Burma Issues - BI Weekly No.334

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BI Weekly No.334

21-01-08-01-02-08

The BI Weekly archive is available on our website: www.burmaissues.org

Burma's pro-democracy Activists believe people power is still strong enough to topple junta

Four months after the junta in Burma crushed the biggest pro-democracy protests in nearly 20 years, activists haven't given up hope of overturning the regime. Burma's pro-democracy activists are weakened and on the run, but still believe people power can overthrow the military regime.

Detained Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has met a government negotiator four times since protests were violently crushed in September.

"It seems like a trap set by the government to buy some time from the international community," Phoenix said. "Mr Gambari is trying to come again, but I don't expect much of what he can do."

Rangoon is a city gripped by fear. After the crackdown, locals try to avoid a foreigner's eye. No one wanted to get into a conversation.

There are informers everywhere. Each neighborhood has a government office with photographs of every resident, and where guests must be registered. "Even inside their families, people cannot talk loud," Phoenix said.

"With our movement, when it gets stronger and stronger, even some of the top [government] leaders may co-operate with us. We have some reliable information, some of the top government leaders are not very happy with What the police have done to the monks." But in a Rangoon tea shop one of the many thousands of ordinary people who marched through the streets in September took a less sanguine view. "Our governments are killers," he said.

"The people are afraid again and they won't protest. They know they can't make a difference. They know they can pay with their life."

"Activists believe people power is still strong enough to topple junta", South China Morning Post, January 21, 2008

Military road construction destroys farmlands in Karen state

Farmlands in Taung-ngu and Pha-pon disctricts in Karen state have been destroyed by government troops as road construction and army camp expansion work begins in the area, locals said.

"They came and set up their military camps, and then started on their new road plans. Several farmlands in the area, owned by local villagers, were demolished with bulldozers," the villager said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"A lot of durian, betel nut and other kinds of plantations from Shan Lal Pyin village were destroyed too." In Pha-pon district, road building by government troops has made villagers relocate deeper into the jungle for fear of a possible new offensive. Locals said the aim of the new road projects could be to aid mobilization and provide supply routes for government troops so that they can carry out more offensives against KNU-controlled areas.

"Military road construction destroys farmlands ¬ Saw Kanyaw", Democratic Voice of Burma, January 23, 2008

Burma poet arrested for critical poem

A Burma poet known for his odes to love was arrested after penning a Valentine's Day poem that carried a hidden message criticizing the leader of the country's military junta, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, colleagues said Thursday.

The poet, Saw Wai, was arrested Tuesday, a day after his poem "February 14" was published in the popular weekly entertainment magazine "A Chit," or "Love," according to friends and colleagues who spoke on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals.

The eight-line poem in Burmese is about a man brokenhearted after falling for a fashion model, whom he thanks for having taught him the meaning of love.

But if read vertically, the first word of each line forms the phrase: "Power crazy Senior General Than Shwe." Saw Wai regularly writes innocuous love poems for Burmese-language magazines and journals. He is also a member of an organization of local artists and actors called White Rainbow which helps HIV-infected orphans.

"You have to be in love truly, madly, deeply and then you can call it real love," reads the poem for which he was arrested. The verse ends with a call for unity in the name of love: "Millions of people who know how to love please clap your hands of gilded gold and laugh out loud."

The Burmese word for million is "Than" and the word for gold is "Shwe." News vendors in Rangoon, the largest city in Burma, said authorities had removed the magazine from their newsstands.

Saw Wai's poem is the latest attempt by artists and others to circumvent the junta's muzzle on expression. A comedy troupe known as "The Four Fruits" has recently become popular for satirical jokes about the September crackdown.

"Myanmar poet arrested for critical poem", Associated Press, January 24, 2008

Landmine explosion kills three DKBA soldiers

Three Democratic Karen Buddhist Army personnel were killed and eight others injured in a mine explosion near the border town of Myawaddy in Karen state, according to the Karen National Union.

"Two died on the spot and nine others, including a platoon leader, were injured and sent to Myawaddy hospital where one died from his wounds," said Saw Hla Ngwe.

"They are from the DKBA triple 3 battalion led by battalion commander Pha-be." "This attack is to prevent [SPDC and DKBA troops] from mounting offensives and taking control of our territories. This is a defensive measure we take to keep our enemy from dominating our area," he said. An officer from the DKBA battalion 907's central war office said only two died while nine others were injured by the KNU mine.

"Landmine explosion kills three DKBA soldiers ¬ San Kanyaw", Democratic Voice of Burma, January 25, 2008

Burma's government tightens on international aid agencies

In what seems to be a renewed effort to control the movement of international aid agencies operating in Burma, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoH) has established new sets of regulations for aid groups.

The new instructions, which are supplementary to the existing rules, were told to International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs) operating in Burma by the Ministry of Home Affairs during a meeting on January 11, 2008, held at Burma's new capital of Naypyitaw, according to the meeting minutes, a copy of which Mizzima has obtained.

