Suu Kyi against NLD party joining elections

Aung San Suu Kyi is against registering her opposition party for Myanmar's upcoming elections because the ruling junta's restrictions on the vote are "unjust," her lawyer said on Tuesday.Suu Kyi was quoted as saying she would "not even think" of registering her National League for Democracy for the polls which the government says will be held this year but stressed she will let the party decide for itself.

The NLD won the last elections held in Myanmar in 1990 by a landslide but was barred by the military from taking power.The credibility of the upcoming vote has already been called into question but it would suffer even more without the participation of the country's principal opposition party.

Suu Kyi is under house arrest and is effectively barred from running and voting in elections under recent laws enacted by the military-ruled government.One of the laws requires parties to register for the elections or cease to exist.Her comments came ahead of a crucial meeting Monday in which NLD senior members will decide whether the party registers for the vote.

Although Suu Kyi has been under detention for 14 of the last 20 years, she is still general-secretary of the party and its most dominant figure."Personally, I would not even think of registering (the party) under these unjust laws," Suu Kyi said, according to her lawyer Nyan Win who met with her Tuesday at her lakeside villa in Yangon.She added: "I am not instructing the party or the people. They are free to make their decisions democratically," Nyan Win said.

Suu Kyi's house arrest was extended last year after she was convicted on charges of violating the terms of her detention when an American man swam uninvited to her lakeside property.She is serving an 18-month term of house arrest and many top members of her party and ethnic-based parties are in prison.Under the new laws they would be barred from the vote.Her comments came hours after Myanmar's highest court refused to accept a lawsuit filed by the NLD seeking to revoke the five election laws, which were enacted earlier this month.The laws set out rules for the vote, but have been widely criticized as designed to keep Suu Kyi out of the race.

One law prohibits anyone convicted of a crime from being a member of a political party and instructs parties to expel convicted members or face de-registration.
Lawyer Kyi Win said the Supreme Court refused to accept the lawsuit, saying it did not have power to handle such a case.The lawsuit was largely symbolic since Myanmar's courts invariably adhere to the junta's policies, especially on political matters.

Burma Janta debar Aung San Suu Kyi

Burma regime said in the new political parties registration act published today that anyone serving a prison term cannot be a party member for the polls.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the country's last elections in 1990 but was stopped from taking power by the military would in turn be abolished if it failed to obey the rules.
The Nobel Peace laureate was sentenced to three years in jail in August over an incident in which a US man swam to her lakeside home.Suu Kyi's sentence was commuted by junta supremo Than Shwe to 18 months under house arrest.
"I have noticed that we have to expel Daw Suu. Their attitude is clear in this law," NLD spokesman Nyan Win told the news agency, using a respectful form of address to refer to Suu Kyi."I was extremely surprised when I saw this, I did not think it would be so bad." Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi faces expulsion from her own party and is barred from standing in polls this year under the military junta's new election laws, a spokesman said today.
Than Shwe has promised to hold poll at a still unspecified date this year, as a sham aimed at legitimising and entrenching the military's nearly five-decade grip on power

NLD donates water facilities in Bogale

NLD donates potable water facilities in Bogale
Thursday, 04 March 2010 20:57 Myint Maung
A donation of Kyat 2.3 million worth water treatment plant and water pumps from the National League for Democracy (NLD) has come as a boon to two villages in Cyclone Nargis-hit Bogale Township, Irrawaddy Division.

The NLD Bogale Township Organizing Committee members supervised drilling of tube wells in Upper Pho Nyo and Kani Gyi villages. Now the party has donated drinking water facilities.

"We donated a 8' x 4.5' water storage tank capable of holding 800 gallons of water, a water filtering tank and water pumps with compressors to village elders on March 2 by inviting an abbot from Pho Nyo village," Ohn Kyaing, NLD Nargis Assistance Committee Chairman told Mizzima.

"The water from the tube wells were tested and we also arranged for a certificate by water experts after laboratory reports, which say the water is fit for drinking," he added.

Upper Pho Nyo village has 300 houses and 1,800 people and in Kani village there are over 1,000 people and over 200 houses. The villagers will use the water from the two tube wells donated by NLD.

"The water from Kani Gyi village tube well is pure and also tastes good. According to the chemical laboratory report, it has no impurities and is potable water grade," Nargis Assistance Committee Secretary Dr. Win Naing said.

The Committee donated seed money of Kyat 50,000 each to two monasteries in the two villages ravaged by Cyclone Nargis.

Cyclone Nargis devastated Irrawaddy and Rangoon Division on May 2008 leaving about 140,000 people dead or missing and about 2.4 million people homeless.

International Tribunal on Burma Calls for End to Impunity of Military Regime

March 3, 2010, 10 am EST International Tribunal on Burma Calls for End to Impunity of Military Regime (New York) Nobel Peace Laureates Shirin Ebadi and Jody Williams - along with human rights experts Dr. Heisoo Shin (Korea) and Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand) - today released the findings and recommendations developed during the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women of Burma held this week in New York City. The quasi-legal event featured compelling testimony - the first ever - of 12 women from Burma who have suffered rape, torture, and other crimes at the hands of the military junta. The event highlighted the egregious human rights crimes, including rape as a weapon of war, and called for policymakers to demand a last resort: the International Criminal Court. "Women should no longer be invisible when crimes are committed against them with impunity," said Jody Williams, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. "The history of violence and oppression of women in Burma is long and sordid--and must come to an end." A few of the women who testified are colleagues of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition, still under house arrest and a prisoner of General Than Shwe. Than Shwe is the war criminal who has reigned terror over the people of Burma for decades. World leaders have rallied in support of her freedom countless times since her Nobel Peace Prize award in 1991, passing UN resolutions almost annually and demanding the release of her and other political prisoners. But these cries have fallen on deaf ears, with the international community failing to hold General Shwe and his cronies criminally responsible. The resulting impunity has given the ruling generals of Burma even more license to escalate their power and continue to inflict violence on the people of Burma. "We live in a globalized world, which means that Burma cannot do whatever it wants to its people within its own walls," said Shirin Ebadi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003. "Globalization is effective when it helps bring an end to injustice. The international community cannot stand by and let other countries to use their sovereignty to commit atrocities against their own people." The purpose of the Tribunal was to spotlight the oppression of women of Burma in order to encourage policymakers and political leaders to take specific action now. The women Nobel Laureates have joined with the Women's League of Burma to highlight the systemic use of rape and other forms of violence against ethnic women in Burma. The Women's League of Burma is an umbrella organization comprising thirteen women's organizations of different ethnic backgrounds in Burma. The women who testified now live in Thailand, Bangladesh, the US and Canada and traveled to New York to tell their personal stories and those of their families. Their stories include a range of horrific human rights violations and crimes. Testimony was organized into three categories: violence against women (rape, sexual violence, trafficking), civil and political violations (torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, harassment), and social, economic and cultural violations (forced labor, portering, relocation). Violence against women in Burma is often ethnically motivated, particularly minority groups such as the Karen who have been brutally persecuted by the military regime. he following are the recommendations of the Tribunal: Recommendations to the international community, particularly the United Nations: *Urge States to take collective action to ensure the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889 guaranteeing women's full participation in post-conflict reconstruction, and freedom from all forms of sexual violence. *Strongly urge the UN Security Council to refer Burma to the International Criminal Court. *Call upon United Nations member States to fulfill their obligations to exercise universal jurisdiction and to prosecute through their national tribunals perpetrators of the crimes against the civilian population of Burma, including women. *Ask United Nations agencies with a presence in Burma to increase their work in promoting and protecting human rights. *Call upon the United Nations Security Council to take effective measures against state authorities on the basis of the responsibility of the state to protect its people from egregious human rights violations (Responsibility to Protect Doctrine). *Urge the United Nations system to take measures to ensure that the Burmese authorities comply with international human rights standards and international humanitarian law. Recommendations to Burma's military regime: *Stop all forms of violence against women. "End the intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, torture, and degrading treatment against women [and all] political prisoners; [and] respect and adhere to the principles and norms of the international [criminal and] human rights standards, particularly Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women..." *Stop attacks and persecution against ethnic nationalities and groups. *Release immediately and unconditionally all political prisoners. *Grant access to United Nations agencies and non-governmental humanitarian groups to ensure that women, in particular, are assisted effectively. *Provide access to and cooperate with United Nations agencies and human rights organizations to monitor human rights within Burma. *Ratify all human rights treaties, including ICCPR and ICESCR, and implement them effectively. *Abide by rules of customary international law, such as the prohibitions against torture, slavery, and violence against women and children. *Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, reform and implement domestic legislation accordingly. *Establish an effective process for dialogue between different stakeholders including democracy groups, ethnic minorities/nationalities, and concerned authorities with emphasis on women's participation in the pursuit of democracy. *Revise the constitution, particularly the amnesty provisions, and other national laws in an inclusive and participatory manner, engaging all stakeholders including women, to ensure consistency with international legal obligations and human rights standards. *Establish effective judicial mechanisms and other processes to establish accountability and provide adequate remedies for international crimes and human rights violations to end impunity. *Build human-centered national development plans and processes that respond to women's human rights bearing in mind the special needs of rural women, and allocate national resources fairly and equitably for this purpose. Recommendations to the Asia-Pacific region (including ASEAN, bilateral and other channels): *Call upon ASEAN through its Summit of Heads of Government to impel Burma to apply effective and time-limited measures to comply with the ASEAN Charter and international legal obligations and human rights standards. *Invite the ASEAN Intergovernmental Human Rights Commission to submit thematic reports covering particular issues related to Burma. *Bearing in mind the ASEAN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and various declarations on children's rights in the region, to which Burma has subscribed, support the establishment of the ASEAN Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, including consideration of the situation in Burma. *Call upon the various partners of ASEAN and other regional bodies and states engaging with Burma to influence constructive changes in the country. *Prohibit trade with Burma involving goods produced through forced labor, as well as oil, gas, and electricity generated as a result of forced relocations. *Take effective cross-border measures to prevent and punish human trafficking, in particular that of women and children, and to offer gender and child sensitive measures to protect and assist those victimized by trafficking. *Respect the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, protect them from violence, abuse, and exploitation, and forced repatriation, which violates the international principle of non-refoulement, and ensure the application of basic standards of international law. For more information, and to arrange interviews, please contact us: *Rachel Vincent: Mobile: + 1-613-276-9030, rvincent@nobelwomensinitiative.org *Kimberley MacKenzie: +1-908-342-0160, kmackenzie@nobelwomensinitiative.org *Kieran Bergmann: +1-613-569-8400 ext. 115, kbergmann@nobelwomensinitiative. For more information, and to arrange interviews, please contact us: *Rachel Vincent: Mobile: + 1-613-276-9030, rvincent@nobelwomensinitiative.org *Kimberley MacKenzie: +1-908-342-0160, kmackenzie@nobelwomensinitiative.org *Kieran Bergmann: +1-613-569-8400 ext. 115, kbergmann@nobelwomensinitiative.org

