High Inflation Impeding Burma's Economy, Says NLD

Skyrocketing inflation is impeding economic growth and placing a heavy burden o­n the Burmese people, the National League for Democracy, the main opposition party, concluded Friday following a two-day workshop o­n the economy.

“Basic commodity prices have increased from 30 to 60 percent since the military regime promoted a salary increase for government workers in April 2006,” said Soe Win, the moderator of the workshop held in NLD headquarters in Rangoon. “Inflation is also correlated with corruption.”

The workshop concluded that inflation, governmental corruption and unnecessary development projects cause citizens to suffer. Participants analyzed the present economic situation and reflected o­n grassroots events in their respective states and divisions.

“Inflation is the critical source of the current economic crisis,” said Myint Thein, an NLD spokesperson.
The military regime launched an anti-corruption campaign in May 2006, after more than 500 workers in the Customs Department were arrested and charged in corruption cases.

On Monday, three civil servants in Burma’s Electric Power Supply Enterprise in Wetthikan Township in Pegu Division were sentenced to three years in prison for collecting improper payments from local residents, The New Light of Myanmar reported.  

Among the workshop participants, all members of the NLD, were businessmen and former officials of the transportation, post and telecommunication and trade ministries.

Renewed Burma-N Korea Relations Draws US Attention

The renewal of diplomatic ties between Burma and North Korea will be closely observed by the US, a State Department official said this week.

Tom Casey, a State Department spokesperson, told reporters in Washington that the restoration of diplomatic ties would not change the image of these two countries in the eyes of the US.“I don't think that the establishment of diplomatic relations with either of these two countries has any profound impact o­n how we view them,” he said.

In 2005, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice listed Burma and North Korea as among the six countries that were "outposts of tyranny."

Responding to media reports that closer relations might result in the transfer of nuclear technology to Burma, a State Department official told The Irrawaddy that concerns about North Korea and nuclear proliferation are well known.

“As far as transfer of nuclear technologies is concerned, we have been very clear to the North Koreans that it is a matter of serious concern,” the official said.

Referring to the o­ngoing talks with North Korea, the official also said the US goal is to eliminate North Korea’s nuclear weapons and the threat of proliferation from North Korea.

“The North Koreans have promised in this process that they would abandon their existing nuclear weapons program," he said. "We are in the process of trying to implement this agreement.”

Burma and North Korea severed diplomatic ties more than two decades ago, following an unsuccessful assassination attempt o­n the South Korean president in Rangoon, which took the lives of a number of ministers and other officials.  North Korean agents were charged and convicted of plotting the murders.

Burma to Establish Official Ties to North Korea

News agencies have reported that a senior North Korean official is scheduled to arrive in Burma’s capital this week to normalize ties between the two countries.

An Asian diplomat who declined to be named said that o­n April 25 the North Korean deputy foreign minister is scheduled to arrive in Naypyidaw to discuss the issue of renewed diplomatic ties.

In fact, in April last year, a Burmese foreign ministry official said the junta would reestablish diplomatic ties with North Korea in the near future. The official was quoted as saying: “Myanmar [Burma] has made the final decision to restore diplomatic relations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”

The tie between the two countries was severed in 1983 after North Korean terrorists assassinated several South Korean ministers and officials who were visiting Rangoon in an official delegation. Then South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan was uninjured.

Over the past 10 years, however, Burma and North Korea quietly renewed ties, as Burmese generals desperately sought to modernize their armed forces. Since 2000, there have been secret, high-ranking visits between the two countries.

In June 2001, a North Korean delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Park Kil-yon visited Rangoon and met with then Deputy Defense Minister Khin Maung Win to discuss cooperation in the defense industry.

The regime has since bought arms and ammunition from North Korea. In 2003, North Korean technicians and aircraft were spotted in central Burma, and analysts believe some North Korean technicians were involved in the construction of the new capital, Naypyidaw.

In July last year, a dissident source told The Irrawaddy that a North Korean ship carrying a senior Korean nuclear technology expert, Maj Hon Kil Dong, arrived in Rangoon with a biological and nuclear package. Western analysts and intelligence sources quickly dismissed the claim, but conceded it was possible that Burma would seek missile technology from Pyongyang.

Australian defense analyst Andrew Selth says the junta is apparently pursuing o­nly conventional arms and technology rather than high-tech, long-rang missiles.
There is no solid evidence, so far, that Burma is seeking nuclear technology from North Korea.

There is clear evidence that Burma has received between 12 and 16 M-46 artillery guns and as many as 20 million rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition from North Korea. According to Selth, the weapons significantly increase Burma’s long-range artillery capabilities.

