Burma Buddhist monks today once again took to the streets in a peaceful protest march, from the Sasana Wihmula Monastery, in Pakokku town in central Burma.
Today morning more than 70 Buddhist monks in Pakokku town in central Burma today once again took to the streets in a peaceful protest march, from the Sasana Wihmula Monastery, popularly known as the west monastery, began marching the streets at about 8:30 a.m. (local time) and headed east, chanting and reciting the Metta Sutta .
"The monks are mainly from the Bodhi Madaing and Mya Monasteries. They headed to Shwegu Pagoda and chanted the Metta Sutta at the pagoda," said a monk.
Gambari is currently in Singapore, having completed a tour of regional capitals and promoting the Secretary General's approach to Burma, which is centered on engaging all relevant parties in an ongoing dialogue.
United Nations Special Adviser to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, is set to arrive in Burma on Saturday, November 3rd, the Secretary General's Envoy will be in Burma until the 8th of the month, visiting the senior leadership of the military junta in Naypyidaw on Sunday.
The renowned comedian, actor and director Ko Zargana (Tweezers) who was released from detention on the 17th this month.suffering from emphysema..
Saw Thura Soe (35) a photojournalist working for Germany based European Pressphoto Agency (EPA), was covering the peoples' protests in Rangoon, before he disappeared on September 29, said a fellow Karen journalist based in Thailand.
"He [Saw Thura Soe] has been missing and is not among those who fled. He was residing in Rangoon. It is mysterious as to how he disappeared," Khaing Mar Kyaw Zaw, a fellow journalist said.
"We don't know whether he is dead or not and it is also unconfirmed whether he is being detained in interrogation camps," added Khaing Mar Kyaw Zaw.
The junta's brutal crack down on protesters in Rangoon and other cities of Myanmar on 26 September,reports of several activists, monks and ordinary peoples missing and disappeared is keeping the peoples of Myanmar on tenterhooks about their fate.
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Submitted by Nksagar on Wed, 2007-10-31 16:49.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Drug kingpin Khun Sa dead at 74
Drug kingpin Khun Sa dead at 74
Khun Sa, as the highest profile drug warlord of the fabled Golden Triangle, is reported to have died in Rangoon.
His death as occurring between the dates of October 26 to 28, a police source in Rangoon said the drug kingpin died on Sunday at his residence.
Khuensai Jaiyen, editor of the Thailand based Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN), said the former drug lord, age 74, was suffering from diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and was half paralyzed before his death.
"His body was cremated this morning at Yaywai cemetery in Rangoon without much ceremony," Jaiyen added.
Born in 1933, Khun Sa is best known for operating a massive drug operation in a virtually autonomous stretch of territory in eastern Shan State and along the Thai-Burmese border from the mid-1970s to mid-1990s, maintaining a command center in the northern Thai town of Ban Hin Taek.
The establishment of Shan United Army, called himself as a freedom fighter in opposition to the central Burmese government, fighting for the rights and autonomy of the Shan provice and its peoples.
In year 1996 Khun Sa dissolved his fiefdom and is said to have "surrendered" to Burmese authorities. with tacit understanding,a well known that he continued to live out his days in Rangoon, with no irk or hassle from Burmese authorities.
Khuensai Jaiyen, a former secretary of Khun Sa with connections to Shan ethnic minority guerrilla groups, yesterday confirmed that his former boss died aged 74 in Rangoon on October 26.
His "surrender" came seven years after he was indicted by a New York court for drug trafficking, and at a time when Burmese authorities were keen to make a public show for their efforts in combating the trade in illegal narcotics.
The existing financial interests of Khun Sa and his family are not known in full, but his relations are rumored to continue to hold significant financial portfolios in Burma's urban centers as well as in Khun Sa's old hunting grounds along the Thai-Burmese border, including investment in a casino in the Burmese border town of Myawaddy.
Khun Sa presided over a narcotics kingdom spread over of jungle valleys, complete with latest logistics as satellite television, schools and surface-to-air missiles in the Golden Triangle region where Burma, Thailand and Laos meet.
For four decades the Robinhood style, warlord claimed to be fighting for autonomy for the Shan procince, one of many ethnic minorities who have battled Burma's central government for decades.
But global narcotics agents used terms like the "Prince of Death" as designate. United States offered a reward of $2 million for his arrest. He is estimated to have control up to 60 per cent of the world's heroin supply was refined from opium in his area at his peak.
Posted by Nksagar at 8:06 PM
Khun Sa, as the highest profile drug warlord of the fabled Golden Triangle, is reported to have died in Rangoon.
His death as occurring between the dates of October 26 to 28, a police source in Rangoon said the drug kingpin died on Sunday at his residence.
Khuensai Jaiyen, editor of the Thailand based Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN), said the former drug lord, age 74, was suffering from diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and was half paralyzed before his death.
"His body was cremated this morning at Yaywai cemetery in Rangoon without much ceremony," Jaiyen added.
Born in 1933, Khun Sa is best known for operating a massive drug operation in a virtually autonomous stretch of territory in eastern Shan State and along the Thai-Burmese border from the mid-1970s to mid-1990s, maintaining a command center in the northern Thai town of Ban Hin Taek.
The establishment of Shan United Army, called himself as a freedom fighter in opposition to the central Burmese government, fighting for the rights and autonomy of the Shan provice and its peoples.
In year 1996 Khun Sa dissolved his fiefdom and is said to have "surrendered" to Burmese authorities. with tacit understanding,a well known that he continued to live out his days in Rangoon, with no irk or hassle from Burmese authorities.
Khuensai Jaiyen, a former secretary of Khun Sa with connections to Shan ethnic minority guerrilla groups, yesterday confirmed that his former boss died aged 74 in Rangoon on October 26.
His "surrender" came seven years after he was indicted by a New York court for drug trafficking, and at a time when Burmese authorities were keen to make a public show for their efforts in combating the trade in illegal narcotics.
The existing financial interests of Khun Sa and his family are not known in full, but his relations are rumored to continue to hold significant financial portfolios in Burma's urban centers as well as in Khun Sa's old hunting grounds along the Thai-Burmese border, including investment in a casino in the Burmese border town of Myawaddy.
Khun Sa presided over a narcotics kingdom spread over of jungle valleys, complete with latest logistics as satellite television, schools and surface-to-air missiles in the Golden Triangle region where Burma, Thailand and Laos meet.
For four decades the Robinhood style, warlord claimed to be fighting for autonomy for the Shan procince, one of many ethnic minorities who have battled Burma's central government for decades.
But global narcotics agents used terms like the "Prince of Death" as designate. United States offered a reward of $2 million for his arrest. He is estimated to have control up to 60 per cent of the world's heroin supply was refined from opium in his area at his peak.
Posted by Nksagar at 8:06 PM
Friday, October 26, 2007
Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi met Aung Kyi
Today at the eastern gate of the famed Shwedagon pagodain and streets of Rangoon hundred of riot police force and tear gas shell seen around the Rangoon Buddhist monasteries as barbed wire was erected around the area while police also took up positions near the Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city and other sites of earlier protests to curb any possible protests to mark the one-month pro democracy Buddhist and civil protests last month on 25 September 25.
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was taken today from her well known location of house arrest at 54 University Avenue to a state run guesthouse, reports diplomatic sources.she met with Aung Kyi,Liaison Minister recently appointed by Senior General Than Shwe to act coordinator between junta regime and the National League for Democracy leader.
State media reported that the meeting was held at Seinle Kantha Guest House and lasted from 2pm to 3.15pm.The guesthouse has previously served as a venue for when Suu Kyi has been allowed to receive foreign diplomats and visitors.
U Lwin, spokesperson for Aung San Suu Kyi's party - National League for Democracy - citing an eyewitness foreign diplomat said, "[Aung San Suu Kyi] was taken from her residence to the state guesthouse today at about 2 p.m. [local time]."
"We welcome the move though we still will have to wait and see what comes out of it," U Lwin said.
Lt. Gen. Thein Sein, was appointed prime minister on Wednesday, state radio and television reported.
Thein Sein had been serving as acting prime minister since May, filling in for ailing Gen. Soe Win, who died on Oct. 12.
The prime minister's job holds little independent power because the
military controls the state through the junta, officially known as the
State Peace and Development Council.
No change in policy is expected with the appointment, because policy
is set by the top leaders of the junta, who -- despite rumors of
rivalries -- act in concert, with no public disagreements.
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was taken today from her well known location of house arrest at 54 University Avenue to a state run guesthouse, reports diplomatic sources.she met with Aung Kyi,Liaison Minister recently appointed by Senior General Than Shwe to act coordinator between junta regime and the National League for Democracy leader.
State media reported that the meeting was held at Seinle Kantha Guest House and lasted from 2pm to 3.15pm.The guesthouse has previously served as a venue for when Suu Kyi has been allowed to receive foreign diplomats and visitors.
U Lwin, spokesperson for Aung San Suu Kyi's party - National League for Democracy - citing an eyewitness foreign diplomat said, "[Aung San Suu Kyi] was taken from her residence to the state guesthouse today at about 2 p.m. [local time]."
"We welcome the move though we still will have to wait and see what comes out of it," U Lwin said.
