YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- Security was stepped up around detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's house Tuesday, as Myanmar's military junta faced a deadline to decide whether to release her or extend her house arrest for another year.
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A poster of Aung San Suu Kyi stands outside the National League for Democracy offices in Yangon in early May.
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Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained continuously since May 2003, has long been the symbol of the regime's brutality and the focus of a worldwide campaign that has lobbied for her release.
Her house arrest -- which has been renewed annually -- is believed to expire at midnight Tuesday, said Nyan Win, spokesman for her National League for Democracy party. With the regime saying nothing, there has been uncertainly about the exact expiration.
The ruling generals have given no sign they will release Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been confined for more than 12 of the past 18 years. Her latest period of arrest began in 2003.
The decision comes at a delicate time for the junta.
It already is facing international condemnation for the way it failed the relief effort, with more than half of the 2.4 million survivors of Cyclone Nargis still desperately needing food, clean water and shelter more than three weeks after the disaster.
And the law would seem to be on Aung San Suu Kyi's side. No one can be held longer than five years without being released or put on trial, said U.S. lawyer Jared Genser, hired by Aung San Suu Kyi's family to push for her release. But few expect her to be released, despite urging by both the United Nations and some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
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"Their failure to abide by their own law by refusing to release (Aung San Suu Kyi) ... is a clear slap in the face to (U.N. Secretary-General) Ban Ki-moon and the ASEAN diplomats," Genser said earlier this week. "They are out of time to hold her under their own law."
Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda called Tuesday for her release, saying it would be a way of thanking the international community for its generosity after the cyclone, which killed at least 78,000 people and left another 56,000 missing.
"I hope for the best but to be frank I'm not optimistic," he said.
About 20 plain clothes police officers stood guard outside Aung San Suu Kyi's lakeside house, while six truckloads of riot police were on guard near her National League for Democracy headquarters.
Standing in front of the dilapidated headquarters, about 30 supporters held a banner calling for her release and chanted, "Aung San Suu Kyi. Release her immediately."
Nearby, plainclothes police videotaped and photographed the participants.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Does UN involve itself in committing massacre in Burma?
MAY 26, 2008
MyintmoMedia
While the people in Burma are facing danger of life, Bankimoon and Junta held donor conference in Sedona hotel yesterday. The electricity was cut off in whole Yankin Township. With intention to show Bankimoon, 50 new tents were built in Latputta and 18 in Mawlamyinegyun where Bankimoon likely to visit and Bankimoon interviewed the fake victims organized by authourities. On the same day Bankimoon arrived, 10 aid workers who are actively involved in relief activities were arrested.
In preparation for Bankimoon’s visit, the starving people who were begging on the road were sent back by force to original places, Laputa and Bokalay from MaAubin rescue camp being provided only two bottles of water. The affected areas of cyclone are full of corpses and drinking water is not available. In Mawlamyinegyun area, among total 100 villages, 40 villages disappear in cyclone and only 15 to 20 people survive. Some villagers were brought to nearby towns by their relatives. But the authorities threatened the host not to accept them saying that the people who accept villagers will be imprisoned. The military forces threatened the villagers with killing them if they remain in town and brought back to original places by force, providing only eight milk-cans of rice, two bottles of water and 5000 kyats.
In Hyinegyi and Pyinkayine islands, many thousands of people are being helpless, homeless, and also are starving and suffering from diarrhea and some infectious diseases. Bankimoon visited only the places well arranged by junta and did not go the places where the transportation is difficult, and the helpless and starving children are dying daily. In Pyinkayine and Zeegone village tract, there are about 10135 survivors being homeless and living on rocky hills. There are many places like that. The rescue team cannot access these places and the people have to rely on rain water for drinking as water is contaminated with corpses.
After Bankimoon discussed with Senior General Than Shwe, starting from 25th May, the authorities waited at the Hlainthayar Bridge and confiscated the private volunteers’ cars on the way back from Irrawady division which are used to send the goods for rescue. The authorities threatened the owners of cars with charging them with degrading government’s dignity by doing charity. Until now, 20 cars were already confiscated. On 26th May, no more private volunteers’ cars for donation were allowed to go to Irrawaddy division.
The actors and volunteers actively doing for rescue sent 8 copies of video discs officially to UNDP office in order to let Bankimoon knows real situation of victims of cyclone in Burma. But UNDP office destroyed them and gave the reason that they missed those discs. “We are not sure whether Bankimoon knows this event or not.” an actor said.
After the conference, Bankimoon informed French rescue ships to unload at Bangkok, Puket and he said he took responsibility for Than Shwe who promised him to let in all international aid workers.
The junta who has promised Bankimoon to accept international support sets fire Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok on 26th May, with intention to delay in issuing visa and the whole upstairs was destroyed including passport section of office. They said it was due to wire-accident. But there has never happened this kind of event in Myanmar embassy. They set intentionally to make delay visa process.