Dissident groups in exile, who claim to have information about a military shopping list, accuse the regime of seeking to buy nuclear weapons from North Korea. They will no doubt carefully monitor the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two regimes, if it happens this week.

The ties between the two “outposts of tyranny,” as they were labeled by the Bush administration, also received attention in Washington.

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Eric John, said in February 2006 that Washington’s concerns have been heightened by what appears to be the imminent re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Burma and North Korea.

John said the authoritarian regimes have isolated themselves to the point where they have been driven into each other’s arms. He said there are grave concerns about the potential transfer of technology to Burma from North Korea, which claims to possess nuclear weapons.

Join April 22 SF Earth Day Protest Against Chevron; April 24 Burma Talk

EARTH ENEMY #1

2008 SAN FRANCISCO'S EARTH DAY EVENT
MARCH AND RALLY TIME: 12:30pm, Tue. April 22nd

PLACE: Market and Sansome (in front of E-TRADE)
to Chevron SF offices at  345 California St.
Protest Chevron's Attack on the
Environment and Environmentalists!
Expose the crude reality of
Chevron's inHumane Energy
operations from
Ecuador to Richmond.

Sponsored by:
Amazon Watch (www.amazonwatch. org)
Global Exchange (www.globalexchange. org)
Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice (www.greenaction. org)
Rainforest Action Network (www.ran.org)
West County Toxics Coalition (www.westcountytoxic scoalition. org)
For more information on the march call 415-487-9600 or email chevrontoxico@ amazonwatch. org

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------

 

The Center for Southeast Asia Studies, UC Berkeley
presents a talk in its SPECIAL BURMA SERIES

"Politics, Anti-Politics & the 2007 Monks' Protest in Burma"

Ingrid Jordt
Assistant Professor, Anthropology
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

 

 "Turning over the alms bowl" is a form of non-violent Buddhist protest with deep historical roots in Burma. This talk will discuss the religious boycott as a soft power movement that negotiates the careful divide between religious moral sanction and outright political action.

Prof. Jordt is a special authority on Burmese Buddhism having spent several years in Burma as an ordained nun in the 1980s. She received her Ph.D. from Harvard University where she studied with Prof. Stanley Tambiah, and has emerged as a leading expert in recent months in providing context on the popular protests that erupted in Burma in 2007.

Her most recent book is "Burma's Mass Lay Meditation Movement: Buddhism and the Cultural Construction of Power" (Ohio, 2007).

Co-Sponsored by UC Berkeley's Center for Buddhist Studies

Thursday, April 24, 2008
5:00 ­ 6:30 p.m.
IEAS Conference Room, 6th floor
2223 Fulton St. (at Kittredge), Berkeley CA

Free and open to the public. This lecture is made possible through the generous support of an external grant made to UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.

Burma’s Junta Vows to Crack Down on Human Rights Activists

Burma’s military government stated its intention to crack down o­n human rights activists operating in the country in order to maintain the peace, according to a report today in the country’s official press.

The move to restrict activists aims at “fulfilling the wishes of the majority to live in peace,” the report said.

The announcement—comprising a full page of the official newspaper—follows calls by human rights advocacy groups, including London-based Amnesty International, for Burmese authorities to investigate recent violent attacks o­n rights activists in the country.

Two members of a group known as the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters—Maung Maung Lay, 37, and Myint Naing, 40, were hospitalized with head injuries following attacks by more than 50 people while the two were working in Hinthada township, Irrawaddy Division in mid-April.

On Sunday, eight people were arrested by plainclothes police, members of the pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Association and the Pyithu Swan Arr Shin (a paramilitary group) while demonstrating peacefully in a Rangoon suburb.

The eight protesters were calling for lower commodity prices, better healthcare and improved utility services. Htin Kyaw, 44, o­ne of the eight who also took part in an earlier demonstration in late February in downtown Rangoon, was beaten by a mob, according to sources at the scene of the protest.

Junta officials have denounced the efforts of activists as attempts to mislead the public and cause unrest, while characterizing the actions taken by groups such as the USDA and other government-backed organizations as “preventative measures for ensuring community peace and tranquility,” the official The New Light of Myanmar reported. “The government will address the situation and take action in a democratic way.”

Reports from opposition activists in Burma have emerged in recent weeks saying that Burmese authorities have directed the police and other government proxy groups to deal harshly with any sign of unrest in Rangoon.

“This proves that there is no rule of law [in Burma],” the 88 Generation Students group said in a statement issued today. “We seriously urge the authorities to prevent violence in the future and to guarantee the safety of every citizen.”

