritime boundary.
These high stakes explain the junta's motivation to settle the boundary quickly so that they, not their successors, can enjoy the spoils. The junta's urgency to settle the maritime boundary dispute should be recognised by Bangladesh as a result of the country's domestic political pressures. Myanmar, a natural gas exporter, should have the leverage to secure a more favourable settlement than Bangladesh, which is in the throes of a worsening electricity crisis caused by gas shortfalls. However, corruption and political uncertainty have mitigated this leverage and made it difficult for Myanmar to prolong the dispute settlement process. This should help Bangladesh secure both a quick and more favourable settlement to the maritime boundary dispute. However, for Dhaka would be wise not to wait for legal proceedings to run their course, but instead should be proactive in pushing for a faster settlement.
Jared Bissinger, is Research Fellow, National Bureau of Asian Research, in Seattle, USA. He can be reached at jaredbissinger@gmail.com.
The Daily Star, (Bangladesh) - Myanmar's motivations
Jared Bissinger
CORRUPTION and political uncertainties have created incentives for Myanmar's junta to quickly settle the maritime boundary dispute with Bangladesh so that they, not their successors, can enjoy the spoils of offshore natural gas exploitation that the unresolved maritime boundary is blocking. These internal political pressures could lead to a settlement that is both quick and more favourable for Dhaka.
Myanmar's push to settle the maritime boundary comes from the small group of junta members who control the country's notoriously corrupt gas exports and stand to benefit from exports from the disputed area. In 2009, gas exports brought in about US $2.5 billion; however, little of this money found its way into the government's official budget.
That is because proceeds from natural gas sales are converted to kyat, Myanmar's local currency, at a market exchange rate of around 1,000/USD. But the transactions are recorded in the country's budget at the much lower official rate, currently 6.51 kyat/USD. This multi-tiered exchange rate helps the junta omit over 99% of the country's actual gas revenues from the official budget, and would likely be used for gas exports from the disputed area.
The fruits of Myanmar's creative accounting are spent by the junta and its cronies for personal and political purposes. Personal uses include mansions for top generals in the new capital Naypyidaw, special events such as the wedding of Than Shwe's daughter (which included wedding gifts worth an estimated US $50 million), and frequent travel to Singapore for, among other things, doctors visits or shopping excursions. Political projects funded by gas revenues include the construction of Naypyidaw in rural Myanmar, far from the dissent-prone former capital of Yangon, as well as the pursuit of nuclear technologies and a tunnel network. Gas revenues have also funded weapons purchases and allowed the junta to exert greater control over the country's military, the Tatmadaw. Gas revenues have given Myanmar's junta significantly more comfort and security, and additional revenues from the disputed area would likely only further enrich the junta.
Yet, the future for the junta and its cronies is rife with uncertainties about access to the corrupt stream of gas revenues. There is strong internal competition among the junta, other current and retired military officers, bureaucrats and the business class. The major uncertainty is not whether the junta will retain power, but who within the junta will retain power. These unknowns have intensified recently because of upcoming elections and the possible retirement of senior junta members. This instability gives the current junta a sense of urgency in its undertakings, especially those that could secure revenue. Few projects in Myanmar hold as great a promise of potential revenues as developing natural gas resources subsequent to settling the maritime boundary.
These high stakes explain the junta's motivation to settle the boundary quickly so that they, not their successors, can enjoy the spoils. The junta's urgency to settle the maritime boundary dispute should be recognised by Bangladesh as a result of the country's domestic political pressures. Myanmar, a natural gas exporter, should have the leverage to secure a more favourable settlement than Bangladesh, which is in the throes of a worsening electricity crisis caused by gas shortfalls. However, corruption and political uncertainty have mitigated this leverage and made it difficult for Myanmar to prolong the dispute settlement process. This should help Bangladesh secure both a quick and more favourable settlement to the maritime boundary dispute. However, for Dhaka would be wise not to wait for legal proceedings to run their course, but instead should be proactive in pushing for a faster settlement.
Jared Bissinger, is Research Fellow, National Bureau of Asian Research, in Seattle, USA. He can be reached at jaredbissinger@gmail.com.
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The Irrawaddy - Wen Jiabao Talks Elections and Ethnic Issues with Than Shwe
By WAI MOE - Thursday, June 3, 2010
Although no official announcement of the discussions is expected to be made, diplomatic sources said that when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Burma's junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe in Naypyidaw on Thursday, Wen Jiabao brought up both Burma's announced election and ethnic issues surrounding the Sino-Burmese border.
