By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
June 13, 2008
A free-trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union is unlikely to take shape soon because of the big discrepancies between Asean members and political problems in Burma, said visiting Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht.
The blocs announced their vision for a free-trade agreement in 2005 but negotiations could not be concluded easily, he said. The Asean ministerial meeting in Singapore next month, which the EU will join as a dialogue partner, would not reach any common ground, he added.
De Gucht said there were big discrepancies between the economies of the 10 Asean members. Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam lag behind more advanced economies such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. "Therefore you cannot argue that there is a homogenous bloc of Asean countries, which means you need many rules and provisions adapted to meet various national conditions," he told a gathering of the business community in Bangkok on Wednesday.
Another major obstacle for the pact is political problems in military-ruled Burma, he added.
A political stalemate arose two decades ago in Burma due to suppression of democratic movements and human rights. The most recent suppression occurred last September when the junta launched a military crackdown on street protests led by Buddhist monks that left at least 31 dead.
The EU is foremost in imposing economic sanctions against the junta.
"There are many EU member states that doubt they can come to an agreement with Asean unless there are some signs of evolution in Burma and political change there," De Gucht said.
A report on Asean-EU economic relations by Britain's Glyn Ford, submitted to the European Parliament last month, suggested that the EU human rights in the partnership and cooperation agreement prior to the conclusion of a free-trade agreement. To that extent, Burma could not be included in any deal.
Sunday, 15 June 2008
OPINION: There’s a Little Bit of the Burmese General in All of Us
Lita Davidson; May 23, 2008
While the western world looks with disgust at Burma’s military, who pride themselves more on their self imposed isolation than on saving the lives of their people, the response of citizens and governments in Asia to the crisis unfolding in their region has been modest. There is very little in the way of a sense of urgency in the Asian media or in regional political bodies responding to the cyclone, nor of comment on Burma’s intransigence. Compared to reactions in the west, by Asian standards, the cyclone is a small matter indeed.
On the surface, Asia’s citizens do not appear to exhibit the same intensity of compassion on what approach to take in their media as we do in the west. In the west there is an outpouring of discourse on Burma; in Asia, this subject is fleeting. With the exception of the Burmese in exile, Thai English language news and anomalies, such as an unidentified Singaporean millionaire who on a whim donated 50,000 then quickly donated another 50,000 to the cyclone relief effort, comments from the Asian international community and general interest about the situation in Burma is meek. Stories which are printed about the situation tend to be only descriptive and come across as an everyday occurrence.
In Asia, any Asian nation that undergoes conflict, human tragedy, poverty, war or humanitarian crisis, such as the ongoing civil war in Sri Lanka and the murderous political transition in Nepal and East Timor among others, does not garner much attention or bring on much collective spirit as would be expected from among the most powerful players, including the more advanced countries of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan, who potentially could change the dire situation given their massive economic clout.
With the exception of the Thai English language newspapers that generate lively debate among mostly ‘farang’ or western foreigners in Thailand, protests or critical analysis on situations or even knowledge about what is going on in other countries are mostly submissive and inward looking, rarely directed outward at the international level toward other countries. With the exception of individual scholars, such as, among others, Korea’s Kim Dae Jung and Basil Fernando from the Asian Human Rights Commission in Hong Kong, people within Asia, don’t really care or even know about what is going on.
Upon closer scrutiny however, individual people in Asia do feel deep compassion when they see starving and dead children just as we do in the west, but tend to keep their thoughts private and are rarely given the chance to take action or voice their opinions in a robust way on international affairs. This writer has witnessed intense debate on how to tackle poverty and conflict, but like us, feel powerless to do anything about it. Generally, people in Asia come under close scrutiny by their governments and society; group and worker meetings take place every week in most Asian societies, their behavior is monitored by coworkers and their superiors and they are exhausted after working long hours. On average, most people in Asia work longer hours than people in the west. Freedom to do as you please is not encouraged in Asia; they are socialized to succeed at all costs.
One is also humbled on learning how Asia’s political scene for many decades was shaped by western influence in which leaders were advised to do away with agitators wanting equal rights and higher wages during the Cold War, a situation repeating itself with respect to China who wants to keep their doors open to western and Asian companies and who are reluctant to reform their exploitative wage labour system so as to suit the business interests of foreign investment.
In truth, the mild response in Asian media is due to the propensity of Asian leaders to refrain from judging each other too closely, fearing that each will be held accountable for their own weaknesses, which is inconceivable, if not an uncomfortable situation for most Asian leaders. Democratic will is further weakened by the educational system in which children are brought up to not question their instructor or an authority figure, they are taught to obey, listen and produce, and applying critical thinking or a different point of view on a subject is not part of their culture, not yet anyway.
A student expressing his or her opinion may be punished severely, although this situation may be changing as governments realize that critical and imaginative analysis are the basics of innovation needed to further develop their economies. While opening up and building relationships based on cooperation with neigbhours, as demonstrated recently when China visited Japan last week, is a step in the right direction to working collectively as a group, rather than against each other.
Burma and other similar countries might as well be on another planet or in a different part of the world. People in Asia may comment they have undergone much worse catastrophes. Why should we help them? We pulled ourselves out of poverty, why should we go to their aid? Even though many have achieved a modern standard of living, there is still a great fear that one day they will fall back on hard times and staying ahead of the game is foremost on their minds.
Most are concerned about their own country’s economy and compete with each other fiercely to maintain an edge over the other, being second place to another Asian country is unthinkable, like losing a soccer match. In South Korea the outbreak of Avian bird flu has been on the front page for over 3 weeks amid rising inflation and fuel prices, and the slowing down of the economy is more of a concern. Scant mention is made of Burma and the damage inflicted by the cyclone is not as vigorously pursued in the press as it is in the west.
The Association of Southeast Nations does not appear to take as seriously the massive operation that is needed to deal with the catastrophe and shows little sign of collective will on the implication of thousands of Burmese facing starvation and disease due to the Burmese generals’ paranoia to let in foreign workers. The cyclone is mentioned briefly in small paragraphs on their website, whereas in the west, it is seen on all government and regional websites with explicit detail and moral analysis; in most Asian newspapers, very little detail about the situation is reported.
The western press and many western citizens learn about Burma including its people, the environment, and the ongoing aid effort through their local newspapers that generates a lot of public opinion among the editorial boards. It’s a shame that Asian governments do not promote more moral discourse on what goes on in other Asian countries and compete more on democratic and humanitarian principles, not just economic ones; perhaps it is their history and their leaders, but their educational system can also explain some of their silence.
As commented by a Korean in the Korean Times, “Why should we criticize Burma when we fail to even criticize atrocities committed in North Korea?” Asian media is vigorously censored and does not encourage moral discourse; however, people can wholeheartedly think and are very opinionated about their governments and what happens in other parts of the world, surprisingly even more so than us in the west, but the term ‘constructive criticism’ is a concept not quite accepted by Asian governments who do not encourage it in any positive way.
Are Asian people morally inferior? Disasters and large scale humanitarian crises have occurred in recent living memory over local and international wars in Asia in which people were powerless against dictators and roving bands of invading armies bent on rape, pillage and murder. Each Asian country has endured untold miseries while the slaughter of millions across Asia such as in South Korea, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam; for much of the 20th century these countries faced enormous upheaval which occurred right under our noses for many years while we in turn remained silent and culpable in their destruction.
In comparing the west and the east as most Asian and Western diplomats tend to do nowadays when it comes to the rapid pace of economic modernization in Asia, in particular, Singaporean and Malaysia diplomats, one can cite western atrocities committed in the name of religion, progress and nation. There are several horrific examples, many of which are untold; much of the 20th century was a nightmare for people in Asia, crimes and wars committed by western nations, no one is innocent.
In a recent BBC interview, Singaporean diplomat Kishore Mahbubani commented that the west can learn a lot from the east in competing, as being a model for growth. Yes, that’s true, but the east can learn from the west in promoting discourse on moral values in ensuring protection of people who can also contribute. Governments in Asia, especially from the more developed countries, need to exercise more leadership and to work collectively to address serious problems that affect the economic performance of Asian countries. Have not these diplomats realized the potential of Burma’s people who can contribute to Asia?
Kaowao News
While the western world looks with disgust at Burma’s military, who pride themselves more on their self imposed isolation than on saving the lives of their people, the response of citizens and governments in Asia to the crisis unfolding in their region has been modest. There is very little in the way of a sense of urgency in the Asian media or in regional political bodies responding to the cyclone, nor of comment on Burma’s intransigence. Compared to reactions in the west, by Asian standards, the cyclone is a small matter indeed.
On the surface, Asia’s citizens do not appear to exhibit the same intensity of compassion on what approach to take in their media as we do in the west. In the west there is an outpouring of discourse on Burma; in Asia, this subject is fleeting. With the exception of the Burmese in exile, Thai English language news and anomalies, such as an unidentified Singaporean millionaire who on a whim donated 50,000 then quickly donated another 50,000 to the cyclone relief effort, comments from the Asian international community and general interest about the situation in Burma is meek. Stories which are printed about the situation tend to be only descriptive and come across as an everyday occurrence.
In Asia, any Asian nation that undergoes conflict, human tragedy, poverty, war or humanitarian crisis, such as the ongoing civil war in Sri Lanka and the murderous political transition in Nepal and East Timor among others, does not garner much attention or bring on much collective spirit as would be expected from among the most powerful players, including the more advanced countries of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan, who potentially could change the dire situation given their massive economic clout.
