Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Ethnic armed groups discuss ceasefire in Karen state
• Embassy bomb-plot mastermind sentenced to seven and a half years
• Traditional handcraft prospers in Bagan

Ethnic armed groups discuss ceasefire in Karen state Posted: 21 Jan 2014 03:03 AM PST A conference for discussing nationwide ceasefire is being held in eastern Burma's Karen state from 20 to 22 January. Leading officials from 18 ethnic armed groups met at the Karen National Union's Law Khee La headquarters. The meeting follows up on a similar event in the Kachin Independence Organisation's Laiza headquarters in northern Burma late last year. "I would like to urge all to work on a mutual agreement", said Mutu Say Poe, chairman of the Karen National Union, in his opening speech. "If Min Aung Hlaing [Burmese military Commander in Chief] says no fire, then we won't fire", said General Gunhtang Gam Shwang, chief of staff of the Kachin Independence Army, with a smile. "We are still engaged in fights. But this is part of war. The KIA stands under the KIO and we will not engage in a fight without knowledge by our political-wing." Mahn Nyein Maung from the KNU emphasised the importance of unity. Related Stories Suu Kyi rallies Karen State, says charter hinders peace process Hpa-an peace talks postponed until February KNU meet for talks with Thein Sein, Min Aung Hlaing "First of all, I would like to say this meeting has been longed for by all ethnic groups and people of Burma, as it allows ethnic groups in Burma to come together and unite as opportunity arises in the country." Mahn Nyein Maung also said the KNU wishes to see an agreement among the ethnic armed groups, based on their opinions on a nationwide ceasefire. "The main objective of the conference is to work on a mutual agreement between the ethnic armed groups, regarding framework for the nationwide ceasefire, based on individual opinions by each group. We will be discussing it with the government during talks in Hpa-an, and from there we expect to implement the nationwide ceasefire agreement." The meeting in Hpa-an is planned to take place in February.

Embassy bomb-plot mastermind sentenced to seven and a half years Posted: 20 Jan 2014 10:47 PM PST An Indonesian court has sentenced an Islamist militant to seven and a half years in prison for masterminding a plot to attack the Burmese Embassy in the Indonesian capital. Judge Haryono, who presided over the trial Tuesday at the South Jakarta District Court, said the defendant, Sigit Indrajit, was guilty of violating the anti-terror law. Indrajit, 23, and six others were arrested in May after police foiled their plot seen as retaliation against Buddhist-majority Burma for attacks there on ethnic Rohingya Muslims. He was the third defendant to be sentenced in the case. Earlier this month, the same court sentenced Rohadi and Achmad Taufik to six and seven-and-half years, respectively. Indonesia has been battling terrorists since the 2002 Bali bombing that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists. Related Stories US spending bill adds 'new restrictions' on Burma Govt denies Buddhist mob attacked, killed Muslims in Maungdaw Rohingya topic off limits for ASEAN talks

Traditional handcraft prospers in Bagan Posted: 20 Jan 2014 07:32 PM PST Handcraft lacquerware producers in the ancient city of Bagan in central Burma are seeing good business this year amid an influx of foreign tourists and the introduction of international credit card payment systems. Ohnmar, manager at Tun Lacquerware Enterprise, said the sale of handcrafted products has doubled from last year, as more tourists are visiting the country. “Now tourists are buying more souvenirs”, she said. “In the past, they'd come with the cards and we didn't understand how they work. As Burmese banks are now connected to international networks, allowing payment with credit cards such as Master and Visa cards, our sales are getting better this year.” Foreign tourists are very interested in buying the traditional products. Aye Aye Myint is a third-generation lacquerware producer and runs a shop at the Ananda Pagoda. “The locals aren't buying much, but we get a lot of tourists from Italy and Germany.” Related Stories Rohingya topic off limits for ASEAN talks Thai protests hurting Burmese tourism 18 luxury chalets burnt down by fireworks at Inle Lake festival Aung Lwin, a craftsman at Tun Lacquerware Enterprise, says it takes about six months to make a single piece. He's happy to see the business flourish. “Now business is good as Bagan is seeing more visitors and I am delighted”, he said. “Seeing something that I created being valued by the tourists makes me happy, as I always try to be different from other makers.” The ancient capital of the Kingdom of Pagan is the seat of Burma's famed lacquerware industry, which is expected to grow as Bagan rises on Burma's tourism horizon. Last week, a summit of ASEAN Foreign Ministers drew crowds of international leaders and journalists to the as yet undeveloped destination.

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