• GOVERNMENT HAS NOW FUNDS FOR PEACE!
• PARLIAMENT CALLS FOR INVOLVEMENT IN PEACE PROCESS!
• WA, BURMA ARMY ON COLLISION COURSE!

Cartoon
Tips for negotiators: One way to deal with disagreements!


Think Piece
I sometimes wonder whether the opium problem has not become a goose that lays golden eggs—enriching, on the one hand, the drug syndicates and traffickers and on the other providing multi-national and international bureaucracies with more jobs, funds and good living.

Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, The Shan of Burma, 1987

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The World
3 July 2013

Coup in Egypt. Prosecutor Adli Mansour installed as interim head of government. (Agencies)

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International Relations
2 July 2013

Lt-Gen Thein Htay, head of the Directorate of Defense Industries, named by US Treasury for sanctions for arms deal with North Korea. (AFP)

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Thai-Burma Relations
3 July 2013

Chiangmai provincial police chief says officials have arrested 215 migrants, seized 21 motorbikes, and a number of pistols on 1-2 July 2013. The arrests of illegal migrants not related to the Samurai gang problem, says an immigration official. (Irrawaddy)

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Politics/ Inside Burma
1 July 2013

Union Assembly Speaker Khin Aung Myint says adoption of the proportional representation (PR) system will not be discussed as the official request by the Elections Commission did not meet the parliamentary criteria. (Eleven Media)

1 July 2013
7th session of Union Parliament begins. (Xinhua)

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Ethnic Affairs
1 July 2013
National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) takes decision to use public funds rather than expecting international aid, according to Speaker Shwe Mann. Budget for peace process is already included in President Thein Sein’s special budget. (Eleven News Media)

2 July 2013

Lower House Speaker Shwe Mann calls for direct parliamentary involvement in the peace negotiations. Negative consequences could arise if agreements are not in accordance with law, he tells parliament. He also called a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) yesterday. (Irrawaddy)

3 July 2013

Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing will be personally negotiating with Wa leaders to resolve the problems between the two sides, says UWSA justice department head Ai Lu. The message was conveyed through telephone yesterday, according to him. (DVB)

3 July 2013
KIO technical advisory team has arrived in Myitkyina to facilitate further talks between the two sides. It is led by Gawlu La Awng, Deputy Foreign Affairs and include Colonels Hkun Nawng, Sinwa and Dau Hka. It will be in direct contact with Myanmar Peace Center (MPC). (KNG)

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Shans/ Shan State
3 July 2013
GIZ, a German organization, will be approached to improve the tea plantation system in Shan State, says Palaung Tea Planters Association chairman U Tun Myaing. (Yangon Times)

5 July 2013
Sao Aung Myat, Shan State chief minister, says reports of tensions with UWSA are only speculations and that the situation is stable. (Irrawaddy)

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Human Rights
4 July 2013
Netizens are free, but not safe, says blogger activist Nay Phone Latt, calling for amendment to 2004 Electronic Transactions Act. (Mizzima)

4 July 2013
Lower House approve Printers and Publishers Registration bill submitted by information ministry. The ministry will maintain authority to issue licenses as well as revoking them. Press Council says the government has broken its promise. (Irrawaddy)

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