Lt. Gen. Thein Sein, was appointed prime minister on Wednesday, state radio and television reported.
Thein Sein had been serving as acting prime minister since May, filling in for ailing Gen. Soe Win, who died on Oct. 12.
The prime minister's job holds little independent power because the
military controls the state through the junta, officially known as the
State Peace and Development Council.
No change in policy is expected with the appointment, because policy
is set by the top leaders of the junta, who -- despite rumors of
rivalries -- act in concert, with no public disagreements.
India, China, Russia oppose sanctions on Myanmar call open dialogue
Harbin (China), Oct 24 Pranab Mukherjee in today's media report opposed imposing sanctions on Myanmar and pleaded for encouraging all stakeholders to advance political reforms and national reconciliation, a call jointly supported by China and Russia."We believe that the initiative taken by the UN Secretary General (Ban-Ki Moon) to open dialogue amongst the various stakeholders in Myanmar should be encouraged," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said at a joint press conference after the end of the third standalone meeting of Foreign Ministers of India, China and Russia here.
Mukherjee said India has also suggested that the process of political reform and national reconciliation should be expedited on a broad base and equally among all stakeholders.
"We believe that Myanmar authorities should be encouraged to engage in the process of dialogue with the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General Ibrahim Gambari, the initiative which he has taken should be encouraged to take it to the logical conclusion and there should not be any sanctions at this stage," the minister emphasised.
Mukherjee acknowledged that the Myanmar issue had figured prominently during the trilateral meeting and they exchanged views on it.
Ultimately, the issue of Myanmar should be resolved by the Myanmarese government and the country's people, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said.
He said China believes that the parties concerned will conduct dialogue to help Myanmar restore stability and improve the life of the people and promote democracy and development in Myanmar.
Lawmakers in the US Senate has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to join the international community in exerting pressure on Myanmar's military regime for restoration of democracy and release of all political prisoners.
"As the world's largest democracy, India should use its influence to put pressure on the regime to stop the violence against pro-democracy activists, release all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi, and begin a true national dialogue on national reconciliation that will lead to a restoration of democratic government," the Senate Women's Caucus on Burma said in a letter to Singh.
"We are writing to ask your government to join the growing international condemnation of Burma's military government and its brutal repression of its own citizens," the Caucus led by Dianne Feinstein, Democrat from California, and Bailey Hutchison, Republican from Texas, said. PTI
Mukherjee said India has also suggested that the process of political reform and national reconciliation should be expedited on a broad base and equally among all stakeholders.
"We believe that Myanmar authorities should be encouraged to engage in the process of dialogue with the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General Ibrahim Gambari, the initiative which he has taken should be encouraged to take it to the logical conclusion and there should not be any sanctions at this stage," the minister emphasised.
Mukherjee acknowledged that the Myanmar issue had figured prominently during the trilateral meeting and they exchanged views on it.
Ultimately, the issue of Myanmar should be resolved by the Myanmarese government and the country's people, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said.
He said China believes that the parties concerned will conduct dialogue to help Myanmar restore stability and improve the life of the people and promote democracy and development in Myanmar.
Lawmakers in the US Senate has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to join the international community in exerting pressure on Myanmar's military regime for restoration of democracy and release of all political prisoners.
"As the world's largest democracy, India should use its influence to put pressure on the regime to stop the violence against pro-democracy activists, release all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi, and begin a true national dialogue on national reconciliation that will lead to a restoration of democratic government," the Senate Women's Caucus on Burma said in a letter to Singh.
"We are writing to ask your government to join the growing international condemnation of Burma's military government and its brutal repression of its own citizens," the Caucus led by Dianne Feinstein, Democrat from California, and Bailey Hutchison, Republican from Texas, said. PTI
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Myanmar seeks early visit of UN envoy
The volatile situation in Myanmar propelled Myanmar's military junta agreed to allow the UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari to prepone his visit to Burma during which he hopes to initiate the kickstart a dialogue between government and pro-democracy opposition.
Nobel laureates from North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa published a letter Wednesday to mark the 12th year of Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest.They called the detention of their fellow laureate the most visible sign of the brutality of Burma's military government, which they accuse of gross human rights violations.
The association of Women Laureate has written to UN to pursue to get their colleague Aung San Suu Kyi released of her house arrest from Junta regime and asked United Nations to take decisive action in this regards to secure the release of detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Originally, Gambari was to visit Myanmar in the second week of November but junta told the UN that he could come in first week though dates were yet to be announced.
This is the second concession announced by the military government in as many days, having earlier agreed to the visit of Paolo Sergio Pinheiro, the Secretary-General's Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, after denying him access for four years.
Gambari, who is the in Asian region urging neighbouring nations to press junta to start dialogue with the opposition, is expected to go straight to Myanmar following his mission instead of returning to report to the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council.He met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and delivered a personal message from the Secretary-General. Earlier, he had talked to Singh on phone on the issue. PTI
Nobel laureates from North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa published a letter Wednesday to mark the 12th year of Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest.They called the detention of their fellow laureate the most visible sign of the brutality of Burma's military government, which they accuse of gross human rights violations.
The association of Women Laureate has written to UN to pursue to get their colleague Aung San Suu Kyi released of her house arrest from Junta regime and asked United Nations to take decisive action in this regards to secure the release of detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Originally, Gambari was to visit Myanmar in the second week of November but junta told the UN that he could come in first week though dates were yet to be announced.
This is the second concession announced by the military government in as many days, having earlier agreed to the visit of Paolo Sergio Pinheiro, the Secretary-General's Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, after denying him access for four years.
Gambari, who is the in Asian region urging neighbouring nations to press junta to start dialogue with the opposition, is expected to go straight to Myanmar following his mission instead of returning to report to the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council.He met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and delivered a personal message from the Secretary-General. Earlier, he had talked to Singh on phone on the issue. PTI
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari concrete action about democracy in Myanmar
UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari concrete action about democracy in Myanmar
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UN envoy on his six nation tour to Asian countries to stimulate Asian nations play important role in resolving Myanmar crisis in pursuing, stressing the need of Burma to restore to democracy in wake of sanctions imposed by European union and United States of America for the citizen of Myanmar to enjoy peaceful political and socio life.
UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari today asked India to act with concrete action in regard to bringing about democracy in Myanmar.
Gambari, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today, said he had conveyed a message from UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon with regard to early solution to the problem in Myanmar.
"Theoretically, all of us can do more," he told reporters here when asked about his expectations from India in resolving the crisis in Myanmar.
He said he expects India to continue to encourage the authorities in Yangon to work with the United Nations to achieve the common objective of peaceful, stable and prosperous Myanmar that embarks on a national reconciliation process.
Gambari said he was "very satisfied" by India's response and stressed on the need for "qualitative results" for accelerated democratisation process.
UN envoy will visit China next as a part of his six-nation tour to urge Asian countries to take lead in resolving the crisis in Myanmar in the wake of enhance sanctions from the US and the European Union.
Praising China for its efforts in Myanmar, he said "China has been quite helpful to the secretary general and to me personally by getting consent of the government of Myanmar for my last visit during the crisis and also to allow to me stay longer. I am going to Beijing to acknowledge that." Gambari said he was counting on China and others to work with the Government of Myanmar. PTI
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Submitted by Nksagar on Tue, 2007-10-23 13:30.
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UN envoy on his six nation tour to Asian countries to stimulate Asian nations play important role in resolving Myanmar crisis in pursuing, stressing the need of Burma to restore to democracy in wake of sanctions imposed by European union and United States of America for the citizen of Myanmar to enjoy peaceful political and socio life.
UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari today asked India to act with concrete action in regard to bringing about democracy in Myanmar.
Gambari, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today, said he had conveyed a message from UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon with regard to early solution to the problem in Myanmar.
"Theoretically, all of us can do more," he told reporters here when asked about his expectations from India in resolving the crisis in Myanmar.
He said he expects India to continue to encourage the authorities in Yangon to work with the United Nations to achieve the common objective of peaceful, stable and prosperous Myanmar that embarks on a national reconciliation process.
Gambari said he was "very satisfied" by India's response and stressed on the need for "qualitative results" for accelerated democratisation process.
UN envoy will visit China next as a part of his six-nation tour to urge Asian countries to take lead in resolving the crisis in Myanmar in the wake of enhance sanctions from the US and the European Union.
Praising China for its efforts in Myanmar, he said "China has been quite helpful to the secretary general and to me personally by getting consent of the government of Myanmar for my last visit during the crisis and also to allow to me stay longer. I am going to Beijing to acknowledge that." Gambari said he was counting on China and others to work with the Government of Myanmar. PTI
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Submitted by Nksagar on Tue, 2007-10-23 13:30.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
China will establish free trade zone ASEAN: 2010
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have seen fast growth in bilateral trade with the volume being expected to reach 190 billion U.S. dollars this year.
"The figure is expected to top 200 billion U.S. dollars in 2008, two years earlier than our expectation," said Zhang Xiaoqin, secretary general of China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat.
China and ASEAN are now each other's fourth largest trading partners. Zhang said, the China-ASEAN trade volume was 160.8 billion U.S. dollars last year, while in the first eight months this year, the bilateral trade hit 127.95 billion U.S. dollars.
