Weekly Diary, No.490 (30 March-6 April 2012)
- ARAKANS 11TH GROUP TO JOIN CEASEFIRE CIRCLE!
- COALITION GOVERNMENT IN 2015?
- EASING, NOT LIFTING, OF SANCTIONS!
- WHAT DOES SHAN VICTORY IN LASHIO MEAN?
- BURMA ADOPTS CONTROL FLOAT SYSTEM OF CURRENCY!
Tips for the opposition: Nothing to worry if you’re smart!
Think Piece
Excerpt from Aung San Suu Kyi’s campaign speech, 14 March 2012
The three points the National League for Democracy has prioritized out of its main aims are the rule of law, internal peace and constitutional amendments.
We have to take three steps to end the civil war for peace: nationwide ceasefire, seek negotiations and solutions by holding political talks, and find common ground in order to build a genuine union based on equality which is the basis of Panglong as aspired by the national races.
TV Campaign Scripts by contesting parties, 14 March 2012
Federalism is not for secession, but to prevent it.
Dr Christina Fink, reported by BBC, 28 March 2012
The NLD poll loss in Shan State to the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNDP) sends out a signal that minority issues remain a strong factor in Myanmar politics.
Achara Ashayagachat, Bangkok Post, 3 April 2012
Who’s Thein Sein?
Not ambitious, not decisive, not charismatic, but very sincere. (Nay Win Maung)
It was Mr Thein Sein’s sincerity about reform that persuaded her to re-enter politics last year. (Aung San Suu Kyi)
The changes have been ad hoc. There’s been no strategy. It’s been personality-based (Nay Win Maung)
New York Times, 4 April 2012
5 Reasons to visit Burma
- To walk the longest teak bridge: U Bein, outside Mandalay
- To see beauty of Pagan
- To see the Shwe Dagon
- To embrace Buddhism
- To sleep on Inlay Lake
As Myanmar pushes for sanctions to be lifted to unleash a wave of foreign investment, a power-sharing government after the 2015 elections is seen as the best hope for stability. “A coalition is possible,” says Vahu Development Institute’s Aung Naing Oo.
Reuters, 6 April 2012
The World
1 April 2012
Deposed dictator Moammar Gadhafi leaves behind a patchwork of local rivalries. The Libyan National Transitional Authority, with a nascent army and police force, relies on militias to keep the peace. Six days of tribal clashes in Sabha has killed 147 people and wounded 395, says health minister Fatma al-Hamrush. (AP)
6 April 2012
Bosnia marks 20th anniversary of the siege of Sarajevo. It is still divided, power shared between Orthodox Serbs, Catholic Croats and Muslim Bosniaks in a single state ruled by ethnic quotas and united by the weakest of central governments. Its strict system of ethnic quotas is regarded as discriminatory by European Court of Human Rights. (Reuters)
International Relations
2 April 2012
Reactions to election-outcome
- Asian FMs welcome Burma’s “orderly” elections “despite complaints of irregularities and intimidation”
- European Union indicates it is looking at “easing of sanctions”
- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says it is “too early to know” whether the progress “will be sustained”
4 April 2012
Diplomats say EU countries are divided over how fast to remove remaining sanctions, with Germany and Italy among those pushing for scrapping the measures immediately while Britain and France are part of a group favoring a more gradual easing. (Reuters)
4 April 2012
Secretary of state Hillary Clinton says the US will ease restrictions on investment to Burma and move quickly to name an ambassador after landmark elections. (AFP)
5 April 2012
5 steps the United States will take to improve relations with Burma.
