Thursday, 19 May 2011

News & Articles on Burma

Suu Kyi Promises Provincial Campaign
By SAW YAN NAING Thursday, May 19, 2011

Burma's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi told reporters on Thursday evening that she will soon travel to areas outside Rangoon to campaign on behalf of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).

In the past, she has been prevented from travelling outside of Rangoon for fear her popularity could encourage dissent against the ruling junta. Suu Kyi's last detention began in May 2003 after her motorcade was ambushed in Depayin in northern Burma by a government-backed mob.

Her comments came after a meeting with senior US diplomat Joseph Yun who arrived in Rangoon on Thursday and met the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and members of the NLD central executive committee.

At a press briefing after the meeting with Yun, Suu Kyi said that she believes President Obama will renew US economic sanctions against Burma because there has not been "sufficient improvement" in the country, and that only when the Burmese government takes positive steps will the US lift sanctions.

Commenting on the new government’s recent amnesty for about 17,000 prisoners, Suu Kyi said that she doesn’t think it can be called an amnesty, but "clemency."

She said she told Yun that there are 27 NLD members out of the 50 political prisoners that were freed.

Before leaving Burmese capital Naypyidaw earlier that day, the deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, Joseph Y. Yun, held talks with several leaders of the new government, including Foreign Minister Wanna Maung Lwin, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Myo Myint, and Lower House Deputy Speaker Nanda Kyaw Swar, according to a report by state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar on Thursday.

Yun was also accompanied by Larry Dinger, the chargé d’affaires in Rangoon, during his meeting in the new capital where they discussed matters related to the promotion of bilateral relations and mutual interests, said the report.
The four-day visit by Yun comes as the US and other countries consider their policies after Burma’s recent transition from military rule.

Burma dissolved the junta on March 30, following a general election in November, but critics charge the change is simply cosmetic and the army continues to wield supreme political power.

In December, Suu Kyi met with Yun in Rangoon and discussed economic sanctions against Burma.

In January, Yun said that the US will not consider lifting economic sanctions against Burma unless the Burmese government recognizes opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party and releases political prisoners.

At a panel discussion on Burma in Washington DC in April, Yun told the audience that the Obama administration is trying its best to engage with the Burmese junta, but without any success.

In late April at a school-opening ceremony in Irrawaddy Division, Htay Oo, the general secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, which was formed by ex-army officials, welcomed the nomination of a proposed US special envoy to Burma, Derek Mitchell. Htay Oo said that Mitchell could act as a “direct channel” between Burma and the US government, according to a report by Rangoon-based The Myanmar Times.

Rangoon-based Irrawaddy correspondents contributed to this article. http://www.irrawaddy.org./article.php?art_id=21327
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STRAITS TIMES: May 19, 2011
US envoy meets Myanmar's Suu Kyi

A senior US diplomat (right) met Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (left) on Thursday for talks about the country's new political landscape following the recent dissolution of the junta. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

YANGON - A SENIOR US diplomat met Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday for talks about the country's new political landscape following the recent dissolution of the junta.

Joseph Yun, the deputy US assistant secretary for East Asia and Pacific affairs, described the meeting as 'very good' but did not reveal details of his discussion with the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

US President Barack Obama's administration in 2009 launched a drive to engage with Myanmar's junta, which in March this year made way for a nominally civilian but army backed government after the first election in 20 years.

Washington has voiced disappointment with the results of the dialogue and refused to ease sanctions after the November poll, which was marred by complaints of cheating and won by the military's political proxies.

On Wednesday Mr Yun held talks with Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin in the capital Naypyidaw in the highest-level meeting between the two nations since the handover of power to the new government.

'We have a policy of engagement,' Mr Yun told reporters. -- AFP http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_670437.html
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'How Can I Say That I'm Happy?'
By KO HTWE Thursday, May 19, 2011

Kyaw San, 79, was a political prisoner for more than 15 of the 21 years that Than Shwe's military regime held power. Conscripted into the army in 1949, he attended the Defense Service Academy No 18 and later was promoted to colonel. After serving over 36 years in the army, he retired in 1986 and went on to participate in the 1988 uprising with Tin Oo, who is the current vice-president of the National League for Democracy (NLD). In 1990, Kyaw San was elected to be an MP in Parliament, but the election was not honored by the regime and in 1992 he was sentenced to a seven-year, seven-month prison term for praising Aung San Suu Kyi for winning the Nobel Peace Prize. He was released after serving three years, but rearrested for misbehavior and forced to complete his original sentence plus two additional years. In 2005, he was once again sentenced to seven years, this time for assisting in the transportation of illegal goods. On Tuesday, Kyaw San was released from prison after serving 6-years and 2 months of his seven-year prison term.

