Narinjara New
January 21, 2008
Sittwe: Township authorities in Sittwe are collecting funds from townspeople for Western Command's golf tournament scheduled to be held next month, reports a village ward council member in Sittwe.
"The authority ordered all ward chairmen in Sittwe to pay 6,000 kyat per ward for Western Command's golf tournament," he said.
The authority collected an additional 1,000 kyat from wealthier wards such as Kyay Bin Gri, Owndan, and Nasi Wra located in downtown Sittwe.
A ward council member from Owe Dan confirmed that the ward council is currently collecting funds from residents in order to pay to the township authorities this week for the golf tournament.
In Sittwe there are 32 wards, and authorities estimate they will get about 200,000 kyat from the collection.
A high school teacher said that all departments of the government and business syndicates in Sittwe have also been forced to collect funds for the Western Command golf tournament.
The golf tournament will include players from all government departments in Sittwe, including the army and business groups, the teacher said.
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
Shan meet vows to protect non-Shan rights
Shan Herald Agency for News
January 22, 2008
A three-day conference of Shans, the largest non-Burman ethnic group in strife-torn Burma, that ended yesterday at an undisclosed location on the Thai-Burma border has promised to work closely with non-Shans in Shan State and protect their rights.
“It is in the interests of Shans to serve their needs,” said Peunkham Payakwong, a Tai Leu from Kengtung who was elected by a majority vote (78%) by the 59-conference participants. “Burma’s bitter experience has shown us Shans will not benefit by emulating the Burman dictators.”
The Shans, according to British censuses conducted in 1931 and 1941, stand at about 50% of the total population of Shan State, at present 5.2 million, according to the military government’s statistics. (Junta counting, since 1962, has always tended to understate the Shan population, while rebel estimates understandably have appeared to overstate it – Editor)
By contrast, 60% of Burma’s population are Burmans and the rest non-Burmans, according to a recent brochure published by the anti-junta Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC).
The Shan conference, apart from protection of minority rights, agreed upon 4 other guiding principles:
Meanwhile, the Shan State Army (SSA) South of Col Yawdserk had sent 4 officers to attend the meeting as observers. Its rather cautious policy was the subject of heated discussions on the sidelines. “It’s time to pursue a bold policy when it comes to anti-junta alliances,” commented a Thai observer who attended the post-conference dinner party. “Spinelessness will only prolong the sufferings of the people.”
The TCC, according to one of the conference resolutions, will participate in the Shan State Nationalities Conference, to be held jointly with representatives from non-Shan movements such as PaO, Palaung, Wa, Kachin and Lahu later this year. The projected meeting is expected to culminate in the formation of a long anticipated Shan State coalition.
For more details, please contact
Peunkham Tel: 661 784-6290 and
Hseng Noung Tel: 661 884-4963
January 22, 2008
A three-day conference of Shans, the largest non-Burman ethnic group in strife-torn Burma, that ended yesterday at an undisclosed location on the Thai-Burma border has promised to work closely with non-Shans in Shan State and protect their rights.
“It is in the interests of Shans to serve their needs,” said Peunkham Payakwong, a Tai Leu from Kengtung who was elected by a majority vote (78%) by the 59-conference participants. “Burma’s bitter experience has shown us Shans will not benefit by emulating the Burman dictators.”
The Shans, according to British censuses conducted in 1931 and 1941, stand at about 50% of the total population of Shan State, at present 5.2 million, according to the military government’s statistics. (Junta counting, since 1962, has always tended to understate the Shan population, while rebel estimates understandably have appeared to overstate it – Editor)
By contrast, 60% of Burma’s population are Burmans and the rest non-Burmans, according to a recent brochure published by the anti-junta Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC).
The Shan conference, apart from protection of minority rights, agreed upon 4 other guiding principles:
- To strive for a state-based alliance,
- democracy,
- equality and
- political settlement to political issues.
Meanwhile, the Shan State Army (SSA) South of Col Yawdserk had sent 4 officers to attend the meeting as observers. Its rather cautious policy was the subject of heated discussions on the sidelines. “It’s time to pursue a bold policy when it comes to anti-junta alliances,” commented a Thai observer who attended the post-conference dinner party. “Spinelessness will only prolong the sufferings of the people.”
The TCC, according to one of the conference resolutions, will participate in the Shan State Nationalities Conference, to be held jointly with representatives from non-Shan movements such as PaO, Palaung, Wa, Kachin and Lahu later this year. The projected meeting is expected to culminate in the formation of a long anticipated Shan State coalition.
For more details, please contact
Peunkham Tel: 661 784-6290 and
Hseng Noung Tel: 661 884-4963
Junta collects illegal taxes and fees from local people
Hseng Khio Fah and Lieng Lern
Shan Herald Agency for News
January 22, 2008
One of the public relation stunts for the junta is to eradicate drugs from the country but a reliable source from inside Burma reported that junta officials are hardly doing their job and collecting opium and other taxes from local people in some parts of Southern Shan State.
On January 7, Major Kyaw Thura Myo from the Burma Army Infantry Battalion (IB) 12, taxed villagers for growing poppies and collected millions of Kyat from them. The villages being taxed were:
Again, on January 8, Major Nyunt Win from Burma Army Infantry Battalion (IB) 131, who set up a camp at Pang Kart village, Wan Khem village tract in Kehsi Township, ordered people to buy a motorbike for his use. A villager who wishes to remain anonymous said, “He asked us to buy a motorbike for him and said it was as a tax on opium fields”.
Collecting illegal taxes and ignoring official orders are common practices by officials of different ranks in Burma. A statement issued by Mongyai Township’s Health Management in Mongyai Township on 16 January 2008, said it was going to collect money from the residents for pest and bacteria control in the region. At the bottom of the statement it stated, “For those who cannot afford to pay, the committee will provide free service”.
However, a reliable source said, “It is only written in the paper. The municipality and the fire brigade of Mongyai Township (90 km Southeast of Lashio, the capital of Northern Shan State) did not follow the instruction. They even asked an old paralyzed lady from Wanlong whose name is Nai Nung to pay Kyat 2,000 (US $ 1.6)’ he said “The lady is alone and has no money and is being taken care by her sister, Nang Hkek”.
Shan Herald Agency for News
January 22, 2008
One of the public relation stunts for the junta is to eradicate drugs from the country but a reliable source from inside Burma reported that junta officials are hardly doing their job and collecting opium and other taxes from local people in some parts of Southern Shan State.
