Weekly Diary, No.631 (13-23 May 2013)
- US SIGNS STRATEGIC ROAD DEAL!
- CHINA VETOES US, UK PARTICIPATION IN KACHIN TALKS!
- CHINA LEARNS G-TO-G DEALINGS NOT ENOUGH!
- KYAT PLUNGES TO 946 TO THE DOLLAR!
- NEW RELEASES BEFORE THEIN SEIN’S WASHINGTON VISIT!
Tips for the politicians in Burma. Same question!
Think Piece
Derek Mitchell said there shouldn’t be any political prisoners if the government is carrying out real reform and real reconciliation.
Jimmy Kyaw Min Yu, Radio Free Asia, 15 May 2013
The so-called drug fighters at the (drug meeting in Naypyitaw) — from Thailand, China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam — didn’t even raise the subject (Why Myanmar pushed the deadline back by 5 years).. It is hardly credible that the national army cannot take action against known established drug factories.
Bangkok Post editorial, 15 May 2013
Politicians and analysts say allowing Wa to have own state can cause confusion:
- Are those living in Wa region genuine Wa nationals? It is necessary to monitor whether there are manipulators behind the demand. (Lower House MP Kyi Myint)
- Wa using Chinese as official language might change the union pattern
- Various ethnic groups live in Shan State. If the Wa is allowed to form an autonomous state, the whole union will be in a state of fragility. (Sao Aung Myint, Shan Descendent Force)
- Parliament should reconsider the designation of the Wa region as a Self Administered Division
- It is better to ask the public attitude. I said the public stance should be sought when the Wa region was granted to found a self-administered division. But the then government didn’t. (Hkun Htun Oo, leader of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy)
Eleven Media Group, 15 May 2013
In contemporary international relations, although we emphasize that “there are no eternal friends or eternal enemies, only eternal interests,” we should also add that “there are eternal neighbors,” because neighboring countries cannot move away.
People’s Daily, 16 May 2013
The US is offering a $ 5 million bounty for Uganda’s war criminal Joseph Kony. Why not a similar reward for Senior General Than Shwe?
Roland Watson, www.dictatorwatch.org, 20 May 2013
A recent report published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) documents the high amount of protein, good fats and minerals found in insects that may play a part in (winning) the Battle of the Bulge.
Bangkok Post, 24 May 2013
Previously, we’ve seen that most cases of land confiscation took place when the Burma Army took villagers’ land to build military coops or use it for military purposes. After the ceasefire agreement, land confiscation is now because of business or development projects.
Saw Albert, field director, Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), Karen News, 23 May 2013
The World
20 May 2013
9 heads of state from Thailand, Brunei, South Korea, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Georgia, Tajikistan and Vanuatu adopt Chiang Mai Declaration to prevent their economies and societies from flood and drought disasters. (Bangkok Post)
20 May 2013
US State Department releases annual global assessment on religious freedoms. Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) include China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Uzbekistan. (Bangkok Post)
20 May 2013
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) says Asian countries dispatched over 60 million migrants into the world who sent almost 260 billion dollars to their families in 2012. This represented 63% of global flows to developing countries. (IPS) Burma’s intake 556 million. (Bangkok Post)
International Relations
13 May 2013
88 Generation Students hold meetings with US ambassador Derek Mitchell and Chinese ambassador Yang Houlan. (RFA)
14 May 2013
China-Myanmar Round Table Conference on People-to-People Exchanges held in Kunming. It is attended by 60 representatives including Sun Jiazheng, president of China NGO Network for International Exchanges, and Ko Ko Hlaing, chief political advisor to President Thein Sein. (China.org)
16 May 2013
Burma ranked by US based Revenue Watch as the worst country in terms of resource governance. The highest ranking is Norway. (Statement)
19 May 2013
The army “will always have a special place” in government, President Thein Sein says ahead of a meeting with his US counterpart at the White House tomorrow. He makes “little attempt to promote a picture of vigorous reform” or “to sell himself as the pivotal leader who will turn the former prison state into a democracy.” (Washington Post/ Mizzima)
20 May 2013
President Obama tells his Burmese counterpart he appreciates the latter’s efforts to lead the country in a “long and difficult but correct path” to democracy. (AP)
20 May 2013
President Obama, after meeting with his Burmese counterpart, says repair of the Rangoon-Mandalay highway is included in the aid package the US will provide to Burma. (Irrawaddy)
21 May 2013
