US Says Myanmar Junta Obstructing Negotiations on New Constitution

Source: International Herald Tribune

The United States accused Myanmar's rulers on Tuesday of standing in the way of moving toward democracy in that Southeast Asian country by denying Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition leaders the right to help draft a national constitution.

In a prepared statement, State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said Suu Kyi made clear in a Nov. 8 statement from house arrest that she was "committed to meaningful and time-bound talks" with Senior Gen. Than Shwe and his junta under sponsorship of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "It is Than Shwe and his senior generals who are obstructing progress toward democratization in Burma," Casey said, using another name for the Asian nation.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/04/america/NA-GEN-US-Myamar.php

Poet Arrested for Citing Poetry at Lu-Du Daw A-Mar's Birthday

Source: Nik Nayman

A well-known poet has been detained after reciting poetry at author Lu Du Daw A-Mar’s 90^th birthday, according to sources in the Military Intelligence. For the sake of his career, the pseudonym of the poet cannot be published.

Other poets, hunted by junta, have reportedly gone into hiding.

One of the poets on the run said: “We were merely handing out poetry pamphlets. It wasn’t as if we were carrying out protests or using any type of force. It’s funny how they tried to hunt us down as though we’re criminals. But we wont be afraid even if we get arrested. When we’re released, we’ll carry on fighting for our people. I believe our friend in detention feels the same way.”

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://niknayman.blogspot.com/2007/12/blog-post_6460.html

Note from FP:

1.       Lu Du Daw A-Mar is known for her hard line stance against the junta.

2.       Junta is notorious for banning the works of artistes for the slightest provocation. Please refer to our earlier report (http://flamingpeacocks.blogspot.com/2007/12/junta-bans-wedding-announcement-of.html) for more details.

Chased From Streets, Myanmar Monks Get Out Message on Video

Source: Agence France-Presse via Yahoo News

Unable to speak directly to their followers in public, two senior monks – Ashin Nyanissara and Ashin Kawvida -- have recorded their sermons on a video disc titled "The end of sinful people".

In the sermon, they discuss the legend of a ruthless emperor who violated the teachings of the Lord Buddha, which resulted in him, and his followers, being sent to hell.

Ashin Nyanissara is a founder of the respected Sagaing Thitagu World Buddha University in northern Myanmar, which is popular among foreigners who come to Myanmar, the former Burma, to study the religion.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071205/lf_afp/myanmarpoliticsmediareligion_071205031130

Note from FP:

1.       There are 3 sermons in total including the one mentioned in the article, all using religious legends analogous to the current state of affairs. In one of the sermons, Ashin Nyanissara speaks about a group of monkeys who, lacking intelligence, end up destroying a beautiful garden they are taking care of.

2.       Nik Nayman reported on his blog that the punishment for possessing these ‘illgal’ recordings is 6 years imprisonment.

3.       In Singapore, the sermons can be purchased at Peninsula Plaza. Each VCD costs SGD 3.00.

Father of Ashin Gambira Released from Detention

Source: Democratic Voice of Burma

U Min Lwin, the father of Saffron Revolution leader Ashin Gambira, has been released from detention a week after the family told news agencies that they did not know of his whereabouts. He has reportedly been held in a prison in Mandalay for a month after being arrested on the 4^th of November. He arrived home Tuesday evening.

Three other men were released along with him; they were taken into custody for allegedly helping to pass money to U Gambira.

U Min Lwin told DVB that he was informed that U Gambira was held in the notorious Insein Jail only after being released,. He declined to elaborate on his stay in prison except to say that the conditions he encountered were to be expected. He said he was happy to be reunited with his family, and hoped that the truth will help his two sons, U Gambira and older brother Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw, who are still in detention. Ashin Gambira has earlier been charged with treason.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=3032

Junta Bans Wedding Announcement of Actor Kyaw Thu's Daughter

Source: Mizzima News

In a blatant act of vindictiveness, a wedding advertisement for prominent movie actor Kyaw Thu's daughter has been banned by the Burmese military junta's censorship board, allegedly for the actor's involvement in the monk-led protests in September.

"As for me I have been banned from all my work like acting or directing. And my name cannot be published in any of the journals or newspapers. Even to advertise my daughter's wedding I cannot include my name," actor Kyaw Thu told Mizzima.

The junta, in its effort to punish the artists, has banned all works of artists who took part in the protests. More than 20 of Kyaw Thu's films are currently banned from being released in theatres. Similarly, comedian and actor Zargarnar is also banned from performing on stage while writer Than Myint Aung is barred from using her pseudonym and writing for newspapers.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://www.mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/News/2007/Dec/12,%20Dec,%202007.html

Pro-democracy Leader's Party Says Myanmar's National Prestige at its Lowest

Source: Associated Press via International Herald Tribune

The opposition party of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi marked Myanmar's National Day on Tuesday by criticizing the military government for lowering the nation's prestige.

The statement by the National League for Democracy marking the 87th anniversary of a student strike against British colonialism also called for the release of Suu Kyi — who has been detained for 12 of the past 18 years — and other political prisoners, including those arrested during anti-government demonstrations in August and September.

