.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 1::-.+.-::.:--.-:-:.:. :- :. -:-::- --:: -:-aqmif;yg;rsm; twGJ ~.txl;aqmif;yg;=..--.._. --...-..-.s... .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 2.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 3::-.+.-::.:--.-:-:.:. :- :. -:-::- --:: -:-aqmif;yg;rsm; twGJ ~.txl;aqmif;yg;=..--.._. --...-..-.s... ~~.-.._._-._....-._-_ -- ---.. , --.-.-_--. ..----...--POLARIS BURMESE LIBRARY ( SINGAPORE ).~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 4.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 5..--.1? -- ---------- 2? ---------- 3? ---------- 4? A Failed Mission ---------- By AUNG ZAW5? Burmas Drugs Trade Unaffected by Global Slowdown ---------- By YENI6? Burmese PMs Daughter Camera Shy on Her Wedding Day7? Deputy foreign minister KyawThus Transfer Questions Juntas Intentions8? ---------- 9? ---------- 10? ---------- 11? ---------- 12? 13/ 14? 15? 16? 17? - 18? 19? 20? Kristof: Sneaking in where thugs rule21? Jolie visits camp for refugees from Myanmar22? Myanmar: If UN wants stability, drop sanctions23? UN reports more opium coming from Myanmar24? Burmese opposition leader says UN's actions aren't enough25? UN: Poor Myanmar farmers may turn to growing opium26? Myanmar's Suu Kyi tells UN envoy she's frustrated27? Aung San Suu Kyi meets with UN envoy28/? UN envoy meets ministers, diplomats in Myanmar29? Rohingya not recognized as ethnic group in Myanmar30? ---------- 31? ---------- 32? () ----- 33? ----- 34? 35? .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 636? 37? ()38? 39? 40? 41? 42/ 43? () ---------- 44? 45? 46? - 47? 48? 49? 50? 51? 52? =..--.._. -- ...-..- .s...53? ---------- 54? 55? ---------- 56? () ---------- 57? ---------- 58? ----------- 59? 60? 61? 62? 63? 64? ( )65? 66? Burmas Man-Made Suffering ---------- By VORAVIT SUWANVANICHKIJ AND CHRISBEYRER67? Migrant Workers Worst Casualties of Economic Crisis ---------- By YENI68? Troop Movements Reported Along Bangladesh-Burma Border69? Htain Maung Agrees to Border Deal with Junta70? Tension Mounts between Wa and Burmese Army71? Who is KyawThu? ---------- By MIN LWIN72? .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 773? 74? 75? 76? 77? 78? 79? The Karen Old Soldiers that Britain Forgot ---------- By JIM ANDREWS80? 81? 82? 83? 84? 85? () 86? 87? () ----- /88? 89? ---------- 90? ---------- 91? ---------- 92? ---------- 93? ---------- 94? ---------- 95? ----------- 96? 97? 98? 99? 100/ .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 8101? 102? 103? 104? NLD 105? 106? 107? 108? 109? 110? 111? Mr. Quintina 112? 113? 114? .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 9 http://moemaka.blogspot.com/- Cane TV .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 10 .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 11 [ - ] http://moemaka.blogspot.com/ (Day one, Day two) Transitional Justice .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 12 () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 13 http://moemaka.blogspot.com/ ( ) () - .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 14 "" - "" .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 15 COMMENTARYA Failed MissionBy AUNG ZAW Wednesday, February 4, 2009Snr-Gen Than Shwe didnt even pretend to be sick this time. He simply relayed themessage that he was too busy to meet the UN Special Envoy to Burma IbrahimGambari, a man who had come to the country to advocate political reconciliation.Instead, Than Shwe passed his time in Naypyidaw meeting and acceptingcredentials from the newly appointed Chinese, Vietnamese and Cambodianambassadors.In fact, it was a politically astute move on the junta leaders part to snub Gambari.Than Shwe doesnt need to fret about what the UN envoy thinks. Nor does he try tocreate a good impression. He can roll out any number of military clones to meet andgreet visiting envoys and VIPs. Gambari may well go home pleased, in fact, that hewas able to press flesh with so many cabinet ministers on this visit. He will probablysleep well in the belief that he had done his bit for Burma.It was Than Shwes henchman, Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein, who took over thereigns of the negotiations this week during the seventh round of diplomatic visits bythe special envoy. He bluntly told Gambari that if the UN wants to see stability inBurma, then it should see to it that sanctions on the country are lifted. Gambari.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 16reportedly asked Thein Sein to release more political prisoners, to consider adialogue with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and to make themilitary-guided political process inclusive for all. In fact, he all but read out thesame message he had delivered in the past.If the UN wants to see economic development and political stability, the UNshould first try to remove economic sanctions and visa bans, was how statetelevision reported the Burmese prime minister's response.In an apparently dry attempt at role reversal, Thein Sein told the envoy thateconomic sanctions amounted to human rights violations, affecting health, theeconomy and social conditions.It was like a meeting between hostage takers and a negotiator. Gambari must havefelt he was being presented with a list of demands and, if they werent met, TheinSein would happily start chopping off the hostages fingers until they were.Still, the UN envoy could congratulate himself on being granted a visit with thehostages representative, Suu Kyi. Able to verify that there was proof of life inBurma, Gambari retired from the kidnappers lair refusing to admit his mission wasa failure.The UN envoys meeting with Suu Kyi focused on political prisoners and the rule oflaw. Suu Kyi told him there is no rule of law as such in Burma; she pointed to therecent arrests and detention of activists, and the detention of their defense lawyers.She expressed disappointment with the UN's failure to persuade the ruling junta togive up its monopoly on powerhollow words that seemed to echo from the past.She reiterated that she is willing to meet anyone at any time from the militaryregime. She repeated her request for dialogue.However, it would be foolish to believe that the junta leaders are interested indialogue unless Suu Kyi comes up with a proposal that kowtows to their power.More than likely, they expected Suu Kyi to rattle her saber and call for the West todrop the sanctions on Burma.Whatever Suu Kyi does, the generals wont talk to her. Political dialogue andcompromise do not exist in the regimes dictionary.Throughout Burmese history, military leaders have only entered into peace talksand dialogue when they were under intense pressure or they needed to buy time..~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 17When they regain their foothold they invariable strike back at the enemy.If Suu Kyi is waiting for Than Shwe to talk to her, she is misguided. It wont happen.She has met him a few times before and was forced to sit through his lengthypolitical lectures and boasts of how many bridges he had built and how manyschools and hospitals he had opened. You learn not to expect politicalsophistication and wisdom from this arrogant autocrat.Than Shwe has an agendahe seeks to implement his seven-step Road Map andsomehow win the general election in 2010. And he doesnt want Suu Kyi and thedemocratic opposition to get in his way.In the run-up to the election, he will continue locking up voices of dissent while SuuKyi watches from the sidelines.At least Than Shwes message to the UN envoy is clear: the sanctions must be liftedbefore he considers playing ball with the international community.In December, the influential Washington Post reported: In the months ahead, theUN leadership will press the Obama administration to relax US policy on Burmaand to open the door to a return of international financial institutions, including theWorld Bank.This may or may not work. Several years ago, when the World Bank offered theregime US $1 billion in return for political reform, it was told in response: Dontgive us bananas; we are not monkeys.The Washington Post, in its report, quoted the Nigerian diplomat as saying: Itcannot be business as usual. We need new thinking on how to engage withMyanmar [Burma] in a way that will bring tangible results.The UN, he said, cannot rely simply on the power of persuasion with too little inthe toolbox.Lets be frank: UN diplomacy has failed. But so have the sanctions.Thats not to say that many Burmese dissidents want the targeted sanctions to belifted.Strangely enough, the regimes position has somehow been strengthened because ofthe sanctions as they can be used as a bargaining chip in return for the release of.