Detailed story: please read
Pro-democracy activists in Burma want the Obama administration to reject the military junta's plans to hold elections from which they have been shut out this year.
In a series of e-mail interviews with The Washington Times, members of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's political party — National League for Democracy (NLD) — said the Obama administration must tell the junta it considers illegitimate a vote that excludes the pro-democracy opposition.
Following an extensive review of U.S. policy, the Obama administration has opted to use engagement and sanctions to deal with Burma's reclusive military leaders.
Win Tin, an adviser to Mrs. Suu Kyi and a founder of NLD, said from Burma that while the NLD welcomes direct engagement between the Obama administration and the junta, "I believe that a more assertive policy is needed."
Win Tin was a political prisoner in his country from 1989 to 2008.
"The military will not move toward a dialogue with the NLD and the [ethnic] nationalities unless the forthcoming elections are opposed by the international communities," Win Tin said.
Burma's military rulers have enacted election laws that force parties to expel members with criminal records, including political prisoners such as Mrs. Suu Kyi, who has been kept under house arrest for 14 of the past 20 years. There are more than 2,100 political prisoners in Burma, according to Human Rights Watch.
Parties also are required to swear allegiance to the 2008 constitution, under which the military is guaranteed a quarter of the seats in the lower house of parliament and one-third in the upper house regardless of the outcome of the vote.
The laws forced NLD to choose to expel its senior leaders or disband. The party decided to boycott the vote, and the country's ruler, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, dissolved the NLD in May for refusing to register under the laws.
The government has yet to announce a date for the elections, but it is widely expected that they will be held Oct. 10 — 10/10/10 — given the junta's obsession with numbers.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
UN Must Act On G8 Call For Burma Dictatorship To Enter Into Dialogue
Burma Campaign UK today welcomed a statement by the G8, whose leaders have just held their annual summit, which calls on Burma’s dictatorship to enter into ‘substantive dialogue’ with Burma’s democracy movement, including ethnic groups. By calling for ‘substantive dialogue’ the G8 is recognising that elections due later this year will not solve the problems in Burma.
The call by the G8 for dialogue echoes similar statements already made by the United Nations Security Council, United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Human Rights Council, EU, ASEAN and USA. It will increase pressure on the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who is failing to act on a mandate to persuade the dictatorship to enter into such dialogue.
The fact that the statement specifically calls on the ‘Government’ to enter into dialogue, rather than calling on ‘all sides’, as statements by the UN and some governments often do, is also welcome, as it is solely the dictatorship which refuses to enter into dialogue, not the National League for Democracy and ethnic groups. This wording puts the blame where it belongs.
Earlier this month The Elders, which includes former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, called on the international community to support a UN-led effort to start dialogue in Burma, which should lead to national reconciliation.
The G8 statement also calls for the release of all political prisoners in Burma, including Aung San Suu Kyi. The fact that the statement explicitly refers to political prisoners is welcome, following a joint statement in May by the EU and ASEAN which controversially used the wording ‘those under detention’ rather than political prisoners, wording which effectively includes murderers and rapists.
“The G8 have added their weight behind calls for substantive dialogue, acknowledging fake elections later this year will not solve Burma’s problems”, said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “Everyone knows dialogue is the way forward, and it is Ban Ki-moon’s job to try to secure that dialogue. It is time he got on with the job. It is no use waiting for the fake elections, as the dictatorship will always use delaying tactics, and dangle the prospect of democratic change in front of the international community, in order to avoid pressure for real change.”
The full G8 wording on Burma:
We urge the Government of Myanmar to take the steps necessary to allow for free and fair elections. Full and inclusive democratic participation is essential to this. We urge the Government to release without delay all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and engage the democratic opposition and representatives of ethnic groups in a substantive dialogue on the way forward to national reconciliation.
The full G8 statement is available at:
http://g8.gc.ca/g8-summit/summit-documents/g8-muskoka-declaration-recovery-and-new-beginnings/
About the G8:
The Group of Eight (G-8) is a forum for the leaders of eight of the world’s most industrialized nations, aimed at finding common ground on key topics and solutions to global issues. The G-8 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. While the leaders of these countries are in regular contact, they meet in summit format as the G-8 once a year.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Junta Interrogates Political Prisoners on Election
The Burmese military junta has been interrogating political prisoners since early June about their opinions of the upcoming election and their intentions for future political activity, according to the families of political prisoners.
Than Than Win, the wife of Shwe Maung, a political prisoner being held in Mandalay Division, told The Irrawaddy that her husband said the special police came to his prison and asked him to give his opinion on the election and tell them whether he will continue his political activity when he gets released.
She said her husband, who was sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in the 2007 Saffron Revolution, told the special police that, if necessary, he will enter politics again.
Shwe Maung was tortured when he was arrested, and now has a heart condition and back pain. His wife requested that the prison authorities give him a medical examination outside the prison, but the authorities refused.
Than Than Win, the wife of Shwe Maung, a political prisoner being held in Mandalay Division, told The Irrawaddy that her husband said the special police came to his prison and asked him to give his opinion on the election and tell them whether he will continue his political activity when he gets released.
She said her husband, who was sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in the 2007 Saffron Revolution, told the special police that, if necessary, he will enter politics again.
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| Family members of prisoners wait for their release in front of the Insein prison gate in Rangoon last year. (Photo: Reuters) |
The family of another political prisoner, Zaw Thet Htwe, also said the police have recently interrogated him. “The police asked Zaw Thet Htwe about his opinion of the election and what he is going to do when he gets outside,” they said.
Zaw Thet Htwe is being detained in Taungyi Township, the capital of Shan State. He was chief sports editor at a journal in Rangoon when he was sentenced in 2008 to nine years in prison for helping Cyclone Nargis victims in the Irrawaddy delta.
Ashin Gambira, a prominent monk and leader of the Saffron Revolution, has also been asked the same questions by authorities. Gambira was sentenced to 63 years in prison and is being held in Kalay prison, Sagaing Division.
There are 2,157 political prisoners in Burma, according to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP). Many of them were arrested in 2007 during the Saffron Revolution.
Many in the international community have called on the junta to release all political prisoners, including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, before the election to be held late this year—the first election in Burma since 1990.
Although some political observers believe the junta will release a number of political prisoners before the election to improve its credibility with the international community, most believe the junta will release only low-profile political prisoners who won't oppose the junta or the election.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Burma Military Leader, Than Shwe, the Third 'Worst of the Worst'
In an article titled “The Worst of the Worst,” Foreign Policy magazine named junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe the world's third worst dictator, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il ranked No 1 and Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe No 2.
Than Shwe, Kim Jong Il and Mugabe were pictured on the magazine cover with the caption, “The committee to destroy the world.”
Than Shwe, who has been ruling Burma by force for almost 20 years, was described by Foreign Policy as a “heartless military coconut head whose sole consuming preoccupation is power.”
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| (Source: Foreign Policy) |
“This vainglorious general bubbling with swagger sports a uniform festooned with self-awarded medals, but he is too cowardly to face an honest ballot box,” the article said.
Kim Jong Il, in power for 16 years, was described as a personality-cult-cultivating isolationist. Foreign Policy said Kim has pauperized his people, allowed famine to run rampant, thrown hundreds of thousands in prison camps and spent his country's resources on a nuclear program.
Robert Mugabe, in power for 30 years, was described as a liberation “hero” in the struggle for independence who has since transformed himself into a murderous despot. He was condemned by Foreign Policy for arresting and torturing the opposition, squeezing his economy into astounding negative growth and billion-percent inflation and funneling off a juicy cut for himself using currency manipulation and offshore accounts.
The article named 23 world dictators in total, including the leaders of Uganda, Rwanda, Cuba, China, Iran, Venezuela, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Burma Unhappy over Human Trafficking Ranking
Burmese police chief Brig-Gen Khin Yi is angry over a US State Department report that says Burma is one of more than a dozen countries doing the least to stop human trafficking, and he will hold a press conference in response, say sources in Naypyidaw.
“The police chief said that the accusation came despite police efforts to tackle the human trafficking issue, including workshops on prevention,” said a police officer in Naypidaw, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010," released on Monday, ranked Burma along with Iran, North Korea and Cuba as “Tier 3” countries that have made no significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards to eliminate human trafficking.
On Burma, the report said, “The regime's widespread use of and lack of accountability in forced labor and recruitment of child soldiers is particularly worrying and represents the top causal factor for Burma's significant trafficking problem.”
There has been no official response to the US report in the state-controlled media. The report also placed Singapore and Thailand on the human trafficking watch list.