Memorial Service for Buma's Fallen Stars

Why:
Fallen stars of Burma
Ludu (people) Daw Ah Mar
(November 29, 1915 - April 7, 2008)
A respected leading dissident writer and journalist in Burma

Kyae Mone U Thaung
(Oct 4, 1926 - April 3, 2008)
A legendary journalist and famous dissident writer

You are cordially invited to following Swan Offering event:
Ludu (people) Daw Ah Mar (92 years old) has passed away in April 7, 2008 in Mandalay , Burma. She kept saying “You have left your work to keep Burmese to be united to reclaim the freedom, and dignity, and rights that has been robbed away by Military Junta.”

Famous journalist Kyae Mone U Thaung (Aung Ba La) (82 year old) has passed away on April 3, 2008 in the United States . U Thaung is a founder of the Mirror Daily (Kyae Mone News paper) and authored 26 books and support of human rights and democracy in his motherland, Burma

What:
Swan Offering (Potluck)
Pay last respect to both fallen stars Daw Ah Mar and Kyae Mone U Thaung

When:
10 A.M., Saturday May 3, 2008

Where:
Matta Nada Monastery 4619 Central Ave , Fremont , CA 94536
Phone: (510) 795-0405

Who:
Burmese community & friends of Burma
(San Francisco Bay Area)

May Fallen Stars of Burma , Daw Ah Mar and U Thaung Souls Rest in Peace.

UC Berkeley Talk about Burma

The Center for Southeast Asia Studies, UC Berkeley
presents a talk in its SPECIAL BURMA SERIES

Topic: “Politics, Anti-Politics & the 2007 Monks' Protest in Burma”
Speaker: Ingrid Jordt
Position: Assistant Professor, Anthropology
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2008
Time: 5:00 p.m. to­ 6:30 p.m.
Place: IEAS Conference Room, 6th floor
Address: 2223 Fulton St. (at Kittredge), Berkeley CA

"Turning over the alms bowl" is a form of non-violent Buddhist protest with deep historical roots in Burma. This talk will discuss the religious boycott as a soft power movement that negotiates the careful divide between religious moral sanction and outright political action.

Prof. Jordt is a special authority on Burmese Buddhism having spent several years in Burma as an ordained nun in the 1980s. She received her Ph.D. from Harvard University where she studied with Prof. Stanley Tambiah, and has emerged as a leading expert in recent months in providing context on the popular protests that erupted in Burma in 2007. Her most recent book is "Burma’s Mass Lay Meditation Movement: Buddhism and the Cultural Construction of Power" (Ohio, 2007).

Co-Sponsored by UC Berkeley’s Center for Buddhist Studies

Free and open to the public. This lecture is made possible through the generous support of an external grant made to UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.

_______________________________
The Center for Southeast Asia Studies
International & Area Studies
University of California at Berkeley
2223 Fulton Street, #617
Berkeley, CA 94720-2318
Phone: (510) 642-3609
Fax: (510) 643-7062
http://ias.berkeley.edu/cseas/

Announcement from OBP (Singapore)

UN Rapporteur Warns Burma on Vote

BBC, 15 April 2008

Mr Pinheiro said there were no signs of political change in Burma.

Burma's referendum next month will be a "ritual without real content" unless international monitors are allowed in, a top United Nations official has said.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the Special Rapporteur on Burma, also accused military rulers of a clampdown on people campaigning for a "no" vote.

The referendum, set for 10 May, is on whether to adopt a new constitution.
Leaders say it will pave the way for elections by 2010, but critics say it is aimed at entrenching military rule.

The charter was drafted by the generals without input from the pro-democracy opposition.

It allocates a quarter of seats in parliament to the military and bans anyone who has been married to a foreign national from holding office - ruling out detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Her National League for Democracy has called on people to vote against the referendum.

'No transition'

Speaking in Brussels, Mr Pinheiro said that the referendum would not have any credibility if opponents were prevented from speaking out.

Burmese troops used force to end anti-government protests in September "How can you have a referendum without any of the basic freedoms?" he was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.

"It would be important to have international observers to validate the referendum, because if not it would be just a ritual without real content."

In a separate interview with Reuters news agency, he accused the Burmese government of detaining "no" campaigners, and said that he saw no signs of political change there.

"If you say a real political transition process is taking place in Myanmar (Burma), this would be almost offensive to countries in Asia like the Philippines and Indonesia or Thailand that passed through a transition process to democracy," he said.

Mr Pinheiro last visited Burma in November 2007, weeks after a military crackdown on anti-government protests left at least 31 people dead.

The Burmese government has since then refused to allow him back in.

The full text of the constitution went on sale in government bookshops on 9 April.