- To appoint an ambassador in Rangoon
- To establish in-country USAID mission
- To enable private US organizations to pursue broad range of non-profit activities
- To facilitate travel to the US for select government and parliament officials
- Easing of ban on export of US financial services and investment
6 April 2012
Derek Mitchell, special envoy, nominated as ambassador to Burma. (Financial Times)
Thai-Burma Relations
2 April 2012
A March 22 research note from New York-based Eurasia Group says Thai firms are likely to see a tightening of the labor market with fewer Burmese laborers willing to migrate to Thailand as things and investments improve in Burma. (Wall Street Journal)
Politics/ Inside Burma
27 March 2012
Upper House MP U Phone Myint Aung says there are reports that retired Senior General Than Shwe is getting K 10 million retirement pay each month plus K 230 million gratuity. (BBC)
1 April 2012
Burma holds “historic” by-elections. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party claim victory in Kawhmu and 43 other constituencies. It has filed more than 50 complaints with the EC by midday. Most all edged violations concerned waxed ballot papers that makes it difficult to mark votes. There are also ballot cards that lack the EC’s seal which will render them invalid. (Bangkok Post / Agencies)
2 April 2012
State-owned TV confirms NLD’s landslide victory: 40 out of 45 seats, including the 4 seats in Naypyitaw. (Agencies)
2 April 2012
Suu Kyi, addressing a crowd of supporters, hopes other parties “will be in a position to cooperate with us.” (BBC)
3 April 2012
Official by-election results:
NLD 43 seats
USDP 1 seat
SNDP 1 seat
(Agencies)
6 April 2012
USDP has filed complaints about 123 incidents of intimidation by the NLD and election irregularities in Rangoon constituencies. (Financial Times)
Ethnic Affaris
4 April 2012
16 member KNU delegation led by Zipporah Sein meets 15 member Naypyitaw delegation led by U Aung Min in Pa-an. Main topics include developing a code-of-conduct for soldiers for both sides and to set up liaison offices. Naypyitaw says troops are bound by its 60 point Code of Conduct. (BNI)
5 April 2012
Arakan Liberation Party concludes truce with Naypyitaw. (Reuters / Agencies)
6 April 2012
A commitment to end conflict across the country included in the 13 point peace plan negotiated by KNU and government. Both agree a code of conduct to ensure civilian safety, while “necessary plans will be made for resettlement of IDPs.” Demining will also be undertaken, according to a joint statement. (AFP)
Shans/ Shan State
2 April 2012
Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) wins Upper House seat despite strong showing by NLD and USDP in Shan State North. (SHAN)
26 March 2012
China cuts range of cellphone signals that suspends online gambling by Chinese citizens in Mongla. (SHAN) The date is still being checked – Editor
Economy/ Business
1 April 2012
Finance and Revenue Ministry introduces new tax system:
- 100,000-500,000 kyat earners 1% tax
- Every additional 500,000 kyat 1% increase
- 20 million kyat earner 20% tax
1 April 2012
Foreigners or citizens may now bring up to $10,000 into Burma without declaring it at customs on arrival, effective as of today. Previously anyone bringing in more than $2,000 had to declare it at customs on arrival. (Mizzima)
2 April 2012
Burma Central Bank sets exchange rate as 818 kyat to the dollar. (Mizzima/Reuters) Laos’ Kip is around 9,000 to the dollar – Editor
6 April 2012
New Light of Myanmar reports signing of production sharing contract in Naypyitaw between Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), Malaysia’s Petronus and Myanmar private firm UNOG on exploration of two inland blocks, RSF-2 and RSF-3. (Bernama)
Human Rights
5 April 2012
ILO has been allowed to begin sustained operations in volatile areas. The defense ministry has also endorsed the move. (DVB)
Environment
6 April 2012
UK based Lancet medical journal published today says artemisinin, the most effective drug to treat malaria, is being increasingly resisted by a new strain that has spread along the Thai-Myanmar border. (Reuters)
4 April 2012
In a letter dated 28 March, local authorities request importation of materials to restart the $ 3.6 billion Myitsone dam project. (DVB)
Drugs
1 April 2012
Thailand’s FBI boss Tarit Pengdith has told the public a former minister of public health directed or participated in an operation to supply meth drug gangs in Myanmar with pseudo ephedrine. (Bangkok Post)
War
3 April 2012
State-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar addresses Min Aung Hlaing for the first time as Vice Senior General. (Irrawaddy/Mizzima)
Tags: Weekly Diary