Last week, the Thai foreign ministry expressed disappointment over the report, saying that it did not consider the efforts of the government to tackle the problem. The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement last week that it is committed to tackling the human trafficking issue, and its efforts have not weakened since last year.
The US report said that Malaysia and Taiwan have made progress on the issue.
“Malaysia's upgraded status is a recognition of what we have been doing so far to tackle the issue of human trafficking,” Malaysia Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein was quoted as saying in The Star online website last week.
“The police chief said that the accusation came despite police efforts to tackle the human trafficking issue, including workshops on prevention,” said a police officer in Naypidaw, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010," released on Monday, ranked Burma along with Iran, North Korea and Cuba as “Tier 3” countries that have made no significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards to eliminate human trafficking.
On Burma, the report said, “The regime's widespread use of and lack of accountability in forced labor and recruitment of child soldiers is particularly worrying and represents the top causal factor for Burma's significant trafficking problem.”
There has been no official response to the US report in the state-controlled media. The report also placed Singapore and Thailand on the human trafficking watch list.
Last week, the Thai foreign ministry expressed disappointment over the report, saying that it did not consider the efforts of the government to tackle the problem. The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement last week that it is committed to tackling the human trafficking issue, and its efforts have not weakened since last year.
The US report said that Malaysia and Taiwan have made progress on the issue.
“Malaysia's upgraded status is a recognition of what we have been doing so far to tackle the issue of human trafficking,” Malaysia Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein was quoted as saying in The Star online website last week.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Words Must Be Turned Into Action For Aung San Suu Kyi
Burma Campaign UK today warmly welcomed British Prime Minister David Cameron’s letter of support for Aung San Suu Kyi on her 65th birthday, and asked him to take the lead in supporting UN led efforts to secure negotiations between the dictatorship and Burma’s democracy movement.
“The letter from the Prime Minister demonstrates Britain’s continuing commitment to supporting the people of Burma in their struggle for human rights and democracy,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK.
Aung San Suu Kyi is spending her 65th birthday in detention today. She has spent almost 15 years in detention since 1989. The exact time she has spent in detention is 14 years and 238 days. The United Nations has repeatedly ruled that her detention breaks international law.
US President Barak Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon have also issued statements of support.
“We now need action as well as words,” said Zoya Phan. “It is time for the international community to unite around UN led dialogue to bring peace and democracy to Burma. Prime Minister David Cameron must pressure Ban Ki-moon to act.”
On Thursday 17th June The Elders, which includes former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, called on the international community to support a UN led dialogue initiative for national reconciliation in Burma.
The UN has been mandated to work for such dialogue by the UN General Assembly, and it is supported by the UN Security Council, UN Human Rights Council, EU, USA and ASEAN. However, despite this, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) are taking no serious steps to secure such dialogue.
The fact that the DPA website still lists Ibrahim Gambari as leading UN diplomatic efforts on Burma – seven months after his resignation – is an indication of the low priority given to Burma by the Secretary General and DPA.
“Everyone knows the fake elections due in Burma will not bring real change,” said Zoya Phan. “We cannot have a situation where Ban Ki-moon ignores member states and sits back hoping for change. While Ban Ki-moon dithers, more prisoners are tortured, more women are raped, more villages burned, and more children die from hunger and disease because the generals spent the money on guns and luxury homes.”
Full Text of the letter from Prime Minister David Cameron:
“Dear Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Today you will mark yet another birthday under house arrest – cut off from your children and your family. My thoughts, and thoughts of so many people in Britain and across the world, will be with you and with the people of Burma. The injustice of your continuing detention mirrors the injustice that the regime has inflicted on your country and your people for so many years. Throughout that time, you have stood firm, at enormous personal cost, for the principles of liberty and justice. You have become a powerful symbol of the strength of the human spirit.
Like my predecessor, I personally have long found your example deeply inspiring. I want to assure you that as Prime Minister, I will maintain a close interest in Burma. The British Government I lead will do all it can, both internationally, working through the United Nations, and bilaterally, to bring a brighter future for Burma and your people, in which they enjoy full human rights and true democracy.
I have never forgotten your own request: that we should use our liberty to help the Burmese people to obtain theirs. I promise we will do everything we can to achieve that.”
“The letter from the Prime Minister demonstrates Britain’s continuing commitment to supporting the people of Burma in their struggle for human rights and democracy,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK.
Aung San Suu Kyi is spending her 65th birthday in detention today. She has spent almost 15 years in detention since 1989. The exact time she has spent in detention is 14 years and 238 days. The United Nations has repeatedly ruled that her detention breaks international law.
US President Barak Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon have also issued statements of support.
“We now need action as well as words,” said Zoya Phan. “It is time for the international community to unite around UN led dialogue to bring peace and democracy to Burma. Prime Minister David Cameron must pressure Ban Ki-moon to act.”
On Thursday 17th June The Elders, which includes former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, called on the international community to support a UN led dialogue initiative for national reconciliation in Burma.
The UN has been mandated to work for such dialogue by the UN General Assembly, and it is supported by the UN Security Council, UN Human Rights Council, EU, USA and ASEAN. However, despite this, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) are taking no serious steps to secure such dialogue.
The fact that the DPA website still lists Ibrahim Gambari as leading UN diplomatic efforts on Burma – seven months after his resignation – is an indication of the low priority given to Burma by the Secretary General and DPA.
“Everyone knows the fake elections due in Burma will not bring real change,” said Zoya Phan. “We cannot have a situation where Ban Ki-moon ignores member states and sits back hoping for change. While Ban Ki-moon dithers, more prisoners are tortured, more women are raped, more villages burned, and more children die from hunger and disease because the generals spent the money on guns and luxury homes.”
Full Text of the letter from Prime Minister David Cameron:
“Dear Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Today you will mark yet another birthday under house arrest – cut off from your children and your family. My thoughts, and thoughts of so many people in Britain and across the world, will be with you and with the people of Burma. The injustice of your continuing detention mirrors the injustice that the regime has inflicted on your country and your people for so many years. Throughout that time, you have stood firm, at enormous personal cost, for the principles of liberty and justice. You have become a powerful symbol of the strength of the human spirit.
Like my predecessor, I personally have long found your example deeply inspiring. I want to assure you that as Prime Minister, I will maintain a close interest in Burma. The British Government I lead will do all it can, both internationally, working through the United Nations, and bilaterally, to bring a brighter future for Burma and your people, in which they enjoy full human rights and true democracy.
I have never forgotten your own request: that we should use our liberty to help the Burmese people to obtain theirs. I promise we will do everything we can to achieve that.”
Thursday, June 17, 2010
UN Declares Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s Detention Illegal;
Washington, D.C. – Today, Freedom Now released Opinion No. 12/2010 from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. The judgment from this international tribunal unequivocally reestablishes that the ongoing detention of Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is illegal and in violation of international law.
In its opinion, the Working Group declares that ”[t]he continuation of the deprivation of liberty of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi is arbitrary being in contravention of articles 9, 10, 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. . .” The Working Group further condemned the junta’s illegal imprisonment of Ms. Suu Kyi stating that she “was not informed of the reasons for her arrest; had no effective remedy to challenge her detention; no records were given to her; she was never informed of her rights; she has been denied communication with the [o]utside world; and is being detained because of her political views.”
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is an independent and impartial body of the UN Human Rights Council. It currently consists of experts from Chile, Norway, Pakistan, Russian Federation, and Senegal. This is the sixth opinion from the Working Group finding subsequent terms of her house arrest in violation of international law.
Ms. Suu Kyi’s political party, the National League for Democracy, and its allies won the 1990 elections in Burma with more than 80% of the parliamentary seats. Since that election, Ms. Suu Kyi has spent more than 14 of the last 20 years under house arrest. American citizen John Yettaw’s unannounced and illegal entry into Ms. Suu Kyi’s residence in May 2009 resulted in the most recent illegal extension of her house arrest.
In a recent statement carried by the state-run media, Burma’s foreign ministry stated it “is a country that always respects UN declarations and decisions as it is a UN member country.” If this is the case, then she should be immediately released. “Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be sixty-five years old this Saturday, June 19th – another birthday spent unjustly confined,” said Jared Genser, president of Freedom Now and international pro bono counsel for Ms. Suu Kyi. “The military junta continues to flagrantly violate international law and decisions of the UN Working Group by imprisoning Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”
In its opinion, the Working Group declares that ”[t]he continuation of the deprivation of liberty of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi is arbitrary being in contravention of articles 9, 10, 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. . .” The Working Group further condemned the junta’s illegal imprisonment of Ms. Suu Kyi stating that she “was not informed of the reasons for her arrest; had no effective remedy to challenge her detention; no records were given to her; she was never informed of her rights; she has been denied communication with the [o]utside world; and is being detained because of her political views.”
