Shan Herald Agency for News |
- Speaking of all the good things
- A NEW BURMA DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT
- ANALYSIS OF THE UNFC POSITION
- Weekly Diary, No.637 (29 July-6 August 2013)
- Photo exhibition “On the beaten track: A half-century of photography and change among highlanders of Thailand” 9-25 August, 2013
| Speaking of all the good things Posted: 07 Aug 2013 02:53 AM PDT  Today SHAN would like to report to you about Thailand's relations with the armed opposition movements along its border, particularly with the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) that has recently taken a tough stand to have a rival constitution drafted by the end of the year. Which goes without saying that it was after the 2008 "of the military, before the military, for the military" charter was flatly rejected.So the question is: Is Bangkok that has in recent years been enjoying better relations with Naypyitaw going to get tough with the UNFC as it did two years earlier? "At that time," one of the security officials told SHAN, "the Burmese military attaché would inform us that the UNFC was planning to hold a meeting, set up an office etc, and demanded that we put a stop to it. Naturally, we had to comply with it, because the attaché has came with a directive from Bangkok instructing us to fully cooperate." But since the 18 August 2011 invitation by the President for peace talks there has been no such orders from Bangkok, according to him. "Even when the UNFC conference coincided with the RBC (Regional level Border Committee between the two countries' regional commanders) last week," another official added, "the Burmese government didn't lodge any complaint with us." At least security officials up in the north appear to be in agreement that as long as the peace process is allowed by Naypyitaw to go on, the UNFC also will be allowed to maintain its tough stance. "But we should always remember that good things (as well as bad things) come to an end, sooner or later," one of the officials mused. "Only we don't know how soon it will be. It is therefore advisable to keep yourself on your toes and be prepared for any eventuality." Needless to say, SHAN wholeheartedly agrees with him. |
| A NEW BURMA DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT Posted: 07 Aug 2013 02:52 AM PDT August 3, 2013 The failure of the pro-democracy movement I'll begin with an obituary. The Burma pro-democracy movement is dead. Of course, some people might disagree. Instead, they might say that it is "over." The Burma democracy movement isn't dead, it's just over, because it succeeded. Burma is now free and democratic. I know how ridiculous this sounds, but many people actually do hold this view. The SPDC and Than Shwe are GONE, and the "progress" in the country is irreversible. The "reform" will take some years to complete, of course, but democracy is now established, there is a President and a Parliament, and things will only get better. Read More: A NEW BURMA DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT (PDF file) |
| Posted: 07 Aug 2013 02:51 AM PDT
Read More: ANALYSIS OF THE UNFC POSITION (PDF file) |
| Weekly Diary, No.637 (29 July-6 August 2013) Posted: 06 Aug 2013 09:10 PM PDT
Tips for UNFC/WGEC: Frenemies?  Think Piece A man should not compromise his principles, but he need not flaunt them as a banner. There is a time to talk and a time to be still.  Louis L'amour, The Walking Drum The World 2 August 2013  Al-Qaeda threat prompts shutdown of US embassies in Arab world. (Agencies) International Relations 24 July 2013  Deputy Foreign Minister Thant Kyaw, an MP, says border demarcation between Myanmar-India-China has not been completed due to Sino-Indian border dispute. (News Light of Myanmar) 1 August 2013 Ambassador Derek Mitchell, together with Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes, says initial military engagement will focus on humanitarian issues, officer professionalization and human rights. There is no definitive roadmap for military-to-military activities, "not even close" to arms sales or operational training of Myanmar troops. (Myanmar Times) 1 August 2013 Burma has received a sum of $ 160 million from Global Fund to combat HIV/AIDS, 2013-2016, according to Health Planning Department. There are an estimated 200,000 people living with HIV in Burma. (Eleven Media Group) 2 August 2013 Burma has received $ 2.8 million by Aus AID and $ 16 million by UK for the 2014 census. The government has committed $ 15 million and the UN $ 5 million. (Bernama) Thai-Burma Relations 27 July 2013 New Light of Myanmar reports two Thai firms GMS Power and Global Power Synergy have signed MoU to generate 500 MW power plant in Irrawaddy and Rangoon regions. (Mizzima) 1 August 2013 1.5 million migrant workers have been documented while another 1.5 million are yet to be registered, says Htoo Chit, advisor to Education and Development Foundation in Thailand. (Jakarta Post) Politics/ Inside Burma 27-28 July 2013 Rangoon's Thuwanna National Stadium holds peace festival, organized by Zarganar and Myanmar Peace Center. (Irrawaddy) 30 July 2013 ILO Conference in Rangoon, 30 April-1 May 2013:
1 August 2013  President Thein Sein says there must be a demarcation line between politics and religion. (Xinhua) 1 August 2013 It will take only 30 days to amend the constitution, if relevant authorities really want to amend it, says Aung San Suu Kyi. (RFA) Ethnic Affairs 23 July 2013 The Karen National Union (KNU), Democratic Karen Benevolence Army (DKBA) and Karen Peace Council (KPC) meet in Myawaddy. They agree to work towards Karen self-determination. (Karen News) 24 July 2013 KIO opens liaison office in Myitkyina, attended by UPWC vice chairman U Aung Min. (New Light of Myanmar) 24 July 2013 A program pledging $70 million to help refugees in Kachin and Shan states over the next two years announced by 7 NGOs after a conference in Rangoon. (Mizzima) 29-31 July 2013 Ethnic Conference on Peace and Reconciliation held in Chiangmai. 120 participates in the gathering organized by the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC). Participants include representatives from United Wa State Army (UWSA) and Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA). (SHAN) 31 July 2013 All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), says vice chairman Myo Win, will be meeting U Aung Min, government negotiator, on Sunday, 4 August, in Pa-an or Rangoon. (Irrawaddy) 2 August 2013 The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), in a press conference held in Chiangmai, says:
Shans/ Shan State 27 July 2013 Section 144 revoked and curfew, 22:00-03:00, lifted in Lashio two months after communal violence on 28 May. (Mizzima) 31 July 2013  Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) General Secretary Ta Phone Kyaw meets U Aung Min in Muse. Observers from New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS). "Satisfactory" but no agreement signed yet, he says. (SHAN) Human Rights 18 July 2013 Township Border Committee (TBC) meeting in Mae Zay, Kayah State agrees to begin preparations for the readiness to return the refugees back to Burma as soon as peace returns. Burma's Lt-Col Moe Kyaw Thu says authorities are surveying suitable sites for resettlement. (TNA) 29 July 2013  Ethnic Mons demonstrate in front of Myanmar embassy in Bangkok to protest against Nay Pyi Taw's alleged violation a ceasefire agreement on 16 July, when an armed Mon group based in Mergui was attacked. (Bangkok Post) 29 July 2013 Anti-Corruption Bill passed with 291 votes in support and 211 against. (Irrawaddy) Environment 28 July 2013 Pipeline Watch Committee calls on the government: to re-negotiate the contract to provide the state with a higher percentage of the profits, increased transparency and environmental and safety measures. (DVB) 29 July 2013 CNPC announces the gas pipeline has formally begun operations. A parallel crude oil pipeline is expected to start next year. (Financial Times) 29 July 2013  Win Tun, Minister for Environmental Conservation and Forestry, informs Parliament his ministry is planning to produce 186,650 tons of teak during this fiscal year, 80,000 tons less than last year. (Eleven Media Group) 29 July 2013 Kachin Development and Networking Group (KDNG) says China Power Investment (CPI) continues to pursue Myitsone Project. (Kachinland) 1 August 2013 Officials say floods caused by heavy rains have affected more than 37,000 people, killing one person. 79 relief camps have been set up by Karen State authorities in 12 townships, according to Aung Kyaw, assistant director of relief department. (Irrawaddy) 1 August 2013 Government will allocate only 20 million cubic feet of natural gas per day to Kyaukphyu until completion, when the pipeline will carry a total of 500 million cubic feet per day, 400 for China and 100 for local use. (Mizzima/ New Light of Myanmar) Obituary 2 August 2013  Pa Pa Lay, 67, the leader of the Moustache Brothers, passes away in Mandalay of prostate cancer. (Irrawaddy) |
| Posted: 06 Aug 2013 09:08 PM PDT  |
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