Meanwhile, China and the 10 ASEAN members are speeding up the tariff reduction to facilitate the establishment of China-ASEAN free trade zone.
China's average tariff on ASEAN countries' goods was slashed from 9.9 percent to 5.8 percent now and will continue to drop to 2.4 percent in 2009, and finally in 2010, which is the scheduled time for the establishment of the free trade zone, 93 percent of products from ASEAN countries will be tariff-free.
By 2010, China will establish free trade zone with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, while Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar can enjoy five more years of transition.
Besides pushing the development of good trade, China and ASEAN countries have also speed up cooperation and investment on service trade since the two sides signed the negotiation on service trade in January this year.
"China and ASEAN have entered a new stage in terms of economic cooperation and trade ties," said Zhang.
To boost bilateral economic and trade cooperation, China and ASEAN countries have held the annual China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, capital of the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region since 2004. The fourth CAEXPO is planned to open on Oct. 28 this year.
"The figure is expected to top 200 billion U.S. dollars in 2008, two years earlier than our expectation," said Zhang Xiaoqin, secretary general of China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat.
China and ASEAN are now each other's fourth largest trading partners. Zhang said, the China-ASEAN trade volume was 160.8 billion U.S. dollars last year, while in the first eight months this year, the bilateral trade hit 127.95 billion U.S. dollars.
Meanwhile, China and the 10 ASEAN members are speeding up the tariff reduction to facilitate the establishment of China-ASEAN free trade zone.
China's average tariff on ASEAN countries' goods was slashed from 9.9 percent to 5.8 percent now and will continue to drop to 2.4 percent in 2009, and finally in 2010, which is the scheduled time for the establishment of the free trade zone, 93 percent of products from ASEAN countries will be tariff-free.
By 2010, China will establish free trade zone with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, while Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar can enjoy five more years of transition.
Besides pushing the development of good trade, China and ASEAN countries have also speed up cooperation and investment on service trade since the two sides signed the negotiation on service trade in January this year.
"China and ASEAN have entered a new stage in terms of economic cooperation and trade ties," said Zhang.
To boost bilateral economic and trade cooperation, China and ASEAN countries have held the annual China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, capital of the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region since 2004. The fourth CAEXPO is planned to open on Oct. 28 this year.
Global Aid Groups Ask Junta for peoples Care
Thirteen humanitarian global organizations working in Burma made a request to the military government to allow international aid groups to help to care the poorest members of society for their adequate health, education and food.
Inger Sandberg, an adviser to Norwegian People’s Aid, said, “The situation is getting worse, particularly for the poorest people after the oil and commodities price increases in Burma.”
The consortium said the military regime's policies have depleted the ability of local communities to give aid to the members of society who have fallen below subsistence levels.
Aid group called for a more open working environment for local and international humanitarian organizations and a significant build up of economical and health facilities,humanitarian assistance to directly address the needs of the poor.
Presently, international and local humanitarian groups cannot respond to people's needs because of constraints put in place by the military government, sources said.
Consortium that signed the statement include the Action Contre la Faim, Aide Medicale Internationale, Asian Harm Reduction Network, Cooperazione e Sviluppo onlus, Deutsche Welthungerhilfe/German Agro Action, Enfants du Monde Droits de l'Hommes, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Malteser International, Medecins du Monde, Norwegian People's Aid, Population Services International, Save the Children and Terre des Hommes Italia.
Aid group also urged the international community to increase efforts to address the humanitarian needs of the Burmese people.
The recent increase in fuel prices and commodities have exacerbated the already fragile living conditions faced by many Burmese citizens, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, the UN agency in charge of fighting hunger has issued a plea for the world to provide more food aid to the people of Burma.
About 5 million people are chronically short of food, according to the World Food Program, which tries to provide aid to 500,000 people each month. However, because of constraints, only 200,000 people now receive aid each month.
UN estimates that more than one-third of Burmese children suffer from malnutrition and estimates about 100,000 die each yea
Inger Sandberg, an adviser to Norwegian People’s Aid, said, “The situation is getting worse, particularly for the poorest people after the oil and commodities price increases in Burma.”
The consortium said the military regime's policies have depleted the ability of local communities to give aid to the members of society who have fallen below subsistence levels.
Aid group called for a more open working environment for local and international humanitarian organizations and a significant build up of economical and health facilities,humanitarian assistance to directly address the needs of the poor.
Presently, international and local humanitarian groups cannot respond to people's needs because of constraints put in place by the military government, sources said.
Consortium that signed the statement include the Action Contre la Faim, Aide Medicale Internationale, Asian Harm Reduction Network, Cooperazione e Sviluppo onlus, Deutsche Welthungerhilfe/German Agro Action, Enfants du Monde Droits de l'Hommes, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Malteser International, Medecins du Monde, Norwegian People's Aid, Population Services International, Save the Children and Terre des Hommes Italia.
Aid group also urged the international community to increase efforts to address the humanitarian needs of the Burmese people.
The recent increase in fuel prices and commodities have exacerbated the already fragile living conditions faced by many Burmese citizens, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, the UN agency in charge of fighting hunger has issued a plea for the world to provide more food aid to the people of Burma.
About 5 million people are chronically short of food, according to the World Food Program, which tries to provide aid to 500,000 people each month. However, because of constraints, only 200,000 people now receive aid each month.
UN estimates that more than one-third of Burmese children suffer from malnutrition and estimates about 100,000 die each yea
Crackdown continues even Bush announce sanctions
US President George Bush on Friday announced additional strong sanctions against the leaders of the Burmese junta and their business cronies while warning that more sanctions would be applied if the military regime fails to make progress in moving toward democracy.Troops raided a house in Tamwe Township in Rangoon early Friday morning, arresting five people who are connected to the 88 Generation Students’ group.
Soe Tun, a spokesperson of the 88 Generation Students group, told The Irrawaddy on Saturday that recent raids and arrests have sometimes involved the arrests of an activist's family members who are taken hostage in exchange for the activist who is in hiding.current state of affairs, Soe Tun said, “The junta appointed a liaison officer to mediate a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, but the generals are still going forward with their road map to democracy. It is not a positive sign. If they want dialogue, first they must stop crackdowns and arrests and release political prisoners. At the least, the junta should allow the ICRC (the International Committee of the Red Cross) to meet with political prisoners.”
Pokpong Lawansiri, the Southeast Asia program officer with the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, said the continuing crackdown shows the military junta does not care about the resolution passed by the UN Human Rights Council or the calls for dialogue by the international community.
“It also means the international community, particularly Burma’s neighboring countries, do not work hard enough for the Burmese people,” he said. “The Asean reaction was very weak. The Asean countries need to take more concrete actions critical of the junta.”
Soe Tun, a spokesperson of the 88 Generation Students group, told The Irrawaddy on Saturday that recent raids and arrests have sometimes involved the arrests of an activist's family members who are taken hostage in exchange for the activist who is in hiding.current state of affairs, Soe Tun said, “The junta appointed a liaison officer to mediate a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, but the generals are still going forward with their road map to democracy. It is not a positive sign. If they want dialogue, first they must stop crackdowns and arrests and release political prisoners. At the least, the junta should allow the ICRC (the International Committee of the Red Cross) to meet with political prisoners.”
Pokpong Lawansiri, the Southeast Asia program officer with the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, said the continuing crackdown shows the military junta does not care about the resolution passed by the UN Human Rights Council or the calls for dialogue by the international community.
“It also means the international community, particularly Burma’s neighboring countries, do not work hard enough for the Burmese people,” he said. “The Asean reaction was very weak. The Asean countries need to take more concrete actions critical of the junta.”
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Million Burmese starving: WFP
Million Burmese starving: WFP
Myanmar and its people have tremendous potential. But the government's policies, its harsh travel nd trade restrictions, unnecessarily trap millions in lives of poverty and malnutrition, even in food surplus areas such as Shan State,- said Banbury.
2007-10-19 21:29:44 - WFP provides food assistance to vulnerable persons in Myanmar including HIV/AIDS and TB patients under treatment and school children in marginalised areas of the country.Myanmar and its people have tremendous potential. But the government's policies, its harsh travel and trade restrictions, unnecessarily trap millions in lives of poverty and malnutrition, even in food surplus areas such as Shan State,- said Banbury.
'WFP food assistance is desperately needed by so many people, but it is only reaching a fraction of them,- he said.
Even with greater funding for aid agencies, humanitarian assistance alone will not be enough to transform the lives of the millions of vulnerable persons in Myanmar who need help, said Banbury.
The Myanmar government should immediately pursue the reforms needed to lift Myanmar's people out of poverty and hunger, and allow them to reach their full potential,- he said.
Myanmar and its people have tremendous potential. But the government's policies, its harsh travel and trade restrictions, unnecessarily trap millions in lives of poverty and malnutrition, even in food surplus areas such as Shan State,- said Banbury.
'WFP food assistance is desperately needed by so many people, but it is only reaching a fraction of them,- he said.
Even with greater funding for aid agencies, humanitarian assistance alone will not be enough to transform the lives of the millions of vulnerable persons in Myanmar who need help, said Banbury.