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is an independent and impartial body of the UN Human Rights Council. It currently consists of experts from Chile, Norway, Pakistan, Russian Federation, and Senegal. This is the sixth opinion from the Working Group finding subsequent terms of her house arrest in violation of international law.
Ms. Suu Kyi’s political party, the National League for Democracy, and its allies won the 1990 elections in Burma with more than 80% of the parliamentary seats. Since that election, Ms. Suu Kyi has spent more than 14 of the last 20 years under house arrest. American citizen John Yettaw’s unannounced and illegal entry into Ms. Suu Kyi’s residence in May 2009 resulted in the most recent illegal extension of her house arrest.
In a recent statement carried by the state-run media, Burma’s foreign ministry stated it “is a country that always respects UN declarations and decisions as it is a UN member country.” If this is the case, then she should be immediately released. “Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be sixty-five years old this Saturday, June 19th – another birthday spent unjustly confined,” said Jared Genser, president of Freedom Now and international pro bono counsel for Ms. Suu Kyi. “The military junta continues to flagrantly violate international law and decisions of the UN Working Group by imprisoning Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Burma Buys 50 Fighter Jets From China
The Burmese air force continues to expand with the recent procurement of 50 K-8 jet trainer aircraft from China, according to sources within the air force in Meikhtila.
“Parts of the K-8 aircraft were transported by cargo ship from China and are being assembled at the Aircraft Production and Maintenance Base in Meikhtila,” said one of the sources.
The purchase of the 50 aircraft comes after Burma’s air force chief Lt-Gen Myat Hein traveled to China in November to negotiate an upgrade to the fleet of Chinese-made military aircraft already owned by Burma.
“Parts of the K-8 aircraft were transported by cargo ship from China and are being assembled at the Aircraft Production and Maintenance Base in Meikhtila,” said one of the sources.
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| K-8 Karakorum jet trainers from Sri Lanka air force. (Source:www.armybase.us) |
“There are two reasons to purchase K-8 trainers,” said the source. “Either for training exercises or for counter-insurgency.”
The K-8 jet trainer, sometimes called the K-8 Karakorum or the Hongdu JL-8, is a joint venture between China and Pakistan, and is fitted with air-to-air missiles and rockets.
In 1998-9, the Burmese air force bought 12 K-8 jet trainers from China, which are now stationed at Taungoo Air Base in Pegu Division.
In addition to purchasing Chinese-made fighters and trainer aircraft, Naypyidaw signed a contract in late 2009 to buy 20 MiG-29 jet fighters from Russia at a cost of nearly US $570 million.
“The parts of the MiG-29 jet fighters will arrive in July and September by cargo ship and by plane,” said an officer close to Col. Tun Aung, a key figure in the Burmese air force. He said that the 20 Russian aircraft will be assembled in Meikhtila.
Meanwhile, Burma's main air base for maintenance, the Aircraft Production and Maintenance Air Base (APMAB) in Panchangone in Mingaladon Township has been relocated to Nyaunggone, close to the regime's Flying Training Base in Shante in Meikhtila Township, according to a source from the air base.
“The APMAB got the order from Naypyidaw in January to relocate to the new location,” he said, but said he did not know why the relocation took place.
Military sources from Rangoon said that Burmese ruling military council upgraded the air force’s facilities and expanded airfields, as well as two air force bases in Bassein and Homemalin in 2006, to fulfill operational capabilities.
Burma has brought 280 aircraft from China, Russia, Yugoslavia and Poland, including trainers and fighters, since the military took power in 1988.
The Burmese air force was founded in 1947 before Burmese independence. Its main objective has since been counter campaigns against the Communist Party of Burma and several ethnic armies.
Burma has 10 air force headquarters: Bassein Air Base in Irrawaddy Division; Mingaladon Air Base in Rangoon Division; Myitkyina Air Base in Kachin State; Myike Air Base in Tenasserim Division; Namsang Air Base in Shan State; Taungoo Air Base in Pegu Division; Meikhtila (Shante) Flying Training Base; Meikthila Grounding Training Base in Mandalay Division; Magwe Air Base in Magwe Division; and Homemalin Air Base in Sagaing Division.
Monday, June 14, 2010
US warns of ‘unrealistic’ refugee resettlement
The situation for ethnic Karen refugees living in camps along the Thai-Burma border remains a concern for the US but third-country resettlement is unrealistic, a top US official has warned.
Eric Schwartz, assistant secretary of state for population, refugees and migration, last week visited the Mae La refugee camp on the Thai side of the border that is home to some 40,000 Karen refugees, of a total of nearly 140,000 in camps along the border.
He told DVB that the purpose of the trip was to “look at efforts to meet the needs of vulnerable Burmese refugees” in the camps, as well as meeting with various NGOs and advocacy groups along the border.
But despite “particular concern” over the refugees that he voiced prior to the border trip, “third-country resettlement isn’t going to be the solution for the large majority of refugees here or anywhere else in the world”.
“There are around 20 million refugees around the world,” he said. “Ultimately the best answer is for conditions in their country of origin to change – but there is little indication that that situation is going to change any time soon in Burma.
His comments came after the joint-secretary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP), Bo Kyi, said that his group would urge Schwartz to help resettle former political prisoners who “have been in the refugee camps for so many years”.
While the US already has a policy to accept refugees, Schwartz reportedly told Khin Ohmar, foreign affairs secretary for theNetwork for Democracy and Development (NDD), that third-country resettlement “is up to the Thai government…and the US can only suggest that the Thai government speeds up their procedures”.
With the Burmese government preparing for elections and aggressively attempting to transform ceasefire groups into Border Guard Forces, observers have warned that more refugees could flee Burma over the coming months.
The last major exodus by Karen into Thailand was in June last year, when around 5,000 fled after fighting erupted between Burmese troops and the opposition Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Many of those were forced to shelter in caves and rudimentary shacks along the Thai-Burma border.
The situation in Karen state remains volatile, despite the Thai government’s attempts to repatriate the 5,000 refugees back to Burma at the beginning of this year. Landmines laid by both the Burmese army and the KNLA litter the countryside, and civilians are at risk of being forcibly recruited by government troops.
“Decisions over whether people can return have to be based on the conditions in Burma and they cannot simply be made because an election has taken place,” Schwartz said.
“Right now the preparations going on in Burma give no confidence that these elections are going to have international legitimacy, or be free and fair, so if the elections don’t change conditions in Burma then you can’t send people back.”
Eric Schwartz, assistant secretary of state for population, refugees and migration, last week visited the Mae La refugee camp on the Thai side of the border that is home to some 40,000 Karen refugees, of a total of nearly 140,000 in camps along the border.
He told DVB that the purpose of the trip was to “look at efforts to meet the needs of vulnerable Burmese refugees” in the camps, as well as meeting with various NGOs and advocacy groups along the border.
But despite “particular concern” over the refugees that he voiced prior to the border trip, “third-country resettlement isn’t going to be the solution for the large majority of refugees here or anywhere else in the world”.
“There are around 20 million refugees around the world,” he said. “Ultimately the best answer is for conditions in their country of origin to change – but there is little indication that that situation is going to change any time soon in Burma.
His comments came after the joint-secretary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP), Bo Kyi, said that his group would urge Schwartz to help resettle former political prisoners who “have been in the refugee camps for so many years”.
While the US already has a policy to accept refugees, Schwartz reportedly told Khin Ohmar, foreign affairs secretary for theNetwork for Democracy and Development (NDD), that third-country resettlement “is up to the Thai government…and the US can only suggest that the Thai government speeds up their procedures”.
With the Burmese government preparing for elections and aggressively attempting to transform ceasefire groups into Border Guard Forces, observers have warned that more refugees could flee Burma over the coming months.
The last major exodus by Karen into Thailand was in June last year, when around 5,000 fled after fighting erupted between Burmese troops and the opposition Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Many of those were forced to shelter in caves and rudimentary shacks along the Thai-Burma border.
The situation in Karen state remains volatile, despite the Thai government’s attempts to repatriate the 5,000 refugees back to Burma at the beginning of this year. Landmines laid by both the Burmese army and the KNLA litter the countryside, and civilians are at risk of being forcibly recruited by government troops.
“Decisions over whether people can return have to be based on the conditions in Burma and they cannot simply be made because an election has taken place,” Schwartz said.
“Right now the preparations going on in Burma give no confidence that these elections are going to have international legitimacy, or be free and fair, so if the elections don’t change conditions in Burma then you can’t send people back.”
