Polaris Burmese Library - Singapore - Collection - Volume 299

Polaris Burmese Library Collections Vol.
299
The Fight For Freedom in Burma
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Burma/Myanmar Affairs
Vol. 299
Democracy and Human Rights Without Borders

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Polaris Burmese Library Collections Vol. 299

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299. Polaris Burmese Library Singapore Collections - Vol 299
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WE WILL BRING DICTATORS TO JUSTICE


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BURMA: BATTLE FOR DEMOCRACY

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EDITOR TAKHIN VACAKA ( RIT )
POLARIS BURMESE LIBRARY ( SINGAPORE )

2011
A5 SIZE
Index: Polaris Burmese Library, LPK Library, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Bo Than
Shwe, Myanmar Current History, Myanmar Politics, Myanmar Junta, Myanmar
People, Myanmar Students, Insein Prison, Prison in Myanmar, Political Prisoner in
Myanmar, Torture in Myanmar, Myanmar Army, Myanmar Affairs, Burma Affairs,
Democracy and Human Rights in Burma, Burmese Refugees, Anti-Dictatorship,
Dictator Than Shwe, Anti-Dictator, Burma dictator Than Shwe, Myanmar dictator
Than Shwe, Democracy and Human Rights Without Borders, puppet
president Bo Thein Sein,
Public Enemies


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2011-09-12 RFA

Derek Mitchell

Derek
Mitchell

Mr. Derek Mitchell
NLD
"
Mr. Derek Mitchell

"
Mr. Derek Mitchell NLD

CRPP

( )

"

"
CRPP
CRPP
Mr. Derek Mitchell

2011-09-12 RFA

"

"

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10

"

"
NLD ( )
(Photo: AFP)

NLD

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11

2011-09-12
Mr.
Derek Mitchell ()

Derek Mitchell

Mr. Derek Mitchell
RFA
Mr. Derek Mitchell
RFA

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12


HRDP
Generation Wave
HRDP

Derek Mitchell

2011-09-12 RFA

()

RFA


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13

(
) (Photo: AFP)

()

()


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14


2011-09-12 RFA

() ()
(Photo: AFP)
RFA


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15


2011-09-12 RFA
()

()
()

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16


2011-09-12 RFA
Miss Jag Dojkovski
Prague
()

Miss
Jag
Dojkovski
New Haven RFA

Burma
Campagin
UK
Burmese Campaign UK Burma VJ

2011-09-13 RFA

RFA

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17

RFA
NLD
2011-09-13 RFA
NLD

NLD

( )
18

NLD NLD
NlD

2011-09-13 RFA

AAPP


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19

() Albert Del Rosario ( )
(Photo: AFP)

UPR

ICRC


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20


2011-09-13 RFA
Save the Irrawaddy
()

()

Yangon
Times ()


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21


2011-09-13 RFA

Mr. Derek Mitchell
Mr. Derek Mitchell

NLD AIDS/HIV
NDF

Mr. Derek Mitchell
NDF
Mr. Derek Mitchell

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22


Mr. Derek Mitchell
2011-09-13 RFA

(Photo: AFP)

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23


NLD

..
.. ..
2011-09-13 RFA
()

()
-

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24

()

(Photo: AFP)

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25

ATS

By () , 13 2011 VOA
ATS
Amphetamine

Greater Mekong Laos, ,
Methamphetamine

UNODC
Amphetamine

Phillipines
methamphetamine ecstasy Indonesia Malaysia
Amphetamine
Mekong Laos
Cambodia
Methamphetamine
ATS
methamphetamine Mekong


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26


By , 13 2011 VOA

CPC
(Michael Posner)

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27


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28

NGO
(Tom Lantos Block Burmese
Junta Anti- Democratic Efforts Act)
JADE
By , 13 2011 VOA

29
( )

"
,
Burma
Fund
"

"
"

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30


"
"
Burma Fund

By , 13 2011 VOA

NLD

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31


NLD
NLD

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32

NLD

()
Burmese
Freedom and Democracy Act
Statement

should be ready

should be ready

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33


By () , 13 2011 VOA
The Lady
Luc Besson
Michael Aris

By , 12 2011 VOA

(Derek Mitchell)

HIV/AIDS

NLD NLD
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34

CRPP

( )

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35


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36


By () , 12 2011 VOA
Burmese
Freedom
and
Democracy
Act
(Jim Webb)

(John Yettaw)


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37

NLD

" NLD
"
"
"

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38
Operation
Smile

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39


--

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40

{ | | v wz
z z
(/)
()

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41
(USA)
MOEMAKA

(())
()
()

()

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42

() ()

()
() -
You

()

( )
( )

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43


Debate ( )
44
( )

()
()
()
()

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45

( )
( )


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46

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47

..
..
..
..
..

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48

..
...

..
..

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49


...
( )
()
+
() ()
()
()

..

()

50
( )
..

..

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51

..

..

"
"

..

() ()


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52


AFP
MOEMAKA
"
"

ICRC
( AFP )

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53


AP
MOEMAKA
Soraida Salwala

Pa Hae Po z v z
Lampang Salwala

( AFP
)

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54


MOEMAKA
()

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55

.......
..........
()
.......
.....
()
NLD
...... .......

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56

()
The
Lady

....... .........
()


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57


....... ........
()

ABMA

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58


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59

amnesty

-

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60

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61

-

( - )
()
62
( )

()
()
()

% %
% %
% %
%

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63


()
(The
Great
Wall)
(Ming Dynasty) ()

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64

()

(Sediment)

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65


(BOT/Build,
Operate and Transfer)
()

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...
" " -

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67

""
http://www.irrawaddy.info/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002658624310

()
()

"
() 2300, S Street, NW, Washington DC 20008
() ()
()
()

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68

()
()
()
()
()
()
Washington DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland "

(LA)
(LA)

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69

()
MOEMAKA
"---
---"
-
(--)

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70


()

()
Patience Strong Through the year ()
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71

()

()

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72

()

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73

- ()
()
MOEMAKA
()
()

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74
()

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75

()
()
()

()
()
Forward magazine

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76

()

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77

()
MOEMAKA
...

()
...

...
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78

()

...
()

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79

()
...
...
- www.rfa.org/burmese

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80


()
MOEMAKA
(-)
A.M.B.A


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81


A.M.B.A


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82


-
- () (chord)

(Fundamental)
- ()

-
Ernesto Lecuona
(Siboney) (Cuban)

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83

Ernesto Lecuona
1895-1963
(Cuba)

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84

Alfredo Brito
()
(Alfredo
Brito)
Caterina
Valente, Xiomara Alfaro, Dizzy Gillespie, Percy Faith
Connie Francis Bing Crosby

-
(Calypso Beat)
- (Afro-Caribbean)

(Calypso Beat and Variations)
Cowbell, Snare Drum, Bass Dram

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85


SIBONEY
Ernesto Lecuona
(English Translation from Spanish)
Siboney, I love you, Im dying for your love

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86

Siboney, I think of you while I fell asleep to the quiet song of the palm trees
I dream of how I love you, and how precious you are to me
Siboney, I dream of you while I fell asleep to the quiet song of the palm trees
Soboney of my dreams, if you dont hear the complaint in my voice
Siboney, if I dont see you soon. Ill die of love
Soboney of my dreams, I stay at home and anxiously await you
Siboney, if I dont see you soon. Ill die of love
Hear the echo of my song resonating in the glass
Please, dont get lost in dark wilderness


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87


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88

(-)
() (Bass Dram)
(Cowbell)
(Shaker)

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89


()
Syboney/ youtube
()
()
()
http://www.bbc.co.uk/burmese/burma/2011/07/110716_winpe_bag.shtml
()
www.wikipedia.com
()
www.studydrums.com

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90

Mr.Derek Mitchell ()

Mr. Derek Mitchell ..
()
()

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91

() ()
()
Mr. Derek Mitchell


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92


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93

Cool Box

...
MOEMAKA
...
...
...
...
...
...

...
...

...


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94


...

...

...
...
...

...
...
'Save The Irrawaddy'

weeklyeleven.com
- facebook
'Save the Irrawaddy'
(Safety
()
Net)

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95

Save the Irrawaddy
EIA
()
'
'

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96

Save
the
Irrawaddy
EIA

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97

'Save the Irrawaddy'

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98


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99

()

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100
-

(Day Life Photo) MOEMAKA

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101


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102


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103

US


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104

HIV

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105
()
MOEMAKA
BBC

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106


()

xxx
xxx
xxx
xxx
xxx
()
xxx
'' '' ''

()

- - ()
'()'

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107

()
'
'
''
MOEMAKA
...
...
...
...
... ...
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108

...
...
...

