HELPING HAND: Australia gives Burma aid, lifts sanctions
AUSTRALIA will lift its travel and financial sanctions on Burma to encourage the country's ongoing democracy movement, Foreign Minister Bob Carr has announced.
http://ping.fm/jeMb9
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
Myanmar fossil find turns human history on its head - our earliest ancestors came from Asia, not Africa
Read more: http://ping.fm/Q6gCk
Read more: http://ping.fm/Q6gCk
We would like to call for world leaders, international media and all truth loving people to give careful consideration
Bangladesh migrated to Myanmar (Burma) illegally by just crossing the porous border by all methods because of population explosion in Former East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
They have never been an original ethnic group of Myanmar (Burma) according to our history as well as international history. They are from Bangladesh and should be named as Bangladeshi Bengali but definitely not the Rohingya. They have created the term "Rohingya' which has a meaning "the natives Arakan" in Bengali language Chittagaung dialect (Rohan = Arakan and "Gya" or "Ja" means "Native").
That's why the real Arakanese (Rakhaings) and Burmese cannot accept that term. As we mentioned earlier, there has never been such an ethnic group in Burmese and also in Indo-Pakistani history.
The other fact is that those Bengali people (So called Rohingya) have the connection with the Terrorists such as Taliban, Religious Extremists and Islamist Militants which was revealed by Wikileaks. Besides, those so called Rohingyas are also involving in human trafficking.
(See details in http://ping.fm/2Nz4e Rangoon1310.html ).
Some people may argue that these Chittagonian Bengalis can have a similar destiny to the Muslims in UK. After living for generations these Pakistani, Arabs and Indians had become British Citizens. Yes, however, these immigrants in Britain are not demanding their National Territory. Nor they are demanding a separate Ethnic Identity, like Scottish, Irish and Wales. They are not calling for a national area for themselves even in the North Sea. They call themselves British. Similar to that case, those Bengali can have the identity of Chittagonian Burmese or Bengali-Burmese or Burmese Citizens of Bengali origin or more specifically, Burmese Citizens of Chittagonian-Bengali origin.
For the citizenship issue, Burma would give careful consideration on those people if one can produce all essentials documents to prove that they are entitled to have the Burmese citizenship in accord with Burma immigration laws. We would like to highlight here that so-called Rohingya issue is not the human rights issue of Burma but all about illegal immigration issue. Burmese people won't be happy if thousands of illegal Bengali immigrants stealing Burmese identity by claiming themselves Burmese by creating fake ethnic group with their lies history.
We are not against Burmese Muslim people and their religion in Burma. We just can't accept those Bengali people from Bangladesh trying to occupy the Arakan State ( Rakhaing State ) as well as creating the name "Rohingya" (Please see above explanation of meaning) and demanding worldwide to accept them as one of the genuine ethnic group from Burma who faced severe suppressions by the Burmese military regime. Not only they, but also almost all people in Burma, including Buddhist monks have been facing severe suppressions.
Also we would like to point out here that those Bengali people claiming Asylum in third countries are most likely from the Bangladeshi side of the border not from the Arakan State of Burma since some 'Rohingya gangs' in Bangladesh are involving in human trafficking. This is the most dangerous threat to the World security.
We would like to call for international community to stop labelling Rohingya part of Burma's ethnics group. We would like to highlight here that Rohingya issue is not about human rights issue of Burma but about illegal immigration issue. We would like to call for world leaders, international media and all truth loving people to give careful consideration on our raising issues.
Bangladesh migrated to Myanmar (Burma) illegally by just crossing the porous border by all methods because of population explosion in Former East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
They have never been an original ethnic group of Myanmar (Burma) according to our history as well as international history. They are from Bangladesh and should be named as Bangladeshi Bengali but definitely not the Rohingya. They have created the term "Rohingya' which has a meaning "the natives Arakan" in Bengali language Chittagaung dialect (Rohan = Arakan and "Gya" or "Ja" means "Native").
That's why the real Arakanese (Rakhaings) and Burmese cannot accept that term. As we mentioned earlier, there has never been such an ethnic group in Burmese and also in Indo-Pakistani history.
The other fact is that those Bengali people (So called Rohingya) have the connection with the Terrorists such as Taliban, Religious Extremists and Islamist Militants which was revealed by Wikileaks. Besides, those so called Rohingyas are also involving in human trafficking.
(See details in http://ping.fm/2Nz4e Rangoon1310.html ).
Some people may argue that these Chittagonian Bengalis can have a similar destiny to the Muslims in UK. After living for generations these Pakistani, Arabs and Indians had become British Citizens. Yes, however, these immigrants in Britain are not demanding their National Territory. Nor they are demanding a separate Ethnic Identity, like Scottish, Irish and Wales. They are not calling for a national area for themselves even in the North Sea. They call themselves British. Similar to that case, those Bengali can have the identity of Chittagonian Burmese or Bengali-Burmese or Burmese Citizens of Bengali origin or more specifically, Burmese Citizens of Chittagonian-Bengali origin.
For the citizenship issue, Burma would give careful consideration on those people if one can produce all essentials documents to prove that they are entitled to have the Burmese citizenship in accord with Burma immigration laws. We would like to highlight here that so-called Rohingya issue is not the human rights issue of Burma but all about illegal immigration issue. Burmese people won't be happy if thousands of illegal Bengali immigrants stealing Burmese identity by claiming themselves Burmese by creating fake ethnic group with their lies history.
We are not against Burmese Muslim people and their religion in Burma. We just can't accept those Bengali people from Bangladesh trying to occupy the Arakan State ( Rakhaing State ) as well as creating the name "Rohingya" (Please see above explanation of meaning) and demanding worldwide to accept them as one of the genuine ethnic group from Burma who faced severe suppressions by the Burmese military regime. Not only they, but also almost all people in Burma, including Buddhist monks have been facing severe suppressions.
Also we would like to point out here that those Bengali people claiming Asylum in third countries are most likely from the Bangladeshi side of the border not from the Arakan State of Burma since some 'Rohingya gangs' in Bangladesh are involving in human trafficking. This is the most dangerous threat to the World security.
We would like to call for international community to stop labelling Rohingya part of Burma's ethnics group. We would like to highlight here that Rohingya issue is not about human rights issue of Burma but about illegal immigration issue. We would like to call for world leaders, international media and all truth loving people to give careful consideration on our raising issues.
Sunday, 3 June 2012
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Lord Strathclyde and Lieutenant-General David Leakey to value “human-rights” more than the “building” http://www.bdcburma.org
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Aung San Suu Kyi calls for urgent reforms in first international speech
Aung San Suu Kyi urged Burma's government to carry out urgent judicial reform to cement recent political progress and foster clean investment in the country.
Addressing world business leaders in Bangkok in her first international engagement after more than two decades of isolation, Suu Kyi said Burma needed the "rule of law" more than legal safeguards for foreign investors.
"Investors in Burma, please be warned – even the best investment law would be of no use whatsoever if there is no court clean enough and independent enough to be able to administer these laws justly," she said.
"Good laws already exist in Burma but we do not have a clean and independent judicial system. Unless we have such a system it is no use having the best laws in the world."
Companies are hungrily eyeing resource-rich Burma since political reforms prompted some international sanctions to be eased.
But in her 15 minute address to the World Economic Forum on East Asia, Suu Kyi seized the chance to call for an ethical approach from the assembled foreign business chiefs and Asian political leaders.
Calling for a "healthy scepticism" towards Burma's creeping reform under the quasi-civilian government, she decried a lack of change to the country's broken legal system and asked delegates to think "deeply" about what is good for Burma.