Operating in Myanmar in collaboration with 22 UN and NGO cooperating partners, WFP provides food assistance to vulnerable persons in Myanmar including HIV/AIDS and TB patients under treatment and school children in marginalised areas of the country.
A programme giving nutritionally-enriched foods to mothers and children addresses acute malnutrition rates that prevail in several operational areas.
'The Myanmar government should immediately pursue the reforms needed to lift Myanmar's people out of poverty and hunger, and allow them to reach their full potential,- he said.
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Myanmar and its people have tremendous potential. But the government's policies, its harsh travel nd trade restrictions, unnecessarily trap millions in lives of poverty and malnutrition, even in food surplus areas such as Shan State,- said Banbury.
2007-10-19 21:29:44 - WFP provides food assistance to vulnerable persons in Myanmar including HIV/AIDS and TB patients under treatment and school children in marginalised areas of the country.Myanmar and its people have tremendous potential. But the government's policies, its harsh travel and trade restrictions, unnecessarily trap millions in lives of poverty and malnutrition, even in food surplus areas such as Shan State,- said Banbury.
'WFP food assistance is desperately needed by so many people, but it is only reaching a fraction of them,- he said.
Even with greater funding for aid agencies, humanitarian assistance alone will not be enough to transform the lives of the millions of vulnerable persons in Myanmar who need help, said Banbury.
The Myanmar government should immediately pursue the reforms needed to lift Myanmar's people out of poverty and hunger, and allow them to reach their full potential,- he said.
Myanmar and its people have tremendous potential. But the government's policies, its harsh travel and trade restrictions, unnecessarily trap millions in lives of poverty and malnutrition, even in food surplus areas such as Shan State,- said Banbury.
'WFP food assistance is desperately needed by so many people, but it is only reaching a fraction of them,- he said.
Even with greater funding for aid agencies, humanitarian assistance alone will not be enough to transform the lives of the millions of vulnerable persons in Myanmar who need help, said Banbury.
Operating in Myanmar in collaboration with 22 UN and NGO cooperating partners, WFP provides food assistance to vulnerable persons in Myanmar including HIV/AIDS and TB patients under treatment and school children in marginalised areas of the country.
A programme giving nutritionally-enriched foods to mothers and children addresses acute malnutrition rates that prevail in several operational areas.
'The Myanmar government should immediately pursue the reforms needed to lift Myanmar's people out of poverty and hunger, and allow them to reach their full potential,- he said.
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Enkaysagar Holdings Pvt Ltd
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Five million Burmese starving: WFP
October 19, 2007 - Its vast natural agricultural potential notwithstanding, one in ten Burmese remains hungry, the UN food agency said citing the ruling junta's refusal to pursue economic reforms as the root cause of starvations in the country.
Tony Banbury, Regional Director for Asia of the World Food Programme, who last week visited Burma, said on Thursday at least five million people, of the estimated 50 million population is short of food while numerous others wallow in extreme poverty.
"Myanmar [ Burma] and its people have tremendous potential. But the government's policies, its harsh travel and trade restrictions, unnecessarily trap millions to a life of poverty and malnutrition, even in food surplus areas such as Shan State," Banbury said in a statement.
The people of Burma, a country once known as the rice-bowl of Southeast Asia, are struggling hard to survive on meager meals, said Banbury.
While the WFP provides food to about 500,000 vulnerable people in Burma, the agency is also suffering from fund constraints and it cannot supply the required amount of food, Banbury said.
"Humanitarian organizations can help, but we are faced with insufficient funding, and whatever we manage to accomplish in the current circumstances will only scratch the surface," added the WFP's regional director.
The Burmese junta needs to immediately pursue economic reforms in order to lift people out of poverty and hunger, as humanitarian assistance from aid agencies alone will not be sufficient to transform the lives of millions of vulnerable Burmese people, Banbury added.
Tony Banbury, Regional Director for Asia of the World Food Programme, who last week visited Burma, said on Thursday at least five million people, of the estimated 50 million population is short of food while numerous others wallow in extreme poverty.
"Myanmar [ Burma] and its people have tremendous potential. But the government's policies, its harsh travel and trade restrictions, unnecessarily trap millions to a life of poverty and malnutrition, even in food surplus areas such as Shan State," Banbury said in a statement.
The people of Burma, a country once known as the rice-bowl of Southeast Asia, are struggling hard to survive on meager meals, said Banbury.
While the WFP provides food to about 500,000 vulnerable people in Burma, the agency is also suffering from fund constraints and it cannot supply the required amount of food, Banbury said.
"Humanitarian organizations can help, but we are faced with insufficient funding, and whatever we manage to accomplish in the current circumstances will only scratch the surface," added the WFP's regional director.
The Burmese junta needs to immediately pursue economic reforms in order to lift people out of poverty and hunger, as humanitarian assistance from aid agencies alone will not be sufficient to transform the lives of millions of vulnerable Burmese people, Banbury added.
Gambari to arrive New Delhi on Sunday
October 19, 2007 - Ibrahim Gambari, UN Secretary General's special envoy to Burma will arrive in New Delhi on Sunday, for two days of consultations on Burma with Indian officials, a UN official said.
"Gambari will arriving New Delhi on Sunday [October 21], and will have meetings with officials on Monday and Tuesday," an official at the new Delhi UN information centre said.
While details of the Nigerian diplomat's scheduled meetings remain undisclosed, sources said Gambari is likely meet the External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee and other officials of the MEA.
Gambari, who is on a six-nation tour to consult key Asian nations on Burma, is currently in Indonesia after visiting Malaysia and Thailand and will continue to China and Japan from India.
The UN envoy's Asian tour is part of the world body's effort to engage regional countries for consultations on Burma for possible pressure for reforms in the military-ruled Southeast Asian nation.
Gambari on Thursday said the Burmese junta could be offered incentives to move towards democratic reforms. The envoy also stressed that China, a top ally of the junta, could do more for reforms in the country.
Meanwhile, the United States and some European countries have threatened to expand sanctions against Burma as a response to the junta's violent crackdown on peaceful protests led by Buddhist clergy last month.
However, the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Wednesday said Britain is willing to invest in the country if the ruling junta makes a move towards reconciliation and democracy.
Gambari, during his earlier visit to Burma in late September when protests had peaked in Rangoon and other parts of the country, met the junta leader Than Shwe and detained pro-democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Earlier in Bangkok the special envoy told reporters that he has obtained an invitation from the military generals in Burma to re-visit the country in mid-November.
"Gambari will arriving New Delhi on Sunday [October 21], and will have meetings with officials on Monday and Tuesday," an official at the new Delhi UN information centre said.
While details of the Nigerian diplomat's scheduled meetings remain undisclosed, sources said Gambari is likely meet the External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee and other officials of the MEA.
Gambari, who is on a six-nation tour to consult key Asian nations on Burma, is currently in Indonesia after visiting Malaysia and Thailand and will continue to China and Japan from India.
The UN envoy's Asian tour is part of the world body's effort to engage regional countries for consultations on Burma for possible pressure for reforms in the military-ruled Southeast Asian nation.
Gambari on Thursday said the Burmese junta could be offered incentives to move towards democratic reforms. The envoy also stressed that China, a top ally of the junta, could do more for reforms in the country.
Meanwhile, the United States and some European countries have threatened to expand sanctions against Burma as a response to the junta's violent crackdown on peaceful protests led by Buddhist clergy last month.
However, the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Wednesday said Britain is willing to invest in the country if the ruling junta makes a move towards reconciliation and democracy.
Gambari, during his earlier visit to Burma in late September when protests had peaked in Rangoon and other parts of the country, met the junta leader Than Shwe and detained pro-democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Earlier in Bangkok the special envoy told reporters that he has obtained an invitation from the military generals in Burma to re-visit the country in mid-November.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Japan slashes aid to Myanmar over crackdown
Japan cancelled about five million dollars aid to Myanmar an action to protest against the junta's recent crackdown on Buddhist and pro democracy demonstrations in which a Japanese journalist too was shot dead from a close range.
Japan, a bit reserve in its position along with its Western allies who have planned a global action to isolate the Burmese junta- regime.
Foreign Ministerof Japan Mr Masahiko Komura announced cancelling grants of up to 552 million yen (4.7 million dollars), approximately eighteen percent of the total grants and technical assistance Japan aided Myanmar last year.
"The Japanese government needs to show our stance. We cannot take action that would effectively support the military regime at this moment," Komura told reporters.
Japan, China,Malaysia,Russia with the United States and the European Union, has been one of the largest donors to Myanmar, Japan takes the plea that it only provides humanitarian aid to the country.
Japanese government had earlier apprehensions about sanctions to Myanmar, Lest it may bring Burmese junta more closer to China, which is enormous trading market ties,cities of Burma flooded with Chinese articles.
Japan and China two Asian Tigers ready to influence South Asian and Far east countries and China in particularly in Southeast Asia.
Cancelled grants an intend to finance the project of a human resources centre in Myanmar. Japense grant aid project for which Japan was exchanging notes with the Myanmar government.
"We presume there will be some requests in the future. We will make a judgment on each case by looking at the situation at that point of time," said a Japanese government official who declined to be named.