... ... ...

...
...

() - ()
() - ()
() - ()
() - ( )
() - ()

...
() ()
() ()
() ()
() ()
() ()

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109


...

A First Day Postcard

...
... To defend
the region against penetration of rivalry and domination of big natins
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110

...
'
'

...

... ... ...
()

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111


(Motto) 'One vision, one identity, one community'


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112


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113


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114


...
...
...
......

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115

()

.......... ...........
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116

()

..........
...........
()

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.........................
()

RFA

........ .......

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()

(ABMA )

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MOEMAKA
---
()
---
()
'
' ' '

' ' ' '

' '

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120
()
'
'
'
() ''
''
''
''
''
'
- ()

' () ()
'
'
()
'
()
'
()
'
' () ()
'
'
'
()
'
'
''
'
'
'
()
()
'
()
()
()
()
'
()
'
'

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121


' ()
' ()
()

() '
' '
'

' '
()

' () '

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122

()

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123


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124


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125


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126


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127


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128

-

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129

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130


2011-09-14 RFA
(-)
()
X2O
(Photo: AFP)
- -

() ()
()
RFA
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131

"
(-)
complaint
"
X2O
RSF

2011-09-14 RFA
()
()

RFA
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132

2011-09-14 RFA
Prayuth Chan-ocha

Prayuth -


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133


2011-09-14 RFA


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134


RFA
By , 15 2011 VOA
NLD
CEC

(NLD)

135
( )

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136

NLD

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137


By () , 15 2011 VOA
(Hillary
Clinton)
(Kurt Campbell)
(Derek Mitchell)
By , 14 2011 VOA


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138

reform sector
reform
new landscape national
reconciliation

process
process %
concept
understanding trust build up
major
issues
minor issues understanding

process


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139

Result
oriented
result
joint statement

joint statement
They got the common ground. (
)

joint statement

statement

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140

Stability

Decision maker Highest authority

Welcome back
sign

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141

By , 14 2011 VOA
Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act


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142

(Jim Webb)

By , 14 2011 VOA
Derek
Mitchell
( )

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143


Daniel Schearf


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144

By , 14 2011 VOA

Sept. 14, 2011. (AP)

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145

NLD
"
"
NLD

"

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146

"
"

"
ATS

By () , 13 2011
ATS
Amphetamine
Greater Mekong Laos, ,

Methamphetamine

UNODC

( )
147

Amphetamine
Phillipines
methamphetamine ecstasy Indonesia Malaysia
Amphetamine
Mekong Laos
Cambodia
Methamphetamine
ATS
methamphetamine Mekong

, 14 2011 VOA

By

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148
(BANCA = Biodiversity and Nature

Conservation
Association)

report
Report report
report report
report
report
report
cultural
heritage
heartland

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149
environmental landscape value
alternative
Sustainable development dam

social impact
market

150
( )

downstream impact
report downstream
report

()
Hydrology
river ~ ecosystem
River ~ ecosystem
salt water delta ecosystem
report

series of
dams

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151

hydrology
oxygen content
oxygen content
feasible

Impact

facebook


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152


Thursday, September 15, 2011 Khet Htan IRRAWADDY
( - Free Burma VJ)

X2O


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153
Thursday, September 15, 2011 yokekhasoe IRRAWADDY

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154
:P
NLD

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155


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156

...
( - )
(CNPC)


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157

()
Thursday, 15 September 2011 16:02

()
()
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158

()
() ()

()

()

()
() () ()
()

( () ) ()
(
()
()
( )
(
( )
159

)
()
() ()
()
Staff

()
)
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160


()
() ( )
(Breifing)
(

)

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161

()
()
162
( )

- - - - -
( )
********

- -

() -

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163
()

- -
( ) -
-
-


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164
''

*******

)

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165

(- -
)
(
Burma Road )

''

( )
166


*******
(
)

()
()
()
( )

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167


(
)
- Win-Win -

*******
()

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168

(Reform Army Movement)

Soros: EU needs common treasury to beat slump

04:46 AM Sep 16, 2011
LONDON - Billionaire investor George Soros has warned Europe's debt crisis risks
triggering another Great Depression unless euro zone leaders adopt a series of
radical
policy
measures,
including
the
creation
of
common
treasury.
Mr Soros, in an article for the New York Review of Books and Reuters, says
policymakers must prepare for the possibility that Greece, Portugal and perhaps
Ireland will have to default and leave the euro zone."It appears the authorities have
reached the end of the road with their policy of 'kicking the can down the road'," he
says.
"Even if a catastrophe can be avoided, one thing is certain: The pressure to reduce
deficits will push the euro zone into prolonged recession. This will have incalculable
political consequences."A growing number of policymakers, as well as market

economists, are convinced it is a matter of time before Greece, which keeps falling
behind on its fiscal targets after two EU/IMF bailouts, will have to default.
Italy and Spain are under pressure from bond markets over their large public and
bank debts and weak growth, a cause for particular concern - both economies are
too large to be saved by the European rescue fund that has been used in bailouts for
Greece, Portugal and Ireland.As well as preparing for a default and euro zone exit by
those three "peripheral nations", Mr Soros recommends four bold policy measures:
- Bank deposits have to be protected to prevent bank runs in weaker states;
- Some banks in the defaulting countries have to be kept functioning to keep their
economies afloat;

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169

- The European banking system would be recapitalised and put under European, as
distinct from national, supervision;
- Government bonds of other deficit countries would have to be protected.
Meanwhile German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday bluntly rejected euro zone
bonds as a solution to the currency area's sovereign debt crisis, saying that
"collectivising debts" would not solve the problem.Speaking a day after the head of
the European Commission raised financial market hopes by pledging to present
options soon for issuing such common bonds, Ms Merkel said: "Eurobonds are
absolutely wrong."In order to bring about common interest rates, you need similar
competitiveness levels, similar budget situations. You don't get them by collectivising
debts," she said.The Chancellor, facing rising German public opposition to euro zone
bailouts, said there would be no quick and easy way out of the debt crisis, only a
step-by-step process of individual countries putting their fiscal house in order.
Underlining the gravity of the crisis, the EU Commission warned yesterday that
growth in the euro zone will come to a "near standstill" by the end of the year due
to the European debt fiasco and the turmoil in financial markets. The commission
forecast growth in the 17 euro countries would be only 0.1 per cent in the fourth
quarter, down from 0.2 per cent in the third. For the wider 27-nation EU, the
Commission said it expected fourth quarter growth to be 0.2 per cent for the third
quarter running. AGENCIES
Myanmar lifts bans on foreign news websites

Thu, Sep 15, 2011
By Aung Hla Tun
YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar lifted bans on prominent news websites on Thursday,
including some run by critics of the army-dominated government, and unblocked

online video portal YouTube, the latest signs of possible reforms in one of Asia's
most reclusive states.

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170

Bans were lifted on websites for several news organizations including Reuters, along
with The Bangkok Post, Singapore Straits Times and other regional newspapers, and
the Burmese language services of the Voice of America, British Broadcasting Corp
and the exiled-run Democratic Voice of Burma.
Reuters and several other news websites were blocked at the peak of an army
crackdown on monk-led protests in 2007. Since then, those sites displayed a
common
message
from
state
telecoms
group
Myanmar
Post
and
Telecommunications (MPT).
"This website is blocked by the MPT," it said.
That disappeared on Thursday, a day after a U.S. special envoy ended his first trip to
the country. It also coincided with the United Nations' "International Day of
Democracy," an event celebrated by Nobel laureate and democracy leader Aung San
Suu Kyi in the commercial capital Yangon.
"Changes are on the horizon in Myanmar," she told supporters outside her party's
headquarters.
However, television remains strictly controlled by the government and foreign
journalists are still mostly barred from legally reporting in the country. Most expect
Western sanctions to remain in place until an estimated 2,100 political prisoners are
released.
Every song, book, cartoon and planned piece of art still requires approval by censors
rooting out political messages and criticisms of Myanmar's authoritarian system.
One editor of a weekly newspaper described the reopening of the websites as "a big
improvement in the media policy of the new government.
"We can have access to these websites, but the connection is still rather slow most
of the time," he said, declining to be identified by name. "Let's wait to see how long
it will last."
Rare overtures by Myanmar's rulers toward liberalization have stirred speculation of
possible reforms in the resource-rich country, blighted by 49 years of military rule
and starved of capital.