Burma SC rejects release Suu Kyi

Myanmar highest court dismissed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's latest bid for freedom Friday, turning down an appeal to end 14 years of house arrest, her lawyer said.The Supreme Court's decision had been expected since legal rulings in Myanmar rarely favoured opposition activists.Defence lawyer Nyan Win told reporters that he would launch one final "special appeal" before the court after determining why the earlier appeal had been rejected. "The court order did not mention any reasons," he said."Although the decision comes as no surprise, it is deeply disappointing. We continue to believe that (Suu Kyi) should be released immediately along with the other 2,000 and more other prisoners of conscience," said British Ambassador Andrew Heyn, who attended the court session along with diplomats from Australia, France and the United States.Suu Kyi's lawyers appealed to the court last November after a lower court a month earlier upheld a decision to sentence her to 18 mor months of house arrest.She was convicted last August of violating the terms of her previous detention by briefly sheltering an American who swam to her lakeside home. The 64-year-old democracy icon was initially sentenced to three years in prison with hard labor in a trial that drew global condemnation, but that sentence was immediately commuted to 18 months of house arrest by junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe. Argentinian lawyer showed frustrated when he was not allowed to see the country’s iconic political prisoner, Aung San Suu Kyi,currently under house arrest. She has spent more than 15 of the last 21 years in Burmese jail.Lawyer said,“Of course I was disappointed not to meet her, and even though I had made my desire to talk to her about the forthcoming elections, I never expected to be given permission to see her.”The envoy to give a detailed report on Burma’s human rights situation to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.This is his third mission to the country since his appointment two years ago but all visit ends in vain. “But my mission should not be judged by whether the regime makes any concessions or not,” he said. “It’s a process and the fact that they allow me to visit and continue the dialogue on human rights is very positive.” envoy seemed very distressed while assessment his trips. Argentinian also complained about the Burmese authorities approach to his five-day visit. For one thing, he said, there was never any advance warning of the agenda. “It was a day-to-day programme,” he said. This did not permit him and his team to prepare properly and reduced the effectiveness of his mission, UN sources told Mizzima on condition of anonymity. There is no doubt though that Mr Quintana’s visit to Rakhine State in western Burma to see for himself the conditions of Burmese Muslims there was a significant concession by the regime. This is the first time a senior UN envoy has been allowed in that region – though the UN country team do have projects and people in the area. He visited both the regional capital Sittwe and Buthidaung in the north of the state -- where the worse abuses against Burmese Muslims are alledged to take place.Perhaps even more significantly he was allowed to be accompanied by the two senior representatives of the International Labour Organization in Rangoon, who are actively involved in checking reports of forced labour in the country. During his mission there he was also allowed to visit Buthidaung prison where he met five political prisoners, including one of the ten local leaders of the Myanmar Muslim Association of Maungdaw -- who have been sentenced to some 13 years for allegedly holding a meeting to discuss the constitution in 2007 – and a senior Shan leader, Tun Nyo who is now 79. Both were in very poor health, the envoy said. “Curiously the conditions in the jail have improved over the last six months, the prisonsers told me,” Mr Quintana told Mizzima. “But no one seemed to know why. They assumed it was maybe to do with election preparations,” he added. “But the conditions remain a matter of grave concern,” he added. “It is essential that the ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross] to be allowed to resume their prison visits,” he stressed. ICRC suspended these at the end of 2005 because of the interference of government officials. As a result many prisoners do not the medicines they need or soap. More importantly the ICRC used to provide a channel of communications with the prisoners’ families. “I was the first visitor ever to Buthidaung prison,” he told Mizzima. “And while I thank the authorities for this opportunity, it is intolerable that some have had no contact with their love-ones since being transferred there – in some case that has been years.” ICRC’s access to the prisons is something that has been in every report the envoy has put before the UN, and will feature prominently in his fourth report, the next to be submitted to the Human Rights Council in Geneva soon. It was also something that the envoy said he raised persistently and firmly at every opportunity, with the home minister, the attorney general and the chief justice. But the envoy remained pessimistic that the regime will take any notice. Both Indonesia and China have also been quietly encouraging the junta to soften its stance towards ICRC behind the scenes. Most countries, even those with blemished human rights’ records, understand that the ICRC should be allowed to do its work unhindered by government interference. “That the ICRC is not permitted to do carry out its full mandate is shameful, since this is considered worldwide to be a minimum standard of cooperation with the international community,” Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International’s South East Asia researcher based in Bangkok told Mizzima. On Mr Quintana’s other two major concerns – the release of political prisoners and the forthcoming election – the regime remained equally intransigent. “I don’t expect any progress soon [on the release of political prisoners],” he said. During his talks with the representatives of the regime he continued to stress the need to release all political prisoners before the elections if the process was to at all believable.“These are well-educated and capable people who could participate in the election and help make the whole process credible I told the authorities,” he said.But on the elections as a whole he found the senior representatives of the junta he met relatively uncompromising. No one was prepared to discuss the elections in any detail – all they would say was that the legal framework is being prepared and the electoral law will be released in time. The UN envoy was obviously frustrated at the regime’s apparent obstinance. “But its important to have access to the authorities to be able to discuss human rights issues and explain what is needed to be done to meet international standards,” he said. “We can at least explain what is needed.” When he met the Home Minister, Maung Oo, the Attorney General and the Chief Justice, he left the UN’s handbook on free and fair elections for their reference. Few people though, including the envoy, expect the regime to consult in any way. “Barring an Election Law that marks a radical departure from its past and present laws and practices, the government is unlikely to allow political parties to participate fully--and meaningfully -- in the elections process,” said Mr Zawacki. “Politicians and political parties must able to communicate freely with both the domestic and international media,” he added. “Unfortunately, all the signs are that the only views acceptable to the government will be its own, with no room at all for a debate of any kind.” The key people involved in the elections that Mr Quintana met also categorically rejected any involvement of international observers. “They aren’t needed,” he was told.The envoy also took the opportunity to discuss acceptable approaches to demonstrations with the police chief, Khin Yi.The issue was raised in terms of future protests rather than the brutal handling of the monk-led marches in 2007. “It’s important to peacefully control demonstrations, and force needs to be used proportionately,” he told the senior policeman. Tin Oo, the deputy leader of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party the National League for Democracy, was freed on the even of Mr Quintana’s mission to Burma after nearly seven years in detention. But during his visit five other dissidents were imprisoned – including a Buddhist abbot and four women activists. The four women were arrested last October after being accused of offering Buddhist monks alms that included religious literature, said Nyan Win, spokesman for the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by detained Nobel Peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. The women used to hold prayer services at Yangon's Shwedagon pagoda for Ms Suu Kyi's release.The Buddhist monk, Gaw Thita was given seven years jail for violating immigration laws by making a trip to Taiwan last year, said his lawyer Aung Thein. He was also convicted of unlawful association and failing to declare possession of foreign currency. On top of that, six detained political activists in Rangoon’s infamous Insein jail went on hunger strike a day before the UN envoy was due to visit the prison, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Burma (AAPP-B), a Thailand-based Burmese human rights group. They launched their week-long hunger strike after complaining that the prison authorities were denying them what they called “basic human requirements”. It was due to end on Thursday 25th February. In a letter smuggled out of the prison, the political detainees complained that the rice that was given to prisoners was stale and mixed with small stones. “The bean soup and the sour vegetable soup often have insects in it and are dirty. We only get meat twice a week ... and we get no salt,” said the letter. The prisoners are denied appropriate medical attention or needed medicines, and are not allowed sufficient exercise, complained the prisoners. In the letter activists said that although prisoners were allowed to receive books and newspapers from their relatives, all reading material was heavily censored. “Sometimes the pages are torn [out] and the books censored,” said the letter. “There is no regular access to newspapers, [and] when they do arrive, are often out of date,” compllined the letter. The prisoners are also not allowed paper or pens. “If a prisoner is found with paper or pens, they are sent to the punishment cell called the ‘Dog Cell’, said the letter. “We are not allowed to write to our families,” the prisoners complained. Last week, according to Mulim activists in Rakhune state, more than 70 inmates of Buthidaung prison also went on hunger strike in protest at the insufficient food rations. Their protests erupted after the prisoners, mostly non-Burmese, were denied a meeting with Mr Quintana when he visited Buthidaung prison. But on the positive side, Mr Quintan found a child soldier – who had been sentenced to 7 years for desertion. He had been conscripted when he was 16, seized off the street in hi school uniform on the way home. He was arrested when he went home to see his sick mother less than six months after he was forcibly recruited. When the envoy raised it with the Home Minister he at least responded positively, and maybe released soon. The ILO is following up the case.But human rights groups still fear that these high-profile visits are only used by the regime for their own ends.“When visits by UN envoys fail to achieve any progress, they allow the country to still claim it is cooperating with the UN, and leave the UN itself with little choice but to claim that the visits themselves constitute progress,” aid Mr Zawacki. “But in this case the special rapportteur is making it clear that the failure is the government’s fault.” Although no spectacular break-throughs may result from this visit, the fact that senior members of the regime are engaged with representatives of the international community is significant, especially on human rights. Some Burmese leaders at the very top are hearing what the government needs to be done, especially if the elections are to be credible and to meet international human rights’ norms. “If anyone expects that fundamental human rights changes are going to come about strictly through UN visits and other efforts they're ignoring 20 years of history,” said Mr Zawacki. “Change will only come from within,” he added. And the real problem is that the senior general Than Shwe, who makes all the decisions, may not be listening to any of it.United Nations special rapporteur for human rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana believes there that the country’s political prisoners will not be freed any time soon. “There seems to be no movement on political prisoners since my last trip [a year ago],” the UN envoy told Mizzima in an interview in Bangkok a few days ago. “In fact the government continues to deny that there are any prisoners of conscience.” At the same time more critics of the government and activists have been imprisoned on spurious charges. And political prioners already in jail mounted protests to coincide with the UN envoys visit.Mizzima