The state media of Burma and China did not mention any political issues in reporting on both Wen Jiabao's agenda and his discussions with Burmese officials, but diplomatic sources in Burma said that the Chinese premier spoke to Than Shwe about inclusiveness in Burma's 2010 elections and stability in the border areas.
When contacted by The Irrawaddy, the Chinese embassy in Rangoon neither confirmed nor denied reports of discussions on these two issues, both sensitive topics for Burma's military regime.
In the past, Beijing was seen as unwilling to even privately discuss sensitive political issues with the junta that did not directly involve Chinese interests.
But observers say that following the junta's September 2007 crackdown against the mass demonstrations and the August 2009 Kokang offensive, which resulted in an exodus of refugees into China, the relationship between Beijing and Naypyidaw has changed, with China becoming a relatively “more responsible” partner which is willing, at least privately, to criticize the regime.
Analysts believe that Wen Jiabao’s comments to Than Shwe regarding Burma’s election repeated the position of the international community reflected in a statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following a March 25 meeting in New York of the “Group of Friends on Burma,” which consists of 17 countries including China, India and the United States, as well as the leadership of the European Union.
“The Group stressed the need for elections to be inclusive, participatory and transparent in order to advance the prospects of stability, democracy and development for all the people of Myanmar [Burma],” said Ban Ki-moon.
This call was similar to the message that Wen Jiabao previously communicated to Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein in a bilateral meeting held during the 15th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in October 2009.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site, Wen Jiabao told Thein Sein at the time that China hoped Burma “will achieve stability, national reconciliation and development.”
With respect to discussions between Wen Jiabao and Than Shwe regarding ethnic issues related to the Sino-Burmese border, there has been no word of what message Wen Jiabao communicated. But there was a public report on the issue following Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to Burma in December.
“China believes the Myanmar side would settle the relevant problems through peaceful ways such as dialogues and consultation so as to guarantee the stability in its border area with China,” China’s Xinhua news agency then quoted Xi Jinping as saying.
At the time, official Burmese sources in Naypyidaw said the regime's top generals were angry at this public statement by Xi Jinping.
Although Beijing publicly proclaims that it avoids interfering in other country's internal affairs, analysts said China has often, directly or indirectly, involved itself in Burma's internal affairs during their 60-year relationship.
Following the 1967 riot against minority Chinese living in Burma, the ruling Chinese Communist Party provided military and logistic support to Communist Party of Burma (CPB) troops. When Deng Xiaoping took over the Chinese leadership in 1981, Beijing organized a failed dialogue between the Burmese communists and the Burmese regime of late dictator Ne Win.
In 1989, observers said China played a significant role in the uprising of ethnic troops within the CPB against its leadership, which led to ceasefire agreements between former CPB ethnic troops and the Burmese junta, as well as the boosting of border trade between the two countries.
In addition, since 1988, China has become Burma's closest ally and has sold the regime massive amounts of arms, which has significantly impacted Burma's internal affairs. Human rights groups have alleged that the junta has used Chinese weapons to oppress the people of Burma.
“During 60 years of the Sino-Burma relationship, the Chinese government always interferes in Burma’s affairs, though it has said ‘No’,” said Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese observer in Yunnan, China who is a former communist guerrilla. “But all Chinese’s involvement in Burma is for their own interests.”
Although both Chinese and Burmese state media were silent Thursday regarding sensitive political topics, they did report on less controversial and more innocuous issues surrounding Wen Jiabao's visit.
Xinhua news agency reported that Wen Jiabao remarked in Naypyidaw on Thursday about “the consensus and agreements” reached with the Burmese leadership during his meeting with Than Shwe. Xinhua also reported that Wen Jiabao and Thein Sein witnessed a signing ceremony for 15 cooperation documents covering areas such as a natural gas pipeline, hydropower station and grant aid.
The Burmese state newspapers published on Thursday a picture of Wen Jiabao sitting with young Burmese students at a famous school in Rangoon, the No.1 Middle School of Dagon Township, where the Chinese premier was welcomed by Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win and the commander of Rangoon Regional Military Command, Maj-Gen Win Myint.
By WAI MOE - Thursday, June 3, 2010
Although no official announcement of the discussions is expected to be made, diplomatic sources said that when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Burma's junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe in Naypyidaw on Thursday, Wen Jiabao brought up both Burma's announced election and ethnic issues surrounding the Sino-Burmese border.