Burmese in Singapore now can Vote for Referendum

Myanmar Warns Embassies ahead of Referendum

Thu Apr 10
YANGON (AFP)

- Myanmar's military government Thursday warned foreign embassies not to support Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party, as the nation gears up for a referendum on a constitution opposed by her supporters.

ADVERTISEMENT

The warning carried in the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper came the morning after the regime announced that the referendum would be held on May 10.

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party is urging voters to reject the constitution, saying it will not bring democracy to the country which has been ruled by the military since 1962.

"Certain foreign powers, with the intention of interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar, are now ... aiding and abetting some local political parties to destabilise the country," the paper said.

"Some diplomats of certain foreign embassies in Yangon regularly visit NLD (headquarters), hold talks and give directives to harm the interests of the nation and the people," the paper said.

"The embassies should stop such activities," the government mouthpiece said.

The ruling junta says the new constitution will help create a "discipline-flourishing democracy," with multiparty elections set for 2010.

But critics say the constitution will give the generals a dominant role in government, even after the polls.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the NLD to a landslide victory in elections in 1990, would be barred from running in new polls.

The military never recognised NLD's election win, and has silenced the Nobel Peace Prize winner by keeping her under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years.

One quarter of the seats in parliament would be reserved for soldiers, appointed by the commander-in-chief. The military would also have broad powers to declare a state of emergency and take direct control of the government.

Amending the constitution would be almost impossible without the military's consent. Three-quarters of parliament must approve any changes, which then must go to voters in a referendum.

Although the NLD and other pro-democracy groups are calling for a "No" vote, they have little ability to campaign effectively because the regime has outlawed speeches and leaflets about the referendum.

In a statement released Thursday, the NLD accused the junta of suppressing free speech and physically intimidating and arresting their supporters.

"An intimidating atmosphere for the people is created by physically assaulting some of the members of (the) NLD," it said in a statement.

"For these reasons, it is now obvious that the forthcoming referendum cannot be free and fair."

Copies of the constitution were only released to the public on Wednesday, when they were put on sale in government bookstores for nearly one dollar -- a price far beyond the means of most people in this impoverished country.

Thailand-based Myanmar analyst Win Min said that by placing the date for the referendum only one month away, the regime left voters with little time to understand the 194-page document.

"They are worried that if they make it longer, the movement for holding a 'No' vote will get some momentum, and people will be more likely to vote 'No,'" Win Min told AFP in Bangkok.

"They are giving little chance to the opposition to organise," he said.

The regime may also have sought to avoid scheduling the referendum too close to the symbolically important date of May 27, which will be the 18th anniversary of the 1990 elections won by the NLD, he said.

That is also the date when the military is due to renew Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest.

In Washington, President George W. Bush said he was disappointed with the pace of democratic reforms in Myanmar.

The United States and the European Union have tightened sanctions on Myanmar since a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks in September.

At least 31 people were killed while 74 went missing, according to the United Nations. More than 700 people are still behind bars over the protests, Amnesty International has said.

Town Hall Meeting with ABSDF Leaders in LA (April 20, 2008)

San Fran Olympic Torch Relay Protest was a Great Success

Dear All,

On April 9, hundreds of you -- some as far away as from Chicago, Los Angels and Santa Cruz, Fresno, joined the Peace Walk for Burma across the San Francisco Golden Gate bridge and other actions despite being on work day and uneasy commute. You do care about Burma and stood up for her at a time when she needed you most. Thank you all.

Amid beautiful weather, clear sky, and kinder wind, bearing peaceful mind and kind heart, the Free Burma supporters gathered and marched peacefully across Golden Gate Bridge to relive the memories of last September saffron peaceful marchers in Burma. Even a Wheelchair-bound women (who worked for Mayor) joined the walk to show her support for Monks, nuns and the people of Burma. What a way to open an important day, and in fact, with this great walk completed successful, we the Burma supporters had already had our day even before the torch relay began.

After the walk, many of us did proceed to protest at the torch relay closing designated location. While most of us are walking on the Bridge, some of us were at the locations near McCovey Cove to protest for Burma. Both groups met and protested near the Justin Herman plaza. Our day ended with a march to the City Hall along Market street chanting slogans; and then a rally and protest at the City Hall steps. We really had a long day then.

Due to your support and hard work and good team work by the organizers, we have noticed the significant progress in mentioning Burma-China connection in the Olympic torch protest news. Pased below please find the coverage for April 9 Burma actions. And here are some highlights:

A couple of local stations aired the peace walks; and national networks also carried it

Among others, CNN photographer was on site taking pictures and there of those made it into the collection

Radio Free Asia allowed us to broadcast live of the Peace Walk into Burma as it was happening.

