BURMA RELATED NEWS AUGUST 06, 2012.

Myanmar lifts suspensions on journals after protests
Reuters – 2 hrs 40 mins ago

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's government has agreed to lift suspensions on two weekly journals within two weeks, their editors said on Monday, just days after rare protests by journalists in two cities to demand more press freedom.

Editors of the Burmese-language Voice Weekly and The Envoy told Reuters that Myanmar's censorship board had informed them they could resume publishing by August 18, without giving a reason for why the suspensions would be lifted.

Publication of the journals was halted indefinitely late last month, promoting an outcry among journalists who are enjoying freedom to publish not seen under the five decades of authoritarian military rule that ended in March last year.

The quasi-civilian government has loosened its grip on the press as part of a surprise reform drive. But some press censorship still remains and journalists pushing the boundaries of the restrictions have complained that suspensions are tantamount to intimidation.

Nearly 100 journalists rallied against the suspension in Yangon on Saturday and about 60 protested in the second-biggest city, Mandalay a day later, most wearing black T shirts saying "stop killing the press".

"The reason for lifting the suspension, I think, would be because of the rallies by the journalists," said an editor of another journal, who asked not to be named.

Monday's edition of the Messenger journal blacked-out its entire front page and cited a line from the constitution that guarantees freedom of expression.

The Nation journal went a step further, uploading on its Facebook page what it said was a censored copy of its front page story of the protest, which was covered with crosses in red ink.

It was not known exactly why the two publications were suspended. The Press Scrutiny and Registration Division, as the censors are called, said they had "violated rules and regulations", without elaborating.

The Voice is also facing a lawsuit, lodged by Myanmar's Ministry of Mines, after it published a report alleging graft by ministries under the previous government.

Myanmar's government has insisted it will scrap censorship as soon as a press law is promulgated, but journalists are concerned some restrictions will remain and recommendations for the legislation might be ignored.

The government's mouthpiece, the New Light of Myanmar, carried an editorial in its Sunday edition, apparently in response to the protests, calling for patience and reiterating that censorship would soon be abolished.

It said the country was "not still accustomed to the freedom we have not enjoyed before" and to "rush could ruin results."
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'Three dead' in fresh Myanmar sectarian unrest
AFP – 9 hrs ago

Renewed violence between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya has left three people dead in Myanmar, a government official said on Monday, amid growing international concern about the sectarian unrest.

The fighting in western Rakhine state has killed 80 people from both sides since June, official figures show, although authorities say the situation has been generally calm in recent weeks.

The new casualties, who were not identified, died on Sunday in Kyauktaw about 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of the state capital Sittwe, said the official, who did not want to be named. Five others were reported wounded.

"The situation is calm and back to normal already," the official told AFP. "We do not know why it started again."

The violence initially broke out in June following the rape and murder of a Rakhine woman and the subsequent lynching of 10 Muslims by a crowd of angry Buddhists.

The bloodshed has cast a shadow over widely praised reforms by President Thein Sein, including the release of hundreds of political prisoners and the election of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to parliament.

Myanmar's government has rejected accusations of abuse by security forces in Rakhine, after the United Nations raised fears of a crackdown on Muslims.

The entire state has been under emergency rule since early June with a heavy army and police presence.

New York-based Human Rights Watch has accused Myanmar forces of opening fire on Rohingya, as well as committing rape and standing by as rival mobs attacked each other.

The authorities failed to protect both sides and then "unleashed a campaign of violence and mass roundups against the Rohingya," the group said in a report released last week.

Decades of discrimination have left the Rohingya stateless, and they are viewed by the United Nations as one of the world's most persecuted minorities.

Speaking a Bengali dialect similar to one in neighbouring Bangladesh, the Rohingya are seen as illegal immigrants by the Myanmar government and many Burmese, and many have attempted to flee overseas in rickety boats.
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Bangkok Post - France calls on Myanmar to protect Muslims
Published: 6/08/2012 at 08:14 PM
Online news:

France called Monday for Myanmar authorities to protect civilians of all ethnic groups "without discrimination'' after reports of renewed deadly violence between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya.

"France attaches great importance to a peaceful and concerted resolution to ethnic questions in Myanmar, in order to achieve national reconciliation,'' foreign ministry deputy spokesman Vincent Floreani said in a statement.

The ministry called for the status of Muslims in Myanmar's western Rakhine state "to be clarified with regard to right to nationality and for them to enjoy, whatever their status, full respect for human rights.''