Bangladesh cracks Burmese Muslim refugees

Bangladesh authorities have cracked down on Burmese Muslim refugees seeking refuge from the brutal Burmese military regime. The police operation has created a major humanitarian crisis according to an aid agency working in the area, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF).Over the past few weeks thousands of unregistered Rohingyas have fled their temporary homes in Bangladesh and sought safety in a makeshift camp, where they have no food, inadequate shelter and cannot work, according to the Arakan Project which monitors the situation of Burmese Muslims throughout Asia. The Rohinygas have sought refuge in a makeshift camp, Kuta Palong, near the Bangladesh border with Burma. The numbers in this camp have swelled to over 30,000 in the past six weeks, according to the Arakan project. The makeshift camp has nearly doubled in the last four months, MSF told Mizzima. In January alone, 2,000 Rohinygas refugees arrived. “As we speak, more are arriving out of fear and facing an uncertain future,” warned Paul Critchfley, head of MSF’s mission in Bangladesh. The camp residents do not receive food rations and cannot leave the camp to find work for fear of being arrested, beaten and forced back to Burma. “Hunger is spreading rapidly among the already malnourished population in the makeshift camp, and a grave humanitarian crisis is looming,” Chris Lewa, the director of Arakan Proiject told Mizzima.“If the Bangladesh authorities do not stop the crackdown on these refugees immediately, then there a significant risk of starvation,” she added. Residents in Cox’s Bazaar – the main town in the border area with Burma – told Mizzima that police and security forces have been targetting Rohingya refugees for several months now. Since the beginning of the year, Rohinygas settled outside the two official refugee camps have been harrassed, intimidated and beaten, according to hundreds of personal testimonies collected by the Arakan Project.“Thousands have been evicted with threats of violence,” Ms Lewa told Mizzima. “Robberies, assaults and rape against Rohingyas have risen significantly,” she said. Local Bangladeshi villagers have also been venting their anger against the refugees. Aid workers in the area also report Rohinygas being beaten with sticks and women being raped.“We have treated hundreds of refugees in the camp for wounds from violent assaults and beatings,” said Mr. Critchley. “Many women have also been raped.” The refugees all tell a similar stories. “We cannot find work and no one helps us,” said Nurul, a 75-year-old former farmer, who has been living in the Kuta Palong camp for more than a month now with his wife and four children and grandchildren. “My daughter was raped by local youths one evening, when she was returning, after working as a maid nearby. She told the police and identified the cuplrits: but the police did nothing,” he said.“I have spent all my savings and we have nothing to eat,” said Rafiq, a 50-year-old day labourer who is sheltered in the camp since the end of January with his wife and five children. “We cannot go out to find work because we will be arrested if we go out. I cannot sleep at night, and have nightmares about the police raiding the camp and handing us over to the Burmese authorities,” he added.“I fear we will be sent back to Burma,” said another Rohingya refugee. “Since we were born, we have always been on the run!”“More than 500 Rohingya have been arrested in the past few weeks, some have even been forcibly returned to Burma,” said Ms Lewa. “They could be forced out at any moment, so they're basically holding their families together. You have a space of slightly larger than a bathroom that has six or seven people and attached to it is another bathroom, so you have two families living in this really crammed condition,” another MSF staff member, Vanessa Van Schoor, told journalists in Bangkok recently. “Sometimes I am overwhelmed with fear,” said Muhamad, a 35-year-old day labourer. “Perhaps the Bangladesh government has a plan to gather all Rohingya in one place and send us back to Burma.” However, a local district police chief, Kamrul Ahsan denied these allegations telling Mizzima that only those Rohingyas staying in the country illegally had been arrested. Senior police officers in charge near the makeshift camp admitted that the authorities were conducting normal security operations, but only foreigners who entered Bangladesh illegally were being detained. Between mid-November and mid-February, more than 500 Burmese illegal immigrants were detained and returned to Burma, said a local police chief.“This month we have arrested over 50, and sent them back to Myanmar [Burma]. It is an ongoing operation,” the local police chief in Kuta Palong, Rafiqul Islam told local journalists this week. The crackdown, he said was prompted by the rise in the number of Rohingya refugees in the area – felling the forests and building shanty towns the Kuta Palong camp – and was an attempt to stem the flow of illegal migrants. “If we don’t stop them now, the floodgates will open wide,” he said. There are an estimated 300,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, some of whom escaped from persecution in Burma in the early 1990s.There are some 28,000 registered refugees in two camps, monitored by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. These people receive food rations and health care. The others have to fend for themselves. Human rights groups and aid workers estimate that more than 9,000 refugees arrived in Burma last year. In December the Burmese and Bangladesh governments agreed that 6,000 Rohingya refugees would be returned to Burma, though as yet none seem to have been sent back.International organisations, however, fear that any repatriation programme would not be voluntary as most of the refugees do not want to go. “Though I do not see any future here, it is worse in Burma,” said a 60-year male Rohingya who first fled to Bangladesh in 1992, but returned to his home in 1994 under the UN-sponsored repatriation programme. “I stayed three years, but the extortion, persecution and travel restrictions forced me to flee again with my family more than 10 years ago.” “I pray that one day Burma will be peaceful and that we can enjoy our rights,” he said. “Then I can return to my country.” Till then, he and most Rohingya refugees want to stay in Bangladesh; though the authorities may not let them. The situation for Burmese Muslims in western Burma is intolerable. And the UK-human rights group Amnesty International (AI) characterised the situation there as perhaps one of the worst in the world. There are an estimated 700,000 Rohingya in Burma, where they are not recognised as citizens and have no right to own land. They are also forbidden from marrying or travelling without permission. “Discrimination in Rakhine State [where most of the Rohinygas flee from] is shockingly severe,” the UN’s special rapporteur for human rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana told Mizzima after visiting the area last week.Mizzima news

Suu Kyi's Deputy 'Tin Oo ' Vice-Chairman NLD released

Deputy of Aung San Suu Kyi, Tin Oo, 83, who has been imprisoned since 2003 was freed from house arrest today by the ruling military junta.The release comes at a time when the military junta is preparing to hold national level elections in 2010.Myanmar to go for 'multiparty election' whether Miss Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy, still to decide for their participation in General election fall in line an aberration of the nations consitution. Senior General Than Shwe said "a free and fair election will take place soon"."That means national people will have the rights to elect representatives, and stand for election," the 77-year-old said in his annual national holiday message."So, members of parliament, who the voters think will be capable of generating a prosperous future for the nation, will be elected by ballot."The last election in 1990 was won by the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but the results were never honoured by the military, which has ruled the country since 1962. U Tin Oo, the Vice-Chairman of the National League for Democracy (NLD) was released today in Yangon, financial capital city in Myanmar, after the expiration of his term of house arrest.The release comes two days before the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tomas Ojea Quintana, is due to arrive in the Asian nation for a five-day official visit.Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the release today of a prominent opposition politician in Myanmar after six years of house arrest, saying he hopes the move will lead to a more credible and inclusive political process."The Secretary-General hopes that this development will contribute to the advancement of substantive dialogue between the NLD and the Government of Myanmar as a necessary step towards a more credible and inclusive political process," according to a statement issued by a spokesperson for Mr. Ban. "To that end, the Secretary-General reiterates his call on the Government of Myanmar to lift without further delay the restrictions on NLD General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and to release all remaining political prisoners." Mr. Quintana said last week that he hopes to be able to meet Ms. Suu Kyi, who remains under house arrest, during his visit.The first elections in Myanmar in more than two decades are slated to take place later this year as part of a Government-designed time table towards greater democratization. "Aung San Suu Kyi said if freedom of information and freedom of expression are not allowed, the elections will neither be free nor fair nor credible",told to Nyan Win, her lawyer and NLD spokesman

Karen,Karenni refugees in Thailand

Thai authorities started the deportations, 3,000 ethnic Karen refugees back to Burma,sending 3 families back to Burma, but then halted them.European governments called on Thailand to halt the deportations,3 families were forced back to Burma return to the temporary refugee camp in Thailand.Though plans suggested repatriation of 30 families of a total of 900 refugees sheltered in Noe Boe temporary refugee camp.“UNHCR told them (the Thai authorities) not to send them back if they did not want to go back. But the Thai authorities insisted on sending them back forcibly,” a refugee from the camp said. International Organization for Migration in a press release on Tuesday said that since 2004, the total number of refugees shifted from Thailand’s refugee camps to new homes abroad, accounted for over 74,000. The majority of the refugees over 57,000 or nearly 80 per cent came from Burma, and belonged to the Karen and Karenni ethnic groups. Local soldiers have still been pressuring the refugees to agree to return, and no permanent solution has yet been agreed that means the refugees are safe and secure. Senior level meetings involving Karen organisations and government officials are being held in Thailand to try to find a solution.Thailand political and military Leaders claims of cooperation to the international community and media, soldiers and officials on the ground are doing the opposite. Sources close to the camp state that to avoid embarrassing pictures of Thai soldiers forcing families to leave, the removals were carried out by people in civilian clothing, and that they could have been soldiers in civilian clothing and vehicles. There are also worrying reports that Thai authorities are trying to stir up negative feelings about the refugees in nearby Thai villages, which they can then use as a pretext for their actions.