Every UN’s intervention make in favor of junta within 20 years and it was obvious in reviewing the conduct of UN representatives. It is not the time to compromise. While the people are facing in threat of lives, junta makes the action delay with the visit of Bankimoon. The people are still suffering and starving after 20 days of cyclone. Neglecting millions of Burmese victims, Bankimoon makes the rescue ships return according to the murder, junta’s wish. Regarding the conduct of UN, people inside Burma criticize UN for committing massacre in collaboration with junta.
MyintmoMedia
While the people in Burma are facing danger of life, Bankimoon and Junta held donor conference in Sedona hotel yesterday. The electricity was cut off in whole Yankin Township. With intention to show Bankimoon, 50 new tents were built in Latputta and 18 in Mawlamyinegyun where Bankimoon likely to visit and Bankimoon interviewed the fake victims organized by authourities. On the same day Bankimoon arrived, 10 aid workers who are actively involved in relief activities were arrested.
In preparation for Bankimoon’s visit, the starving people who were begging on the road were sent back by force to original places, Laputa and Bokalay from MaAubin rescue camp being provided only two bottles of water. The affected areas of cyclone are full of corpses and drinking water is not available. In Mawlamyinegyun area, among total 100 villages, 40 villages disappear in cyclone and only 15 to 20 people survive. Some villagers were brought to nearby towns by their relatives. But the authorities threatened the host not to accept them saying that the people who accept villagers will be imprisoned. The military forces threatened the villagers with killing them if they remain in town and brought back to original places by force, providing only eight milk-cans of rice, two bottles of water and 5000 kyats.
In Hyinegyi and Pyinkayine islands, many thousands of people are being helpless, homeless, and also are starving and suffering from diarrhea and some infectious diseases. Bankimoon visited only the places well arranged by junta and did not go the places where the transportation is difficult, and the helpless and starving children are dying daily. In Pyinkayine and Zeegone village tract, there are about 10135 survivors being homeless and living on rocky hills. There are many places like that. The rescue team cannot access these places and the people have to rely on rain water for drinking as water is contaminated with corpses.
After Bankimoon discussed with Senior General Than Shwe, starting from 25th May, the authorities waited at the Hlainthayar Bridge and confiscated the private volunteers’ cars on the way back from Irrawady division which are used to send the goods for rescue. The authorities threatened the owners of cars with charging them with degrading government’s dignity by doing charity. Until now, 20 cars were already confiscated. On 26th May, no more private volunteers’ cars for donation were allowed to go to Irrawaddy division.
The actors and volunteers actively doing for rescue sent 8 copies of video discs officially to UNDP office in order to let Bankimoon knows real situation of victims of cyclone in Burma. But UNDP office destroyed them and gave the reason that they missed those discs. “We are not sure whether Bankimoon knows this event or not.” an actor said.
After the conference, Bankimoon informed French rescue ships to unload at Bangkok, Puket and he said he took responsibility for Than Shwe who promised him to let in all international aid workers.
The junta who has promised Bankimoon to accept international support sets fire Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok on 26th May, with intention to delay in issuing visa and the whole upstairs was destroyed including passport section of office. They said it was due to wire-accident. But there has never happened this kind of event in Myanmar embassy. They set intentionally to make delay visa process.
Every UN’s intervention make in favor of junta within 20 years and it was obvious in reviewing the conduct of UN representatives. It is not the time to compromise. While the people are facing in threat of lives, junta makes the action delay with the visit of Bankimoon. The people are still suffering and starving after 20 days of cyclone. Neglecting millions of Burmese victims, Bankimoon makes the rescue ships return according to the murder, junta’s wish. Regarding the conduct of UN, people inside Burma criticize UN for committing massacre in collaboration with junta.
Myanmar junta tightens security near Suu Kyi home
1 hour, 15 minutes ago
YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's military rulers tightened security around the home of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday, the day her latest year-long stretch of house arrest is due to expire.
Few expect the military to do anything but roll over the 62-year-old Nobel laureate's detention order, even though such a move is bound to create tensions with Western nations who have promised millions of dollars in cyclone aid.
Donors pledged nearly $50 million in aid at a landmark conference on Sunday in the wake of Cyclone Nargis which has left 134,000 people dead or missing and another 2.4 million clinging to survival.
A Reuters reporter saw at least six police trucks, a prison van and a fire engine parked near the headquarters of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, which is due to hold a ceremony at 2 p.m. (0730 GMT).
Amid rumors of a planned NLD march to Suu Kyi's house, police moved a wooden and barbed-wired barricade across the road up to the nearest major intersection, making it impossible even to approach the lakeside villa.
Suu Kyi has spent more than 12 of the last 18 years in prison or under house arrest. Her party won more than 80 percent of seats in a 1990 election, but was denied power by the military, which has ruled since a 1962 coup.
Her latest stretch of detention started "for her own protection" after clashes between her supporters and pro-junta thugs near the northern town of Depayin on May 30, 2003.
However, her formal house arrest under a state security law did not start until November 27 of that year. It was renewed once for six months, and has since been renewed every year on or around May 27.