Buddhist monks last month's pro democracy protests, which posed the biggest challenge to the regime in nearly 20 years. Troops and riot police unleashed force to end the demonstrations, leaving at least 13 people dead and more than 2,000 locked up.
Kenji Nagai, a video journalist for Tokyo-based who was killed on September 27 as he filmed the crackdown in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon.
1. Government of Japan welcomes the issuance on October 11 (New York time) of the statement by the President of the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Myanmar, since it expresses the common concern of the international community concerning that situation.
2. With the issuance of the statement, the Government of Japan hopes that the Government of Myanmar will respond to the UN Secretary-General’s good offices efforts including the mission by Mr.Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General, and improve the situation of democratization and human rights in Myanmar.
3. The Government of Japan will continue to work constructively to improve the situation in Myanmar in coordination with the various efforts of the international community.
Japan, a bit reserve in its position along with its Western allies who have planned a global action to isolate the Burmese junta- regime.
Foreign Ministerof Japan Mr Masahiko Komura announced cancelling grants of up to 552 million yen (4.7 million dollars), approximately eighteen percent of the total grants and technical assistance Japan aided Myanmar last year.
"The Japanese government needs to show our stance. We cannot take action that would effectively support the military regime at this moment," Komura told reporters.
Japan, China,Malaysia,Russia with the United States and the European Union, has been one of the largest donors to Myanmar, Japan takes the plea that it only provides humanitarian aid to the country.
Japanese government had earlier apprehensions about sanctions to Myanmar, Lest it may bring Burmese junta more closer to China, which is enormous trading market ties,cities of Burma flooded with Chinese articles.
Japan and China two Asian Tigers ready to influence South Asian and Far east countries and China in particularly in Southeast Asia.
Cancelled grants an intend to finance the project of a human resources centre in Myanmar. Japense grant aid project for which Japan was exchanging notes with the Myanmar government.
"We presume there will be some requests in the future. We will make a judgment on each case by looking at the situation at that point of time," said a Japanese government official who declined to be named.
Buddhist monks last month's pro democracy protests, which posed the biggest challenge to the regime in nearly 20 years. Troops and riot police unleashed force to end the demonstrations, leaving at least 13 people dead and more than 2,000 locked up.
Kenji Nagai, a video journalist for Tokyo-based who was killed on September 27 as he filmed the crackdown in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon.
1. Government of Japan welcomes the issuance on October 11 (New York time) of the statement by the President of the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Myanmar, since it expresses the common concern of the international community concerning that situation.
2. With the issuance of the statement, the Government of Japan hopes that the Government of Myanmar will respond to the UN Secretary-General’s good offices efforts including the mission by Mr.Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General, and improve the situation of democratization and human rights in Myanmar.
3. The Government of Japan will continue to work constructively to improve the situation in Myanmar in coordination with the various efforts of the international community.
NLD Youth Rangoon hospital taken interrogation centre
Ko Mya Than Htike, a youth member of the National League for Democracy in Thingangyun township, was shot and injured by soldiers during the crackdown and sent to Rangoon general hospital along with five other patients who had also suffered gunshot wounds.
A family member of Ko Mya Than Htike told DVB on Friday that all six patients, who were still recovering from their wounds, were taken from the hospital by government officials on Wednesday to an unknown interrogation centre.
"We arrived at the hospital on Wednesday to visit Ko Mya Than Htike but doctors there told us government officials had come to the hospital that morning and taken all six patients to an interrogation centre," said the family member.
"His family is under close watch by the authorities as well. His wife can't even go outside the house."
He added that Ko Mya Than Htike had not fully recovered from the gunshot wound to his leg when he was taken from the hospital.
Reporting by DVB
A family member of Ko Mya Than Htike told DVB on Friday that all six patients, who were still recovering from their wounds, were taken from the hospital by government officials on Wednesday to an unknown interrogation centre.
"We arrived at the hospital on Wednesday to visit Ko Mya Than Htike but doctors there told us government officials had come to the hospital that morning and taken all six patients to an interrogation centre," said the family member.
"His family is under close watch by the authorities as well. His wife can't even go outside the house."
He added that Ko Mya Than Htike had not fully recovered from the gunshot wound to his leg when he was taken from the hospital.
Reporting by DVB
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Burma: 2007 uprising and transitional challenges
Burma: 2007 uprising and transitional challenges
http://kukiforum.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=8
By Nehginpao Kipgen
October 13, 2007: The biggest uprising in nearly two decades, since 1988, has once again brought Burma* into the spotlight of international politics. The 2007 uprising is the consequence and subsequence of the 1988 mass uprising.
The students’ community, under the aegis of 8888 Generation Students, led the peaceful march on August 19. To prevent further escalation, the military authority arrested prominent student leaders and other active pro-democracy activists.
Economic mismanagement, spiraling out of the country’s political imbroglio, was the immediate cause for this public outrage. The protests may have been suppressed with coercion, yet the spirit of people’s desire for change will persist.
Given the history of Burmese army brutality on its own people, many analysts and observers initially did not expect the sporadic demonstrations to mushroom into a large scale one, especially in the absence of student leaders. The momentum surged when the highly revered Buddhist monks and nuns joined the movement.
The protesters three basic demands were: lowering consumer prices, release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and national reconciliation.
On September 5, a peaceful demonstration of Buddhist monks in Pakokku, a town in the Magway Division, was forcibly dispersed by the government troops, injuring three monks.
The next day, in retaliation, the monks took few military officials as hostages. The monks demanded an apology from the government by giving a deadline of September 17, but the military refused to apologize.
The protests continued and spread out across the country including Rangoon, Mandalay, Pakokku and Sittwe. The largest turnout was visible in Rangoon on September 24 in which about a hundred thousand people - largely monks and nuns given protection by civilians by forming a human chain - joined the protest.
The Alliance of All Burmese Monks vowed to continue the agitation until the military dictatorship is deposed. This was a further step taken by the monks from its previous demand for apology from the military.
The brutal crackdown began on September 26 when soldiers rained down on protesters with bullets, batons and teargas. It continued through the night and to the next day. The state media reported that 10 people were killed including a Japanese photographer Kenji Nagai. Unconfirmed sources, however, have reported that about two hundred people have been killed.
In a closed society like Burma, the accurate number of deaths might never be known as it happened in 1988 when at least three thousand demonstrators, mostly students, were believed to have been massacred.
Technology advancement has greatly contributed to the ongoing democratic struggle. During the 1988 uprising, not much stories and activism inside were seen by the outside world. There were also lesser Burmese democracy activists around the world.
The 2007 uprising was watched by the whole world; more importantly, the political turmoil coincided with the 62nd United Nations General Assembly session, attended by world leaders. Indeed, there has never been in history when the situation in Burma has gotten such incredible world’s attention.
Thousands of Burmese people and supporters around the world have shown their solidarity, and simultaneously appealed for greater intervention by the international community. Political developments at international arena have impacts on activities inside Burma and vice versa.
After mass arrest and brutal crackdown, the 2007 uprising has apparently ended. Looking at the history of Burma as we analyze the current precarious atmosphere has given us some strategies on how to push forward the democratization process.
In less than three weeks time, the UN Security Council has discussed the Burma situation four times - September 20 and 26 and October 5 and 8. The council released a statement today deploring the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators and urged for genuine dialogue.
On October 4, Burma’s state television MRTV broadcast that Senior General Than Shwe was willing to talk with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under certain conditions. Though this could be construed as a gesture of buying time on the part of Than Shwe, it is an interesting development from UN Secretary General special envoy Ibrahim Gambari’s four-day (September 29 to October 2) visit to the country.
Subsequently, the United States Acting Ambassador to Burma Shari Villarosa was summoned to Nay Pi Taw, the remote administrative capital, for talks with the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Foreign Minister Maung Myint. Details of the talk have not been disclosed, but it was said to be not productive.
In yet another development on October 7, the military announced the appointment of its Deputy Labor Minister to the post of liaison officer. If accepted by all parties, the minister will coordinate talks between the military, Aung San Suu Kyi led opposition and the United Nations.
If Aung San Suu Kyi is freed from house arrest and allowed to consult her own National League for Democracy party leaders and leaders of ethnic minority groups, talks could become an important step toward a national reconciliation. In the process, compromises have to be made by all participating parties at some point.
Although not overtly expressed, the army generals are believed to have been worried about their own safety after power transfer to a civilian government. The military may ask the opposition or mediator or both for some sort of immunity. Should this come to pass, serious consideration needs to be given.
Moreover, given the ethno-political nature of conflicts in Burma since the country’s independence, ethnic nationalities, other than the Burmans, would also like to voice their concerns and advocate for tripartite talks – military, 1990 election winning parties led by Aung San Suu Kyi and minority ethnic groups - as endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly since 1994.
For any negotiated settlement to be reached in Burma, the role of a mediator is perceived to be crucial. In this context, the mission of the good offices of the United Nations Secretary General is largely welcome and supported by all parties. UN Special envoy Gambari is again expected to visit Burma sometime in November.
If the United Nations engagement does not bring the country toward reconciliation, other alternatives should also be available on the table. One among them would be the United States taking the lead in engaging with Burma, similar to the six party talks on North Korean nuclear issue.