US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican, after meeting President Thein Sein, says he “will not be making an effort to renew those sanctions this year. We think enough progress has been made in Burma.” (Bloomberg)
21 May 2013
Aung San Suu Kyi, during a meeting with the media in Naypyitaw, says China should deal directly with the government instead of her when it comes to the stalled Myitsone project. (Eleven Media Group)
22 May 2013
Indonesian anti-terror unit Densus 88 arrests Sigit Indrajit, a man believed to be the mastermind behind Myanmar embassy bombing plot. (AFP)
24 May 2013
Japanese PM Shinzo Abe arrives in Rangoon on a 3-day trip. (AP)
24 May 2013
Beijing has ordered Chinese companies to embrace Western style corporate social responsibility practices and act humbly toward the people who live near their vaunted projects. (New York Times)
Thai-Burma Relations
13 May 2013
Hteekee border checkpoint opened linking Dawei with Kanchanaburi. (KIC)
22 May 2013
International Labor Rights Forum honors Burmese Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN) based in Bangkok and Thailand’s State Enterprises Workers Relations Confederation (SERC) for groundbreaking work in defending migrant workers. (Irrawaddy)
23 May 2013
Amnesty International (AI) annual report highlights 5 issues marked by human rights violations in Thailand: armed conflict in the south, lack of accountability for political violence; freedom of expression; refugees and migrants; and the death penalty. (Bangkok Post)
Politics/ Inside Burma
11 May 2013
Former PM Gen Khin Nyunt opens Nawaday Art Gallery in Rangoon.” (Irrawaddy)
20-21 May 2013
All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) meets U Aung Min, chief negotiator, for the second time. Both sides were “open” and “optimistic”, says ABSDF Kyaw Ko. (Irrawaddy)
Ethnic Affairs
23 May 2013
Kachin Consultative Assembly (WMR) meeting in Myitkyina releases statement the upcoming Naypyitaw-KIO peace talks scheduled for 28 May, should include terms of agreement at Panglong. (Mizzima)
23 May 2013
China’s objection has led to removal of the US and UK as observers in the 28 May Myitkyina peace talk, says San Aung, Peace Coordination Group (PCG). Apart from UN’s Vijay Nambiar, 9 ethnic groups have been invited: KNU, KNPP, CNF, PNLO, NMSP, SSPP, UWSP, RCSS and NDAA. (Eleven)
Shans/ Shan State
13 May 2013
Meeting U Aung Min, Naypyitaw’s chief negotiator at Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) in Rangoon, Shan leaders Htun Htun Oo and Sai Lao Hseng call for a nationwide ceasefire, and removal of the section 17-1 (Unlawful Association). (SHAN)
15 May 2013
RCSS/SSA leader Yawd Serk says the Burmese military should communicate with liaison offices to settle problems peacefully instead of resorting to force in violation of ceasefire. (SHAN)
16 May 2013
U Aung Min, a vice chairman of Union Peacemaking Work Committee, says a meeting between President Thein Sein and Restoration Council of Shan State chairman Yawd Serk is scheduled to take place earlier next month. (Mizzima)
17 May 2013
Two passengers suffer from broken arms after a Fokker plane of Myanmar Airways carrying 55 passengers went 200 meters of the runway in Monghsat. (State media)
17 May 2013
Section 17/1’s removal among the list of points brought up at the meeting at Myanmar Peace Center, says Maj Lao Hseng, Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS). “We need to meet with the public,” he says. “But even the political parties are afraid to communicate with us due to the law.” (Irrawaddy)
17-21 May 2013
PaO National Liberation Organization (PNLO) elects Khun Myint Tun as new president. Hkun Okker, outgoing president, retains job as PNLO representative to the UNFC alliance. Others elected include:
Col Khun Thurein -Vice President
Col Aung Kyaw -General Secretary
Khun Thomas -Joint General Secretary # 1
Nang Nwe Nwe -Joint General Secretary # 2
Khun Tin Shwe Oo - CEC member
Maj Khun Ohn Maung -CC member
Nang Hpyu Pya -CC member
Khun Tun Tin -CC member
Maj Khun Zoi Hto -CC member
Maj Khun Kyaw Htin -CC member
Khun Tun -Alternate CC member
Khun Nay Htoo -Alternate CC member
Khun Min Thein -Alternate CC member
Khun Hawng Myat -Alternate CC member
(Shwe Hin Tha)
20 May 2013
Sai Nyunt Lwin, General Secretary of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), says the United States has been too soft in addressing the issue of peace process. It has done almost nothing to bring peace and fighting still continues in non-Burman states. (Irrawaddy)
22 May 2013
Some 40 monks demonstrate in Taunggyi, a day after Htinyu Myaing Monastery on the Taunggyi-Hopong highway was demolished by authorities, who say it was built on forestry department land without permission. (Irrawaddy)
Economy/ Business
13 May 2013
Industry website Upstream quoting a Myanmar official says continued conflict will likely delay the first shipment of natural gas the China. Statement contrasts with comments made by Yunnan’s deputy governor last week that the pipeline will begin pumping natural gas in the first half of the year. (Mizzima)
19 May 2013