With the exception of the Thai English language newspapers that generate lively debate among mostly ‘farang’ or western foreigners in Thailand, protests or critical analysis on situations or even knowledge about what is going on in other countries are mostly submissive and inward looking, rarely directed outward at the international level toward other countries. With the exception of individual scholars, such as, among others, Korea’s Kim Dae Jung and Basil Fernando from the Asian Human Rights Commission in Hong Kong, people within Asia, don’t really care or even know about what is going on.
Upon closer scrutiny however, individual people in Asia do feel deep compassion when they see starving and dead children just as we do in the west, but tend to keep their thoughts private and are rarely given the chance to take action or voice their opinions in a robust way on international affairs. This writer has witnessed intense debate on how to tackle poverty and conflict, but like us, feel powerless to do anything about it. Generally, people in Asia come under close scrutiny by their governments and society; group and worker meetings take place every week in most Asian societies, their behavior is monitored by coworkers and their superiors and they are exhausted after working long hours. On average, most people in Asia work longer hours than people in the west. Freedom to do as you please is not encouraged in Asia; they are socialized to succeed at all costs.
One is also humbled on learning how Asia’s political scene for many decades was shaped by western influence in which leaders were advised to do away with agitators wanting equal rights and higher wages during the Cold War, a situation repeating itself with respect to China who wants to keep their doors open to western and Asian companies and who are reluctant to reform their exploitative wage labour system so as to suit the business interests of foreign investment.
In truth, the mild response in Asian media is due to the propensity of Asian leaders to refrain from judging each other too closely, fearing that each will be held accountable for their own weaknesses, which is inconceivable, if not an uncomfortable situation for most Asian leaders. Democratic will is further weakened by the educational system in which children are brought up to not question their instructor or an authority figure, they are taught to obey, listen and produce, and applying critical thinking or a different point of view on a subject is not part of their culture, not yet anyway.
A student expressing his or her opinion may be punished severely, although this situation may be changing as governments realize that critical and imaginative analysis are the basics of innovation needed to further develop their economies. While opening up and building relationships based on cooperation with neigbhours, as demonstrated recently when China visited Japan last week, is a step in the right direction to working collectively as a group, rather than against each other.
Burma and other similar countries might as well be on another planet or in a different part of the world. People in Asia may comment they have undergone much worse catastrophes. Why should we help them? We pulled ourselves out of poverty, why should we go to their aid? Even though many have achieved a modern standard of living, there is still a great fear that one day they will fall back on hard times and staying ahead of the game is foremost on their minds.
Most are concerned about their own country’s economy and compete with each other fiercely to maintain an edge over the other, being second place to another Asian country is unthinkable, like losing a soccer match. In South Korea the outbreak of Avian bird flu has been on the front page for over 3 weeks amid rising inflation and fuel prices, and the slowing down of the economy is more of a concern. Scant mention is made of Burma and the damage inflicted by the cyclone is not as vigorously pursued in the press as it is in the west.
The Association of Southeast Nations does not appear to take as seriously the massive operation that is needed to deal with the catastrophe and shows little sign of collective will on the implication of thousands of Burmese facing starvation and disease due to the Burmese generals’ paranoia to let in foreign workers. The cyclone is mentioned briefly in small paragraphs on their website, whereas in the west, it is seen on all government and regional websites with explicit detail and moral analysis; in most Asian newspapers, very little detail about the situation is reported.
The western press and many western citizens learn about Burma including its people, the environment, and the ongoing aid effort through their local newspapers that generates a lot of public opinion among the editorial boards. It’s a shame that Asian governments do not promote more moral discourse on what goes on in other Asian countries and compete more on democratic and humanitarian principles, not just economic ones; perhaps it is their history and their leaders, but their educational system can also explain some of their silence.
As commented by a Korean in the Korean Times, “Why should we criticize Burma when we fail to even criticize atrocities committed in North Korea?” Asian media is vigorously censored and does not encourage moral discourse; however, people can wholeheartedly think and are very opinionated about their governments and what happens in other parts of the world, surprisingly even more so than us in the west, but the term ‘constructive criticism’ is a concept not quite accepted by Asian governments who do not encourage it in any positive way.
Are Asian people morally inferior? Disasters and large scale humanitarian crises have occurred in recent living memory over local and international wars in Asia in which people were powerless against dictators and roving bands of invading armies bent on rape, pillage and murder. Each Asian country has endured untold miseries while the slaughter of millions across Asia such as in South Korea, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam; for much of the 20th century these countries faced enormous upheaval which occurred right under our noses for many years while we in turn remained silent and culpable in their destruction.
In comparing the west and the east as most Asian and Western diplomats tend to do nowadays when it comes to the rapid pace of economic modernization in Asia, in particular, Singaporean and Malaysia diplomats, one can cite western atrocities committed in the name of religion, progress and nation. There are several horrific examples, many of which are untold; much of the 20th century was a nightmare for people in Asia, crimes and wars committed by western nations, no one is innocent.
In a recent BBC interview, Singaporean diplomat Kishore Mahbubani commented that the west can learn a lot from the east in competing, as being a model for growth. Yes, that’s true, but the east can learn from the west in promoting discourse on moral values in ensuring protection of people who can also contribute. Governments in Asia, especially from the more developed countries, need to exercise more leadership and to work collectively to address serious problems that affect the economic performance of Asian countries. Have not these diplomats realized the potential of Burma’s people who can contribute to Asia?
Kaowao News
Deep South Referendum Bombing Suspects Resurface
Asohn Vi / Kaowao; June 9, 2008
Two men suspected of setting and exploding a bomb previously believed to have been tortured to death, have resurfaced in a southern town in Mon state. According to their relatives, they now remain detained at the town’s police station.
Nai Cheem Mon (Show Tun), a former New Mon State Party (NMSP) medic and Nai Kyaw Tun were arrested after being forced to admit to the bombing during the May 10th referendum in Yin Dein (Yan Dein) village, southern Ye and were allegedly tortured with electric shock by the Army troops of Infantry Battalion (IB) No.31 based in Khaw Zar subtown. Most villagers believed they had died as a result of torture as nothing had been seen or heard from them since that time. Death as a result of torture is not uncommon in Mon state.
When the Burmese regime heard that most people in Yin Dein village planned to register a vote against the constitutional referendum, they positioned themselves in the area on May 10th; on the same day a bomb exploded near the school where the vote took place. After the explosion the military called all people suspected of planting the bomb to plead their case and eventually arrested two villagers after finding they possessed a VCD about the Saffron Revolution.
According to his wife, Mi San Aye, although Nai Cheem Mon insisted he wasn’t involved in the bombing, authorities ignored all pleas and instead detained him and subjected him to torture. Rather than hope for exemption, Mi San Aye had also assumed her husband had died as a result of torture, and so was surprised when she was recently able to meet with him. After seeing her husband for the first time in almost one month she stated that although there were no bruises evident, his speech was slurred and at times incoherent, possibly as a result of repeated electric shocks.
In a similar case the head villager of Yin Ye village, a neighboring village of Yin Dein, together with his three partners were arrested on May 28th and 30th and tortured until close to death by the town authority Infantry Battalion (IB) No.30. Their alleged crime was supporting Mon rebel groups in fundraising. All four men were given an internment on June 3rd after prominent people in their village acted as guarantors for them. The condition of their release is similar to parole; “They have to report and sign into the IB No.31 every week, confirming that they are at the village and registering their activities over the past week,” said a Yin Ye villager.
These cases are widely known throughout the Mon community around the world and have led to a strong call for both the Mon ceasefire groups and Mon rebel groups to work on a resolution.
Banya Htaw Weang, an overseas Mon community leader from America, urged and encouraged overseas Mon using the e-communication tool of Monnet, commenting, “I would like to urge the NMSP and the Hongsawatoi Restoration Party to find a solution on how to get along with each other and protect our people instead of going in different directions and allowing personal problems to become the priority. This is the time to work together.”
Many Mon believe a combined approach is required, as cases of unexplained detention and significant use of torture on Mon people increases.
Two men suspected of setting and exploding a bomb previously believed to have been tortured to death, have resurfaced in a southern town in Mon state. According to their relatives, they now remain detained at the town’s police station.
Nai Cheem Mon (Show Tun), a former New Mon State Party (NMSP) medic and Nai Kyaw Tun were arrested after being forced to admit to the bombing during the May 10th referendum in Yin Dein (Yan Dein) village, southern Ye and were allegedly tortured with electric shock by the Army troops of Infantry Battalion (IB) No.31 based in Khaw Zar subtown. Most villagers believed they had died as a result of torture as nothing had been seen or heard from them since that time. Death as a result of torture is not uncommon in Mon state.
When the Burmese regime heard that most people in Yin Dein village planned to register a vote against the constitutional referendum, they positioned themselves in the area on May 10th; on the same day a bomb exploded near the school where the vote took place. After the explosion the military called all people suspected of planting the bomb to plead their case and eventually arrested two villagers after finding they possessed a VCD about the Saffron Revolution.
According to his wife, Mi San Aye, although Nai Cheem Mon insisted he wasn’t involved in the bombing, authorities ignored all pleas and instead detained him and subjected him to torture. Rather than hope for exemption, Mi San Aye had also assumed her husband had died as a result of torture, and so was surprised when she was recently able to meet with him. After seeing her husband for the first time in almost one month she stated that although there were no bruises evident, his speech was slurred and at times incoherent, possibly as a result of repeated electric shocks.