"For a moment please don't think too much of the benefit investment will bring to investors.
"We don't want investment to mean further corruption. and greater inequality."
Instead she said it was integral to empower civic society and create jobs to defuse a "time bomb" of high youth unemployment.
Suu Kyi has stolen the show at the Bangkok forum, drawing crowds of well-wishers and photographers, during her first trip abroad in 24 years.
Having spent 15 of the past 22 years under house arrest, she has taken an increasingly global role as Burma sheds its pariah status, meeting top world dignitaries in Rangoon and encouraging easing of Western economic sanctions.
Analysts say that foreign travel will give Suu Kyi greater access to a global community eager to see her in person and allow her to meet ordinary people as well as world leaders.
Reflecting on her trip after decades inside Burma, the pro-democracy leader said as she flew into Bangkok she was struck by the city's illuminated nightscape.
"I had just left a Burma that was suffering electricity cuts ... I thought thirty years ago the scene that met my eyes landing in Bangkok, would not have been very different from landing in Rangoon."
After Friday's speech she will attend a forum session on Asian women.
Since arriving in neighbouring Thailand on Tuesday, the pro-democracy icon has followed a hectic schedule, shuttling between forum meetings and trips to visit Burma migrants.
Europe is next on the horizon, where Suu Kyi will address an International Labour Organisation conference in Geneva and give a speech in Oslo to finally accept the Nobel Prize she was awarded in 1991.
She also intends to travel to Britain, where she lived for years with her family, and will address parliament in London.
Source: agencies
Aung San Suu Kyi urged Burma's government to carry out urgent judicial reform to cement recent political progress and foster clean investment in the country.
Addressing world business leaders in Bangkok in her first international engagement after more than two decades of isolation, Suu Kyi said Burma needed the "rule of law" more than legal safeguards for foreign investors.
"Investors in Burma, please be warned – even the best investment law would be of no use whatsoever if there is no court clean enough and independent enough to be able to administer these laws justly," she said.
"Good laws already exist in Burma but we do not have a clean and independent judicial system. Unless we have such a system it is no use having the best laws in the world."
Companies are hungrily eyeing resource-rich Burma since political reforms prompted some international sanctions to be eased.
But in her 15 minute address to the World Economic Forum on East Asia, Suu Kyi seized the chance to call for an ethical approach from the assembled foreign business chiefs and Asian political leaders.
Calling for a "healthy scepticism" towards Burma's creeping reform under the quasi-civilian government, she decried a lack of change to the country's broken legal system and asked delegates to think "deeply" about what is good for Burma.
"For a moment please don't think too much of the benefit investment will bring to investors.
"We don't want investment to mean further corruption. and greater inequality."
Instead she said it was integral to empower civic society and create jobs to defuse a "time bomb" of high youth unemployment.
Suu Kyi has stolen the show at the Bangkok forum, drawing crowds of well-wishers and photographers, during her first trip abroad in 24 years.
Having spent 15 of the past 22 years under house arrest, she has taken an increasingly global role as Burma sheds its pariah status, meeting top world dignitaries in Rangoon and encouraging easing of Western economic sanctions.
Analysts say that foreign travel will give Suu Kyi greater access to a global community eager to see her in person and allow her to meet ordinary people as well as world leaders.
Reflecting on her trip after decades inside Burma, the pro-democracy leader said as she flew into Bangkok she was struck by the city's illuminated nightscape.
"I had just left a Burma that was suffering electricity cuts ... I thought thirty years ago the scene that met my eyes landing in Bangkok, would not have been very different from landing in Rangoon."
After Friday's speech she will attend a forum session on Asian women.
Since arriving in neighbouring Thailand on Tuesday, the pro-democracy icon has followed a hectic schedule, shuttling between forum meetings and trips to visit Burma migrants.
Europe is next on the horizon, where Suu Kyi will address an International Labour Organisation conference in Geneva and give a speech in Oslo to finally accept the Nobel Prize she was awarded in 1991.
She also intends to travel to Britain, where she lived for years with her family, and will address parliament in London.
Source: agencies
Burma Govt Wants Investment Focus Away from Natural Resources
BANGKOK—Burma’s Energy Minister Than Htay on Friday told a Bangkok audience of international business leaders and government officials that the government wants to change the country’s foreign investment focus away from oil and gas toward more job-intensive sectors.
“Huge amounts of foreign investment are likely to come,” said the minister, but nonetheless “the government wants to replace resource-based foreign investment with production-based investment.”
With Western sanctions relaxed or suspended, the Burmese government is hopeful of coaxing a variety of investors into Burma with a proposed new foreign investment law and special economic zones tied to seaports at Dawei, Thiliha and Kyaukpyu.
Reading from a prepared statement to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Bangkok, the minister expounded on “The Promise and Future of Myanmar,” talking-up the country’s recent political reforms and urging investors and tourists to put Burma on their to-do lists for the near future.
Minister Than Htay said that investment needs to create jobs for ordinary Burmese, adding that “the government wants to improve living standards for all Burmese and is not just trying to improve GDP.”
For that to happen, however, will take time and work, say analysts. In a press conference at the WEF earlier Friday, Nobel economics laureate Prof Joseph Stiglitz cautioned that Burma “needs the creation of a whole set of legal frameworks to get plugged into the global economy,” mentioning land law and intellectual property rights.
Burma is rich in gas, oil, gemstones and hydropower, and investment to date has largely focused on these extractive sectors, prompting fears that Burma could succumb to a “resource curse” that has seen resource-dependent economies elsewhere fall prey to corruption, civil conflict and poverty.
Prof. Stiglitz, who visited Burma in February, warned that “Myanmar needs to make sure that natural resources are used in ways to avoid the resource curse and make it a blessing.”
Burma’s landscape and physical beauty is a largely untapped resource that the government hopes to capitalize on. With a minuscule few hundred thousands tourists visiting each year, the Burma government hopes to eat into a market that not only sees neighbouring Thailand attract between 15-20 million visitors per annum, with other countries such as Vietnam and Philippines pulling in 4-5 million each.
“Myanmar is an exceedingly-attractive tourist destination,” said the minister. “We have historical monuments, rivers, beaches, flora and fauna, and unique to southeast Asia, have high mountains for adventure-seeking tourists.”
Aung San Suu Kyi sat quietly in the front row during the minister’s speech, which was not followed with a question and answer session aside from a couple of issues raised by WEF head Klaus Schwab.
Earlier, at a press conference on Friday morning, Suu Kyi said she was looking forward to the minister’s speech, in the wake of mass candlelit protests in Burma in recent weeks over ongoing electricity shortages.
Despite billions of dollars in gas, oil and hydropower revenue, an estimated 75 percent of Burma’s people do not have electricity. With that in mind, Suu Kyi recounted how she was invited to the cockpit by the pilot during her flight to Bangkok on Tuesday evening, telling that she was captivated by the canopy of lights beneath as the flight approached the vast Thai capital. Noting the contrast with dimly lit Rangoon, she said that “the difference is considerable,” alluding to the disparity in development between the two cities.
Than Htay listed Burma’s political reforms to the WEF, citing four separate amnesties for political prisoners, the creation of laws that “protect the right of citizens to peaceful assembly, and the beginning of peace processes with Burma’s armed ethnic groups that the government hopes “will bring eternal peace.”