Kanbawza Bank acquires Myanmar Airways

Aung Ko Win, a business tycoon and owner of Kanbawza Bank, had bought Myanmar Airways shares. With reports confirming from local weekly in Rangoon, the ‘7 Days Journal’ on Wednesday also reported that Kanbawza Bank, after acquiring 80 per cent shares, has taken over the management of the Myanmar Airways.Kanbawza Bank official in Rangoon expressed their ignorance on the subject said they were not aware of the deal further thereon no senior manager were available to provide an answer. Myanmar Airways started its operations in 1993 with a joint venture Singaporean Company Region Air (HK) Ltd.Share percentage of the Myanmar Airlines were 51 per cent and the managing rights, the Singaporean Company held the remaining 49 per cent. Myanmar Airways is the largest Burmese airline, but failed its obligations into international operations,therefore forced to suspend its international flights in late July 2008,as it failed to meet international safety standards. Aung Ko Win, Chairman of the Kanbawza Bank, close to Burmese military junta’s second-in-command Vice-Senior General Maung Aye. Aung Ko Win is few businessmen, get special permits for business ventures in Burma. Zaw Win Naing, the Managing Director of Kanbawza Bank is the son of the former military intelligence officer Brig-Gen Than Tun and is also the foster son of Aung Ko Win.Myanmar Airways,national carrier has sold 80 per cent of its shares to the privately held Kanbawza (KBZ) bank along with control of the management, sources and media reports said.

Burma to hold General Election 2010

Than Shwe in his message on Independence Day on January 4, did confirmed that the election would take place asked Burmese people to exercise the right choice. “Plans are under way to hold elections in a systematic way this year. In that regard, the entire people have to make correct choices,” Than Shwe said. The junta supremo has urged the Burmese people to make an all out effort to develop and achieve the so called disciplined democracy in the country in accordance with the new constitution which had been forcibly approved days after Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma’s delta areas. “The State’s seven-step Road Map designed for emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation is the sole process for transition to democracy. The programme is in the process of being implemented step by step,” he said. Burma's main opposition party the National League for Democracy held a separate ceremony in their headquarters to mark the country’s independence in 1948 after 63 years of British rule.Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein, General Secretary of the Democratic Party (DP), on Monday told Mizzima that with the electoral law still unannounced, the DP leadership is not even sure if they can still contest the planned election, as there will be limited time for party formation as well as campaigning. “We heard the electoral law will be announced only about three months ahead of the polls. If that is true, it will be difficult for us to contest. We are now rethinking and reviewing our position,” Cho Cho Kyaw Nyien said. “It is necessary to have national reconciliation and unity to address political, social and economic problems faced Burmese people in the country,” Khin Maung Swe, spokesperson of the NLD told Mizzima on Monday. “Only after talks between Than Shwe and Aung San Suu Kyi happen will the rest of the political problems be solved,” he added. Burma's another political outfit Democratic Party,the DP is a political party formed of veteran politicians, including Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein, daughter of former Deputy Prime Minister Kyaw Nyein, Than Than Nu, daughter of former Prime Minister U Nu, and Nay Yee Ba Swe, daughter of former minister Ba Swe. The trio are political contemporaries of detained Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, as their fathers fought alongside one another during Burma’s independence struggle against the British. Burma’s military rulers have declared the holding of a general election, the first to be held after two decades, they have not specified any dates and are yet to announce an electoral law, which will set guidelines for prospective candidates. “Our Chairman, Thu Wai, has requested Senior General Than Shwe to review their plan of announcing the electoral law only three months ahead of the actual poll. We have not received any response as yet,” declared Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein. She said, like other political parties, the DP also needs at least six months to a year or more for preparation for the election, as they need to identify who can represent the party as well as organize a campaign. “At this time, we are not even sure who would be eligible as a candidate, everything is uncertain,” she said. “And we even feel like we should drop contesting the election. But since some of our members think it would still be possible for them to contest, we are now reviewing our situation,” she added. According to her information, the electoral law will be announced sometime in April and actual polls likely to be held three months later. However, given the junta’s secretive nature, her information could not be independently verified. The DP was formed in late June 2009, comprising a 15-member Central Executive Committee headed by Chairman Thu Wei. Though the ruling junta is yet to announce an electoral law, sources said members of the junta-backed civilian organization Union Solidarity and Development Association have been seen in recent weeks taking an increasingly pro-active role in undertaking community development projects, which many believe to be an effort to win the people’s trust ahead of elections.

Aung San Suu Kyi meets junta minister

Than Shwe appointed the liaison minister as an interlocutor to Aung San Suu Kyi,the detained leader on Friday, for the first time in 2010, met with government liaison minister Aung Kyi at her house, according to party leaders.After the visit of United Nations Special Envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, on the heels of September’s Saffron Revolution,Friday’s meeting is process towards democracy.The meet came a day after the NLD announced its decision to expand its CEC from 11 members to 20, a move seen by some observers as a kind of preparation for a political tug-of-war leading up to and following this year’s scheduled general election. “If the meeting today is correct, I think it is a good step for the New Year. We are hoping that it will be a positive meeting,” Ohn Kyaing iterated, adding that they welcome such meetings and hope the process will continue. Burma’s present military rulers, in power for the past two decades, have announced they are set to hold a general election in 2010, but have yet to specify any dates. The NLD, meanwhile, say they will participate in the election only if the junta agrees to first amend the 2008 constitution, release all political prisoners and permit international monitoring of the polls. Retired Major Win Naing Kyaw, Thura Kyaw a.k.a. Aung Aung Ko and a commoner Go Byan Sein a.k.a. Ah See were arrested, tried and handed death sentence plus 20 years imprisonment, death sentence plus 15 years imprisonment and 15 years imprisonment respectively by Rangoon North District court sitting inside the Insein prison. Those sentenced Burmese are active and retired government employees. Two of them are uniformed officers. It shows that military personnel and government employees continue opposing the rulers. North Korea provided technology for secret underground tunnels around the new capital Naypyidaw. Nuclear technology is also shared by Kim Jong-il. Photographs of construction are available on Internet. And North Korea ships came to Burma water. Russia promised nuclear and military hardware. It proved correct as Russia has signed a contract to deliver 20 MiG-29 fighter planes to Burma on Christmas eve. The contract is worth 400m Euros. The regime spends less than 3% of national expenditure o­n health, while the military consumes 40%. What is there from the Republic of India? The 7-member delegation headed by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam would provide US$90 million for Kaladan project, US$10 million as loan for the same project, US$7 million for Cyber Optical Link, US$1.3 million for upgrading satellite ground station in Rangoon, establishment of ICT park in Mandalay, US$3 million for on-board training, (Physical Connectivity), (Electronic Connectivity), (Knowledge Connectivity) 50 officers form e-government training, 20 PhD students, upgrading science labs in Rangoon and Mandalay Universities, establishment of Entrepreneurship Development Center etc. The political assurance from India was gratefulness to the Roadmap and the promises given on 6 March 2006. India would defend Burma at the UN, ILO and UNHRC. India kept its promise and voted for SPDC at all three assemblies.

Free trade with Aseans begins

Thursday, December 31, 2009 India enters free trade with Asean countries India enters free trade with Asean countries- South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia country's market-opening pacts with three of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and South Korea will be operational from Friday.The remaining seven Asean members will take a few more months to get the India-Asean trade pact, which needs to be "internally approved or ratified by their parliaments," an official said. Indian exports to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia accounting for over 90 per cent of the India-Asean USD 44-billion trade, would also be given easy access on about 4,000 tariff items.Under the Indo-Korean Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which includes services, Indian professionals from as many as 163 sectors, including IT, English teaching, consultancy and engineering, would be eligible for temporary visas up to one year in Korea. Under this agreement, customs duties will also be reduced or eliminated on as many as 93 per cent of Korea's tariff lines which includes tyres, electrical goods, vehicle parts and petroleum products."Korea has taken commitments to give favourable considerations to Indian banks as well for opening their branches there," he said. However, India must also reciprocate on this front to move forward. In fact, half of the country's USD four billion exports to Korea would be exempted from duty right away.India and South Korea signed the CEPA on 7th August, 2009 in Seoul. The domestic industry welcomes the move saying the agreement would help double the USD 10-billion commerce between the two countries over the next five years. The CEPA with Korea is the second comprehensive deal for India after Singapore. Unlike a free trade agreement, which covers goods only, CEPA also covers investments, services and bilateral cooperation in other areas. The free trade agreement with Asean was signed on 13th August. DDNews

Thai PTT to purchase gas from Zawtika Field

PTT to sign a new gas deal in the Zawtika Field in the Gulf of Martaban of Burma. Watchara Kannika, deputy spokesperson of Thai Government’s House said in a press conference on Tuesday that the Thai cabinet approved the proposal of the National Energy Policy Committee for the new gas deal. “The field in M9 block can produce 300 million cubic feet per day. Of that, 240 million cubic feet will be supplied to Thailand and 60 cubic feet used in Burma as price from this field. The price is the same as that of gas from Yadana and Yetagun fields,” he said, according to a report in Thai News Agency website. Thailand’s Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said on Monday after he chaired a meeting of the National Energy Policy Committee, which endorsed a five-year supply plan. The demand is expected to increase to 5.142 billion cubic feet of gas per day by 2015. The MoU is worth more than US$1 billion (Bt33.29 billion) and will see a supply of gas for 25 to 30 years. Gas transmission from the field will start in 2013, Wannarat said.The gas deal with Burma by the Thai government has been urged for revision by activists since 2007 after PTT signed an exploratory agreement with the generals to look for gas in the M9 Block in the Gulf of Mataban.