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171

Myanmar last year held its first elections in two decades after which the military
nominally handed power to civilians -- a process widely criticized as a sham by the
West.
Other overtures include calls for peace with armed ethnic separatists, presidential
meetings with foreign delegations, some tolerance of criticism and more
communication with Suu Kyi, who was freed last year from 15 years of house arrest.
In one gesture, Myanmar's state-run newspapers last month dropped back-page
banners attacking Western media.
(Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by Ron popeski)
Clinton urges 'concrete actions' by Myanmar on

rights
(AFP) 16.9.2011
Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech in Yangon (AFP, Soe
Than Win)

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172

SAN FRANCISCO US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday urged

Myanmar to take "concrete actions" to improve human rights, voicing concerns
about the new government's record despite its outreach.
Clinton, addressing a joint news conference after talks with Australian leaders, said
that the new US coordinator on Myanmar, Derek Mitchell, had "productive meetings"
on his first visit to the country this week.
But she added: "Frankly, we have serious questions and concerns across a wide
range of issues."
She said that the military-backed government in the country formerly known as
Burma continued to hold some 2,000 political prisoners and to mistreat ethnic
minorities and the media.
"I would urge the Burmese government to follow its words and commitments with
concrete actions that lead to genuine reform, national reconciliation and respect for
human rights," Clinton said.
Myanmar's then military rulers last year held rare elections and later nominally
handed over power to civilians. The opposition and the United States branded the
moves as a sham meant to cement the military's control.
But the government has also taken gestures including releasing opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace laureate who had spent most of the previous two
decades under house arrest.
President Barack Obama's administration in 2009 opened a dialogue with Myanmar,
concluding that the previous policy of seeking to isolate the regime has failed. But
the United States has said it will only lift sanctions once it sees progress.

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173

U.S.: Myanmar Sanctions to Remain

Wall Street Journal
A new U.S. envoy to Myanmar said U.S. sanctions against the military-dominated
country will remain in place for now, but that the U.S. is ready to respond if it sees
"credible" steps toward reform.
The remarks, at the end of a multiday trip by U.S. Special Representative Derek
Mitchell, come at a time of rising hope that Myanmar's government is pressing ahead
with reforms that could result in greater political and economic freedom in the
troubled Southeast Asian nation. But they also reflect the increasingly difficult
position for the U.S., which is facing increased pressure from investors and other
opponents of sanctions who believe the time has come for a more conciliatory
approach from the U.S. governmentincluding a faster timetable for easing

sanctions.
On Wednesday at a news conference in Yangon, Mr. Mitchell said, "It is clear from
my visit that there are heightened expectations and hopes that change, real change,
may be on the horizon" and he called on Myanmar's leaders to "prove the skeptics
wrong."
"If we see actions that are credible, the United States will respond." he said. But he
also said many people remain skeptical true reform is under way.
Mr. Mitchell's trip was the latest in a series of recent visits by U.S. officials including
Sen. John McCain as the U.S. tries to reach a breakthrough in relations between the
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174

two nations, which have been toxic for years amid reports of widespread humanrights abuses and signs of a possible military buildup there.
Yangon care center on Sunday.

People familiar with the meetings say U.S. officials have repeatedly promised
concessions to the country's new civilian government, which was elected in a vote
widely decried as a sham by Western observers late last year, if it agrees to release
some 2,000 political prisoners or take other significant steps. The overtures mirror
the position of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has indicated a
willingness to support eased sanctions if such major steps are taken. But Myanmar
officials have refused or deferred action, these people say.
Myanmar leaders have made a number of less-dramatic moves recently, though,

which are raising hopes it could be on a path toward gradual change. That has led
to increasing calls from investors and some political leaders in the U.S. and
Southeast Asia for a more conciliatory U.S. approach, including a possible relaxation
of trade and economic sanctions put in place since the late 1990s that include
prohibitions on new U.S. investment in Myanmar and bans on imports from the
country.

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175

Ye Htut, director-general of the Ministry of Information's information and publicrelations department, said the Myanmar government was "encouraged" by Mr.
Mitchell's comments and expressed hope "the international community will recognize
and support the government's reforms."
Myanmar's latest steps include allowing Ms. Suu Kyi, who was released from seven
years of house arrest in November 2010, to hold modest rallies and meet with
President Thein Sein and other officials in recent weeks. The government recently
asked the International Monetary Fund to help it rationalize its byzantine foreign-
exchange system, which involves multiple exchange rates, and it is working on a

labor law that would expand workers' rights to assemble.
The government says it has also formed a human-rights commission in recent days
and local journalists say it has eased censorship of the news media. Activists working
in the country say they have been pleasantly surprised by the new government's
willingness to debate economic problems in the country and accept foreign advice on
topics such as labor law and other possible reforms.
"I don't think we've seen this level of political momentum for 22 years," said David
Mathieson, a researcher at Human Rights Watch in Thailand. "I think a lot of it is
genuine."
U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat from Virginia and chairman of the East Asian and
Pacific Affairs Subcommittee, on Monday called for U.S. officials to "be prepared to
adjust our policy" toward Myanmar in light of "clear indications of a new openness
from the government." Western investors, who have long wanted to get back into
Myanmar, are also calling for a change.
"There still are human-right abuses, don't get me wrong. But there's a chicken-oregg issue," said Andrew Yates, head of sales for international equities at Asia Plus
Securities in Bangkok. Myanmar officials "have made a step in the right direction, or
at least are looking to make steps in the right direction," he said. "At some point
you've got to actually give them something."
Mr. Mathieson, the Human Rights Watch researcher, said it may be time for a "more
sophisticated debate" about sanctions that could lead to easing rules like ones that

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block tradethat aren't working, while maintaining or tightening financial sanctions

that target known wrong-doers in the country, among other steps.
But the harshest critics of Myanmar's government, including some exiled dissidents,
say Myanmar's latest moves may be little more than window dressing to fool
Western leaders, and could be reversed later. They say they have also documented
new human-rights abuses linked to the government's intensifying conflicts with

ethnic minority groups along Myanmar's borders with China and Thailand.
These dissidents are counseling U.S. officials to stand firm unless the Myanmar
government capitulates in key areas, including the release of all political prisoners,
an end to the armed conflicts, and substantially more dialogue between the armed
forces and opposition forces led by Ms. Suu Kyi.
"We are seeing some movement in the country," but even so, "we can't find any
reason to give them rewards" yet, said Aung Din, executive director for the U.S.
Campaign for Burma, a dissident group in Washington that uses Myanmar's former
name.
"Some people say Myanmar is not serious about changing its political and economic
system. But we sincerely believe that the future will prove the skeptics wrong," the
Information Ministry's Mr. Ye said in an email Wednesday.
U.S. officials are wary of giving in too early, since the sanctions remain powerful
bargaining chips. In remarks during a trip to Southeast Asia in July, U.S. Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton emphasized the need for more substantive steps, including
steps by Myanmar to respect United Nations resolutions barring trade in sensitive
military hardware with North Korea.
Other possible steps U.S. officials could consider include agreeing to stop referring to
the country by its colonial-era name, Burma, which is a source of great
embarrassment to Myanmar leaders. It could also agree to support a controversial
Myanmar bid to take over the rotating chair of the regional Association of Southeast
Asian Nations as it hopes to do in 2014.
Mr. Mitchell, the new envoy, could play an influential role going forward. A former
senior defense department official, he was appointed to the postwhich holds the
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rank of ambassadorafter it sat empty following its creation under 2008 legislation
that tightened sanctions against Myanmar.
He has made clear he supports sanctions, but as also indicated an interest in other
approaches. In 2007, he coauthored a paper published in Foreign Affairs that said
U.S. policy towards the country was "stuck," and called for more engagement with
Myanmar's neighbors to encourage change. Simply reinforcing the U.S. strategy "of
isolation and the existing sanctions regime will not achieve the desired results," the
article noted.
Mr. Mitchell's trip to Myanmar in recent days included meetings with government
ministers in the Myanmar capital of Naypyitaw, as well as opposition leaders.
"My government interlocutors repeatedly stated that this country had opened a new
chapter," he said. While the U.S. "recognized and welcomed" recent gestures
including the government's willingness to meet with Ms. Suu Kyi, "many within the
international community remain skeptical about the government's commitment to
genuine reform and reconciliation," he said.
Celine-Fernandez
contributed to this article.

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U.S. urges Myanmar to make "genuine" reforms

Wed, Sep 14 2011
By Aung Hla Tun
YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's leaders must pursue "genuine" reforms that involve
Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and make progress in freeing thousands of political
prisoners before ties can improve with Washington, a U.S. envoy said on
Wednesday.
But the new U.S. special representative to Myanmar, Derek Mitchell, declined to
identify specific conditions for lifting sanctions in place since the military crushed a
1988 student uprising.
"I consider this a highly productive visit," Mitchell told reporters at Yangon's main
airport at the end of a six-day trip to the army-dominated, reclusive former British
colony also known as Burma.