In a similar case the head villager of Yin Ye village, a neighboring village of Yin Dein, together with his three partners were arrested on May 28th and 30th and tortured until close to death by the town authority Infantry Battalion (IB) No.30. Their alleged crime was supporting Mon rebel groups in fundraising. All four men were given an internment on June 3rd after prominent people in their village acted as guarantors for them. The condition of their release is similar to parole; “They have to report and sign into the IB No.31 every week, confirming that they are at the village and registering their activities over the past week,” said a Yin Ye villager.
These cases are widely known throughout the Mon community around the world and have led to a strong call for both the Mon ceasefire groups and Mon rebel groups to work on a resolution.
Banya Htaw Weang, an overseas Mon community leader from America, urged and encouraged overseas Mon using the e-communication tool of Monnet, commenting, “I would like to urge the NMSP and the Hongsawatoi Restoration Party to find a solution on how to get along with each other and protect our people instead of going in different directions and allowing personal problems to become the priority. This is the time to work together.”
Many Mon believe a combined approach is required, as cases of unexplained detention and significant use of torture on Mon people increases.
Burmese force collects paddy seeds for cyclone victims
(Kaladan Press) 14 June 2008 - Maungdaw, Arakan State:
Burma's border security force, Nasaka, collected paddy seeds for seedlings for the cyclone victims, from Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships last week, according to villagers.
The Nasaka has collected 3 kgs of paddy seeds per acre from the farmers of Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships, in Arakan State.
They have also collected Kyat 5,000 to Kyat 10,000 per family from Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships according to the economic standing of the family.
The Nasaka has also collected 6 to 10 cattle from one village across Maungdaw Buthidaung Townships for the cyclone victims, a village elder said on condition of anonymity.
For farmers of the Irrawaddy Delta, it is necessary to sow seeds by the end of June or else, the country's rice production would decline. Farmers have to replant their seedlings and care for them with fertilizers before the end of August, according to sources.
The cyclone could probably turn Burma-- a rice exporting nation into an importer of rice. Stocks of food have been destroyed; seeds have been damaged, while all other assets have been swept away.
Planting the next rice crop on time is very important. Farmers do not have the capital to replace the seeds, livestock and tools needed to start replanting rice in the next few months.
The Irrawaddy Delta produces almost two-thirds of Burma's rice output.
Earlier, on May 25, the Nasaka collected one kg of rice per acre, two cattle per village and 5,500 Tan (one Tan= 40.91 litre) of paddy per village for cyclone Nargis victims from villagers of Maungdaw Township.
Burma's border security force, Nasaka, collected paddy seeds for seedlings for the cyclone victims, from Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships last week, according to villagers.
The Nasaka has collected 3 kgs of paddy seeds per acre from the farmers of Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships, in Arakan State.
They have also collected Kyat 5,000 to Kyat 10,000 per family from Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships according to the economic standing of the family.
The Nasaka has also collected 6 to 10 cattle from one village across Maungdaw Buthidaung Townships for the cyclone victims, a village elder said on condition of anonymity.
For farmers of the Irrawaddy Delta, it is necessary to sow seeds by the end of June or else, the country's rice production would decline. Farmers have to replant their seedlings and care for them with fertilizers before the end of August, according to sources.
The cyclone could probably turn Burma-- a rice exporting nation into an importer of rice. Stocks of food have been destroyed; seeds have been damaged, while all other assets have been swept away.
Planting the next rice crop on time is very important. Farmers do not have the capital to replace the seeds, livestock and tools needed to start replanting rice in the next few months.
The Irrawaddy Delta produces almost two-thirds of Burma's rice output.
Earlier, on May 25, the Nasaka collected one kg of rice per acre, two cattle per village and 5,500 Tan (one Tan= 40.91 litre) of paddy per village for cyclone Nargis victims from villagers of Maungdaw Township.
Rohingya hides to evade arrest for dead cow
(Kaladan Press) - 14 June 2008, Buthidaung, Arakan State
A Rohingya had to go into hiding to evade arrest for he was to be fined for his dead cow, said a relative of the victim on condition of anonymity.
The victim was identified as Zar Mulluk (30), son of Amir Hussain, from Maungyi Daung (Maggbill) village-tract of Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, Burma.
On June 3 morning some cattle of the victim went to the nearby mountain to graze. The cows were returning home after grazing in the evening when a cow slipped in the heavy rain and hurtled to its death in the mountain.
On receiving information, the police of Buthidaung town summoned the owner of the cows, Zar Mulluk to the police camp, but he went into hiding for fear of arrest and being fined.
According to villagers, a cattle owner would be fined by the authorities if any cow goes missing from the lists they maintain. Earlier, Nasaka Burma's border security force made lists of cattle (domestic animals---cows, buffaloes, and goats) belonging to villagers. If any villager wanted to sell cattle Naska had to be informed and paid. If a cow died that needs to be informed too and again they have to pay money for deletion from the list.
Nevertheless, after three days, on June 7, the victim's wife settled the problem paying Kyat 70,000 to the police officer of Buthidaung town through the Village Peace and Development council (VPDC) Chairman.
The victim, Zar Mulluk, however, returned home after eight days from hiding.
A Rohingya had to go into hiding to evade arrest for he was to be fined for his dead cow, said a relative of the victim on condition of anonymity.
The victim was identified as Zar Mulluk (30), son of Amir Hussain, from Maungyi Daung (Maggbill) village-tract of Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, Burma.
On June 3 morning some cattle of the victim went to the nearby mountain to graze. The cows were returning home after grazing in the evening when a cow slipped in the heavy rain and hurtled to its death in the mountain.
On receiving information, the police of Buthidaung town summoned the owner of the cows, Zar Mulluk to the police camp, but he went into hiding for fear of arrest and being fined.
According to villagers, a cattle owner would be fined by the authorities if any cow goes missing from the lists they maintain. Earlier, Nasaka Burma's border security force made lists of cattle (domestic animals---cows, buffaloes, and goats) belonging to villagers. If any villager wanted to sell cattle Naska had to be informed and paid. If a cow died that needs to be informed too and again they have to pay money for deletion from the list.
Nevertheless, after three days, on June 7, the victim's wife settled the problem paying Kyat 70,000 to the police officer of Buthidaung town through the Village Peace and Development council (VPDC) Chairman.
The victim, Zar Mulluk, however, returned home after eight days from hiding.
UN Report Finds Corruption Hits Poor Hardest
By Chad Bouchard
Jakarta (VOA)
12 June 2008
Bouchard report - Download (MP3)
Bouchard report - Listen (MP3)
U.N. officials say small-scale corruption hits poor people hardest and strangles economic growth across Asia. Chad Bouchard reports from Jakarta.
Poor people in countries around the Asia-Pacific region are bombarded with illegal charges and bribes in their daily lives.
A new report released by the U.N. Development Program indicates that petty corruption perpetuates poverty and increases child mortality rates.
UNDP Assistant Secretary-General Olav Kjørven says high-profile cases of corruption at the top levels of government should not take attention away from small-scale graft.
"Poor people are the ones who can least afford to pay bribes, but they find themselves that they have no other choice in order to protect what little they have or to get access to at least some minimum social service, whether it's education or health," he said. "And so in addition to the resource transfer away from productive services for the public good at the macro-level, at the micro-level, it hurts individuals and families directly."
Kjørven says at police check points, government offices, and even schools and hospitals the poverty stricken pay extra for the services they need to sustain everyday life.
"Those are the areas where regular people need the government the most in their day-to-day lives," he said. "If the majority of the people see the government as just one big corrupt beast that is just there as a problem not as a catalyst or a facilitator for development, for progress, then the sustainability of the state itself becomes questionable."
The report recommends rooting out corruption in the justice system as a top priority, and supports public access to financial information to keep governments honest.
As much as 40 percent of the funds for infrastructure projects across the region are lost due to bid rigging and other corruption, the UNDP said.
The report was released in Indonesia, where the country's president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says his country could be destroyed if corruption continues to grow. He has called for "shock therapy" to help root it out.
Jakarta (VOA)
12 June 2008
Bouchard report - Download (MP3)
Bouchard report - Listen (MP3)
U.N. officials say small-scale corruption hits poor people hardest and strangles economic growth across Asia. Chad Bouchard reports from Jakarta.
Poor people in countries around the Asia-Pacific region are bombarded with illegal charges and bribes in their daily lives.
A new report released by the U.N. Development Program indicates that petty corruption perpetuates poverty and increases child mortality rates.
UNDP Assistant Secretary-General Olav Kjørven says high-profile cases of corruption at the top levels of government should not take attention away from small-scale graft.
"Poor people are the ones who can least afford to pay bribes, but they find themselves that they have no other choice in order to protect what little they have or to get access to at least some minimum social service, whether it's education or health," he said. "And so in addition to the resource transfer away from productive services for the public good at the macro-level, at the micro-level, it hurts individuals and families directly."
Kjørven says at police check points, government offices, and even schools and hospitals the poverty stricken pay extra for the services they need to sustain everyday life.
"Those are the areas where regular people need the government the most in their day-to-day lives," he said. "If the majority of the people see the government as just one big corrupt beast that is just there as a problem not as a catalyst or a facilitator for development, for progress, then the sustainability of the state itself becomes questionable."