Kyaw San is currently a member of the NLD's central executive committee and the chairman of the Sagaing Division. The Irrawaddy reporter Ko Htwe spoke with him about the amnesty program that allowed him to be released, his life in prison and his future political intentions.

Kyaw San
Question: What is your opinion of the amnesty program?

Answer: I don't want to argue that I was released one year early because of the great mercy of the president. The political prisoners who were released because of the amnesty were going to be free anyways within a few months. The families of the rest of the political prisoners waiting in front of the prison are continually in tears. How can I say that I'm happy?

Some are happy when they are free from prison and leave the life of a novice, but I cannot be happy when I am free from prison. My comrades are still serving 65-year sentences, so I'm not delighted even though I'm free. But I was delighted when I met with my family and 6-year old grand daughter, who was born when I was in prison. I have to keep in touch with my leaders and wish to proceed with my political work. For all of my comrades in prison who got 1-year sentence reductions, it is like throwing sesame into the mouth of an elephant. It is political nonsense. In the past, the Home Affairs minister also freed prisoners who were serving 20 and 30-year prison terms after 3-years imprisonment. One year amnesty from the president is a joke for the international community. It is undignified and has no political benefit.

The new government is not concerned with national reconciliation. If they want to have national reconciliation and establish a clean government, they need to free all political prisoners. The new government at first signaled that there will be discussions with all ethnic minority, opposition and underground groups, including exiled groups. But this first action on amnesty makes their dignity so small.

Q: Will you proceed with your political career?

A: I spoke with our leaders on the telephone. Our leader Aung San Suu Kyi is the daughter of General Aung San, who was the leader of our nation and the father of the army. So I believe I'll never be a person who abandons leaders and comrades in this tight corner. So I'll be with them while I'm healthy. I will never ignore the affairs of democracy. I have a duty to put the sovereignty in the hands of the real public. I cannot do it alone. Unity can bring success, so I have to discuss and negotiate with the leader and my comrades. To sum up, I decided not to split with my comrades and will cooperate with them.

Q: What is your opinion of Aung San Suu Kyi?

A: She is like my sister. We have the same essential political view. Our hearts are connected. As a citizen of Burma, I also have the duty to protect and surround her because she is the daughter of our national leader Aung San. I have a commitment to join hands with her, whatever I have to face.

Q: How do you view the opposition movement? Have they become stronger or weaker?

A: I don't know exactly what they are doing outside. They are doing the best they can. Exiles are also effective in some ways, but inside we have to capitalize on our life. There is much evidence that many political prisoners ruin their life, divorce and leave their infants. I think we need to try to live in accordance with love and wisdom. If we act with anger we will blunder. We need to hold the democratic principles. We must have unity, avoid terrorism and respect discipline. We need to organize the public forces. The other side is not the enemy because we are of the same nationality. Whatever they say, we need to try to act with love.

Q: What is your expectation for change?

A: The words of the president were delightful. But although the speech is professional, the actions are still at the primary level. The words are marvelous, but now the actions speak louder than the words. We need to wait and see. After a half-year their graph will take shape. But we don't need to wait just for chance or circumstances, we have to do what we must. If the public and political parties are united and our actions are not selfish and are based on good strategy, we will achieve our goal.

Q: What is your opinion of the new government?

A: The speech of the president is respectful and welcomed. He ideologically said the right thing but needs time for him to shape the outcome. It is very early to say. But the situation is not so good at the starting point.

Q: How was your experience in jail?

A: The authorities violated the law of human rights and need to repair a lot. On the facade, they pretended to repair the damage, but it was very ugly inside. Authorities from the prison neglected living standards, communication and health care by transferring duties to deputy jailers who could do whatever they wished. There are many weaknesses in the administration and health care system. I never ate food from the jail the entire 6-years. Human rights violation are still ongoing. Although I'm retired from the army and older than the jailer, he threatened us by saying: “If you don't obey, my hand will speak.�

Copyright © 2008 Irrawaddy Publishing Group | www.irrawaddy.org http://www.irrawaddy.org./article.php?art_id=21326
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Karen army denies Naypyidaw train blast
By FRANCIS WADE
Published: 19 May 2011

A time-bomb that exploded on a train close to Burma’s capital was not the work of the opposition Karen National Liberation Army, its general secretary said today in response to accusations by the Burmese government.

Two died and a further seven were injured yesterday evening as the train passed through Tatkone township, close to Naypyidaw in central Burma, the city built in 2006 to house the hermetic government.