Six party talks involving the United States, European Union, ASEAN, China, India, and Burma could break the iceberg of decades’ old political crisis. Due to geographical proximity, enormous economic and diplomatic influence over Burma, China’s participation is pivotal.
Given the adamant stance of China on the ground that Burma’s problems is an internal matter and does not constitute a threat to international peace and security, any pragmatic action from the UN Security Council is unlikely to emerge in the near future. P5 affirmative vote or the non-use of veto power can make the Security Council an effective channel to solve conflicts in Burma.
A change from within the country is more likely if there develops an open split within the ranks and files in the military. Civil disobedience or non-cooperation movement is one other effective political tool the people of Burma has.
Nehginpao Kipgen is the General Secretary of US-based Kuki International Forum and a researcher on the rise of political conflicts in modern Burma (1947-2004).
* Burma is the 40th largest country in the world and the largest in mainland Southeast Asia with a total area of 261,969 square miles (678,500 square kilometers) somewhat smaller than the size of Texas state here in the United States.
Note: This paper was presented at a panel discussion on “Burma: Analyzing & Understanding the Conflict” at George Mason University, Virginia, USA on October 11, 2007.
http://kukiforum.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=8
By Nehginpao Kipgen
October 13, 2007: The biggest uprising in nearly two decades, since 1988, has once again brought Burma* into the spotlight of international politics. The 2007 uprising is the consequence and subsequence of the 1988 mass uprising.
The students’ community, under the aegis of 8888 Generation Students, led the peaceful march on August 19. To prevent further escalation, the military authority arrested prominent student leaders and other active pro-democracy activists.
Economic mismanagement, spiraling out of the country’s political imbroglio, was the immediate cause for this public outrage. The protests may have been suppressed with coercion, yet the spirit of people’s desire for change will persist.
Given the history of Burmese army brutality on its own people, many analysts and observers initially did not expect the sporadic demonstrations to mushroom into a large scale one, especially in the absence of student leaders. The momentum surged when the highly revered Buddhist monks and nuns joined the movement.
The protesters three basic demands were: lowering consumer prices, release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and national reconciliation.
On September 5, a peaceful demonstration of Buddhist monks in Pakokku, a town in the Magway Division, was forcibly dispersed by the government troops, injuring three monks.
The next day, in retaliation, the monks took few military officials as hostages. The monks demanded an apology from the government by giving a deadline of September 17, but the military refused to apologize.
The protests continued and spread out across the country including Rangoon, Mandalay, Pakokku and Sittwe. The largest turnout was visible in Rangoon on September 24 in which about a hundred thousand people - largely monks and nuns given protection by civilians by forming a human chain - joined the protest.
The Alliance of All Burmese Monks vowed to continue the agitation until the military dictatorship is deposed. This was a further step taken by the monks from its previous demand for apology from the military.
The brutal crackdown began on September 26 when soldiers rained down on protesters with bullets, batons and teargas. It continued through the night and to the next day. The state media reported that 10 people were killed including a Japanese photographer Kenji Nagai. Unconfirmed sources, however, have reported that about two hundred people have been killed.
In a closed society like Burma, the accurate number of deaths might never be known as it happened in 1988 when at least three thousand demonstrators, mostly students, were believed to have been massacred.
Technology advancement has greatly contributed to the ongoing democratic struggle. During the 1988 uprising, not much stories and activism inside were seen by the outside world. There were also lesser Burmese democracy activists around the world.
The 2007 uprising was watched by the whole world; more importantly, the political turmoil coincided with the 62nd United Nations General Assembly session, attended by world leaders. Indeed, there has never been in history when the situation in Burma has gotten such incredible world’s attention.
Thousands of Burmese people and supporters around the world have shown their solidarity, and simultaneously appealed for greater intervention by the international community. Political developments at international arena have impacts on activities inside Burma and vice versa.
After mass arrest and brutal crackdown, the 2007 uprising has apparently ended. Looking at the history of Burma as we analyze the current precarious atmosphere has given us some strategies on how to push forward the democratization process.
In less than three weeks time, the UN Security Council has discussed the Burma situation four times - September 20 and 26 and October 5 and 8. The council released a statement today deploring the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators and urged for genuine dialogue.
On October 4, Burma’s state television MRTV broadcast that Senior General Than Shwe was willing to talk with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under certain conditions. Though this could be construed as a gesture of buying time on the part of Than Shwe, it is an interesting development from UN Secretary General special envoy Ibrahim Gambari’s four-day (September 29 to October 2) visit to the country.
Subsequently, the United States Acting Ambassador to Burma Shari Villarosa was summoned to Nay Pi Taw, the remote administrative capital, for talks with the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Foreign Minister Maung Myint. Details of the talk have not been disclosed, but it was said to be not productive.
In yet another development on October 7, the military announced the appointment of its Deputy Labor Minister to the post of liaison officer. If accepted by all parties, the minister will coordinate talks between the military, Aung San Suu Kyi led opposition and the United Nations.
If Aung San Suu Kyi is freed from house arrest and allowed to consult her own National League for Democracy party leaders and leaders of ethnic minority groups, talks could become an important step toward a national reconciliation. In the process, compromises have to be made by all participating parties at some point.
Although not overtly expressed, the army generals are believed to have been worried about their own safety after power transfer to a civilian government. The military may ask the opposition or mediator or both for some sort of immunity. Should this come to pass, serious consideration needs to be given.
Moreover, given the ethno-political nature of conflicts in Burma since the country’s independence, ethnic nationalities, other than the Burmans, would also like to voice their concerns and advocate for tripartite talks – military, 1990 election winning parties led by Aung San Suu Kyi and minority ethnic groups - as endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly since 1994.
For any negotiated settlement to be reached in Burma, the role of a mediator is perceived to be crucial. In this context, the mission of the good offices of the United Nations Secretary General is largely welcome and supported by all parties. UN Special envoy Gambari is again expected to visit Burma sometime in November.
If the United Nations engagement does not bring the country toward reconciliation, other alternatives should also be available on the table. One among them would be the United States taking the lead in engaging with Burma, similar to the six party talks on North Korean nuclear issue.
Six party talks involving the United States, European Union, ASEAN, China, India, and Burma could break the iceberg of decades’ old political crisis. Due to geographical proximity, enormous economic and diplomatic influence over Burma, China’s participation is pivotal.
Given the adamant stance of China on the ground that Burma’s problems is an internal matter and does not constitute a threat to international peace and security, any pragmatic action from the UN Security Council is unlikely to emerge in the near future. P5 affirmative vote or the non-use of veto power can make the Security Council an effective channel to solve conflicts in Burma.
A change from within the country is more likely if there develops an open split within the ranks and files in the military. Civil disobedience or non-cooperation movement is one other effective political tool the people of Burma has.
Nehginpao Kipgen is the General Secretary of US-based Kuki International Forum and a researcher on the rise of political conflicts in modern Burma (1947-2004).
* Burma is the 40th largest country in the world and the largest in mainland Southeast Asia with a total area of 261,969 square miles (678,500 square kilometers) somewhat smaller than the size of Texas state here in the United States.
Note: This paper was presented at a panel discussion on “Burma: Analyzing & Understanding the Conflict” at George Mason University, Virginia, USA on October 11, 2007.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Myanmar focused world Attention
New Delhi's relations with Myanmar has focused world attention and its stepping in silence zone have already acquired strategic dimensions.New Delhi is on its way on economic involvement with Myanmar in coming weeks as its key joint project Kaladan to easy access of Sitwee port Myanmar is an infrastructure to ease a safe passage from India to Bay of Bengal through Mayanmar port.
India is likely to invest more than $103 million in the construction of the port, in the town of Sittwe in Myanmar's Rakhine State, while Myanmar has committed about $ 10 million in the joint venture project. Mizoram is about 160 km the port.
Kaladan project is the strategic edifice that India is busy building with Myanmar over the past few years as an important trans-border infrastructure project that will let the land-locked North-Eastern states gain easy access to the Bay of Bengal through Myanmar. It envisages a multi-modal transport corridor and building of a pipeline that will bring natural gas from Myanmar into the North-East. India's economic, security and geopolitical interest are paramount in Myanmar that it is prepared ignore the growing world's rage of its crackdown in Yangon.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy said that "The success of a dialogue is based on sincerity and the spirit of give and take," and "The will for achieving
success is also crucial, and there should not be any preconditions." This is probably the first comment since the Myanmar junta held up the prospect of talks, the party appeared to be trying to encourage negotiations without abandoning its platform. The party emphasized past statements by Suu Kyi, but also said it could make adjustments" for the sake of dialogue.
A state news media reported government had appointed Deputy Labor Minister Aung Kyi as the Cabinet's "minister for relations" to coordinate contacts with Suu Kyi. Aung Kyi is more open than top junta leaders, one deeply insular and fiercely hostile toward Suu Kyi.
On Tuesday,Romanian Ambassador Doru-Romulus Costea, who presides over the UNHRC council, said it wants Pinheiro to go to Myanmar as soon as possible to assess the human rights situation and appealed to junta Tuesday to allow a visit by the body's Myanmar specialist, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, who has been barred from the country since 2003.