On January 7, Major Kyaw Thura Myo from the Burma Army Infantry Battalion (IB) 12, taxed villagers for growing poppies and collected millions of Kyat from them. The villages being taxed were:
- Kung-hsa village from Wan Khem village tract in Kehsi township and the taxation amount was K 100,000 ( US $ 83 )
- Wan Kieng village,from Mong Khun village tract in Mong Keung township and the amount was K 200,000 ( US $ 166 ) and
- Wan Natoom and Kungpek villages, Nawng-hsawm village tract in Kehsi township and they were taxed K 300,000 (US $ 250) each.
Again, on January 8, Major Nyunt Win from Burma Army Infantry Battalion (IB) 131, who set up a camp at Pang Kart village, Wan Khem village tract in Kehsi Township, ordered people to buy a motorbike for his use. A villager who wishes to remain anonymous said, “He asked us to buy a motorbike for him and said it was as a tax on opium fields”.
Collecting illegal taxes and ignoring official orders are common practices by officials of different ranks in Burma. A statement issued by Mongyai Township’s Health Management in Mongyai Township on 16 January 2008, said it was going to collect money from the residents for pest and bacteria control in the region. At the bottom of the statement it stated, “For those who cannot afford to pay, the committee will provide free service”.
However, a reliable source said, “It is only written in the paper. The municipality and the fire brigade of Mongyai Township (90 km Southeast of Lashio, the capital of Northern Shan State) did not follow the instruction. They even asked an old paralyzed lady from Wanlong whose name is Nai Nung to pay Kyat 2,000 (US $ 1.6)’ he said “The lady is alone and has no money and is being taken care by her sister, Nang Hkek”.
Locals punished as porters on false charges
Kwarn Lake
Shan Herald Agency for News
January 22, 2008
According to a reliable source from the border, the SPDC soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 286 based in Mong Nawng, Southern Shan State accused villagers of having contact with the rebel groups and forced them to portering for them.
On 14 January 2008, more than 50 soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 286, based at Mong Nawng , 133 miles northern of the state capital Taunggyi , patrolled to the south of Wan Lao village in Kun Hing township and around 5 pm they reached Na Mon village. They then demanded rice and chickens from the villagers, said a resident who arrived to the border.
The soldiers also ordered the village headman to find one pistol and a pair of walkie-talkie for them. "They accused him and said, ' You always have connection with the rebels and we heard that every village has at least one pistol and walkie-talkies, so you must find and give them to us," said the villager.
The headman however was unable to comply with the order, and the next morning at 8 am they took 2 villagers, Kaw Ling and Kumara as porters and left for a neighboring Hsai Khao village.
At Hsai Khao , the 2 villagers from Na Mon were released after the Hsai Khao's village headman apologized to the soldiers for them. The troops then continue to sleep in the village and stole villagers' chickens. The chickens' owners knew but they dared not say anything, added the villager.
Next morning, the troops went to the east of the village and arrested 4 men who were working in their farms: Sai Zam, Ingta , Zingta and Sai Lu (a mute) for portering and continued to Piang Kharn village. On the way, 3 of the porters escaped except the mute.
The troop settled in that village and on the 17th of January, they called the village headman and demanded a gun and a pair of walkie-talkie then charged him of having connection with rebellion groups. They hit the headman and he was unconscious for about 20 minutes, he said.
Before they came back to Wan Lao village they ordered Piang Kharn villagers to bring 15 viss ( 1 viss = 1.6 kilo) of pork and 3 baskets of chickens (about 60 chickens) and ordered them to bring to Wan Lao village, said the source.
"After that they ordered 4 villagers to carry their stuff on to 6 mini tractors to carry back to Kun Hing, their base. The 2 tractors from Na Mon, one from Hsai Khao, 2 from Wan Lao and another from Piang Kharn villages were taken to carry the soldiers and their stuff', added the source.
Shan Herald Agency for News
January 22, 2008
According to a reliable source from the border, the SPDC soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 286 based in Mong Nawng, Southern Shan State accused villagers of having contact with the rebel groups and forced them to portering for them.
On 14 January 2008, more than 50 soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 286, based at Mong Nawng , 133 miles northern of the state capital Taunggyi , patrolled to the south of Wan Lao village in Kun Hing township and around 5 pm they reached Na Mon village. They then demanded rice and chickens from the villagers, said a resident who arrived to the border.
The soldiers also ordered the village headman to find one pistol and a pair of walkie-talkie for them. "They accused him and said, ' You always have connection with the rebels and we heard that every village has at least one pistol and walkie-talkies, so you must find and give them to us," said the villager.
The headman however was unable to comply with the order, and the next morning at 8 am they took 2 villagers, Kaw Ling and Kumara as porters and left for a neighboring Hsai Khao village.
At Hsai Khao , the 2 villagers from Na Mon were released after the Hsai Khao's village headman apologized to the soldiers for them. The troops then continue to sleep in the village and stole villagers' chickens. The chickens' owners knew but they dared not say anything, added the villager.
Next morning, the troops went to the east of the village and arrested 4 men who were working in their farms: Sai Zam, Ingta , Zingta and Sai Lu (a mute) for portering and continued to Piang Kharn village. On the way, 3 of the porters escaped except the mute.
The troop settled in that village and on the 17th of January, they called the village headman and demanded a gun and a pair of walkie-talkie then charged him of having connection with rebellion groups. They hit the headman and he was unconscious for about 20 minutes, he said.
Before they came back to Wan Lao village they ordered Piang Kharn villagers to bring 15 viss ( 1 viss = 1.6 kilo) of pork and 3 baskets of chickens (about 60 chickens) and ordered them to bring to Wan Lao village, said the source.
"After that they ordered 4 villagers to carry their stuff on to 6 mini tractors to carry back to Kun Hing, their base. The 2 tractors from Na Mon, one from Hsai Khao, 2 from Wan Lao and another from Piang Kharn villages were taken to carry the soldiers and their stuff', added the source.
Burma announces ban on cars with Chinese license plates
Hseng Khio Fah
Shan Herald Agency for News
January 22, 2008
On January 15, at 9:00 am, a Burma official issued a statement banning on Chinese vehicles from stopping overnight in Muse, at the Sino-Burma border in Northern Shan State.
According to a local source, Major-General Aung Than Htut, Commander of the Lashio-based Northeastern Region Command, instructed the local official U Nyunt Harn to ban cars with Chinese number plates from staying overnight. U Nyunt Harn then issued official statements along the border areas of Burma especially in Muse.