In the wake of these reforms, Western economic sanctions on Burma have been relaxed or suspended. Speaking on Friday morning, Suu Kyi said, “I support suspension of sanctions as it shows that reforms will be rewarded,” but warned that the government and investors must be transparent about investment in Burma in future. “The reason we had problems with Dawei and other projects is that the people of Burma were kept completely in the dark,” she said.
Minister Than Htay spoke at the WEF in place of President Thein Sein who postponed his visit to Thailand until next week in the wake of the announcement that Suu Kyi would travel to Thailand for the WEF. The minister relayed an invitation from President Thein Sein for the WEF to stage its 2013 Asia event in Burma, which was accepted by WEF head Klaus Schwab.
http://ping.fm/zYR7L
BANGKOK—Burma’s Energy Minister Than Htay on Friday told a Bangkok audience of international business leaders and government officials that the government wants to change the country’s foreign investment focus away from oil and gas toward more job-intensive sectors.
“Huge amounts of foreign investment are likely to come,” said the minister, but nonetheless “the government wants to replace resource-based foreign investment with production-based investment.”
With Western sanctions relaxed or suspended, the Burmese government is hopeful of coaxing a variety of investors into Burma with a proposed new foreign investment law and special economic zones tied to seaports at Dawei, Thiliha and Kyaukpyu.
Reading from a prepared statement to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Bangkok, the minister expounded on “The Promise and Future of Myanmar,” talking-up the country’s recent political reforms and urging investors and tourists to put Burma on their to-do lists for the near future.
Minister Than Htay said that investment needs to create jobs for ordinary Burmese, adding that “the government wants to improve living standards for all Burmese and is not just trying to improve GDP.”
For that to happen, however, will take time and work, say analysts. In a press conference at the WEF earlier Friday, Nobel economics laureate Prof Joseph Stiglitz cautioned that Burma “needs the creation of a whole set of legal frameworks to get plugged into the global economy,” mentioning land law and intellectual property rights.
Burma is rich in gas, oil, gemstones and hydropower, and investment to date has largely focused on these extractive sectors, prompting fears that Burma could succumb to a “resource curse” that has seen resource-dependent economies elsewhere fall prey to corruption, civil conflict and poverty.
Prof. Stiglitz, who visited Burma in February, warned that “Myanmar needs to make sure that natural resources are used in ways to avoid the resource curse and make it a blessing.”
Burma’s landscape and physical beauty is a largely untapped resource that the government hopes to capitalize on. With a minuscule few hundred thousands tourists visiting each year, the Burma government hopes to eat into a market that not only sees neighbouring Thailand attract between 15-20 million visitors per annum, with other countries such as Vietnam and Philippines pulling in 4-5 million each.
“Myanmar is an exceedingly-attractive tourist destination,” said the minister. “We have historical monuments, rivers, beaches, flora and fauna, and unique to southeast Asia, have high mountains for adventure-seeking tourists.”
Aung San Suu Kyi sat quietly in the front row during the minister’s speech, which was not followed with a question and answer session aside from a couple of issues raised by WEF head Klaus Schwab.
Earlier, at a press conference on Friday morning, Suu Kyi said she was looking forward to the minister’s speech, in the wake of mass candlelit protests in Burma in recent weeks over ongoing electricity shortages.
Despite billions of dollars in gas, oil and hydropower revenue, an estimated 75 percent of Burma’s people do not have electricity. With that in mind, Suu Kyi recounted how she was invited to the cockpit by the pilot during her flight to Bangkok on Tuesday evening, telling that she was captivated by the canopy of lights beneath as the flight approached the vast Thai capital. Noting the contrast with dimly lit Rangoon, she said that “the difference is considerable,” alluding to the disparity in development between the two cities.
Than Htay listed Burma’s political reforms to the WEF, citing four separate amnesties for political prisoners, the creation of laws that “protect the right of citizens to peaceful assembly, and the beginning of peace processes with Burma’s armed ethnic groups that the government hopes “will bring eternal peace.”
In the wake of these reforms, Western economic sanctions on Burma have been relaxed or suspended. Speaking on Friday morning, Suu Kyi said, “I support suspension of sanctions as it shows that reforms will be rewarded,” but warned that the government and investors must be transparent about investment in Burma in future. “The reason we had problems with Dawei and other projects is that the people of Burma were kept completely in the dark,” she said.
Minister Than Htay spoke at the WEF in place of President Thein Sein who postponed his visit to Thailand until next week in the wake of the announcement that Suu Kyi would travel to Thailand for the WEF. The minister relayed an invitation from President Thein Sein for the WEF to stage its 2013 Asia event in Burma, which was accepted by WEF head Klaus Schwab.
http://ping.fm/zYR7L
Thursday, 17 May 2012
G8 to tackle Syria, NKorea, Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar
Source: Agence France-Presse
MYANMAR
The G8 aims to support further efforts toward democratic reform and national reconciliation in Myanmar. The G8 are considering easing sanctions to support reform and eventually end the country's international isolation.
They will likely keep pressing Myanmar to enact further reforms, release all remaining political prisoners, end all violence in ethnic minority areas, provide humanitarian access to conflict zones and cut military ties with North Korea.
Source: Agence France-Presse
MYANMAR
The G8 aims to support further efforts toward democratic reform and national reconciliation in Myanmar. The G8 are considering easing sanctions to support reform and eventually end the country's international isolation.
They will likely keep pressing Myanmar to enact further reforms, release all remaining political prisoners, end all violence in ethnic minority areas, provide humanitarian access to conflict zones and cut military ties with North Korea.
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) on Peace in Kachinland
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) on Peace in Kachin land and Peace in Burma (RFA/Burmese 15 may 2012)
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Burmese government, parliamentarians and all the people to work the utmost possible to achieve peace reality in Kachin land.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) call for Burmese military to stop offensive against Kachin troops who are fighting for equal rights for Kachin people.
Especially, we would like to press here that Burmese President U Thein Sein had called for halting offensive in Kachin state but we are very sad to learn that there are increase fighting between Burmese military and Kachin army even after his presidential order.
We are very much concerned that as the results civilians; especially children, women and elderly are paying the price dearly. These disadvantaged people fleeing from the fighting between two armies are facing very difficult hardships. We would like to call for international community to take every action possible helping these IDPs who desperately need food, shelter and medicine.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is very sad to learn that there is no sign of reaching peace agreement yet between Kachin Independence Army and Burmese Army but, for the sake of the people and for the sake of the peace in Burma, we would like to call for all parties concerned to work finding peaceful solution by settling differences through dialogue.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) understands that KIO has requested the Burmese army to honour previous ceasefire agreement by repositioning troops i.e. to withdraw Burmese troops from areas close to Kachin administrative capital Laiza and Headquarter Pa Jau.
According to the Kachinland News http://ping.fm/J0HHV “Burmese Army prepares to launch a major offensive against Kachin’s administrative capital Laiza. Burmese soldiers from various Battalions took a stronghold in preparation of a major assault on Kachin headquarters including transporting heavy artilleries to front lines. Burmese Army transported food rations and military equipment to its post at Pajau hill by using helicopters as well as Burmese Army’s Bureau of Air Defence got 3 fighter jets ready at Nampong Air Force Base in Myitkyina for upcoming assault on KIA”.
These actions are contrary to the agreements of “Ruili’s meetings” which agreed to reduce the scale of hostilities leading towards attaining mutual understanding. But, the actions taken by Burmese army not only increase the hostility but also proofing that how Burmese generals are ignorant of suffering of the people of Kachin.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) wholeheartedly supports KIO’s legitimate demands and we would like to call for Burmese government to honour the KIO’s request in order to build confidence between two parties.