Burma News

China and Burma signed sixteen MoUs

China and Burma signed sixteen MoUs including five agreements on development of trade, economy, transport infrastructures, technological cooperation and purchase of machinery; seven financial agreements, three agreements on hydro-electric power and one agreement on the energy sector and oil and natural gas pipeline. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) exclusive rights to build and operate the Myanmar-China Crude Oil Pipeline. The agreement gives CNPC controlled Southeast Crude Oil Pipeline Company, political assurance for the pipeline project. CNPC’s press release on Monday, the agreement signed in the presence of the Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and Burmese Vice Senior General Maung Aye will allow the CNPC unit to enjoy rights including tax abatement, crude oil passage through Burma, customs clearance and road operations.“The agreement also stipulates that Myanmar [Burma] government shall ensure the company's ownership and exclusionary right to the pipeline and guarantee the safety of the pipeline,” said the release posted on the CNPC website on Monday.The CNPC has started building a crude oil port in Burma since October 31 as part of the 771-kilometre pipeline project aimed at cutting out the long detour that many Chinese oil tankers take through the congested Malacca Strait. The Myanmar-China Crude Oil Pipeline will start from Maday Island in Arakan state of western coast of Burma and run 771 kilometers through Arakan State, Magway division, Mandalay division and Shan State, and will finally enter Ruili of Yunnan Province in South Western China.Besides, Xi was also reported to have been assured by Burma’s military supremo Senior General Than Shwe of stability along the border. Burma will work with China to preserve peace and stability of the border areas, Than Shwe was quoted as saying in a statement posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website on Monday.Than Shwe added that he understands that China and Burma share a long joint border and maintaining peace and stability on the border is extremely important to both countries.Than Shwe’s pledges came in the backdrop of an armed conflict between government troops and ethnic Kokang rebels in August in Northern Shan State. The conflict drove over 30,000 refugees in to China. The exchange of high-level visits by China and Burma are not uncommon, Xi’s visit, which is part of his four-nation East Asian tour, is seen as significant as he has been largely tipped to be the successor of President Hu Jintao in 2012. “Choosing Burma as one of the four countries he is visiting is significant and it means China considers Burma an important ally,” Bo Bo Kyaw Nyien, a Thailand-based Burmese observer, told Mizzima. He added that the visit is an indication that China and Burma will not only continue but will strengthen their ties, and work out a strategy for border security, which is China’s main concern.

Burma buys Russian MiG-29Jets,Mi-35 Copters

‘Rosoboronexport’, Russia’s sole arms exporter, will begin delivering the fighter jets and helicopters in 2010,close to the Russia-Burma negotiation process, Nikolsky said the contract includes delivering 20 MiG-29 fighter jets worth Euro 400 million (US$ 570 million) and 8 to 10 Mi-35 attack helicopters worth Euro 50 million (US$ 71 million).Burma’s military junta, which has ruled the Southeast Asian nation for the past two decades, chose Russia’s MiG-29 Fulcrum-D carrier-based fighter jets over China's offer of its latest J-10 and FC-1 fighters. Russia and China, the two veto powers at the United Nations Security Council, are known to be the closest allies of Burma’s reclusive military junta. Despite sanctions by the West, United States and European Union, including an arms embargo, Russia and China had been supplying military hardware to the pariah state. Burma, 1990s, had purchased Chinese military aircraft worth about US $ 2 billion, the Vedomosti said in a report on Wednesday.Burma in 2001 bought 12 MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia but Nikolsky said the current contract is so far the largest between the two countries, and possibly “the most important in [Russia-Burma] bilateral relations.” He said other vital part of the Russia-Burma relations includes cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy. Russia in May 2007 announced building a 10-megawatt nuclear reactor with low enriched uranium consisting of less than 20 per cent uranium-235.

Burma SC to hear Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal

Judges at the Supreme Court after delibartions and arguments by lawyers on both sides, announced they would hear Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal against the 18-month suspended sentence. “The court will hear the appeal. Today’s session was attended by Daw Suu and her live-in colleagues Daw Win Ma Ma and her daughter. The prosecutors were also present,” Nyan Win, one of Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers, told Mizzima. But the court has not set any date for the hearing, Nyan Win added. Lawyers of the Nobel Peace Laureate were optimistic about the court’s decision saying it is allowing them to legally argue in court. Amidst rumours of the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi circulating in Burma’s former capital Rangoon, the high court on Monday accepted an appeal by her lawyers regarding the sentence. Lawyers of the Burmese democracy icon argue that the district court cannot sentence Aung San Suu Kyi on the law based on the 1974 constitution, as the constitution is no longer valid. But prosecutors said, though the 1974 constitution is defunct, the district court’s verdict was legally binding as it is a statute made in 1975, which they said was a separate statute not attached to the 1974 constitution. The pro-democracy leader was given 18 months suspended sentenced by the court for ‘harbouring’ an American, John William Yettaw, who swam across a lake and entered her house in early May. Following the sentence, a defence team submitted an appeal to the divisional court, which, however, was rejected saying the district court’s decision was in keeping with the law. The defence team then submitted its appeal to the Supreme Court. As the 1974 constitution is defunct, the verdict of the district court, which draws its statute from the 1974 constitution, cannot be relevant. Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been kept under detention in various forms for the past 14 of 20 years, had written a letter to the junta’s military supremo Snr Gen Than Shwe, requesting a meeting with him to further discuss activities concerning lifting of western sanctions. Responding partially, Than Shwe allowed her to meet aging party leaders last week, though he has not yet responded to her requests of allowing her to have a meeting with her party – National League for Democracy – central executive committee members, and a face to face meeting with him. Lately, sources in Rangoon said, there have been widespread rumours of the possibilities of releasing Aung San Suu Kyi among political observers. Adding fuel to the speculations, sources said is the National League for Democracy renovating its old and shabby office in Rangoon’s West Shwe Gondine Street in Bahan Township. It has, led some to think that it could be to welcome party General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi to sit at the office after she is released.Media agencies

Concern for Burma by 442 Members of Parliament from 29 countries

BurmaInfo (Japan),People’s Forum on Burma,the U.S. Campaign for Burma Tokyo and Washington, DC Tokyo-based “BurmaInfo,” “People’s Forum on Burma,” and Washington, DC-based “U.S. Campaign for Burma” today welcome the call of 442 Members of Parliament (MPs) around the world to the United Nations Security Council to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity and other war crimes in Burma, as well as to impose a global arms embargo on Burma’s military regime. On the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 442 MPs and Congresspersons from 29 countries from Asia, Europe, North and South America, including Japan, United States, United Kingdom, France, India, Korea, Brazil, Maldives, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand, sent a letter to Members of the UN Security Council. The letter was initiated by two MPs from Japan, Hon. Azuma Konno and Hon. Tadashi Inuzuka, both members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan. Although their governments have different Investigate Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes in Burma policies toward Burma, all the MPs are deeply concerned about the humanitarian conditions in Burma, also known as Myanmar, and collectively ask the Members of the Security Council to take action as it did for similar conditions in Rwanda and Darfur. Specifically, the MPs request the Security Council to pass a resolution to establish a Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma and to impose a global arms embargo on Burma’s military regime. As Hon. Azuma Konno points out, “Such action is long overdue. Burma’s military regime has carried out brutal attacks on it own people for decades.” Indeed, through attacks on ethnic minority civilians, the regime has destroyed over 3,500 ethnic minority villages in eastern Burma since 1996. A recent report by Harvard Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic found compelling evidence that the military regime has been committing crimes against humanity in eastern Burma for well over a decade. “This letter demonstrates that the eyes of the world are on Burma and that we will call attention to the continued human rights violations perpetrated by the military regime. The destruction of villages and ethnic cleansing must stop. I am proud to stand with so many freely elected leaders from around the world to call for the regime to respect the rights of the people of Burma and to cease the senseless violence.” added Hon. Joseph Pitts, Member of U.S. House of Representatives. This appeal follows similar calls made earlier this year by fellow MPs from the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. On June 15, 2009, 55 Members of U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to President Obama, urging the President to encourage the UN Security Council to set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity in Burma. Further, 82 MPs from Canada made a similar request to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on October 9, 2009. Most recently, on November 26, 2009, an Early Day Motion was tabled at the British Parliament which has since been signed by 92 British MPs, calling on the British Government to urge the United Nations to establish a Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity being committed by the military regime in Burma.