A rebel group,The Kachin Independent Organization (KIO), isthe mood of changing the name of the organization and its character so as to participate in the Burmese junta's planned general election.
A meeting to this effect will be held among the top level leadership next week.
The high level meeting to be held on October 15 at Laiza, the KIO headquarters.
Asean Summit
The upcoming Asean summit, scheduled for November 19-21 in Singapore, could face problems in initiating concrete action.
It will not be easy for Asean to push for democracy in Burma while China, which holds veto power in the UN Security Council, is calling on council members to avoid using strong language in the text of common statement on Burma.
On September 27, Asean foreign ministers issued a strong statement on the crackdown in Burma. Thai prime minister called the crackdown in Burma unacceptable,
following a similar line to Asean's. "Amid international pressure,Thailand will monitor the situation and will discuss within Asean what kind of action should be taken," he said.
Thailand,, Singapore, Malaysia China- Burma's four largest foreign investors.
China could play a key role in developments in Burma, using its considerable International political and economic weight.
India is likely to invest more than $103 million in the construction of the port, in the town of Sittwe in Myanmar's Rakhine State, while Myanmar has committed about $ 10 million in the joint venture project. Mizoram is about 160 km the port.
Kaladan project is the strategic edifice that India is busy building with Myanmar over the past few years as an important trans-border infrastructure project that will let the land-locked North-Eastern states gain easy access to the Bay of Bengal through Myanmar. It envisages a multi-modal transport corridor and building of a pipeline that will bring natural gas from Myanmar into the North-East. India's economic, security and geopolitical interest are paramount in Myanmar that it is prepared ignore the growing world's rage of its crackdown in Yangon.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy said that "The success of a dialogue is based on sincerity and the spirit of give and take," and "The will for achieving
success is also crucial, and there should not be any preconditions." This is probably the first comment since the Myanmar junta held up the prospect of talks, the party appeared to be trying to encourage negotiations without abandoning its platform. The party emphasized past statements by Suu Kyi, but also said it could make adjustments" for the sake of dialogue.
A state news media reported government had appointed Deputy Labor Minister Aung Kyi as the Cabinet's "minister for relations" to coordinate contacts with Suu Kyi. Aung Kyi is more open than top junta leaders, one deeply insular and fiercely hostile toward Suu Kyi.
On Tuesday,Romanian Ambassador Doru-Romulus Costea, who presides over the UNHRC council, said it wants Pinheiro to go to Myanmar as soon as possible to assess the human rights situation and appealed to junta Tuesday to allow a visit by the body's Myanmar specialist, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, who has been barred from the country since 2003.
A rebel group,The Kachin Independent Organization (KIO), isthe mood of changing the name of the organization and its character so as to participate in the Burmese junta's planned general election.
A meeting to this effect will be held among the top level leadership next week.
The high level meeting to be held on October 15 at Laiza, the KIO headquarters.
Asean Summit
The upcoming Asean summit, scheduled for November 19-21 in Singapore, could face problems in initiating concrete action.
It will not be easy for Asean to push for democracy in Burma while China, which holds veto power in the UN Security Council, is calling on council members to avoid using strong language in the text of common statement on Burma.
On September 27, Asean foreign ministers issued a strong statement on the crackdown in Burma. Thai prime minister called the crackdown in Burma unacceptable,
following a similar line to Asean's. "Amid international pressure,Thailand will monitor the situation and will discuss within Asean what kind of action should be taken," he said.
Thailand,, Singapore, Malaysia China- Burma's four largest foreign investors.
China could play a key role in developments in Burma, using its considerable International political and economic weight.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Need UN observer in Myanmer-Junta appoints Aung Kyi a co-ordinator
Deputy Labor Minister Aung Kyi, a retired major general, was named to the post of "liaison minister," state radio and television said Monday night.
On Tuesday, the junta said it hoped to achieve "smooth relations" with Suu Kyi.
New Light of Myanmar newspaper news reported , Kyi had been appointed "minister for relations" to coordinate contacts with Suu Kyi, a country's democracy icon.
The junta had appointed Aung Kyi a cordinator, the idea "in respect of Gambari's recommendation and in view of smooth relations with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi." Aung Kyi to cordinate San Suu and UN officials as portfolio given to the coordinator.
Life in Rangoon and other cities are returning to normal.
Security eased in Yangon, some roadblocks were removed and visitors began trickling back to the heavily guarded Shwedagon and Sule pagodas, the starter and final spots for many of the protests.
The state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar said protesters could achieve their demands that is including Suu Kyi's release by treading paths the military government's own seven-step "road map" agenda for restoring democracy.
"The three demands of the protesters is lowering consumer prices, release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners, and national reconciliation all cannot be satisfied through protest," paper said, using the term older women in front of Suu Kyi's name.
"When the state constitution is approved, the fulfillment of the three demands will be within reach," said New Light of Myanmar.
The road map process is supposed to culminate in a general election at an unspecified date in the future. But so far only the first stage _ drawing up guidelines for a new constitution _ has been completed, and government critics say the convention that drafted them was stage-managed by the military.
Newspaper adds that,Drafting the constitution is supposed to be the next stage, and the document would then be put to a national referendum.
A constitution was suspended in 1988 when the military crushed a democracy uprising by killing as many as 3,000 people.
An act of balance of powert in act at UN security council as experts meet today to a Western-sponsored statement condemning the bloody military crackdown in Burma,and on the other hand the giant China once at loggerhead with burma will now press for softer language.
The draft would condemn "the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations" by Burma's rulers, urge them to "cease repressive measures" and release detainees as well as all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.The situation warrantes a permanent appointment of UN observer in Myanmer.
On Tuesday, the junta said it hoped to achieve "smooth relations" with Suu Kyi.
New Light of Myanmar newspaper news reported , Kyi had been appointed "minister for relations" to coordinate contacts with Suu Kyi, a country's democracy icon.
The junta had appointed Aung Kyi a cordinator, the idea "in respect of Gambari's recommendation and in view of smooth relations with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi." Aung Kyi to cordinate San Suu and UN officials as portfolio given to the coordinator.
Life in Rangoon and other cities are returning to normal.
Security eased in Yangon, some roadblocks were removed and visitors began trickling back to the heavily guarded Shwedagon and Sule pagodas, the starter and final spots for many of the protests.
The state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar said protesters could achieve their demands that is including Suu Kyi's release by treading paths the military government's own seven-step "road map" agenda for restoring democracy.
"The three demands of the protesters is lowering consumer prices, release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners, and national reconciliation all cannot be satisfied through protest," paper said, using the term older women in front of Suu Kyi's name.
"When the state constitution is approved, the fulfillment of the three demands will be within reach," said New Light of Myanmar.
The road map process is supposed to culminate in a general election at an unspecified date in the future. But so far only the first stage _ drawing up guidelines for a new constitution _ has been completed, and government critics say the convention that drafted them was stage-managed by the military.
Newspaper adds that,Drafting the constitution is supposed to be the next stage, and the document would then be put to a national referendum.
A constitution was suspended in 1988 when the military crushed a democracy uprising by killing as many as 3,000 people.
An act of balance of powert in act at UN security council as experts meet today to a Western-sponsored statement condemning the bloody military crackdown in Burma,and on the other hand the giant China once at loggerhead with burma will now press for softer language.
The draft would condemn "the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations" by Burma's rulers, urge them to "cease repressive measures" and release detainees as well as all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.The situation warrantes a permanent appointment of UN observer in Myanmer.
Monday, October 8, 2007
India favours release of Suu Kyi
"The government of India believes that the release of Aung San Suu Kyi would be helpful in terms of the process of democratization and that she can contribute to the emergence of Myanmar as a democratic country," said Swashpawan Singh, India's envoy to the council.
Myanmar as a "close and friendly neighbor" with whom India shares "links of geography, culture, history and religion."Mr Singh further added that the crackdown on Buddhist monks on peaceful protesters a matter of concern.
The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh has told the Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that India favors an early release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and desires a fast return to peace in Burma.
"The release of Aung San Suu Kyi would be helpful in terms of the process of democratization of Burma," Prime Minister Singh told the visiting President of Philippines while dwelling on the on going crisis in Burma.
The Philippines President who called on Dr. Singh on Friday held a brief discussion on the current political imbroglioin Burma,PMO sources said.
India has always stood for the release of Suu Kyi and had awarded her the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for international understanding
in 1993.
After which, India had refrained from making the issue of the release of Suu Kyi central to its diplomatic relations with the military junta in view of its growing economic ties with Burma.
However, India has finally publicly appealed for the release of Suu Kyi at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) debate on Myanmar on October 2.
India is waiting and watching the situation in Myanmar and as its close neighbour wants to have cordial relation with the government as interference in their governance community is not order of the day.
Malaysia has urged the Burmese military to drop preconditions for talks with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7032291.stm
Myanmar as a "close and friendly neighbor" with whom India shares "links of geography, culture, history and religion."Mr Singh further added that the crackdown on Buddhist monks on peaceful protesters a matter of concern.
The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh has told the Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that India favors an early release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and desires a fast return to peace in Burma.