It is really contrary that President U Thein Sein is speaking reform and Burmese generals are waging war against KIA to eliminate their very existence.
Burmese Government must stop attacking Kachin people and if they are willing to do it -- then there will always be the ways to get there. We must take action in Kachin state now before too late.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) truly believes that dialogue is the only viable solution to achieve the peace in Kachinland, Burma.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) would like to take this opportunity to express our position that we believe in dialogue and we believe in harmony in diversity. Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) believes in respecting peaceful co-existing between people with different ideas, beliefs, language, religion and customs.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Burmese government, parliamentarians and all the people to work the utmost possible to achieve peace reality in Kachin land and in the whole Burma.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for the Burmese government and Burma Army to:
* stop reinforcing its troops and military hardware to conflict areas
* stop their offensive assault against KIA
* withdraw its troops from areas close to Kachin administrative capital Laiza and Headquarter Pa Jau
* withdraw its troops to the line agreed on in a 1994 ceasefire agreement to show that its peace initiatives are sincere and genuine
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) earnestly calls for Burmese government and Burma Army to honour above legitimate demands of the KIA/KNO.
We truly believe that Burmese government and Burma Army got more responsibility to show that they are committed to peace in Kachinland.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) truly believes that by honouring above demands, Burmese government can proof by action that they are truly committed to reform and to restore peace in Burma.
Honouring above demands are the must to build trust between two fighting armies leading towards ceasefire and eventually achieving peace reality in Burma.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)
http://ping.fm/GkFER
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) on Peace in Kachin land and Peace in Burma (RFA/Burmese 15 may 2012)
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Burmese government, parliamentarians and all the people to work the utmost possible to achieve peace reality in Kachin land.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) call for Burmese military to stop offensive against Kachin troops who are fighting for equal rights for Kachin people.
Especially, we would like to press here that Burmese President U Thein Sein had called for halting offensive in Kachin state but we are very sad to learn that there are increase fighting between Burmese military and Kachin army even after his presidential order.
We are very much concerned that as the results civilians; especially children, women and elderly are paying the price dearly. These disadvantaged people fleeing from the fighting between two armies are facing very difficult hardships. We would like to call for international community to take every action possible helping these IDPs who desperately need food, shelter and medicine.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is very sad to learn that there is no sign of reaching peace agreement yet between Kachin Independence Army and Burmese Army but, for the sake of the people and for the sake of the peace in Burma, we would like to call for all parties concerned to work finding peaceful solution by settling differences through dialogue.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) understands that KIO has requested the Burmese army to honour previous ceasefire agreement by repositioning troops i.e. to withdraw Burmese troops from areas close to Kachin administrative capital Laiza and Headquarter Pa Jau.
According to the Kachinland News http://ping.fm/J0HHV “Burmese Army prepares to launch a major offensive against Kachin’s administrative capital Laiza. Burmese soldiers from various Battalions took a stronghold in preparation of a major assault on Kachin headquarters including transporting heavy artilleries to front lines. Burmese Army transported food rations and military equipment to its post at Pajau hill by using helicopters as well as Burmese Army’s Bureau of Air Defence got 3 fighter jets ready at Nampong Air Force Base in Myitkyina for upcoming assault on KIA”.
These actions are contrary to the agreements of “Ruili’s meetings” which agreed to reduce the scale of hostilities leading towards attaining mutual understanding. But, the actions taken by Burmese army not only increase the hostility but also proofing that how Burmese generals are ignorant of suffering of the people of Kachin.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) wholeheartedly supports KIO’s legitimate demands and we would like to call for Burmese government to honour the KIO’s request in order to build confidence between two parties.
It is really contrary that President U Thein Sein is speaking reform and Burmese generals are waging war against KIA to eliminate their very existence.
Burmese Government must stop attacking Kachin people and if they are willing to do it -- then there will always be the ways to get there. We must take action in Kachin state now before too late.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) truly believes that dialogue is the only viable solution to achieve the peace in Kachinland, Burma.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) would like to take this opportunity to express our position that we believe in dialogue and we believe in harmony in diversity. Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) believes in respecting peaceful co-existing between people with different ideas, beliefs, language, religion and customs.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Burmese government, parliamentarians and all the people to work the utmost possible to achieve peace reality in Kachin land and in the whole Burma.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for the Burmese government and Burma Army to:
* stop reinforcing its troops and military hardware to conflict areas
* stop their offensive assault against KIA
* withdraw its troops from areas close to Kachin administrative capital Laiza and Headquarter Pa Jau
* withdraw its troops to the line agreed on in a 1994 ceasefire agreement to show that its peace initiatives are sincere and genuine
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) earnestly calls for Burmese government and Burma Army to honour above legitimate demands of the KIA/KNO.
We truly believe that Burmese government and Burma Army got more responsibility to show that they are committed to peace in Kachinland.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) truly believes that by honouring above demands, Burmese government can proof by action that they are truly committed to reform and to restore peace in Burma.
Honouring above demands are the must to build trust between two fighting armies leading towards ceasefire and eventually achieving peace reality in Burma.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)
http://ping.fm/GkFER
Attn;
NLD
Dear friends;
We would like to consult your NLD's current process on "All Burma's National People's Report" towards comming Hluttaw because Today! 1/4 Myanmar Junta Regime's changes become for only their profits & their comparados and so,All Burma's national peoples became more & more poverty as U Win Tin's Quatation-"Enrich until to place at anywhere & Poverty till to eat no foods" and so,we shall have to talk about it as The worst 1/4 Myanmar Junta Regime Era in Burma's long civil war" because Many tears & bloods of Peasants,workers,students,monks,P.P,general strata,women,children,adults,general refugees,general exiles & all Burma's national peoples are covering on global Burma's mountains,steams, rivers,seas,oceans,forests & lands and so,NLD should do & present "All Burma's National People's Reports to coming Hluttaw as your current process on under the followings;
Current process;
(1) To stop urgently Burma's long civil war!
(2) To release urgently all P.P & to do general amnesty!
(3) To solve urgently all Burma's national crisis!
(4) To solve urgently peasant's land-ownerships!
(5) To solve urgently worker's rights!
(6) To solve urgently general refugee's problems!
(7) To solve urgently force labor's problems!
(8) To solve urgently force moving's problems!
(9) To solve urgently discrimination problems!
(10)To save urgently parentless children & take careless adults!
(11)To solve urgently force-monk's problems!
Long term;
(1) To do democratic atmospheres on always peace!
(2) To revise constitution!
(3) To do always peace & National people's reconcilation!
(4) To do national people's democratic education,health,culture & civilization!
(5) To do national people's democratic opening marketing economy!
(6) To do global Burma's democratic diplomatcy!
(7) To construct Democratic Peaceful United Real Union of Burma with Multi-parties system!
(8) To participate in Global Burma's democratic families!
thanking you in anticipation;
best regards;
yours'
(GSC.KoThiHa8888)
Vice chairman-2,GSC,Rgn,Burma(8888),
GS.2,N.P.F(Reg;No.120,Rgn,Burma(88 to 89),
JGS.1,LDAB.Rgn,Burma(89),
Patron of B.D.C,U.S.A(08 to 12),
U.S.A.
Ph;(509)545-3066.