A Burmese government official said shortly afterwards that “we assume KNU insurgents plotted it,” referring to the political wing of the KNLA, the Karen National Union.

The general secretary of the KNU, Zipporah Sein, told DVB today that its personnel had no involvement in the attack.

“It is not the KNLA – our troops cannot go near Naypyidaw, they just stay in the Karen state border area,” she said, adding that it was hard to tell who would have planted the bomb given the escalating tensions between the Burmese government and a number of ethnic armed groups.

The KNU has in the past accused the Burmese government of being behind such attacks aimed at stirring up public animosity against the opposition army, which has been fighting the regime for more than six decades.

Zipporah Sein said that the group has “a clear policy that we do not target civilians, only the Burmese army”.

Relations between the central government and border-based armed insurgent groups appear to be worsening. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) warned yesterday that it would retaliate with force to any signs of conflict from the Burmese army, which is looking to rout the country’s armed resistance.

Both the KIA and the KNU belong to the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a umbrella alliance of 15 ethnic armies formed in February this year.
Linkhttp://www.dvb.no/news/karen-army-denies-naypyidaw-train-blast/15759
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Burmese campaigner awarded Equity life membership

Published Wednesday 18 May 2011 at 16:08 by Natalie Woolman

Equity is to award an honorary life membership to Burmese comedian and political prisoner Zarganar,currently serving a 35-year prison sentence.

The union is running a long- standing campaign for Zarganar’s release, including a postcard writing initiative. The comedian was arrested in 2008 after collecting money and supplies for villages affected by a cyclone and making critical comments to foreign journalists about the government’s disaster relief.

Equity awards honorary life memberships to long-serving campaigners. In Zarganar’s case, it also hopes to draw attention to its campaign for his release. It will be awarded for “services to the entertainment industry”.

Martin Brown, assistant general secretary for communications and membership support at Equity, said Zarganar had been invited to Equity’s annual conference this weekend as a speaker. While he is unable to attend, Brown said the invitation was offered “as a signal of how important Equity believes he is”.

Brown added: “It seems utterly appropriate for Equity to say, ‘This is someone who, under our rules, has served the interests of performers’.

“It horrifies artists in the United Kingdom, who are free to work, who are free to explore their art, when someone like Zarganar, a brother performer, is jailed for 35 years.”

Comedian Andy Parsons, who regularly appears on Mock the Week and who has campaigned on behalf of Zarganar, commented: “You realise how lucky you are when a fellow performer has been locked up for 35 years for saying something that. If it had been said in the UK, would have been regarded as rather tame and uncontroversial.”

Equity’s campaign postcard states that the comedian “is believed to be detained in violation of Article 19 of the United National Universal Declaration of Human Rights” and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

Representatives from Burma UK are expected to attend the Equity conference, which will be held over the weekend.

Meanwhile, fellow Burmese campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi is currently acting as the guest director of this year’s Brighton Festival in absentia. The festival, which runs until May 29, features a number of events about the human rights activist. http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/32231/burmese-campaigner-awarded-equity-life
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May 19, 2011
Myanmar's new president to visit China

YANGON - MYANMAR'S president will visit China next week, an official said, in his first bilateral trip to a foreign power since taking the helm of the country's new nominally civilian government.

Mr Thein Sein will travel to Myanmar's powerful northern neighbour from May 26 to 29, but it is not yet known which senior Chinese figures he will meet.

'The president wanted to visit China first because it is important both for diplomatic and economic ties,' a Myanmar government official told AFP, adding that the two countries had been planning a meeting since Mr Thein Sein's inauguration earlier this year.

'He will go to other countries later,' he added.

The details of the president's China visit were revealed soon after US envoy Joseph Yun held held talks with Myanmar's foreign minister on Wednesday.

Mr Yun, the deputy US assistant secretary for East Asia and Pacific affairs, is expected to meet Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday as part of a four-day trip to the country, but was not likely to see Mr Thein Sein. -- AFP http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_670276.html
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Senior U.S. diplomat meets Myanmar FM
08:53, May 19, 2011

Visiting senior United States diplomat Joseph Yun met with Myanmar foreign minister U Wunna Maung Lwin in Nay Pyi Taw Wednesday, state radio and television reported.

The two sides held discussions on boosting relations between the two countries and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Yun, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific, also met with deputy speaker of the House of Representatives (Lower House) U Nanda Kyaw Swar at the parliament house in the new capital.

According to official sources, Yun is scheduled to fly to Yangon Thursday where he will meet with noted political figure Aung San Suu Kyi.