Voice Of America also cover the events in detailed

A reporter from Salon.com trailed the Burma protesters and produced a featured cover story about our protests

Saw significant progress in mentioning Burma explicitly by high-profile news agencies including AP, USA Today, BBC, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal and others in their coverage about Olympic protests.

Bush, Pelosi, other leaders are now consistently mentioning Burma along with Tibetan and Darfur as issues China has been heavily citied

Photos and videos are on Flicker and many other news reports including CNN.

Videos Burma Peace Walk are posted on YouTube (believed to be taken from the air probably from Helicopter that we saw)

However, In their call for Bush to to boycott the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic games, Senator Clinton and Obama and McCain did not mention Burma at all. Therefore we need to do a lot of work in highlighting China's support to Burma's dictator and the suffering of 50 millions due to Chinese arms, trade and veto at the UNSC).

Nothing has changed in Burma and she still needs you to help free her from the brutal dictatorship.

Thanks.

BADA
Photo: BADA flickr Album
------------ ------

Local TV Stations News Video of Burma Peace Walk:
(National NetWork also aired theses)
ABC& Local Network Coverage; Monks march through Golden Gate
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=6070807

KRON 4 NEWS Video: Burmese Monks and Supporters Walk Across Golden Gate Bridge
http://www.brightc ve.tv/title.jsp?title=1496480847&channel=1274168794

Burma April 9 Torch Protest Featured Coverage:

Salon.com spent a day with Burma protesters and made this feature front page story:
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/04/10/torch/

Press Democrat: On day of chaos, quiet march speaks loudly
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080410/NEWS/804100357

YouTube Video of Peace Walk taken from the Air

San Francisco: Peace Walk begin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-ro6eSs0SE

Peace Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-ro6eSs0SE

Peace Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4wCF_b7_c4

CNN.com Photo Collection:

CNN: There photos from Bridge Walk made it to this collection of 14 photos by
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/09/sf.protests.ireport/index.html

The Province: Bridge Walk Photo is used in this Canada Article:
B.C. residents join anti-China demo
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=ac65862f-f072-42ba-b23f-a824f50848b0

Other coverage where Burma was mentioned:

Americans take dim view of relay
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23518784-2703,00.html

Olympic Torch Takes Unexpected Route Through SF
http://www.cityonahillpress.com/article.php?id=1137

CBC Canada on the Bridge Walk Coverage:
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/080410/w041015A.html

USA Today: Olympic torch run out of sight for most:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-04-09-torch_N.htm

BBC: Confusion strikes US torch relay:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7339380.stm

The Guardian: San Francisco is braced to greet Olympic torch - and thousands of protesters
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/09/olympicgames2008.usa

AP: Torch concludes bumpy tour of Bay Area:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/olympics/2090ap_oly_olympic_torch.html

Some of the coverage before April 9 :

NBC11 Video: Burmese Activists To SF: Drop Torch Run completely
http://www.nbc11.com/newsarchive/15734804/detail.html

Video: Burmese activists protest SF torch run
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lfvXVbPjtc

Video: Burmese activists protest SF torch run
ABC7 News:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=6048985

Burmese Monks march through Golden Gate

Detailed Story/Coverage, please read HERE

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A more conventional protest group conducted a peace march across the Golden Gate Bridge Wednesday. They blame China for propping up the military regime of Myanmar, also known as Burma.

"Long live Aung San Suu Kyi , long live Aung San Suu Kyi ," the crowd chanted.
About 500 people marched on the Golden Gate Bridge, shouting the praises of Nobel Peace Prize Laurette, Aung San Suu Kyi , who is under house arrest, put there by Burma's military regime.

"Military regime took over the power September 1988, then we escaped from Burma to cross the border and formed all Burma Student Democratic Front," said Koko Lay, an exiled Burmese student.
 
"We'll fight for democracy," said a marcher.

Rather than try and follow the unpredictable path of the Olympic torch, the Burmese contingent, waving maroon flags, headed for the Embarcadero.

From the Golden Gate Bridge, the Free Burma protesters mixed in with a mass of other flag waving protestors, including pro-China demonstrators.


Many of them complained that few reporters were covering their perspective, and they say the overall media coverage has been biased.

"This information I can guarantee is not true here. If you want to know the truth you should go to China," said Yong Qun Qu, a China supporter.

The Burmese protestors got scattered amongst the different demonstrators, but they later regrouped.
"Free, Free, Free Burma! Free, Free, Free Burma!" shouted the crowd.

And in the turmoil of shouting, clanging, and swirling crowds they believe Wednesday's effort was a success.