The report recommends rooting out corruption in the justice system as a top priority, and supports public access to financial information to keep governments honest.
As much as 40 percent of the funds for infrastructure projects across the region are lost due to bid rigging and other corruption, the UNDP said.
The report was released in Indonesia, where the country's president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says his country could be destroyed if corruption continues to grow. He has called for "shock therapy" to help root it out.
Junta shuts down pro-opposition monastery
Mizzima News, 14 June 2008 - The Burmese military junta authorities sealed a pro-opposition Buddhist monastery in Rangoon yesterday.
The township chairman and security forces arrived at the Sasana Theikpan monastery compound of Chauk Htut Gyi pagoda, Bahan Township on Friday morning and told monks they would close the monastery until an official announcement by the new head of monastery was made.
Security forces told the monks that they had come with an order from the Rangoon military commander Brigadier General Hla Htay Win.
"They locked the door of the monastery with a lock they brought with them at 5 p.m. yesterday," a monk from Sasana Theikpan told Mizzima.
The monk believed that it was a ruse and he did not expect the monastery to be reopened. Three monks of Sansana Theikpan are taking temporary shelter in two nearby monasteries.
The former head of the Sasana Theikpan monastery died recently and dozens of pro-democracy opposition activists attended the funeral service on June 7 even as the authorities monitored the funeral service.
About a hundred pro-government civil militia of the Swan Arr Shin and members of Union Solidarity Development Association were standing by to crackdown, activists told Mizzima.
Buddhist monasteries were raided and some were sealed during and after monks led a mass uprising against the government in September 2007.
Sasana Theikpan and Sasana Gonye were among the monasteries raided by security forces in Bahan Township. The latter has been shut down since the raid.
The township chairman and security forces arrived at the Sasana Theikpan monastery compound of Chauk Htut Gyi pagoda, Bahan Township on Friday morning and told monks they would close the monastery until an official announcement by the new head of monastery was made.
Security forces told the monks that they had come with an order from the Rangoon military commander Brigadier General Hla Htay Win.
"They locked the door of the monastery with a lock they brought with them at 5 p.m. yesterday," a monk from Sasana Theikpan told Mizzima.
The monk believed that it was a ruse and he did not expect the monastery to be reopened. Three monks of Sansana Theikpan are taking temporary shelter in two nearby monasteries.
The former head of the Sasana Theikpan monastery died recently and dozens of pro-democracy opposition activists attended the funeral service on June 7 even as the authorities monitored the funeral service.
About a hundred pro-government civil militia of the Swan Arr Shin and members of Union Solidarity Development Association were standing by to crackdown, activists told Mizzima.
Buddhist monasteries were raided and some were sealed during and after monks led a mass uprising against the government in September 2007.
Sasana Theikpan and Sasana Gonye were among the monasteries raided by security forces in Bahan Township. The latter has been shut down since the raid.
Saturday, 14 June 2008
Transporting goods on two wheelers in Bhamo at great risk
A Bhamo resident was carring teak to the China border near Joi Je in Kachin State, Northern Burma.Kachin News - Residents around Bhamo town transport Chinese made goods on their motorcycles through Loi Je city close to the Sino-Burma border to Bhamo, said a local in Bhamo.
A Bhamo resident was carring teak to the China border near Joi Je in Kachin State, Northern Burma.
“There are many risks. People carry Chinese made motor engines, food and clothes on their motorcycles along the rugged jungle terrain,” said a local.
According to residents, a Kachin transporting goods died recently on his way back to Bhamo from Loi Je after being hit by a big truck. In another instance goods being carried by three men from lower Burma were seized on the way by Burmese junta authorities.
Carriers also transport timber and sometimes face dangerous situations on the jungle route even though they get paid little for their effort. Sometimes they receive only kyat 10,000 (US $ 9) and sometimes 40,000 (US $ 36), a resident added.
Burmese Army confiscates cattle in the name of cyclone funds
Kachin News, 14 June 2008 - An artillery battalion of the Burmese army confiscated a herd of cattle from local merchants in the name of collecting funds for the cyclone-hit Irrawaddy Delta in Kachin State in Northern Burma, local sources said.
A herd of 27 cattle were being driven through the Chinese border in Kachin State for sale on May 28, 2008. The cattle owners were stopped near the Mogaung River and the herd was seized by second warrant officer Myint Thein of the No. 372 Artillery Battalion led by Major Ye Yint Twe, sources close to the merchants said.
The cattle were owned by three cattle merchants in Namma city --- Maung Shwe, Shan Ko and Thet Oo and they were driving the herd themselves, when the incident occurred, sources said.
The current price for 27 cattle is over 10 million Kyat (over US $ 8,889), a businessman in Myitkyina told KNG today.
In the hope of getting petty cash as compensation for the cattle confiscation, the owners appealed twice to Burmese junta's Northern Command Headquarters in Myitkyina Township, the capital of Kachin State. However, the military officials reasoned that "the cattle were confiscated for the fund for cyclone victims," sources said.
According to merchants in Sarhmaw (Samaw) city on the Myitkyina-Mandalay railway division, city-based Burmese Army's No. 105 Infantry Battalion (Kha La Ya) also confiscated cattle more than twice from local merchants. But interestingly the seizure was made before the cyclone hit Irrawaddy Delta.
Local cattle merchants have to bribe officers in the Burmese Army bases and regional military authorities to sell cattle near the Chinese border in eastern Kachin State, local merchants said.
Currently, rumours are doing the rounds in Kachin State that the military authorities are embezzling the funds collected in the name of cyclone victims, the residents said.
A herd of 27 cattle were being driven through the Chinese border in Kachin State for sale on May 28, 2008. The cattle owners were stopped near the Mogaung River and the herd was seized by second warrant officer Myint Thein of the No. 372 Artillery Battalion led by Major Ye Yint Twe, sources close to the merchants said.
The cattle were owned by three cattle merchants in Namma city --- Maung Shwe, Shan Ko and Thet Oo and they were driving the herd themselves, when the incident occurred, sources said.
The current price for 27 cattle is over 10 million Kyat (over US $ 8,889), a businessman in Myitkyina told KNG today.
In the hope of getting petty cash as compensation for the cattle confiscation, the owners appealed twice to Burmese junta's Northern Command Headquarters in Myitkyina Township, the capital of Kachin State. However, the military officials reasoned that "the cattle were confiscated for the fund for cyclone victims," sources said.
According to merchants in Sarhmaw (Samaw) city on the Myitkyina-Mandalay railway division, city-based Burmese Army's No. 105 Infantry Battalion (Kha La Ya) also confiscated cattle more than twice from local merchants. But interestingly the seizure was made before the cyclone hit Irrawaddy Delta.
Local cattle merchants have to bribe officers in the Burmese Army bases and regional military authorities to sell cattle near the Chinese border in eastern Kachin State, local merchants said.
Currently, rumours are doing the rounds in Kachin State that the military authorities are embezzling the funds collected in the name of cyclone victims, the residents said.
DVB News 11-13 June'08
Labutta families commemorate cyclone victims
Bogalay schools told to reopen despite setbacks
Farmers charged admin fees to receive loans
Junta lays out guidelines for relief workers
Daw Suu awarded the freedom of Dundee
USDA joins cyclone efforts to boost image
NLD members made to sign agreement
Dalai Lama donates money for cyclone victims
Local troops evict cyclone victims in Bogalay
Commentary: Constitution and the role of citizens
Remote villagers lacking proper medical treatment - 11th
Bogalay schools told to reopen despite setbacks
Farmers charged admin fees to receive loans
Junta lays out guidelines for relief workers
Daw Suu awarded the freedom of Dundee
USDA joins cyclone efforts to boost image
NLD members made to sign agreement
Dalai Lama donates money for cyclone victims
Local troops evict cyclone victims in Bogalay
Commentary: Constitution and the role of citizens
Remote villagers lacking proper medical treatment - 11th
Mogok ruby city landslide kills 22, eight missing
Heavy rain caused landslide in Mogok, the land of ruby in Burma which killed at least 22 and missing 8 people this morning.Mizzima-New Delhi: Incessant heavy rain since early morning of Thursday triggered landslides in Burma's ruby city killing 22 people. Eight people are missing, according to residents.
The heavy downpour started in the wee hours of 1 a.m. yesterday and over flowing water smashed the water bunker along the Yayni creek flooding the city which is known to produce the finest rubies, about 400 miles north or Rangoon. Several houses were destroyed; roads were inundated while landslides were triggered in some places.
Twenty two people were hospitalized, said a medical staff from Mogok Hospital on condition of anonymity. The eastern part of the town such as Laypay, Taungni, Thephyuwine, Ohnkine, Laioo quarters are the worst effected.
A resident who is helping in relief and rescue operations said eight people are still missing. The downpour continues in the land of the ruby and residents and volunteers recalled bitter experiences of landslides in the past.
The New Light of Myanmar, the official mouthpiece published a brief news on the disaster without even a mention of the death toll and destruction.
The ground where people gather to sell rubies and gems is strewn with debris. Residents said it will take time for things to normalise.
Floods are not unusual in Mogok town, which is prohibited for foreigners without special permission from the junta. The last flood occurred in August last year.
Well-informed residents complained of massive environmental damage due to mechanized gem mining by business companies.