“Most rich people use Chinese licensed cars. They cost K 10,000,000 (US $ 8,333 ) with license and cars purchased in Burma cost about the same but they come without license. Therefore, sometimes they are caught driving cars without license. So, people don’t want to use it,” said a person who is driving a Chinese licensed car.
“The gates from Jiegao (in China) to Muse (in Burma) and vice-versa are only opened from 6:30 am (Burmese time) 8:00 am (Chinese time) to 10:30pm (Burmese time) 12:00 pm (Chinese time). Those cars are allowed to travel into Muse during the opening time,” added a local source.
Man Wiang gate, Sin Phyu Zae gate and Shwe Nang Taw gate are the 3 Burma-China border gates. Trucks are allowed to travel through Man Wiang gates and cars and motorbikes are allowed to pass via Sin Phyu Zae gate, while Shwe Nang Taw gate allows people on foot to enter.
Shan Herald Agency for News
January 22, 2008
On January 15, at 9:00 am, a Burma official issued a statement banning on Chinese vehicles from stopping overnight in Muse, at the Sino-Burma border in Northern Shan State.
According to a local source, Major-General Aung Than Htut, Commander of the Lashio-based Northeastern Region Command, instructed the local official U Nyunt Harn to ban cars with Chinese number plates from staying overnight. U Nyunt Harn then issued official statements along the border areas of Burma especially in Muse.
“Most rich people use Chinese licensed cars. They cost K 10,000,000 (US $ 8,333 ) with license and cars purchased in Burma cost about the same but they come without license. Therefore, sometimes they are caught driving cars without license. So, people don’t want to use it,” said a person who is driving a Chinese licensed car.
“The gates from Jiegao (in China) to Muse (in Burma) and vice-versa are only opened from 6:30 am (Burmese time) 8:00 am (Chinese time) to 10:30pm (Burmese time) 12:00 pm (Chinese time). Those cars are allowed to travel into Muse during the opening time,” added a local source.
Man Wiang gate, Sin Phyu Zae gate and Shwe Nang Taw gate are the 3 Burma-China border gates. Trucks are allowed to travel through Man Wiang gates and cars and motorbikes are allowed to pass via Sin Phyu Zae gate, while Shwe Nang Taw gate allows people on foot to enter.
Major lottery agents arrested in Pauktaw
Written by Webmaster
Kaladan Press Org
January 21, 2008
Pauktaw, Arakan State: The three main agents of the illegal three-digit lottery selling group, including a local police officer, of Pauktaw Township in central Arakan State were arrested by authorities in recent days.
Ko Htun Oo, 38, was arrested on the evening of January 19 by police officers on the charges of illegal gambling and selling lottery tickets to the public.
Yesterday, police Sub-Inspector Myo Aung and Daw Kyawt May wife of Htun Oo, were also arrested after Ko Htun Oo’s statement to investigators said that they were his main business partners.
Police searched the house of Htun Oo and found 200 tickets of three-digit illegal lottery in the hand bag of Daw Kyawt May. Lottery tickets sell for kyat 500 each.
The three were sent to the Akyab police head office for further interrogation.
The three-digit lottery is well-known to Burmese people and is played illegally across the country. It is based on the last three digits of the legal government lottery in Thailand which is drawn twice a month.
Kaladan Press Org
January 21, 2008
Pauktaw, Arakan State: The three main agents of the illegal three-digit lottery selling group, including a local police officer, of Pauktaw Township in central Arakan State were arrested by authorities in recent days.
Ko Htun Oo, 38, was arrested on the evening of January 19 by police officers on the charges of illegal gambling and selling lottery tickets to the public.
Yesterday, police Sub-Inspector Myo Aung and Daw Kyawt May wife of Htun Oo, were also arrested after Ko Htun Oo’s statement to investigators said that they were his main business partners.
Police searched the house of Htun Oo and found 200 tickets of three-digit illegal lottery in the hand bag of Daw Kyawt May. Lottery tickets sell for kyat 500 each.
The three were sent to the Akyab police head office for further interrogation.
The three-digit lottery is well-known to Burmese people and is played illegally across the country. It is based on the last three digits of the legal government lottery in Thailand which is drawn twice a month.
CARE to build bridge in Buthidaung
Written by Webmaster
Kaladan Press Org
January 21, 2008
Buthidaung, Arakan State: CARE Australia, a major international organization that works mainly on health and education in northern Arakan, has offered to rebuild the bridge over the Lawet Dark River near Buthidaung, say residents of the town.
On January 5, three Burmese CARE staff met in a school field near the river with village elders, Village Peace and Development Council officials, and other local authorities, according to a source who attended the meeting, to discuss rebuilding the bridge which connects Taung Bazar with Buthidaung town.
The 110-feet-long bridge was originally built by Bridge Asia Japan, an NGO, and was ruined during the rainy season by flood.
A CARE staffer blamed local residents for the deterioration of the bridge. “You [villagers] have not taken heed, so the bridge was destroyed. Now, we need the contribution of villagers to rebuild it.”
CARE said that it would provide all the materials for construction of bridge except for stones and sand, which it requested that villagers provide. Construction of bridge will be started soon.
Villagers happily agreed to supply stone and sand, said a VPDC Chairman who participated in the meeting.
The bridge is important as the villagers of Buthidaung northern side have to cross the river to go to Buthidaung town. It is also support to go to Taung Bazar, 10 miles away on a dirt road which automobiles can not travel in the rainy season.
Normally, CARE Australia works for health and education in northern Arakan and has established an office in Maungdaw Town.
Kaladan Press Org
January 21, 2008
Buthidaung, Arakan State: CARE Australia, a major international organization that works mainly on health and education in northern Arakan, has offered to rebuild the bridge over the Lawet Dark River near Buthidaung, say residents of the town.
On January 5, three Burmese CARE staff met in a school field near the river with village elders, Village Peace and Development Council officials, and other local authorities, according to a source who attended the meeting, to discuss rebuilding the bridge which connects Taung Bazar with Buthidaung town.
The 110-feet-long bridge was originally built by Bridge Asia Japan, an NGO, and was ruined during the rainy season by flood.
A CARE staffer blamed local residents for the deterioration of the bridge. “You [villagers] have not taken heed, so the bridge was destroyed. Now, we need the contribution of villagers to rebuild it.”
CARE said that it would provide all the materials for construction of bridge except for stones and sand, which it requested that villagers provide. Construction of bridge will be started soon.
Villagers happily agreed to supply stone and sand, said a VPDC Chairman who participated in the meeting.