"Finally it all comes down to the fact that China needs to act more responsibly. If that is the message that everybody is going to hear regardless of what these colored flags are. The message in the madness. The message in the madness, but there is a method to this madness," said Kenneth Wong, a Free Burma supporter.
FULL COVERAGE: SF Olympic Torch Run

Burma’s Junta Steps Up Attacks on Ethnic Rebels

Burma’s ethnic armed opposition groups say the Burma army’s counterinsurgency campaign has increased its attacks since the beginning of April.

Sai Lao Hseng, the spokesperson for the Shan State Army, said the group has fought more than 10 skirmishes with Burmese troops since April 2007.

“Small clashes happen all the time in Shan State,” Sai Lao Hseng said. “Since the beginning of the dry season, we have prepared for them. We are not a ceasefire group, so we always have to be ready to fight government troops.”

The most recent clash, o­n Saturday in central Shan State near the villages of Kye-thi and Manli, involved SSA troops and the junta’s Battalion 131. A Burmese army major was reportedly killed and four others injured.

In Karen State, fighting has broken out between the Karen National Union and the breakaway Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, which signed a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese junta in 1995.

The DKBA, Burmese soldiers and members of a recent splinter group known as the KNU/KNLA Peace Council launched an attack o­n the Karen National Liberation Army’s 101st and 24th battalions.

Three KNLA camps—including the headquarters of Battalion 101—have been overrun and occupied by the joint junta-splinter group force, according to the head of Pa-an District in Karen State’s Brigade 7, just opposite the Thai village of Mae Ramat in Tak Province.

“They have captured our bases, and our soldiers are now moving to other locations,” Col Paw Doh, head of Battalion 101, told The Irrawaddy o­n Tuesday. “We don’t know how long this will last or when the situation will return to normal.”

The attacks killed o­ne KNLA soldier and wounded another, while o­n the junta side, o­ne soldier was killed and four others were wounded.

The Thai language daily newspaper Komchadleuk reported o­n Tuesday that Thailand’s 17th Regiment Infantry Task Force is o­n alert near the border in Tak Province after as many as five mortar shells landed o­n Thai soil during the attacks. In response, Thai soldiers reportedly fired smoke shells to warn DKBA and KNU forces fighting across the border.

Meanwhile, residents who fled the fighting have not been able to return to their homes. According to a recent field report from the aid group Free Burma Rangers, nearly 130 families fled Brigade 7 for Thai soil, and that number is expected to increase.

Refugees in the Mae La camp in Tak Province fear that junta and splinter group soldiers will attack the camp. Some have already begun packing their belongings, according to sources in Mae La, which is located near Mae Ramat.

General Secretary Raymond Htoo of the Karenni National Progressive Party says that Karenni troops have also come under fire by junta soldiers o­n numerous occasions since the beginning of April.

The latest attack occurred o­n Saturday near the Thai-Burmese border opposite Mae Hong Son. o­ne Karenni soldier and three Burmese were wounded.

April 9 Action List

The Beijing Olympic Torch arrives in San Francisco on April 9 as part of the world wide torch relay. This will be the only visit to the whole North America (US & Canada).

Join us and help shed the light on continued great pain and suffering of the 50 million people of Burma under a 46 year long brutal dictatorship due to China's great military, economic and diplomatic support. China is exploiting Burma's market and her bountiful resources (especially oil and gas) to support its burgeoning economy while people in Burma struggle to live hand to mouth under the world's worst oppression imposed upon them.

Action List

9:30 am – 11:30 am- (You may arrive early to San Francisco side of the bridge to catch shuttle or buses to the other side)
- Vista Point (Marin Side) Golden Gate Bridge
- Peace Walk for Burma across Golden Gate
-(Contact: 707 362 8452; 510 220 1323; 415-939-2084)

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
- (Arrive between 12:00 -12:30 before we start moving to protest locations)
- Aquatic Park, 900 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109
- Protest at the torch route near Aquatic Park area
-(Contact: 415 531 1946; 510 220 1323; 707 362 8452)

11:00 am to 1:30 pm
-(Arrive between 11:00 -11:30 before we start moving to protest locations)
- Near Train Station; 4th and King Streets, San Francisco, CA 94107
-Protest at the opening near McCovey Cove
-(Contact: 415 577 6505; 415 595 4591, 415 335 2145)

2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
-(We will have some organizers present even before 2:30 here)
-Washington St & Drumm St, San Francisco, CA 94111
- Protest at the closing near Justin Harman Plaza
-(Contact: 510 485 3751; 415 577 6505)

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
-(Our final action of the day will close with a rally and songs)
- Civic Center Plaza, Polk St & McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Rally In front of City Hall
-(Contact: 510 220 1323; 707 362 8452; 415-939-2084, 415 203 0541)

Co-sponsoring organizations:
- Buddhist Peace Fellowship (BPF),
- Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA),
- International Burmese Monks Organization Inc. (Sasana Moli),
- Burmese American Women's Alliance (BAWA),
- US Campaign for Burma (USCB),
- 8888 Generation Students (Exile),
- Burmese Youth Association (BYA),
- 8-8-08 for Burma,
- 8888 LA Organizers Group (Los Angelse)
- BFUU Social Justice Committee and Global Exchange (GX).