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 18political prisoners and the promotion of national reconciliation.The military government has found that it can conveniently blame the sanctions forBurmas economic woes and use them as a smokescreen to disguise their corruptionand mismanagement of the economy.The people of Burma may be suffering, but the generals have never had it so goodstuffed overseas bank accounts and gas pipeline deals are keeping everyone inNaypyidaw desirous of the status quo.So what happened this week? The debate on sanctions was revisited, Suu Kyiexpressed her frustration and Gambari left Burma empty-handed.Nothing new. End of story.Copyright 2008 Irrawaddy Publishing Group | www.irrawaddy.orgCOMMENTARYBurmas Drugs Trade Unaffectedby Global SlowdownBy YENI Monday, February 2, 2009A series of recent raids in Rangoon has again thrown the spotlight on the narcoticstrade and the roles played by high profile businessmen and members of theBurmese military regime.In one raid, two weeks ago, at least 28 kilograms of heroin were found in acontainer on the Singaporean-flagged ship Kota Tegap, which was docked atRangoon's Asia World Port Terminal.The terminal is owned by Tun Myint Naing, the son of former drug kingpin andmilitia leader Lo Hsing Han, whose name is on the US Treasury Departmentsanctions list. The container, which was bound for Singapore, is reportedly ownedby the Myanmar Timber Enterprise, a government-owned business that is also on.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 19the US sanctions list.Sources in Rangoon told The Irrawaddy that in a subsequent sting operation, theanti-narcotics police force also discovered another large cache of heroin in FMICity, an upscale residential area in the citys Hlaing Tharyar Township, and arrestedKyaw Kyaw Min, a crab exporter in Bogalay Township, Irrawaddy Division, forattempting to smuggle 32 kilograms of heroin out of the country aboard a containership.The police special intelligence department, known as the Special Branch, is nowquestioning the port employees, high-ranking government officials and prominentbusinessmen in connection with the case.Unconfirmed reports said that the owner of Rangoon's popular club BME, aKachin-Chinese businessman, known as Hsaio Haw, who has close links withleaders of the infamous United Wa State Army, is implicated, together with somefamily members of the Burmese ruling generals.The case follows the leveling of charges against Maung Weik, one of the richest menin Burma and a powerful friend of the countrys ruling military elite, and hisassociate, Aung Zaw Ye Myint, son of the chief of the Bureau of Special OperationsNo. 1, Lt- Gen Ye Myint, for drug abuse and involvement in trafficking.Burma uses the occasion of the annual International Day against Drug Abuse andIllicit Trafficking to announce drug seizure statistics and to expose offenders. Buthigh-profile cases are never publicized.At the governmental level, Burma emphasizes its engagement with such neighborsas China, India and Thailand in efforts to control drug trafficking, and itsimplementation of a 15-year plan (1999-2014) to totally eradicate poppy growing inthree phases, each running for five years.The drugs, however, continue to flow across Burmas borders in all directions.Tough suppression campaigns by neighboring countries such as Thailand andChina have led to drug traffickers turning increasingly to maritime routes tosmuggle drugs out of Burma.According to a report by Washington-based Radio Free Asia, Interpol in Singaporeasked the Burmese police to seize the Singapore-flagged ship at the Asia World PortTerminal. Without the intervention of Interpol, its unlikely that the authoritieswould deal effectively with the problem..~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 20At a news conference last year, the US Assistant Secretary of State for InternationalNarcotics Control and Law Enforcement, David Johnson, charged that the militarygovernment has done little to deal with what has become Asias largest illegal drugindustry.Their efforts to reduce demand, interdict drug shipments and combat corruptionand money laundering continue to be lackluster, he said.In their book "Merchants of Madness," Bertil Lintner, one of the most-respectedanalysts of Burma's drugs trade, and Michael Black, a security writer with Jane'sIntelligence Review, have also noted that Burma's production of illicit drugs such asmethamphetamines and heroin could not proceed without at least the involvement,if not active participation, of the Burmese military rulers.Its a bitter ironywhile Burmas exports such as rice, teak, beans, rubber and palmoil have obviously suffered from the falloff in trade due to the global economicslowdown, the demand for Burmese-produced drugs, an export that doesnt figurein the national income accounting, is still buoyant.Copyright 2008 Irrawaddy Publishing Group | www.irrawaddy.org.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 21Burmese PMs Daughter CameraShy on Her Wedding DayBy MIN LWIN Thursday, February 5, 2009Opulence was the order of the day last Saturday, as Burmese Prime Minister GenThein Seins daughter married Capt Han Win Aung at a government guest house inNaypyidaw, in a ceremony attended by the countrys top generals and some of theirclosest business associates.According to one of the guests at the event, the bride and groom were showeredwith gifts worth billions of kyator millions of dollarsincluding jewels, luxurycars, houses and deeds to valuable real estate.Burmas military rulers and their cronies are no strangers to ostentation, but on thisoccasion, there was at least some attempt to show restraintby refraining fromannouncing the wedding in the state-run media.Guests were also expected to rein in their usual enthusiasm for photographictrophies. Although the newlyweds had the good grace to put their guests largesseon full display, no cameras were permitted to record the spectacle.It was not without reason that the regime decided to exercise self-censorship: Twoand a half years ago, a video produced on a similar occasion angered the countrysmostly impoverished masses by giving them a rare glimpse of the excesses ofBurmas ruling elite.In July 2006, footage of the nuptials between Thandar Shwe, daughter of theBurmese regimes supreme leader, Snr-Gen Than Shwe, and Maj Zaw Pho Win wasleaked to the exiled media and soon caught the attention of the international newsnetworks.A bootlegged DVD of the wedding reception, replete with images of richesunimaginable to most Burmese, quickly became a hot item on the streets ofRangoon. Possession of the DVD, dubbed Night Bejeweled with Diamonds, is a.