"No permission from Ka-Ka-Kyi [Ministry of Defense], no travel," Dr. San Shwe Win, Deputy Director General of the Department of Health, who chaired the meeting, told the aid agencies.

During the meeting, the Chairman said all visits by expatriates will be accompanied by government appointed Liaison Officers (LO), as done in previous years, and expatriates are advised to stay close to the LO. The Chairman of the meeting encouraged INGOs to minimize the conduct of surveys or assessments and instead utilize existing information from other agencies.

Burma, which has a tradition of hiding or providing widely inaccurate data on health, has always refused the request of international organizations to conduct extensive surveys in the country.

"Surveys and assessments should be confined to "Health Issues"… and there needs to be prior discussion and agreement with non-health sector areas such as education, socio-economic conditions, etc," the meeting minutes said.

In a closing remark, Dr. San Shwe Win, chairman of the meeting, told representatives of the INGOs to focus only on "pure health activities" in order to obtain Memorandum of Understandings from the government.

The Chairman referenced a famous Burmese saying in advising the representatives under what conditions the restrictions may be lifted. "If a person is liked, then the rules are reduced," meaning rules and regulations can be reduced for close friends, "…so try to be liked first!"

"Burma's government tightens its grip on international aid agencies – Mungpi", Mizzima News, January 29, 2008

Irrawaddy dam construction begins, human rights abuses begin in Burma

Burma and China began construction on one of the largest dams in Burma some two months ago; meanwhile, villagers in the area are being extorted and abused by the Burmese army, according to sources.

The Myitsone hydropower project is being built on the Irrawaddy confluence about 26 miles (42 km) north of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, in northern Burma. About 20 Chinese and a handful of Burmese engineers are working on the site, plus about 300 construction workers from the Asia World Company, owned by Tun Myint Naing, one of the discredited cronies with links to the Burmese regime, The workers have built shelters in the area by the site and are currently tasked with detonating dynamite underneath the Irrawaddy River to break up the rocks and create space for the dam.

The Burmese state-run newspaper, The New Light of Myanmar, reported in May 2007 that seven hydropower projects on the Irrawaddy River had been designed to generate a combined total of 13,360 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The report said that the largest dam—Myitsone hydropower project—would produce some 3,600 MW.

The hydropower projects are being implemented under an agreement signed in late 2006 with the state-owned China Power Investment Corporation (CPI) and Burma’s Ministry of Electric Power No 1.

However, while construction is underway, a series of human rights abuses in the local areas have occurred following the arrival of Light Infantry Battalion 121, said residents.

The observer said that the Burmese army had been moved into the area as security for the hydroelectric dam site.The natural heritage of the Kachin People in Myitsone area will be destroyed. More than 40 villages near the construction site will be flooded if the dam is built. More than 10,000 villagers are currently living in those 40 villages, said Naw La.

An employee of the Kachin Consultative Assembly said that an earlier letter of complaint had been sent to the government asking it not to build a dam on the Irrawaddy confluence.

The letter pointed out that the dam would destroy the lives and property of local people, damage natural resources and cause the loss of irreplaceable natural habitat. However, the government has not responded to the letter, he said.

Burma is currently cooperating with China and Thailand on several hydropower projects across the country. It expects hydropower projects to double production of electricity in the military-ruled country by 2009.

"Irrawaddy dam construction begins, human rights abuses begin - Saw Yan Naing", Irrawaddy, January 29, 2008

Burmese military junta force villagers to pay for road construction

The Burmese military junta authorities do not bat an eye lid when it comes to collecting money forcibly from the people. An order has been issued to collect money from villagers for the construction of a road that will connect Hakha, capital of Chin state to Mantaw village in Kalay Township, Sagaing division.

The order issued by Khuang Hlei Thang, chairman of Township Peace and Development Council in Thangtlang Township in Chin state on January 10 directs each village in Thangtlang to contribute Kyat 200,000 (about US $160) each for the 80 mile long Hakha-Mantaw road project.

The latest move has also added to the trouble of villagers who are facing a famine like situation (food crisis) because of bamboo flowering that helps rats multiply across remote areas Chin state.The village heads have been assigned to collect the money.

The amount of money to be collected will range from Kyat 2000 to 6000 per household on the basis of the household number in the village. The sum of collected money is estimated to touch Kyat 17,000,000 (US $ 13,654), according to locals.

The eight feet wide Hakha ¬ Mantaw road construction project began in 2006. Initially, it was targeted to be completed in 2007 with government funding. Later, the local authorities carried out the project with fund from civilians and labour of locals. So far, only 50 miles of the 80 miles of the road has been completed.

On May 2007, the TPDC authorities from Thangtlang town had also collected Kyat 1,000 per household from 85 villages in Thangtlang for labour wages to be paid to road construction workers.