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He met a range of officials in the capital Naypyitaw, including cabinet members of

the nearly year-old parliament and with opposition politicians led by Suu Kyi, but he
did not meet President Thein Sein.
Mitchell said he asked officials to free about 2,000 political prisoners, maintain
dialogue with the opposition and investigate human-rights abuses. He also raised
concerns about Myanmar's military relationship with North Korea.
"Progress on these issues will be essential to progress in the bilateral relationship,"
he said. "If the government takes genuine and concrete action, the United States
will respond in kind."
Recent rare overtures by Myanmar's authoritarian rulers toward liberalization have

stirred speculation of possible reforms in the resource-rich country, which has been
blighted by 48 years of oppressive military rule and starved of capital.
Last month, President Thein Sein held an official meeting with Suu Kyi, who was
detained for 15 years until freed from house arrest last November.
"Any credible reform effort must include her participation," said Mitchell.
Most experts doubt sanctions will be lifted until political prisoners are freed. Mitchell
said he held a "candid" dialogue and "very productive exchange" with Myanmar
officials on the issue of political prisoners but received no commitment.
"I noted that many within the international community remain skeptical about the
government's commitment to genuine reform and reconciliation, and I urged
authorities to prove the skeptics wrong," he said.
(Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by Robert Birsel)

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U.S. urges Myanmar to make "genuine" reforms

By Aung Hla Tun
YANGON | Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:51am IST
(Reuters) - Myanmar's leaders must pursue "genuine" reforms that involve Nobel
laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and make progress in freeing thousands of political
prisoners before ties can improve with Washington, a U.S. envoy said on
Wednesday.
But the new U.S. special representative to Myanmar, Derek Mitchell, declined to
identify specific conditions for lifting sanctions in place since the military crushed a
1988 student uprising.

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"I consider this a highly productive visit," Mitchell told reporters at Yangon's main
airport at the end of a six-day trip to the army-dominated, reclusive former British
colony also known as Burma.
Mitchell met a range of officials in the capital, Naypyitaw, including Cabinet members
of the nearly year-old parliament and opposition politicians led by Suu Kyi, but he
did not meet President Thein Sein.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will meet Myanmar's foreign minister
in New York next week during the U.N. General Assembly, a senior U.S. official told
reporters as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton flew to San Francisco.
"There are clear ... winds of change blowing through Burma," said the official, who
spoke on condition of anonymity. "We are trying to get a sense of how strong those
winds are and whether it is possible to substantially improve our relationship."
While noting many U.S. concerns about Myanmar and saying one should not be
"overly hopeful," the official noted the authorities' emerging dialogue with Suu Kyi
and said more generally that Myanmar was going through "probably the most
significant developments on the ground for decades."
SKEPTICISM ABOUT GENUINE REFORM
Mitchell said he asked officials to free about 2,000 political prisoners, maintain
dialogue with the opposition and investigate human rights abuses. He also raised
concerns about Myanmar's military relationship with North Korea.
"Progress on these issues will be essential to progress in the bilateral relationship,"
he said. "If the government takes genuine and concrete action, the United States
will respond in kind."
Recent rare overtures by Myanmar's authoritarian rulers toward liberalization have
stirred speculation of possible reforms in the resource-rich country, which has been
blighted by 48 years of oppressive military rule and starved of capital.
Last month, Thein Sein held an official meeting with Suu Kyi, who was detained for
15 years until freed from house arrest last November.

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"Any credible reform effort must include her participation," said Mitchell.
Most experts doubt sanctions will be lifted until political prisoners are freed. Mitchell
said he held a "candid" dialogue and "very productive exchange" with Myanmar
officials on the issue of political prisoners but received no commitment.
"I noted that many within the international community remain sceptical about the
government's commitment to genuine reform and reconciliation, and I urged

authorities to prove the sceptics wrong," he said.
(Additional reporting by Arshad Mohammed in San Francisco; Writing by Jason Szep;
Editing by Peter Cooney)
Myanmar sentences journalist to 10 more years

By TODD PITMAN, Associated Press SEPTEMBER 15, 2011.
BANGKOK (AP) International press watchdog Reporters Without Borders criticized
authorities in Myanmar for sentencing an independent journalist to an additional 10-
year prison term, saying the move showed the new government was not sincere
about reform.
Sithu Zeya, who had worked for the Norway-based news broadcaster Democratic
Voice of Burma, had already been sentenced in 2010 to eight years in jail after he
was caught photographing the aftermath of a grenade attack in the country's main
city of Yangon.
On Wednesday, a Yangon court sentenced the 21-year-old to 10 more years behind

bars on a new charge of circulating material online that could "damage tranquillity
and unity in the government" under the country's Electronic Act, Reporters Without
Borders said.
The new charge brings Sethu Zeya's total sentence to 18 years.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has been ruled by the military since 1962. But
in March the junta ceded power to a civilian government. The handover was the
culmination of what the junta had called its "roadmap to democracy," but the
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change saw a clique of retired generals assume top civilian posts and critics say it is
only a proxy for continued military rule.
International observers condemned last November's elections, which made the
handover possible, as neither free nor fair. But they welcomed the release of
democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi shortly afterward and several visiting diplomats
have recently expressed hope the country could be on the verge of substantive
change.
"How can the Burmese government claim to be on the road to democracy when its
judicial system flouts fundamental human rights?" Reporters Without Borders said in
a statement late Wednesday, criticizing the latest sentence against Sithu Zeya.
"Recent events show that the conciliatory gestures so far taken by this government
are just part of a PR strategy and are not indicative of a real intention to give
Burmese citizens more media freedom."
The Democratic Voice of Burma says around 25 journalists are currently detained in
Myanmar, 17 of them its own.
Rights groups says the government is also still holding more than 2,000 political
prisoners.
Report: Myanmar to proceed with

controversial dam
(AP) 13.9.2011
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) Myanmar has decided to go ahead with construction of a
major dam along its main river despite opposition from ethnic minorities and
environmentalists, reports said Monday.
Ethnic Kachin people and environmental groups say the Myanmar-China Myitsone
Hydroelectric Project in Kachin state will damage the Irrawaddy River and submerge
a culturally important site where the Malikha and Maykha rivers meet and form it.

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184

The weekly Eleven journal and other media reported that Electric Power Minister
Zaw Min said construction of the dam, to be built by China, would proceed despite
the objections.
They quoted Zaw Min as saying the dam will take eight years to construct and
Myanmar will receive 10 percent of the electricity it generates.
The $3.6 billion dam would flood an area the size of Singapore.
Kachin and environmental groups have formed a "Save the Irrawaddy" movement to
stop the dam.
Zaw Min, however, said the government "will not back down," Eleven journal
reported.
In response to the minister's remarks, pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on
Monday reiterated her appeal to Myanmar and China to re-evaluate the project,
calling the Irrawaddy "the most significant geographical feature of our country."
Suu Kyi said in August that about 12,000 people from 63 villages had already been
relocated because of the dam. The government, however, said only 2,146 people
from five villages had been relocated.
For decades, several ethnic groups have waged guerrilla wars for greater autonomy,
including more control over resources in their regions. In March, fighting broke out
between the 8,000-strong Kachin militia and the government.
That fighting was related to dams and other large projects being built by China, the
Environmental Working Group, a coalition of 10 exile groups, said in a report in July.
Two months before the fighting erupted, the Kachin Independence Organization
issued a strong protest against the Myitsone dam.

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185

Report: Myanmar to proceed with

controversial dam
2011-09-12 07:16 PM AP
A report says Myanmar has decided to proceed with construction of a major dam
despite opposition from ethnic minorities and environmentalists.
Ethnic Kachin people and environmental groups say the Myanmar-China Myitsone
Hydroelectric Project in Kachin state will damage the Irrawaddy River and submerge
a culturally important site.
The weekly Eleven journal reported Monday that Electric Power Minister Zaw Min
said construction of the dam would proceed despite the objections.
The $3.6 billion dam would flood an area the size of Singapore.
US to test 'winds of change' with Myanmar FM

(AFP) 20110915
SAN FRANCISCO The United States will meet next week with Myanmar's foreign
minister in the second such talks this month to explore "winds of change" it sees in
the nation, a senior official said Wednesday.
Derek Mitchell, the newly appointed US coordinator on Myanmar, closed his first visit
Wednesday to the country formerly known as Burma and urged "genuine and
concrete" reforms by the military-backed regime.
A senior US official accompanying Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on a trip to San
Francisco said the United States planned "intense deliberations" next week when
Myanmar's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin visits New York for the United
Nations General Assembly.