(Reporting by Aung Hla Tun, Writing by Ed Cropley; Editing by Ed Davies and Valerie Lee)
Referendum Farce in Burma _ by Vaclav Havel
May 26th, 2008
_ by Vaclav Havel / et al
[Václav Havel is a former President of the Czech Republic, Desmond Tutu is a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Richard von Weizsäcker is a former President of Germany, Karel Schwarzenberg is Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, André Glucksmann is a French philosopher, Frederik Willem de Klerk is a former President of South Africa, Mike Moore is a former Director of the World Trade Organization, Grigory Yavlinsky is leader of the Yabloko party in Russia.]
The enormous suffering of the Burmese people caused by the recent cyclone, which has caused tens of thousands of deaths, deserves the sympathy of the entire world. But more than sympathy is needed, because the Burmese military junta’s incompetence and brutal oppression are further aggravating the tragic consequences of this natural disaster.
In the midst of the cyclone’s devastation, Burma’s ruling generals went ahead and held a referendum on a new constitution. But, according to Burma’s Constitutional Referendum Act, members of religious organizations, those subject to criminal prosecution, and members of ethnic groups that have not agreed to a ceasefire with the government were barred from voting. Thus, all current and former political prisoners, about 500,000 Buddhist monks, and more than twice as many members of ethnic minority groups living close to the borders were banned from the vote.
Moreover, according to the new constitution that was supposedly “approved” by the “referendum,” Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has never been prosecuted and still remains under house arrest, is barred from standing in the 2010 general elections under the pretext that her deceased husband was British. Is the world really willing to accept such an absurdity?
We strongly support the Burmese opposition’s campaign calling on the country’s citizens to reject the constitution, which does not promote human rights, but only confirms the military’s political role. Many democracy activists have been arrested throughout the country. The regime’s draconian “law” (5/96) prohibits participants from criticizing the draft constitution; those who dare to challenge the regime face a 20-year prison sentence.
Given the violent suppression of last September’s mass demonstrations (the “Saffron Revolution”) led by Burma’s Buddhist monks, and the constant repression in the country, it is not surprising that the military junta tries to shroud its despotic tendencies in pseudo-democratic measures such as the sham electoral process of the referendum.
Sadly, the international community did not respond to last autumn’s mass arrests of human rights defenders. The 88 Generation leaders, including Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, women activists like Su Su Nway, and others bravely expressed their grievances time and again in letters, statements, and public demonstrations prior to the Saffron Revolution. Their courageous calls fell on deaf ears; they now remain imprisoned.
It is time to strongly condemn the exclusion of a considerable number of people from voting and to insist on the release of Burma’s political prisoners. The United Nations and the European Union should be ready to reject conclusively the result of the referendum and strengthen sanctions against the regime. Burma’s neighbors in ASEAN should stop looking the other way as Burma’s rulers trample on Burma’s citizens.
The UN Security Council should consider introducing a universal arms embargo, and the EU should adopt banking sanctions that target the regime and its cronies. Moreover, the UN should not only condemn, but without further delay put a stop to today’s greatest atrocity: the regime’s obstruction of foreign assistance to victims of the cyclone. Their deaths are the sole responsibility of the military junta, which deliberately and with knowledge of the likely consequences has closed the door to humanitarian aid and workers from all over the world. Their actions represent an appalling crime against humanity.
The military-run referendum will not bring democracy to Burma, nor will it help the Burmese people, who now are suffering not only from the authoritarian regime and poverty, but also from a grave natural disaster and its totally inept handling by the cynical generals. Burma’s rulers have failed in their duty to protect the Burmese people, but active and decisive political action by the international community towards the regime may yet do so.
_ by Vaclav Havel / et al
[Václav Havel is a former President of the Czech Republic, Desmond Tutu is a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Richard von Weizsäcker is a former President of Germany, Karel Schwarzenberg is Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, André Glucksmann is a French philosopher, Frederik Willem de Klerk is a former President of South Africa, Mike Moore is a former Director of the World Trade Organization, Grigory Yavlinsky is leader of the Yabloko party in Russia.]
The enormous suffering of the Burmese people caused by the recent cyclone, which has caused tens of thousands of deaths, deserves the sympathy of the entire world. But more than sympathy is needed, because the Burmese military junta’s incompetence and brutal oppression are further aggravating the tragic consequences of this natural disaster.
In the midst of the cyclone’s devastation, Burma’s ruling generals went ahead and held a referendum on a new constitution. But, according to Burma’s Constitutional Referendum Act, members of religious organizations, those subject to criminal prosecution, and members of ethnic groups that have not agreed to a ceasefire with the government were barred from voting. Thus, all current and former political prisoners, about 500,000 Buddhist monks, and more than twice as many members of ethnic minority groups living close to the borders were banned from the vote.
Moreover, according to the new constitution that was supposedly “approved” by the “referendum,” Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has never been prosecuted and still remains under house arrest, is barred from standing in the 2010 general elections under the pretext that her deceased husband was British. Is the world really willing to accept such an absurdity?