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 22crime punishable by imprisonment.At the time, sources told The Irrawaddy that the wedding itself cost around US$300,000. By some estimates, the value of the wedding giftsincluding luxury cars,houses and landranged as high as $50 million. (See Popular Outrage Sparked byWedding of the Year Video http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=6297)The guest who attended last Saturdays ceremony confirmed that the newlywedsand their powerful parents were anxious to avoid similar speculation about theextent of their personal wealth.The wedding ceremony was relatively low key because they didnt want the news tobe leaked to outside media, the source said.Copyright 2008 Irrawaddy Publishing Group | www.irrawaddy.orgDeputy foreign minister KyawThusTransfer Questions Juntas IntentionsBy WAI MOE Thursday, February 5, 2009Two days ago, Kyaw Thu was a deputy foreign minister who traveled to theIrrawaddy delta region with visiting UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari. In Thursdaysissue of The New Light of Myanmar he is described as chairman of the Civil ServiceSelection and Training Board, considered a minister level but inactive post.The New Light of Myanmar report was accompanied by a photo of Kyaw Thu atWednesdays observances of the 61st anniversary of Sri Lankas Independence Dayin Rangoon.The apparent reshuffle confused international observers and rang alarm bellswithin UN agencies and INGOs operating inside Burma.Why the consternation? Kyaw Thu is chairman of the Tripartite Core Group (TCG).~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 23formed after Cyclone Nargis to coordinate aid to the stricken regions and groupingBurma, the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).Three representatives from three Burmese ministries were originally appointed tothe groupKyaw Thu, the Acting Director-General of the Ministry of Social Welfareand Resettlement, Aung Tun Khaing, and the Deputy Director-General of theMinistry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Than Aye.The purpose of the TCG is to act as an Asean-led mechanism to facilitate trust,confidence and cooperation between Burma and the international community inthe urgent humanitarian relief and recovery work after Cyclone Nargis hit Burma.Since the formation of the TCG, Kyaw Thu has been seen meeting foreigndignitaries and jetting around Asean nations. Despite being a former militarycommander and a loyal supporter of the regime, he earned popularity amonginternational non-government organizations, UN agencies and Asean itself, wherehe was praised for being cooperative and helpful.This is not the first time Kyaw Thu has unexpectedly been shifted from one post toanother. He was made an ambassador after a dispute with one powerful militarycommander, taking charge of embassies in South Africa and India. Ambassadorpostings are considered a demotion in Burma.It is still unclear, however, whether Kyaw Thu will be relinquishing his position atthe head of the TCG.Termsak Chalermpalanupap, an official in the Asean Secretary-General Office, toldThe Irrawaddy by e-mail that, as far as the office understands, Kyaw Thu willremain TCG Chairman, at least until the upcoming launch of the Post-NargisRecovery Planning (PONREP) Report in Bangkok on February 9.The TCG agreement between the Burmese regime, the UN and Asean expires inJune. A Cyclone Nargis donor meeting is to be held next week in Bangkok.Burmese analysts said that Kyaw Thus future with the TCG is uncertain because, inhis new position, he no longer works as a minister in the Ministry of ForeignAffairs.The Ministry is said to be plagued by rivalry and personal conflict. Foreign ministerNyan Win and Deputy Foreign Minister Maung Myint, neither of whom speak goodEnglish and who lack international experience, are at loggerheads with Kyaw Thu..~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 24Ohn Maung, a veteran politician in Rangoon, said Kyaw Thu was kicked upstairsbecause he was too exposed, too smart and too popular with foreigners and withinAsean.The xenophobic regime usually suspects ministers and officials who are close to theinternational community and who are often purged or sent into retirement.The generals demand a loyal guy, not a smart one, said Ohn Maung.An expert with the TCG said anonymously: If the regime still wants him at theTCG, he could continue the post. So wait and see.According to INGO workers operating in Burma, Kyaw Thu readily approved visasfor foreign relief workers who wanted to assist Cyclone Nargis victims.A Scandinavian aid worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told TheIrrawaddy on Thursday that INGOs and international donors had workedeffectively with Kyaw Thu.If Kyaw Thu were now discarded this is not good news for INGOs, he said.INGOs and the UN working in Burma hope that the door will open more and more.This is not a good sign.Copyright 2008 Irrawaddy Publishing Group | www.irrawaddy.org.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 25 04 2009 17:55 - http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/edop/songpa/2376-2009-02-04-11-39-35.html NLD ( ) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 26 .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 27 05 2009 16:02 - http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/edop/songpa/2381-2009-02-05-09-46-27.html .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 28 "" "" "" "" "" " " "" "" () () "" "" .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 29 "" " " " " " " " " "" "" "" "" .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 30 "" "" " " " " "" .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 31 "" "" "" " " .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 32 ... 06 2009 11:52 - http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/edop/songpa/2386-2009-02-06-05-39-12.html .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 33 .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 34 () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 35 .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 36 (UWSP) (UWSA) () (KIO) (PNA) " .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 37 06 2009 14:48 - New Light ofMyanmar NewLight of Myanmar .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 38 " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " - " " - " " - Recycle " " "" .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 39" " 06 2009 20:14 - http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/news/inside-burma/2396-2009-02-06-13-57-43.html () '' " " .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 40 " " " " " () () 06 2009 17:30 - http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/news/inside-burma/2392-2009-02-06-11-13-34.html.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 41 () - - - () - - - " '' 06 2009 19:04 - http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/news/inside-burma/2393-2009-02-06-12-47-51.html.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 42 () NewsWatch " quotes () " News Watch " " News Watch 06 2009 19:08 - http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/news/inside-burma/2394-2009-02-06-12-52-35.html () () ().~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 43 () () () () -() () - () - () () -() () - () - () - () () - () - () - () - () -() () - () () () () ().~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 44 (HRDP ) () () () 06 2009 20:12 - () " " " " .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 45 " " - 05 2009 11:50 - () " () ( ) " (MEA) M. HamidAnsari - (Entrepreneurship Development Centre - EDC) MIEDC (MoU) (TCIL) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 46 (MPT) ADSL2+2 - - (ITC) (CELT) ITC HNT (International) CELT MEA - MEA - ( ).