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Burma Denies Having Nuclear Weapons Program
RANGOON — The Burmese military regime denied Friday it is developing a nuclear weapons program, decrying such allegations as groundless and politically motivated.
State radio and television news reported the Foreign Ministry's denial, which claimed that anti-government groups in collusion with the media had launched the allegations with the goal of "hindering Burma's democratic process and to tarnish the political image of the government."
The Norway-based Democratic Voice of Burma, a Burmese exile news service, last week charged that the junta, aided by North Korea, is actively pursuing a nuclear weapons program with the aim of developing a bomb and long range missiles.It said its conclusions were based on a five-year study and revelations by a recent Burmese army defector.
The report was issued as a U.S. senator postponed a trip to Burma, saying it was a bad time for such a visit because of new allegations that its military regime was collaborating with North Korea to develop a nuclear program.
Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat from Virginia, has been a leading proponent of greater engagement with Burma. The United States has generally shunned the military regime, imposing political and economic sanctions because of its poor human rights record and failure to hand over power to a democratically elected government.
The Foreign Ministry statement said the weapons allegation were based merely on "information provided by army deserters, defectors and dissidents which are inaccurate, unfair and unreliable" and came at a time when the United States was trying to engage Burma.
Alleging that the Burmese government is pursuing nuclear capabilities is not "conducive to regional and international stability," the statement said. "Myanmar [Burma], which is a developing nation, lacks adequate infrastructure, technology and finance to develop nuclear weapons."
A separate Foreign Ministry press release said the Burmese army defector, Sai Thein Win, who had smuggled out files and photographs, was a captain in the army and had a Science in power engineering from State Technical University in Moscow in 2004.
It said he was an army deserter who was absent from his job since February 2010, but did not specify where Sai Thein Win had worked.
The statement also noted that Webb, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, had postponed his trip to Burma last week because of the nuclear allegations. Webb also had cited accusations that Burma had purchased arms from North Korea in violation of a U.N. embargo.
The statement also said Burma signed an agreement with Russia to develop a 10-megawatt reactor for peaceful purposes, but the project never began due to lack of resources and to avoid misunderstandings.
It said the allegation that Burma violated the U.N. Security Council embargo by allowing a North Korean ship to dock at a Rangoon port in April was baseless, because the ship was on a routine trip to unload cement and to take on 10,000 tons of rice from Burma.
State radio and television news reported the Foreign Ministry's denial, which claimed that anti-government groups in collusion with the media had launched the allegations with the goal of "hindering Burma's democratic process and to tarnish the political image of the government."
 |
| This satellite image shows the Defense Services Technological Academy in Pyin Oo Lwin, or Maymyo, Burma. A high-level defector from Burma's armed forces says the ruling junta is attempting to develop a nuclear bomb with the help of North Korea. (Source: DVB) |
The report was issued as a U.S. senator postponed a trip to Burma, saying it was a bad time for such a visit because of new allegations that its military regime was collaborating with North Korea to develop a nuclear program.
Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat from Virginia, has been a leading proponent of greater engagement with Burma. The United States has generally shunned the military regime, imposing political and economic sanctions because of its poor human rights record and failure to hand over power to a democratically elected government.
The Foreign Ministry statement said the weapons allegation were based merely on "information provided by army deserters, defectors and dissidents which are inaccurate, unfair and unreliable" and came at a time when the United States was trying to engage Burma.
Alleging that the Burmese government is pursuing nuclear capabilities is not "conducive to regional and international stability," the statement said. "Myanmar [Burma], which is a developing nation, lacks adequate infrastructure, technology and finance to develop nuclear weapons."
A separate Foreign Ministry press release said the Burmese army defector, Sai Thein Win, who had smuggled out files and photographs, was a captain in the army and had a Science in power engineering from State Technical University in Moscow in 2004.
It said he was an army deserter who was absent from his job since February 2010, but did not specify where Sai Thein Win had worked.
The statement also noted that Webb, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, had postponed his trip to Burma last week because of the nuclear allegations. Webb also had cited accusations that Burma had purchased arms from North Korea in violation of a U.N. embargo.
The statement also said Burma signed an agreement with Russia to develop a 10-megawatt reactor for peaceful purposes, but the project never began due to lack of resources and to avoid misunderstandings.
It said the allegation that Burma violated the U.N. Security Council embargo by allowing a North Korean ship to dock at a Rangoon port in April was baseless, because the ship was on a routine trip to unload cement and to take on 10,000 tons of rice from Burma.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Suu Kyi Says Burmese Have Right Not to Vote
Burmese people have the right not to vote in the upcoming election, detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi told her lawyer on Friday. She also commented on US Sen. Jim Webb's support of the election.
“Daw Suu said that just as the people have the right to vote, they also have the right not to vote,” Suu Kyi's lawyer Nyan Win told The Irrawaddy shortly after meeting with her on Friday afternoon.
Although her comment seems to allude to the possibility that she and her now-disbanded National League for Democracy (NLD) may call for a boycott of the planned election, Nyan Win declined to elaborate on her comment. During a two-hour meeting that focused on legal issues relating to repairs to her home, Suu Kyi also said that she believed Webb's views on the election were his personal opinion only, and did not reflect his official position as chairman of the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Webb, a strong advocate of US engagement with the Burmese regime, canceled his scheduled visit to Burma earlier this month amid fresh reports that junta was trying to develop nuclear weapons.
On Wednesday, the Democratic lawmaker called for support of Burma's election, saying it was a step forward and that the junta would allow at least some opposition figures to stand for seats.
Nyan Win also said that Suu Kyi heard about Burma's alleged nuclear program, but she did not wish to make any comment on the issue at this point, as there was not enough information available.
Suu Kyi decided against her party re-registering under the regime's “unjust” election laws. The NLD was dissolved in May for its failure to meet the regime's party registration deadline.
“Daw Suu said that just as the people have the right to vote, they also have the right not to vote,” Suu Kyi's lawyer Nyan Win told The Irrawaddy shortly after meeting with her on Friday afternoon.
 |
| A woman sits under an iron fighting peacock sculpture, used in the National League for Democracy's (NLD) campaign in the 1990 general election, during a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the election in which the NLD won 392 of 485 parliamentary seats at NLD Vice-Chairman Tin Oo's house in Rangoon on May 27. (Photo: Reuters) |
Webb, a strong advocate of US engagement with the Burmese regime, canceled his scheduled visit to Burma earlier this month amid fresh reports that junta was trying to develop nuclear weapons.
On Wednesday, the Democratic lawmaker called for support of Burma's election, saying it was a step forward and that the junta would allow at least some opposition figures to stand for seats.
Nyan Win also said that Suu Kyi heard about Burma's alleged nuclear program, but she did not wish to make any comment on the issue at this point, as there was not enough information available.
Suu Kyi decided against her party re-registering under the regime's “unjust” election laws. The NLD was dissolved in May for its failure to meet the regime's party registration deadline.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
UN Envoy Discusses Burma Issues in Singapore
A top UN official, Vijay Nambiar, who is the special adviser on Burma to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, is due to discuss Burmese issues with the Singaporean government on Thursday, according to a UN press release.
Veteran Indian diplomat Nambiar, 66, took over the position of Ibrahim Gambari, the former UN special envoy to Burma, who failed to produce tangible results during his several missions to Burma.
Nambiar has been the chief of staff under Ban since January 1, 2007, and was previously under-secretary-general and special adviser to former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Thursday, the chairman of Arakan League for Democracy, Aye Tha Aung, said he does not think the envoy's meeting with the Singaporean government will bear any fruit as Singapore is a prominent member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which has a policy of non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
“Singapore is one of the Asean members that strongly supports the non-inference policy,”said Aye Tha Aung.
Nambiar is currently visiting Asian nations in his capacity as Ban’s special adviser on Burma. He held talks with Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, in New Delhi before arriving in Singapore on Wednesday.
He is scheduled to fly to Beijing on Friday for discussions with Chinese authorities, according to the press release.
Two days after Cyclone Nargis slammed southwestern Burma on May 2-3, 2008, Nambiar met with Burmese Ambassador to the UN Kyaw Tint Swe and discussed grant allocations from the US $500-million Central Emergency Response Fund.
After the meeting, the military junta agreed to begin airlifting relief material and lifesaving drugs to the cyclone-ravaged Irrawaddy delta.
Prior to joining the UN, Nambiar served the Indian government as head of the National Security Council Secretariat, and in 2002-04 was India's permanent representative to the UN in New York.