First US -ASEAN Meet :Obama appeal to release San Suu Kyi

US President Barack Obama has made a personal appeal to the Myanmar Prime Minister, General Thein Sein, for the release of the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. A White House spokesman said that President Obama took the opportunity of the US-ASEAN meeting to call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. According to observers the fact that the US President has sat down at the same table with a member of the Myanmar military government is a clear sign that America is serious about wanting to re-engage with the region. The first-ever ASEAN-US Leaders meeting held in Singapore after the APEC Leaders' Summit a joint statement after the meeting, which lasted one and a half hours, the leaders also agreed to increase their collaboration and establish an ASEAN-US Eminent Persons Group.It is to support enhanced ASEAN-US cooperation in addressing regional and global issues.The meeting, which included Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein, was the result of a recent change in US policy to directly engage the Myanmar leadership. This is the first time the US President is meeting all of the 10 ASEAN leaders, but the United States and ASEAN have been regular dialogue partners since 1977. This dialogue is held during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting at the foreign ministers level.US President Barack Obama said the US is committed to strengthening its engagement with Southeast Asia.Mr Obama said: "During our meeting, we talked about how the United States and ASEAN worked together as partners within this region and throughout the world. We discussed the importance of the challenge of climate change, nuclear proliferation and working together to support the G20 efforts to promote a sustained and balance global economic recovery. "We reaffirmed the policies I put forward in Tokyo yesterday with regards (to) Burma (former name of Myanmar). We also recognised the need to expand high level engagement on these and other major issues." Abhisit Vejjajiva, ASEAN Chair and Thai Prime Minister, said: "ASEAN also stands ready to be a reliable partner of the US in tackling the various global and regional challenges, whether it is climate change, the Doha Round or counter-terrorism and security issues. This has been a historic meeting and we are happy with the progress this enhanced partnership has achieved." The leaders also discussed Myanmar and welcomed the US policy to engage with the government.ASEAN's leaders also stressed the importance of achieving national reconciliation and emphasised that the general elections to be held in Myanmar in 2010 must be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner in order to be credible to the international community. On climate change, both sides agreed to work closely to ensure the success of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen and that the agreed outcome should incorporate long-term cooperative actions to address climate change. ASEAN and the US also recognised the critical importance of adapting to the increasingly severe effects of climate change in the region, and agreed to strengthen collaboration in both research on climate impacts, and development and implementation of appropriate policies and measures. President Obama said he looks forward to a second Leaders' Meeting next year.

Obama : Myanmar Junta to restore democracy

Obama ruled out any lifting of sanctions on the Myanmar, saying they would remain till the military regime takes concrete steps towards restoration of democracy and release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi along with other political prisoners. “We are now communicating directly with the (Myanmar) leadership to make it clear that existing sanctions will remain until there are concrete steps toward democratic reform,” he said while expressing his commitment to strengthen US ties with Asia. The US had recently announced the US policy to engage the military junta in a dialogue, a marked departure from the past wherein it slapped sanctions on Myanmar for its inability to restore democracy and protect human rights. United States has urged ASEAN nations to convince Burma to hold transparent general elections as US President Barack Obama leaves on his debut presidential Asia tour on Thursday. He is scheduled to meet ASEAN leaders in Singapore for the ASEAN – US Summit this week.Hillary Clinton, United States Secretary of State on Wednesday spoke about Burma’s election after a meeting with foreign ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), including seven member countries from ASEAN, which was held in Singapore.

Obama address nine-day Asian tour

Obama address nine-day Asian tour

What is consciousness ?

What is consciousness ?

Hillary ask Myanmar to free Aung San Suu Kyi

2009-11-12 18:27:14 - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called on Myanmar to free opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Stepping up the pressure ahead of President Barack Obama's meeting with the junta's premier, she said the US will continue to call for her unconditional release. The Nobel laureate has spent most of the past 20 years under house arrest after her party won party won the 1990 general elections. The United States has urged ASEAN nations to convince Burma to hold transparent general elections as US President Barack Obama leaves on his debut presidential Asia tour on Thursday. He is scheduled to meet ASEAN leaders in Singapore for the ASEAN – US Summit this week.Hillary Clinton, United States Secretary of State on Wednesday spoke about Burma’s election after a meeting with foreign ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), including seven member countries from ASEAN, which was held in Singapore. "We would like to see countries individually and through ASEAN reach out to the Burmese leadership, persuade them that it's time to start planning for free, fair and credible elections in 2010," Clinton said.Hillary Clinton said Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi, is in detention for fourteen years had "every right, as any person should have...to participate in the active democratic life" of her country. "We believe that her detention over so many years is baseless and not founded on any concern other than she is the leader of the political opposition," Clinton said at a news conference in the Philippine capital, Manila. Clinton called for the opposition to be allowed to take part in the reclusive state's planned 2010 election.She also said there could be high-level contacts with the former Burma's junta at a meeting this weekend of Southeast Asian states to be attended by U.S. President Barack Obama -- though no formal bilateral meeting was planned. "First of all there is no meeting," she told reporters. "There may very well be an opportunity for the leaders, including myself, including the president, to meet the leaders of Burma, something that we have not done before."Clinton said of next year's planned election: "I will underscore our skepticism about an election that does not include all of the people or their representatives who are in opposition." Further she added that there were no plans, to drop U.S. economic sanctions on Myanmar.Media agencies Author: Naresh Sagar e-mail Web: www.nksagar.com Phone: 9810974027

Barack Obama to visit Asian countries

Barack Obama to visit Asian countries

Rebels asked to form Border Guard Force in Burma

Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) Burma’s rebel group, said they are willing to abandon arms struggle provided the ruling junta guarantees equal rights to both ethnics and Burmans agreed in the historic Panlong agreement.KIO Secretary Dr. La Ja said the KIO had informed their stand to the junta’s Supremo Snr Gen Than Shwe in a letter sent to him in September. The letter states that if the junta accepts the Panlong Agreement and is willing to uphold, the KIO is ready to abandon arms struggle, in which case it will not be necessary to transform its armed wing into the ‘Border Guard Force’ proposed by the regime. “We are bringing up the Panlong Agreement again because we have to reconsider about the ‘Union’ of Burma. If there is a ‘Union’, we must recognize the ‘Union’ because the ‘Union’ emerged from the ‘Panlong’ Agreement,” Dr. La Ja told Mizzima from the KIO headquarters in Laiza in Kachin State. “The letter was sent for understanding and consideration, not for talks. We cannot say yet if they will respond and how so. It’s up to them,” he added. The architect of Burma’s independence General Aung San and leaders of ethnic Kachin, Chin and Shan gathered in Panlong town of Shan State and signed the historic ‘Panlong Agreement’, which guaranteed equal rights for all ethnic nationalities on 12 February 1947. While the KIO is emphasizing on equal rights, the Thailand-based Kachin News Group (KNG) said, the Kachin Independence Army’s 4th brigade based in Lao Kai region of Northern Shan State is being pressurized by the regime to divide its troops into three small groups or leave their area. However, Dr. La Ja denied of the information. “We have not been informed. We have not received any letter regarding withdrawal of the 4th Brigade from the area. There is no problem for the 4th Brigade,” he said, adding that there are no tensions amounting between the KIO and the regime in recent days. While the regime has set October as the deadline for all ceasefire groups to transform their armies into the Border Guard Force (BGF), KIO along with several other groups have rejected the proposed but offered another proposal of transforming into a ‘Kachin Regional Guard Force’ (KRGF). “We will wait and see how they respond to our counter proposal. We expect a positive response from the regime. We told them that we accepted transformation and transition but we have to seek a solution peacefully and amicably,” Dr. La Ja said, adding that the KIO do not like to solve the problem militarily. Though the KIO and other ceasefire groups are under pressure for transformation, several KIO leaders have withdrawn their membership from the group to prepare for candidacy in the 2010 election. In early September, six KIO high-ranking officials including Dr. Mana Tu Ja, vice-president (2) of the KIO, announced their resignation from the armed group in order to prepare and form the Kachin State Progressive Party (KSPP), to be contesting in the 2010 elections. Meanwhile, the New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), another Kachin ceasefire armed group, has accepted the junta’s offer of transforming their army into the BGF.

A Happy and Prosperous Diwali

A Happy and Prosperous Diwali Wishing Happy and Prosperous Deepawali - Festival of Light May the Goddess of Wealth Bring Happiness and glory to all Lets us pray For Global Unity and Peaceful Society Nksagar

US embassy steps in defend Nyi Nyi Aung

US embassy in Rangoon is in touch with lawyers to defend its detained citizen, Aung Kyaw Zaw, arrested on arrival in the former Burmese capital’s international airport on September 3. Kyi Win, a high court advocate, on Friday said he was contacted by the US embassy to defend Aung Kyaw Zaw or better known Nyi Nyi Aung, detained in Rangoon Insein prison.“The embassy contacted us to defend him and offered us a fee equivalent to the amount paid to the lawyer they had hired for John William Yettaw. we said we are willing to provide ‘Pro Bono’ free of charge service,” Kyi Win said. Kyi Win said the embassy had contacted him and his colleague Nyan Win, with whom he teamed up to defend detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, to take up Nyi Nyi Aung’s case.Both Kyi Win and Nyan Win are advocates practicing in the high court.“I don’t know if Nyi Nyi Aung has been charged yet. I am yet to receive a reply from the embassy,” Kyi Win said. On nature of charges Nyi Nyi Aung jailed , a report in the state-run media the New Light of Myanmar newspaper last week accused Nyi Nyi Aung of trying to instigate civil unrest in cahoots with underground activists inside Burma.A report accused Nyi Nyi Aung of working together with several Burmese organizations in exile including the Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB), the Student and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB) and alleged that he had provided financial assistance to activists inside the country.Nyi Nyi Aung was a student activist and was involved in the 1988 student-led uprising. He along with several other students fled to Thailand in the wake of the military crackdown on protesters. Later he was resettled in United States from Thailand and was naturalized as a US citizen. Nyi Nyi Aung holds a valid US passport and had a legal social visit Visa to Burma. He flew from Bangkok to Rangoon on September 3 on a TG flight. Nyi Nyi Aung was taken to several interrogation centres, where he allegedly endured torture. He was finally taken to the Insein prison.US embassy spokesman said, Nyi Nyi Aung had complained of ill-treatment during their meeting.Agencies reports. Author: Naresh Sagar e-mail Web: www.nksagar.com Phone: 9810974027

Aung San Suu Kyi’s to move SC for freedom

Divisional court in Rangoon on Friday rejected the appeal of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, upholding a lower court’s decision that sentenced her to yet another period of detention. Aung San Suu Kyi, General-Secretary of Burma’s main opposition party – National League for Democracy – was sentenced to three years in August by the northern district court in Rangoon’s Insein prison – though the period of detention was later halved by special order from Senior General Than Shwe.“The court said it upholds the decision of the district court but decided that the 1974 constitution is no longer in effect. It is very absurd,” a source, with access to the court, told Mizzima.Aung San Suu Kyi, who was charged for breaching her previous terms of detention by ‘harboring’ American John William Yettaw, who swam across a lake and entered into her house in early May, was sentenced by the district court under the 1974 constitution, which defense attorneys argued is no longer in effect. “It is good that the court acknowledged today that the 1974 constitution is no longer in effect, but it is absurd that the court upholds the verdict of the district court, which is based on that constitution,” the source extrapolated. Nyan Win, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s legal team, said they are ready to file another appeal with the Supreme Court if the divisional court upheld the lower court’s decision.