We strongly support the Burmese opposition’s campaign calling on the country’s citizens to reject the constitution, which does not promote human rights, but only confirms the military’s political role. Many democracy activists have been arrested throughout the country. The regime’s draconian “law” (5/96) prohibits participants from criticizing the draft constitution; those who dare to challenge the regime face a 20-year prison sentence.
Given the violent suppression of last September’s mass demonstrations (the “Saffron Revolution”) led by Burma’s Buddhist monks, and the constant repression in the country, it is not surprising that the military junta tries to shroud its despotic tendencies in pseudo-democratic measures such as the sham electoral process of the referendum.
Sadly, the international community did not respond to last autumn’s mass arrests of human rights defenders. The 88 Generation leaders, including Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, women activists like Su Su Nway, and others bravely expressed their grievances time and again in letters, statements, and public demonstrations prior to the Saffron Revolution. Their courageous calls fell on deaf ears; they now remain imprisoned.
It is time to strongly condemn the exclusion of a considerable number of people from voting and to insist on the release of Burma’s political prisoners. The United Nations and the European Union should be ready to reject conclusively the result of the referendum and strengthen sanctions against the regime. Burma’s neighbors in ASEAN should stop looking the other way as Burma’s rulers trample on Burma’s citizens.
The UN Security Council should consider introducing a universal arms embargo, and the EU should adopt banking sanctions that target the regime and its cronies. Moreover, the UN should not only condemn, but without further delay put a stop to today’s greatest atrocity: the regime’s obstruction of foreign assistance to victims of the cyclone. Their deaths are the sole responsibility of the military junta, which deliberately and with knowledge of the likely consequences has closed the door to humanitarian aid and workers from all over the world. Their actions represent an appalling crime against humanity.
The military-run referendum will not bring democracy to Burma, nor will it help the Burmese people, who now are suffering not only from the authoritarian regime and poverty, but also from a grave natural disaster and its totally inept handling by the cynical generals. Burma’s rulers have failed in their duty to protect the Burmese people, but active and decisive political action by the international community towards the regime may yet do so.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Fire hits Myanmar embassy in BangkokBANGKOK,
Thailand (AP) -- A fire destroyed a floor at Myanmar's embassy in the Thai capital on Monday. Four fire engines rushed to the embassy as plumes of smoke rose from inside the walled compound, located in a busy business district of Bangkok. The blaze was put out in about one hour. No injuries were reported. A fire brigade official, Anupon Saengdara, said the cause was not known. But a man at the embassy identifying himself only as a consular official said faulty wiring sparked the fire.Pol. Lt. Thanapat Sirawong said the blaze engulfed the second floor of the embassy's main, colonial-style building, totally damaging the floor and sections of the roof. The area outside the compound is the site of frequent but peaceful demonstrations by Myanmar activists against the military regime in their neighboring homeland. The visa section of the embassy is located in the building that caught fire. In the last three weeks, aid workers and others often crowded into the section trying to obtain hard-to-get visas to isolationist Myanmar to help victims of a devastating cyclone.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Burma 'to let in all aid workers'
Homeless Burmese children
Some 2.5 million people have been affected by the cyclone
Burma's top leader has agreed to let all foreign aid workers into the country for relief work in cyclone-hit areas, UN head Ban Ki-moon has said.
Mr Ban announced the news after talks in Burma's remote capital, Naypyidaw, with Gen Than Shwe.
Burma's military leaders had previously refused to allow a full-scale relief effort by foreign aid workers, and claimed everything was under control.
About 78,000 people died and 56,000 are missing after the 2 May cyclone.
Mr Ban said he thought Gen Than's decision was a breakthrough.
'Show camp'
It is not clear exactly whether he has agreed to give visas to foreign aid workers or let them into the delta to deliver aid.
But the BBC's Laura Trevelyan, in Burma with the secretary general, says the move does appear to be a significant breakthrough.
The senior leader had until recently failed to respond to the secretary general's letters and phone calls.
On Thursday, Mr Ban flew over flooded rice fields and destroyed villages and visited a government relief camp in the Irrawaddy delta.
A UN official privately called it a "show camp", our correspondent says.
He said he was "very upset" by the devastation he saw, adding that the international community stood ready to overcome the tragedy.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
CHINESE-MADE POLICE CARS FOR BURMA POLICE FORCE
BURMA UPDATE 287
22 MAY 2008
CHINESE-MADE POLICE CARS FOR BURMA POLICE FORCE
ARRIVING AT THE SINO-BURMA BORDER
May 20, 2008
According to eye‐witness reports, Chinese‐made Mini‐Vans and light pick‐up trucks of Dong
Feng Motor Corporation brand to be used in Burma Police Force have arrived in Je‐gong.
On Sunday night, eight small cars arrived in Ruili on Sino‐Burmese border carried by a
double‐decker truck and were washed and cleaned at car‐washes, it is learnt. Two cars have
POLICE lettering on them and of blue color with Shan State (North) Police Force emblems.
Although a lot of Chinese‐made military vehicles have been supplied to Burma Army before,
this is the first time that police cars were supplied for use in Burma Police Force. While it is
not clear yet whether these vehicles are purchased or presented as a gift, analysts speculate
that they might be gifts.