The bridge is important as the villagers of Buthidaung northern side have to cross the river to go to Buthidaung town. It is also support to go to Taung Bazar, 10 miles away on a dirt road which automobiles can not travel in the rainy season.
Normally, CARE Australia works for health and education in northern Arakan and has established an office in Maungdaw Town.
UNHCR supports road construction in Buthidaung
Written by Webmaster
Kaladan Press Org
January 21, 2008
Buthidaung, Arakan State: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is helping to construct the road linking Taung Bazar to Yaungma Kyaungdaung village of Buthidaung Township.
Construction began on January 15 and workers are being paid in rice, said sources.
The 1.5-mile-long road is destroyed every year by floods and the villagers renovated it before. But this time UNHCR is financing the construction of a stronger road that can withstand the rains.
About 100 workers are working daily in road construction and they are being paid each day with 10 to 12 kg of rice by UNHCR. At present, one kg of rice is being sold at kyat 350 in Taung Bazar. Therefore, one worker will get kyat 3,500 to 4,200 as daily wage.
A villager said, “Some villagers get jobs while they are sitting in inactive without jobs. There is no opportunity for workers to find works as there is no freedom in movement. Now, some workers get chance to support their family.”
Kaladan Press Org
January 21, 2008
Buthidaung, Arakan State: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is helping to construct the road linking Taung Bazar to Yaungma Kyaungdaung village of Buthidaung Township.
Construction began on January 15 and workers are being paid in rice, said sources.
The 1.5-mile-long road is destroyed every year by floods and the villagers renovated it before. But this time UNHCR is financing the construction of a stronger road that can withstand the rains.
About 100 workers are working daily in road construction and they are being paid each day with 10 to 12 kg of rice by UNHCR. At present, one kg of rice is being sold at kyat 350 in Taung Bazar. Therefore, one worker will get kyat 3,500 to 4,200 as daily wage.
A villager said, “Some villagers get jobs while they are sitting in inactive without jobs. There is no opportunity for workers to find works as there is no freedom in movement. Now, some workers get chance to support their family.”
End the misuse of Australian taxpayers' money - PETITION
December 2007 - January 2008
We, the undersigned, call on the Australian Government to end the misuse of Australian taxpayers' money to fund training of police and intelligence personnel in Burma.
Since 1997, Australian aid through the ASEAN-Australian Development Cooperation Program has supported the military regime in Burma and not the humanitarian needs of the people.
Australia has conducted intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism and police cooperation training with Burma's police through the 'Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation'. In 2004-2005 $480,000 of AUSAID money was spent training senior officials in Burma. In November 2006, 20 senior intelligence officers were trained at the Centre by Australian Federal Police (AFP). The AFP also trains Burmese police at its Liaison Office in Rangoon, Burma.
The AFP training can be directly linked to the Burmese military command which recently killed, arrested and tortured peaceful monks and civilians involved in pro-democracy protests. According to human rights groups, it is likely that some senior police involved in the crackdowns in Burma received AFP training.
An immediate end to Australia's involvement in training police and intelligence personnel in Burma will demonstrate how seriously the Australian Government views ongoing human rights abuses by the military regime - a regime Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has described as one of world's most corrupt and oppressive.
SIGN THE PETITION PLEASE... ---- ww.australiaburmanetwork.org
We, the undersigned, call on the Australian Government to end the misuse of Australian taxpayers' money to fund training of police and intelligence personnel in Burma.
Since 1997, Australian aid through the ASEAN-Australian Development Cooperation Program has supported the military regime in Burma and not the humanitarian needs of the people.
Australia has conducted intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism and police cooperation training with Burma's police through the 'Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation'. In 2004-2005 $480,000 of AUSAID money was spent training senior officials in Burma. In November 2006, 20 senior intelligence officers were trained at the Centre by Australian Federal Police (AFP). The AFP also trains Burmese police at its Liaison Office in Rangoon, Burma.
The AFP training can be directly linked to the Burmese military command which recently killed, arrested and tortured peaceful monks and civilians involved in pro-democracy protests. According to human rights groups, it is likely that some senior police involved in the crackdowns in Burma received AFP training.
An immediate end to Australia's involvement in training police and intelligence personnel in Burma will demonstrate how seriously the Australian Government views ongoing human rights abuses by the military regime - a regime Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has described as one of world's most corrupt and oppressive.
SIGN THE PETITION PLEASE... ---- ww.australiaburmanetwork.org
Western sanctions on Burmese gems and jades ineffective: expert
Than Htike Oo
Mizzima News
January 21, 2008
Western sanctions which imposes a ban on Burmese gems and jades does not seem to be working out. The recently concluded gems and jade auction in Burma's former capital Rangoon has proved that the sanctions, particularly a ban on import and export of Burmese gems and jade, have been ineffective, a Burmese economist said.
Burma's ruling junta said it has sold off 357 lots of jade in an auction concluded on Saturday, the state run media New Light of Myanmar said. The 25th auction was attended by 281 foreign businessmen, the paper added.
Dr. Khin Maung Kyi, a retired Burmese economist based in Singapore said the auction only proves that the junta is squaring off sanctions against the Burmese gems and jade import and export.
"It is easy for the junta to sell the gems and jades as there are always prospective buyers or businessmen wanting them," Khin Maung Kyi said.
Despite the western sanctions, the Burmese junta will always find a way out as the Chinese are keen to purchase these natural resources, he added.
"I think the sanctions have little impact because even if the west bans import and export, the junta will always be able to sell it to China," Khin Maung Kyi said.
Though the US and EU hardened its stance on economic sanctions including the ban on import and export of gems and jade following the Burmese military regime's brutal crackdown on monk-led protests in September, Burma has been regularly holding such auctions and is earning its much needed foreign exchange.
The Burmese junta, however, did not reveal how much it has earned from the five day auction. A similar auction in November earned an estimated US $ 150 million.
Mizzima News
January 21, 2008
Western sanctions which imposes a ban on Burmese gems and jades does not seem to be working out. The recently concluded gems and jade auction in Burma's former capital Rangoon has proved that the sanctions, particularly a ban on import and export of Burmese gems and jade, have been ineffective, a Burmese economist said.
Burma's ruling junta said it has sold off 357 lots of jade in an auction concluded on Saturday, the state run media New Light of Myanmar said. The 25th auction was attended by 281 foreign businessmen, the paper added.
Dr. Khin Maung Kyi, a retired Burmese economist based in Singapore said the auction only proves that the junta is squaring off sanctions against the Burmese gems and jade import and export.