"There are reports of worrying acts of violence by security forces against civilians. We call on the Burmese authorities to protect all civilian populations, without discrimination, and to investigate possible abuses,'' Floreani said.

Fighting in western Rakhine state has killed 80 people from both sides since June, with six reportedly killed on Sunday, although authorities say the situation has been generally calm in recent weeks.

The violence initially broke out in June following the rape and murder of a Rakhine woman and the subsequent lynching of 10 Muslims by a crowd of angry Buddhists.

The bloodshed has cast a shadow over widely praised reforms by President Thein Sein, including the release of hundreds of political prisoners and the election of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to parliament.

New York-based Human Rights Watch has accused Myanmar forces of opening fire on Rohingya, as well as committing rape and standing by as rival mobs attacked each other.

Decades of discrimination have left the Rohingya stateless and they are viewed by the United Nations as one of the world's most persecuted minorities.
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Japan Corporate News - World Bank Group Prepares First Grants to Support Myanmar's Reforms


Yangon, Myanmar, Aug 2, 2012 - (ACN Newswire) - The World Bank Group is stepping up its support for reforms in Myanmar and opening a new country office. The Bank is preparing to present to its Board up to $85 million in grants to benefit men, women and children through community driven development programs which will allow communities to decide whether to invest in schools, roads, water or other projects.

"We are committed to eradicating poverty and the new office opening in Myanmar will allow us to reach some of the poorest people in East Asia. They have been cut off from the global economy for too long and it's very important that they receive real benefits from the government's reforms," said Jim Yong Kim, World Bank Group President.

World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Pamela Cox announced the grants in Yangon where she opened a new World Bank Group office jointly with the International Finance Corporation Vice President for Asia Pacific, Karin Finkelston.

Myanmar is among the poorest countries in the region. The needs of the people are great - and the World Bank Group is working with partners to support government reforms that will improve people's lives, especially the poor and vulnerable," said Ms. Cox. "This will help lay the foundation for broad economic growth, creating opportunities for all."

Ms. Cox and Ms. Finkelston met with President U Thein Sein, cabinet members, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and other members of parliament. This was the first visit by Bank senior leadership since Myanmar began undertaking reforms.

The World Bank grants will support a national community driven development program providing funds to people in local communities, including in border conflict areas. Community members will select development projects they need and transparency will ensure that everyone can track the use of funds.

The grants are intended to build confidence in the reform process. A recent World Bank development report on fragile and conflict affected countries stresses the importance of generating real economic benefits for people in fragile situations to increase the prospects for lasting peace.

The Bank is also expanding technical assistance and providing global expertise to help the Government deliver services to the people. The Bank is now conducting economic research in Myanmar to gain a better understanding of the extent of poverty, to help expand and modernize the financial system, and enhance the business environment.

"Actions in these areas will help the government attract responsible foreign investment, expand trade, manage its resources better and create more jobs and opportunities for people," said Ms. Cox.

IFC, the member of the World Bank Group focused exclusively on private sector development, has begun assessments in areas critical to private sector growth such as access to finance, investment climate, and infrastructure. The results of these assessments will form the basis of IFC's future program in Myanmar.

"As we have witnessed in other economies in transition, the private sector plays a critical role in job creation and in providing the means for all to benefit from economic growth," said Ms. Finkelston. "We are committed to helping the people of Myanmar in the reform process and to supporting the private sector to create jobs and opportunities for businesses to grow."

As a multilateral financial institution with 188 member countries, the World Bank will coordinate with other development partners to ensure the needs of the people of Myanmar are met effectively.

Additional Facts:

- Myanmar will have access to interest free loans from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's fund for the poorest countries, after it clears arrears of $397 million to the World Bank.

- The World Bank Group is working on a new "Interim Strategy" with the Government of Myanmar and development partners, which will guide the Bank's work as it prepares for a full country program.

- Mr. Kanthan Shankar has been appointed Myanmar Country Manager to lead the World Bank team in the country. Shankar has over 15 years of experience working in conflict and post-conflict environments, including in Timor-Leste, West Bank, Gaza and Kosovo.
- Mr. Charles Schneider has been appointed IFC Resident Representative to lead development of its program in Myanmar. Schneider has over 15 years of private sector experience including in Southeast Asia where he has worked in Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR.