"Gem miners are using machines which throw out all residuals into Yayni creek which causes floods easily. Despite building bunkers along the creek more and more debris from the mines are being heaped," a school teacher told Mizzima.
Cyclone Nargis hits Burmese economy
Phanida-Mizzima
13 June 2008, Chiang Mai – Economists and merchants feel that devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis will slow down Burma's economy.
The cyclone caused unprecedented damage in major rice and fishery producing Irrawaddy Division and Rangoon the economic hub of the country, resulting in Burma's economy being severely affected.
"The monsoons and the stagnating economy marks a drastic fall in demand. Farmland and roads are severely damaged. The most important factor is the soaring price of staple food, rice. These affect the demand side. This is the season for growing and planting rice, banana, and tapioca in lower Burma. But the farmers cannot grow these crops as their fields and even the ponds are inundated with saline water," Rangoon based economist U Khin Maung Nyo told Mizzima.
Soaring commodity prices and economic stagnation are usual phenomena of disasters or drastic and sudden change of situation in a country, U Khin Maung Nyo said. There will be fall and rise in prices as the situation is exploited by the merchants at such times," he added.
The price of rice rose by over 15% in Rangoon. 'Pawsanhmwe' rice rose from Kyat 36,000 per bag (about 110 lbs) to 42,000, 'Zeyar' rice rose from Kyat 24,000 per bag to 28,000. Even the wet rice, which were damaged rice with the colour turned yellow fetches Kyat 17,000 per bag.
The price of cooking oil rose by over 40%, from Kyat. 4,200 per viss (approximately 1.5 Kg) to 4,700.
Fuel price also rose by over 30% from Kyat 4,500 to 6,000 per gallon of petrol while diesel rose from Kyat 4,200 per gallon to Kyat 4,700.
A leading merchant of the 'Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry' (MCCI) conceded that Burma's economy is on a downward slide.
"The cyclone made the sale sluggish. A lot of money has to be spent on relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation. The cyclone left about 2.5 million people homeless. We have to arrange all the necessary things for the survivors, food, clothing and shelter. It has hit the economy hard," he said on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal by the authorities.
The downfall of the economy affects everybody, both in retail and wholesale trade and also odd job workers according to economists.
The brokerage firms (wholesale trade) in Theinzaygyi vegetable market are getting only Kyat 30-40,000, compared to the previous usual sale of Kyat 200-300,000 per day, according to the 'MYO Family' vegetable brokerage firm.
"Business is not good these days. We rely on our customers from rural areas. They have suffered a lot in the cyclone and it hit our business hard. A few customers come and buy from our firms these days. The business was brisk earlier. Rural people cannot buy when they are in trouble," a shop owner said.
All the vegetables in this market come mainly from townships in Irrawaddy Division, mainly Labutta, Bogale and Pathein.
"The number of customers has gone down drastically. Sometimes only one or two come and buy. We do not know what to do next. Yesterday someone came and supplied readymade Rakhine Vermicelli but I did not buy as the sale is sluggish these days. The clothing and apparel shops are worst-hit. Many shop owners want to sell their shops as the sale is sluggish," a grocer from Hledan market said.
Apart from soaring essential commodity prices, most of the ordinary people cannot make ends meet with their meagre income. They have to save while shopping for food as they want to donate some money for the cyclone survivors, a housewife from Rangoon said.
"We cannot make both ends meet with our small income. We have to pay tuition fees and admission fees in schools. My daughters are government employees and can barely survive. We have stopped buying fish, pork and chicken after the cyclone. Many people have tried to donate for the cyclone victims as much as they could. We must share what we have with those who have lost everything in the cyclone," the housewife from Rangoon said.
"There are many sale and sale promotions in this monsoon season. But the customers cannot buy because they have to buy essential commodities first with their small income. So they must desist from buying unnecessary goods. Government employees and poor people have to suffer more. They cannot buy most goods," a housewife in Tamwe Township said.
The school uniform and stationery shop in Latha Township also had poor sales figures. Sales fell by 50% in the school re-opening season. This shop usually does brisk sale in this season.
"We must take some time to recover from the economic stagnation and sluggishness. This is some sort of recession. We must take give at least six months. We cannot expect foreign aid to help us recover from the current situation. We need good economic management and good leadership to recover from the current crisis. We must rely on ourselves. The economy will improve a little bit when we have such a leadership and management," U Khin Maung Nyo said.
13 June 2008, Chiang Mai – Economists and merchants feel that devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis will slow down Burma's economy.
The cyclone caused unprecedented damage in major rice and fishery producing Irrawaddy Division and Rangoon the economic hub of the country, resulting in Burma's economy being severely affected.
"The monsoons and the stagnating economy marks a drastic fall in demand. Farmland and roads are severely damaged. The most important factor is the soaring price of staple food, rice. These affect the demand side. This is the season for growing and planting rice, banana, and tapioca in lower Burma. But the farmers cannot grow these crops as their fields and even the ponds are inundated with saline water," Rangoon based economist U Khin Maung Nyo told Mizzima.
Soaring commodity prices and economic stagnation are usual phenomena of disasters or drastic and sudden change of situation in a country, U Khin Maung Nyo said. There will be fall and rise in prices as the situation is exploited by the merchants at such times," he added.
The price of rice rose by over 15% in Rangoon. 'Pawsanhmwe' rice rose from Kyat 36,000 per bag (about 110 lbs) to 42,000, 'Zeyar' rice rose from Kyat 24,000 per bag to 28,000. Even the wet rice, which were damaged rice with the colour turned yellow fetches Kyat 17,000 per bag.
The price of cooking oil rose by over 40%, from Kyat. 4,200 per viss (approximately 1.5 Kg) to 4,700.
Fuel price also rose by over 30% from Kyat 4,500 to 6,000 per gallon of petrol while diesel rose from Kyat 4,200 per gallon to Kyat 4,700.
A leading merchant of the 'Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry' (MCCI) conceded that Burma's economy is on a downward slide.
"The cyclone made the sale sluggish. A lot of money has to be spent on relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation. The cyclone left about 2.5 million people homeless. We have to arrange all the necessary things for the survivors, food, clothing and shelter. It has hit the economy hard," he said on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal by the authorities.
The downfall of the economy affects everybody, both in retail and wholesale trade and also odd job workers according to economists.
The brokerage firms (wholesale trade) in Theinzaygyi vegetable market are getting only Kyat 30-40,000, compared to the previous usual sale of Kyat 200-300,000 per day, according to the 'MYO Family' vegetable brokerage firm.
"Business is not good these days. We rely on our customers from rural areas. They have suffered a lot in the cyclone and it hit our business hard. A few customers come and buy from our firms these days. The business was brisk earlier. Rural people cannot buy when they are in trouble," a shop owner said.
All the vegetables in this market come mainly from townships in Irrawaddy Division, mainly Labutta, Bogale and Pathein.
"The number of customers has gone down drastically. Sometimes only one or two come and buy. We do not know what to do next. Yesterday someone came and supplied readymade Rakhine Vermicelli but I did not buy as the sale is sluggish these days. The clothing and apparel shops are worst-hit. Many shop owners want to sell their shops as the sale is sluggish," a grocer from Hledan market said.
Apart from soaring essential commodity prices, most of the ordinary people cannot make ends meet with their meagre income. They have to save while shopping for food as they want to donate some money for the cyclone survivors, a housewife from Rangoon said.
"We cannot make both ends meet with our small income. We have to pay tuition fees and admission fees in schools. My daughters are government employees and can barely survive. We have stopped buying fish, pork and chicken after the cyclone. Many people have tried to donate for the cyclone victims as much as they could. We must share what we have with those who have lost everything in the cyclone," the housewife from Rangoon said.
"There are many sale and sale promotions in this monsoon season. But the customers cannot buy because they have to buy essential commodities first with their small income. So they must desist from buying unnecessary goods. Government employees and poor people have to suffer more. They cannot buy most goods," a housewife in Tamwe Township said.
The school uniform and stationery shop in Latha Township also had poor sales figures. Sales fell by 50% in the school re-opening season. This shop usually does brisk sale in this season.
"We must take some time to recover from the economic stagnation and sluggishness. This is some sort of recession. We must take give at least six months. We cannot expect foreign aid to help us recover from the current situation. We need good economic management and good leadership to recover from the current crisis. We must rely on ourselves. The economy will improve a little bit when we have such a leadership and management," U Khin Maung Nyo said.
Junta close down relief camps
Bangkok (IOL)- Foreign doctors have started leaving cyclone-hit Myanmar as the junta has closed down many relief camps in the affected areas, a senior Thai health ministry official said on Friday.
The military government had told Thailand not to send a third batch of medics, meant to leave for Yangon on Monday, as most of the camps in the Irrawaddy delta town of Myaungmya had been closed, Surachet Satitniramai, a co-ordinator for the Thai team, said.
"Doctors from India, Japan and the Philippines have already left Myanmar as many camps have been closed down," he said, adding that the only doctors left at the few camps remaining in the area were all Myanmar locals.
"They said they had enough doctors to deal with the situation now and will call out for help if they need more," he said.
Cyclone Nargis hit the densely populated delta in May, killing up to 134 000 people and leaving 2,4 million destitute. Despite the magnitude of the disaster, the junta has been reluctant to admit outside aid operations.
The United Nations called Myanmar's neighbours in south-east Asia and other donors to give more than one million gallons of emergency diesel supplies to help farmers in the devastated delta replant rice crops before the end of July.
