Wednesday, February 3, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


U Gambira Returned to Jail after Brief Court Hearing

Posted: 03 Feb 2016 05:33 AM PST

Gambira leaving Maha Aung Myay Township Court in Mandalay Division on February 3, 2016. (Photo: Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy)

Gambira leaving Maha Aung Myay Township Court in Mandalay Division on February 3, 2016. (Photo: Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy)

MANDALAY — Detained former monk U Gambira, a prominent figure in Burma's 2007 Saffron Revolution, appeared in Mandalay Division's Maha Aung Myay Township Court on Wednesday on charges of violating immigration laws.

Gambira, also known as Nyi Nyi Lwin, was arrested on Jan. 19 in a Mandalay hotel and remanded in Obo Prison. After a brief court appearance on Wednesday, he was returned to jail, with the next hearing scheduled for Feb. 10.

Known to suffer from mental health issues, Gambira's family and lawyers have asked that he be released to receive necessary medical treatment.

"The court said it will consider bail for the ailing detainee," said one of his lawyers, Robert San Aung. "Although the court may think it is a case that does not allow bail, they should give bail to Nyi Nyi Lwin for his health."

The 36-year-old former monk and political prisoner has been in Thailand receiving treatment for severe mental health issues since his release from a Burmese prison in a general amnesty in 2012. He was serving a sentence for his role in organizing monks in an anti-government uprising in 2007.

Last month, Burmese immigration accused him of crossing the border illegally—a charge the monk's supporters have dismissed as spurious.

"His mental health needs special care as he needs to take medication at precise times and in specific amounts. He also needs regular exercise and meditation for his health," said Daw Yay, his mother.

"He is just recovering and we are worried for him. We don't believe he received proper treatment inside the prison," she explained. "He is very sick and shouldn't be in prison. If the government is kind enough, they should look at his case with humanity."

The post U Gambira Returned to Jail after Brief Court Hearing appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Suu Kyi Vouches for Party Picks in Rare Media Address

Posted: 03 Feb 2016 05:16 AM PST

 National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi talks to journalists during her meeting with the media in her office at the Parliament in Naypyidaw, Feb. 3, 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi talks to journalists during her meeting with the media in her office at the Parliament in Naypyidaw, Feb. 3, 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

Aung San Suu Kyi, chairwoman of the National League for Democracy (NLD), addressed reporters in Naypyidaw on Wednesday, vowing to streamline media relations between the Parliament and the press and conveying her confidence in two newly-appointed parliamentary speakers and their deputies. Below is an abridged transcript of her remarks, which were delivered to the press at her Rule of Law Committee office in the capital and shared online by social media users.

The choice of Win Myint [as Speaker of the Lower House] is not very surprising. He has worked skillfully for the Parliament over three years. He is a leader in the NLD and a legal expert.

T Khun Myat has been chosen as deputy speaker, the second highest position in the Lower House. We wanted to choose someone from the USDP [Union Solidarity and Development Party], who was also an ethnic minority, because we want our Parliament to be inclusive and represent the Union.

He is also the chairman of the Draft-Bill Committee, and he is very skillful with parliamentary affairs, rules and laws. We chose him as he is a good fit for the position.

Few people know Mahn Win Khaing Than [who was appointed as Upper House Speaker]. He has not been a member of the NLD for very long, but we believe he has worked faithfully toward democracy. He is also an ethnic minority and a legal expert, and he is cooperative. 

We chose as his deputy, for the second higheset position in the Upper House, a lawmaker from the Arakan National Party. Aye Tha Aung is not only a leader of the Arakan Party, but he has also been an ally [of the NLD] and worked together with us for many years.

As I have often mentioned, when we were in trouble, the only ones who helped us were the ethnic parties. Among them were the ALD [Arakan League for Democracy], led by Aye Tha Aung, and the SNLD [Shan Nationalities League for Democracy] led by Khun Tun Oo. We are grateful and have not forgotten their alliance. That is why we proposed that Aye Tha Aung would be suitable.