"Burmese junta force villagers to pay for road construction", Khonumthung News, January 29, 2008

Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets colleagues

Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been allowed to meet political allies for the second time since last year's bloody crackdown.Officials took Ms Suu Kyi to a military guest house to meet seven top members of her National League for Democracy. She last left house arrest to meet colleagues in November 2007.

That meeting followed sustained international pressure on Burma's leaders after troops used violence to end anti-government protests. At least 31 people died in the crackdown and thousands were detained. Hundreds of people are thought to remain in custody.

After the violence, the United Nations called for greater dialogue between the ruling military junta and the Suu Kyi-led pro-democracy movement. A government liaison, Aung Kyi, was appointed to negotiate with Ms Suu Kyi.The two have since held four meetings, but it remains unclear whether they are yielding any progress.

Ms Suu Kyi was also meeting Aung Kyi, reports from Burma said.The NLD won elections in 1990 but has never been allowed to take power. Ms Suu Kyi has spent 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest in Burma's commercial capital, Rangoon.

"Burma's Suu Kyi meets colleagues", BBC News, January 30, 2008

Thai authorities arrest 300 illegal Burmese migrants workers

Three hundred illegal Burmese migrant workers were arrested by Thai immigration on Monday in a raid on a garment factory in Bangkok, according to migrant sources.Thai immigration conducted a surprise raid on Lai Ling garment factory in Mahachai district, which employs around 2000 Burmese migrants.

"First they blocked all the exits including the fire escape around the back of the factory to stop us escaping. Then six lock-up trucks arrived and they started busting people." "Some people hurt themselves jumping from high floors in a desperate attempt to flee the factory and about four people were admitted to hospital for their injuries." Those who were arrested are now being detained at a police station in Mahachai district.

Most of the workers had no proper legal documentation, while others had Thai labour cards but had not extended their registration in 2007.

"They come to Thailand despite knowing about the situation here because they cannot earn enough money in Burma to make a living," said Kyaw Thaung. "The State Peace and Development Council's mismanagement of Burma has turned the country into a factory making slaves for its neighbouring countries."

"Thai authorities arrest 300 illegal Burmese migrants ¬ Saw Kanyaw", Democratic Voice of Burma, January 30, 2008

Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO) to aid Burma farming project

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will aid Burma's milch cow farming project under a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached recently between the U.N. organization and the Burma livestock authorities, official media reported Thursday.

The MoU on the implementation of the project was signed by FAO Resident Representative Tang Zhengping and Director-General of the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department U Maung Maung Nyunt in the new capital of Nay Pyi Taw Tuesday, said the New Light of Myanmar daily.

The report did not disclose the location of the project and more details.Other local sources said the project in Nay Pyi Taw, the biggest of its kind, covers breeding of 20,000 milk cows, 100,000 ducks and one million chickens.

Meanwhile, Burma and Malaysia are also planning to cooperate in the sector of livestock breeding by setting up more prospective cattle breeding zones in Myeik, the country's southern port city in Tanintharyi division.

Burma has projected to export annually one million of sheep and goat in the next five years offering breeders across the country financial help to encourage them to realize the set target, according to the department which said granting of bank loan for breeding cattle represents one of the measures taken by the ministry for the move.

Cattle are mainly bred in the country's three divisions and states of Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway, and buyers are expected to mainly come from Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Bangladesh.

"FAO to aid Myanmar farming project", Xinhua General News Service, January 31, 2008

Activists concerned over Burma issue after new Thai government

Chiang Mai Thailand-based Burmese activists are concerned over their campaign for Burma after the newly elected Thai government comes to power.

The military led caretaker government ended its rule after the general elections were held on December 23, 2006 . In the election, the People's Power Party (PPP) became the single largest party and formed a coalition government with five other smaller parties. Thai based Burmese activists are concerned over the future policy of the new Thai government on Burma.

Dr. San Aung was of the opinion that this new government would pursue the policy of engagement and economic cooperation with Burma, which former Prime Minister Thaksin did.They will build friendly relations with the Burmese junta and are not be likely to talk about the restoration of democracy and human rights in Burma. And U Myint Thein, Joint Secretary of the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) said, " The political change in Thailand was done by democratic means so, I think they will follow and respect democratic values and practices.I also think the situation will not take a turn for the worse as we ourselves are striving for democracy."

Thai based Burmese Opposition leaders have welcomed the new government, since they did not like the economy-oriented policy of Thaksin while dealing with Burma.The ruling PPP and its five party coalition won 315 seats out of total 480seats in the Thailand legislature. Mr. Samak Sundaravej (72) will become the 25th PM of Thailand at the swearing in ceremony to be held on Friday. (PPP) Party has many top leaders of the former Thai Rat Thai Party and also its top leader will-be the PM Mr. Samak Sundaravei. He has close ties with former PM Mr. Thaksin and many speculate that the former PM could pull strings of the new government from behind the scenes.