~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 47 NEJ/ / http://www.khitpyaing.org/news/February_09/7-2-09a.php () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 48 () () Record .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 49 Kristof: Sneaking in where thugs ruleBy Nicholas D. KristofThursday, February 5, 2009MYAWADDY, Myanmar: Before entering Myanmar from Thailand, you scrub yourbags of any hint that you might be engaged in some pernicious evil, such asespionage, journalism or promotion of human rights.Then you exit from the Thai town of Mae Sot and walk across the gleaming white"friendship bridge" to the Burmese immigration post on the other side. EnteringMyanmar (which traditionally has been known as Burma), you adjust your watch:Myanmar is 30 minutes - and 50 years - behind.Already Myanmar's government is one of the most brutal in the world, and in recentmonths it has become even more repressive.A blogger, Nay Phone Latt, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. A prominentcomedian, Zarganar, was sentenced to 59 years. A former student leader, Min KoNaing, a survivor of years of torture and solitary confinement, has received terms of65 years so far and faces additional sentences that may reach a total of 150 years."Politically, things are definitely getting worse," said David Mathieson, an expert onMyanmar for Human Rights Watch living on the Thai-Burmese border. "They've justsent hundreds of people who should be agents of change to long prison terms."A new American presidency is a useful moment to review policy toward Myanmar,and the truth is that the West's approach has failed.The Burmese junta has ruled despotically since 1988, ignoring democraticelections. Since then, sanctions have had zero effect in moderating the regime.I have vast respect for Aung San Suu Kyi, the extraordinary woman who won aNobel Peace Prize for standing up to the country's thugs..~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 50But the best use of her courage right now would be to accept that the tradesanctions she advocated have accomplished nothing more than furtherimpoverishing her own people. As with Cuba and North Korea, isolating a venalregime usually just hurts the innocent and helps the thugs stay in power.Instead, the best bet is financial sanctions that specifically target individuals closeto the regime - and, even more, a clampdown on Burma's arms imports."It would be very difficult to get an arms embargo through the Security Council, butthat's something that really goes to the heart of any military regime," Mathiesonsaid. "You lock them out of the tools of their own self-aggrandizement andrepression."President George W. Bush tried to help Burmese dissidents, but he had zerointernational capital. The Obama administration, in contrast, has a chance to leadan international initiative to curb Burmese arms imports and bring the regime to thenegotiating table.Myanmar's weapons have come from or through China, Russia, Ukraine, Israel andSingapore, and Russia is even selling Myanmar's dictators a nuclear reactor,Mathieson said.In crossing from Thailand to Myanmar, you pass through a time warp.You leave the bustle and dynamism of Thailand and encounter a stagnatingbackwater of antique cars and shacks beside open sewers.I found it difficult to interview people in Myanmar, because I was traveling as atourist with two of my kids (and my wife is sick of me getting our kids arrested withme in dictatorships).But we dropped in on the Myawaddy hospital, which was so understaffed that noone stopped us as we marched through wards of neglected patients.The most flourishing business we saw on the Burmese side belonged to a snakecharmer who set up temporary shop outside a temple.The moment a crowd gathered, an armed soldier ran over in alarm - and thenrelaxed when he saw that the only threat to public order was a cobra.In Mae Sot, Thailand, I visited with former Burmese political prisoners, like thecourageous Bo Kyi. They are at risk of being killed by Burmese governmentassassins, yet they are campaigning aggressively for change.Equally inspiring are the Free Burma Rangers, who risk their lives to sneak deepinto the country for months at a time to provide medical care and document humanrights abuses.One gutsy American working with the group, who asked that his name not be usedfor security reasons, communicated with me by satellite phone from his hiding placedeep inside Myanmar.He knows that the Burmese government will kill him if it catches him, yet he stays togather photos and other evidence of how Burmese soldiers are drafting ethnic.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 51Karen villagers for forced labor and are raping women and girls. One recent casedescribed by the Free Burma Rangers involved a 7-year-old girl who was raped,and then killed.The courage of these people seeking a new Myanmar is infectious and inspiring. Inthis new administration, let's help them - and see if with new approaches we canfinally topple one of the most odious regimes in the worldJolie visits camp for refugees from MyanmarThe Associated PressFriday, February 6, 2009BANGKOK: Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has called on Thailand to respect thehuman rights of Myanmar's Rohinyga boat people, after Thai authorities pushedhundreds of them out to sea, a U.N. spokeswoman said Friday.Jolie who is deeply involved in the plight of refugees in her capacity as a UnitedNations goodwill ambassador toured one of several camps in Thailand shelteringrefugees from Myanmar's military regime with her partner Brad Pitt on Wednesday.U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees spokeswoman Kitt McKinsey told APTelevision News it was a coincidence that Jolie visited the border camp just as theplight of the Rohingyas was catching the world's attention.Some Rohingyas who are denied citizenship in their native land tried to landin Thailand recently after treacherous sea journeys only to be towed back to seaand cast adrift by the Thai navy. Indian officials rescued some but believe hundredsperished.McKinsey said Jolie "was extremely touched by the plight of the Rohingya people,"and that she had expressed hope "that the human rights of the Rohingya peoplewill be respected just as the human rights of everyone in the world should berespected."The Rohingya boat people represent just a part of Myanmar's refugee exodus.Hundreds of thousands of other ethnic minorities have fled by land acrossMyanmar's eastern border to Thailand for decades, mostly civilians caught up infighting between the military and ethnic insurgents.Many flee to Thai refugee camps where they remain for years with little chance ofresettlement in third countries.On Wednesday, Jolie slapped a bright blue U.N. baseball cap on her head andtoured the bamboo huts of the Ban Mai Nai Soi camp, home to 18,111 mainlyethnic Karenni refugees, just two miles (three kilometers) from the Myanmar border,near the northern Thai town of Mae Hong Son.There are between 116,000 and 135,000 refugees living in camps along the border..