The state media of Burma and China did not mention any political issues in reporting on both Wen Jiabao's agenda and his discussions with Burmese officials, but diplomatic sources in Burma said that the Chinese premier spoke to Than Shwe about inclusiveness in Burma's 2010 elections and stability in the border areas.
When contacted by The Irrawaddy, the Chinese embassy in Rangoon neither confirmed nor denied reports of discussions on these two issues, both sensitive topics for Burma's military regime.
In the past, Beijing was seen as unwilling to even privately discuss sensitive political issues with the junta that did not directly involve Chinese interests.
But observers say that following the junta's September 2007 crackdown against the mass demonstrations and the August 2009 Kokang offensive, which resulted in an exodus of refugees into China, the relationship between Beijing and Naypyidaw has changed, with China becoming a relatively “more responsible” partner which is willing, at least privately, to criticize the regime.
Analysts believe that Wen Jiabao’s comments to Than Shwe regarding Burma’s election repeated the position of the international community reflected in a statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following a March 25 meeting in New York of the “Group of Friends on Burma,” which consists of 17 countries including China, India and the United States, as well as the leadership of the European Union.
“The Group stressed the need for elections to be inclusive, participatory and transparent in order to advance the prospects of stability, democracy and development for all the people of Myanmar [Burma],” said Ban Ki-moon.
This call was similar to the message that Wen Jiabao previously communicated to Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein in a bilateral meeting held during the 15th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in October 2009.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site, Wen Jiabao told Thein Sein at the time that China hoped Burma “will achieve stability, national reconciliation and development.”
With respect to discussions between Wen Jiabao and Than Shwe regarding ethnic issues related to the Sino-Burmese border, there has been no word of what message Wen Jiabao communicated. But there was a public report on the issue following Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to Burma in December.
“China believes the Myanmar side would settle the relevant problems through peaceful ways such as dialogues and consultation so as to guarantee the stability in its border area with China,” China’s Xinhua news agency then quoted Xi Jinping as saying.
At the time, official Burmese sources in Naypyidaw said the regime's top generals were angry at this public statement by Xi Jinping.
Although Beijing publicly proclaims that it avoids interfering in other country's internal affairs, analysts said China has often, directly or indirectly, involved itself in Burma's internal affairs during their 60-year relationship.
Following the 1967 riot against minority Chinese living in Burma, the ruling Chinese Communist Party provided military and logistic support to Communist Party of Burma (CPB) troops. When Deng Xiaoping took over the Chinese leadership in 1981, Beijing organized a failed dialogue between the Burmese communists and the Burmese regime of late dictator Ne Win.
In 1989, observers said China played a significant role in the uprising of ethnic troops within the CPB against its leadership, which led to ceasefire agreements between former CPB ethnic troops and the Burmese junta, as well as the boosting of border trade between the two countries.
In addition, since 1988, China has become Burma's closest ally and has sold the regime massive amounts of arms, which has significantly impacted Burma's internal affairs. Human rights groups have alleged that the junta has used Chinese weapons to oppress the people of Burma.
“During 60 years of the Sino-Burma relationship, the Chinese government always interferes in Burma’s affairs, though it has said ‘No’,” said Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese observer in Yunnan, China who is a former communist guerrilla. “But all Chinese’s involvement in Burma is for their own interests.”
Although both Chinese and Burmese state media were silent Thursday regarding sensitive political topics, they did report on less controversial and more innocuous issues surrounding Wen Jiabao's visit.
Xinhua news agency reported that Wen Jiabao remarked in Naypyidaw on Thursday about “the consensus and agreements” reached with the Burmese leadership during his meeting with Than Shwe. Xinhua also reported that Wen Jiabao and Thein Sein witnessed a signing ceremony for 15 cooperation documents covering areas such as a natural gas pipeline, hydropower station and grant aid.
The Burmese state newspapers published on Thursday a picture of Wen Jiabao sitting with young Burmese students at a famous school in Rangoon, the No.1 Middle School of Dagon Township, where the Chinese premier was welcomed by Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win and the commander of Rangoon Regional Military Command, Maj-Gen Win Myint.
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The Irrawaddy - Naypyidaw Experiences Electricity Shortage
By AUNG THET WINE - Thursday, June 3, 2010
RANGOON—Naypyidaw, the capital of Burma, which has always received normal electricity service, is now facing a shortage of electricity, said a government official.
Most of the government ministries in Nepyidaw, since mid-May, have been facing electricity shortages.
Rangoon, Mandalay and other major cities are facing the worst shortages of electricity, said an official at the Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE).
The official said, “Even in the ministry offices, the power supply went off. I've been working here since we moved from Rangoon in 2006. I've never seen an electricity shortage here.”