"Activists concerned over Burma issue after new Thai gov - Nay Thwin", Mizzima News, January 22, 2008

Burmese Girl sold to traffickers by her mother

A seventeen-year-old Burmese girl, who escaped from human traffickers in the Thai border town of Mae Sot, said she had been sold to the traffickers by her mother Daw Khin San Wai. She had sold her to human traffickers from Mae Sot for 500,000 kyat.

"The human smuggler arrived at our house and asked my mother how much she wanted and my mother replied 500,000 kyat. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was only borrowing money from the woman," said Noe Noe.

"Then she asked me to go with the woman and said she would come and pick me up in the evening. So I went. But my mother never appeared." Noe Noe said she was kept in the traffickers' safe house in Mae Sot with 12 other girls and was not allowed to make contact with the outside world. "I slipped out of the house by telling them I wanted to make a phone call to my brother. When I got outside I ran straight for a nearby motorbike taxi and made my escape." Noe Noe blamed financial difficulties for her mother’s decision.

Aung Myo Min, the director of the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma said that Noe Noe’s story reflected the struggle facing many families in Burma. "We assume this happened because the level of poverty is so bad in Burma now that families cannot earn enough money even for survival," he said. "This is because of the military junta’s upside-down economic system and violations of human rights."

"Girl sold to traffickers by her mother ¬ Htet Yazar", Democratic Voice of Burma, January 23, 2008

Thailand and Burma will sign a deal next month

Thailand and Burma will sign a deal next month to cooperate in opium eradication to pave the way for the introduction of a Thai-initiated crop substitution project in the military-ruled country.

Deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board(ONCB) Pitaya Jinawat said Burmese anti-drug officials led by director-general of Burma's Police Brig-Gen Khin Yi, will visit the Doi Tung Development Project in Chiang Rai next month to study the opium eradication scheme and crop substitution project.

After that, the two countries will sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding, at a ceremony tentatively set for next month.The drug eradication cooperation comes under the bilateral framework on drug prevention and suppression of the two countries.

The Mou will pave the way for cooperation between Thai and Burmese officials to introduce an addictive drugs eradication and alternative development project in Burma, Mr Pitaya said. Besides development projects, Thailand has worked closely with Burma on exchanging information such as names of drug suspects and locations of drug factories along the Thai-Burmese border. Mr Pitaya also expressed concern over an increase in female and child drugs couriers in the North.

"Burma gets Thai help ¬ Anucha Charoenpo", Bangkok Post, January 25, 2008

Artist to donate 16,000 New Zealand Dollars to Burmese refugee children

A Burmese artist in exile will donate 16,000 New Zealand Dollars (NZD),which he raised from the sales of his paintings, to Burmese refugee children along the Thai-Burma border. With the help of 'Children on the Edge', a humanitarian group for children, Saw Khu Sae, an ethnic Karen artist, held a solo exhibition of his paintings at New Zealand's Wellington town from January 15 to 30. Saw Khu Sae said he will donate all the proceedings from the exhibition, 16,000 NZD, for the cause of education of Burmese refugees along the Thai-Burma border.

"Initially we began with small exhibitions at the 'Borderline' gallery.And people came to see some of the paintings. And then later we had a chance to discuss about the possibilities of raising funds for refugee children with paintings. And we agreed, as there are artists to do the paintings and the money will be useful for children," The Borderline gallery was established on the Thai-Burmese border town of Mae Sot, with the aim of facilitating artists to hold exhibitions, where visitors can view the paintings.

The exhibition includes paintings that depict Internally Displaced People,who are forced to hide in the jungles in fear of attacks by Burmese troops, Burmese migrant workers in Thailand, who are forced to leave their country for economic reasons and the living conditions of Burmese refugees in camps

"Artist to donate 16,000 NZD to Burmese refugee children ¬ Nay Thwin", Mizzima News, January 28, 2008

Six woodcutters handed over to Bangladesh authorities

Burma's border security force, Nasaka, handed over six Bangladesh woodcutters on Thursday to Bangladesh authorities after the woodcutters were sentenced to time in Burmese prisons, said a source close to Nasaka.

The woodcutters were handed over to Bangladesh authorities by Nasaka during a camp commander level meeting that was held at entrance gate No.2, at pillar No. 31 in Nasaka area three on the Burmese side.

Nasaka forces arrested the six woodcutters on 1 January, 2008, for illegally entering Burmese territory to cut wood and bamboo. After their arrest, Burmese authorities quickly sentenced the Bangladeshi woodcutters and sent them to Buthidaung prison for illegally entering Burmese territory.Bangladesh border security forces complained of the arrest and demanded Burmese authorities release the six from the Burmese jail. Burma's border authorities do not typically release Bangladeshi people once they have been arrested and sentenced, even at Bangladesh's demand.

However, this time the Burmese authorities released the Bangladeshi woodcutters at the request of Bangladesh and handed them over to Bangladesh within a short period of time.