~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 52In a news release, the U.N. agency said Jolie asked a 26-year-old woman, PanSein, whether she was afraid when she made her perilous journey last year fromher home village in Myanmar's Kayah State."Yes, I was scared," Pan Sein replied. "It was dangerous to flee, but even moredangerous to stay in my village."Jolie's mission has taken her to more than 20 countries to comfort refugees andthis was 33-year-old actress's third such trip to Thailand."I was saddened to meet a 21-year-old woman who was born in a refugee camp,who has never even been out of the camp and is now raising her own child in acamp," Jolie said.Thailand recognizes most at the border camps as refugees with legitimate reasonto fear returning to their homeland, but it does not accord that status to the MuslimRohingyas, and seeks to send them away."Visiting Ban Mai Nai Soi and seeing how hospitable Thailand has been to 111,000mostly Karen and Karenni refugees over the years makes me hope that Thailandwill be just as generous to the Rohingya refugees who are now arriving on theirshores," Jolie said.McKinsey said Jolie and Pitt arrived in Thailand by private jet and would bespending some "private time" together. She said she did not know when they wouldleave the country.Myanmar: If UN wants stability,drop sanctionsThe Associated PressWednesday, February 4, 2009YANGON, Myanmar: A leader of Myanmar's military regime gave the U.N.'svisiting envoy a cold reception, telling him the world body should lift economicsanctions and visa bans if it wants to see political stability, state television reported.Special envoy Ibrahim Gambari met with Prime Minister Gen. Thein Sein onTuesday before ending his four-day visit with no public comment and no sign ofprogress on promoting democracy and political reconciliation.Myanmar's military, which has ruled the country since 1962, when it was known asBurma, tolerates virtually no dissent.Western nations, including the United States, impose economic and politicalsanctions on Myanmar because of its poor human rights record and failure torestore democracy..~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 53Gambari reportedly asked Thein Sein to release more political prisoners, toconsider a dialogue with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and to makethe military-guided political process inclusive for all."If the U.N. wants to see economic development and political stability, the U.N.should first try to remove economic sanctions and visa bans," was the primeminister's response, according to state television reported.Thein Sein said economic sanctions amount to human rights violations, affectinghealth, economic and social conditions.On Monday, Gambari met with Suu Kyi, a minor breakthrough because she hadrefused to see him on his previous visit in August last year. She has expresseddisappointment with the U.N.'s failure to persuade the ruling junta to give up itsmonopoly on power.Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest, has been detained more than 13 of thepast 19 years.Gambari did not meet with junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe during this week'svisit, as he did on his previous three trips.The United Nations largely failed to nudge the military regime toward talks with theopposition, hoping the top generals would respond to international pressure toembrace national reconciliation following its violent suppression of protests in 2007.Human rights groups say Myanmar now holds more than 2,100 political prisoners,up sharply from nearly 1,200 before the mass pro-democracy demonstrations in2007.Myanmar's current military leadership came to power in 1988 after crushing anationwide pro-democracy movement. It held elections in 1990 but refused to honorthe results after Suu Kyi's party won a landslide victoryUN reports more opium comingfrom MyanmarBy Thomas FullerMonday, February 2, 2009BANGKOK: Opium poppy cultivation inched up by 3 percent last year in Myanmar,according to a United Nations report released Monday, the second consecutiveannual increase that appears to signal a reversal of years of declining opiumproduction in the so-called Golden Triangle."Containment of the problem is under threat," Gary Lewis, the representative forEast Asia of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said at a newsconference Monday. "Opium prices are rising in this region," he said. "It's going tobe an incentive for farmers to plant more.".~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 54The Golden Triangle, the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmarmeet, once produced two-thirds of the world's opium, most of it refined into heroin.But pressure by the Chinese government to eradicate opium in Myanmar helpedlead to steep declines, with a low point of 21,500 hectares, or 53,000 acres, ofpoppies planted in Myanmar in 2006.Since then, opium cultivation has bounced back by around 33 percent, to 28,500hectares last year.UN officials warn that the global economic crisis may fuel an increase in poppyproduction because falling prices for other crops may persuade farmers to switch toopium.Leik Boonwaat, the representative in Laos for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime,said corn prices had fallen by half over the past year. The price of opium, bycontrast, has increased 26 percent in Laos and 15 percent in Myanmar over thesame period.Farmers in the isolated highlands of the Golden Triangle are also hampered by badroads and difficulties getting their crops to market. They often find that small parcelsof opium are easier to carry across the rough terrain.Although opium is still grown in parts of Laos, Vietnam and Thailand, UN officialssay that about 94 percent of the region's opium comes from Myanmar. Most of theGolden Triangle heroin is sold within the region, Boonwaat said, but small amountsalso reach the United States and Australia. Recent seizures of heroin thought tocome from the Golden Triangle have been made on the Thai resort island ofPhuket, Ho Chi Minh City and Yangon, Myanmar's commercial capital.The alarming spread of HIV by heroin users in southern China several years agopersuaded the Chinese authorities to crack down on opium and heroin trafficking.Western intelligence officials say Chinese spies are active in anti-narcoticsoperations in Myanmar, especially in northern areas where central governmentcontrol is weak."There's strong collaboration with Chinese intelligence," Boonwaat said.The UN report on opium poppy cultivation is based on surveys taken fromhelicopters and on the ground. The United States relies more heavily on satelliteimages to calculate opium cultivation, and its reports are sometimes at odds withthose of the United Nations.The UN report did not cover methamphetamine production and distribution, whichamong some criminal syndicates has displaced opium and heroin in the region.In Thailand, methamphetamines remain a problem but longstanding efforts by theroyal family to substitute opium production with vegetables, coffee and macadamianuts have virtually wiped out opium production among the northern hill tribes.Afghanistan remains the world's premier source of opium, producing more than 90percent of global supply.Afghan soil is also remarkably more fertile than the rocky, unirrigated opium fieldsin the Golden Triangle. The UN estimates in its 2008 report that one hectare of land.