NLD
Dear friends;
We would like to consult your NLD's current process on "All Burma's National People's Report" towards comming Hluttaw because Today! 1/4 Myanmar Junta Regime's changes become for only their profits & their comparados and so,All Burma's national peoples became more & more poverty as U Win Tin's Quatation-"Enrich until to place at anywhere & Poverty till to eat no foods" and so,we shall have to talk about it as The worst 1/4 Myanmar Junta Regime Era in Burma's long civil war" because Many tears & bloods of Peasants,workers,students,monks,P.P,general strata,women,children,adults,general refugees,general exiles & all Burma's national peoples are covering on global Burma's mountains,steams, rivers,seas,oceans,forests & lands and so,NLD should do & present "All Burma's National People's Reports to coming Hluttaw as your current process on under the followings;
Current process;
(1) To stop urgently Burma's long civil war!
(2) To release urgently all P.P & to do general amnesty!
(3) To solve urgently all Burma's national crisis!
(4) To solve urgently peasant's land-ownerships!
(5) To solve urgently worker's rights!
(6) To solve urgently general refugee's problems!
(7) To solve urgently force labor's problems!
(8) To solve urgently force moving's problems!
(9) To solve urgently discrimination problems!
(10)To save urgently parentless children & take careless adults!
(11)To solve urgently force-monk's problems!
Long term;
(1) To do democratic atmospheres on always peace!
(2) To revise constitution!
(3) To do always peace & National people's reconcilation!
(4) To do national people's democratic education,health,culture & civilization!
(5) To do national people's democratic opening marketing economy!
(6) To do global Burma's democratic diplomatcy!
(7) To construct Democratic Peaceful United Real Union of Burma with Multi-parties system!
(8) To participate in Global Burma's democratic families!
thanking you in anticipation;
best regards;
yours'
(GSC.KoThiHa8888)
Vice chairman-2,GSC,Rgn,Burma(8888),
GS.2,N.P.F(Reg;No.120,Rgn,Burma(88 to 89),
JGS.1,LDAB.Rgn,Burma(89),
Patron of B.D.C,U.S.A(08 to 12),
U.S.A.
Ph;(509)545-3066.
Monday, 14 May 2012
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Burmese government, parliamentarians and all the people to work the utmost possible to achieve peace reality in Kachin land
14 May 2012
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) call for Burmese military to stop offensive against Kachin troops who are fighting for equal rights for Kachin people.
Especially, we would like to press here that Burmese President U Thein Sein had called for halting offensive in Kachin state but we are very sad to learn that there are increase fighting between Burmese military and Kachin army even after his presidential order.
We are very much concerned that as the results civilians; especially children, women and elderly are paying the price dearly. These disadvantaged people fleeing from the fighting between two armies are facing very difficult hardships. We would like to call for international community to take every action possible helping these IDPs who desperately need food, shelter and medicine.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is very sad to learn that there is no sign of reaching peace agreement yet between Kachin Independence Army and Burmese Army but, for the sake of the people and for the sake of the peace in Burma, we would like to call for all parties concerned to work finding peaceful solution by settling differences through dialogue.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) understands that KIO has requested the Burmese army to honour previous ceasefire agreement by repositioning troops i.e. to withdraw Burmese troops from areas close to Kachin administrative capital Laiza and Headquarter Pa Jau.
According to the Kachinland News http://ping.fm/yp4Ly “Burmese Army prepares to launch a major offensive against Kachin’s administrative capital Laiza. Burmese soldiers from various Battalions took a stronghold in preparation of a major assault on Kachin headquarters including transporting heavy artilleries to front lines. Burmese Army transported food rations and military equipment to its post at Pajau hill by using helicopters as well as Burmese Army’s Bureau of Air Defence got 3 fighter jets ready at Nampong Air Force Base in Myitkyina for upcoming assault on KIA”.
These actions are contrary to the agreements of “Ruili’s meetings” which agreed to reduce the scale of hostilities leading towards attaining mutual understanding. But, the actions taken by Burmese army not only increase the hostility but also proofing that how Burmese generals are ignorant of suffering of the people of Kachin.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) wholeheartedly supports KIO’s legitimate demands and we would like to call for Burmese government to honour the KIO’s request in order to build confidence between two parties.
It is really contrary that President U Thein Sein is speaking reform and Burmese generals are waging war against KIA to eliminate their very existence.
Burmese Government must stop attacking Kachin people and if they are willing to do it -- then there will always be the ways to get there. We must take action in Kachin state now before too late.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) truly believes that dialogue is the only viable solution to achieve the peace in Kachinland, Burma.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) would like to take this opportunity to express our position that we believe in dialogue and we believe in harmony in diversity. Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) believes in respecting peaceful co-existing between people with different ideas, beliefs, language, religion and customs.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Burmese government, parliamentarians and all the people to work the utmost possible to achieve peace reality in Kachin land and in the whole Burma.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for the Burmese government and Burma Army to:
· stop reinforcing its troops and military hardware to conflict areas
· stop their offensive assault against KIA
· withdraw its troops from areas close to Kachin administrative capital Laiza and Headquarter Pa Jau
· withdraw its troops to the line agreed on in a 1994 ceasefire agreement to show that its peace initiatives are sincere and genuine
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) earnestly calls for Burmese government and Burma Army to honour above legitimate demands of the KIA/KNO.
We truly believe that Burmese government and Burma Army got more responsibility to show that they are committed to peace in Kachinland.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) truly believes that by honouring above demands, Burmese government can proof by action that they are truly committed to reform and to restore peace in Burma.
Honouring above demands are the must to build trust between two fighting armies leading towards ceasefire and eventually achieving peace reality in Burma.
For more information please contact Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) at
U Myo Thein [United Kingdom]
Director, Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)
Phone: 00-44-208-493-9137, 00-44-787- 788-2386
U Khin Maung Win [United States]
Director, Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)
Phone: 001-941-961-2622
Daw Khin Aye Aye Mar [United States]
Patron, Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)
Phone: 001 509-783-7223
U Tint Swe Thiha [United States]
Patron, Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)
Phone: 001-509-582-3261, 001-509-591-8459
http://www.bdcburma.org
14 May 2012
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) call for Burmese military to stop offensive against Kachin troops who are fighting for equal rights for Kachin people.
Especially, we would like to press here that Burmese President U Thein Sein had called for halting offensive in Kachin state but we are very sad to learn that there are increase fighting between Burmese military and Kachin army even after his presidential order.
We are very much concerned that as the results civilians; especially children, women and elderly are paying the price dearly. These disadvantaged people fleeing from the fighting between two armies are facing very difficult hardships. We would like to call for international community to take every action possible helping these IDPs who desperately need food, shelter and medicine.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is very sad to learn that there is no sign of reaching peace agreement yet between Kachin Independence Army and Burmese Army but, for the sake of the people and for the sake of the peace in Burma, we would like to call for all parties concerned to work finding peaceful solution by settling differences through dialogue.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) understands that KIO has requested the Burmese army to honour previous ceasefire agreement by repositioning troops i.e. to withdraw Burmese troops from areas close to Kachin administrative capital Laiza and Headquarter Pa Jau.
According to the Kachinland News http://ping.fm/yp4Ly “Burmese Army prepares to launch a major offensive against Kachin’s administrative capital Laiza. Burmese soldiers from various Battalions took a stronghold in preparation of a major assault on Kachin headquarters including transporting heavy artilleries to front lines. Burmese Army transported food rations and military equipment to its post at Pajau hill by using helicopters as well as Burmese Army’s Bureau of Air Defence got 3 fighter jets ready at Nampong Air Force Base in Myitkyina for upcoming assault on KIA”.
These actions are contrary to the agreements of “Ruili’s meetings” which agreed to reduce the scale of hostilities leading towards attaining mutual understanding. But, the actions taken by Burmese army not only increase the hostility but also proofing that how Burmese generals are ignorant of suffering of the people of Kachin.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) wholeheartedly supports KIO’s legitimate demands and we would like to call for Burmese government to honour the KIO’s request in order to build confidence between two parties.