Ban Ki-moon ask PM Thein Sien release San Suu Kyi

Ban Ki-moon has demanded the release of detained pro-democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his meeting with the Myanmarese Prime Minister Thein Sien who is attending the opening session of the General Assembly.

Ban Ki-moon has demanded the release of detained pro-democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his meeting with the Myanmarese Prime Minister Thein Sien who is attending the opening session of the General Assembly.

"The Secretary General made clear that the onus was on the government to create the necessary conditions for credible and inclusive elections, including the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, as well dialogue with all stakeholders," Michele Montas, the spokesperson for Ban said.

"The Secretary General reiterated his clear expectation that Myanmar will respond in a timely manner to the proposals he left with the senior leadership of Myanmar during his visit," she said.

During Ban Ki-moom two-day visit to Myanmar in July, the UN Chief made three demands on Myanmar leadership - to release 2,200 political prisoners, hold free and fair elections in 2010, and resume a dialogue between the government and opposition.

Following Ban's visit, Myanmar ambassador to the UN, Than Swe, told the Council, "At the request of the Secretary General Myanmar is processing to grant amnesty to prisoners on humanitarian grounds and with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 general elections."But these assurances have not been followed up.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi, 64, has been under detention for most of the past two past decades. She is the leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the national elections in 1990.

US and other Western nations have been imposing sanctions because of Myanmar's refusal to release Suu Kyi, and the military junta is accused of human rights violations in the country.

China and Russia have vetoed Security Council resolutions against Myanmar. "Sanctions are being employed as a political tool against Myanmar and we consider them unjust. I would like to state that such acts must be stopped,"

Debate on stateless children in Thailand

Mong unqualify for Thai nationality inspite of his natural cause of birthin Thailand.Nationality by birth in not applicable in Thailand hence tens of thousand workers may not have the chance to get Thai nationality and therefore children born in Thai of Mayanmar parentswill be living with stateless nationality.Mong was born, lives and goes to school because he was born to Burmese migrant workers. Federal Minister Chaovarat Chanvirakul, Minister of Interior said that he congratulated Mong Thongdee (12),who is back from the Origami Airplane Contest in Japan, after he won the third prize for Thailand in the individual category but bagged first prize in the team competition.“However, to grant him Thai citizenship we have to consider other things too, because in the future it will be difficult if tens of thousands of stateless people in Thailand also ask for nationality,” he said, according to a Thai newspaper Komchadluek.

Further Interior Ministry Minister Chaovarat Chanvirakul faced the wrath of civil society lawyer on charges of human rights violation were filed by the Thai Lawyer Council after the Ministry refused to issue travel documents to the boy.

Mong now a celbrity, a role model for stateless children, particularly in his hometown Chiang Mai Northern Thailand.
Mong Thongdee was born of Burmese migrant workers working in Chiang Mai. With his parents are ethnic Shan his winning the first prize in a paper aeroplane making competition held in Bangkok last year is joy of Mayanmar community living in Thailand.Following the competition he was entitled to join the Origami Airplane competition held in Japan on September 19 and 20 where he got the prizes.

Thailand Science Ministry will appoint Mong Thongdee, a Thai born but stateless boy, as its youth ambassador. “We will offer him scholarships too,” Science Minister Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich said on Monday.She said the scholarships would enable Mong to get a degree and even a doctorate if he wanted.”He deserves the scholarships because he bolstered the country’s reputation and has become an inspiration for other children to learn more about science,” Kalaya said.

NLD asks to free Aung San Suu Kyi

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy ,NLD warmly welcomes the release of 7,114 national prisoners that included some 100 political prisoners from prisons on September 17," the statement said.

NLD reiterated calls for the ruling junta to free Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees.Maynamar court will give its verdict on Ms Suu Kyi's appeal against her extended house arrest next month.Her most of years have passed in prisons of Maynmar junta rule and extension of her jail term for another eighteen months is an intent of Junta
rule to keep her off the ensuing General elections.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) issued a statement almost one week after the military regime announced that it was freeing the prisoners so they could vote in elections due next year."However we also call for the unconditional and immediate release of all political prisoners including the NLD vice chairman Tin Oo and general secretary Aung San Suu Kyi," it said.

Suu Kyi had her house arrest extended by 18 months in August after she was convicted over an incident in which an American man swam uninvited to the lakeside house where she is detained in May.Tin Oo has also been under house arrest since 2003.

NLD official press release said Suu Kyi and Tin Oo "have been always trying for dialogue and national reconciliation", as had jailed members of ethnic minority groups and students who led mass pro-democracy protests in 1988.

NLD Myanmar's opposition party on Wednesday welcomed the release of 7,000 prisoners.US sanctions against Burmese leaders would remain in place, Mrs Clinton said, but could be eased if "the core human rights and democracy issues that are inhibiting Burma's progress" were addressed.

Author:
Naresh Sagar
e-mail
Web: www.nksagar.com
Phone: 9810974027

San Suu Ky jail term extended

2009-08-11 11:46:41 - Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday received court prouncement jail term for another three years prison term .Lt-Gen Maung Oo, Minister of Home Affairs arrived in the court and read out an order signed by the junta’s military supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe dated August 10.

Suu Kyi's two-decade with Myanmar's powerful ruling junta prolonged with leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday was sentenced to 18 months delayed prison term and will be taken back to her lakeside home.

court on Tuesday announced three years prison term for Aung San Suu Kyi. But Lt-Gen Maung Oo, Minister of Home Affairs arrived in the court and
read out an order signed by the junta’s military supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe dated August 10.

The order states that if the court convicts Aung San Suu Kyi, half the sentence should be commuted and could be freed after the 18 months if she proves that she has good moral behaviour. The order said, her sentenced is commuted because she is the daughter of General Aung San, the architect of Burma’s Independence from the British colonial.

“The verdict on Aung San Suu Kyi is that she will be taken back to her house and kept under restrictions for 18 months and during which if she proves good moral she could be freed at the end of 18 months,” her lawyer Nyan Win told Mizzima on Tuesday.

He said, she will be kept under restrictions but could write a request for her rights including receiving guests. She will also be allowed to watch television and read newspapers.

Similarly, her two live-in party mates, Khin Khin Win and Win Ma Ma, who were also sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour, were also reduced to 18 months of suspended sentence and will be send back along with Aung San Suu Kyi to her home.

If all the three abides by the law and prove good moral, they could be freed at the end of the 18 months suspended sentence, the order states.

John William Yettaw, the American man, however, was handed seven years in prison with hard labour, for abetting Aung San Suu Kyi to violate the terms of her house arrest and other charges including violation of the immigration law.


Immediately after the court announced the verdict on Aung San Suu Kyi, Lt-Gen Maung Oo, Minister of Home Affairs arrived in the court and read out an order signed by the junta’s military supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe dated August 10.

The order states that if the court convicts Aung San Suu Kyi, half the sentence should be commuted and if she proves that she has good moral behaviour she should be freed.

Aung San Suu Kyi will be taken back to her home and kept under restrictions. She will be allowed to accept guests but only with the prior permission of the authorities. For other rights she can send a written request, and she would be allowed to have a television and read newspapers.

Author:
Naresh Sagar
e-mail
Web: www.nksagar.com
Phone: 9810974027

Myanmar junta needs to be Ostracized

2009-08-11 12:03:54 - President Nicolas Sarkozy of France called the sentencing “brutal and unjust” and said European sanctions should target profitable industries
including timber and ruby mining.

News
of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,jail term extended has world wide reaction and first to reacts was European governments demanded immediate, unconditional release Tuesday of the pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain wants to impose a global embargo on arms shipments to the military regime in Myanmar.European Union demanded her freedom in
a statement issued by Sweden, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the 27-nation body, news reports said.

Lt-Gen Maung Oo, Minister of Home Affairs arrived in the court and read out an order signed by the junta’s military supremo Snr. Gen Than Shwe dated August 10.

The order states that if the court convicts Aung San Suu Kyi, half the sentence should be commuted and could be freed after the 18 months if she proves that she has good moral behaviour. The order said, her sentenced is commuted because she is the daughter of General Aung San, the architect of Burma’s Independence from the British colonial.

“The verdict on Aung San Suu Kyi is that she will be taken back to her house and kept under restrictions for 18 months and during which if she proves good moral she could be freed at the end of 18 months,” her lawyer Nyan Win told Mizzima on Tuesday.

He said, she will be kept under restrictions but could write a request for her rights including receiving guests. She will also be allowed to watch television and read newspapers.
Aung San Suu Kyi to be at her Yangon lake-side residence house arrest where she is allowed to watch state-run MRTV and read newspapers as well as receiving medical treatment.