Yun is also expected to consult a variety of other stakeholders, including representatives of political parties, non-governmental organizations, ethnic minorities, as well as the business community.

Yun arrived Nay Pyi Taw earlier Wednesday on an official visit to Myanmar to continue engagement with the Myanmar new government.

It is Yun's second visit to Myanmar, the first being in December last year.

Source: Xinhua http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/7384710.html
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Norway re-thinks Burma policies

May 18, 2011

Norway has started talking with some new leaders in Burma, but state secretary Espen Barth Eide insists the Norwegian government won’t let itself be fooled by them. He thinks there’s been “real change” within the Burmese dictatorship and that it’s worthwhile to have a dialogue.
Espen Barth Eide, a state secretary in Norway's foreign ministry, visited both Aung San Suu Kyi and Burmese government officials during last week's trip. PHOTO: Utenriksdepartementet

Eide traveled to Burma at the end of last week, the latest of at least three high-ranking government officials to visit the impoverished and repressive country in the past year. Erik Solheim, Norway’s cabinet minister for foreign aid and environment, was in Burma last June, for example, and other ministry officials have made trips as well.

“Developments in Burma give reason to hope for a change for the better,” Eide said. He said that some of Burma’s opposition parties find it “meaningful” to be represented in the national assembly even though it remains dominated by the military junta that has ruled Burma for years.

And although last year’s election process and election results in Burma were steered by the military regime, “we can’t rule out that real change can occur when a parliament is formed, when the opposition is given more room to express itself and the military’s direct grip on power becomes smaller,” Eide said. He noted that regional commanders’ power has been reduced in favor of civilian organizations and that President Thein Sein has acknowledged challenges facing the country in several speeches, for example regarding economic reform and environmental issues.

Eide thinks substantial reform is possible and said Norway was dropping its advisory discouraging Norwegians against visiting Burma.

He also met with the former main opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her struggle for change in Burma but was never allowed to rule even though she won elections more than 20 years ago. She has warned Eide and others not to be charmed by new and younger regime leaders, and her party boycotted last year’s election.

“She was concerned that the regime … must show that it stands for real change, and she thinks it’s too early to conclude that it will,” Eide said. “My impression is that she’s maneuvering carefully and that she also faces major challenges.”

Eide said the UN and its UN Development Program must get an expanded role in the country, to help reduce poverty. His visit coincided with that of the UN Secretary General’s special adviser Vijay Nambiar.

Views and News from Norway/Nina Berglund
Join our Readers’ Forum or comment below. http://www.newsinenglish.no/2011/05/18/norway-re-thinks-burma-policies/
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PTTEP finds more gas in Burma
By The Nation

PTTEP International Ltd, a subsidiary of PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP), reported the successful exploration in Burma with the finding of gas in Aung Singkha 2 well.

The exploration shows substantial gas flow. The flow tests were conducted on two zones with a natural gas maximum flow rate of approximately 25 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) with the condensate flow rate of approximately 150 barrels per day and calculated Absolute Open Flow (AOF) rate of approximately 53.5 million standard cubic feet per day.

The testing valve was recently opened jointly by U Than Htay, the minister of Energy and Kanok Intharawijitr, general manager of PTTEP International. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/05/19/business/PTTEP-finds-more-gas-in-Burma-30155705.html
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Burma Army and KIA on the verge of a civil war
By Zin Linn May 19, 2011 10:46PM UTC

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The fresh military tensions are mounting between Burma Army and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin State and Northern Shan State at four different areas following Gen Xu Caihou, Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission visited Burma, last week.

The KIA officials said the latest military tensions may lead to civil war. Currently, military tensions are occurred at the KIA’s Brigade 4 in Northern Shan State and three areas in Kachin State – the KIA’s Battalion 11, 5 and 25, quoting KIA officials Kachin News Group [KNG] said.

The tension is occurring in Kachin State and the area of the KIA’s Brigade 4, in Northern Shan State, said KIA officials at the Laiza headquarters, in eastern Kachin State.

On 18 May, at about 5 a.m. local time, Burmese Army Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 320 fired 75 mm mortar rounds three times into the KIA’s Battalion 25, under the KIA’s brigade 5. The incident was happened at Dum Bum Krung, west of the Ta Hkaw Hka River (Dapein River or Taping River) in the Sub-township in Manmaw (Bhamo) District, KIA officials said.

KIA officers from Battalion 25 confirmed that three Burmese mortar shells landed near the battalion base but no causalities, Thailand-based Kachin News Group reported.