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186

Myanmar's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin (AFP/File, Sonny Tumbelaka)

"There are clear winds of change blowing through Burma. We are trying to get a
sense of how strong those winds are and whether it's possible to substantially
improve our relationship," the official said on condition of anonymity.
The official, however, reiterated that the United States still had "real concerns" in
Myanmar, including the military's "horrible brutalities" against ethnic minority
guerrillas and troops' treatment of women.
Myanmar last year held rare elections after which the military nominally handed
power to civilians, although the opposition and the United States have criticized both
steps as shams.
The new leadership has also opened talks with opposition icon and Nobel peace
laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who was freed after spending most of the past two
decades under house arrest.
Clinton was visiting San Francisco for a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation forum and annual talks between the US and Australian foreign affairs
and defense chiefs.
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187

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd visited Myanmar in July and has since had
"discreet conversations" with Clinton on how to move forward, the US official
traveling with Clinton said.
Rudd, speaking to the United States about the situation in Myanmar, said it was "too
soon to call it overly hopeful" but highlighted "most probably the most significant
developments on the ground in decades," the US official said.
President Barack Obama's administration opened dialogue with Myanmar after taking
office in 2009, concluding that the previous policy of trying to isolate the regime has
failed.
Obama has maintained sanctions on Myanmar, including over its lucrative gem
trade, but has said that it is willing to ease restrictions in return for progress on
democratization.

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Thai elephant steps on land mine in Myanmar

(AP) 20110913.
A man looks at Pa Hae Po, a wounded 22-year-old male elephant using trunk to
support its balance while being treated at the Elephant Hospital in Lampang province,
northern Thailand Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011. The elephant received an injury on the
front left foot when it stepped on a landmine on Sunday while working in the forest
near the Thai-Myanmar border. (AP Photo/Wichai Taprieu)
BANGKOK (AP) Thai veterinarians say a 22-year-old elephant was wounded after
he wandered into neighboring Myanmar and stepped on a land mine.
Soraida Salwala of the Friends of the Asian Elephant conservation group in northern
Thailand says the pachyderm's left foot was severely hurt in Sunday's blast in
Myanmar's Kayin state.

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189

Pa Hae Po, a wounded 22-year-old male elephant holds a pole with trunk to support
its balance while being treated at the Elephant Hospital in Lampang province, northern
190
( )

Thailand Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011. The elephant received an injury on the front left
foot when it stepped on a landmine on Sunday while working in the forest near the
Thai-Myanmar border. (AP Photo/Wichai Taprieu)
Salwala said Tuesday that the elephant named Pa Hae Po was taken to the group's
hospital in the Thai town of Lampang by truck and is expected to recover.
The elephant is the 14th such casualty to be treated at the hospital since it began
operating in 1993. He joins three other elephant land mine victims who remain
hospitalized at the facility.
Rights groups say both the Myanmar army and rebels have laid mines during
decades of conflict.
BURMAS RECONCILIATION: Piecemeal reform process or holistic approach?

Thursday, 15 September 2011 12:32 Sai Wansai
Thursday,
15
September
2011
Now that the Naypyidaw has dropped its Border Guard Force (BGF) plan and signed
a new ceasefire deal with the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and its ally, the Mongla
Group, known as National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), the United Nationalities
Federation Council (UNFC) and non-Burman ethnic groups in general start to
wonder, if this is a shift of governments policy from hard-line stance to a more
pragmatic one, particularly where its peace initiative launched a few weeks ago is
concerned.
A closer look at the ongoing development would indicate that this is not the case.
According to the 2008 Constitution, all the armed forces in the union shall be under
the command of the Defence Services, and the BGF implementation is to realise this
Naypyidaws goal, which is an ongoing process, followed literally without deviation,
according to its prescribed policy.
Starting from April 2009, the previous SPDC military regime had pressured all the
ethnic ceasefire armies to transform their units into BGF battalions under the
command of the Burma Army and that is still the norm for Thein Sein government.
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191

Since 1994, 17 major anti-government ethnic armed groups and 23 other small
groups have either surrendered or signed ceasefire agreement with the government.
In principle, weaker armed groups were pressured to surrender, transformed into

BGF or forced to become government militias, while the sizeable ones were accorded
to ceasefire status in their own regions, enjoying self-administration, with military
outfit intact.
In August 2009, the Kokang group, known as the Myanmar National Democratic
Alliance Army (MNDAA), with around 1,000 to 1,500 soldiers, was attacked and
overrun by the Burma Army and later installed the deputy chairman Bai Suoqian.
Chairman Pheung Kya-shin, who was opposed to the BGF plan labelled drug
trafficker, gun runner and criminalised, while Bai Suoqian, who supported it was
backed and groomed. Clearly, the Burma Army or the then SPDC regime took the
opportunity of the split and sided with Bai Suoqian. A case in point of the classical
divide and rule mantra at work.
This year, on August 18, in line with 2008 Constitution that all armed forces must
come under the Burma Army, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) was
dissolved and transformed into a border guard force with 12 battalions under the
command of the Burma Army, according to the report from The New Light of
Myanmar, citing the Karen State Democracy and Development Party (KSDDP). The
party, which was set up to contest the November 7 general election, confirmed that
There is no DKBA any more. Again, no one doubts that KSDDP statement is
actually the handiwork of the civilianised, ex-military dominated government.
Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) asked why Naypyitaw had no longer insisted
that the Wa and Mongla become Border Guard Forces (BGFs) as demanded earlier,
an officer from NDAA said, We put the same question to the Burmese
representatives and they said it was the previous military governments program.
This non-committal answer could be taken that the regime is becoming more flexible
or it has positioned itself as nothing to do with the previous, SPDC governments
BGF plan. But all developments prior to these recent meetings with UWSA and NDAA
indicate that the core BGF policy based on its self-drawn 2008 Constitution is being
pursued by Naypyidaw with unwavering commitment. The recent dropping of BGF
demand on the two groups, leading to the temporary ceasefire pact, might be just a
tactical move and has nothing to do with altering its strategic goal in anyway.
Naypyidaw signed ceasefire agreements with the UWSA and NDAA on the 6th and
7th September respectively, which includes, no hostilities, reopening of liaison
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192

offices, advanced notification when entering each sides territory carrying arms, and
a joint coordination team for regional development.
Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSA) criticised the Naypyidaw signed
ceasefire agreement with groups that have not fought against it as a non-starter,
while making token approach to armed groups that have been fighting against it.
Major Sai La, the SSPP/SSA spokesman, likened the regimes move to applying
remedy at the wrong location. He also said that this amount to driving a wedge
between the UNFC members and non-members like UWSA and NDAA.
The UNFC formed in February 2011, is composed of six armed groups as permanent
members: the Karen National Union (KNU), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the
Chin National Front (CNF), the Kachin Independence Organization, the Karenni
National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State
Army (SSPP/SSA).
Nai Hongsa, General Secretary of UNFC, bemoaned that it was a great loss for all
non-Burman ethnic groups to let military break up ethnic unity easily and that it
showed that the ethnic armed groups were not united enough.
Either way, there is no point in blaming the Naypyidaw for its divide and rule
policy, which in essence is its business to keep the opposition camps divided, so that
it could maintain its top dog position. Instead, the UNFC and all other opposition
camps, armed or unarmed, should find a way to build a grand coalition and show
that it is a viable alternative to the present regime or at least in a position to do hard
political bargaining for the benefit of the people.
For now, Thein Sein regime seems to be gathering international support for its
piecemeal reform initiatives, like showing flexibility by allowing Aung San Suu Kyi to
travel and giving public speech, holding workshop discussion on how to remedy the
sorry state of economy and poverty reduction issues, inviting the exiled Burmese
community to come home, without having to fear persecution, and its highly
publicized peace initiative directed at the non-Burman ethnic armed groups.
U.S. special representative to Burma, Derek Mitchell, on Wednesday, before leaving

the country, said at his press conference that the Burmese government in realising
its reform process and reconciliation should show sincerity and determination. He
said unconditional release of all political prisoners, substantial dialogue with Aung
San Suu Kyi and all concerned politicians, and instead of waging war with the nonBurman ethnic nationalities, it should conduct peaceful negotiation with all of them,