In Rangoon and Mandalay, electricity is scarce to non-existent, with many people receiving only one to three hours service a day. Pegu, Sagaing, Magwe divisions and other areas are experiencing a total halt in electricity, according to sources.
In Mandalay located in the middle of the country, electricity frequently appears for only one hour a day. Zaygyo, the city's well-known market, has had no electricity for several days, said a resident.
According to sources in Rangoon, all traffic lights, schools, and even government hospitals are frequently without any electricity service.
Apparently, the government is alternating limited service on a rotation basis in many areas.
“Every ward in a neighborhood gets electricity for an hour to pump water,” said an engineer at the MEPE Rangoon office.
Officials at the Ministry of Electric Power-2 said that the electricity shortage is due to a natural gas pipeline leak, problems with hydro-electric generators and low-water levels in reservoirs.
The Ministry of Electric Power-2 is responsible for distributing electricity, and the Ministry of Electric Power-1 manages power plants. The pipeline leak occurred near Mudon Township in Mon State, according to sources.
“Another problem is that Chinese-made hydro-electric generators are always breaking and sometimes there’s not a sufficient amount of water to run the generators,” an official at the Ministry of Electric Power-2 said.
In Pegu Division, electricity has been completely cutoff for days, and local people in almost all townships have turned to rented diesel generators in order to pump water for daily use, said one source.
“We are renting the diesel engines to pump out water and when raining, we collected rainwater. We haven’t had electricity for nearly one month,” said a resident in Oatpho Township.
By AUNG THET WINE - Thursday, June 3, 2010
RANGOON—Naypyidaw, the capital of Burma, which has always received normal electricity service, is now facing a shortage of electricity, said a government official.
Most of the government ministries in Nepyidaw, since mid-May, have been facing electricity shortages.
Rangoon, Mandalay and other major cities are facing the worst shortages of electricity, said an official at the Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE).
The official said, “Even in the ministry offices, the power supply went off. I've been working here since we moved from Rangoon in 2006. I've never seen an electricity shortage here.”
In Rangoon and Mandalay, electricity is scarce to non-existent, with many people receiving only one to three hours service a day. Pegu, Sagaing, Magwe divisions and other areas are experiencing a total halt in electricity, according to sources.
In Mandalay located in the middle of the country, electricity frequently appears for only one hour a day. Zaygyo, the city's well-known market, has had no electricity for several days, said a resident.
According to sources in Rangoon, all traffic lights, schools, and even government hospitals are frequently without any electricity service.
Apparently, the government is alternating limited service on a rotation basis in many areas.
“Every ward in a neighborhood gets electricity for an hour to pump water,” said an engineer at the MEPE Rangoon office.
Officials at the Ministry of Electric Power-2 said that the electricity shortage is due to a natural gas pipeline leak, problems with hydro-electric generators and low-water levels in reservoirs.
The Ministry of Electric Power-2 is responsible for distributing electricity, and the Ministry of Electric Power-1 manages power plants. The pipeline leak occurred near Mudon Township in Mon State, according to sources.
“Another problem is that Chinese-made hydro-electric generators are always breaking and sometimes there’s not a sufficient amount of water to run the generators,” an official at the Ministry of Electric Power-2 said.
In Pegu Division, electricity has been completely cutoff for days, and local people in almost all townships have turned to rented diesel generators in order to pump water for daily use, said one source.
“We are renting the diesel engines to pump out water and when raining, we collected rainwater. We haven’t had electricity for nearly one month,” said a resident in Oatpho Township.
*****************************************************
The Irrawaddy - UN Group to Begin Child Soldier Information Campaign
By KYAW THEIN KHA - Thursday, June 3, 2010
As part of its campaign against child soldiers and forced labor in Burma, the UN's International Labor Organization (ILO), together with Burma's military regime, will begin issuing educational leaflets in the second week of June, an official from the Rangoon branch of the ILO said on Wednesday.
“We'll distribute leaflets among the public in the second week of June that give the definition of a child soldier and forced labor. Our mission aims to stop forced labor and child soldier cases [in Burma],” the ILO official told The Irrawaddy. “Forced labor includes forcing children to serve in the army,” he added.
The ILO is the only body officially mandated to tackle the child soldier problem in Burma. The regime's Ministry of Labor and the ILO agreed to issue the brochures after a January 18 meeting between Minister of Labor Aung Kyi and Kari Tapiola, the executive director of the ILO.