Nambiar also served as Indian ambassador to Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Afghanistan and Algeria. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1976, and replaced Gambari in late December 2009.
Ban announced in early December 2009 that Gambari would be reassigned as a joint special representative of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, a position he took up in January.
Earlier this year, Ban called for “fair, transparent and credible elections” in Burma. Some observers have said they expect the Burmese general election to be held on Oct. 10.
Meanwhile, at the ongoing 14th session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, Slovakia announced that it will support the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity conducted by the Burmese military regime, according to a report by the UN human rights council.
Slovakia became the fourth government to support the UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma along with the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Australia.
The United States said it is also considering its support for the Commission of Inquiry.
The US representative, Ambassador Eileen Donahoe, said that the establishment of a peaceful country that respected human rights of its citizens was essential, and therefore the United States was considering supporting the proposed Commission of Inquiry into possible international humanitarian law violations in Burma, as suggested by UN Special Rapporteur Tomás Ojea Quintana.
Rosha Fedor, the Slovakian representative, however, said the election could have served as a window to national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy. However, on the contrary, the new electoral laws fell far below international standards, seriously undermining the right of expression, assembly and association, and discriminated on the basis of political opinions, he said.
Veteran Indian diplomat Nambiar, 66, took over the position of Ibrahim Gambari, the former UN special envoy to Burma, who failed to produce tangible results during his several missions to Burma.
Nambiar has been the chief of staff under Ban since January 1, 2007, and was previously under-secretary-general and special adviser to former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Thursday, the chairman of Arakan League for Democracy, Aye Tha Aung, said he does not think the envoy's meeting with the Singaporean government will bear any fruit as Singapore is a prominent member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which has a policy of non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
“Singapore is one of the Asean members that strongly supports the non-inference policy,”said Aye Tha Aung.
Nambiar is currently visiting Asian nations in his capacity as Ban’s special adviser on Burma. He held talks with Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, in New Delhi before arriving in Singapore on Wednesday.
He is scheduled to fly to Beijing on Friday for discussions with Chinese authorities, according to the press release.
Two days after Cyclone Nargis slammed southwestern Burma on May 2-3, 2008, Nambiar met with Burmese Ambassador to the UN Kyaw Tint Swe and discussed grant allocations from the US $500-million Central Emergency Response Fund.
After the meeting, the military junta agreed to begin airlifting relief material and lifesaving drugs to the cyclone-ravaged Irrawaddy delta.
Prior to joining the UN, Nambiar served the Indian government as head of the National Security Council Secretariat, and in 2002-04 was India's permanent representative to the UN in New York.
Nambiar also served as Indian ambassador to Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Afghanistan and Algeria. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1976, and replaced Gambari in late December 2009.
Ban announced in early December 2009 that Gambari would be reassigned as a joint special representative of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, a position he took up in January.
Earlier this year, Ban called for “fair, transparent and credible elections” in Burma. Some observers have said they expect the Burmese general election to be held on Oct. 10.
Meanwhile, at the ongoing 14th session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, Slovakia announced that it will support the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity conducted by the Burmese military regime, according to a report by the UN human rights council.
Slovakia became the fourth government to support the UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma along with the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Australia.
The United States said it is also considering its support for the Commission of Inquiry.
The US representative, Ambassador Eileen Donahoe, said that the establishment of a peaceful country that respected human rights of its citizens was essential, and therefore the United States was considering supporting the proposed Commission of Inquiry into possible international humanitarian law violations in Burma, as suggested by UN Special Rapporteur Tomás Ojea Quintana.
Rosha Fedor, the Slovakian representative, however, said the election could have served as a window to national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy. However, on the contrary, the new electoral laws fell far below international standards, seriously undermining the right of expression, assembly and association, and discriminated on the basis of political opinions, he said.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Urgent Appeal: Help us raise a million voices for Aung San Suu Kyi
Help us raise a million plus voices in honor of Burma's freedom leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, on her 65th birthday. Sign up to host an Arrest Yourself event in her honor today!It's crunch time! Aung San Suu Kyi's 65th birthday is only two weeks away. Seize this opportunity to show your support for the Lady of Burma and protest against her unjust detention and call for her release so that she can govern the people who elected her.
Hundreds of people are getting busy hosting Arrest Yourself parties across the US. Last weekend, an Arrest Yourself party hosted by one of our supporters, Alix Clarke, made headlines. Check it out: "Islander 'arrests' herself in solidarity with Burma's imprisoned leader".; Now we need to multiply the impact Alix has made.
Please sign up today or consider making a donation in honor of Aung San Suu Kyi to show your support for her and for our work to support her in this struggle. USCB relies on contributions from Arrest Yourself fundraising to keep us going throughout the year. Times are tough, donations are down, and your contributions could make a huge difference to our work!
As you may already know, the military regime has embarked on a sham election process that undermines democracy and gives the junta a fake veneer of legitimacy. The regime has been clinging onto power with all its might for over two decades at the expense of freedom, blood, sweat, and tears of the people of Burma. What we do for Burma, at this critical time, will be a litmus test of our attitude towards freedom, democracy, and human rights.
Malcolm X once said, "Power in defense of freedom is greater than the power in defense of tyranny and oppression." At this year's Arrest Yourself events, this is the message we will send to the regime in Naypyidaw. Pledge to host an Arrest Yourself event in tribute to Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma for inspiring us with their courage and determination.
Power to the people of Burma! Do-ay-ye! Do-ay-ye! It is our rights, our cause!
Thanks, California! Now pass it on!
GREAT JOB to everyone in California who called Senator Boxer's office. She listened and decided to cosponsor the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act!
Senator Boxer joined Senator Feinstein, the author of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, in co-sponsoring the bill again this year thanks to the phone calls, emails, and hard work of constituents like you!
Senators get very few calls of gratitude. We urge you to call Senators Feinstein and Boxer and thank them for co-sponsoring the renewal of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act and for their unwavering support for Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggling people of Burma. For more information about the Act, see below.
For Senator Feinstein: Call Richard Harper at (202) 224-3841
Say "Thank you for authoring the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act!"
For Senator Boxer: Call Ann Norris at (202) 224-3553
Say "Thank you for cosponsoring the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act!"
Or click here to e-mail to Senator Feinstein and/or Boxer.
Many thanks to all Burma supporters in California.
Keep up the good work,
Mike Haack
Background of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act
In the past, a lot of money flowed from unsuspecting U.S. consumers to Burma's regime and its corrupt cronies every year, mainly via industries dominated by the military. Much of this "blood trade," such as the trade in rubies, strongly benefited the military regime. This business was increasing rapidly, and Burma's regime increased the size of its military force from under 200,000 to over 400,000. Then, a few years ago, some leading Senators successfully passed a law -- called the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act -- that banned imports from Burma. This has prevented the military regime from receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from the United States.
Senator Boxer joined Senator Feinstein, the author of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, in co-sponsoring the bill again this year thanks to the phone calls, emails, and hard work of constituents like you!
Senators get very few calls of gratitude. We urge you to call Senators Feinstein and Boxer and thank them for co-sponsoring the renewal of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act and for their unwavering support for Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggling people of Burma. For more information about the Act, see below.
For Senator Feinstein: Call Richard Harper at (202) 224-3841
Say "Thank you for authoring the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act!"
For Senator Boxer: Call Ann Norris at (202) 224-3553
Say "Thank you for cosponsoring the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act!"
Or click here to e-mail to Senator Feinstein and/or Boxer.
Many thanks to all Burma supporters in California.
Keep up the good work,
Mike Haack
Background of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act
In the past, a lot of money flowed from unsuspecting U.S. consumers to Burma's regime and its corrupt cronies every year, mainly via industries dominated by the military. Much of this "blood trade," such as the trade in rubies, strongly benefited the military regime. This business was increasing rapidly, and Burma's regime increased the size of its military force from under 200,000 to over 400,000. Then, a few years ago, some leading Senators successfully passed a law -- called the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act -- that banned imports from Burma. This has prevented the military regime from receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from the United States.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
US Talking to Burma about North Korea
Please read the detailed story HERE
WASHINGTON—The United States is talking to the Burmese military junta about its international obligations to implement a United Nations Security Council resolution on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, a US official has said.
“That is something that we watch very carefully,” State Department spokesman P. J. Crowley told reporters at a daily news briefing, when referring to recent reports that Burma has been violating the UN Security Council resolution 1874.
“We are talking to Burma, reminding Burma about its international obligations under 1874 and other resolutions,” Crowley said, adding that the State Department has had conversations with Sen. Jim Webb in this regard.