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193

were conditions needed in reconciliation process. (Source: BBC Burmese 14

September 2011)
While the international applause for Naypyidaws piecemeal reform initiatives might
be heartening, the real national reconciliation would hinge on whether the reform
process is all-inclusive or holistic that could address all the woes encompassing
Burma.
And as such, signing ceasefire agreement with only UWSA and NDAA, while waging
war on other ethnic armed groups wouldnt bring peace to the whole country. In the
same vein, releasing Aung San Suu Kyi alone and keeping 2000 or more political
prisoners will not help the democratisation process in a true sense.
Maybe it is high time now for Thein Sein government to do away with the thinking of
using political prisoners as bargaining chips to lessen international pressure and the
implementation of divide and rule stance to maintain its top dog position against
the armed ethnic groups. Instead, it should look at the reconciliation big picture and
start to release all political prisoners, call nation-wide ceasefire and conduct allinclusive political dialogue with all stakeholders in the country.
The author is General Secretary of the exiled Shan Democratic Union.

http://www.shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4040:bu
rmas-reconciliation-piecemeal-reform-process-or-holisticapproach&catid=115:opinions&Itemid=308

2011-09-15 RFA
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Khun Htun Oo: Bloody but unbowed

Tuesday, 13 September 2011 13:19 S.H.A.N.
Hkun Htun Oo, the imprisoned Shan leader whose party, Shan Nationalities League
for Democracy (SNLD), won second place nationwide and first place statewise during
the 1990 elections, is said to be getting fragile in health, but still kneeling down to
nobody in spirit, according to Shan cartoonist Hsailed Banyen, better known as Harn
Lay to his worldwide fans, on Sunday, the day Hkun Htun Oo turned 68.
We should not beg for his release from the regime, he said. He would have been
against the move.
On the contrary, he hoped the Naypyitaw government believed as he did that the
release of Hkun Htun Oo and 2,000 other prisoners of conscience would be a
wholesome contribution to the cause of democracy for the country and right of self
determination for all the indigenous peoples.
Opposition leaders meeting Daw Way Way Lwin, Hkun Htun Oos wife, yesterday (12
September) at his Mayangone home

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215

Hkun Htun Oo has been in Putao prison since 2005 after being sentenced to 93
years.
How longstanding is the grudge that a person should be subject to a sentence
which is more than a life time? Hsailed asked. Was it because the killing of his
uncle Sao Kya Hseng (Prince of Hsipaw who was detained during the 1962 coup and
later disappeared) was not enough?
The outspoken Hkun Htun Oo was praised by Shans and non-Shans alike for his
presentation at the 1993 National Convention, organized by the military government
to draw up basic principles for the future constitution. He spoke not just for Shans,
but for the whole country, the exile group of representatives-elect said at that time.
His birthday ceremony in Chiangmai was attended by representatives from the Shan
State Army, Womens League of Burma and the Ethnic Nationalities Council.
Releasing Hkun Htun Oo and other imprisoned leaders will show that President U
Thein Sein is serious about lasting peace, says the ENC statement.
According to Radio Free Asia, the issue of political prisoners was high on the agenda
during the meeting between President Thein Sein and democracy icon Aung San Suu
Kyi on 19 August.
Oil-gas pipes on the move

Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:30 S.H.A.N.
BE trucks in Shan State have begun to move oil and gas pipes to designated areas
beginning this month, according to sources from Sino-Burma border.
Each pipe is 2 meters in diameter and 10 meters in length. One BE truck can carry
up to 5 pipes. The transport fee is 1 million kyat ($1,333) per truckload.
However, if a pipe is damaged, you are required to repay Y 70,000 ($9,000), said
a source quoting a truck driver.
Townships the pipelines will pass through are Nawngkhio, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Namtu,
Mantong and Namkham on the Sino-Burma border.
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216

Confiscation of land where pipelines pass through meanwhile continues. They

would run up pennants in fields designated for the pipeline and pay compensation to
the village headman concerned, said an informed source. During the transfer of
the money from the company to the Burmese authorities and to the village
headmen, a considerable amount gets lost and the villagers get only a paltry in the
end.
Sold Out: Launch of China pipeline project unleashes abuse across Burma, a report
by Shwe Gas Movement released last week has charged Chinese companies,
especially China National Petroleum Corporation, with unaccountability. The
company has countered the reports as an imagined picture (made up by) Myanmar
activists and media.
SSA: Regime remedy does not match the disease

Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:38 Hseng Khio Fah
Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSA) says the new government signed
ceasefire agreement with groups that have not fought against it, while making
nominal approach to groups that have been fighting against it.
It refers to the ceasefire agreements of the new government and the United Wa
State Army (UWSA) and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) last week.
Actually, they [the UWSA and Mongla] were not fighting against Naypyitaw. It was
us, the SSA and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Karen who have been fighting
against it. So it is like applying remedy to where the wound is not, said SSA
spokesperson Major Sai La.
The UWSA and Mongla group respectively signed a new ceasefire agreement with
the new civilianized government on 6 September (with UWSA) and on 7 September
(with Mongla) in Kengtung, capital of Shan State East.
The action followed the governments latest four point proposal which says to have
no hostilities between the two sides, to reopen liaison offices on both sides; to
inform each other in advance if one side is entering the other sides territory carrying
arms and to form a joint coordination committee for regional development as soon

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217

as possible. On Sunday, Taping checkpoint between Mongla and Kengtung that has
been shut down by Burma military army since March reopened.
Their policy towards ethnic armed groups is still the old divide and rule like they
did in 1989. They are now trying to separate the groups that are members of the
newly formed United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) and those that are not. It
will therefore persuade the groups who are not members of UNFC, said Major Sai
La.
The UNFC was formed in February 2011, and is composed of six armed groups as
permanent members: the Karen National Union (KNU), the New Mon State Party
(NMSP), the Chin National Front (CNF), the Kachin Independence Organization, the
Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Shan State Progress Party/Shan
State Army (SSPP/SSA).
A month after the UNFCs formation, the junta military started launching military
operations against the SSPP/SSA and the KIA in June to date. More junta military
troops are still being deployed to the KIA and SSA fronts, according to local sources.
Regarding the recent UWSA and Monglas action, some see it as a positive sign and
others as negative.
Nai Hongsa, General Secretary of UNFC said, It is a loss for us [the ethnic armed
groups] for letting the military to break us apart easily. It shows that we ethnic
armed groups are not united enough.
Long flooding destroy thousands of acres of paddy

fields in Shan State South
Wednesday, 14 September 2011 16:54 Hseng Khio Fah

Thousands of acres of paddy fields and farmlands of farmers in several townships in
Shan State South where rice paddy is grown, are in ruin due to over 10 day long
flooding in the area since early this month, according to local farmers.

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218

The affected townships are Mongpawn, Namzarng and Hopong townships. It is

estimated that at least over a thousand of bean farms, corn farms especially paddy
fields are devastated by the flood.
Most affected areas are in Hopong township as it is not only the paddy fields but
also homes are flooded, said a local farmer. Heavy rains have been pouring down
every day and night, which have caused the local Tamphak creek, known as Thabet
in Burmese, to verflow its banks and destroy thousands of farms of the villages
along the stream.
Every farm in the area is destroyed. At least 10 villages are affected, said the
farmer. Rice price can rise up looking at the current condition. And people are going
to starve.
Destruction of farms in Mongpawn meanwhile are caused by the Pawn creek.

Water levels reach very high. In some villages, it reaches the second floor of the
house if it is two- story house. If the rains still continue pouring down, people will
just to move and stay on the roofs, said a villager from Panglon, Hopong township.
To date, floods are yet to drop down. But there has been no assistance from the
government for flood-affected areas and farmers. The majority of people in Shan
State earn their living growing rice during the rainy season and beans in the summer
season.
Wa holds meeting to discuss return of regime

officials
Thursday, 15 September 2011 11:36 S.H.A.N.
9 days after the signing of a new ceasefire treaty with Naypyitaw, the United Wa
State Army (UWSA) will be holding a meeting today to discuss how to deal with the
return of peace, particularly the planned return of Burmese officials who left the Wa
controlled territory last year, according to sources from the Sino-Burmese border.

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219

The UWSA used to host up to 100 regime officials, including a detachment of troops,
border development (known as na-ta-la) workers, teachers, medical workers and

agriculturists, according to a local source. This does not take into account those
working with the UN and NGOs.
We need to anticipate new developments and new problems, a Wa official was
quoted as saying, as the situation has changed since 2009 (when relations between
the two sides soured following Naypyitaws demand that the UWSA and other
ceasefire groups come under the command of the Burma Army).
Its southern and closest ally, Mongla-based National Democratic Alliance Army
(NDAA), says it is waiting for the results of the Wa meeting to consider how it will
cope with the return of Burmese officials. The NDAA, having a joint official bordercrossing, will also be playing host to officials from Immigration and Customs
departments.