In the first stage of the ILO campaign, 100,000 leaflets will be distributed through the UN, NGOs and human right groups. If necessary, more leaftlets will be printed.
“The brochures should be handed out at the grassroots level. Just giving the definition of forced labor and the address of the ILO in the brochures will not be effective, because the people already know about that. What they don't know is the procedure for how and where to complain about those cases in their region, step by step,” said Aye Myint, a human rights activist and lawyer who handles child soldier cases.
Speaking with The Irrawaddy on Wednesday, Aye Myint said, “Last year alone, the number of child soldier cases I filed complaints on at the ILO was 122. I've filed complaints on 19 child soldier cases at the ILO from January to May this year. The child soldier cases this year are getting worse and worse.”
The ILO said it received 80 child soldier cases in 2009 that were ultimately approved. Between January and May, 2010, it recieved 70 child soldier cases that have been approved.
The cooperation that the junta has given the ILO with respect to the information campaign marks a change in attitude towards the child soldier issue by the regime.
In a report from the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to the UN security council, dated June 1, 2009, the secretary general outlined what he perceived to be a "lack of interest" on the part of Burmese authorities to aggressively put an end to the practice of recruiting child soldiers.
According to the report, those most susceptible to finding themselves serving in the ranks of Burma's military include unaccompanied street children and loiterers in the vicinity of railway stations and pagodas – including novice monks. Orphans were said to be at particular risk from military recruiters.
A report by Human Rights Watch in 2002 said an estimated 70,000 child soldiers made up around 20 percent of the Burmese army, and Burma is thought to have one of the world’s highest numbers of child soldiers.
Despite the fact that the ILO has signed an agreement with the junta to handle child soldier and forced labor cases, and the information campaign is set to begin, a number of forced labor and child soldier activists are still being detained in prisons across the country.
By KYAW THEIN KHA - Thursday, June 3, 2010
As part of its campaign against child soldiers and forced labor in Burma, the UN's International Labor Organization (ILO), together with Burma's military regime, will begin issuing educational leaflets in the second week of June, an official from the Rangoon branch of the ILO said on Wednesday.
“We'll distribute leaflets among the public in the second week of June that give the definition of a child soldier and forced labor. Our mission aims to stop forced labor and child soldier cases [in Burma],” the ILO official told The Irrawaddy. “Forced labor includes forcing children to serve in the army,” he added.
The ILO is the only body officially mandated to tackle the child soldier problem in Burma. The regime's Ministry of Labor and the ILO agreed to issue the brochures after a January 18 meeting between Minister of Labor Aung Kyi and Kari Tapiola, the executive director of the ILO.
In the first stage of the ILO campaign, 100,000 leaflets will be distributed through the UN, NGOs and human right groups. If necessary, more leaftlets will be printed.
“The brochures should be handed out at the grassroots level. Just giving the definition of forced labor and the address of the ILO in the brochures will not be effective, because the people already know about that. What they don't know is the procedure for how and where to complain about those cases in their region, step by step,” said Aye Myint, a human rights activist and lawyer who handles child soldier cases.
Speaking with The Irrawaddy on Wednesday, Aye Myint said, “Last year alone, the number of child soldier cases I filed complaints on at the ILO was 122. I've filed complaints on 19 child soldier cases at the ILO from January to May this year. The child soldier cases this year are getting worse and worse.”
The ILO said it received 80 child soldier cases in 2009 that were ultimately approved. Between January and May, 2010, it recieved 70 child soldier cases that have been approved.
The cooperation that the junta has given the ILO with respect to the information campaign marks a change in attitude towards the child soldier issue by the regime.
In a report from the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to the UN security council, dated June 1, 2009, the secretary general outlined what he perceived to be a "lack of interest" on the part of Burmese authorities to aggressively put an end to the practice of recruiting child soldiers.
According to the report, those most susceptible to finding themselves serving in the ranks of Burma's military include unaccompanied street children and loiterers in the vicinity of railway stations and pagodas – including novice monks. Orphans were said to be at particular risk from military recruiters.
A report by Human Rights Watch in 2002 said an estimated 70,000 child soldiers made up around 20 percent of the Burmese army, and Burma is thought to have one of the world’s highest numbers of child soldiers.
Despite the fact that the ILO has signed an agreement with the junta to handle child soldier and forced labor cases, and the information campaign is set to begin, a number of forced labor and child soldier activists are still being detained in prisons across the country.
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DVB News - Rangoon photographer facing two charges
By KHIN HNIN HTET
Published: 3 June 2010
A man arrested by Burmese police after photographing the deadly Rangoon bombings in April appeared in court on Tuesday on two charges of breaching immigration laws and alliances with ‘unlawful’ groups.