I am very grateful that there were no objections to our nominations. I am very glad for the cooperation and thankful to other political parties and military lawmakers. I think the public will also be pleased; those who wish to live in peace and security.

Suu Kyi fielded a number of questions about who will be appointed to the new government, which will be formed in early April, though she declined to reveal her party's shortlist for the presidency and other key positions.

The post Suu Kyi Vouches for Party Picks in Rare Media Address appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Indawgyi Lake Deemed ‘Wetland of International Importance’

Posted: 03 Feb 2016 05:09 AM PST

More than 97 bird species can be found at Indawgyi Lake in Kachin State. (Photo: Htet Khaung Linn / Myanmar Now)

More than 97 bird species can be found at Indawgyi Lake in Kachin State. (Photo: Htet Khaung Linn / Myanmar Now)

RANGOON — Burma's largest lake, Indawgyi in Kachin State's Mohnyin Township, was designated a "wetland of international importance" on Tuesday, marked globally as World Wetlands Day.

The designation of Indawgyi Lake marked the Burmese government's commitment to conserve the area, according to a joint statement by the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry and the Switzerland-based Ramsar Secretariat.

Ramsar sites are areas listed under the Ramsar Convention, which is the only global environmental treaty designed to address concerns regarding wetland loss and degradation.

"The new Ramsar site will ensure the long-term conservation and wise use of Myanmar's most important wetland, Indawgyi Lake basin, which is only Myanmar's second Ramsar site," Nyi Nyi Kyaw, director general of the ministry's Forestry Department, was quoted as saying in the statement.

Burma earned its first Ramsar site designation in 2004, at the Moeyungyi wetlands in Pegu Division.

According to research by local conservationists, Indawgyi Lake supports the livelihoods of thousands of people and is also home to a great diversity of water birds, fish and endangered species.

"Despite the good progress for conservation as highlighted by the Ramsar designation, major challenges lay ahead, in particular illegal artisanal gold mining on streams in the watershed, which is causing sedimentation and pollution in the southern part of the lake," the statement reads.

In addition to topping the list in Burma, Indawgyi is also one of the largest inland lakes in Southeast Asia.

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Beer Brands Return to Heineken from Military-Owned Brewery

Posted: 03 Feb 2016 04:51 AM PST

Waiters prepare glasses of beer for guests during the opening ceremony of the Heineken brewery outside Rangoon on July 12, 2015. (Photo: Reuters / Soe Zeya Tun)

Waiters prepare glasses of beer for guests during the opening ceremony of the Heineken brewery outside Rangoon on July 12, 2015. (Photo: Reuters / Soe Zeya Tun)

RANGOON — Two well-known beers, Tiger and ABC Stout, are returning to their mother company after two decades with the military-backed Myanmar Brewery, Heineken announced on Wednesday.

Tiger and ABC Stout, which Myanmar Brewery has produced and distributed for the Burmese market since 1995, are finally going back to Heineken and its local partner, Asia Pacific Breweries-Alliance Brewery Company Limited (APB-ABC). As of late last year, Myanmar Brewery's license to produce the two beers expired, said Lester Tan, managing director of the Heineken joint venture APB-ABC.

"Actually, we're the original owner of both Tiger and ABC Stout. That's why now, we'll take them all back and sell to this expanding market," Tan said on Wednesday at a press conference.

Tiger and ABC Stout will now be brewed in Heineken's own US$60 million brewing facility in Rangoon's Hmawbi Township, which opened in July last year. The brewery has the technical capacity to produce 33 million liters of beer per year, but this year the company plans to expand production to about 45 million liters, according to Tan.

Of the current Tiger and ABC Stout brand designs, Tan said the company will make changes to reflect an updated product look, but assured that the taste of the beers will remain the same.

"We're excited to welcome both brands. It feels like a true homecoming and we're pleased to bring these two beers to beer stations, restaurants and supermarkets in Myanmar," he said.

Heineken and Myanmar Brewery have maintained a professional relationship since 1995. In the following decade, Heineken—a Dutch company—left the country due to economic sanctions imposed by the European Union against Burma's military government. At this time, the Myanmar Brewery took over licenses for Heineken's products and continued to produce Tiger and ABC Stout.