"It is easy for the junta to sell the gems and jades as there are always prospective buyers or businessmen wanting them," Khin Maung Kyi said.
Despite the western sanctions, the Burmese junta will always find a way out as the Chinese are keen to purchase these natural resources, he added.
"I think the sanctions have little impact because even if the west bans import and export, the junta will always be able to sell it to China," Khin Maung Kyi said.
Though the US and EU hardened its stance on economic sanctions including the ban on import and export of gems and jade following the Burmese military regime's brutal crackdown on monk-led protests in September, Burma has been regularly holding such auctions and is earning its much needed foreign exchange.
The Burmese junta, however, did not reveal how much it has earned from the five day auction. A similar auction in November earned an estimated US $ 150 million.
Asean Won’t Let Burma Troubles Slow Regional Integration
Gillian Wong/Associated Press Writer/Singapore
The Irrawaddy News
www.irrawaddy.org
January 21, 2008
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will not let the actions of its troubled member Burma hamper the group's regional integration efforts, a senior Singaporean official said on Monday.
"We should not and will not let the Myanmar [Burma] issue slow down the integration of our region," Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Raymond Lim told the Singapore Parliament.
Lim was responding to Singaporean parliamentarians' questions on why Asean leaders cancelled a scheduled address by UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari at the bloc's annual meeting in Singapore in November, after Burma had objected.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the chairman of Asean, had invited Gambari to address the summit about the progress made in his meetings with Burma’s junta. But Burma regarded the issue as a domestic affair, Lim said.
"Myanmar [Burma] wanted to deal with the UN directly, and did not want Asean to play any political role. Once Myanmar [Burma] took this position, Asean could not proceed" as it is a consensus-based organization, Lim said.
"It is obviously unsatisfactory that Myanmar [Burma] sees no role for an organization of which it is a member, and on an issue which affects us all. But this is not a matter of Asean's credibility," Lim said.
Lim also ruled out the possibility of expelling Burma from the regional bloc, saying it was in Asean's interests to keep the country as "a member of the family."
"I don't think that expelling Myanmar [Burma] from Asean is the solution," he said. "We still have channels of communication which hopefully can influence the situation in Myanmar [Burma]."
"What happens in Myanmar [Burma] affects the well-being of the rest of Southeast Asia. We do not want to see Myanmar [Burma] descend into chaos or implode."
During the summit, Asean leaders signed a landmark charter to promote free trade and human rights, formally turning the 40-year-old organization—often derided as a toothless talk shop—into a rules-based legal entity if ratified by all 10 members. It also adopted a blueprint to transform the region into a European Union-style economic bloc.
The Irrawaddy News
www.irrawaddy.org
January 21, 2008
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will not let the actions of its troubled member Burma hamper the group's regional integration efforts, a senior Singaporean official said on Monday.
"We should not and will not let the Myanmar [Burma] issue slow down the integration of our region," Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Raymond Lim told the Singapore Parliament.
Lim was responding to Singaporean parliamentarians' questions on why Asean leaders cancelled a scheduled address by UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari at the bloc's annual meeting in Singapore in November, after Burma had objected.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the chairman of Asean, had invited Gambari to address the summit about the progress made in his meetings with Burma’s junta. But Burma regarded the issue as a domestic affair, Lim said.
"Myanmar [Burma] wanted to deal with the UN directly, and did not want Asean to play any political role. Once Myanmar [Burma] took this position, Asean could not proceed" as it is a consensus-based organization, Lim said.
"It is obviously unsatisfactory that Myanmar [Burma] sees no role for an organization of which it is a member, and on an issue which affects us all. But this is not a matter of Asean's credibility," Lim said.
Lim also ruled out the possibility of expelling Burma from the regional bloc, saying it was in Asean's interests to keep the country as "a member of the family."
"I don't think that expelling Myanmar [Burma] from Asean is the solution," he said. "We still have channels of communication which hopefully can influence the situation in Myanmar [Burma]."
"What happens in Myanmar [Burma] affects the well-being of the rest of Southeast Asia. We do not want to see Myanmar [Burma] descend into chaos or implode."
During the summit, Asean leaders signed a landmark charter to promote free trade and human rights, formally turning the 40-year-old organization—often derided as a toothless talk shop—into a rules-based legal entity if ratified by all 10 members. It also adopted a blueprint to transform the region into a European Union-style economic bloc.
Malaysia Cuts Reliance on Foreign Labor, to Send Home 200,000 Workers
Eileen Ng/AP Writer/Kuala Lumpur
The Irrawaddy News
www.irrawaddy.com
January 21, 2008
Malaysia plans to send home at least 200,000 foreign workers by next year in an effort to increase job opportunities for locals, a senior government official said Sunday.
The government will apply stricter standards for the hiring of foreign labor in order to reduce the number of non-Malaysian workers to 1.8 million next year and to 1.5 million by 2015, said Home Affairs Ministry secretary-general Raja Azahar Raja Abdul Manap.
Malaysia relies heavily on foreigners for menial work and is one of Southeast Asia's top labor markets, with foreigners making up 2.02 million of its work force of 11 million. Hundreds of thousands more work illegally in the country.
"We need to cut reliance on foreign workers. We are going to re-examine our policy of managing foreign workers in this country," Raja Azahar told The Associated Press.
"We will be strict now. We have been liberal in the past and allowed employers to cut costs with cheaper foreign labor but now, they have to turn to locals and pay a reasonable salary based on supply and demand," he said.
Raja Azahar said the government would allow skilled workers to stay for up to 10 years, but would not extend the permits of unskilled foreign workers who have been in the country for at least five years—a measure that could cut the number of foreign labor by 200,000 this year.
The ministry will hold talks with the manufacturing, plantation and construction sectors—three key industries that recruit three-quarters of foreign labor in the country—to push them to reduce their foreign workers without hurting their business, he said.
Plantation Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui has expressed concern that foreign labor were dominating plantations in the country, accounting for more than 500,000 of some 800,000 workers in the sector, the Sunday Star newspaper said.
"Malaysians give plantation jobs low priority. This misconception has resulted in more foreigners taking over these jobs every year," he was quoted as saying. "We must reverse this trend or else our plantations and estates will end up being controlled by foreigners."
Raja Azahar said there is no limit to the length of stay for foreign maids but the ministry may raise the eligibility of employers, allowing only households with a monthly income of more than 5,000 ringgit (US $1,515) to hire maids, compared to 3,000 ringgit ($909) now.