It is really contrary that President U Thein Sein is speaking reform and Burmese generals are waging war against KIA to eliminate their very existence.
Burmese Government must stop attacking Kachin people and if they are willing to do it -- then there will always be the ways to get there. We must take action in Kachin state now before too late.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) truly believes that dialogue is the only viable solution to achieve the peace in Kachinland, Burma.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) would like to take this opportunity to express our position that we believe in dialogue and we believe in harmony in diversity. Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) believes in respecting peaceful co-existing between people with different ideas, beliefs, language, religion and customs.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Burmese government, parliamentarians and all the people to work the utmost possible to achieve peace reality in Kachin land and in the whole Burma.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for the Burmese government and Burma Army to:
· stop reinforcing its troops and military hardware to conflict areas
· stop their offensive assault against KIA
· withdraw its troops from areas close to Kachin administrative capital Laiza and Headquarter Pa Jau
· withdraw its troops to the line agreed on in a 1994 ceasefire agreement to show that its peace initiatives are sincere and genuine
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) earnestly calls for Burmese government and Burma Army to honour above legitimate demands of the KIA/KNO.
We truly believe that Burmese government and Burma Army got more responsibility to show that they are committed to peace in Kachinland.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) truly believes that by honouring above demands, Burmese government can proof by action that they are truly committed to reform and to restore peace in Burma.
Honouring above demands are the must to build trust between two fighting armies leading towards ceasefire and eventually achieving peace reality in Burma.
For more information please contact Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) at
U Myo Thein [United Kingdom]
Director, Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)
Phone: 00-44-208-493-9137, 00-44-787- 788-2386
U Khin Maung Win [United States]
Director, Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)
Phone: 001-941-961-2622
Daw Khin Aye Aye Mar [United States]
Patron, Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)
Phone: 001 509-783-7223
U Tint Swe Thiha [United States]
Patron, Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)
Phone: 001-509-582-3261, 001-509-591-8459
http://www.bdcburma.org
Friday, 11 May 2012
U Myo Yan Naung Thein, director of the Bayda Institute, a political education training centre based in Yangon, said the restrictions on political activities in the current law should be removed.
“It is not fair that NGOs are unable to join political movements. This meant that during the Myitsone Dam affair some environmental NGOs did not participate,” he said. “If NGOs are able to operate freely it will improve the democratic reforms in Myanmar.
“I want to apply to register our organisation because I want to work according to the law but we cannot do so under these restrictions … I would like to suggest to the government that the 1988 registration law is too restrictive and the government should create a new law that is very free and fair.”
http://ping.fm/vKx0u
“It is not fair that NGOs are unable to join political movements. This meant that during the Myitsone Dam affair some environmental NGOs did not participate,” he said. “If NGOs are able to operate freely it will improve the democratic reforms in Myanmar.
“I want to apply to register our organisation because I want to work according to the law but we cannot do so under these restrictions … I would like to suggest to the government that the 1988 registration law is too restrictive and the government should create a new law that is very free and fair.”
http://ping.fm/vKx0u
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Urban population is expected to grow and Burma must work to embrace urbanization by expanding urban infrastructure, by creating jobs and improving bus and transportation services.
Responsible sustainable tourism is one of the most rewarding industries which can assist economic development in Burma. Burma must promote responsible sustainable tourism and at the same time Burma must encourage citizens to travel so as to promote understanding, knowledge and friendship between different societies residing at the different places.
http://ping.fm/1MsCB
Responsible sustainable tourism is one of the most rewarding industries which can assist economic development in Burma. Burma must promote responsible sustainable tourism and at the same time Burma must encourage citizens to travel so as to promote understanding, knowledge and friendship between different societies residing at the different places.
http://ping.fm/1MsCB
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Burma rebels killed in clashes with government troops
Dozens die in battles between Burmese soldiers and Kachin Independence Army, according to state media
Recent battles between Burmese government troops and Kachin ethnic rebels have killed 31 people, according to a state-run newspaper.
The New Light of Myanmar reported on Friday that there had been 11 clashes in the last week of April, including what it said was an attack by rebels of the Kachin Independence Army on border guards. It accused the rebel group of trying to seize the base "to save face for its declining military prestige".
The paper said 29 of the 31 dead were Kachin rebels, while government forces suffered two dead and 15 wounded. A separate report said rebels had blown up three bridges on Wednesday and Thursday.
Kachin spokesmen were not immediately available to comment on the reports, which also claimed the guerrillas had forced 345 villagers to serve as porters.
The 8,000-strong Kachin militia is one of several minority ethnic rebel armies in Burma who say they are fighting for greater autonomy from central government.
Since taking office last year as a military-backed but elected president, Thein Sein has sought to roll back many of the repressive actions of the military regimes that preceded him.
He has focused on democratisation, including reconciliation with the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and her pro-democracy movement, but has also tackled the long-running problem of ethnic rebellions.
Thein Sein's government has agreed ceasefires with several ethnic rebel groups, but peace talks with the Kachin have failed.
Fighting erupted in Kachin state in June last year for the first time since 1994, when an earlier peace deal had been struck.
The Kachin said the government launched an offensive to drive out its forces after they refused to abandon a strategic base near a hydropower plant that is a joint venture with a Chinese company. The rebels fought back, destroying bridges and power pylons in the area, and as many as 70,000 villagers fled from the fighting. http://ping.fm/vHsNu
Dozens die in battles between Burmese soldiers and Kachin Independence Army, according to state media
Recent battles between Burmese government troops and Kachin ethnic rebels have killed 31 people, according to a state-run newspaper.
The New Light of Myanmar reported on Friday that there had been 11 clashes in the last week of April, including what it said was an attack by rebels of the Kachin Independence Army on border guards. It accused the rebel group of trying to seize the base "to save face for its declining military prestige".
The paper said 29 of the 31 dead were Kachin rebels, while government forces suffered two dead and 15 wounded. A separate report said rebels had blown up three bridges on Wednesday and Thursday.
Kachin spokesmen were not immediately available to comment on the reports, which also claimed the guerrillas had forced 345 villagers to serve as porters.
The 8,000-strong Kachin militia is one of several minority ethnic rebel armies in Burma who say they are fighting for greater autonomy from central government.
Since taking office last year as a military-backed but elected president, Thein Sein has sought to roll back many of the repressive actions of the military regimes that preceded him.
He has focused on democratisation, including reconciliation with the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and her pro-democracy movement, but has also tackled the long-running problem of ethnic rebellions.
Thein Sein's government has agreed ceasefires with several ethnic rebel groups, but peace talks with the Kachin have failed.
Fighting erupted in Kachin state in June last year for the first time since 1994, when an earlier peace deal had been struck.
The Kachin said the government launched an offensive to drive out its forces after they refused to abandon a strategic base near a hydropower plant that is a joint venture with a Chinese company. The rebels fought back, destroying bridges and power pylons in the area, and as many as 70,000 villagers fled from the fighting. http://ping.fm/vHsNu
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) strongly condemns U Thein Sein regime attacking on Kachin ethnics people of Burma and we are calling for immediate cessation on attacking ethnic people in order to achieve peace through political dialogue. Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) and justice loving all Burmese people will be with our Kachin brothers and sisters since the suffering of the Kachin people are tantamount to the suffering of the whole Burmese people. Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) opposes war and we truly believe that guns and bullets won’t solve the problems but through dialogue, mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual respect.
http://ping.fm/Lmztg
http://ping.fm/Lmztg
Monday, 30 April 2012
Today, UK Government launched the 2011 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report on Human Rights and Democracy and Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is honoured to be invited.