China is training police officers from Burma at its Public Security Institute and Police
academies and colleges in Yunnan Province.
22 MAY 2008
CHINESE-MADE POLICE CARS FOR BURMA POLICE FORCE
ARRIVING AT THE SINO-BURMA BORDER
May 20, 2008
According to eye‐witness reports, Chinese‐made Mini‐Vans and light pick‐up trucks of Dong
Feng Motor Corporation brand to be used in Burma Police Force have arrived in Je‐gong.
On Sunday night, eight small cars arrived in Ruili on Sino‐Burmese border carried by a
double‐decker truck and were washed and cleaned at car‐washes, it is learnt. Two cars have
POLICE lettering on them and of blue color with Shan State (North) Police Force emblems.
Although a lot of Chinese‐made military vehicles have been supplied to Burma Army before,
this is the first time that police cars were supplied for use in Burma Police Force. While it is
not clear yet whether these vehicles are purchased or presented as a gift, analysts speculate
that they might be gifts.
China is training police officers from Burma at its Public Security Institute and Police
academies and colleges in Yunnan Province.
News Release (May-22)
15 members of National League for Democracy arrested
Around midnight of May 21, 15 members of National League for Democracy (Youth)
including Ko Tun Zaw Zaw, member of the Central Youth Working Committee, Ko Khin
Tun, a youth leader for lower Burma were arrested in their home. The place where they
were taken remained unknown. The arrest coincided with the visit of the General
Secretary of the United Nations. The names of the youths arrested were as follows;
1. Ko Tun Zaw Zaw Central Youth Working Committee
2. Ko Khin Tun Youth Leader for Lower Burma
3. U Thet Wai (a) Pauk Sa Chairperson of Sanchaung Township
4. Ko Kyaw Kyaw Moe (Kyeemyindine Township)
5. Ko Aung Thein (Kyeemyindine Township)
6. Ko Khin Hlaing (Kyeemyindine Township)
7. Ma Pa Pa (North Dagon Township)
8. Daw Shan Ma (Sanchaung Township)
9. Ma Htet Htet Oo Wai (Hlaingtharyar Township)
10. Ma Ohmmar (South Dagon Township)
11. Ma Cho (South Dagon Township)
12. Ko Lay Lwin (South Dagon Township)
13. Daw Ta Yote Ma (Hlaingtharyar Township)
14. Unknown
15. Unknown
Information Department
National League for Democracy (Liberated Area)
Around midnight of May 21, 15 members of National League for Democracy (Youth)
including Ko Tun Zaw Zaw, member of the Central Youth Working Committee, Ko Khin
Tun, a youth leader for lower Burma were arrested in their home. The place where they
were taken remained unknown. The arrest coincided with the visit of the General
Secretary of the United Nations. The names of the youths arrested were as follows;
1. Ko Tun Zaw Zaw Central Youth Working Committee
2. Ko Khin Tun Youth Leader for Lower Burma
3. U Thet Wai (a) Pauk Sa Chairperson of Sanchaung Township
4. Ko Kyaw Kyaw Moe (Kyeemyindine Township)
5. Ko Aung Thein (Kyeemyindine Township)
6. Ko Khin Hlaing (Kyeemyindine Township)
7. Ma Pa Pa (North Dagon Township)
8. Daw Shan Ma (Sanchaung Township)
9. Ma Htet Htet Oo Wai (Hlaingtharyar Township)
10. Ma Ohmmar (South Dagon Township)
11. Ma Cho (South Dagon Township)
12. Ko Lay Lwin (South Dagon Township)
13. Daw Ta Yote Ma (Hlaingtharyar Township)
14. Unknown
15. Unknown
Information Department
National League for Democracy (Liberated Area)
Myanmar's Suu Kyi set for another year's house arrest
BANGKOK - MYANMAR democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi faces another year under house arrest as the junta shows no sign of easing its political agenda after the devastating cyclone, analysts said on Thursday.
The Nobel peace prize winner has spent more than 12 of the last 18 years locked inside her lakeside home in Yangon.
The order confining her to her home comes up for renewal on Monday, and analysts said its extension has become routine.
'They are going to extend her arrest just like every year,' said Win Min, a Myanmar analyst based in Thailand. 'They will use the same letter as before and just change the date - it's not a big deal for them.'
Normally the extension of her house arrest attracts global headlines - and condemnation - but this year Myanmar faces far more immediate concerns as it struggles to cope with the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.
The storm left 133,000 dead or missing when it struck nearly three weeks ago, and two million people are still in desperate need of food, shelter and medicine, according to the United Nations.
Normally, high-level UN guests would raise Ms Suu Kyi's detention with the generals, but now the issue has moved to the back-burner, said Myanmar analyst Aung Naing Oo.
'She has been forgotten because of the scale of the destruction,' he said.
'Politics is not a key issue now for the international community, everyone is avoiding making political statements because it's most important to get the Burmese military to accept international assistance.'