Democracy in Burma back on UN agenda

FT, April 8 2008

With the United Nations under fire from Burma’s opposition for failing to hasten the end of military rule more than six months after the violent suppression of anti-regime protests, western states will this week seek to push the issue back on to the international agenda.

The US, Britain and France intend to press fellow members of the UN Security Council to adopt a new statement calling for the early establishment of democracy.

But Burmese dissidents said they doubted words would be enough to dent the intransigence of the ruling junta as it prepares for a constitutional referendum whose purpose they claim is to entrench its authority.

The situation of the Burmese, whose plight dominated headlines as world leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly’s annual session last autumn, has since fallen victim to the current dynamics of the 15-member Security Council in which China and Russia baulk at action they construe as interference in member states’ internal affairs.

Last autumn’s crackdown, in which hundreds of Buddhist monks and other protesters were rounded up, prompted unanimous condemnation from the council in October to which even China, Burma’s closest ally, put its name.

But since then public pressure has subsided and three visits by Ibrahim Gambari, UN special envoy, have failed to win concessions from the military regime.

The Nigerian diplomat’s decision to take the regime’s word on its commitment to reform, in spite of the lack of concrete results, has angered opposition leaders and has even been questioned by diplomats in New York.

Mr Gambari told the council last month that the regime was proceeding with a “road map” to democracy it had itself established by setting dates for a constitutional referendum in May and elections in 2010.

He also appeared to rule out international sanctions on the regime which are in effect closed to the Security Council because of the near-certainty of a Chinese veto.

Opposition figures accused him and the UN of betraying the Burmese people. Aung Din, head of the US Campaign for Burma, and one of his chief accusers, said at the weekend: “He’s still acting as if he can do something. He persuaded the opposition he could deliver and he hasn’t.”

Although this week’s draft statement expresses appreciation for Mr Gambari’s work, a western envoy acknowledged privately: “We feel he needs to be clearer in areas where the regime is failing and not always put a positive gloss on the regime.”

The western drafters want the council to demand the early release of all political prisoners and detainees and to engage in an inclusive dialogue with all opposition figures, including Aung San Suu Kyi, who would be barred from seeking election under the terms of the regime’s new constitution. They also call for guarantees of freedom of expression and assembly ahead of next month’s referendum as well as international monitoring of the vote.

That is not enough to satisfy the Burmese opposition and may be too much for some members of the Security Council to accept.

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Announcement from Butterfly3 Organization

Please Sign Up - Burma Needs You On April 9th

Please sing up online here: http://www.badasf.org/2008/event-sign-up.htm

Give voice to 50 millions people of Burma suffering under China-backed brutal regimes for 46 years.

Sign up for actions on April 9th; Please check back at www.badasf.org for updates on actions.

Details:

- 10 am to 12 pm, Peace Walk for Burma Across Golden Gate Bridge

- 1 pm Rally / Protest at Opening near AT&T Park

- 3 pm (Est.) Rally / Protest at Closing (Ferry Building in front of Justin Herman Plaza)

Burmese Junta Closes Family Business of 88 Generation Leader

Burmese military authorities have closed a family business owned by the brother of Mya Aye, o­ne of the leaders of the 88 Generation Student group, without explanation.

According to Mya Aye, o­n March 30 his brother, Maung Maung Aung, was ordered to report to the Rangoon Botataung Township City Development Office.

He said the authorities gave his brother an official letter ordering the closure of the Tamardi Transportation Service, located at 55 Roads in Botataung Township, which transports goods between Rangoon and Mandalay.

“The authorities told my brother that from the day he received this letter he had to close the Tamardi Transportation Service, and if he continued to operate it, they would take action against him,” Mya Aye said.

“There is no clear reason why they closed it down," he said. “When he asked the authority why, they said they did not really want to close it down, but they were following orders from the top.”

Mya Aye said that when his brother went to the township development office in Rangoon, authorities asked him if he gave financial support to the 88 Generation Student group or to his brother.

“The main reason for the closure seems to be me—that I am an 88 Generation Students group leader and the authorities think the business gives financial support to the student group," Mya Aye said. "But it is not true.”