"The window of opportunity is very short, and the need is of the utmost urgency," UN official Noeleen Heyzer said.
"The planting season in the Delta is June to July, after which it will be too late - with disastrous consequences for food security in Myanmar and the region."
(Reporting by Nopporn Wong-Anan; Editing by Ed Cropley)
The military government had told Thailand not to send a third batch of medics, meant to leave for Yangon on Monday, as most of the camps in the Irrawaddy delta town of Myaungmya had been closed, Surachet Satitniramai, a co-ordinator for the Thai team, said.
"Doctors from India, Japan and the Philippines have already left Myanmar as many camps have been closed down," he said, adding that the only doctors left at the few camps remaining in the area were all Myanmar locals.
"They said they had enough doctors to deal with the situation now and will call out for help if they need more," he said.
Cyclone Nargis hit the densely populated delta in May, killing up to 134 000 people and leaving 2,4 million destitute. Despite the magnitude of the disaster, the junta has been reluctant to admit outside aid operations.
The United Nations called Myanmar's neighbours in south-east Asia and other donors to give more than one million gallons of emergency diesel supplies to help farmers in the devastated delta replant rice crops before the end of July.
"The window of opportunity is very short, and the need is of the utmost urgency," UN official Noeleen Heyzer said.
"The planting season in the Delta is June to July, after which it will be too late - with disastrous consequences for food security in Myanmar and the region."
(Reporting by Nopporn Wong-Anan; Editing by Ed Cropley)
Politics Drives Crisis Response in Asia
By Gary Thomas
Washington - VOA
Gary Thomas' Focus Report (MP3 1.23MB) - Download (MP3)
Gary Thomas' Focus Report (MP3 1.23MB) - Listen (MP3)
Gary Thomas' Focus Report (RA 836KB) - Download (Real)
Gary Thomas' Focus Report (RA 836KB) - Listen (Real)
On May 2, Cyclone Nargis ripped across Burma, killing more than 78-thousand people. Ten days later, a massive earthquake shook China's Sichuan province, killing at least 69-thousand people. Beijing has been open about the quake, quickly responding and allowing wide domestic and foreign media coverage. But Rangoon's generals have restricted relief efforts and news about the cyclone. What are the international and domestic political ramifications of the two disasters?
The cyclone winds have passed and the earthquake aftershocks are subsiding. But analysts say political reverberations from the twin disasters in Burma and China will be felt for some time.
Richard Olson at Florida International University has researched the intersection of natural disasters and politics, and says a government's legitimacy -- both domestically and on the world stage -- can hinge on how it responds to a disaster.
"Disasters pose political problems for every regime and for every government because, fairly or unfairly, people -- victims, people who feel empathy with the victims -- expect the government to lead the response, to coordinate the response, to, in a sense, act like an accountable entity and to help people in need. It's one of the primordial functions of the state," says Olson.
The China-Burma Difference
China, which treated previous disasters as if they were state secrets, moved quickly to send in relief and rescue teams. And reporters -- including Western journalists -- extensively covered the disaster. In stark contrast, Burma, also known as Myanmar, has barred most media and foreign aid workers from the country, and accepted only a tiny fraction of the disaster relief offered by the international community. Most of the supplies that have arrived have been seized by the government, which insists on distributing the aid itself.
Robert Hunter, a senior advisor at the RAND Corporation here in Washington, says, "The Chinese government has responded with alacrity, doing an awful lot of things and even welcoming help from outside. This is a far cry from what the Chinese would have done back during the Mao [Zedong] period. Burma, by contrast, is demonstrating that the leadership has little or no concern for the people of Myanmar themselves."
Most analysts say China gained some political "points" from its handling of the disaster. They say Beijing was already suffering from bad publicity for its handling of recent demonstrations in Tibet and that it did not want another public relations black mark before the upcoming Olympic Games. However, recent reports indicate that the government is now cracking down on some of the earthquake journalism by banning stories on issues such as corruption and shoddy school construction in the earthquake zone.
Robert Hunter, a former U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, says that in contrast, Burma does not seem to care what the world thinks.
"This is a society that has never been that engaged in the outside world. It had a colonial past that they don't seem to be able to surmount. And, remarkably -- and this, I think, is not only tragic, but I would say it's almost criminal -- the leadership there is more concerned with its own prerogatives and its own prerequisites than it is about the simple human question of people in their country who are hurting very badly," says Hunter.
Political scientist Richard Olson says most governments' initial reluctance to accept outside help soon fades when they realize that they are unable to handle the disaster. "The initial idea is, 'Oh, we can do a good job and take credit and receive public points for a good disaster response.' And then about two or three days later, it becomes obvious that they really don't have the capabilities to do that. And then the negative sets in -- high expectations, relatively low performance. And they start losing public points," says Olson.
The Broader View
The international humanitarian impulse to help people in need is strong. But as analyst Robert Hunter points out, countries that donate aid out of the goodness of their hearts often win some hearts and minds as well, as the United States did with its earthquake aid to Pakistan in 2005. "Oh, I don't think that there's any question that we've known for a long time now that it's not just doing good, but it's doing well at the same time -- that governments that have compassion also gain politically from it. And I'm glad to say that in the United States, we have had governments that almost always show compassion, and tend to gain in the court of world public opinion for that," says Hunter.
Richard Olson notes that governments that are slow to respond to disasters can suffer politically when opposition political parties or groups step into the breach to help. "There are a number of examples where political parties or movements have taken advantage of -- that's not really the right term -- but there's a window of opportunity for them to demonstrate efficiency and capability and compassion and, in a way, compete with the government by getting into a disaster-stricken area with meaningful assistance," says Olson.
Suffering Vs. Sovereignty
The Burmese government's refusal to allow most aid or aid workers to reach areas hit by the cyclone has fueled the debate over whether states or the United Nations should intervene in a country to prevent a humanitarian crisis when its government will not or cannot act.
Robert Hunter of the RAND Corporation says there may be circumstances when suffering outweighs sovereignty. "The old rules simply won't work if there are leaderships who insist on putting their own narrow -- what they believe to be self-interests -- ahead of the very basic requirements of human existence and human dignity," says Hunter.
But the question of humanitarian intervention is a very sensitive one. Although intervention may have the lofty motive of saving civilian lives, analysts say many governments, especially authoritarian ones, view such measures as unwarranted interference in their internal affairs.
This story was first broadcast on the English news program, VOA News Now. For other Focus reports click here.
Washington - VOA
Gary Thomas' Focus Report (MP3 1.23MB) - Download (MP3)
Gary Thomas' Focus Report (MP3 1.23MB) - Listen (MP3)
Gary Thomas' Focus Report (RA 836KB) - Download (Real)
Gary Thomas' Focus Report (RA 836KB) - Listen (Real)
On May 2, Cyclone Nargis ripped across Burma, killing more than 78-thousand people. Ten days later, a massive earthquake shook China's Sichuan province, killing at least 69-thousand people. Beijing has been open about the quake, quickly responding and allowing wide domestic and foreign media coverage. But Rangoon's generals have restricted relief efforts and news about the cyclone. What are the international and domestic political ramifications of the two disasters?
The cyclone winds have passed and the earthquake aftershocks are subsiding. But analysts say political reverberations from the twin disasters in Burma and China will be felt for some time.
Richard Olson at Florida International University has researched the intersection of natural disasters and politics, and says a government's legitimacy -- both domestically and on the world stage -- can hinge on how it responds to a disaster.
"Disasters pose political problems for every regime and for every government because, fairly or unfairly, people -- victims, people who feel empathy with the victims -- expect the government to lead the response, to coordinate the response, to, in a sense, act like an accountable entity and to help people in need. It's one of the primordial functions of the state," says Olson.
The China-Burma Difference
China, which treated previous disasters as if they were state secrets, moved quickly to send in relief and rescue teams. And reporters -- including Western journalists -- extensively covered the disaster. In stark contrast, Burma, also known as Myanmar, has barred most media and foreign aid workers from the country, and accepted only a tiny fraction of the disaster relief offered by the international community. Most of the supplies that have arrived have been seized by the government, which insists on distributing the aid itself.
Robert Hunter, a senior advisor at the RAND Corporation here in Washington, says, "The Chinese government has responded with alacrity, doing an awful lot of things and even welcoming help from outside. This is a far cry from what the Chinese would have done back during the Mao [Zedong] period. Burma, by contrast, is demonstrating that the leadership has little or no concern for the people of Myanmar themselves."
Most analysts say China gained some political "points" from its handling of the disaster. They say Beijing was already suffering from bad publicity for its handling of recent demonstrations in Tibet and that it did not want another public relations black mark before the upcoming Olympic Games. However, recent reports indicate that the government is now cracking down on some of the earthquake journalism by banning stories on issues such as corruption and shoddy school construction in the earthquake zone.
Robert Hunter, a former U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, says that in contrast, Burma does not seem to care what the world thinks.
"This is a society that has never been that engaged in the outside world. It had a colonial past that they don't seem to be able to surmount. And, remarkably -- and this, I think, is not only tragic, but I would say it's almost criminal -- the leadership there is more concerned with its own prerogatives and its own prerequisites than it is about the simple human question of people in their country who are hurting very badly," says Hunter.