She is granted to meet guests but with permission by the government, and if there is any demand, she can present it in writing.

Under such conditions, if she abides by the rules prescribed for her, all the remaining terms could be exempted, the minister said.

World see the detention of powerful pro-democracy movement in Burma as the alternate to the powerful military junta, in power in Myanmar from 1962, put the opposition leader to prevent her from participating in parliamentary elections scheduled in 2010.

The miminmu jail term of San Suu Kyi in way of house arrest as sufficient time to exclude the dictatorship's main opposition candidate who won the elections of 1990 that were never recognized by the military from the national political activity which canvas political landscape.

Myanmar nuclear Capabilities

Myanmar nuclear capabilities

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2009-08-03 06:37:29 - Myanmar impoverished economy tread nuclear potential to grow into a nuclear power with help of Russia,North Korea,China thus another Nuclear state in region of Asia.Myanmar was carrying out a secret weapons program backed by Pyongyang and hopes to have an atomic bomb within five years, Fairfax newspapers reported at theweekend.

Globe remain focused on the clandestine nuclear programme of North Korea and Iran, reports are filtering in that Myanmar's isolated military junta may be just a few years from testing its first atomic bomb. Myanmar rich natural reserves of nuclear material plutonium,uranium, thorium,Pyongyong collaboration is to secure supply of uranium from Yangon's,the huge reserves .

Detailed reports from Journalist Thai-based
Irish-Australian, Phil Thornton, an Australian journalist based on the Thai-Myanmar border says Burma building a secret nuclear reactor and plutonium extraction facility with the assistance of North Korea is buzz story of North Korea and Myanmar going nuclear with facilitater Russia.Burmese defecters said in press Burma has enlisted North Korea and Russia to develop a reactor capable of producing one nuclear bomb a year by 2014, own nuclear bomb within the next five years.Myanmar therefore needs to build a plutonium reprocessing plant and to build such plant is planned in Naung Laing, central Myanmar, where Russian technicians are already “teaching plutonium reprocessing,” the army defector, Moe Jo, an alias, told the investigators.

Sydney Morning Herald has reported citing two key junta defectors that the key far-eastern nation is building a secret nuclear reactor and plutonium extraction facilities with North Korea's help.

Trevor Wilson, a former Australian ambassador to Burma, said reports of Rangoon's military rulers pursuing a nuclear weapons program were suspect.The Myanmarese military has sited the reactor in mountain caves inter-linked by deep tunnels at Naung Laing in Northern part of the country, apparently to camouflage it from detection by satellites. The paper said the secret complex runs parallel to a civilian reactor being built at another site by Russia that both the Moscow and Yangon authorities say will be put under international safeguards.

The revelations by the Australian Daily come as US Naval Warships recently shadowed a North Korean commercial vessel bound for Myanmar, suspecting it to be carrying contraband nuclear and missile components. However, the ship was not intercepted.North Korean-Myanmar collaboration in nuclear armaments was raised US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her visit to Thailand last month to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum.

To a plea of Myanmar’s non-military nuclear ambitions are nonsense. Tin Min, a former employee of the junta-connected Htoo Trading Company,“How many hospitals in Burma have nuclear science? Burma can barely get electricity up and running. It’s nonsense,” Tin Win, an alias, said.

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Maj-Gen Soe Win meets KIO in Laiza

With Junta government in Myanmar trying to make peae with KIO,the ethni armed group fighting for self determination.Northern Military Command Maj-Gen Soe Win, along with leaders of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), the largest ceasefire ethnic armed group in Kachin state, on Friday arrived in the Sino-Burma border town of Laiza, the KIO headquarters, for a meeting.

Soe Win and the KIO leaders arrived in the border town after the commander held talks with Kachin Church leaders in Myitkyina on July 29.Eyewitnesses said the commander and KIO leaders were in a meeting in Laiza Hotel from 7 a.m. (local time) to 2 p.m. and at 6:10 a.m. two vehicles arrived in town. Later at about 7:15 a.m. the commander came in his Prado car escorted by a 4-wheel vehicle. For surprise for all at about 10 a.m. seven 4-wheel vehicles came with boxes,” the eyewitness said.

The KIO has rejected the junta’s proposal of transforming its armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) into a Border Guard Force but told Soe Win that they are keen on converting the KIA into a Kachin Regional Guard Force (KRGF) during their meeting on July 8 to 11 in Myitkyina.

After the meeting with the KIO leaders today, Soe Win visited a hospital run by the KIO and left Laiza at about 3 p.m.

The KIO is the largest Kachin armed group fighting for self-determination. It entered into a ceasefire pact with the ruling junta in 1994.

NLD members freed,were Six of the opposition arrested on Thursday evening,by authorities on Friday.Thet Thet Aung of Rangoon’s Dagon Myothit Township, Htein Win and Khin Win Kyi of South Dagon Township, Nyunt Hlaing of San Chuang Township, who is an elected member of Parliament in the 1990 elections, Naw Ohn Hla and Khin Myat Thu were released after being detained for several hours since Thursday evening, according to NLD spokesperson, Ohn Kyaing.

On Thursday the authorities rounded up at least 30 people, mostly young supporters and members of the NLD, across the country, in a move to pre-empt anti-government protests on Friday, the day the court had earlier fixed to pronounce the verdict on the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The court, however, postponed delivering the verdict on Aung San Suu Kyi to August 11, saying it is facing legal problems and needs time to decide.

Htein Win, youth in-charge of the NLD from South Dagon Township told Mizzima, “I arrived home at noon after being released. I was interrogated and asked what we will be doing on July 31. They asked whether we had plans to hold demonstrations and also wanted to know our plans for the 8.8.88 anniversary. They also asked what we will do if Aung San Suu Kyi is sentenced to a prison term.”

He said, the chairman of the ward, police from the special branch and several other officials came to his house at about midnight and asked him to come to the police station saying they needed to ask a few questions.

He was later taken to the office of the Ministry of Home and interrogated for two hours.Htein Win said Khin Win Kyi was also brought to the same office for interrogation.He was also reportedly made to sign a pledge not to say anything about the interrogations to the media.

Suu Kyi verdict postponement August 11

Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won elections in 1988 but was never allowed to take power.Army-ruled Myanmar called it will hold a referendum on a new constitution in May followed by elections in 2010, Postponement of verdict was aimed at deflecting pressure after last year’s crackdown on protesters and August 8 is the 21st anniversary calling for democratic reform in the country.

Aung San Suu Kyi has spent almost 14 of the last 20 years in detention.Many are opinion that this trial is a ploy by the regime to keep the Nobel Laureate locked up until after elections scheduled for 2010.Burmese court scheduled to deliver a verdict in the high-profile trial of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said it is not yet ready to make a decision and adjourned until August 11, according to diplomats.The 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest by harbouring an American man who swam to her house uninvited.She faces up to five years in prison.

August is an historic month in Burma’s pro-democracy movement. Twenty-one years ago, millions of Burmese took to the streets to demonstrate, calling for democratic reform in the country, August 8 is the 21st anniversary of the 1988pr uising.

On Thursday, the junta arrested about 20 Suu Kyi supporters in their homes in an overnight operation in Rangoon.The United States and the European Union have said they will push for tougher sanctions on the military government if Suu Kyi is sentenced to prison.Officials in Napyidaw reportedly contacted the Burmese Supreme Court by telephone on Friday and ordered a delay in announcing the verdict.

The postponement comes as the military government faces growing international and internal pressure over the trial of Suu Kyi, who faces up to five years in prison if found guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest.

“The verdict has been postponed to 10 am on August 11,” Nyan Win, Suu Kyi’s lawyer, told The Irrawaddy on Friday morning. Some diplomats were allowed to observe the brief court session, said sources.

Last week,U.S. President Barack Obama asked Burma's military government to free Democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from detention immediately and without conditions.A statement issued by the White House Mr. Obama condemned her continued house arrest. He said her current trial on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest is a "show trial based on spurious charges."

UN Secretary General said,last fornight,it is now up to the military junta in Myanmar to set in place the process for a credible and legitimate election in the country."It is now up to the leaders of Myanmar to set in place the elements necessary for the election to be credible and legitimate," Ban Ki-moon said at a press conference in Geneva.

U.N. Permanent Representative of Myanmar, U Than Swe, told the Security Council, "At the request of the secretary-general, the Myanmar government is processing to grant amnesty to prisoners on humanitarian grounds and with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 general elections." But offered no specifics beyond his statement.

Burma rubies banned in US,EU,Australia

Burma rubies banned in US,EU,Australia
2009-07-30 06:46:04 - Gems industry still in news in Burma despite severe economic deterioration, Burma produces one of the world’s most expensive rubies.Though countries including the US, the European Union, Australia, Canada and New Zealand have slapped sanctions on Burma's gems, some Asian nations continue to buy them.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton last week, during regional security talks in Thailand’s resort Island of Phuket, called on the Burmese junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi saying if the regime releases her, it would help US reinvest in the impoverished country.

President of the United States Barack Obama on Tuesday renewed sanctions against military-ruled Burma, including banning
of sales and import of Burmese gems into the US. With a news brief White House statement on Tuesday said, President Obama has signed the bill into law, which received overwhelming support of the Congress. The law imposes a ban on all imports from Burma for the next three years.

“On July 28, 2009, the President signed into law: H.J. Res. 56, which renews import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003,” the White House statement said.The sanctions were due to expire this week.

Obama’s renewal of sanctions against the Burmese military regime comes after the Burmese junta on Tuesday said that a verdict on the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be pronounced on Friday.

Aung San Suu Kyi, charged for violating her detention law, could face up to five years in prison if found guilty.

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