The statement was released at a ceremony attended by 200 supporters at party headquarters in Yangon, the first such gathering since the military junta violently cracked down on the protests, killing at least 15 people and detaining thousands, including hundreds of NLD members.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/04/asia/AS-GEN-Myanmar-National-Day.php

Activists to Launch 'Non-cooperation' Campaign in January 2008

Source: Mizzima News

In a well conceived plan which has to do with governmental and social boycott, a campaign of 'non-cooperation' will be begun by an unidentified Burmese activist group. It has urged all government employees to stop working and stay at home from the January 1, 2008 for a break down of the junta's governance.

With the slogan "Freedom to all on August 8, 2008", the activist group, in an email message to Mizzima said they have planned to launch the new campaign of 'non-cooperation', where they will request all government servants to defy the regime by staying at home from New Year's Day.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://www.mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/News/2007/Dec/09,%20Dec,%202007.html

Japanese MP Ryuhei Kawada Releases YouTube Appeal Calls for Support for a Free Burma

Source: Burmainfo.org via Burmanet

Ryuhei Kawada, a member of the Japan’s House of Councilors (upper house), has released a video message on YouTube calling for people to join him in supporting freedom for Burma.

The video can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdrGWt3Rkxk

A Japanese video was also released:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF1I-K-rkmY

In the video message, Mr. Kawada points out that Burma’s regime spends more than half of the state budget for its military, and that only a fraction of the state budget is spent on health.  Himself an HIV patient who became infected through tainted blood products, Kawada is shocked about the closure of Maggin monastery:  “These patients depended on the monastery because the military regime gave them no help.  I find it appalling that the regime would deprive these people of the monastery’s support and make them suffer more.”

For the full report, please follow this link: http://www.burmanet.org/news/2007/12/04/burmainfoorg-japanese-mp-ryuhei-kawada-releases-youtube-appeal-calls-for-support-for-a-free-burma/

 

Commission Calls for Full Accounting by Burma's Military

Source: Voice of America

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has called on the world to demand that the Burmese military government end its crackdown on dissidents, including Buddhist monks, in the wake of nationwide democracy demonstrations more than two months ago.

Commission vice chairman Richard Land says many questions remain about the full scope of the crackdown and what he calls the brutality of Burma's military. He refers to reports suggesting that the abuse of protesters was more brutal than initially described and that there were more fatalities, torture and arrests than reported.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://voanews.com/english/2007-12-04-voa10.cfm

U.S.-ASEAN Share Same Goal for Burma: U.S. official

Source: Mizzima News

Though tactics may differ, the United States shares the same vision for Burma as does Singapore and the ASEAN community, according to an American official.

"It is possible for partners to work perhaps with different tactics while agreeing on the same strategic objective," Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said at a press conference yesterday in Singapore following a day of meetings with Singaporean officials.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://www.mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/News/2007/Dec/10,%20Dec,%202007.html

More Bloody Confrontation Unavoidable in Myanmar: Exiled Monk

Source: Agence France-Presse

Myanmar's Buddhist monks are prepared to face another bloody confrontation with the ruling military junta if the international community fails to force the generals to accept democratic reforms, an exiled monk with links inside Myanmar said Monday.

US-based Ashin Nayaka, a key member of the International Burmese Monks Organization, said monks were a "symbol of hope" for reforms in Myanmar but were "forcibly disrobed, assaulted and killed" by the junta.

"If this continues unaddressed, further bloody confrontation is unavoidable," he told a hearing of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, a non-partisan panel appointed by the US president and leaders of Congress.

For the full report, please click here.

China Dam Project a Boost for Myanmar Junta - Report

Source: Reuters

A Chinese-invested hydropower project in neighbouring Myanmar has deepened links between China and Myanmar's ruling generals and is destroying local livelihoods and the environment, according to a report released on Monday.

The Shweli dam is China's first build-operate-transfer hydropower project with Myanmar's military government, which recently crushed the biggest pro-democracy protests in nearly 20 years.

Under the agreement with Myanmar's Electric Power Ministry, China's Yunnan Joint Power Development Co are to operate the power station for 40 years.

For the full report, please click here.

Anuk Chopra: Junta Bunkers Down in Jungle Hideaway

Source: Scotsman

At first impression, Naypyidaw hardly feels like a city, but rather a series of eerie zones, carefully dispersed to isolate the different parts of the city from one another. Unlike the crumbling, colonial-era streets of Rangoon, Naypyidaw is quiet and desolate. Due to be completed by 2012, it is reminiscent of Russia's Potemkin villages, fake settlements built in the late 1700s to impress visiting dignitaries during the reign of Catherine II.

For the full article, please click here.

Asean and UN: Common Ground for Action

Source: The Nation

In Singapore last week, incoming Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan made his first comments on Burma following the endorsement of the Asean Charter at the Singapore Summit.