The ministry plans to increase the strength of its 1500-member enforcement team for monitoring foreign labor to 5,000 officers, he added.
The move comes amid complaints from some labor unions that Malaysian workers have been deprived of jobs because employers preferred to recruit cheaper foreign labor. Some employers have said that local workers are unreliable.
The government recently barred major airports and hotels from recruiting foreign workers for frontline jobs that deal directly with customers, in an effort to reduce foreign labor and ensure tourists are greeted by Malaysian faces upon arrival.
The Irrawaddy News
www.irrawaddy.com
January 21, 2008
Malaysia plans to send home at least 200,000 foreign workers by next year in an effort to increase job opportunities for locals, a senior government official said Sunday.
The government will apply stricter standards for the hiring of foreign labor in order to reduce the number of non-Malaysian workers to 1.8 million next year and to 1.5 million by 2015, said Home Affairs Ministry secretary-general Raja Azahar Raja Abdul Manap.
Malaysia relies heavily on foreigners for menial work and is one of Southeast Asia's top labor markets, with foreigners making up 2.02 million of its work force of 11 million. Hundreds of thousands more work illegally in the country.
"We need to cut reliance on foreign workers. We are going to re-examine our policy of managing foreign workers in this country," Raja Azahar told The Associated Press.
"We will be strict now. We have been liberal in the past and allowed employers to cut costs with cheaper foreign labor but now, they have to turn to locals and pay a reasonable salary based on supply and demand," he said.
Raja Azahar said the government would allow skilled workers to stay for up to 10 years, but would not extend the permits of unskilled foreign workers who have been in the country for at least five years—a measure that could cut the number of foreign labor by 200,000 this year.
The ministry will hold talks with the manufacturing, plantation and construction sectors—three key industries that recruit three-quarters of foreign labor in the country—to push them to reduce their foreign workers without hurting their business, he said.
Plantation Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui has expressed concern that foreign labor were dominating plantations in the country, accounting for more than 500,000 of some 800,000 workers in the sector, the Sunday Star newspaper said.
"Malaysians give plantation jobs low priority. This misconception has resulted in more foreigners taking over these jobs every year," he was quoted as saying. "We must reverse this trend or else our plantations and estates will end up being controlled by foreigners."
Raja Azahar said there is no limit to the length of stay for foreign maids but the ministry may raise the eligibility of employers, allowing only households with a monthly income of more than 5,000 ringgit (US $1,515) to hire maids, compared to 3,000 ringgit ($909) now.
The ministry plans to increase the strength of its 1500-member enforcement team for monitoring foreign labor to 5,000 officers, he added.
The move comes amid complaints from some labor unions that Malaysian workers have been deprived of jobs because employers preferred to recruit cheaper foreign labor. Some employers have said that local workers are unreliable.
The government recently barred major airports and hotels from recruiting foreign workers for frontline jobs that deal directly with customers, in an effort to reduce foreign labor and ensure tourists are greeted by Malaysian faces upon arrival.
Burmese Authorities to Relocate Mandalay Gem Market to Rangoon
By Min Lwin
The Irrawaddy News
www.irrawaddy.com
January 21, 2008
The Burmese government is set to move the country’s biggest gem market from Mandalay to Rangoon, according to local gem traders in Mandalay.
“The authorities want to move the Mandalay gem market to Rangoon because it would be easier to control and export large quantities of gems legally,” Than Tin, a Mandalay gem dealer, told The Irrawaddy.
The buying and selling of gems and stones, especially the jade market, has slowed drastically in Mandalay because of the relocation news.
The Mandalay gem market buys gems and stones, including jade, rubies, sapphires and other precious stones, from six areas of Burma: Mogok in Mandalay Division; Mongshu in Shan State; Khamti in Sagaing Division; and Moe-Nyin, Hpakant and Namya in Kachin State.
A former gem market in Mandalay, known as Daw Net Wine, had functioned for several decades at its location between roads 85 and 86.
The Mandalay City and Development Committee moved the market to a new location, called Maha Aung Mye Kyauk Myat Wine, in late 1997, housing more than 2,000 shops manufacturing, selling and buying gems between roads 40 and 38 in southwest Mandalay.
The Mandalay gem industry is one of the largest employers in the area. A businessman who sculpts jade figurines said the relocation would be difficult for hundreds of thousands of people.
Mandalay has seen a boom in jade sculpting for several years, and the jade trade is the biggest source of jobs for local people.
“Most of the jade, rubies, sapphires and other precious stones in the Mandalay gem market are purchased by local traders who are making gem products," Than Tin said.
He said some precious stones are bought illegally by Chinese dealers and sent to Hong Kong and Macau.
“Everyone is disappointed,” said Than Tin. “They don’t want their businesses to move to Rangoon.”
The gem trade district to be located in Rangoon will include the Myanmar Convention Centre and the Royal Ruby Jade Hotel in Mayangone Township in Rangoon.
Meanwhile, the military government sold 600 lots of gems and jade in an auction from January 15 to 19 organized by the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Company Ltd, a Burmese military corporation, according to The New Light of Myanmar. The gross sales figure was not released.
The United States and the European Union recently tightened sanctions against Burma’s precious gems and stones industry.
The Irrawaddy News
www.irrawaddy.com
January 21, 2008
The Burmese government is set to move the country’s biggest gem market from Mandalay to Rangoon, according to local gem traders in Mandalay.
“The authorities want to move the Mandalay gem market to Rangoon because it would be easier to control and export large quantities of gems legally,” Than Tin, a Mandalay gem dealer, told The Irrawaddy.
The buying and selling of gems and stones, especially the jade market, has slowed drastically in Mandalay because of the relocation news.
The Mandalay gem market buys gems and stones, including jade, rubies, sapphires and other precious stones, from six areas of Burma: Mogok in Mandalay Division; Mongshu in Shan State; Khamti in Sagaing Division; and Moe-Nyin, Hpakant and Namya in Kachin State.
A former gem market in Mandalay, known as Daw Net Wine, had functioned for several decades at its location between roads 85 and 86.
The Mandalay City and Development Committee moved the market to a new location, called Maha Aung Mye Kyauk Myat Wine, in late 1997, housing more than 2,000 shops manufacturing, selling and buying gems between roads 40 and 38 in southwest Mandalay.
The Mandalay gem industry is one of the largest employers in the area. A businessman who sculpts jade figurines said the relocation would be difficult for hundreds of thousands of people.
Mandalay has seen a boom in jade sculpting for several years, and the jade trade is the biggest source of jobs for local people.