Myo Thein, Director of the Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) attended the occasion representing Burma.
During the launch, Myo Thein has raised the question to the Foreign Secretary Mr William Hague regarding the situation in Kachin State and what efforts has the British Government been doing to stop fighting, to achieve peace and national reconciliation.
Mr Secretary said that British Government has been asking Burmese Government to cease hostilities and to make every effort to stop fighting and to achieve peace in Burma.
For more information you can be reached at : 00-44-7402859528
Myo Thein, Director of the Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) attended the occasion representing Burma.
During the launch, Myo Thein has raised the question to the Foreign Secretary Mr William Hague regarding the situation in Kachin State and what efforts has the British Government been doing to stop fighting, to achieve peace and national reconciliation.
Mr Secretary said that British Government has been asking Burmese Government to cease hostilities and to make every effort to stop fighting and to achieve peace in Burma.
For more information you can be reached at : 00-44-7402859528
Thursday, 26 April 2012
US 'careful' on easing investment ban in Myanmar
WASHINGTON – The U.S. said Wednesday it will ease its investment ban in Myanmar carefully, noting that recent democratic reforms are reversible and deplorable rights violations persist.
Kurt Campbell, the top diplomat for East Asia, also said in testimony to a congressional foreign affairs panel that the U.S. remains troubled by Myanmar's military trade with North Korea.
His cautious comments come as human rights groups voice increasing concern that the U.S., European Union and other nations are moving too fast to relax economic sanctions to reward Myanmar's shift from five decades of authoritarian rule.
Rep. Donald Manzullo, R-Ill., the panel chairman, said there is still no rule of law in the country also known as Burma, and corrupt officials and the military stand to reap a windfall from the country's rich natural resources.
"Have our European and Asian allies gone too far by rushing headlong into suspending all sanctions and immediately boosting assistance?" Manzullo told the hearing of the committee that oversees U.S. policy in Asia and the Pacific. He cautioned that a "reckless" lifting of U.S. sanctions could feed the cycle of corruption.
The EU this week suspended its economic sanctions, and Japan said it would forgive $3.7 billion in Myanmar's debt following recent special elections that saw democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party sweep most of the contested seats. The U.S. has said it will allow export of financial services and American investment in some sectors of the impoverished economy — such as agriculture and telecommunications — but has yet to announce details.
Campbell described the Myanmar's political opening as "real and significant" but "fragile and reversible." In his testimony he credited economic reforms and said the government has doubled spending on education and quadrupled it on health, but military spending, at 16.5 percent of the total budget, remains "grossly disproportionate."
He noted fighting and reports of severe rights violations in the northern Kachin State — scene of one of Myanmar's most entrenched ethnic insurgencies — and "deplorable" discrimination against ethnic Rohingyas in the western Rakhine State. He said that despite the releases of more than 500 political prisoners by Myanmar authorities since last October, at least several hundred are still behind bars.
Aung Din, of the U.S. Campaign for Burma, alleged that arbitrary detention and torture continues, and questioned the significance of recent political reforms.
Although Suu Kyi's party won all but two of the seats in the recent special elections, it still has less than 7 percent representation in parliament. He said the quick easing of sanctions by the U.S. and other nations meant that "the Burmese government led by President Thein Sein is the real winner" of the vote.
In his prepared testimony, Aung Din complained that U.S. officials had failed to consult with veteran student protest leaders, leaders of Suu Kyi's party and ethnic minorities before announcing its the targeted easing of bans on investment and financial services.
Campbell said the State Department would proceed "in a careful manner" on easing the sanctions, and would work with the Treasury Department to re-examine and refresh its list of sanctioned Myanmar nationals — principally military officials and their associates.
The U.S. has consulted closely with Suu Kyi, who is widely admired in Congress, as it has engaged with Thein Sein's government, lending bilateral support for its shift from diplomatic isolation of Myanmar. Suu Kyi also endorsed the EU's move to suspend its economic sanctions for a year.
Read more: http://ping.fm/YcIVi
WASHINGTON – The U.S. said Wednesday it will ease its investment ban in Myanmar carefully, noting that recent democratic reforms are reversible and deplorable rights violations persist.
Kurt Campbell, the top diplomat for East Asia, also said in testimony to a congressional foreign affairs panel that the U.S. remains troubled by Myanmar's military trade with North Korea.
His cautious comments come as human rights groups voice increasing concern that the U.S., European Union and other nations are moving too fast to relax economic sanctions to reward Myanmar's shift from five decades of authoritarian rule.
Rep. Donald Manzullo, R-Ill., the panel chairman, said there is still no rule of law in the country also known as Burma, and corrupt officials and the military stand to reap a windfall from the country's rich natural resources.
"Have our European and Asian allies gone too far by rushing headlong into suspending all sanctions and immediately boosting assistance?" Manzullo told the hearing of the committee that oversees U.S. policy in Asia and the Pacific. He cautioned that a "reckless" lifting of U.S. sanctions could feed the cycle of corruption.
The EU this week suspended its economic sanctions, and Japan said it would forgive $3.7 billion in Myanmar's debt following recent special elections that saw democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party sweep most of the contested seats. The U.S. has said it will allow export of financial services and American investment in some sectors of the impoverished economy — such as agriculture and telecommunications — but has yet to announce details.
Campbell described the Myanmar's political opening as "real and significant" but "fragile and reversible." In his testimony he credited economic reforms and said the government has doubled spending on education and quadrupled it on health, but military spending, at 16.5 percent of the total budget, remains "grossly disproportionate."
He noted fighting and reports of severe rights violations in the northern Kachin State — scene of one of Myanmar's most entrenched ethnic insurgencies — and "deplorable" discrimination against ethnic Rohingyas in the western Rakhine State. He said that despite the releases of more than 500 political prisoners by Myanmar authorities since last October, at least several hundred are still behind bars.
Aung Din, of the U.S. Campaign for Burma, alleged that arbitrary detention and torture continues, and questioned the significance of recent political reforms.
Although Suu Kyi's party won all but two of the seats in the recent special elections, it still has less than 7 percent representation in parliament. He said the quick easing of sanctions by the U.S. and other nations meant that "the Burmese government led by President Thein Sein is the real winner" of the vote.
In his prepared testimony, Aung Din complained that U.S. officials had failed to consult with veteran student protest leaders, leaders of Suu Kyi's party and ethnic minorities before announcing its the targeted easing of bans on investment and financial services.
Campbell said the State Department would proceed "in a careful manner" on easing the sanctions, and would work with the Treasury Department to re-examine and refresh its list of sanctioned Myanmar nationals — principally military officials and their associates.
The U.S. has consulted closely with Suu Kyi, who is widely admired in Congress, as it has engaged with Thein Sein's government, lending bilateral support for its shift from diplomatic isolation of Myanmar. Suu Kyi also endorsed the EU's move to suspend its economic sanctions for a year.
Read more: http://ping.fm/YcIVi
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Govt relaxes NGO registration process
THE government plans to amend a law concerning the registration of local and international non-government organisations, a presidential adviser revealed last week.
“The current law for [registration of] NGOs will be amended following a proposal from a member of parliament,” adviser Dr Nay Zin Latt said last week. “The government wants to increase cooperation with NGOs … [and] intends to loosen restrictions gradually.”
The amendments come after the government cut the waiting time for registration and also extended the length of validity for registration.