“It’s a country that he recognizes is of significance,” Crowley said. “I’m sure that we will continue our conversations with Sen. Webb and others in the Congress about the best way forward.”
Webb wrote a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently alleging that the State Department was not sharing information with him in this regard.
“In May 2010, Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell raised allegations that Burma has violated its commitment to UN Resolution 1874 regarding acceptance of shipments of military items from North Korea,” Webb said.
“Although not explained in his statement, and not validated by subsequent information, news reports alleged that Burma received a shipment of arms from North Korea. This allegation, which from my understanding has yet to be publicly clarified and substantiated by the State Department, has frozen any prospect of further engagement with the Burmese government,” Webb said in a letter to Clinton on June 8.
“Prior to my recent Asia trip, I and my staff worked for weeks to seek public clarification of this allegation, but the State Department provided none. At the time I left for my trip to Asia, no other countries had joined the United States in this allegation, although it had been discussed with several other countries. The State Department still has not publicly clarified this matter,” he said.
“My staff was told by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel that no other nation has joined the United States in publicly denouncing Burma on this matter,” he said.
In his letter, Webb also urged Clinton to appoint a special representative for Burma under the 2008 Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, which requires the president to appoint a special representative and policy coordinator for Burma.
Webb recommended Eric John, who currently serves as ambassador to Thailand, for the position.
“Ambassador John has spent many years in East Asia and has long experience in dealing with the North Korean regime on issues that might be similar to those we will be facing in Burma,” he said.
“Among other responsibilities, this position should promote a comprehensive international effort, including multilateral sanctions, direct dialogue with the SPDC and democracy advocates, and support for nongovernmental organizations operating in Burma and neighboring countries, designed to restore civilian democratic rule to Burma and address the urgent humanitarian needs of the Burmese people,” Webb said. Since the act has been in effect, the position has not been filled.
Dear Secretary Clinton:
In my capacity as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee, I visited Korea and Thailand last week to assess the current situation in both of those countries, as well as in the region. I had also intended to visit Burma on this trip, but postponed my visit for reasons described below.
Following meetings with government representatives, business and community leaders, U.S. diplomats, and others, I would like to share with you the following observations and recommendations. As you will note, some of these recommendations are quite time-sensitive.
1. United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement:
I believe strongly that the United States, the Republic of Korea, and all of East Asia will benefit greatly from the implementation of the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). I am also very concerned about the time delay in gaining congressional approval for this agreement.
The KORUS FTA was signed on June 30, 2007. With this agreement, tariffs on consumer and industrial goods will be immediately eliminated on almost 95 percent of all bilateral trade within three years. Tariffs on two-thirds of U.S. agricultural exports will be immediately eliminated. U.S. automakers have concerns, and processes exist for these matters to be addressed.
WASHINGTON—The United States is talking to the Burmese military junta about its international obligations to implement a United Nations Security Council resolution on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, a US official has said.
“That is something that we watch very carefully,” State Department spokesman P. J. Crowley told reporters at a daily news briefing, when referring to recent reports that Burma has been violating the UN Security Council resolution 1874.
“We are talking to Burma, reminding Burma about its international obligations under 1874 and other resolutions,” Crowley said, adding that the State Department has had conversations with Sen. Jim Webb in this regard.
“It’s a country that he recognizes is of significance,” Crowley said. “I’m sure that we will continue our conversations with Sen. Webb and others in the Congress about the best way forward.”
Webb wrote a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently alleging that the State Department was not sharing information with him in this regard.
“In May 2010, Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell raised allegations that Burma has violated its commitment to UN Resolution 1874 regarding acceptance of shipments of military items from North Korea,” Webb said.
“Although not explained in his statement, and not validated by subsequent information, news reports alleged that Burma received a shipment of arms from North Korea. This allegation, which from my understanding has yet to be publicly clarified and substantiated by the State Department, has frozen any prospect of further engagement with the Burmese government,” Webb said in a letter to Clinton on June 8.
“Prior to my recent Asia trip, I and my staff worked for weeks to seek public clarification of this allegation, but the State Department provided none. At the time I left for my trip to Asia, no other countries had joined the United States in this allegation, although it had been discussed with several other countries. The State Department still has not publicly clarified this matter,” he said.
“My staff was told by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel that no other nation has joined the United States in publicly denouncing Burma on this matter,” he said.
In his letter, Webb also urged Clinton to appoint a special representative for Burma under the 2008 Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, which requires the president to appoint a special representative and policy coordinator for Burma.
Webb recommended Eric John, who currently serves as ambassador to Thailand, for the position.
“Ambassador John has spent many years in East Asia and has long experience in dealing with the North Korean regime on issues that might be similar to those we will be facing in Burma,” he said.
“Among other responsibilities, this position should promote a comprehensive international effort, including multilateral sanctions, direct dialogue with the SPDC and democracy advocates, and support for nongovernmental organizations operating in Burma and neighboring countries, designed to restore civilian democratic rule to Burma and address the urgent humanitarian needs of the Burmese people,” Webb said. Since the act has been in effect, the position has not been filled.
-------------------------------
Full Text of Senator Jim Webb to Secretary of State Hillary ClintonDear Secretary Clinton:
In my capacity as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee, I visited Korea and Thailand last week to assess the current situation in both of those countries, as well as in the region. I had also intended to visit Burma on this trip, but postponed my visit for reasons described below.
Following meetings with government representatives, business and community leaders, U.S. diplomats, and others, I would like to share with you the following observations and recommendations. As you will note, some of these recommendations are quite time-sensitive.
1. United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement:
I believe strongly that the United States, the Republic of Korea, and all of East Asia will benefit greatly from the implementation of the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). I am also very concerned about the time delay in gaining congressional approval for this agreement.
The KORUS FTA was signed on June 30, 2007. With this agreement, tariffs on consumer and industrial goods will be immediately eliminated on almost 95 percent of all bilateral trade within three years. Tariffs on two-thirds of U.S. agricultural exports will be immediately eliminated. U.S. automakers have concerns, and processes exist for these matters to be addressed.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Burma economy in ‘artificial deficit’
Gas revenues being banked at the official exchange rate in Burma are causing an artificial deficit, when in fact there should be a 15 percent fiscal surplus, a prominent economist on Burma has said.
A “fresh look” at data of Burma’s economy is “worse than I had long thought, and the regime’s culpability so much worse,” said Sean Turnell, from the Sydney-based Burma Economic Watch (BEW), who released the ‘Dissecting the Data’ report on Burma.
He believes the government is fudging the economic figures: “I had a look at how the regime is recording these earnings from the gas in the public accounts and what is revealed when you look into it is that Burma’s fiscal deficit is artificial,” he said.
“[It’s an] an artifice of the regime itself; if you brought those [gas] revenues into the public account at the proper exchange rate, what is currently a fiscal deficit of about four percent of GDP turns into a fiscal surplus of around 15 percent of GDP.”
The report notes that in 2008/09, official figures showed a fiscal deficit of around 3.5 percent, adding that this was not extraordinary given the global recession. This was added to by a deficit of 1.9 percent from Burma’s state-owned enterprises, representing obviously poor management, particularly when one thinks of the gas revenues earned by the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE).
MOGE also uses the official exchange rate of six kyat to the dollar, but the money is “rendered into the accounts at the unofficial [but realistic] exchange rate of around 1000 kyat to the dollar, then these earnings [5,270 billion kyat instead of 24.7 billion kyat] would have an extraordinary impact.”
He added that “those gas revenues are kept offshore where they are used for all sorts of things and, I dare say, as per recent reports by you guys suggest on nuclear activities and so on”.
The report also once again highlighted the junta’s questionable response to cyclone Nargis reconstruction: “The amount of spending on post-Nargis reconstruction was a paltry figure of around $US85 million spent by the government, when the Tripartite Core Group [UN, ASEAN and Burmese government] estimated that $US600 million was required. They would earn more than this every single month from the gas earnings, which really illustrates nicely their priorities.”
He also indicated that Burma’s supposed shift to a ‘market economy’ is a fiction, given that “domestic capital is a mere 15 percent so the state controls 85 percent of the capital. [And] when you compare it to Laos or Cambodia,” the opposite is true,.
There is also an apparent “famine” of credit in the country which is particularly destructive to the agricultural sector, which provides for 70 percent of the population and earned 50 percent of GDP. The sector only received 0.4 percent of the credit created, whilst the overall credit of the private sector has been in steady decline from 19 percent in 2004/05 to 15 percent in 2008/09.