"Six woodcutters handed over to Bangladesh", Nariniara News, January 28, 2008

Thai authorities extend Burmese migrant registration period

The Thai labour department has announced that Burmese migrant workers who did not register last year will be able to renew their registration between 21 January and 19 February without facing a fine.Under a Thai government scheme, migrant workers pay around 4000 baht to register and receive an identity card which is valid for one year. When the system was introduced in 2004, over 1.2 million migrants registered for the cards, but last year only 500,000 renewed their registration.

“The Thai government assumes the other 600,000 migrant workers who registered in 2004 but didn’t renew their cards in 2007 are still inside the country, and this is intended to give them a chance to make themselves legal,” Moe Swe said.

In previous years migrant workers could extend their registration for one year, but this year it will be valid for two years. Migrant workers in Thailand have to pay 3800 baht for a registration card, which also entitles them to medical assistance. The Thai Ministry of Labour has set out a minimum wage for migrant workers, but many Burmese migrant workers are still being paid below this level.

Thai government reports estimate that there are currently around 2 million Burmese migrants working inside Thailand, of whom only 500,000 are registered.

"Thai authorities extend migrant registration period", Democratic Voice of Burma, January 29, 2008

KNU breakaway group’s son-in-law Ler Moo assassinated

The son-in-law of the head of an ethnic Karen breakaway group has been assassinated in a bomb attack, according to sources on the Thai-Burmese border. The sources said that Colonel Ler Moo, son-in-law of Maj-Gen Htain Maung, head of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council, which broke away from the Karen National Union (KNU), was killed while sleeping at a communications office near the group’s headquarters.

Ler Moo survived an assassination attempt in early April 2007, while crossing by boat from Burma to Thailand’s Tak Province. He was injured and recovered after hospital treatment. Sources believe Ler Moo was killed because of his timber business dealings. He once controlled illegal logging in the KNU Brigade 7 areas, in Pa-an Township of Karen Stat, with the influential support of his father–In–Law.

Htain Maung was formerly head of the KNU Brigade 7, with the rank of Brig-Gen. He was dismissed in February 2007 after meeting with the governing State Peace and Development Council in defiance of the KNU.

In August 2007, a commander of the 18th Battalion of the Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the KNU, was shot dead when returning from a meeting with Burmese government officials.

Like Col Ler Moo, Kyi Linn was also involved in the logging industry, in the KNU Brigade 7 areas of Kawkareik Township, and sources said his death was also probably connected with his business dealings.

"KNU breakaway group’s son-in-law assassinated - Shah Paung", Irrawaddy, January 31, 2008

Burmese Military leaders pressures ethnic ceasefire groups on China border

Senior Burmese military leaders are pressuring ethnic ceasefire groups based along the border with China to disarm and support a national Referendum, which is part of the regime’s seven-point “road map” to Democracy.

Recently, two senior leaders of the ruling junta, Minister for Culture, and, head of Military Affairs Security, visited the Burma-China border, where they held talks with Wa, Kachin, Shan and Kokang armed insurgent groups, according to Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese analyst based on the Chinese border.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint has been traveling around the area since January 24, meeting with leaders of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the Shan State Army (North) and the Kokang Army. The Burmese generals were trying to persuade leaders of the border-based ceasefire groups to form political parties so they could run in future general elections, said the Burmese analyst. But the regime didn’t say when elections would be held.

There was no official reply from the ceasefire groups, according to Aung Kyaw Zaw. Among the ceasefire groups, the UWSA is the strongest; it is believed to have more than 20,000 foot soldiers. There have been persistent reports coming out of the Wa hills suggesting that the Wa leadership may not accede to Rangoon’s request to disarm the UWSA.

The regime has officially announced that the first two stages of its “seven-step road map” have been completed, leaving only five more stages to go before the country makes its transition to a “disciplined democracy”.The next step is the drafting of a new constitution, with subsequent steps including the holding of a referendum, formation of a people’s assembly,and general elections. The Shan State Army (South), which continues to engage in armed conflict with the regime, said that he believed the regime would continue to push the armed groups to disarm and support a new constitution and referencum.

However, Sai Lao Hseng added that several ceasefire group leaders might reject the junta’s requests to disarm. A number of ceasefire groups have attended the regime’s National Convention, which first convened in 1993.

"Junta pressures ethnic ceasefire groups on China border ¬ Saw Yan Naing", Irrawaddy, February 1, 2008

US says more world pressure needed on Burma, claims regime refuses to Move forward

A senior U.S. official urged the international community Monday to put more pressure on Burma's military rulers, saying the junta has made no progress in opening a dialogue with the pro-democracy opposition.

Last week the United Nations Security Council said its envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, should return to Burma, also called Burma, to help push for national reconciliation. Gambari wanted to visit later this month, but received a letter from Burma's government requesting that he come in April.