Political scientist Richard Olson says most governments' initial reluctance to accept outside help soon fades when they realize that they are unable to handle the disaster. "The initial idea is, 'Oh, we can do a good job and take credit and receive public points for a good disaster response.' And then about two or three days later, it becomes obvious that they really don't have the capabilities to do that. And then the negative sets in -- high expectations, relatively low performance. And they start losing public points," says Olson.
The Broader View
The international humanitarian impulse to help people in need is strong. But as analyst Robert Hunter points out, countries that donate aid out of the goodness of their hearts often win some hearts and minds as well, as the United States did with its earthquake aid to Pakistan in 2005. "Oh, I don't think that there's any question that we've known for a long time now that it's not just doing good, but it's doing well at the same time -- that governments that have compassion also gain politically from it. And I'm glad to say that in the United States, we have had governments that almost always show compassion, and tend to gain in the court of world public opinion for that," says Hunter.
Richard Olson notes that governments that are slow to respond to disasters can suffer politically when opposition political parties or groups step into the breach to help. "There are a number of examples where political parties or movements have taken advantage of -- that's not really the right term -- but there's a window of opportunity for them to demonstrate efficiency and capability and compassion and, in a way, compete with the government by getting into a disaster-stricken area with meaningful assistance," says Olson.
Suffering Vs. Sovereignty
The Burmese government's refusal to allow most aid or aid workers to reach areas hit by the cyclone has fueled the debate over whether states or the United Nations should intervene in a country to prevent a humanitarian crisis when its government will not or cannot act.
Robert Hunter of the RAND Corporation says there may be circumstances when suffering outweighs sovereignty. "The old rules simply won't work if there are leaderships who insist on putting their own narrow -- what they believe to be self-interests -- ahead of the very basic requirements of human existence and human dignity," says Hunter.
But the question of humanitarian intervention is a very sensitive one. Although intervention may have the lofty motive of saving civilian lives, analysts say many governments, especially authoritarian ones, view such measures as unwarranted interference in their internal affairs.
This story was first broadcast on the English news program, VOA News Now. For other Focus reports click here.
UN official warns of 'disastrous consequences' for food in Myanmar
Straits Times
YANGON (Myanmar) - MYANMAR is in urgent need of diesel fuel to make sure that tilling machines - brought in to replace water buffalos killed by Cyclone Nargis - can be used to help plant rice in the storm-devastated Irrawaddy delta, a senior United Nations official said.
'The window of opportunity is very short, and the need is of the utmost urgency,' Ms Noeleen Heyzer, UN under-secretary-general, said on Friday. 'The planting season in the delta is June to July, after which it will be too late, with disastrous consequences for food security in Myanmar and the region.'
Meanwhile, in a clear reference to the United States, the New Light of Myanmar newspaper, a mouthpiece for the ruling junta, warned that 'the goodwill of a big Western nation that wants to help Myanmar with its warships was not genuine'.
Myanmar turned down humanitarian aid from naval vessels from the United States, as well as Great Britain and France, that had sailed towards the South-east Asian nation after Cyclone Nargis struck on May 2-3.
The newspaper said aid from nations who impose economic sanctions against Myanmar and push the UN Security Council to take actions against it 'comes with strings attached'. The United States is one of several Western nations that impose economic and political sanctions on the junta because of its poor human rights record and failure to hand over power to a democratically elected government.
Tens of millions of dollars have been donated to help Myanmar's cyclone victims, but the junta has been reluctant to accept foreign relief experts in large numbers, and has restricted their access to the hard-hit delta area.
The UN estimates more than 1 million survivors, mostly in the delta, still need help more than five weeks after the cyclone struck. Cyclone Nargis killed more than 78,000 people and left another 56,000 people missing, according to the government.
Ms Heyzer, meanwhile, called for Myanmar's South-east Asian neighbours, foreign aid donors and traditional oil suppliers to assist the country by helping supply it with 3.8 million litres of diesel.
Myanmar told Ms Heyzer earlier this week the fuel was needed to operate some 5,000 tillers donated to plant rice in time for the next growing season, starting in June and July.
The United States Department of Agriculture said in an assessment issued earlier this week the area affected by the cyclone 'normally accounts for roughly 60 per cent of (Myanmar's) rice production'.
'The outlook for the 2008/09 rice crop is very uncertain, as the planting window will close in late July. Little to no actual progress has been made to restore or rehabilitate damaged lands and infrastructure, while farmers are yet to be supplied with sufficient food, viable seed, tools, livestock or replacement mechanical tillers and fuel,' it said. -- AP
YANGON (Myanmar) - MYANMAR is in urgent need of diesel fuel to make sure that tilling machines - brought in to replace water buffalos killed by Cyclone Nargis - can be used to help plant rice in the storm-devastated Irrawaddy delta, a senior United Nations official said.
'The window of opportunity is very short, and the need is of the utmost urgency,' Ms Noeleen Heyzer, UN under-secretary-general, said on Friday. 'The planting season in the delta is June to July, after which it will be too late, with disastrous consequences for food security in Myanmar and the region.'
Meanwhile, in a clear reference to the United States, the New Light of Myanmar newspaper, a mouthpiece for the ruling junta, warned that 'the goodwill of a big Western nation that wants to help Myanmar with its warships was not genuine'.
Myanmar turned down humanitarian aid from naval vessels from the United States, as well as Great Britain and France, that had sailed towards the South-east Asian nation after Cyclone Nargis struck on May 2-3.
The newspaper said aid from nations who impose economic sanctions against Myanmar and push the UN Security Council to take actions against it 'comes with strings attached'. The United States is one of several Western nations that impose economic and political sanctions on the junta because of its poor human rights record and failure to hand over power to a democratically elected government.
Tens of millions of dollars have been donated to help Myanmar's cyclone victims, but the junta has been reluctant to accept foreign relief experts in large numbers, and has restricted their access to the hard-hit delta area.
The UN estimates more than 1 million survivors, mostly in the delta, still need help more than five weeks after the cyclone struck. Cyclone Nargis killed more than 78,000 people and left another 56,000 people missing, according to the government.
Ms Heyzer, meanwhile, called for Myanmar's South-east Asian neighbours, foreign aid donors and traditional oil suppliers to assist the country by helping supply it with 3.8 million litres of diesel.
Myanmar told Ms Heyzer earlier this week the fuel was needed to operate some 5,000 tillers donated to plant rice in time for the next growing season, starting in June and July.
The United States Department of Agriculture said in an assessment issued earlier this week the area affected by the cyclone 'normally accounts for roughly 60 per cent of (Myanmar's) rice production'.
'The outlook for the 2008/09 rice crop is very uncertain, as the planting window will close in late July. Little to no actual progress has been made to restore or rehabilitate damaged lands and infrastructure, while farmers are yet to be supplied with sufficient food, viable seed, tools, livestock or replacement mechanical tillers and fuel,' it said. -- AP
Savage paranoia
Chicago Tribune
Cyclone Nargis, which hit the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar more than a month ago, has, by official count, claimed 78,000 lives. Another 56,000 people are missing and as many as 2.4 million desperately need basic humanitarian aid—food, clean drinking water and shelter.
The country's repressive ruling junta, however, doesn't see it that way. The New Light of Myanmar, the state-run newspaper that serves as a mouthpiece for the ruling generals, called the Western media "the enemy who is more destructive than Nargis." The Western media, a recent article claimed, have sensationalized their reporting and exaggerated the suffering of the storm's victims, all in an attempt to "undermine national unity."
What amazing paranoia. And if it were limited to bleating from The New Light, everyone could laugh. But Myanmar's rulers have turned away repeated offers of foreign aid. The xenophobic generals would rather let their people starve than risk allowing outsiders in to help.
Now, they're clamping down on efforts by their own people. Popular comedian and political critic Maung Thura, better known by his stage name Zarganar, was recently taken from his Yangon home by police. His apparent crime? Traveling to the Irrawaddy delta to deliver relief supplies to the victims of Nargis. The military junta is trying to stop the people of Myanmar from helping the people of Myanmar.
It has accused citizens who have shot video of the deplorable conditions in the delta of being "self-seekers exploiting storm victims." It insists, all evidence to the contrary, that conditions in the Irrawaddy delta are better than reported.
In his masterpiece "1984," British author George Orwell described a society where reality was wholly subjective, created by a government propaganda machine known as the "Ministry of Truth." If citizens didn't hew to the government's totalitarian line, they were subject to arrest, torture and re-education. The government's sole purpose: to perpetuate its own existence. Orwell's book was a work of fiction intended as a criticism of totalitarian government.
Today it could double as the Myanmar junta's manual of governance.
Cyclone Nargis, which hit the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar more than a month ago, has, by official count, claimed 78,000 lives. Another 56,000 people are missing and as many as 2.4 million desperately need basic humanitarian aid—food, clean drinking water and shelter.
The country's repressive ruling junta, however, doesn't see it that way. The New Light of Myanmar, the state-run newspaper that serves as a mouthpiece for the ruling generals, called the Western media "the enemy who is more destructive than Nargis." The Western media, a recent article claimed, have sensationalized their reporting and exaggerated the suffering of the storm's victims, all in an attempt to "undermine national unity."
What amazing paranoia. And if it were limited to bleating from The New Light, everyone could laugh. But Myanmar's rulers have turned away repeated offers of foreign aid. The xenophobic generals would rather let their people starve than risk allowing outsiders in to help.