Details of the charges are unclear, but judges reportedly claimed that Sithu Zeya, who along with his father was arrested shortly after the 15 April attacks which killed nine people, had crossed into Burma illegally. His Rangoon-based legal advisor, Aung Thein, said that he had been charged under the Unlawful Associations Act and the Immigration Act.
“Just taking photos of the bombing is not a good enough reason for the prosecution,” said Aung Thein. “However, throughout the interrogation, [the authorities] found other reasons and used the Unlawful Association Act instead.
“There are many cases of people being charged after interrogation under different laws than the ones initially planned by the authorities,” he added.
The trial is due to formally begin on 4 June; he is being prosecuted by the Burmese government’s Special Intelligence Department.
His father, Maung Maung Zeya, meanwhile appeared in court on 31 May where his remand was extended for another week, his wife and mother of Sithu Zeya said. He is facing charges under the Electronics Acts and the Unlawful Associations Act.
“He is in Bahan court [in Rangoon],” his wife Yee Yee Tint said. “Previously I heard that he was going to be sent to Insein prison. Neither me nor the lawyers understand [the processing by the authorities] – he should have been sent [home] by this time.
“He’s not really okay [in detention]. He is being held with other people of various crimes. But he said he was trying to get along with them and is also giving them moral support for their problems…I gave him some liver medicine.”
Meanwhile, another man arrested in connection with the bombing, engineer Phyo Wei Aung, also had his remand extended on 31 May. Phyo Wei Aung has Hepatitis B and the authorities are yet to respond his family’s request to give him medical assistance.
Another man, named Myo Gyi was arrested on 20 April also in connection with the bombing and is now being charged at Kamaryut township court in Rangoon division.
His brother said however that Myo Gyi was at a religious retreat around the time of the bombings and there was no evidence that he had connection with the incident, arguing instead that he was “being tried…for something he did in the past”.
Myo Gyi, a 27-year-old university graduate, was charged under the Immigration Act and the Unlawful Association Act, along with another youth, Thaw Zin.
Sources closed to Insein prison said that authorities could not find any evidence of a link to the bombings for the other youths, also detained in the prison, and who were now being charged for use of drugs.
Additional reporting by Yee May Aung
By KHIN HNIN HTET
Published: 3 June 2010
A man arrested by Burmese police after photographing the deadly Rangoon bombings in April appeared in court on Tuesday on two charges of breaching immigration laws and alliances with ‘unlawful’ groups.
Details of the charges are unclear, but judges reportedly claimed that Sithu Zeya, who along with his father was arrested shortly after the 15 April attacks which killed nine people, had crossed into Burma illegally. His Rangoon-based legal advisor, Aung Thein, said that he had been charged under the Unlawful Associations Act and the Immigration Act.
“Just taking photos of the bombing is not a good enough reason for the prosecution,” said Aung Thein. “However, throughout the interrogation, [the authorities] found other reasons and used the Unlawful Association Act instead.
“There are many cases of people being charged after interrogation under different laws than the ones initially planned by the authorities,” he added.
The trial is due to formally begin on 4 June; he is being prosecuted by the Burmese government’s Special Intelligence Department.
His father, Maung Maung Zeya, meanwhile appeared in court on 31 May where his remand was extended for another week, his wife and mother of Sithu Zeya said. He is facing charges under the Electronics Acts and the Unlawful Associations Act.
“He is in Bahan court [in Rangoon],” his wife Yee Yee Tint said. “Previously I heard that he was going to be sent to Insein prison. Neither me nor the lawyers understand [the processing by the authorities] – he should have been sent [home] by this time.
“He’s not really okay [in detention]. He is being held with other people of various crimes. But he said he was trying to get along with them and is also giving them moral support for their problems…I gave him some liver medicine.”
Meanwhile, another man arrested in connection with the bombing, engineer Phyo Wei Aung, also had his remand extended on 31 May. Phyo Wei Aung has Hepatitis B and the authorities are yet to respond his family’s request to give him medical assistance.
Another man, named Myo Gyi was arrested on 20 April also in connection with the bombing and is now being charged at Kamaryut township court in Rangoon division.
His brother said however that Myo Gyi was at a religious retreat around the time of the bombings and there was no evidence that he had connection with the incident, arguing instead that he was “being tried…for something he did in the past”.
Myo Gyi, a 27-year-old university graduate, was charged under the Immigration Act and the Unlawful Association Act, along with another youth, Thaw Zin.