After mortar shells landed, both sides have been on the alert. And fresh Burmese troops have been deployed in the areas near the KIAs Battalion 1 under Brigade 3, in Manje (Mansi) Township, local eyewitnesses confirmed. Military tension is growing between both sides in Sinbo Town, in southern Kachin State, following the Burmese Army pressured the KIA’s Battalion 5 to relocate by May 25, said KIA source. However, the KIA rejects the pressure for relocation, KIA officials added.

Burmese troops are now taking position near Battalion 5 under the guise of road construction.
If the Burmese troops try to come within reach of the battalion base, the war will commence, added the KIA officials.

Fighting can happen at any time – in Loikang, the base of the KIAs Brigade 4 in Kutkai Township, Northern Shan State- since the Thein Sein government started road construction in April, according to brigade officials. The KIA warns the Burmese authorities if the road construction continued, armed clashes will go off.

The KIAs Brigade 4 warned Burmese authorities to stop road construction several times due to concerns the strategy is to cross at the heart of the brigade and to occupy it, said the brigades Chairman, Lahpai Zau Raw. The road construction workers have been warned again on Saturday that KIA will forcibly stop the construction if they keep going, Zau Raw said.

The United Wa State Army supports the Kachin Independence Army’s military response to an intrusion by the Burmese Army into its controlled area in February, Wa sources said. The intruders were from Infantry Battalion No. 15, based in Mohnyin. They entered the territory controlled by the KIA’s battalion 27, in Man Win Township, in Manmaw (Bhamo) district, bordering with Shan State.

Wa leaders see the KIA’s February attack on Burmese troops as an appropriate response. Wa leaders said the UWSA will help the KIA if Burma Army launched full-scale offensive against the Kachin armed group. The KIA’s battle against Burmese troops in February was the first time in the 17-year ceasefire period.

The KIA is the second strongest ethnic armed organization in military-ruled Burma. It has five brigades. Four of them are based in Kachin State. There are about 30 battalions, with over 30,000 fighters- including regular and reserved forces, said KIA.

There is no official ceasefire agreement between the KIA and Burmese regime. However, the KIA will not start the war according to KIA officials. It is demanding the establishment of an authentic federal union and self-determination.

The KIA officials said the latest military tensions with the Burmese Army will lead to civil war if the central governments forces keep pressure on the KIA in those areas.

Several political analysts consider that the military-backed President Thein Sein government will not adjust its high-handed guiding principle which stubbornly goes against the autonomy of the ethnic communities. Without addressing and honoring the ethnic people’s political desire, the new parliament-based government will be unable to end political and civil disagreement throughout ethnic areas.

As a result, civil war may be widespread all along the ethnic areas unless a proper democratic government cannot get hold of the office.
http://asiancorrespondent.com/55182/burma-army-and-kia-on-the-verge-of-a-civil-war/
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31 Suu Kyi sympathisers released from Kolkata jail
Story Dated: Thursday, May 19, 2011 18:19 hrs IST

Kolkata: After spending more than 13 years in jail, 31 out of 34 Myanmar's pro-democracy activists were released from a Kolkata prison Thursday, said a Myanmarese supporter.

"Thirtyfour sympathisers of Myanmar's pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi were languishing in Alipore Presidency Correctional Home since 2006 even though no case was pending against them but they could not be released as they sought asylum in India. But today (Thursday), 31 out of 34 activists were released while three will be sent to Port Blair to clear the court case," said Soe Myint, a court-appointed interpreter for the activists.

"We believe that three will be freed soon and all will continue the struggle for democracy and human rights in Mayanmar," Myint told IANS.

All the 34 Myanmarese nationals, arrested February 1998 from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on charges of carrying arms and ammunition, were brought to the city in September 2006 after a human rights activist moved the court.

The case was settled in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court after a plea bargain. The accused were given a sentence of one year and three months and fined Rs.6,000 each. As they had already served the term, they paid the fine.

In the agreement reached between the 34 Mayanmarese and the CBI, it was mentioned that they do not want to be deported, fearing they may be killed or imprisoned for participating in the Myanmarese pro-democracy movement and requested the court that they be allowed to stay in India as refugees.

"But then they were not released as they did not have any passport or travel document or any legal permit (such as residential permit) to stay in India," said Myint.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) accepted their application for refugees' status and issued 'under consideration' certificates to each of them in December last year. In January 2011, UNHCR with the permission of the Indian government interviewed them individually in the correctional home for determining their refugee status.

In March 2011, the UNHCR under its mandate granted refugee status to them, said Myint. http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.DLL/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&channelId=-1073753405&programId=1080132917&contentId=9353436&tabId=1
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