Myanmar Brewery is the producer of Myanmar Beer, Andaman Gold and Myanmar Double Strong, and currently has a strong lead in the domestic beer market. The company's total revenue for the 2014-15 fiscal year topped 300 billion kyats (US$233 million), according to company figures. Their products are brewed in facilities in Rangoon's Mingaladon Township.

Myanmar Brewery Limited (MBL) was established in 1995 as one of the earliest major joint-venture projects in Myanmar with a total invested capital of US$60 million.

"It seems the previous company [Myanmar Brewery] didn't want to extend the license and did not contact us about an extension, so that's why we took this license back," Tan said.

In 2013, Heineken began working with ABC, which is led by Aung Moe Kyaw, a Burmese entrepreneur well known in the beverage industry. Of the company's shares, ABC claims 43 percent and the remaining 57 percent are owned by Heineken. In the last three years, they have also introduced a new beer in Burma: Regal Seven.

The post Beer Brands Return to Heineken from Military-Owned Brewery appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

NLD Sources Signal Push for Charter Change in Parliament

Posted: 03 Feb 2016 04:38 AM PST

Aung San Suu Kyi arrives for the first session of the Upper House of Parliament on Wednesday. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy)

Aung San Suu Kyi arrives for the first session of the Upper House of Parliament on Wednesday. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy)

NAYPYIDAW — A proposal to suspend Article 59(f) of Burma's Constitution to allow Aung San Suu Kyi to assume the presidency may be put before the Parliament as soon as next week, according to at least two National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmakers, who wished to remain anonymous.

The first session of the Union Parliament is scheduled to take place on Feb. 8 where the proposal could be tabled, according to a Lower House MP with the NLD, who acknowledged that such a motion was not outlined in the official legislative agenda.

"Now we've got the agenda for the Union Parliament's session on Feb. 8, but it does not include a proposal to suspend Article 59(f). But then, urgent proposals are not usually mentioned in the agenda," the lawmaker said.

Another NLD lawmaker in the Lower House who has close ties with Suu Kyi claimed that the proposal would be tabled soon and that negotiations on the legal permutations were underway.

"The proposal to suspend 59(f) will be submitted [soon]," the lawmaker told The Irrawaddy.

Article 59(f) of Burma's military-drafted charter disqualifies anyone with a foreign spouse or children from becoming president, effectively barring Suu Kyi whose two children are British nationals, as was her late husband.

In early December, Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) lawmaker Thura Aung Ko suggested the clause could be suspended with a majority of lawmakers in an interview with the BBC Burmese service. However, some lawmakers have cautioned that the proposal would be "unconstitutional" and it is unknown whether military lawmakers would support it.

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday, lawyer Ko Ni explained that, if it proceeded, an initial vote would only be on a proposal to determine whether legislation should then be drafted.

An opinion piece in the army-owned newspaper Myawaddy on Monday, written under the pen name Sai Wai Lu, stated that the clause should not be amended "for all eternity," according to a translation by the Myanmar Times.

In recent days, reports in local media suggested NLD representatives have been in negotiations with the military on the question of the presidency.

When asked about the presidency at a press conference in Naypyidaw on Wednesday afternoon, Suu Kyi replied that she would comment when it is time.

The post NLD Sources Signal Push for Charter Change in Parliament appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

No Reprieve for Student Activists as Courts Pile on More Charges

Posted: 03 Feb 2016 04:27 AM PST

Phyoe Phyoe Aung, right, and Nanda Sitt Aung are seen outside the Botahtaung Township Court on Wednesday. (Photo: Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy)

Phyoe Phyoe Aung, right, and Nanda Sitt Aung are seen outside the Botahtaung Township Court on Wednesday. (Photo: Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy)

RANGOON — Detained critics of Burma's controversial National Education Law are facing mounting legal pressure for their campaign against the legislation last year, with one student leader saying she was slapped with additional "illegal assembly" charges by at least five Rangoon courts.