- Myanmar became a member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) in 1952. The Bank has approved no new lending since 1987. In 1998, the Government went into arrears but has remained a member of the Bank.
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Goal.com - Myanmar to host Singapore friendly in Yangon
Park Sung-Hwa's men will play an international friendly match in September against the Lions to form part of their preparation ahead of the 2012 AFF Cup qualifiers
Aug 6, 2012 6:00:00 AM
By Eric Noveanto

Myanmar will play a friendly match against Singapore on September 11 in Yangon, the country's football association (MFF) has announced.

According to Soccer Myanmar, an MFF spokesman has confirmed the date of the match with the Lions, and is also hoping Thailand accept their invitation before Park Sung-Hwa's side head to Japan for a training camp.

"Myanmar will play a friendly match against Singapore on September 11 at Thuwunna Stadium. We also negotiated with Thailand to play them. But for now, we can confirm that Myanmar will only play with Singapore," said the spokesman.

"We also planned to play a charity match against Myanmar National League (MNL) All-Stars on August 15 at Aung San Stadium before Japan's training camp, which will contain three friendly matches against J-League clubs."

Myanmar will host the 2012 AFF Cup qualifying round and are scheduled to play against Brunei on October 5 in their opening match.
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August 06, 2012 12:01 PM
Bernama - Thailand, Myanmar Join Hand In Fighting Malaria, Dengue Fever

BANGKOK, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- Myanmar and Thai health authorities are cooperating in containing the spread of malaria and dengue fever along the two countries' border after noticing severe outbreak of the two diseases, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.

Thai Public Health office in the border province of Ranong has agreed to cooperate with the malaria controlling centre under Myanmar's Ministry of Health in containing epidemic of the two diseases.

Official statistics showed that in 2011 a total of 487 Thais and 857 foreigners suffered from the two diseases. Up to 70 per cent of the total patients lived in Ranong's Kra Buri border district.

Myanmar's Ministry of Health said the cooperation between the two countries would efficiently assist in containing the spread of malaria along the Thai-Myanmar border.

Meanwhile, Supachai Kaivaree, chairman of Tambon Mamu Administrative Organisation, said the changing direction of water of Kra Buri River which marks the border between the two countries has eroded the banks on the Thai side.

Supachai said attempts are being made by building a dyke along the river to prevent the erosion.

Ranong officials said designs on the dyke construction have been made after it is found 18 spots along the river's banks have been eroded while it is estimated that a budget amounting 500 million baht (RM49.3 million) is needed for the construction.
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Asian Correspondent - The President has a dream, keep an eye on Burma
By Zin Linn Aug 06, 2012 1:25PM UTC

President of Myanmar (Burma) Thein Sein met party chairmen, general secretaries and CEC members of political parties at meeting hall of 500-acre mechanized farmers’ educative farm in Pob-ba-thi-ri Township, Nay-Pyi-Taw on Saturday, The New Light of Myanmar newspaper said today.

Invitees at the meeting with President were Chairman U Khun Tun Oo and General Secretary U Sai Nyunt Lwin of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, Chairman U Aye Tha Aung of Rakhine League for Democracy, CEC Members U Han Shwe and U Thein Tun of National Unity Party, Chairman U Saw Tun Aung Myint of Kayin Peoples Party, Chairman U Zin Aung of Myanma New Society Democratic Party, Chairman U Thein Nyunt of New National Democracy Party, General Secretary U Tin Win of National Political Alliances League, U No Htan Khat of Chin Progressive Party, Secretary U Gyin Kam Hlyan of Zomi League for Democracy, Joint Secretary U Nay Win Tun of The Pa-O National League, Joint General Secretary U Aung Myo Oo of Diversity and Peace Party, CEC member U Nai Kyaw Win of Mon Democratic Party, Chairman U Tun Aung Kyaw of Modern People’s Party, and Chairman U Kaung Myint Htut of Myanmar National Congress.

The participants in the meeting discussed issues related to politics, economics, education, internal peace, national races affairs and regional growth. Union Ministers U Aung Min and U Soe Thein, and UEC Chairman U Tin Aye made explanation on procedures being and to be taken by the government in response to the exchange of ideas.

In his conversation, the President expressed his satisfaction to meet leaders of 14 parties. Regardless of different parties, every person should realize a common goal toward peace and stability, he said. The country has to take every step carefully as democracy is in its early life. Hence, the government’s top priority is to maintain stability as well as to make peace with national armed groups.

As the teamwork of each and every political party is fundamental in stabilizing the country, all parties are invited to put into operation so as to achieve the welfare of the country, the President said.