Now, they're clamping down on efforts by their own people. Popular comedian and political critic Maung Thura, better known by his stage name Zarganar, was recently taken from his Yangon home by police. His apparent crime? Traveling to the Irrawaddy delta to deliver relief supplies to the victims of Nargis. The military junta is trying to stop the people of Myanmar from helping the people of Myanmar.
It has accused citizens who have shot video of the deplorable conditions in the delta of being "self-seekers exploiting storm victims." It insists, all evidence to the contrary, that conditions in the Irrawaddy delta are better than reported.
In his masterpiece "1984," British author George Orwell described a society where reality was wholly subjective, created by a government propaganda machine known as the "Ministry of Truth." If citizens didn't hew to the government's totalitarian line, they were subject to arrest, torture and re-education. The government's sole purpose: to perpetuate its own existence. Orwell's book was a work of fiction intended as a criticism of totalitarian government.
Today it could double as the Myanmar junta's manual of governance.
Friday, 13 June 2008
Police extort money from Chinese oil dealers in Myitkyina
Chinese oil dealers in Myitkyina Township the capital of Kachin State in Northern Burma are being fleeced by the police, who are extorting money from them, locals said. (JEG's: ooops... Mother China won't be happy happy happy...)
The Burmese ruling junta's police stations have been extorting money from local Chinese oil dealers without batting an eye lid or caring for the relations of the two nationalities. All the policemen in the township Police Station No.1 and No. 2 are involved in the extortion racket, local oil sellers told KNG.
According to local oil dealers who stock and sell diesel and gas in downtown Myitkyina, they have to bribe the police squad led by a vice-police station officer to the tune of up to 500,000 Kyat (est. US $ 444) every month in order to procure permission to sell oil.
The township authorities do not allow selling of oil in the downtown limits. However oil dealers can sell petroleum products downtown by bribing the township police, oil dealers said.
Small-scale roadside oil shops outside the downtown limits are asked for 5,000 Kyat (US $ 4) to 10,000 Kyat (US $ 9) each time by policemen. Sometimes, policemen fill gas without paying the roadside oil sellers, local oil sellers added.
In Kachin State, Chinese oil imported from Laiza controlled area of the Kachin Independence Organization on the Sino-Burma border has been banned by the junta, but, oil consumers rely on Chinese oil rather than the state-owned Myanma Oil Corporation (MOC), local oil sellers said.
At the moment oil prices have been hiked in Kachin State and a gallon of gas has touched between 6,000 – 7,200 Kyats (US $ 5-6) whereas a gallon of diesel is now 6,800 to 7,500 Kyats (US $ 5 – 7). A gallon of diesel and gas prices were about 4,000 Kyat (US $ 4) in March.
In Kachin State, many residents rely on the illegal Chinese oil imports from Laiza rather than other businesses for their survival and the Chinese oil is imported to Kachin State by paying bribe to military authorities, local oil dealers said. (JEG's: Honest China won't e 'appy at all... oooopsa daisy...)
The Burmese ruling junta's police stations have been extorting money from local Chinese oil dealers without batting an eye lid or caring for the relations of the two nationalities. All the policemen in the township Police Station No.1 and No. 2 are involved in the extortion racket, local oil sellers told KNG.
According to local oil dealers who stock and sell diesel and gas in downtown Myitkyina, they have to bribe the police squad led by a vice-police station officer to the tune of up to 500,000 Kyat (est. US $ 444) every month in order to procure permission to sell oil.
The township authorities do not allow selling of oil in the downtown limits. However oil dealers can sell petroleum products downtown by bribing the township police, oil dealers said.
Small-scale roadside oil shops outside the downtown limits are asked for 5,000 Kyat (US $ 4) to 10,000 Kyat (US $ 9) each time by policemen. Sometimes, policemen fill gas without paying the roadside oil sellers, local oil sellers added.
In Kachin State, Chinese oil imported from Laiza controlled area of the Kachin Independence Organization on the Sino-Burma border has been banned by the junta, but, oil consumers rely on Chinese oil rather than the state-owned Myanma Oil Corporation (MOC), local oil sellers said.
At the moment oil prices have been hiked in Kachin State and a gallon of gas has touched between 6,000 – 7,200 Kyats (US $ 5-6) whereas a gallon of diesel is now 6,800 to 7,500 Kyats (US $ 5 – 7). A gallon of diesel and gas prices were about 4,000 Kyat (US $ 4) in March.
In Kachin State, many residents rely on the illegal Chinese oil imports from Laiza rather than other businesses for their survival and the Chinese oil is imported to Kachin State by paying bribe to military authorities, local oil dealers said. (JEG's: Honest China won't e 'appy at all... oooopsa daisy...)
Police arrests 16 Rohingyas in Buthidaung
Buthidaung, Arakan State: The police from Buthidaung Town arrested 16 Rohingya villagers from Phone Nyo Hlake village of Buthidaung Township on June 4, at around 10 p.m. on the allegation that they had received money from foreign countries from their relatives, said a relative one of the victims requesting anonymity.
On being tipped off, seven policemen led by Naytin (area controlling) police officer from Buthidaung police station went to the village and arrested 16 Rohngya villagers while they were sleeping.
They were taken to Buthidaung Naytin police office where they were detained for two days to extort money. However, they were released on June 7, after being bribed kyat 100,000 for each person, said a trader in Buthidaung Town.
Police tend to arrest Rohingya villagers on the streets, while going to markets, and other places wherever they meet them on fabricated and concocted cases to extort money. In brief, Rohingy community has become their (police) income source, said a schoolteacher in the locality.
"Many youths are leaving the country to seek jobs in foreign countries because of persecution, restrictions on movement and unemployment in the homeland. They send money to their parents and relatives occasionally. Is it a crime?" a village elder asked.
Many villagers complained to the higher authorities, but they did not take any action against the perpetrators. The police are being encouraged to commit crimes against the Rohingya community, said another trader in Buthidaung.
On being tipped off, seven policemen led by Naytin (area controlling) police officer from Buthidaung police station went to the village and arrested 16 Rohngya villagers while they were sleeping.
They were taken to Buthidaung Naytin police office where they were detained for two days to extort money. However, they were released on June 7, after being bribed kyat 100,000 for each person, said a trader in Buthidaung Town.
Police tend to arrest Rohingya villagers on the streets, while going to markets, and other places wherever they meet them on fabricated and concocted cases to extort money. In brief, Rohingy community has become their (police) income source, said a schoolteacher in the locality.
"Many youths are leaving the country to seek jobs in foreign countries because of persecution, restrictions on movement and unemployment in the homeland. They send money to their parents and relatives occasionally. Is it a crime?" a village elder asked.
Many villagers complained to the higher authorities, but they did not take any action against the perpetrators. The police are being encouraged to commit crimes against the Rohingya community, said another trader in Buthidaung.
Landslides hit Burma's 'Valley of Rubies'
LANDSLIDES caused by heavy rains have pounded Burma's famed "Valley of Rubies" - the source of some of the world's most prized precious stones, state media said today.
The landslides struck just six weeks after deadly Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma's Irrawaddy Delta and the main city of Rangoon, leaving more than 133,000 dead and 2.4 million in need of humanitarian aid.
The latest natural disaster hit far from the cyclone zone, near the northern town of Mogok, 675km north of Rangoon.
The landslides caused some injuries and property damage, but the government mouthpiece New Light of Myanmar newspaper gave no details.
"Yeni creek of Mogok overflowed and that caused landslide. There were injured and damages on account of the landslide," the newspaper said.
Authorities in the central city of Mandalay said they had not received any details on the landslides, citing the difficulties of communication in the remote region.
The paper said torrential rains had soaked Mogok town overnight and into this morning.
For the past 700 years, Mogok's "Valley of Rubies" has been mined for "pigeon blood" rubies - considered the finest in the world - sapphires and other rare gems.
A top-notch ruby can cost more per-carat than a diamond, and Burma's ruling junta is increasingly exploiting the gems as a key source of income, auctioning them off several times a year.
Despite Western sanctions on Burma over the regime's failure to introduce democratic reforms, the auctions attract buyers from China, Thailand and other Asian nations, who reportedly spend upwards of $US100 million ($A106.9 million) at each sale.
AFP-News.com
The landslides struck just six weeks after deadly Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma's Irrawaddy Delta and the main city of Rangoon, leaving more than 133,000 dead and 2.4 million in need of humanitarian aid.
The latest natural disaster hit far from the cyclone zone, near the northern town of Mogok, 675km north of Rangoon.
The landslides caused some injuries and property damage, but the government mouthpiece New Light of Myanmar newspaper gave no details.
"Yeni creek of Mogok overflowed and that caused landslide. There were injured and damages on account of the landslide," the newspaper said.
Authorities in the central city of Mandalay said they had not received any details on the landslides, citing the difficulties of communication in the remote region.
The paper said torrential rains had soaked Mogok town overnight and into this morning.
For the past 700 years, Mogok's "Valley of Rubies" has been mined for "pigeon blood" rubies - considered the finest in the world - sapphires and other rare gems.
A top-notch ruby can cost more per-carat than a diamond, and Burma's ruling junta is increasingly exploiting the gems as a key source of income, auctioning them off several times a year.
Despite Western sanctions on Burma over the regime's failure to introduce democratic reforms, the auctions attract buyers from China, Thailand and other Asian nations, who reportedly spend upwards of $US100 million ($A106.9 million) at each sale.
AFP-News.com
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