Myanmar's refusal to free the 62-year-old opposition leader has landed the country under US and European sanctions, which were tightened last year after a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy marches led by Buddhist monks.
The last time she was seen in public was during the monks' marches in September, when she appeared briefly at the gate to her home and greeted the protesters with tears in her eyes.
That moment galvanised the protests, sending more than 100,000 people into the streets in the days that followed, only to be beaten and shot by security forces.
Keeping her under house arrest has effectively silenced the woman known here simply as 'The Lady', while leaving her National League for Democracy party rudderless.
Ms Suu Kyi led the party to a landslide victory in 1990 elections, but they have never been allowed to govern. -- AFP
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Cambodia police seize new paper about Myanmar
PHNOM PENH, May 19, 2008 (AFP) - Cambodian police on Monday confiscated thesecond issue of what officials said was an unlicensed newspaper aboutMyanmar being unlawfully distributed inside another daily.The Burma Daily, which first hit newsstands Friday, was appearing inside theCambodia Daily -- whose publisher said the material about Myanmar was merelya supplement, and not a separate publication."They cannot publish it like this. They must get permission," InformationMinister Khieu Kanharith said. He said he had warned the paper last weekthat it needed approval before publishing."We're confiscating all copies of the Burma Daily wherever they have beendistributed," Touch Naruth, the police chief of the Cambodian capital PhnomPenh, told AFP.Publisher Bernard Krisher vowed to keep publishing the paper about Burma,now known as Myanmar, and insisted that it was only a supplement to theCambodia Daily. Both appear in English."I suspect that this action was taken at the request of the Burmesegovernment," Krisher said.Cambodia now has several English-language papers and a number of glossy newsmagazines, as well as a large and lively Cambodian-language press.
May 16, 2008
Dear Mr. President:
It is our humble request to your government to act on Burma now. We strongly believe that it is the most appropriate time to go into Burma under the banner of humanitarian intervention. The US intervention will be seen as divine intervention by the Burmese people, not only to help the cyclone victims but also to finally free the entire nation from the military yoke.
In 1988, our people demonstrated in front of the US Embassy not to oppose the US government but to show our willingness for a US invasion. Thousands of people marched every day in front of the US embassy and hoping that US army might come in and free them. It was wishful thinking, and it never did happen.
Right now, after Nargis cyclone, people are desperate to get help from western countries. The US is their first priority; we look up to your government.
Our people have suffered enough under the cruel military generals who never respect human lives, religion and their own promise.
The following is why we believe it is necessary for the US, France, Britain or UN to lead the divine intervention.
Many victims are still not getting food and medical assistance. Many people and children now have sickness and disease.
The UN said the World Food Program is getting in 20 per cent of the food needed because of the restrictions imposed by the government. Most of the food and medicine donated from foreign countries are stored in the government warehouse and still waiting for distribution.
Instead of helping the victims, the regime is giving ultimatums to the victims. They are ordering the victims to leave from their respected shelters in public schools in Rangoon Division of North Dagon, South Dagon and Daw bon. Even in a big city like Rangoon, in front of everybody they are pushing out all the victims from the shelters. They will do more harm in the remote places in Irrawaddy delta region where the cyclone hit hard. The reason is they want to vacate the schools for the referendum. Their motive proved that their first priority is to approve the referendum, whatever it takes, not to save the lives of the citizens. They are not interested in saving lives because they worry that it will be the beginning of the end of their military rule.
In delta region, they are closing down the roads and do not allow the people who live in other divisions or states to come in and donate food and medicine. They are confiscating cameras and video cameras from people who enter the storm hit areas. What is the meaning of this? Because they are worried that all these photos will prove that many lives are in ruins and that the regime is not helping the people.
Similarly, they do not allow reporters. The reason is the same as above; the reporters will report to the world about not only the cyclone victims, but also the cruelty of the government. The generals do not want it; they want to hide as much as they can. Now the officials are saying that the country is already coping with the disaster and coming back to normal. If the situation has come back to normal, why do they not allow people to go in?
An estimated more than one hundred thousand lives were perished and millions became homeless but we never heard a word from Senior General Than Shwe that he has sympathy for the victims’ families or his encouragement for the people. Any country, when there is a disaster the head of state visited there and encourages people to overcome the tragedy. Than Shwe never speak about the cyclone victims in the past 17 days, until May 20, 2008. However, the Chinese Premier visited the earthquake victims and lowered the Chinese flag for showing its sympathy for three days. Than Shwe followed the Chinese footstep and ordered to mourn three day. The reason is he never cares about the Burmese people or the victims. His guilt makes him quiet. Because of the pressure from the EU and the USA now he is following the Chinese step
ASEAN will send their team members to help cyclone victims; we welcome the move made by the ASEAN, which is based on the SPDC request. However, we do not believe ASEAN’s team has enough capacity to help the two million cyclone victims. We strongly believe that the US, France, and the Great Britain have full capacity to help the victims immediately and effectively. Time is running out and we are desperate to wait for your decision.