He underlined another important point about making peace with ethnic armed groups, which becomes a time-consuming and unsettled setback. Although 10 out of 11 ethnic armed groups have reached positive improvement, agreement has not been yet accomplished with KIO/KIA in Kachin State (North).

According to him, the government has made contact with with KIO/KIA leaders and building mutual trust. He also said that the losses of both side were the losses of the whole nation.

On the contrary, the government has been sending troops into KIA-controlled territories during nighttime for clandestine military operations. In the daytime the soldiers change into civilian clothing attempting to blend into the community, the Kachin News Group said today. If so, Thein Sein’s words are different from the ground situation.

Moreover, Thein Sein explained about the socioeconomic development of the people as well as agricultural reforms are being carried out to guarantee food sufficiency for the growing population. He confessed in his discussion that the poverty rate of the country stands at 26 per cent, affected by low employment rate, forcing about three million of citizens to work overseas for survival. For economic prosperity of the nation today is creation of jobs as much as possible, he said.

He also talked about requirement of foreign investments. He said that ‘Myanmar Investment Commission’ was constituted with seven ministers to avert losses to the country when FDI flows into country. Foreign Investment Bill has been written to be fitting with that of foreign countries and submitted to parliament.

He also admitted there were not only sufficient power supplies but also basic infrastructures such as roads, bridges, school buildings, hospitals, clinics, housings and hotels, clean drinking water, daily easy transportation and earning high income.

“If possible, the government wants the per capita income reaches about USD 3000. The five-year plan is aimed at increasing 7.7 % GDP within five years. To reach this goal, we should step up the efforts 1.3 times of present efforts. If we want to reach the GDP up to USD 3000, the country must boost efforts three times higher than the present efforts,” the President exposed his dream during the meeting.

Remarkably, he also gave notice to those who paddle back while rowing towards the democratic goal to amend their ways. The President also urged all participants to work in cooperation and in partnership until the country reaches its target.
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Concerns raised about rights challenges
Published: Aug. 5, 2012 at 9:51 PM

NEW YORK, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Tensions between the Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar's Rakhine state have raised human rights challenges in that country, a U.N. expert said.

Tomas Ojea Quintana, the United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights who returned during the weekend after visiting Myanmar, said the Southeast Asian nation, formerly called Burma, needs to tackle these challenges for the success of democratic transition and national reconciliation.

Myanmar, which until last year had been ruled for decades by a military junta, witnessed clashes in June in its western Rakhine state between the Buddhists and Rohingya, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people and displacement of thousands of others while raising concerns about the country's reform process.

Quintana highlighted a number of key human rights concerns, including the situation in Rakhine state and detention of U.N. staff members in connection with the Rakhine situation, the United Nations said in a release.

"The human rights situation in Rakhine state is serious," Quintana said in a statement at the end of his visit.

He called for an independent investigation into allegations of serious human rights violations, including alleged excessive use of force by security and police personnel.

"It is of fundamental importance to clearly establish what has happened in Rakhine state and to ensure accountability. Reconciliation will not be possible without this, and exaggerations and distortions will fill the vacuum to further fuel distrust and tensions between communities," he said.

Myanmar officials have denied using excessive force. The June violence erupted after the rape and killing of a Buddhist woman, spreading to other parts of the country.

Separately, Quintana welcomed the Myanmar government's cease-fire agreements with 10 ethnic armed groups, and their ongoing dialogue.
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Anatolia News Agency - Turkish Ambassador in Naypyidaw visits Arakan
05 August 2012 12:24 (Last updated 05 August 2012 12:26)

ANKARA (AA) - August 5, 2012 - The Turkish Ambassador in Naypyidaw, Murat Yavuz Ates visited the Arakan region in Myanmar.

In a statement released on Facebook on Sunday, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that, after an initiative by Turkey, the officials of Myanmar organized a trip to Rahkine state for ambassadors and UN officials in Yangon on July 31 and August 1 so they could observe the situation following acts of violence in June.

"Our Ambassador to Myanmar, Murat Yavuz Ates was also present in this visit. The delegation visited the capital city of Rakhine state, Sittwe, and the city of Maung Taw where the incidents first occurred. Ambassador Ates underlined that international civil society organizations could provide humanitarian aid to thousands of people in camps and that the Turkish Red Crescent Aid Society was willing to provide humanitarian aid to the region," the statement also said.
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