While the trials of more than 50 students and their supporters in Thayawady Township, Pegu Division, continue to drag on, courts from the commercial capital's Kamayut, Botahtaung, Tamwe, Hlaing and Mayangone townships have now tacked on charges against at least one prominent student activist under Article 18 of the Peaceful Assembly Law.

Phyoe Phyoe Aung, the 28-year-old student activist, told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that she had received summonses from courts in the five Rangoon jurisdictions this week. Between Rangoon and Pegu divisions, the student leader said she is facing charges in more than 30 cases making their way through the courts, most of them on Article 18 violations.

Fellow student leader Nanda Sitt Aung, who appeared with Phyoe Phyoe Aung at a hearing in Botahtaung Township on Wednesday, is facing more than 80 cases, she said.

While many of these prosecutions pertain to Article 18, there are also more serious charges filed against the students by the Thayawady Township Court, including articles 143, 145, 147, 332 and 505(b) of the Burmese Penal Code.

Article 18 charges come with a maximum sentence of six months in prison and or a fine not exceeding 30,000 kyats (US$23), while the Penal Code charges carry maximum sentences of one to two years' imprisonment.

Fifty-three students remain detained at Thayawady Prison in Pegu Division, among them Phyoe Phyoe Aung and Nanda Sitt Aung. The pair appeared along with Kyaw Ko Ko, James a.k.a. Linn Htet Naing and supporter Win Kyawt Hmue at the Kamayut Township Court in Rangoon for a hearing last week.

Phyoe Phyoe Aung said that current government is bringing more prosecutions to bear on the student protesters even as the international community and local advocacy groups have raised pressure on President Thein Sein to release all political prisoners unconditionally.

"The government is going to leave many unsolvable problems to the incoming government. They are purposely making our case more complicated," she said.

Members of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) and their supporters have been detained in Thayawady Prison since March 10 of last year, when a months-long campaign against the National Education Law was brutally quashed by police in neighboring Letpadan Township.

Human rights watchdogs have criticized the Peaceful Assembly Law's Article 18, contending that it has been used as a tool to arrest peaceful protesters and to suppress freedom of expression.

A coalition of groups last week released a report in which they claimed some of the 53 detainees at Thayawady Prison faced illnesses that were potentially "life-threatening," calling for their immediate release.

The post No Reprieve for Student Activists as Courts Pile on More Charges appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Chinese National, Accused of Murder, Allegedly Executed in Mong La

Posted: 03 Feb 2016 01:32 AM PST

A photograph shared on social media purports to show a man who found guilty of murder and later executed by authorities in Mong La Special Region. (Photo: Ethnic Region Military Information / Facebook)

A photograph shared on social media purports to show a man who found guilty of murder and later executed by authorities in Mong La Special Region. (Photo: Ethnic Region Military Information / Facebook)

RANGOON — Accounts surfaced this week that authorities in Mong La, a special administrative region known as a hub for illicit activity on the Sino-Burmese border, may have executed a Chinese national after he was found guilty of homicide and arson.

A statement bearing the official Mong La government stamp, published in the media outlet of an ethnic Kokang rebel group, announced that a 42-year-old man from Hunan Province had "murdered, made arson, bomb attacks and so on," and was to be executed by gunfire on Jan. 30.

A "court investigation" found him guilty of illegal arms possession and carrying out an arson attack resulting in the deaths of seven people and the injury of four others, according to the statement, which appeared to have been issued by a regional court.

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on condition of anonymity, a Mong La resident said that last week a man was paraded through the town on the back of a truck and brought to the local football stadium, where hundreds of people had gathered.

"They did not execute him at the football stadium, they killed him on top of a mountain," said the woman, who attended the public spectacle on the sporting grounds. She said armed guards explained that the condemned man was a criminal and would be shot to death, before they drove him out of view.

Photographs of the procession and the packed football field were uploaded on a Facebook community page called "Ethnic Region Military Information," which has more than 27,000 followers. The post was shared almost 1,000 times as of Wednesday morning. The account regularly posts updates about armed ethnic groups, but the identity of its administrators is unknown and its content has not been verified by any official rebel-affiliated sources.