The change in policy came about in 2011 after the handover to President U Thein Sein’s government and by the end of the year 280 domestic groups had registered, according to Ministry of Home Affairs statistics. However, that still represents just a small percentage of the total number of non-government groups, which is estimated at about 20,000.
“We had to wait for two years for our application to register to be approved,” said U Nay Myo from Ratana Metta Organisation, which focuses on health, child protection and livelihoods and was officially registered in March 2011. “And we still had to promise to do only social affairs.”
Among the more high-profile organisations to be able to register is the Free Funeral Service Society, led by actor Kyaw Thu. The group, which formed in 2000, had its registration revoked in 2008 after a dispute with the government but it was reinstated last month with a validity period of five years, Kyaw Thu told The Myanmar Times.
However, he said the K500,000 (about US$600) registration fee was “unfair”.
“For small organisations, how they can afford this amount? Social welfare work is not a business. Instead of having to pay this fee it would be more beneficial to use this amount to improve people’s health and education,” he added.
Despite the relaxation of the registration process, many local organisations, particularly smaller informal groups, are still not interested in applying to register, said Dr Sid Naing, country director for Marie Stopes International.
“According to the Law of Founding an Organisation, all organisations must register but the law did not come into effect until 2006,” he said. “The former government only gave a registration number to the organisations that it trusted.
“After Cyclone Nargis in 2008, the number of local NGOs rose dramatically. While some of these organisations are officially registered with the government, many are not.”
However, those that operate without official registration can face difficulties, particularly from local officials.
“We had some problem when we went in the wards. The authorities asked our team, do we have an official registration number? If we haven’t, they said only to come back and do our welfare work when we have one,” said U Kyaw Thain Tun, head of Ratna Mahal, a Yangon-based education organisation that formed in 2009.
“We applied to register officially in August 2011 and I hope to get a registration number when I go to the Home Affairs Ministry office in Nay Pyi Taw next month.”
U Myo Yan Naung Thein, director of the Bayda Institute, a political education training centre based in Yangon, said the restrictions on political activities in the current law should be removed.
“It is not fair that NGOs are unable to join political movements. This meant that during the Myitsone Dam affair some environmental NGOs did not participate,” he said. “If NGOs are able to operate freely it will improve the democratic reforms in Myanmar.
“I want to apply to register our organisation because I want to work according to the law but we cannot do so under these restrictions … I would like to suggest to the government that the 1988 registration law is too restrictive and the government should create a new law that is very free and fair.”
http://ping.fm/o0S5C
THE government plans to amend a law concerning the registration of local and international non-government organisations, a presidential adviser revealed last week.
“The current law for [registration of] NGOs will be amended following a proposal from a member of parliament,” adviser Dr Nay Zin Latt said last week. “The government wants to increase cooperation with NGOs … [and] intends to loosen restrictions gradually.”
The amendments come after the government cut the waiting time for registration and also extended the length of validity for registration.
The change in policy came about in 2011 after the handover to President U Thein Sein’s government and by the end of the year 280 domestic groups had registered, according to Ministry of Home Affairs statistics. However, that still represents just a small percentage of the total number of non-government groups, which is estimated at about 20,000.
“We had to wait for two years for our application to register to be approved,” said U Nay Myo from Ratana Metta Organisation, which focuses on health, child protection and livelihoods and was officially registered in March 2011. “And we still had to promise to do only social affairs.”
Among the more high-profile organisations to be able to register is the Free Funeral Service Society, led by actor Kyaw Thu. The group, which formed in 2000, had its registration revoked in 2008 after a dispute with the government but it was reinstated last month with a validity period of five years, Kyaw Thu told The Myanmar Times.
However, he said the K500,000 (about US$600) registration fee was “unfair”.
“For small organisations, how they can afford this amount? Social welfare work is not a business. Instead of having to pay this fee it would be more beneficial to use this amount to improve people’s health and education,” he added.
Despite the relaxation of the registration process, many local organisations, particularly smaller informal groups, are still not interested in applying to register, said Dr Sid Naing, country director for Marie Stopes International.
“According to the Law of Founding an Organisation, all organisations must register but the law did not come into effect until 2006,” he said. “The former government only gave a registration number to the organisations that it trusted.
“After Cyclone Nargis in 2008, the number of local NGOs rose dramatically. While some of these organisations are officially registered with the government, many are not.”
However, those that operate without official registration can face difficulties, particularly from local officials.
“We had some problem when we went in the wards. The authorities asked our team, do we have an official registration number? If we haven’t, they said only to come back and do our welfare work when we have one,” said U Kyaw Thain Tun, head of Ratna Mahal, a Yangon-based education organisation that formed in 2009.
“We applied to register officially in August 2011 and I hope to get a registration number when I go to the Home Affairs Ministry office in Nay Pyi Taw next month.”
U Myo Yan Naung Thein, director of the Bayda Institute, a political education training centre based in Yangon, said the restrictions on political activities in the current law should be removed.
“It is not fair that NGOs are unable to join political movements. This meant that during the Myitsone Dam affair some environmental NGOs did not participate,” he said. “If NGOs are able to operate freely it will improve the democratic reforms in Myanmar.
“I want to apply to register our organisation because I want to work according to the law but we cannot do so under these restrictions … I would like to suggest to the government that the 1988 registration law is too restrictive and the government should create a new law that is very free and fair.”
http://ping.fm/o0S5C
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Energy is an essential for development. Burma must work to ensure providing sufficient electricity and gas for all the citizens of Burma.
http://www.bdcburma.org
http://www.bdcburma.org
Urgent help needed for Burma
These are the most basic needs which is urgent and most directly benefitting the people's daily lives.
(1) Electricity - (We are now living in the stone age with no electricity ironically we have full resources and people are not getting it )
(2) Communications - internet etc..
(3) Transportation
Photo: BAYDA Institute teaching political sciences subjects with no electricity ေဗဒါေက်ာင္းမီးမရွိပဲစာသင္ရပါသည္
These are the most basic needs which is urgent and most directly benefitting the people's daily lives.
(1) Electricity - (We are now living in the stone age with no electricity ironically we have full resources and people are not getting it )
(2) Communications - internet etc..
(3) Transportation
Photo: BAYDA Institute teaching political sciences subjects with no electricity ေဗဒါေက်ာင္းမီးမရွိပဲစာသင္ရပါသည္
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
We need to give priority to agricultural investments that support the infrastructure and input requirements of sustainable family farming
We need resources from agricultural investments to improve the effectiveness, capacities and capabilities of the organisations and networks at all levels to be able to develop, promote and defend family farming, sustainable food systems and food sovereignty:
We need to realise a common approach in the face of harmful agricultural investments that are capturing productive resources, imposing industrial models of production, and implementing policies, strategies and research and other programmes that undermine local food systems.
We need to Increase the knowledge at all levels including individual famers’ organisations to national platforms and the regional and continental networks about the CFS (UN Committee on world
Food Security) and CSM (Committee on World Food Security) process
http://www.bdcburma.org
We need resources from agricultural investments to improve the effectiveness, capacities and capabilities of the organisations and networks at all levels to be able to develop, promote and defend family farming, sustainable food systems and food sovereignty:
We need to realise a common approach in the face of harmful agricultural investments that are capturing productive resources, imposing industrial models of production, and implementing policies, strategies and research and other programmes that undermine local food systems.
We need to Increase the knowledge at all levels including individual famers’ organisations to national platforms and the regional and continental networks about the CFS (UN Committee on world
Food Security) and CSM (Committee on World Food Security) process
http://www.bdcburma.org
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