Scot Marciel, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Southeast Asia, told reporters in Hanoi that the U.S. has asked China to try to help push for Gambari's visit to occur earlier. He said Beijing was helpful in arranging access during the envoy's first trip in November. China is one of Burma's biggest trading partners and closest diplomatic allies.

"The regime in Burma is just absolutely refusing to take any positive steps at all, either in response to its own people or to the international community," Marciel said."The way Burma is going under this regime with its policies is downhill on all fronts," he said.

In October, the Security Council called on the regime to release political prisoners and improve human rights after a military crackdown on peaceful protests in September, when civilians and Buddhist monks were beaten and arrested after pro-democracy demonstrations following a sharp fuel price hike. The government said 10 were killed, but diplomats and dissidents put the toll much higher.

Marciel said India, another Burma ally, recently agreed to stop selling arms to the country.Washington has placed economic sanctions on Burma that include a complete ban on the import of the country's products and the freezing of some junta officials' financial assets in U.S. territories.Marciel said there are plans to expand the list of officials, family members and cronies whose assets will also be targeted.

Marciel who was on a trip to Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos is pushing countries in the region to continue pressuring Burma to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and to take steps toward a real political dialogue with opposition leaders.

"They've got no popular support, no legitimacy and, frankly, not very many good ideas," Marciel said of the ruling junta."Our belief is that if they hear consistently from the international community from everybody that they need to move, then that gives us the best progress."

The junta took power in 1988 after crushing the democracy movement led by Suu Kyi. In 1990, it refused to hand over power when Suu Kyi's party won a landslide election victory. Suu Kyi has since been in and out of detention, usually under house arrest.

"US says more world pressure needed on Myanmar, claims regime refuses to Move forward", Associated Press, January 21, 2008

China says no to pressure on Burma

China on Tuesday rejected U.S. demands for stepped-up pressure on Burma,whose governing junta has been accused of spurning real dialogue with the pro-democracy opposition.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said China wanted to see stability,democracy and development in the country also known as Burma.However, Jiang urged the international community to be "objective when viewing the Myanmar situation ... and provide constructive assistance."

China objects to Western criticisms of the military regime, claiming that conditions in Burma have improved dramatically since a violent crackdown on peaceful protests in September.

"I don't think sanctions are helpful," Jiang told reporters at a regularly scheduled news conference.Burma's military rulers say 10 people were killed when civilians and Buddhist monks were beaten and arrested after pro-democracy demonstrations following a sharp fuel price hike. Diplomats and dissidents put the toll much higher.

Jiang's comments come a day after a senior U.S. official urged the international community to put more pressure on the junta, and said Washington had asked China to help arrange for a new visit to Burma by U.N. Security Council envoy Ibrahim Gambari to help push for national reconciliation.

They also follow a meeting in Beijing between senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Tang Jiaxuan and Burma Deputy Foreign Minister U Maung Myint.China's official Xinhua News Agency said U Maung Myint told Tang that Burma was "making efforts to realize national reconciliation and accelerate democratic progress."

Jiang said China supported Gambari's work and wanted a timetable set for his next visit to Burma. Gambari had wanted to visit later this month,but received a letter from Myanmar's government requesting that he come in April.

China is one of Burma's biggest trading partners and closest diplomatic allies. Other nations have repeatedly expressed hopes Beijing would leverage those ties to press the junta to open a dialogue with the opposition.

Beijing has shown little willingness to do so, although in October, China joined other Security Council members in calling on the regime to release political prisoners and improve human rights.

Washington has placed economic sanctions on Burma that include a complete ban on the import of the country's products and the freezing of some junta officials' financial assets in U.S. territories. China, however, has moved to step up economic links, including development of natural gas deposits in the Bay of Bengal.

Last month, China National Petroleum Corp., the country's biggest oil and gas producer, took a further step toward building a pipeline to transport oil from Myanmar's western port of Sittwe to the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan.

"China says no to pressure on Myanmar - Christopher Bodeen", Associated Press, January 22, 2008

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi wins another Award

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been awarded a Spanish honor for her work for political reconciliation. The award, “Abogados de Atocha,” named for two victims of right-wing Spanish terrorism, was to be presented on Thursday evening in Toledo to a representative of Suu Kyi.

The Castilla-La Mancha regional selection committee said it wanted to show that the Spanish people had not forgotten the plight of the Burmese population and wanted to show solidarity with them. Bo Hla Tint, a member of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, a Burmese government in exile, was to accept the award on behalf of Suu Kyi.

"Suu Kyi wins another Award", Irrawaddy, January 24, 2008

United Nations Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari to revisit New Delhi to garner support for Burma

United Nations Special Envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday in a continuation of his efforts to concoct regional support for change in military-ruled Burma, a United Nations official has said.

Gambari, who is now meeting European Union leaders in Brussels, will meet Indian government officials during a three-day visit from January 29 to 31. He will be urging further support from Indian leaders in encouraging substantive dialogue between Burma's government and opposition figures,said a UN spokesperson in New Delhi.