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 55yielded an average of 14.4 kilograms, or 31.7 pounds, of opium in Myanmar but48.8 kilograms in AfghanistanBurmese opposition leader saysUN's actions aren't enoughThe Associated PressMonday, February 2, 2009YANGON, Myanmar: The detained Burmese opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi,expressed frustration to a UN envoy Monday over the organization's failure topersuade the country's military leaders to give up their monopoly on power, herparty said.The Nobel laureate in peace, who has spent more than 13 of the past 19 yearsunder house arrest, was briefly allowed out Monday for a meeting with the UNrepresentative, Ibrahim Gambari.Nyan Win, a spokesman for Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy,said that during the meeting she had explained to Gambari that "she was ready andwilling to meet anyone" to achieve political reform but "could not accept havingmeetings without achieving any outcome."Aung San Suu Kyi's party has charged that Gambari's seven visits since 2007 haveproduced no tangible democratic progress, noting that they have not persuaded thejunta to release political prisoners or to hold talks with the democratic opposition.In August, Aung San Suu Kyi snubbed Gambari by failing to keep an expectedappointment with him and refusing to open the gates of her Yangon home to hisrepresentatives. The gesture was surprising because Aung San Suu Kyi's housearrest keeps her in extreme isolation, and Gambari is one of the few outsiders -other than her lawyer and doctor - allowed to see her.Myanmar's military, which has ruled the country since 1962, when it was known asBurma, tolerates no dissent and crushed pro-democracy protests led by Buddhistmonks in September 2007. Human rights groups say it is holding more than 2,100political prisoners, up sharply from nearly 1,200 before the demonstrations.Gambari arrived Saturday for a four-day visit. He said earlier that his objectiveswere to urge the junta to free political prisoners, discuss the ailing economy andrevive a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi.Nyan Win said Aung San Suu Kyi also told the UN official that rule of law does notexist in Myanmar and referred to lengthy sentences given to political prisoners, thearrest of defense lawyers and other actions by the junta.He said the UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon - who visited in May after CycloneNargis devastated coastal areas - should not make any further visits until Aung SanSuu Kyiand other political prisoners have been released..~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 56It was unclear whether Gambari would meet with the junta leader, Senior GeneralThan Shwe, who has shunned him on his last three visits.UN: Poor Myanmar farmers mayturn to growing opiumThe Associated PressMonday, February 2, 2009BANGKOK: Rising prices for opium in Southeast Asia and the global economicdownturn may trigger a surge in the cultivation of the illegal drug in Myanmar, whichuntil recently was in sharp decline, U.N. drug experts said Monday.Nearly all the world's opium comes from Afghanistan but military-ruled Myanmar isthe second biggest source, accounting for almost 5 percent of global production.In 1999, the country set out to become opium-free by 2014 and the campaign madeconsiderable strides, with the amount of land cultivated for opium plummeting from322,000 acres (130,300 hectares) in 1998 to 53,000 acres (21,500 hectares) in2006.A United Nations report released Monday however said that the amount of landbeing cultivated climbed to 70,400 acres (28,500 hectares) last year, mainly due torising prices."Rising opium prices may make it more attractive for farmers to revert back toopium cultivation, especially if no alternative sources of income are available,"Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the United Nations Office of Drugs andCrime, said in the report, which called for more international assistance.The strong increase in the price of Myanmar's opium was due to reducedproduction and continued demand from China, Australia and other countries in theregion, it said.Weak prices for legal agricultural commodities make the situation more difficult, asdoes the soft global economy, said an experts at a news conference to release thereport."We would expect that with the global financial meltdown many people will beunemployed," said Gary Lewis, also from the U.N. agency. Most will try to earn theirliving legally, "but when those options are exhausted they will turn quite naturally toother means to survive. Some of those will involve trafficking in illicit and narcoticproducts."Myanmar in 2008 is estimated to have produced 410 tons of opium, involving thework of 840,000 people and $123 million in revenue for those farming the poppyplant, it said..~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 57Prices being fetched for Myanmar's opium contrast sharply with falling prices for thecrop in Afghanistan, where most of the world's opium comes from and whereseveral years of overproduction has created a glut.The average price paid to farmers in Myanmar for the 2008 opium harvest was$137 per pound ($301 per kilogram), up from the 2007 average of $120 per pound($265 per kilogram). In Afghanistan, the average price in November 2008 was $55per kilogram, down sharply from early 2007 when it was above $100 per kilogram.Dramatic differences in the price of opium between regions and sometimes evenwithin regions or countries is not unusual, the report said.The region of Southeast Asia where the borders of Myanmar, Thailand and Laosmeet, known as the Golden Triangle, produced more than half of the world's opiumin 1990 and one-third in 1998Myanmar's Suu Kyi tells UN envoyshe's frustratedThe Associated PressMonday, February 2, 2009YANGON, Myanmar: Detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyiexpressed frustration to a U.N. envoy Monday over the world body's failure topersuade the country's hard-line military leaders to give up their monopoly onpower, her party said.The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who has spent more than 13 of the past 19 yearsunder house arrest, was briefly allowed out Monday for a rare meeting with U.N.representative Ibrahim Gambari.Nyan Win, a spokesman for Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, saidthat during the meeting, Suu Kyi, 63, explained to Gambari that "she was ready andwilling to meet anyone" to achieve political reform but "could not accept havingmeetings without achieving any outcome."Suu Kyi's party has charged that Gambari's seven visits since 2007 have producedno tangible democratic progress, noting they have not persuaded the junta torelease political prisoners nor to hold talks with the democratic opposition.Last August, Suu Kyi snubbed Gambari by failing to keep an expected appointmentwith him and refusing to open the gates of her Yangon home to his representatives.The gesture was surprising because Suu Kyi's house arrest keeps her in extremeisolation, with Gambari one of the rare outsiders other than her lawyer anddoctor allowed to see her..~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 58Myanmar's military, which has ruled the country since 1962, when it was known asBurma, tolerates no dissent and crushed pro-democracy protests led by Buddhistmonks in September 2007. Human rights groups say it holds more than 2,100political prisoners, up sharply from nearly 1,200 before the demonstrations.Gambari arrived Saturday for a four-day visit. He told diplomats earlier that hisobjectives are to urge the junta to free political prisoners, discuss the country'sailing economy and revive a dialogue with Suu Kyi.Government officials confirmed that Gambari and Suu Kyi met for 1 1/2 hours at astate guest house near her home. The officials declined to give their namesbecause they were not authorized to speak to the media.Nyan Win said Suu Kyi also told the U.N. official that rule of law does not exist inMyanmar, citing lengthy sentences handed down to political prisoners, the arrest ofdefense lawyers and other moves by the junta.He said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who visited Myanmar last Mayafter Cyclone Nargis devastated coastal areas should not make any additionalvisits until after Suu Kyi, deputy party leader Tin Oo and other political prisonershave been released.It was unclear whether Gambari would meet with junta leader Senior Gen. ThanShwe. The general has shunned the envoy during his last three visits.Myanmar's current military leadership came to power in 1988 after crushing anationwide pro-democracy movement. It held elections in 1990 but refused to honorthe results after Suu Kyi's party won a landslide victoryAung San Suu Kyi meets with UN envoyThe Associated PressMonday, February 2, 2009YANGON, Myanmar: The UN special envoy to Myanmar met the detainedopposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday, as her party expressed frustrationwith UN efforts to pressure the military regime to reform, government officials said.The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who has spent more than 13 of the past 19 yearsunder house arrest, had refused to see the envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, a formerNigerian diplomat, during his last visit in August.Aung San Suu Kyi explained to Gambari on Monday that "she was ready andwilling to meet anyone, but she could not accept having meetings without achievingany outcome," said a spokesman for her National League for Democracy party.Nyan Win also said that the UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon - who visitedMyanmar last May after Cyclone Nargis devastated coastal areas - should not.