Through April, 253,136 foreign visitors arrived in Rangoon airport, 67,460 of them Europeans:
- 60% from Asia
- 64% tourists
20 May 2013
Myanmar textile exports rose 18% last year over 2011, totaling $ 946 million. (Bangkok Post)
22 May 2013
Matt Davies, IMF deputy Asia and Pacific chief, speaking in Rangoon, says Burma’s economy is on track to top 6% growth this year. But it must balance two divergent challenges: addressing massive development needs while maintaining macroeconomic stability. The military budget, for instance, though down in relative terms compared to previous years, increased in absolute terms to $ 2.4 billion in 2013. (Irrawaddy)
23 May 2013
Kyat drops to 946 to the dollar, as imports flood in. (Reuters)
Human Rights
16 May 2013
Sai Kyaw Ohn, MP, People’s Assembly, Namkham township, says list of damages are being compiled in the area affected by recent military campaign. At Nawng Kham village alone, the damage amounts to $ 175,000. (SHAN)
17 May 2013
23 prisoners released of which 19 are confirmed political prisoners. They are released without knowledge of whether their release is conditional or not. There are at least 164 political prisoners still behind bars and more than 150 individuals facing trial under political charge. (AAPP statement)
17 May 2013
Union Elections Commission (UEC) director Tin Maung Cho says Democracy and Human Rights Party (DHRP), formed last March, was ordered earlier this month to remove 6 of its CEC members for being “Rohingya”, non-citizen in Burma. (DVB)
19 May 2013
More than 50 NLD member forced at gun point by PaO People’s Militia Force (PMF) to resign in Lawksawk’s Satthay village. PMF angry with the NLD for working to reclaim land confiscated by the group. Three days earlier the NLD office at Mawkzarm village, Taunggyi township, also surrounded by the same PMF. Many NLD members have fled to Taunggyi. (DVB)
20 May 2013
The public service media bill, drafted by the information ministry, passed. Journalists say it is giving too much protection to the state-owned media. (Eleven Media Group)
22 May 2013
7 Shan NGOs call for a halt to the trans-Myanmar pipeline project in view of 9 May attack in Namkham township which has led to the displacement of more than 3,000 people. (Statement)
25 May 2013
Rakhine state spokesman Win Myaing says a two-child limit and a ban against polygamy for Rohingyas have been introduced last week to two townships: Buthidung and Maungdaw, about 95% of which are Muslims. Overpopulation is one of the causes of tension, he says. (AP)
Environment
13 May 2013
Death toll at the Kalaw goldmine cave-in on 2 May has risen to 36, according to a sub-contractor of Geo Asia company. 8 people still missing. (Irrawaddy)
13 May 2013
Greater Mekong Ecosystem Report, released by WWF earlier this moth, says information from satellite imagery finds increase in loss of forest in Myanmar of about 15% — from 49 million hectares to 42 million hectares — between 2002 and 2009. (Mizzima)
22 May 2013
A team of researchers and representatives of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) visits Thai villages on the bank of the Salween to carry out survey. Villagers told if Thailand doesn’t help build the dam, China would step in. (Irrawaddy)
23 May 2013
International Rivers, US-based NGO, submits petition to shareholders of Sinohydro corporation, that is developing Tasang and Hat Gyi hydropower projects on the Salween, to wait until peace negotiations are completed and stability has been established. (Irrawaddy)
Drugs
21 May 2013
New Mon State Party (NMSP) is running drug treatment centers. Nai Banya Lai, NMSP, says the group faces challenges:
- Few experienced workers
- Not enough facilities to treat people
War
10 May 2013
The United Wa State Army (UWSA) tells U Thein Zaw only an engineless helicopter was brought through Laos to show the public. There were no gunships, as reported by Jane’s Intelligence. (VOA)
12 May 2013
Military-owned Myawady newspaper justifies seizing SSA out post in Namkham last week on the basis that it “extended beyond” areas agreed. It also accuses rebels of building illegal settlements and confiscating farmlands. Shan spokesman Sai Hseng Murng says the military should contact the rebels through their liaison offices and not make false accusations. (DVB)
13 May 2013
RCSS/SSA guerrillas open fire at a compound of Myanmar Oil and Gas. Enterprise (MOGE) near the China pipeline, killing 2 and wounding 3. (New Light of Myanmar)
17 May 2013
Shan State Army (SSA) South mobile column attacked by Burma Army’s joint column made of up Infantry Battalions (IBs) 249 and 250. 9 killed and 15 wounded on the attacker’s side. The SSA that suffers 1 killed also captures 2 MA automatic rifles. The clash takes place in Hopong township. (www.panglong.org)
24 May 2013
Shan State Army (SSA)’s Lt-Col Yawd Murng, says he is “100%” sure it was not the SSA that killed 2 government employees at a Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) on 13 May near the Chinese border. (MT)
Tags: Weekly Diary