While details of the Nigerian diplomats' scheduled meetings are yet to beconfirmed, Rajiv Chandran, UN Information Officer in New Delhi, said Gambari will focus on garnering Indian support for the UN Secretary General's initiative on Burma.

Gambari, in an earlier visit to New Delhi in October 2007, said he is satisfied with the Indian response but urges India to further use its leverage on the Burmese military junta to implement changes in the country.

The UN diplomat, who following India will visit Beijing, has reportedly asked to return to Burma this month, but the ruling junta insists he will only be received come mid-April.

Since Gambari's initial visit following the military's use of violence tomcrackdown on protestors in late September, the junta's Liaison Minister has met four times with Burmese opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

However, nothing has materialized from the meetings and there is still no sign of a genuine process of national reconciliation, Burma's main opposition party ¬ National League for Democracy ¬ told Mizzima in earlier interviews

"Gambari to revisit New Delhi to garner support for Burma ¬ Mungpi", Mizzima News, January 28, 2008

It's a long way from Burma for Karen refugees

After three months in Ireland, Sa Nga and his family are struggling to master the English language but say their new home offers many more opportunities than a refugee camp in Thailand.

The former driver, his wife, six children and father-in-law are among the first ethnic Karen refugees from Burma accepted for resettlement by Ireland. They are starting new lives in the scenic north-west after last year leaving the confines of Ban Don Yang camp in the tropical forests of Thailand.

The minority Karen have suffered persecution for decades and nearly 140,000 are living in closed Thai refugee camps after fleeing across the border. The Thai government, which does not let them leave the camps, now accepts that the Karens are unlikely to be able to go back to Burma any time soon and has accepted resettlement as a solution for some of them.

UNHCR has since early 2005 helped resettle more than 20,000 Burma refugees in Thailand ¬ including Karens and other minority groups in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and Norway and Ireland.

The first 52 Karens resettled in Ireland, including Sa Nga and his family,arrived last September and were put through an eight-week orientation programme in the north-west town of Ballyhaunis in County Mayo. They were then moved to new homes nearby. A second group of 45 arrived in Ballyhaunis in December.

UNHCR Representative in Ireland Manuel Jordao recently visited Ballyhaunis and nearby Castlebar to see how the Karen families were coping with new services, schools, doctors, even things as basic as household appliances.

"Ireland has made a big effort to ensure its resettled refugees receive the best start with support and orientation, basic facts about the country, language tuition and advice on how to use services. These stepping stones will help resettled families use their own talents to make a life for themselves here," Jordao said.

"We feel we are being looked after well in Ireland and we are very grateful for that," Sa Nga told the UNHCR visitor, speaking through an interpreter at the family's new home in Castlebar.

Lack of English is the biggest hurdle that he and the others face, but they realize that they must master the language if they are to become independent. "It's very important for us to learn English," said Sa Nga's wife, Wau Dey, adding that if a family member became ill they would need to communicate with a doctor.

The Karens also understand that English will help them make the most of the opportunities in Ireland. "Irish people have many more opportunities compared to what we had in the camps," said the head of one family.

This is a sentiment echoed by others questioned by UNHCR. Life in the nine crowded government-run camps along Thailand's border with Myanmar is hard. The refugees live in cramped bamboo shelters, dependent on UNHCR and non-governmental organizations for protection, food, schooling and health care. The Thai government does not allow them outside for work or higher education.The UN refugee agency hopes Ireland will accept more people for resettlement in the future. Ireland increased its annual resettlement quota from 40 to 200 in 2006, but there has been no increase since.

"UNHCR always needs more resettlement places, so I am always going to be asking for an increase in the Irish quota," Jordao said, while adding that "it also only makes sense to ask for an increase if the Irish authorities tell me it would be manageable for them."

In 2008, UNHCR expects to refer some 60,000 people for resettlement in about 20 countries that accept vulnerable refugees who cannot go back home or integrate in host countries. Refugees from Iraq, Burma and Bhutan are likely to figure prominently.

As one of the countries with a resettlement programme, Ireland "stands out as a shining example of how smaller nations can share the global responsibility to protect vulnerable refugees," said Jordao.

"It's a long way from Myanmar for Karen refugees ¬ Steven O'Brien", AlterNet, January 28, 2008

United Nations secretary-general urges more action on child soldiers

United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon urged further measures to combat child military recruitment yesterday, which he said continues to take place in more than 12 countries including Burma.

In a report submitted to the UN Security Council, the secretary-general recommended that the Council consider bans on military aid and travel restrictions targeted at those who systematically exploit children in armed conflict.