The mismanagement of the economy then leads to massive government borrowing from the central bank. “Persistent annual double-digit percentage increases in central bank advances to the State across the last decade (including an extraordinary 21.8 percent growth in the incomplete 2008/09 financial year),” the report says.
This in turn is the “primary driver of Burma’s high inflation rates [easily the highest in the region], which have seldom been under 25 percent in the last decade”.
The analysis that Turnell presents seems to confirm a complete lack of foresight or people-orientated planning, as privatization continues apace with the recent selling of the national library, and real doubt about Burma’s ability to develop alongside its Asian neighbours is apparent. Even more worrying however is Turnell’s belief that government policy is “actively destructive of Burma’s prospects”.
A “fresh look” at data of Burma’s economy is “worse than I had long thought, and the regime’s culpability so much worse,” said Sean Turnell, from the Sydney-based Burma Economic Watch (BEW), who released the ‘Dissecting the Data’ report on Burma.
He believes the government is fudging the economic figures: “I had a look at how the regime is recording these earnings from the gas in the public accounts and what is revealed when you look into it is that Burma’s fiscal deficit is artificial,” he said.
“[It’s an] an artifice of the regime itself; if you brought those [gas] revenues into the public account at the proper exchange rate, what is currently a fiscal deficit of about four percent of GDP turns into a fiscal surplus of around 15 percent of GDP.”
The report notes that in 2008/09, official figures showed a fiscal deficit of around 3.5 percent, adding that this was not extraordinary given the global recession. This was added to by a deficit of 1.9 percent from Burma’s state-owned enterprises, representing obviously poor management, particularly when one thinks of the gas revenues earned by the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE).
MOGE also uses the official exchange rate of six kyat to the dollar, but the money is “rendered into the accounts at the unofficial [but realistic] exchange rate of around 1000 kyat to the dollar, then these earnings [5,270 billion kyat instead of 24.7 billion kyat] would have an extraordinary impact.”
He added that “those gas revenues are kept offshore where they are used for all sorts of things and, I dare say, as per recent reports by you guys suggest on nuclear activities and so on”.
The report also once again highlighted the junta’s questionable response to cyclone Nargis reconstruction: “The amount of spending on post-Nargis reconstruction was a paltry figure of around $US85 million spent by the government, when the Tripartite Core Group [UN, ASEAN and Burmese government] estimated that $US600 million was required. They would earn more than this every single month from the gas earnings, which really illustrates nicely their priorities.”
He also indicated that Burma’s supposed shift to a ‘market economy’ is a fiction, given that “domestic capital is a mere 15 percent so the state controls 85 percent of the capital. [And] when you compare it to Laos or Cambodia,” the opposite is true,.
There is also an apparent “famine” of credit in the country which is particularly destructive to the agricultural sector, which provides for 70 percent of the population and earned 50 percent of GDP. The sector only received 0.4 percent of the credit created, whilst the overall credit of the private sector has been in steady decline from 19 percent in 2004/05 to 15 percent in 2008/09.
The mismanagement of the economy then leads to massive government borrowing from the central bank. “Persistent annual double-digit percentage increases in central bank advances to the State across the last decade (including an extraordinary 21.8 percent growth in the incomplete 2008/09 financial year),” the report says.
This in turn is the “primary driver of Burma’s high inflation rates [easily the highest in the region], which have seldom been under 25 percent in the last decade”.
The analysis that Turnell presents seems to confirm a complete lack of foresight or people-orientated planning, as privatization continues apace with the recent selling of the national library, and real doubt about Burma’s ability to develop alongside its Asian neighbours is apparent. Even more worrying however is Turnell’s belief that government policy is “actively destructive of Burma’s prospects”.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Burma's Secret Nuclear Program Revealed
Detailed Story: please read/view HERE
With the help of North Korea, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has acquired components for a nuclear weapons program, including technology for uranium enrichment and long-range missiles, ABC News has learned.
A defector from Myanmar -- an army major and deputy commander of a top-secret nuclear facility -- escaped the country with thousands of files detailing a secret nuclear and missile program.
"The purpose is they really want a bomb. That is their main objective," said defector Sai Thein Win, the major who says he visited the installations and attended meetings at which the new technology was demonstrated.
With the help of North Korea, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has acquired components for a nuclear weapons program, including technology for uranium enrichment and long-range missiles, ABC News has learned.
A defector from Myanmar -- an army major and deputy commander of a top-secret nuclear facility -- escaped the country with thousands of files detailing a secret nuclear and missile program.
"The purpose is they really want a bomb. That is their main objective," said defector Sai Thein Win, the major who says he visited the installations and attended meetings at which the new technology was demonstrated.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Evidence Points to Burma's Nuclear Weapons 'Intent'
Detailed Story: please read HERE
While allegations about a junta nuclear weapons program have emerged in the past, the latest reports are backed by documentation and photographs supplied by Burmese army defector Maj Sai Thein Win. A news documentary about the issue ran on Al-Jazeera today and is based on work carried out by the Democratic Voice of Burma news agency. Sai Thein Win had to flee Burma after superiors suspected that information about missile-building and uranium enrichment programs were being leaked. He says “that they really want to build a bomb, they want rockets and nuclear warheads.”
American nuclear scientist Robert Kelley, a former director in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the international nuclear watchdog, said he spent months examining the material supplied by Sai Thein Win and concluded that the projects outlined in the material are “useful only for weapons.”
In an overview published on the DVB website, Kelley said: “The total picture is very compelling. Burma is trying to build pieces of a nuclear program, specifically a nuclear reactor to make plutonium and a uranium enrichment program. Burma has a close partnership with North Korea.”
The seven-member UN panel monitoring the implementation of sanctions against North Korea said in a report last week that Pyongyang is involved in banned nuclear and ballistic activities in Iran, Syria and Burma.
After an early May visit to Burma, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs Kurt Campbell, said that the junta leadership had agree to abide by UN Security Council Resolution 1874, but that "recent developments" called into question its commitment. He said he sought the junta's agreement to "a transparent process to assure the international community that Burma is abiding by its international commitments."
"Without such a process, the United States maintains the right to take independent action within the relevant frameworks established by the international community," he said.
Whether or not the Burmese regime has the know-how to actually realize its apparent nuclear ambitions is another issue. According to Kelley, “Nothing we have seen suggests Burma will be successful with the materials and component we have seen.”
Speaking to Al-Jazeera, other nuclear experts such as John Isaacs, who is executive director of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, said that there is not yet “actual proof” of what the regime is trying to do.
However, the documentation assessed by Kelley suggest intent on the part of the junta. The regime has not signed the IAEA's Additional Protocol, meaning that the agency has not power to set up an inspection of Burma's nuclear facilities under the existing mechanism known as the Small Quantities Protocol.
The hour-long Al-Jazeera/DVB report gave details of a nationwide labyrinth of underground tunnels, believed to be shelters for the military in the event of an attack from outside or demonstrations at home. The total cost of the tunnels, built in collaboration with North Korean military advisers, is estimated in the range of US $3 billion.
BANGKOK—There are regional and international security implications arising out of fresh evidence that Burma is seeking nuclear weapons and is in breach of a UN arms embargo on North Korea.
Referencing the nuclear issue, US Sen. Jim Webb on Thursday canceled his scheduled trip to Burma.
“It would be inappropriate and counter-productive for me to go at this time,” Webb told journalists at a Thursday press conference in Bangkok. While the substance of the nuclear issue and the potential breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1874 remain to be clarified, Webb said, “There is enough for now in these two allegations, which need to be resolved,” before he could reconsider going to Burma.
Referencing the nuclear issue, US Sen. Jim Webb on Thursday canceled his scheduled trip to Burma.
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| Burmese soldiers carry flags as they march during the Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyidaw in March. (Photo: Reuters) |
While allegations about a junta nuclear weapons program have emerged in the past, the latest reports are backed by documentation and photographs supplied by Burmese army defector Maj Sai Thein Win. A news documentary about the issue ran on Al-Jazeera today and is based on work carried out by the Democratic Voice of Burma news agency. Sai Thein Win had to flee Burma after superiors suspected that information about missile-building and uranium enrichment programs were being leaked. He says “that they really want to build a bomb, they want rockets and nuclear warheads.”
American nuclear scientist Robert Kelley, a former director in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the international nuclear watchdog, said he spent months examining the material supplied by Sai Thein Win and concluded that the projects outlined in the material are “useful only for weapons.”
In an overview published on the DVB website, Kelley said: “The total picture is very compelling. Burma is trying to build pieces of a nuclear program, specifically a nuclear reactor to make plutonium and a uranium enrichment program. Burma has a close partnership with North Korea.”