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 59make any additional visits until after Aung San Suu Kyi, her deputy party leader, TinOo, and other political prisoners have been released.Myanmar's military, which has ruled the country since 1962, when it was known asBurma, tolerates no dissent and crushed pro-democracy protests led by Buddhistmonks in September 2007.Human rights groups say that it holds more than 2,100 political prisoners, upsharply from nearly 1,200 before the demonstrations.The one-and-a-half-hour meeting between Gambari and Aung San Suu Kyi tookplace at the state guest house, said officials who declined to give their namesbecause they were not authorized to speak to the press.Gambari arrived Saturday for a four-day visit, the seventh of his trips to Myanmar,which have failed to produce significant results.Nyan Win said that the 63-year-old opposition leader told the UN official that rule oflaw did not exist in Myanmar, citing lengthy sentences handed down to politicalprisoners, the arrest of defense lawyers and other moves by the ruling junta tosuppress justice.Gambari told diplomats earlier that his objectives were to urge the release ofpolitical prisoners, discuss the country's ailing economy and revive a dialoguebetween Aung San Suu Kyi and the junta.It was unclear whether Gambari would see the junta's leader, General Than Shwe,who has shunned the envoy during his last three visits.Ban expressed frustration after Gambari's August visit when the junta ignoredrequests that it release political prisoners and resume dialogue with Aung San SuuKyi.During Ban's visit last May, he persuaded Than Shwe to ease access for foreignaid workers and relief supplies aimed at the thousands of victims of the cyclone.The current junta came to power in 1988 after crushing a nationwide pro-democracy movement. It held elections in 1990 but refused to honor the resultsafter Aung San Suu Kyi's party won a landslide victory.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 60UN envoy meets ministers,diplomats in MyanmarThe Associated PressSunday, February 1, 2009YANGON, Myanmar: The United Nations' special envoy to Myanmar met Sundaywith government ministers and diplomats in a renewed effort to promote politicalreform in the military-ruled country, officials and diplomats said.It remained unclear whether U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari would be able to meetwith detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his four-day visit, whichstarted Saturday. The trip, his seventh, comes amid criticism that he has failed toproduce significant results.Gambari told diplomats that his objectives are to urge the release of politicalprisoners, discuss the country's ailing economy and revive a dialogue between SuuKyi and the junta, a Western diplomat said.The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of protocol, saidGambari was also preparing for a possible visit by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, but did not elaborate.Ban visited Myanmar last May after Cyclone Nargis devastated coastal areas andpersuaded the junta's top leader, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, to ease access forforeign aid workers and relief supplies.Gambari met Sunday with Aung Kyi, the government minister responsible forrelations with Suu Kyi, but it remained unclear whether he would meet the detainedNobel Peace Prize laureate, a government official said on condition of anonymitybecause he was not authorized to speak to the media.It also was unclear whether Gambari would see Than Shwe, who has shunned theenvoy during his last three visits.The country's pro-democracy movement has been disappointed by Gambari'sprevious visits, which have failed to secure the release of Suu Kyi.Suu Kyi, 63, who has spent more than 13 of the past 19 years under house arrest,refused to see Gambari during his last visit in August, but her party spokesman saidSaturday that he "strongly believes she will meet the special envoy this time."The U.N. secretary-general expressed frustration after Gambari's August visit whenthe junta ignored requests that it release political prisoners and resume dialoguewith Suu Kyi.Myanmar's military, which has ruled the country since 1962, when it was known asBurma, tolerates no dissent and crushed pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 61monks in September 2007. Human rights groups say it holds more than 2,100political prisoners, up sharply from nearly 1,200 before the demonstrations.The current junta came to power in 1988 after crushing a nationwide pro-democracy movement. It held elections in 1990 but refused to honor the resultsafter Suu Kyi's party won a landslide victory.Rohingya not recognized as ethnicgroup in MyanmarThe Associated PressFriday, January 30, 2009YANGON, Myanmar: Myanmar said the Rohingya boat people found adrift in theAndaman Sea last week could not have come from its shores because they are notamong its recognized ethnic groups, state media reported Friday.Myanmar's response could complicate efforts to repatriate the Rohingyas, 66 ofwhom were convicted this week by a court in Thailand of illegally entering thecountry.The Myanmar Ahlin, a state-controlled newspaper in Myanmar, said that foreignmedia had suggested that the hundreds of Rohingya found off Thailand's coastcame from Myanmar. That was not possible, the newspaper said."Rohingya people are not among Myanmar's more than 100 ethnic minoritygroups," the newspaper said.However, the newspaper reported that the government will "take necessarymeasures and deal with the matter."The newspaper did not elaborate, though on Monday, Myanmar military leaderstold their Thai counterparts they would try and prevent any Rohingya migrants fromleaving the country.The issue of the Rohingyas several hundred thousand people who live along theborder with Bangladesh is very sensitive in Myanmar.It has denied them citizenship and has been accused of widespread rights abusesagainst their communities including forced labor, forced evictions from their landand prohibitions on their movements.The mention of the Rohingyas in the state media Friday was the first sinceallegations arose earlier this month that Thai authorities were forcing their boatsback out to sea.Human rights groups say the Thai navy has twice intercepted boats with Rohingyasand sent them back to the open seas, where hundreds later died..~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 62Thai authorities have repeatedly insisted they do not force migrants out to sea butonly detain and repatriate people entering the country illegally.Human rights agencies and the U.S. government have long asserted that theRohingya face gross discrimination and are denied citizenship in their homeland ofMyanmar, also called Burma, because they are Muslims.For years, human rights groups have accused military-ruled Myanmar, which isabout 90 percent Buddhist, of mistreating ethnic minorities.About 200,000 Rohingyas live in Bangladesh, where about 28,000 live in campsand have been granted refugee status. Many more brave the seas in search of abetter life, often traveling to Thailand on their way to Malaysia http://moemaka.blogspot.com/ .