“Most of the jade, rubies, sapphires and other precious stones in the Mandalay gem market are purchased by local traders who are making gem products," Than Tin said.
He said some precious stones are bought illegally by Chinese dealers and sent to Hong Kong and Macau.
“Everyone is disappointed,” said Than Tin. “They don’t want their businesses to move to Rangoon.”
The gem trade district to be located in Rangoon will include the Myanmar Convention Centre and the Royal Ruby Jade Hotel in Mayangone Township in Rangoon.
Meanwhile, the military government sold 600 lots of gems and jade in an auction from January 15 to 19 organized by the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Company Ltd, a Burmese military corporation, according to The New Light of Myanmar. The gross sales figure was not released.
The United States and the European Union recently tightened sanctions against Burma’s precious gems and stones industry.
India’s Pro-junta Stand Unlikely to Change, Say Analysts
By Wai Moe
The Irrawaddy News
www.irrawaddy.org
January 21, 2008
India’s “Look East” foreign policy favoring the Burmese regime is not likely to change soon despite appeals by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari, observers say.
Brown met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday and told him India has an important role to play in Burma’s transition to democracy and an end to that country’s problems.
Brown told reporters on Sunday that China was “working resolutely” on how to use its influence with Burma—“and we will be looking at how we can persuade the Burmese regime.”
Gambari also told India’s television station NDTV recently that the UN wanted India to do more, drawing attention to India’s signing of a huge contract to build a port in Burma.
Gambari said India was “a democratic country with true commitment to human rights. We also believe that a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Myanmar [Burma] would be an even better partner for India than what the situation is right now.”
Gambari said the best guarantee for India’s investment was a peaceful, stable and democratic Burma. “What concerns us is not really their bilateral relations, but to use that, in our view, as an opportunity and leverage to help us by transmitting right messages.”
Win Min, a Burmese analyst based in Thailand, said India was second only to China in the influence it had over Burma. After China called for political changes following the September 2007 demonstrations, India then also openly talked about Burmese democracy.
“Previously India did not talk about Aung San Suu Kyi’s release and dialogue,” Win Min said. “But during the visit to New Delhi by Foreign Minister Nyan Win India spoke out about her freedom and a meaningful dialogue, including ethnic issues.”
However, Tint Swe of Burma’s government in exile, the National Coalition Government of Union of Burma, based in New Delhi, said India’s Burma policy did not appear to have changed significantly even after the September demonstrations and regime crackdown. “So the international community such as [British Prime Minister] Brown and the UN should push India, as the biggest democracy, to press for real transition to democracy in Burma.”
India’s “Look East” policy is based on economic ties with Southeast Asian nations, including Burma, a geo-politically important country for New Delhi.
Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese political observer based on the Sino-Burmese border, said he didn’t think India would change its pro-junta policy in view of its rivalry with China.
“India might think the Burmese regime has become pro-China because India adopted a strong stand for Burmese democracy after the 1988 uprising,” he said.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has, meanwhile, convened the first meeting of a group of 14 countries, including China and India, to help him in his efforts to advance political change in Burma.
The “Group of Friends of the UN Secretary-General on Burma” is a consultative forum for developing a shared approach in support of the implementation of the Secretary-General’s good offices mandate.
The Irrawaddy News
www.irrawaddy.org
January 21, 2008
India’s “Look East” foreign policy favoring the Burmese regime is not likely to change soon despite appeals by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari, observers say.
Brown met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday and told him India has an important role to play in Burma’s transition to democracy and an end to that country’s problems.
Brown told reporters on Sunday that China was “working resolutely” on how to use its influence with Burma—“and we will be looking at how we can persuade the Burmese regime.”
Gambari also told India’s television station NDTV recently that the UN wanted India to do more, drawing attention to India’s signing of a huge contract to build a port in Burma.
Gambari said India was “a democratic country with true commitment to human rights. We also believe that a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Myanmar [Burma] would be an even better partner for India than what the situation is right now.”
Gambari said the best guarantee for India’s investment was a peaceful, stable and democratic Burma. “What concerns us is not really their bilateral relations, but to use that, in our view, as an opportunity and leverage to help us by transmitting right messages.”
Win Min, a Burmese analyst based in Thailand, said India was second only to China in the influence it had over Burma. After China called for political changes following the September 2007 demonstrations, India then also openly talked about Burmese democracy.
“Previously India did not talk about Aung San Suu Kyi’s release and dialogue,” Win Min said. “But during the visit to New Delhi by Foreign Minister Nyan Win India spoke out about her freedom and a meaningful dialogue, including ethnic issues.”
However, Tint Swe of Burma’s government in exile, the National Coalition Government of Union of Burma, based in New Delhi, said India’s Burma policy did not appear to have changed significantly even after the September demonstrations and regime crackdown. “So the international community such as [British Prime Minister] Brown and the UN should push India, as the biggest democracy, to press for real transition to democracy in Burma.”
India’s “Look East” policy is based on economic ties with Southeast Asian nations, including Burma, a geo-politically important country for New Delhi.
Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese political observer based on the Sino-Burmese border, said he didn’t think India would change its pro-junta policy in view of its rivalry with China.
“India might think the Burmese regime has become pro-China because India adopted a strong stand for Burmese democracy after the 1988 uprising,” he said.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has, meanwhile, convened the first meeting of a group of 14 countries, including China and India, to help him in his efforts to advance political change in Burma.
The “Group of Friends of the UN Secretary-General on Burma” is a consultative forum for developing a shared approach in support of the implementation of the Secretary-General’s good offices mandate.
Myanmar going 'downhill on all fronts,' says US
January 21, 2008
AFP - Yahoo News
HANOI (AFP) - Myanmar is going "downhill on all fronts," a senior US diplomat said during a visit to Vietnam Monday, urging regional neighbours to pressure the junta running the country formerly called Burma.
"The regime in Burma is absolutely refusing to take any positive steps at all, either in response to its own people or to the international community," said US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel.
"It should be a cause of concern for everybody because the way Burma is going under this regime and its policies is sort of downhill on all fronts," he told a media briefing during a Hanoi stop on a regional tour.
"We talk about it mostly in terms of human rights and democracy and that's critically important to us, but it's beyond that," he said. "The economy is going downhill, the education system is getting ruined.
"The health care system isn't functioning, ... you're getting more and more cases of resistant strains of tuberculosis and malaria out of Burma. You've got refugee flows out of Burma. It's just a whole series of problems."