When contacted by The Irrawaddy on Tuesday, Mong La Governor Sai Mauk said he was unaware of the incident as he was in Kunming, China, at the time it was said to have occurred. Mong La, also known as Shan State Special Region 4, is controlled by a non-state armed group called the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), and enjoys a high degree of autonomy from the central government.

The region, which borders China's Yunan Province, has a reputation as a nexus of illegal activity; Mong La's eponymous main town is home to sprawling casinos and brothels, and is a known destination for wildlife traffickers. Local authorities have estimated that about 800 vehicles enter Mong La from China every day for purposes of sex, gambling and trade. Despite its debauchery, Mong La is also reputed for strict and selective law enforcement, dealing heavy-handed punishments without due process.

While district-level courts in autonomous zones are authorized to issue the death penalty, the ruling would be subject to appeal at a national court, according to Sam Zarifi, regional director of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).

"If this is in fact an Autonomous zone district court, there should have been an appeal process," Zarifi told The Irrawaddy via email. "So, if the report is true, it's a major problem for the rule of law in the country."

Overextending the zone's judicial authority would be particularly problematic with regard to capital punishment, as Burma is considered a de facto abolitionist state and has not openly carried out an execution in decades. Further complicating matters is that the prisoner was a foreign national, and it is unclear whether he had access to consular support.

Zarifi said Burma "should not be even considering bringing back the death penalty in practice now, and especially not for a foreign national, based on an opaque judicial process that faces serious questions about its fairness and credibility and sits essentially outside the national legal system."

The post Chinese National, Accused of Murder, Allegedly Executed in Mong La appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Upper House Convenes, Confirms Ethnic Minority Speakers

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 11:16 PM PST

Mahn Win Khaing, of the ruling National League for Democracy, was sworn in as Speaker of the Upper House on Feb. 3, 2016. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy)

Mahn Win Khaing, of the ruling National League for Democracy, was sworn in as Speaker of the Upper House on Feb. 3, 2016. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy)

NAYPYIDAW — Burma's newly elected Parliament has officially appointed the speaker and deputy speaker of the Upper House, securing three-quarters of the powerful posts for ethnic minority lawmakers.

Ethnic Karen Mahn Win Khaing Than, of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), and Aye Tha Aung of the Arakan National Party (ANP), were sworn in during the first convening of the Upper House on Wednesday.

Win Myint, an ethnic Bamar NLD member, and T Khun Myat, a Kachin lawmaker representing the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), assumed Lower House speaker and deputy positions on Monday.

Lawmakers and observers said they were pleased the decision of the NLD, the party of Aung San Suu Kyi, to bring diversity to the legislature for the first time in the country's history; the military-backed USDP, which has just relinquished its majority, all four speaker positions were held by ethnic Bamar ruling party members.

Some stressed, however, that they hope to see more representation among the central government, as well.

"I welcome and am happy about the NLD appointments, because they gave the positions to ethnic minorities," said Pe Than, also a member of the ANP, "but even though we have three ethnic speakers in the Parliament, we still don't know how many will be appointed to the cabinet and regional governments."

Suu Kyi has previously vowed to appoint ethnic minorities and members of other political parties to important roles to promote national reconciliation.

The NLD-dominated legislature convened for the first time this week after the party's landslide election win in November. Both houses will reconvene on Thursday.

The post Upper House Convenes, Confirms Ethnic Minority Speakers appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Media Experts Support Shuttering of Info Ministry

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 11:12 PM PST

Ye Htut, Burma's Minster of Information, in his office in Naypyidaw on Feb. 1, 2016. (Photo: Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters)

Ye Htut, Burma's Minster of Information, in his office in Naypyidaw on Feb. 1, 2016. (Photo: Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters)

RANGOON — With the incoming National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government pledging to cut or consolidate government ministries to reduce state expenditure, many observers have pointed to the Ministry of Information as in line to be scrapped.