Dear Mr. President,
If you wait for Burma regime’s approval, they will give false hope and buy time for themselves to find a solution which will favor their overcoming the situation. ASEAN involvement is their first step to avoid the US and EU to enter Burma. We love our neighbors but some ASEAN leaders are corrupt and willing to favor the regime instead of helping victims. If the regime successfully block the US and EU to enter Burma, Burmese people will be enslave for another fifty to hundred years.
Please do not compare Burma with Iraq because Buddhist monks, students, Burmese patriots, and we will happily assist you with whatever you need to go inside Burma and help the cyclone victims and entire nation. We are willing to go together with whoever enters Burma first. We will recruit translators, doctors, and nurses. Many concerned Burmese citizens are willing to join the intervention. Please do not waste the precious time that we have now to enter Burma under the name of “Humanitarian Assistance.”
With much hope and wishes,
Contact numbers
Sasana Moli International Burmese Monks Organization 718-426-3959
88 Generation Students (Exile) 630-728-4349
Joint Action Committee for Democracy In Burma. (Thailand) 66-894896424
Burma Caucus (Singapore) 65-97988862
Burma Caucus (Malaysia) 017-2071-353
Burma Caucus (Japan) 090-1506-2893
Burma Bureau (Germany) 491735347534
Dear Mr. President:
It is our humble request to your government to act on Burma now. We strongly believe that it is the most appropriate time to go into Burma under the banner of humanitarian intervention. The US intervention will be seen as divine intervention by the Burmese people, not only to help the cyclone victims but also to finally free the entire nation from the military yoke.
In 1988, our people demonstrated in front of the US Embassy not to oppose the US government but to show our willingness for a US invasion. Thousands of people marched every day in front of the US embassy and hoping that US army might come in and free them. It was wishful thinking, and it never did happen.
Right now, after Nargis cyclone, people are desperate to get help from western countries. The US is their first priority; we look up to your government.
Our people have suffered enough under the cruel military generals who never respect human lives, religion and their own promise.
The following is why we believe it is necessary for the US, France, Britain or UN to lead the divine intervention.
Many victims are still not getting food and medical assistance. Many people and children now have sickness and disease.
The UN said the World Food Program is getting in 20 per cent of the food needed because of the restrictions imposed by the government. Most of the food and medicine donated from foreign countries are stored in the government warehouse and still waiting for distribution.
Instead of helping the victims, the regime is giving ultimatums to the victims. They are ordering the victims to leave from their respected shelters in public schools in Rangoon Division of North Dagon, South Dagon and Daw bon. Even in a big city like Rangoon, in front of everybody they are pushing out all the victims from the shelters. They will do more harm in the remote places in Irrawaddy delta region where the cyclone hit hard. The reason is they want to vacate the schools for the referendum. Their motive proved that their first priority is to approve the referendum, whatever it takes, not to save the lives of the citizens. They are not interested in saving lives because they worry that it will be the beginning of the end of their military rule.
In delta region, they are closing down the roads and do not allow the people who live in other divisions or states to come in and donate food and medicine. They are confiscating cameras and video cameras from people who enter the storm hit areas. What is the meaning of this? Because they are worried that all these photos will prove that many lives are in ruins and that the regime is not helping the people.
Similarly, they do not allow reporters. The reason is the same as above; the reporters will report to the world about not only the cyclone victims, but also the cruelty of the government. The generals do not want it; they want to hide as much as they can. Now the officials are saying that the country is already coping with the disaster and coming back to normal. If the situation has come back to normal, why do they not allow people to go in?
An estimated more than one hundred thousand lives were perished and millions became homeless but we never heard a word from Senior General Than Shwe that he has sympathy for the victims’ families or his encouragement for the people. Any country, when there is a disaster the head of state visited there and encourages people to overcome the tragedy. Than Shwe never speak about the cyclone victims in the past 17 days, until May 20, 2008. However, the Chinese Premier visited the earthquake victims and lowered the Chinese flag for showing its sympathy for three days. Than Shwe followed the Chinese footstep and ordered to mourn three day. The reason is he never cares about the Burmese people or the victims. His guilt makes him quiet. Because of the pressure from the EU and the USA now he is following the Chinese step
ASEAN will send their team members to help cyclone victims; we welcome the move made by the ASEAN, which is based on the SPDC request. However, we do not believe ASEAN’s team has enough capacity to help the two million cyclone victims. We strongly believe that the US, France, and the Great Britain have full capacity to help the victims immediately and effectively. Time is running out and we are desperate to wait for your decision.
Dear Mr. President,
If you wait for Burma regime’s approval, they will give false hope and buy time for themselves to find a solution which will favor their overcoming the situation. ASEAN involvement is their first step to avoid the US and EU to enter Burma. We love our neighbors but some ASEAN leaders are corrupt and willing to favor the regime instead of helping victims. If the regime successfully block the US and EU to enter Burma, Burmese people will be enslave for another fifty to hundred years.