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220

Mongla will be careful about how it is going handle the Burmese officials, said a
source close to the leadership. One of them told me that the snake that shed its
skin doesnt become a new snake.
The Wa signed the agreement on 6 September and Mongla followed on 7
September. So far Naypyitaw is not reported to be reaching out to other major

groups, particularly the two against which it had launched offensives in March and
June respectively: Shan State Army (SSA) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA)

2011-09-16 rfa

AAPP

(Photo:RFA/Tyler Chapman)

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KNU
2011-09-16 RFA
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Ottawa

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252


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301

Myanmar to allow private banks to trade

foreign currencies
YANGON, Sept 19 | Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:55am EDT
(Reuters) - As part of currency reforms, Myanmar's new government has allowed
some private banks to trade foreign currencies in the commercial city Yangon, a
state official said on Monday.
"It has been decided to allow five private banks to open 'Money Changer Counters'
in Yangon to buy, sell and change foreign currencies, mainly the euro, dollars and
FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificates) to begin with," said an official at the Ministry of
Finance and Revenue.
He said five counters will be opened by five private banks at the former exchange
centre in Theinbyu Street, Botahtaung Township, downtown Yangon. There are
about two dozen banks including about half a dozen state-owned and joint-venture
banks in Myanmar.
Despite Western sanctions, investment money has flooded into the country because
of its abundant mineral resources and the repatriation of funds by wealthy Burmese
buying up state assets last year in a pre-election sell-off.
(Reporting by Aung Hla Tun. Editing by Jason Szep)

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302

Aung San Suu Kyi sees 'positive' change in

Myanmar
By Daniel Rook (AFP) 18.9.2011
Aung San Suu Kyi says there are finally signs of political change in Myanmar
(AFP/File, Soe Than Win)
YANGON After decades of military rule, democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi
says there are finally signs of political change in Myanmar, but its long-suffering
people are still far from real freedom.
In an exclusive interview, the Nobel Peace Prize winner told AFP that the new
government appears genuine in its desire for democratic reform, and said an Arabstyle uprising is not the answer to the country's problems.

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304

Aung San Suu Kyi has won international acclaim for her peaceful resistance in the
face of oppression (AFP/File, Soe Than Win)
Aung San Suu Kyi has been compared to India's independence hero Mahatma
Gandhi for her adherence to non-violence (AFP/File, Soe Than Win)
"There have been changes, but I don't think we're all free or completely free yet.
There's still quite a way to go, but I think there have been positive developments,"
the opposition leader said at her party offices in Yangon.
"I've always said I'm a cautious optimist and I remain a cautious optimist. I do
believe that the president would like to bring about positive changes but how far
he'll be able to achieve what he wants to achieve is a question that we still need to
examine."
After almost half a century of iron-fisted military rule, the junta in March handed
power to a new government led by President Thein Sein, one of a clutch of former
generals who shed their uniforms to contest last year's election.
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305

The November vote, won by the military's political proxies, was marred by
widespread complaints of cheating and the exclusion of Suu Kyi, who was released
from seven straight years of house arrest shortly afterwards.
In recent weeks, however, the new administration has shown signs of reaching out
to critics including Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) party,
which won a 1990 election but was never allowed to take office.
In a scene few could have imagined until recently, Suu Kyi last month met Thein
Sein at his official residence in the capital Naypyidaw, posing for photos under a
picture of her late father, the independence hero Aung San.
Although details of the discussion were not revealed, Suu Kyi said the pair managed
to find areas of agreement, adding: "We do have many, many things in common in
regards to what we would like to see for the country."
The dissident -- who has won international acclaim for her peaceful resistance in the
face of oppression, and has been compared to India's independence hero Mahatma
Gandhi for her adherence to non-violence -- said she did not want a popular revolt in
Myanmar of the kind seen in Libya.
"What has to be done is a revolution of the spirit. Until attitudes change, until their
(the authorities') perceptions of the problems which they have to handle change,
there will not be real change," she said.
"Everybody knows that Libya's troubles are going to drag on for a long time. Even if
they manage to clear out everybody from the old regime and establish a new
government there are going to be so many problems -- the bitterness that will
remain, the wounds that will remain unhealed for so long," she said.
The softly spoken and charismatic dissident, now 66, showed no signs that age and
long periods of detention at the hands of the junta have dimmed her sharp intellect
and indomitable spirit.
"A real revolution takes a long time to be completed. The kind of changes that we
want take time to come about. And I would rather that we managed to achieve
change through peaceful means, through negotiation."
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306

Myanmar's democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi, pictured in 1996 (AFP/File,
Emmanuel Dunand)
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307

Pro-democracy uprisings in Myanmar -- also known as Burma -- in 1988 and 2007

were brutally crushed by the junta which showed no sign of softening its hardline
stance in response.
Protests otherwise remain rare in the authoritarian state, which has more than 2,000
political prisoners.
Suu Kyi's party boycotted last year's election, the first in two decades, partly
because of rules that would have forced it to expel members who are in prison.
As a result it was delisted as a political party by the regime, which in June warned
the NLD to halt what it described as illegal activities.
Today, however, despite fears it might be forced to shut down, the party continues
to meet and issue statements under the close watch of plainclothes police, who
photograph visitors to its ramshackle offices in Yangon.
And in a further sign that the authorities are seeking to engage with the opposition,
a top adviser to the president told AFP that the controversial law that prevents
prisoners from being political party members could be revised.
"This act was promulgated by the previous government, the military government.
This parliament is considering to review that act," Ko Ko Hlaing said.
Suu Kyi said it was too soon to say whether her party would seek to re-register and
contest the next election, due in 2015.
But the democracy icon, who has always been modest about her own political
ambitions, gave a clear hint that she was ready to lead the country if it is the
people's desire.
"I don't think of my political role in terms of becoming president as such, but I
believe that things like this have to be decided by the people and not by individual
politicians or even by their parties," she said.
Asked whether this meant she was ready to become president if the people wanted
it, she replied: "Well if you're not prepared to do this, if necessary, then you
shouldn't engage in politics to begin with."

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308

For the first time since her release, Suu Kyi was allowed by the authorities to travel
outside of Yangon last month on a political excursion, during which she drew large
crowds of supporters -- a reminder of her enduring popularity.
In a further sign of opening up, the new government has invited a steady procession
of foreign dignitaries since last year's election for talks with officials and the
opposition.
It also allowed a small group of foreign journalists to visit Myanmar and its fledgling
parliament last week, including an AFP reporter.
Despite the tentative signs of change, many remain sceptical about the regime's
intentions in the absence of more concrete reforms such as the release of political
prisoners.
A visiting UN envoy last month called on Myanmar to urgently investigate human
rights abuses, saying serious concerns remained despite signs of an improvement
under the new government.
Tomas Ojea Quintana voiced concern about the situation in ethnic conflict zones,
including attacks against civilians, extrajudicial killings, rape, arbitrary arrest, the
recruitment of child soldiers and forced labour.
After an earlier visit to the country last year, the envoy angered Myanmar's ruling
generals by suggesting that human rights violations in the country may amount to
crimes against humanity and could warrant a UN inquiry.
Suu Kyi said a UN fact-finding probe along the lines of the Truth and Reconciliation
Process in South Africa after the abolition of apartheid in the 1990s could help to
bring reconciliation to her traumatised nation.
"I think for the sake of future harmony and forgiveness there is a necessity to
establish facts," she added. "It's not a tribunal. It has nothing to do with revenge."

( )
309

Myanmar lifts bans on foreign news

websites
By Aung Hla Tun
YANGON | Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:34am EDT
(Reuters) - Myanmar lifted bans on prominent news websites on Thursday, including
some run by critics of the army-dominated government, and unblocked online video
portal YouTube, the latest signs of possible reforms in one of Asia's most reclusive
states.
Bans were lifted on websites for several news organizations including Reuters, along
with The Bangkok Post, Singapore Straits Times and other regional newspapers, and
the Burmese language services of the Voice of America, British Broadcasting Corp
and the exiled-run Democratic Voice of Burma.
Reuters and several other news websites were blocked at the peak of an army
crackdown on monk-led protests in 2007. Since then, those sites displayed a

common
message
from
Telecommunications (MPT).
state
telecoms
group
Myanmar
Post
and
"This website is blocked by the MPT," it said.

That disappeared on Thursday, a day after a U.S. special envoy ended his first trip to
the country. It also coincided with the United Nations' "International Day of
Democracy," an event celebrated by Nobel laureate and democracy leader Aung San
Suu Kyi in the commercial capital Yangon.
"Changes are on the horizon in Myanmar," she told supporters outside her party's
headquarters.
However, television remains strictly controlled by the government and foreign

journalists are still mostly barred from legally reporting in the country. Most expect
Western sanctions to remain in place until an estimated 2,100 political prisoners are
released.