Kyaw Min Swe, editor in chief of The Voice Daily newspaper, described the information ministry as a "free propaganda mechanism for Thein Sein's government" and said it should be disbanded.

The ministry, which since August 2014 has been headed by Ye Htut, has three state-run daily newspapers—The Global New Light of Myanmar, Myanma Alinn and The Mirror—under its purview, alongside TV and radio broadcasters.

"Some lawmakers say if there is no state-run newspaper, how will people know about Parliament and government news? I say, there are many private newspapers and you can advertise there. It would cut costs," Kyaw Min Swe said.

Since late 2012, the information ministry has championed a plan to transform state-owned newspapers into "public service media," a proposal criticized by many industry experts who contend state-backed print media is unnecessary, with few comparable initiatives around the world, and would keep other private, independent dailies at a disadvantage.

Myint Kyaw of the Myanmar Journalist Network also calls for the shuttering of the information ministry, arguing that it can't possibly keep abreast of the workings of each government ministry and convey accurate information to the public.

He said each ministry under the new government should have its own public relations department, eclipsing the need for a separate information ministry.

The state-owned broadcaster MRTV should be utilized as a public-service outlet, with an independent board, to publicize information in the public interest, Myint Kyaw said.

Independent broadcaster Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) recently opened an online survey on the ministry's future, with over 80 percent of netizens (453 votes) in favor of its closure at time of publication, with voting still open.

Toe Zaw Latt, DVB's Burma bureau chief, said state-owned media should largely vanish under the incoming NLD government and called on the new ruling party to ensure more transparency on any decisions related to Burma's media landscape.

"Providing information… through a single ministry [MOI] to all media houses was absolutely the wrong system," he said.

Nyan Lynn, editor in chief of Maw Kun Magazine, concurred that state-owned newspapers, overseen by the information ministry, had no place in a democratic system.

"If there is an information team in every ministry, state-run newspapers are not necessary. The only thing that needs to be considered is how to manage employees under the MOI," he said.

Speaking to reporters in December, Ye Htut, who is also presidential spokesperson, said he hoped the NLD would consider the careers and livelihoods of the ministry's 7,000 employees—3,000 of whom work for its various media enterprises—when implementing bureaucratic reforms.

"There should be no state-run newspaper, radio or TV as they are spending a lot," said political analyst Yan Myo Thein, another commentator who backs the disbanding of the information ministry after the NLD assumes office in April.

The post Media Experts Support Shuttering of Info Ministry appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Aye Myint: ‘I Want Burma’s Youth to Know the Value of Our Heritage’

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 10:25 PM PST

Click to view slideshow.

MANDALAY — On Tuesday, the day of his 86th birthday, veteran Mandalay artist Aye Myint launched a showcase of his traditional Burmese designs at Mandalay Hill Art Gallery, attracting both fresh and more seasoned artists and art goers.

The gallery, opposite the hill's famous figure of two white lions, was filled with colorful pieces by the artist, mostly featuring scenes from the Jataka tales. Accompanying the artwork were frames embedded with images of Burma's currency and stamps adorned with pictures of the late General Aung San, some of which were designed by Aye Myint in the 1970s.

Aye Myint is widely known for his old-fashioned designs, as his work is largely inspired by styles found in ancient stone carvings and murals dating back to the sixth century.

After being expelled from Magwe Division's Wazi, site of Burma's national mint, Aye Myint moved to Rangoon to take up a job designing for a Buddhist literary magazine. Most of his artwork from this 11-year period was also on display to show milestones in his career.

Today, at 86, Aye Myint has held onto his enthusiasm for designing—he is currently a consultant for a traditional weaving academy in Amarapura, Mandalay Division, and helps with the restoration efforts of the ancient Shwe Nan Daw Palace Monastery.

Perhaps above all, the venerated artist's wish for young people is to carry on learning about traditional Burmese art, even in the face of rapid cultural change.

"We're witnessing developments in many sectors, in culture as well. I want Burma's youth to know the value of our heritage," Aye Myint said. "We should preserve our culture."