Sources closed to Insein prison said that authorities could not find any evidence of a link to the bombings for the other youths, also detained in the prison, and who were now being charged for use of drugs.
Additional reporting by Yee May Aung
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Half Five Star’s crew abandons shipping line
Thursday, 03 June 2010 22:57 Salai Han Thar San
New Delhi (Mizzima) – About half of the total workforce at Burmese shipping’s Five Star Line have quit their posts as of Tuesday, saying they would seek better pay as crewmen for foreign lines.
Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (UMEHL), established to finance the Burmese military, took over the Burmese shipping line, which was operating freight and passenger transport services, on April 1. Two months after the takeover, at least 550 sailors out of total 1,227 sailors, have submitted their resignations.
“We are continuing the appointments of old employees who wished to continue their service … after … seeking and receiving their consent,” a senior Five Star official told Mizzima. “And we let the employees who do not wish to continue service … resign from their jobs.”
The resigned sailors represented 350 deckhands and 200 from engine rooms. The Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDC) of those who resigned will today be transferred completely to the Seamen Employment Control Division (SECD) in Dawbon Township, Rangoon, a source said.
The CDC verifies that the person holding it is a seaman according to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers (STCW). Every seafarer must carry this log while on board ship, which is also an official and legal record of his sea experience, along with captains’ remarks.
Five Star Line has nine freighters in international waters and 16 coastal passenger ships but only 14 ships are in a serviceable condition.
After the takeover, UMEHL tried to retain employees by raising salaries under four ship-group divisions, but the move obviously failed.
Group I contains ocean-going freighters Coco Island, Kyaukphyu and Keungtung. Group II contains short-haul ocean-going ships the Tavoy, Manaung, Pegu, Sagaing, Magwe and Mandalay. Group III contains Mawlamyaing, Sittwe and Ocean Brave. Group IV contains coastal domestic passenger ships including the Myitkyina and the Taunggyi.
According to the new pay-scale starting from June 1, the highest paid group of employees – captains and chief engineers in Group I ships – will get US$5,000 a month and the same ranks in Group II and Group III ships will be paid US$4,700 and US$3,500 respectively. The same ranks in Group IV will be paid Ks. 750,000 Kyats (US$750) a month.
But the seamen had complained that even this new pay scale was still less than the rates offered by foreign shipping lines.
Under state management, the Five Star Line has made losses for many years and faced redundancy problems. However the line conducted a recruitment drive recently so it would avoid serious crew shortages in its operations, a line official claimed.
operates freight and passenger services along the 1,199-mile (1,930-kilometre) coastline from Arakan (Rakhine) State in the west to Tanintharyi State in the south.
Its “Far-East” services visit Japan, Hong Kong, China, South Korea and the line operates on Southeast Asian routes that take in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. The company also carries freight to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries.
Thursday, 03 June 2010 22:57 Salai Han Thar San
New Delhi (Mizzima) – About half of the total workforce at Burmese shipping’s Five Star Line have quit their posts as of Tuesday, saying they would seek better pay as crewmen for foreign lines.
Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (UMEHL), established to finance the Burmese military, took over the Burmese shipping line, which was operating freight and passenger transport services, on April 1. Two months after the takeover, at least 550 sailors out of total 1,227 sailors, have submitted their resignations.
“We are continuing the appointments of old employees who wished to continue their service … after … seeking and receiving their consent,” a senior Five Star official told Mizzima. “And we let the employees who do not wish to continue service … resign from their jobs.”
The resigned sailors represented 350 deckhands and 200 from engine rooms. The Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDC) of those who resigned will today be transferred completely to the Seamen Employment Control Division (SECD) in Dawbon Township, Rangoon, a source said.
The CDC verifies that the person holding it is a seaman according to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers (STCW). Every seafarer must carry this log while on board ship, which is also an official and legal record of his sea experience, along with captains’ remarks.
Five Star Line has nine freighters in international waters and 16 coastal passenger ships but only 14 ships are in a serviceable condition.
After the takeover, UMEHL tried to retain employees by raising salaries under four ship-group divisions, but the move obviously failed.
Group I contains ocean-going freighters Coco Island, Kyaukphyu and Keungtung. Group II contains short-haul ocean-going ships the Tavoy, Manaung, Pegu, Sagaing, Magwe and Mandalay. Group III contains Mawlamyaing, Sittwe and Ocean Brave. Group IV contains coastal domestic passenger ships including the Myitkyina and the Taunggyi.