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310

Every song, book, cartoon and planned piece of art still requires approval by censors
rooting out political messages and criticisms of Myanmar's authoritarian system.
One editor of a weekly newspaper described the reopening of the websites as "a big
improvement in the media policy of the new government.
"We can have access to these websites, but the connection is still rather slow most
of the time," he said, declining to be identified by name. "Let's wait to see how long
it will last."
Rare overtures by Myanmar's rulers toward liberalization have stirred speculation of
possible reforms in the resource-rich country, blighted by 49 years of military rule
and starved of capital.
Myanmar last year held its first elections in two decades after which the military
nominally handed power to civilians -- a process widely criticized as a sham by the
West.
Other overtures include calls for peace with armed ethnic separatists, presidential
meetings with foreign delegations, some tolerance of criticism and more
communication with Suu Kyi, who was freed last year from 15 years of house arrest.
In one gesture, Myanmar's state-run newspapers last month dropped back-page

banners attacking Western media.
(Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by Ron popeski)
Myanmar acts on Indian concerns, but doesnt

deliver
Aloke
Tikku
and
New Delhi, September 14, 2011

First
Published:
Jayanth
Jacob,
21:11
Hindustan
Times
IST(14/9/2011)
Myanmars military action against insurgent camps in Sagaing province last week
may have been aimed at sending a message to New Delhi that Indias security
concerns were being addressed, rather than wipe out camps of insurgent groups
such as the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

( )
311

Last week, Myanmar sent two heavily-armed army battalions into the dense forests
of Sagaing province 800 km north of the capital, Yangon, and attacked two
insurgent camps, including the one where Ulfa commander-in-chief Paresh Barua
was holed up.
The Ulfa faction led by Paresh Barua and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland
(Khaplang) are among the eight insurgent groups that have bases in Myanmar.
Barua escaped unhurt, possibly helped by a tip-off about the impending attack, a
government official said.
According to communication intercepted by intelligence agencies, Ulfa had about 200
cadres in and around the camp and sent another 200-250 cadres to cross the border
into Myanmar.
A security official said the military operation had been on for the last few days but
wondered why they were not picking any information about casualties of any side.
Or why Myanmar did not inform them about the operation and request for steps to
move Indian forces closer to the border to block gaps, he asked.
The military action was in response to rising concerns in New Delhi about the ease
with which insurgent groups were able to operate out of Myanmar. This has
particularly been a sore point with Delhi, particularly since other eastern neighbours
Bhutan in 2003 and later Bangladesh in 2010 had shut their doors on insurgent
outfits.
Most of the insurgent groups had moved into Myanmar, from where some of them
not only access arms from China but also are believed to have come in contact with
Pakistans intelligence agency, ISI.
Myanmar shares 1,643 km land boundary with Indias four northeastern states.
India would like Myanmar to address its security concerns as China partakes in the
economic development of that nation in a bigger way.
Officials concede one reason why the army in Myanmar doesnt go all the way on
Indias security concerns was that India has not invested in developing security ties.

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312

New Delhi intends to address this gap by proposing interactions between the army
and police forces at different levels during President Thein Seins State visit to India
in October.
Analysis - Survival instinct steers Myanmar

generals towards reform
Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:17am GMT
By Martin Petty
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Rare overtures by Myanmar's reclusive, authoritarian rulers
towards liberalisation and reform suggest change could be afoot in the isolated
nation.
The sudden stream of conciliatory gestures by Myanmar's new civilian government

has raised questions about the motives of the generals who only five months ago
controlled one of the world's most secretive, corrupt and oppressive regimes.
Diplomats, political analysts and many Burmese interviewed inside Myanmar say the
retired generals brought back to power after a controversial election last year now
appear to realise some moves towards reform could be the key to their survival.
Last week, President Thein Sein held an official meeting with and Aung San Suu Kyi,
the Nobel Peace Prize winning democracy advocate who was detained for 15 years
until released from house arrest last year.
The meeting was welcomed by the international community, but widely regarded as
theatre.
Western sanctions in place since the military crushed a 1988 student uprising have
isolated Myanmar's army dictatorships and continue to frustrate the new
government, but there are no signs these will be lifted until there are concrete
reforms, in particular, the release of an estimated 2,100 political prisoners.

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313

"What seems to be happening is that the regime is seeking to make itself appear
legitimate, a genuine and emerging democracy," said Michael Charney, a Myanmar
expert at London's School of Oriental and Africa Studies.
"I don't see any of this as a positive step forward for democracy, but instead as a
means of cementing in place the positions of the families who currently hold power
over the country with a view towards long-term control."
The process of consolidating political power began long ago but accelerated in late
2009 when hundreds of state assets were auctioned off as part of an opaque
privatisation boom in which cronies of the then-military junta snapped up lucrative
contracts, business monopolies and property.
The sell-off preceded a carefully choreographed election in November that was won
by a military-backed party. Thein Sein, the fourth in command of the former ruling
military body, was chosen by parliament to become head of state. He hand-picked
his own ministers.
PARIAH STATUS
The election and privatisation created a veneer of democracy and liberalisation in the
former British colony also known as Burma, ensuring power, wealth and patronage
was concentrated in the hands of a military-linked establishment, as previously seen

in Indonesia and as now entrenched in neighbouring Thailand, where politics,
business and the army are closely intertwined.
But despite those changes, Myanmar remains an international pariah, entangled in

Western sanctions that restrict and stigmatise the country's elite.
Experts suggest those tycoons may have leaned on the government to talk up
reforms, engage with Suu Kyi and to try to appear more transparent and tolerant.
Western governments are watching, along with multinational companies, some of
which have privately lobbied for an end to sanctions on the impoverished country of
50 million people, which is rich in natural gas, timber and gemstones and nestled
strategically between economic powerhouses India and China.

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314

Recent overtures include calls for peace with armed ethnic separatists, presidential
meetings with technocrats and foreign delegations, some tolerance of criticism, and
the involvement of Suu Kyi in consultations about reconciliation and reform.
In one gesture, Myanmar's state-run newspapers last week dropped back-page
banners attacking Western media. Three official newspapers dropped half-page

slogans that had been running daily accusing the Voice of America (VOA) and the
British Broadcasting Corp (BBC) of "sowing hatred among the people", and other
Western media of "generating public outrage".
Yangon-based diplomats have expressed surprise at the government's apparent
change in tone but want to see more substantial progress.
"So far, so good," said one Western diplomat. "I'm guardedly optimistic about
further progress, but let's wait and see."
The mood is similar among parliamentarians. "Lawmakers, regardless of their party
or background, have become more optimistic about the situation than before," said
Aye Maung, a senator and leader of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party.
It is unclear whether Thein Sein is making the changes on his own or doing so at the
request of Than Shwe, his political master and the country's much-feared former
strongman, whose orders are rarely defied.
Britain's Foreign Office praised the meeting with Suu Kyi as encouraging.
Washington said it supported Suu Kyi's decision to engage in "open and transparent
dialogue".
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon went further, saying: "it is in the national
interest that they seize the opportunity to extend and accept conciliatory gestures."
PUSH FOR ACCEPTANCE
Win Min, a Burmese political scientist at Harvard University, said he believed
Myanmar's new government was trying to convince the 10-member Association of
South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to allow it to take its rotating presidency in 2014,
two years ahead of schedule and a year before a general election the government
does not want to lose.

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315

The government, he said, saw hosting ASEAN as "crucial" because it would

represent a degree of international acceptance that could lead to A reduction of
sanctions and the possibility of aid from international financial organisations.
Myanmar has invited a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to
visit in October to advise policymakers on how to tackle problems with the kyat
currency, which has appreciated 20 percent in a year, hurting farmers and exporters
and bankrupting businesses.
After months of inaction and simmering anger, the government last month cut taxes
for exporters and has promised agriculture loans and price guarantees for millions of
farmers, suggesting it may be concerned that any mishandling of bread and butter
issues could see a repeat of bloody uprisings in 1988 and 2007 that were sparked by
soaring inflation and fuel prices.
David Steinberg, a veteran Myanmar analyst at Georgetown University in
Washington said the lack of substantive concessions, especially political prisoners,
meant real reforms or any undoing of sanctions would not come soon.
But he said the gestures were important indicators, and the government should be
given the chance to prove itself.
"We're seeing the possibility of change, things we've not seen before," he said.
"There's a lot of disagreement from those who think this is phony change. It might
be phony, but we should at least be open to the possibility some of it could be real."
(Additional reporting Aung Hla Tun in Naypyitaw; Editing by Jason Szep and Miral
Fahmy)

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Appendix

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318

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