Ban Ki-moon also called for violations to be referred to the International Criminal Court, citing as precedents arrest warrants issued by the ICC in Uganda and convictions for child recruitment at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

The secretary-general also named Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, the Central African Republic, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nepal,the Philippines, Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka and Uganda as countries where child recruitment is taking place.But the Burmese regime continues to deny the prevalence of childrecruitment in the country.In an article in Burmese state media today, the chair of the government’s Committee for Prevention against Recruiting Minors into Army, major-general Thura Myint Aung, said there had been “only very few cases of recruiting minors”.

Thura Myint Aung claimed that laws against the practice, combined with workshops on prevention and supervision by the committee to ensure compliance, had reduced incidences of child recruitment.

He also claimed that Burma has complied with its international obligations on child recruitment and worked together with the UN and other organisations to end the practice.

Thura Myint Aung went on to accuse “expatriate national traitors” and foreign media of exaggerating reports of child recruitment in order to discredit the Burmese regime.

International rights group Human Rights Watch said in a report last year that staffing shortfalls in the military were leading to forced recruitment of children, and criticised the regime’s efforts to prevent child recruitment.

“The government’s senior generals tolerate the blatant recruitment of children and fail to punish perpetrators. In this environment, army recruiters traffic children at will,” said HRW’s Jo Becker in a statement.

HRW claimed that the government’s committee had been ineffective and had done little except refute outside reports on the prevalence of child soldiers. The group has also called on the Security Council to impose military and financial embargoes against the regime.

"UN secretary-general urges more action on child soldiers ¬ Siân Thomas", Democratic Voice of Burma, January 30, 2008

US condemns charges against activist

The US State Department has condemned the Burmese government’s decision to charge 88 generation student leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi and eight other activists.In a statement released yesterday, deputy spokesperson Tom Casey said that the ten activists were being charged "for the peaceful expression of their political beliefs".

“The regime’s decision to charge the ten activists for crimes that carry lengthy prison sentences is further evidence that the regime is rejecting all efforts to promote dialogue and national reconciliation,” the statement said.

Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi were charged under section 17/20 of the Printers and Publishers Registration Law, having been detained without charge since August 2007 for their role in protests over commodity prices.Ko Jimmy, Ko Mya Aye, Ko Marki, Ko Aung Thu, Ko Min Zeya, Zaw Htet Ko Ko, Ko Aung Naing and Ko Tin Htoo Aung were charged with the same offence and remain on remand in Insein prison.

"US condemns charges against activists ¬ Sian Thomas", Democratic Voice of Burma, January 30, 2008

Some 250,000 children worldwide recruited to fight in wars ¬ United Nations official

While precise estimates are difficult to come by, some 250,000 children globally are being recruited to fight in armed conflicts in violation of international law, a United Nations official said today, reporting mixed progress in efforts to tackle the problem.

Children are being recruited by groups in Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, the Central African Republic, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo(DRC), Burma, Nepal, the Philippines, Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka and Uganda, according to the report.

The report draws attention to disturbing trends exacerbating the problem of child conscription, including a close link between camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the recruitment of children. “Research shows recruitment goes down if the camps have good security,” the Special Representative said. The International Criminal Court (ICC) for five senior members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRS) operating in Uganda. The rebel group is notorious for recruiting and otherwise exploiting Children.

Ms. Coomaraswamy said she will push for action in the Security Council,which is expected to discuss the report on children and armed conflict on 12 February. She said the Council should adopt “either a resolution or presidential statement” on the issue. Among other measures, she called for expanding the “list of shame” to include groups responsible for all manner of violations against children, or at least sexual violence.

"Some 250,000 children worldwide recruited to fight in wars ¬ UN official", UN News Centre, January 30, 2008

US demands “time-bound dialogue” in Burma

A US White House spokesman said on Wednesday the Bush administration was disappointed to hear that Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi had reported that no progress towards a “time-bound dialogue” had been achieved in her meetings with a regime mediator.

Suu Kyi made the assessment in a rare meeting on Wednesday with other leaders of her National League for Democracy (NLD), whose spokesman, Nyan Win, quoted her as saying: “Let's hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”

Talking to reporters aboard the presidential aircraft carrying President George W Bush to Los Angeles on Wednesday, White House Spokesman Tony Fratto said the US administration was disappointed to hear there had been no progress yet “on a meaningful time-bound dialogue.” He said the regime had “refused to offer any time frame for commencement of a dialogue”—and added: “We once again call on the regime, as called for in the October 11th [2007] UN Security Council Presidential Statement, to begin a time-bound dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and all relevant parties,including ethnic minorities, immediately.”

“We are pleased to have heard from Aung San Suu Kyi, herself,” Fratto said. When asked by White House reporters if this meant that someone in the US government had heard from her, Fratto said: “As I understand, the US government has heard from her. I don't know who; I'll try to find out for you.”

Later, US National Security Council Spokesman Gordon Johndroe clarifiedthat by this Fratto meant the entire world. "We all heard from her spokesman who met with her, and relayed a message to the world from her," Johndroe said.

"US demands “time-bound dialogue” in Burma - Lalit K Jha", Irrawaddy, January 31, 2008