He said that Asean would strongly back the good offices of the United Nations through special envoy Ibrahim Gambari in solving the crisis in Burma. Surin paraphrased the views expressed by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the summit he hosted, saying that even though Burma has chosen to deal with the UN, the grouping stands ready to help with the process.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.news.php?clid=11&id=30058071

Manish Bhardwaj: The Failed Saffrom Revolution

Source: The Harvard Crimson

History repeats itself not just because of short memories, but because of our instinctual self-centeredness. And since nations are but our own amplified selves, diplomacy, from America to India, triangulates for advantage first and asks questions later.

For the full article, please follow this link: http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=521052

Statement of Global Alliance of Burmese Students Condemning the Crackdown of Maggin Monastery by Burmese regime

Source: Burmanet

We, Global Alliance of Burmese Students, condemn Burmese junta’s atrocious action to crack down on Maggin Monastry, in Thin Gan Gyun Township, Yangon, which is actively helping people living with HIV/AIDS by providing food, shelter, and care with great compassion . This contradicts the regime’s propaganda and restricts the development of Buddhism in Burma. Also, while the global community and international organizations such as the UN and UNAIDS are celebrating the 20th World AIDS Day on December 1st  to raise awareness of the pandemic disease in solidarity, such an act of abominable savagery can be construed as utmost insult on the global community’s noble commitment to fight against HIV/AIDS and on the civilized humanity.

We call for a stop to such brutal actions and also for a return of all properties owned by the monastery to the abbot. If the SPDC ignores our demand, it will face more pressure and protests against the regime externally as well as internally. We, Global Alliance of Burmese Students (GABS), will lead regular protests in front of Burmese embassy in Bangkok, starting December 2, coming Sunday.

Global Alliance of Burmese Students (Thailand)
global.alliance.burma@gmail.com

Contact
Kyaw Lin Oo
Mobile Phone +66 84 107 9352

Suluck Lamubol (Fai)
Students Federation of Thailand
Mobile Phone +66 83 991 9876

Senior General Than Shwe Rumoured to be Dying

Source: The Irrawaddy

Sources in Singapore told The Irrawaddy that Senior General Than Shwe, current junta head, had in January sought treatment for cancer, and kidney problems in a hospital in Singapore. They speculate that he will die within the next few years.

The same sources said that Than Shwe was advised to undergo surgery as the illnesses he was suffering from were potentially life-threatening. He, however refused, reportedly choosing to return to Rangoon to consult with astrologers, a decision that astounded his physicians.

According to other sources, Than Shwe also suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure.

Than Shwe’s health has been steadily deteriorating in the past year, and much speculation has been going on about the possible candidates for his successor. Should he pass on while still in reign, changes in policy maybe possible, analysts say. In 1988, then supreme, General Nay Win, in a carefully planned move, handed power to trusted aides, ensuring a smooth transition (and leaving Burma in continued military rule).

In the past, General Nay Win, who ruled the country from 1962 to 1988, used to go to the UK for healthcare. However, Burma’s current leaders usually go to Singapore as sanctions prevent them from entering the US and countries in the EU.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://www.irrawaddy.org/bur/news2007/December/dec_03b_07.html

Bertil Litner: Myanmar Back on a Roadmap to Nowhere

Source: Asia Times

With the opposition subdued and the authorities vigorously hunting down the organizers of the September demonstrations - and the international community held at bay with promises of more ineffectual talks mediated by United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari - Myanmar's ruling junta has put back on track its so-called "Seven-point Road Map" which it says will lead the country towards "national reconsolidation".

For the full article, please follow this link: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/IL04Ae01.html

Myanmar Frees 8,500 Prisoners: Report

Source: Channel News Asia

Military-ruled Myanmar has freed more than 8,500 prisoners, state media announced Monday, but the opposition party said only 10 political dissidents were among them.

For the full report, please follow this link: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/315320/1/.html

September Protests are Insignificant, says Burmese Minister

Source: Radio Free Asia

General Kyaw San, Minister of Information & Communication, said Monday that compared to the entire population of Burma, the number of people who took to the streets in August and September was insignificant.

At the news conference held in Naypyidaw, the new administrative capital of Burma, General Kyaw San pronounced the protest leaders as fake monks who were instigated by overseas dissident groups and foreign interference. He added that the government has reliable evidence to believe that these fake monks were ex-convicts who were influenced by dissident groups, and that the government had managed to take control of the situation before they could convince the public to take part.

He also told reporters that the government was going ahead with the 7-step democracy roadmap, and it will accept neither advice or help from any other organization.

Liaison Minister, Aung Kyi, told reporters that the meetings with Daw Aung San Su Kyi, the opposition leader who has been under house arrest for 12 years, showed promise, without elaborating further.

At the same conference, Chief of Police, General Khin Yi, said that the protestors aimed to topple the government. He accused a group, Forum for Democracy in Burma, of forming an alliance with dissident groups to incite the public to carry out protests. He also alleged that political activists were carrying out anti-government activities at the US embassy in Rangoon. He maintained that only 10 people were killed during the crackdown.

For the original article in Burmese, please follow this link: http://www.rfa.org/burmese/news/2007/12/03/news_conference_held_in_naypyidaw/