"The release of Aung San Suu Kyi would be helpful in terms of the process of democratization of Burma," Prime Minister Singh told the visiting President of Philippines while dwelling on the on going crisis in Burma.
The Philippines President who called on Dr. Singh on Friday held a brief discussion on the current political imbroglioin Burma,PMO sources said.
India has always stood for the release of Suu Kyi and had awarded her the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for international understanding
in 1993.
After which, India had refrained from making the issue of the release of Suu Kyi central to its diplomatic relations with the military junta in view of its growing economic ties with Burma.
However, India has finally publicly appealed for the release of Suu Kyi at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) debate on Myanmar on October 2.
India is waiting and watching the situation in Myanmar and as its close neighbour wants to have cordial relation with the government as interference in their governance community is not order of the day.
Malaysia has urged the Burmese military to drop preconditions for talks with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7032291.stm
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Amensty International: Burma - Human rights emergency
Amnesty International today urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to address the situation in Myanmar with resolute action by calling on the Myanmar authorities to release all those detained for participating in peaceful assemblies.
"We urge the Council to strongly condemn the ongoing grave human rights violations in Myanmar and to demand an immediate halt to the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations," Amnesty International said in a statement presented at the special session on Myanmar.
"It is the duty of the Myanmar government to account for all those detained by its law enforcement agents, military and other security forces. Detainees should not be held in secret places of detention, and must be granted access to independent lawyers, medical personnel and to family members."
"The Myanmar government has a duty to account for the whereabouts of those detained and to guarantee their safety from torture or other ill-treatment".
Amnesty International fears that the risk of torture and other ill-treatment in Myanmar remains high as widespread patterns of abuse of detainees, particularly during interrogation and pre-trial detention have become entrenched in Myanmar in a culture of total impunity spanning decades.
Amnesty International urged the Myanmar government to release all prisoners of conscience, among the 1,150 political prisoners detained before the crisis. The releases must include the more than 150 people arrested in August at an early stage of the current crisis, unless they are charged with a recognisably criminal offence.
Amnesty International called on the UN Human Rights Council, as a matter of urgency,to ensure that the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar continues his important task by documenting the current situation including visiting the country and reporting to this Council, the General Assembly and the Security Council.
"While the Security Council must continue to focus on the situation in Myanmar and the threat it poses to peace and security in the region, the Human Rights Council should complement the Security Council's efforts by resolute action to address ongoing grave human rights violations in the context of the crackdown against peaceful protests," said Amnesty International.
Given the serious, long-standing human rights concerns in Myanmar, Amnesty International believes that it would be a positive contribution to the UN's consideration of Myanmar, if the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, were to visit the country.
http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGASA160192007
More subject
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/304274/1/.html
"We urge the Council to strongly condemn the ongoing grave human rights violations in Myanmar and to demand an immediate halt to the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations," Amnesty International said in a statement presented at the special session on Myanmar.
"It is the duty of the Myanmar government to account for all those detained by its law enforcement agents, military and other security forces. Detainees should not be held in secret places of detention, and must be granted access to independent lawyers, medical personnel and to family members."
"The Myanmar government has a duty to account for the whereabouts of those detained and to guarantee their safety from torture or other ill-treatment".
Amnesty International fears that the risk of torture and other ill-treatment in Myanmar remains high as widespread patterns of abuse of detainees, particularly during interrogation and pre-trial detention have become entrenched in Myanmar in a culture of total impunity spanning decades.
Amnesty International urged the Myanmar government to release all prisoners of conscience, among the 1,150 political prisoners detained before the crisis. The releases must include the more than 150 people arrested in August at an early stage of the current crisis, unless they are charged with a recognisably criminal offence.
Amnesty International called on the UN Human Rights Council, as a matter of urgency,to ensure that the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar continues his important task by documenting the current situation including visiting the country and reporting to this Council, the General Assembly and the Security Council.
"While the Security Council must continue to focus on the situation in Myanmar and the threat it poses to peace and security in the region, the Human Rights Council should complement the Security Council's efforts by resolute action to address ongoing grave human rights violations in the context of the crackdown against peaceful protests," said Amnesty International.
Given the serious, long-standing human rights concerns in Myanmar, Amnesty International believes that it would be a positive contribution to the UN's consideration of Myanmar, if the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, were to visit the country.
http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGASA160192007
More subject
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/304274/1/.html
Global support for Myanmar protesters
UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari said he feared the real death toll could be much higher.Gambari said there was great concern over reports of night-time raids, arbitrary arrests, mass relocations and beatings.US said it propose new sanction to 15 member council if Burma junta fails to respond constructively to international concern.
Burmese junta for its brutal crackdown on monks and peaceful protesters is condemned and rally is organised in may parts of the world.Rallies Planned of Over 250,000 people in India's northeastern state of Meghalaya during the second peoples' parliament called on the central government to support the Burmese democracy movement and actively intervene in the Junta's crackdown on protestors.
More rallies around the world, including rallies in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, India, the Irish Republic, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and the US.
Guwahati, another northeast Indian town, members of the press, academics and intellectual held a Candle Light Vigil in solidarity to the monks and peaceful protestors, who are recently killed by the junta.
In New Delhi, over 100 Burmese activists including Indian supporters earlier today held a protest rally calling on India as well as the United Nations to do more by pressuring the Burmese junta to immediately kick-start democratization process.
Meanwhile, several protest rallies and gathering with lighting of candles were held in various parts of the world including Thailand, Australia, Europe and USA.
In UK, Damien Rice will perform a tribute song to the only imprisoned Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi "Unplayed Piano" at Wembley Arena.
In United States and across Europe, activists and campaigners have planned to stage demonstrations in support to the Burmese democracy movement and as solidarity to the many heroes and monks killed during the recent crackdown in Burma.
The Burmese military junta last month came down heavily on peaceful protestors led by revered Buddhist clergies, by opening fire that killed several people including a Japanese photojournalist Kenji Nagai.
The monks-led protestors demanded a peaceful solution to the political problems through dialogue, release of Burmese pro-democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained for 12 of the past 19 years and better living conditions where the prices of essential commodities are affordable by the average population.
However, the government's responded the demands with guns and fire randomly into the protesting crowd. The junta chooses to suppress the peoples' voice by following up the crackdown to mid-night raids at monasteries and residences and arresting monks and activists.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown today said "We have not forgotten their courage and dignity, taking to the streets in the face of a brutal regime. We have not forgotten the guns and batons, the arrests and murders, which met them."
In a statement released today, Mr. Brown said he is committed to "Securing tougher EU sanctions… maintaining the UN Security Council's active vigilance and engagement."
At the United Nations, following the briefing by Ibrahim Gambari, the Secretary-General's special envoy to Burma, to the Security Council on Friday, the US said it would propose a new sanction to the 15 member council if Burma fails to respond constructively to international concern.
http://www.Nksagar.com
http://mizzima.com/
Burmese junta for its brutal crackdown on monks and peaceful protesters is condemned and rally is organised in may parts of the world.Rallies Planned of Over 250,000 people in India's northeastern state of Meghalaya during the second peoples' parliament called on the central government to support the Burmese democracy movement and actively intervene in the Junta's crackdown on protestors.
More rallies around the world, including rallies in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, India, the Irish Republic, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and the US.
Guwahati, another northeast Indian town, members of the press, academics and intellectual held a Candle Light Vigil in solidarity to the monks and peaceful protestors, who are recently killed by the junta.
In New Delhi, over 100 Burmese activists including Indian supporters earlier today held a protest rally calling on India as well as the United Nations to do more by pressuring the Burmese junta to immediately kick-start democratization process.
Meanwhile, several protest rallies and gathering with lighting of candles were held in various parts of the world including Thailand, Australia, Europe and USA.
In UK, Damien Rice will perform a tribute song to the only imprisoned Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi "Unplayed Piano" at Wembley Arena.
In United States and across Europe, activists and campaigners have planned to stage demonstrations in support to the Burmese democracy movement and as solidarity to the many heroes and monks killed during the recent crackdown in Burma.
The Burmese military junta last month came down heavily on peaceful protestors led by revered Buddhist clergies, by opening fire that killed several people including a Japanese photojournalist Kenji Nagai.
The monks-led protestors demanded a peaceful solution to the political problems through dialogue, release of Burmese pro-democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained for 12 of the past 19 years and better living conditions where the prices of essential commodities are affordable by the average population.
However, the government's responded the demands with guns and fire randomly into the protesting crowd. The junta chooses to suppress the peoples' voice by following up the crackdown to mid-night raids at monasteries and residences and arresting monks and activists.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown today said "We have not forgotten their courage and dignity, taking to the streets in the face of a brutal regime. We have not forgotten the guns and batons, the arrests and murders, which met them."
In a statement released today, Mr. Brown said he is committed to "Securing tougher EU sanctions… maintaining the UN Security Council's active vigilance and engagement."
At the United Nations, following the briefing by Ibrahim Gambari, the Secretary-General's special envoy to Burma, to the Security Council on Friday, the US said it would propose a new sanction to the 15 member council if Burma fails to respond constructively to international concern.
http://www.Nksagar.com
http://mizzima.com/
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