According to the new pay-scale starting from June 1, the highest paid group of employees – captains and chief engineers in Group I ships – will get US$5,000 a month and the same ranks in Group II and Group III ships will be paid US$4,700 and US$3,500 respectively. The same ranks in Group IV will be paid Ks. 750,000 Kyats (US$750) a month.
But the seamen had complained that even this new pay scale was still less than the rates offered by foreign shipping lines.
Under state management, the Five Star Line has made losses for many years and faced redundancy problems. However the line conducted a recruitment drive recently so it would avoid serious crew shortages in its operations, a line official claimed.
operates freight and passenger services along the 1,199-mile (1,930-kilometre) coastline from Arakan (Rakhine) State in the west to Tanintharyi State in the south.
Its “Far-East” services visit Japan, Hong Kong, China, South Korea and the line operates on Southeast Asian routes that take in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. The company also carries freight to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries.
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Insein court tacks 10 years on to youth’s term
Monday, 31 May 2010 11:38 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The jail term of a National League for Democracy party youth member serving a sentence for distributing Aung San Suu Kyi’s portrait has been extended 10 years bringing the total penalty to 14½ years, according to a political prisoners’ rights group based in Thailand.
Rangoon East District court yesterday heard the case of NLD Tamwe Township youth wing chief Kyaw Moe Naing, a.k.a. Kyaw Gyi, inside Insein prison and added 10 years to his jail term under the Electronic Act.
The military regime widely uses this Electronics Act to punish for punishing pro-democracy oppositions. Section 33(b) bans the disseminating of information on the internet which can destabilise the state and undermine state security.
Among the more than 2,100 political prisoners, almost all sentenced to long terms after 2005 were charged under this law, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP-B) secretary Teik Naing said.
“The judge said that the defendant had used the internet to disseminate information to ‘unlawful exile associations’,” said Myo Than Htiek, who witnessed the verdict.
The judge failed however to refer specific unlawful associations.
The police arrested Kyaw Moe Naing and his party colleagues Aung Aung, a.k.a. Aung Aung Oo, Kyaw Win Tun, a.k.a. Bo Tun, on June 12 last year near the Tamwe roundabout while they were distributing portraits of opposition leader and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to passers-by.
Kyaw Moe Naing was originally sentenced to two years in prison under section 505(b) of the Penal Code for offences against the state and public tranquility and another two years for contact with unlawful associations. He was already serving these terms in Insein prison. His colleagues were also each serving two-year terms on the same charge of committing an offence against the state.
The youths were arrested while pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi was on trial inside Insein prison charged with violating the terms of her house arrest by “entertaining” intruder US citizen John Yettaw, who had swum across Inya Lake in Rangoon and stayed at her crumbling villa for two nights.
Monday, 31 May 2010 11:38 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The jail term of a National League for Democracy party youth member serving a sentence for distributing Aung San Suu Kyi’s portrait has been extended 10 years bringing the total penalty to 14½ years, according to a political prisoners’ rights group based in Thailand.
Rangoon East District court yesterday heard the case of NLD Tamwe Township youth wing chief Kyaw Moe Naing, a.k.a. Kyaw Gyi, inside Insein prison and added 10 years to his jail term under the Electronic Act.
The military regime widely uses this Electronics Act to punish for punishing pro-democracy oppositions. Section 33(b) bans the disseminating of information on the internet which can destabilise the state and undermine state security.
Among the more than 2,100 political prisoners, almost all sentenced to long terms after 2005 were charged under this law, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP-B) secretary Teik Naing said.
“The judge said that the defendant had used the internet to disseminate information to ‘unlawful exile associations’,” said Myo Than Htiek, who witnessed the verdict.
The judge failed however to refer specific unlawful associations.
The police arrested Kyaw Moe Naing and his party colleagues Aung Aung, a.k.a. Aung Aung Oo, Kyaw Win Tun, a.k.a. Bo Tun, on June 12 last year near the Tamwe roundabout while they were distributing portraits of opposition leader and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to passers-by.
Kyaw Moe Naing was originally sentenced to two years in prison under section 505(b) of the Penal Code for offences against the state and public tranquility and another two years for contact with unlawful associations. He was already serving these terms in Insein prison. His colleagues were also each serving two-year terms on the same charge of committing an offence against the state.
The youths were arrested while pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi was on trial inside Insein prison charged with violating the terms of her house arrest by “entertaining” intruder US citizen John Yettaw, who had swum across Inya Lake in Rangoon and stayed at her crumbling villa for two nights.
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