Mya Aye said he was a director and worked for the company several years ago, but he no longer received any money from the company, which is owned by his brother. o­n March 22, local authorities in Mandalay ordered an employee in the Mandalay branch to close that office without issuing an official letter. The authorities then locked the office.

The Tamardi Transportation Service employed about 50 people. Their families are now experiencing financial difficulty, Mya Aye said.

Mya Aye said the company was opened by their parents in 1979.

Myanmar's draft constitution bars Suu Kyi, cements military role in parliament

AP
Posted: 2008-03-31

YANGON, Myanmar (AP)

- Myanmar's draft constitution, which goes before voters in a May referendum, perpetuates military domination of politics and protects junta members from prosecution for past actions.

The text of the proposed constitution has not yet been made public. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the 457-article, 194-page document Monday.

It draws on guidelines that a national convention completed last year after 14 years of on-and-off meetings.

It contains several new points not in the guidelines, however, in an apparent effort to stave off challenges to the military's authority.

The ruling military junta announced the referendum in February and said it would be followed by a long-awaited general election in 2010. The junta calls the process its "roadmap to democracy."

Critics have denounced the process as a sham designed to perpetuate military rule. The drafting process did not include Aung San Suu Kyi or members of her opposition National League for Democracy.

One of the draft's most contentious clauses follows the guidelines in barring anyone who enjoyed the rights and privileges of a foreign citizen from holding public office. This would keep Suu Kyi out of government because her late husband, Michael Aris, was a Briton and their two sons are British.

The draft charter allots 25 percent of seats in both houses of parliament to the military. It empowers the president to transfer legislative, executive and judicial powers to the military's commander in chief for a year if a state of emergency arises.

It also stipulates that no amendments to the charter can be made without the consent of more than 75 percent of lawmakers - making proposed changes unlikely unless supported by military representatives in parliament.

A clause in the charter draft, but not covered in the guidelines, protects members of the junta in power since 1988 from legal prosecution for any acts carried out as part of their official duties.

The junta has been accused of gross human rights violations in suppressing Myanmar's pro-democracy movement and in its counterinsurgency operations against restive ethnic minorities.

Neighboring Thailand last year adopted a similar clause in its own military-backed constitution, effectively protecting from prosecution leaders of the military and their allies who carried out a September 2006 coup d'etat and administered the country for more than a year of interim rule.

In a significant change from the guidelines, Myanmar's draft charter delays when the new constitution would take effect.

Instead of becoming law after voters accept it in the May referendum, it would do so only after parliament's first session - which could not happen until at least 2010. Parliament will convene within 90 days of the election.

Other proposed changes include a new name and national flag. The draft proposes to rename the country, which was called Burma until 1989, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. It is now called the Union of Myanmar.

The new constitution is supposed to replace the one scrapped when the current junta took power in 1988.

After the last election was held in 1990 the military refused to hand power to the winner, Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party. Suu Kyi has been in prison or under house arrest for more than 12 of the past 18 years.

Myanmar has been in a political deadlock since 1990 with hundreds of Suu Kyi's supporters thrown in jail.

The junta has faced international pressure to make democratic reforms, especially since it crushed peaceful protests in September. The U.N. estimates at least 31 people were killed and thousands more were detained in the crackdown.

UN Must Reject Burma's False Constitution!

TAKE ACTION!!

Tell Your Political Representitive:
UN Must Reject Burma's False Constitution!

Please go to:
http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/2008-tell-your-rep-un-must-reject-burmas-false-constitution.html
and follow the prompts to take this important step.

Thank you all.

Hundreds of Arrested Demonstrators Still Behind Bars, Says Amnesty International

More than 700 people arrested during and after the September 2007 demonstrations remain behind bars, according to Amnesty International (AI). At least 40, including seven monks, have been given prison sentences for their part in the demonstrations, AI said in a report released in London on Monday.

Three of those imprisoned had been punished for giving water to demonstrating monks, the AI report said.

AI said that apart from those still held for participating in the September demonstrations, 1,150 political prisoners were still behind bars in Burma.

Sentences passed on arrested demonstrators, who had been peacefully exercising their human rights, appeared to be politically motivated, AI said.

AI listed the names of the 40 convicted demonstrators, who included several leading activists and monks.

Bo Kyi, Joint Secretary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma, said that the AI report reflected the real nature of Burma’s legal system.

Prisoners were being tortured at “secret centers,” said Bo Kyi. Two recently arrested student activists, Kyaw Ko Ko and Nyan Lin Aung, appeared to be held at these secret interrogation centers—“Their families don’t know where they are…we are very concerned about them.”