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 63 () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 64 (Photo: Weltenwanderer) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 65 () (Photo:Reuters).~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 66(Photo: Weltenwanderer) http://nyimuyar.blogspot.com/2009/02/global-vipassana-pagoda.html () http://moemaka.blogspot.com/ () () () () () () () The Hell Hound At Large .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 67 () BA ( ) -- () () () () ABSU () (ABSU) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 68 -- [ - www.rfa.org/burmese http://moemaka.blogspot.com/ ... .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 69 - .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 70 () , .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 71 .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 72 09 February 2009 http://www.voanews.com/burmese/2009-02-09-voa2.cfm Richard Boucher .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 73 Richard Boucher Sheikh Hasina Richard Boucher Sheikh Hasina RichardBoucher .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 74 2009-02-08http://www.rfa.org/burmese/news/global_vipassana_pagoda_inaugurated_in_mumbai-02082009124918.html/story_main?textonly=1www.vri.dhamma.org (www.vri.dhamma.org) ( ) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 75 - .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 76 2009-02-06 http://www.rfa.org/burmese/news/abbot_abusing_funds-02062009145420.html/story_main?textonly=1 RFA RFA .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 77 RFA RFA RFA .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 78 2009-02-08 http://www.rfa.org/burmese/news/Why_ncgub_extended_with_ethnics-02082009121953.html () () (Photo: AFP) () MPU .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 79 MPU RFA () http://moemaka.blogspot.com/ - - - '' ( ) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 80 () () - - () '' '' ' ' () - - .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 81 - ' ' () () () () () ( ).~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 82 - ( ) '' () - ().~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 83.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 84 09 February 2009 http://www.voanews.com/burmese/2009-02-09-voa5.cfm () () / () () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 85 (Mr. Ibrahim Gambari) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 86 , , NEJ/ () - () () () () () () () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 87 / http://www.khitpyaing.org/news/February_09/10-2-09d.php () () () - () () () () () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 88 / http://www.khitpyaing.org/news/February_09/9-2-09d.php .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 89 NEJ/ (-) () () () () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 90 Chollima () - () / http://www.khitpyaing.org/articles/February_09/10-2-09.php .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 91 .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 92 (+) += (+ +) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 93 ( ) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 94 (+++)= (+)= (+++)= (+)= () ( ) ( ) () (+)= () ( ) () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 95 (+ ++++++++ ) ( + + + ++++++)= () NEJ/ () () () () () () () () () () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 96 () () ( ) () (--) () () () () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 97 () NEJ/ () () () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 98 - NEJ/ () - - () - () Suspended Suspend .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 99 - CC CC Reply .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 100() () () () () - () () () () - () () () NEJ/ () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 101 SultanMahmood Abdul Bashar Zohora Begum Abul Khair Abdus Sobhan Abdul Bashar Rashid Ahmed Nasiruddin () / http://www.khitpyaing.org/news/February_09/10-2-09a.php.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 102 () -- () () - () () - () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 103 NEJ/ () () () () () () () () // // .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 104 () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 105 () / - DSA () () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 106 () - - DSA () ( ) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 107 (--) () () UN Raise - .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 108 '' ' ' ' ' ( ) " " ( [ ] ) [ ] ( - ) ( - - ) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 109 ['' "" " " " " ][] [ - '' ' ' ] () [] ( - ) ' ' "Undergound Unit ( ) ( ) () " [] () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 110 ( ) ( ) ( - )'' ' ' ' ' [ ( )] ' ' " " [] .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 111 () ( ) ' ' " " ' ' ' ' ' ' () (COC) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 112 ' ' ' ' '' ( ) () ( ) ( )/ / ( ) / ( ) / ( ) ( ) ( " " " " ) / / ( ) '' '' '' '' / .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 113 (LDC, Least Developed Countries) (COC) ' ' '' '' ' ' ' ' ' ' " " ' ' ( ) () ' ' ' ' .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 114 [ ' ' ] " " ( ) [] [] / (microwave antenna) / [].~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 115 / [] (NLD) [] ' ' ' ' [ ' ' ] ' ' '' '' .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 116 ' ' ' ' [][ ( - ) ] [] - '' [ ' ' ] ( xxx ) [] ['' ' ' ] ' ' ' ' () " " [] .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 117 [] ' ' " " ' ' ' ' [ ' ' ' ' ] " " ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' [ ' ' ] ' ' ' ' ' ' [ ] (' ' - ).~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 118 " " Living Colour Magazine " " " "( -) " " " " " " ' ' '' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' " " (' ' - -) .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 119 ( ) " " [ ] " " ' ' (' ' ) Living Colour " " ' ' Living Colour Living Colour " " " ' ' x x x x x x x x.~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 120 ' ' ' ' ' ' - - "(' ' - ) Living Colour [] ' ' ' ' () ' ' " " " " ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ( ) ' '[] [] [] ' ' () ' ' .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 121 (' ' - - )" ( ) ( ) " (' ' - - ' ' ' ' )" ( ) ' ' "(' ' - 'The Roots of the Revolution')" .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 122 ' ' "x x x x x x x x" ( ) ( ) ( ) []" (' ' - )[ '' ] ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ' ' () ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 123 ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' " " ' ' () '' " " .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 124 " " " " ( ) ( ) ' ' ' ' ' ' " " " " " " " " ... - - - ( ) [] "" -- '' " " -- ' ' .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 125"" ' ' [] () ( ) [] - '" Outrage - Burma's Struggle forDemocracy by Bertil Lintner 1st Burmeseedition published in the UK in 1990 by Peacock Press, Edinburgh, Scotland " - " [] ( ) " " [] ( ) " " [] ( ) " " [] " " [] " " () " " () [] " " (Irrawaddy Publication,New Delhi, Second Edition 1999) () () .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 126 '' () " x x x x x x x x " " " .~~~.~...~ ..~.~ ~~~ ~~~.~.~~ ...~~~~..-.._._-. _....-._-_ - - -- -.. , -- ...--.=.- ...... - - 12