Please do not compare Burma with Iraq because Buddhist monks, students, Burmese patriots, and we will happily assist you with whatever you need to go inside Burma and help the cyclone victims and entire nation. We are willing to go together with whoever enters Burma first. We will recruit translators, doctors, and nurses. Many concerned Burmese citizens are willing to join the intervention. Please do not waste the precious time that we have now to enter Burma under the name of “Humanitarian Assistance.”
With much hope and wishes,
Contact numbers
Sasana Moli International Burmese Monks Organization 718-426-3959
88 Generation Students (Exile) 630-728-4349
Joint Action Committee for Democracy In Burma. (Thailand) 66-894896424
Burma Caucus (Singapore) 65-97988862
Burma Caucus (Malaysia) 017-2071-353
Burma Caucus (Japan) 090-1506-2893
Burma Bureau (Germany) 491735347534
Weekly journals ordered not to cover "destruction", but cover "reconstruction"
Min Khet Maung
Tuesday, 20 May 2008 22:04
Rangoon - Private weekly journals in Burma have been ordered by the press scrutiny board not to run any story that depicts the destruction but to cover the reconstruction exercise undertaken by the authorities in the aftermath of the cyclone that pummeled Rangoon and Irrawaddy delta areas, according to local journalists. "We were told by the scrutiny board not to cover the news of destruction. But, were told to cover the reconstruction they are doing," an editor of a weekly told Mizzima on condition of anonymity for fear of junta's reprisal for telling the outside media. The authorities are reportedly angry with the head of the censor board, Major Tint Swe, for having passed some cyclone stories that described the damage to buildings and loss of property with pictures.The head of military junta Senior General Than Shwe flared up when he found a front page story from the Bi-weekly Eleven news journal that said, "The plight of storm victims should not be exploited.""As Myanmar [Burmese] readers are clever enough to read between the lines, they immediately realized that the story did criticize the junta that has been showing how kind they are in helping the victims by using international aids as theirs," said a journalist.An editor said that the censor board cannot control Weekly Eleven or Bi-weekly news journals since there are some generals behind the scenes. Which is why, Major Tint Swe tried to tell the boss of Eleven Media group this is a direct order from the ministry of communication for all weekly journals. "We were also warned that we must not describe how people are starving for lack of food," one senior journalist, who has five years experience in reporting, told Mizzima. The Burma Media Association, a Burmese press freedom watchdog, condemned the junta for the restriction imposed saying it not only violates press freedom but also violates and suppresses the peoples' rights."The Burmese government is trying to conceal the sufferings of the people and making false claims that they are conducting rescue and relief missions," Son Moe Wai, Secretary of the BMA said.A journalist, who returned from the worst hit areas, said she found nothing being reconstructed there by the junta."So, what should we cover under the title -- 'reconstruction phase'?" she asked, "They [soldiers] haven't even finished clearing the towns yet let alone undertake the reconstruction phase.""Journalists are meant to tell the truth so that people will know of the situation in Burma. Suppressing the press at this time is outrageous and shameful," Son Moe Wai said.
Tuesday, 20 May 2008 22:04
Rangoon - Private weekly journals in Burma have been ordered by the press scrutiny board not to run any story that depicts the destruction but to cover the reconstruction exercise undertaken by the authorities in the aftermath of the cyclone that pummeled Rangoon and Irrawaddy delta areas, according to local journalists. "We were told by the scrutiny board not to cover the news of destruction. But, were told to cover the reconstruction they are doing," an editor of a weekly told Mizzima on condition of anonymity for fear of junta's reprisal for telling the outside media. The authorities are reportedly angry with the head of the censor board, Major Tint Swe, for having passed some cyclone stories that described the damage to buildings and loss of property with pictures.The head of military junta Senior General Than Shwe flared up when he found a front page story from the Bi-weekly Eleven news journal that said, "The plight of storm victims should not be exploited.""As Myanmar [Burmese] readers are clever enough to read between the lines, they immediately realized that the story did criticize the junta that has been showing how kind they are in helping the victims by using international aids as theirs," said a journalist.An editor said that the censor board cannot control Weekly Eleven or Bi-weekly news journals since there are some generals behind the scenes. Which is why, Major Tint Swe tried to tell the boss of Eleven Media group this is a direct order from the ministry of communication for all weekly journals. "We were also warned that we must not describe how people are starving for lack of food," one senior journalist, who has five years experience in reporting, told Mizzima. The Burma Media Association, a Burmese press freedom watchdog, condemned the junta for the restriction imposed saying it not only violates press freedom but also violates and suppresses the peoples' rights."The Burmese government is trying to conceal the sufferings of the people and making false claims that they are conducting rescue and relief missions," Son Moe Wai, Secretary of the BMA said.A journalist, who returned from the worst hit areas, said she found nothing being reconstructed there by the junta."So, what should we cover under the title -- 'reconstruction phase'?" she asked, "They [soldiers] haven't even finished clearing the towns yet let alone undertake the reconstruction phase.""Journalists are meant to tell the truth so that people will know of the situation in Burma. Suppressing the press at this time is outrageous and shameful," Son Moe Wai said.
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