The seven-member UN panel monitoring the implementation of sanctions against North Korea said in a report last week that Pyongyang is involved in banned nuclear and ballistic activities in Iran, Syria and Burma.
After an early May visit to Burma, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs Kurt Campbell, said that the junta leadership had agree to abide by UN Security Council Resolution 1874, but that "recent developments" called into question its commitment. He said he sought the junta's agreement to "a transparent process to assure the international community that Burma is abiding by its international commitments."
"Without such a process, the United States maintains the right to take independent action within the relevant frameworks established by the international community," he said.
Whether or not the Burmese regime has the know-how to actually realize its apparent nuclear ambitions is another issue. According to Kelley, “Nothing we have seen suggests Burma will be successful with the materials and component we have seen.”
Speaking to Al-Jazeera, other nuclear experts such as John Isaacs, who is executive director of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, said that there is not yet “actual proof” of what the regime is trying to do.
However, the documentation assessed by Kelley suggest intent on the part of the junta. The regime has not signed the IAEA's Additional Protocol, meaning that the agency has not power to set up an inspection of Burma's nuclear facilities under the existing mechanism known as the Small Quantities Protocol.
The hour-long Al-Jazeera/DVB report gave details of a nationwide labyrinth of underground tunnels, believed to be shelters for the military in the event of an attack from outside or demonstrations at home. The total cost of the tunnels, built in collaboration with North Korean military advisers, is estimated in the range of US $3 billion.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Chinese PM Urged to Promote Burmese National Reconciliation
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao should raise the issue of stability in ethnic areas with the Burmese regime during his two-day visit which began on Wednesday, say ethnic group leaders.
Arakanese leader Aye Thar Aung told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that as Burma's closest ally and neighborhood, the Chinese leader should tell his counterparts to open the door for peaceful and inclusive solutions for a national reconciliation process to ensure stability.
“The crisis in Burma is due to the military rulers' one-way policy in politics,” said Aye Thar Aung, who is also secretary of the Committee Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP), an umbrella group of political and ethnic groups that won in the 1990 elections.
“Wen Jiabao should tell the Burmese generals to change their policy on national reconciliation. China is the most important ally for the junta. I think the junta listens to the Chinese even though they might not accept everything,” said Aye Thar Aung.
Arakan State is a strategic area for China. The Sino-Burma oil and gas pipelines begin at the state’s Kyaukpyu Port, which will be upgraded by the Chinese. The Chinese will transport Burmese natural gas from the Shwe offshore field. China will also build a strategic road from Kyaukpyu to its southwest Yunnan Province.
“Chinese should listen not only to the junta’s voice but also the voices of ethnic groups in Burma, including the Arakanese people,” said Aye Thar Aung. “Arakanese people see that the Chinese projects in the state are not benefiting them, but the junta.”
He said the junta profits from Chinese investments and then buys arms to oppress its own people.
“The oppression of ethnic groups and dissidents increases instability in the country and along border areas that could backfire and threaten Chinese interests here,” he said.
One of the difficult issues in Sino-Burmese relations is the junta’s tension with ethnic cease-fire groups on the border, such as the United Wa State Army and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).
Officials of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) said Wen Jiabao should play a mediation role to create a peaceful solution between ethnic forces and the junta.
Col. James Lum Dau, the KIO deputy chief for foreign affairs, said that peace and stability in Burma is important for China’s interest.
“If there is no peace and stability in Burma, the Chinese could not do business here. So I think China wants peace and stability in Burma. Wen Jiabao will raise the issue when he meets with Burmese generals.”
Sources close to other ethnic groups along the Sino-Burmese border said they expect the Chinese leader would push generals in Naypyidaw to avoid using force on ethnic groups over the Border Guard Force issue and also warned that the result of instability on the border could badly affect China's interests.
According to Chinese experts on Burma, following the junta’s crackdown on the mass demonstrations in September 2007, China’s approach has become more restrained. It has regularly called on the military government to maintain domestic stability, promote national reconciliation and “unswervingly advance the process of democratization suited to the national realities” of Burma.
On Wednesday, state-run newspapers published a profile of the Chinese premier on the front page. Rangoon sources said security was tight in the city.
On Thursday, he was expected to go to the capital of Naypyidaw to meet Sen-Gnr Than Shwe and other senior military officials. He was then expected to attend an inauguration ceremony at the Myanmar [Burma] International Conference Centre in Naypyidaw, which was built and funded by China, before returning to Rangoon to fly back to China.
Ethnic group leaders may be disappointed on how far China may be willing to push Burma on reconciliation, analysts said.
“Just as the international community holds China responsible for North Korea, there are expectations that China will prod the junta to adopt political reforms, ease repression and urge free and fair elections,” said Jeff Kingston of Temple University's Japan campus.
“But it is unlikely that Wen Jiabao will meet these expectations because China's priority is stability, and it does not want to jeopardize plans to secure its energy needs and it strategic interests, such as using Burma as a listening post and for its port facilities,” he said.
Interest surrounding Wen Jiabao’s state visit appeared to be limited.
“For ordinary people, the electricity shortage here is more important than the Chinese leader's trip,” said a NGO worker in Rangoon.
Arakanese leader Aye Thar Aung told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that as Burma's closest ally and neighborhood, the Chinese leader should tell his counterparts to open the door for peaceful and inclusive solutions for a national reconciliation process to ensure stability.
“The crisis in Burma is due to the military rulers' one-way policy in politics,” said Aye Thar Aung, who is also secretary of the Committee Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP), an umbrella group of political and ethnic groups that won in the 1990 elections.
“Wen Jiabao should tell the Burmese generals to change their policy on national reconciliation. China is the most important ally for the junta. I think the junta listens to the Chinese even though they might not accept everything,” said Aye Thar Aung.
Arakan State is a strategic area for China. The Sino-Burma oil and gas pipelines begin at the state’s Kyaukpyu Port, which will be upgraded by the Chinese. The Chinese will transport Burmese natural gas from the Shwe offshore field. China will also build a strategic road from Kyaukpyu to its southwest Yunnan Province.
“Chinese should listen not only to the junta’s voice but also the voices of ethnic groups in Burma, including the Arakanese people,” said Aye Thar Aung. “Arakanese people see that the Chinese projects in the state are not benefiting them, but the junta.”
He said the junta profits from Chinese investments and then buys arms to oppress its own people.
“The oppression of ethnic groups and dissidents increases instability in the country and along border areas that could backfire and threaten Chinese interests here,” he said.
One of the difficult issues in Sino-Burmese relations is the junta’s tension with ethnic cease-fire groups on the border, such as the United Wa State Army and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).
Officials of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) said Wen Jiabao should play a mediation role to create a peaceful solution between ethnic forces and the junta.
Col. James Lum Dau, the KIO deputy chief for foreign affairs, said that peace and stability in Burma is important for China’s interest.
“If there is no peace and stability in Burma, the Chinese could not do business here. So I think China wants peace and stability in Burma. Wen Jiabao will raise the issue when he meets with Burmese generals.”
Sources close to other ethnic groups along the Sino-Burmese border said they expect the Chinese leader would push generals in Naypyidaw to avoid using force on ethnic groups over the Border Guard Force issue and also warned that the result of instability on the border could badly affect China's interests.
According to Chinese experts on Burma, following the junta’s crackdown on the mass demonstrations in September 2007, China’s approach has become more restrained. It has regularly called on the military government to maintain domestic stability, promote national reconciliation and “unswervingly advance the process of democratization suited to the national realities” of Burma.
On Wednesday, state-run newspapers published a profile of the Chinese premier on the front page. Rangoon sources said security was tight in the city.
On Thursday, he was expected to go to the capital of Naypyidaw to meet Sen-Gnr Than Shwe and other senior military officials. He was then expected to attend an inauguration ceremony at the Myanmar [Burma] International Conference Centre in Naypyidaw, which was built and funded by China, before returning to Rangoon to fly back to China.
Ethnic group leaders may be disappointed on how far China may be willing to push Burma on reconciliation, analysts said.
“Just as the international community holds China responsible for North Korea, there are expectations that China will prod the junta to adopt political reforms, ease repression and urge free and fair elections,” said Jeff Kingston of Temple University's Japan campus.
“But it is unlikely that Wen Jiabao will meet these expectations because China's priority is stability, and it does not want to jeopardize plans to secure its energy needs and it strategic interests, such as using Burma as a listening post and for its port facilities,” he said.
Interest surrounding Wen Jiabao’s state visit appeared to be limited.
“For ordinary people, the electricity shortage here is more important than the Chinese leader's trip,” said a NGO worker in Rangoon.
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