Myanmar faces mounting pressure for democratic reform after its crackdown on peaceful protests led by Buddhist monks last September triggered widespread international outrage and tighter Western sanctions.
The United Nations says at least 31 people were killed during the suppression of the protests, and 74 remain missing.
Marciel said he had spoken about Myanmar with officials in Tokyo, Phnom Penh and Hanoi and would also raise the topic in Bangkok and Vientiane soon, urging all governments to push for change.
"Our sense is that there is no easy solution, but for Burma to begin to turn around in a very general sense, it's not really going to happen and can't really happen under this regime," he said.
"They just don't have the wherewithal, they have got no popular support, no legitimacy and frankly not very many good ideas."
Marciel said the junta, by allowing a UN mediator to visit after the crackdown, and holding limited dialogue with the opposition, "took a few little steps early on... and basically nothing since then."
"So our message is, going back to business as usual isn't really a very good option because the problems, the root causes that led to the protests and the violence in September haven't been addressed at all."
The regime needed to start serious talks with the opposition leader, he said, adding that "taking Aung San Suu Kyi away from house arrest once every two months for an hour meeting isn't a dialogue."
Marciel said the international community needed to keep up the pressure.
"Everybody says they weighed in diplomatically -- the Indians, the Chinese, the ASEANs (Association of Southeast Asian Nations members). What we're saying is, please keep doing it. A one-time weigh-in isn't so helpful."
AFP - Yahoo News
HANOI (AFP) - Myanmar is going "downhill on all fronts," a senior US diplomat said during a visit to Vietnam Monday, urging regional neighbours to pressure the junta running the country formerly called Burma.
"The regime in Burma is absolutely refusing to take any positive steps at all, either in response to its own people or to the international community," said US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel.
"It should be a cause of concern for everybody because the way Burma is going under this regime and its policies is sort of downhill on all fronts," he told a media briefing during a Hanoi stop on a regional tour.
"We talk about it mostly in terms of human rights and democracy and that's critically important to us, but it's beyond that," he said. "The economy is going downhill, the education system is getting ruined.
"The health care system isn't functioning, ... you're getting more and more cases of resistant strains of tuberculosis and malaria out of Burma. You've got refugee flows out of Burma. It's just a whole series of problems."
Myanmar faces mounting pressure for democratic reform after its crackdown on peaceful protests led by Buddhist monks last September triggered widespread international outrage and tighter Western sanctions.
The United Nations says at least 31 people were killed during the suppression of the protests, and 74 remain missing.
Marciel said he had spoken about Myanmar with officials in Tokyo, Phnom Penh and Hanoi and would also raise the topic in Bangkok and Vientiane soon, urging all governments to push for change.
"Our sense is that there is no easy solution, but for Burma to begin to turn around in a very general sense, it's not really going to happen and can't really happen under this regime," he said.
"They just don't have the wherewithal, they have got no popular support, no legitimacy and frankly not very many good ideas."
Marciel said the junta, by allowing a UN mediator to visit after the crackdown, and holding limited dialogue with the opposition, "took a few little steps early on... and basically nothing since then."
"So our message is, going back to business as usual isn't really a very good option because the problems, the root causes that led to the protests and the violence in September haven't been addressed at all."
The regime needed to start serious talks with the opposition leader, he said, adding that "taking Aung San Suu Kyi away from house arrest once every two months for an hour meeting isn't a dialogue."
Marciel said the international community needed to keep up the pressure.
"Everybody says they weighed in diplomatically -- the Indians, the Chinese, the ASEANs (Association of Southeast Asian Nations members). What we're saying is, please keep doing it. A one-time weigh-in isn't so helpful."
Plight of Burma’s ethnic minorities and hope for reconciliation - Speech
Organized by Canadian Friends of Burma and Carleton Burma Solidarity Committee
Date:
January 24rd at 7:00 PM
Location:
Carleton University Centre Room 378
Victor Biak Lian, an exiled democracy activist from Burma’s Chin ethnic group, will speak on the plight of Burma’s ethnic nationalities and finding political solution in Burma and national reconciliation.
Victor is a member of the Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC), an organization based in Thailand that seeks to promote dialogue and cooperation between all of Burma’s ethnic nationalities in preparation for a ‘Tripartite Dialogue” between the elected opposition forces, ethnic groups and the military. The ENC believes such dialogue is an important part of the transition to democracy.
Burma is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world and between 20-30% of the population are members of ethnic minority groups. Forty-five plus years of military rule and perpetual civil war have only made matters worse for the vast majority of Burma’s people, including both those from the ethnic majority and ethnic minorities.
Most of Burma’s refugees come from the ethnic minority groups located near Burma’s borders which have been engaged in the struggle for equality and autonomy rights with the central Burmese authorities since the country's independence.
This event is hosted by the Canadian Friends of Burma and the Carleton Burma Solidarity Committee.
For more information contact the
Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB)
Ph: 613-237-8056
Email: cfob@cfob.org
website www.cfob.org
More info on the Ethnic Nationalities Council of Burma www.encburma.org
______________________________
Canadian Friends of Burma is federally incorporated, non-profit organization working for democracy and human rights in Burma since 1991.
Date:
January 24rd at 7:00 PM
Location:
Carleton University Centre Room 378
Victor Biak Lian, an exiled democracy activist from Burma’s Chin ethnic group, will speak on the plight of Burma’s ethnic nationalities and finding political solution in Burma and national reconciliation.
Victor is a member of the Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC), an organization based in Thailand that seeks to promote dialogue and cooperation between all of Burma’s ethnic nationalities in preparation for a ‘Tripartite Dialogue” between the elected opposition forces, ethnic groups and the military. The ENC believes such dialogue is an important part of the transition to democracy.
Burma is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world and between 20-30% of the population are members of ethnic minority groups. Forty-five plus years of military rule and perpetual civil war have only made matters worse for the vast majority of Burma’s people, including both those from the ethnic majority and ethnic minorities.
Most of Burma’s refugees come from the ethnic minority groups located near Burma’s borders which have been engaged in the struggle for equality and autonomy rights with the central Burmese authorities since the country's independence.
This event is hosted by the Canadian Friends of Burma and the Carleton Burma Solidarity Committee.
For more information contact the
Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB)
Ph: 613-237-8056
Email: cfob@cfob.org
website www.cfob.org
More info on the Ethnic Nationalities Council of Burma www.encburma.org
______________________________
Canadian Friends of Burma is federally incorporated, non-profit organization working for democracy and human rights in Burma since 1991.
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