Aye Myint's exhibition will run at the Mandalay Hill Art Gallery, open from 9am to 9pm, until Feb. 6, and it is free of charge to anyone wishing to enjoy traditional Burmese art.

The post Aye Myint: 'I Want Burma's Youth to Know the Value of Our Heritage' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

North Korea Tells UN Agencies it Plans Satellite Launch

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 09:34 PM PST

US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi gesture at a joint news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Beijing, China, January 27, 2016.   (Photo: Jason Lee / Reuters)

US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi gesture at a joint news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Beijing, China, January 27, 2016.   (Photo: Jason Lee / Reuters)

SEOUL / WASHINGTON — North Korea told UN agencies on Tuesday it plans to launch a satellite as early as next week, a move that could advance the country's long-range missile technology after its fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6.

News of the planned launch between Feb. 8 and Feb. 25 drew fresh US calls for tougher UN sanctions already under discussion in response to North Korea's nuclear test. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the United Nations needed to "send the North Koreans a swift, firm message."

Pyongyang has said it has a sovereign right to pursue a space program by launching rockets, although the United States and other governments worry that such launches are missile tests in disguise.

"We have received information from DPRK regarding the launch of earth observation satellite 'Kwangmyongsong' between 8-25 February," a spokeswoman for the International Maritime Organization, a UN agency, told Reuters by email.

The International Telecommunication Union, another UN agency, told Reuters North Korea had informed it on Tuesday of plans to launch a satellite with a functional duration of four years, in a non-geostationary orbit.

It said the information provided by North Korea, whose official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, was incomplete, and that it was seeking more details.

US officials said last week that North Korea was believed to be making preparations for a test launch of a long-range rocket, after activity at its test site was observed by satellite.

The White House said on Tuesday that any satellite launch by North Korea would be viewed as "another destabilizing provocation." US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, the senior US diplomat for East Asia, told reporters it "argues even more strongly" for tougher UN sanctions.

Russel said a launch, "using ballistic missile technology," would be an "egregious violation" of North Korea's international obligations.

He said it showed the need "to raise the cost to the leaders through the imposition of tough additional sanctions and of course by ensuring the thorough and rigorous enforcement of the existing sanctions."

Russel said negotiations were "active" at the United Nations and that the United States and North Korea's main ally China "share the view that there needs to be consequences to North Korea for its defiance and for its threatening behaviors."

"Our diplomats are in deep discussion in New York about how to tighten sanctions, how to respond to violations," he said.

Asked about China's cautious response to US calls for stronger and more effective sanctions on Pyongyang and Beijing's stress on the need for dialogue, Russel said:

"Yet another violation by the DPRK of the UN Security Council resolution, coming on the heels of its nuclear test, would be an unmistakable slap in the face to those who argue that you just need to show patience and dialogue with the North Koreans, but not sanctions."

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said China had "unique influence over the North Korean regime" and added: "we … certainly are pleased to be able to work cooperatively and effectively with the Chinese to counter this threat."

Earlier on Tuesday, China's envoy for the North Korean nuclear issue arrived in the capital Pyongyang, the North's KCNA news agency reported.

North Korea last launched a long-range rocket in December 2012, sending an object it described as a communications satellite into orbit.

Western and Asian experts have said that launch was part of an effort to build an intercontinental ballistic missile.

North Korea has shown off two versions of a ballistic missile resembling a type that could reach the US West Coast, but there is no evidence the missiles have been tested.

Pyongyang is also seen to be working to miniaturize a nuclear warhead to mount on a missile, but many experts say it is some time away from perfecting such technology.

North Korea said it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb last month but this was met with skepticism by US and South Korean officials and nuclear experts. They said the blast was too small for it to have been a full-fledged hydrogen bomb.

The post North Korea Tells UN Agencies it Plans Satellite Launch appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thai Elephant Gores Scottish Tourist to Death on Trek 

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 09:25 PM PST

 Mahouts and volunteers bathe elephants in the Pasak River in the ancient Thai capital Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, on Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

Mahouts and volunteers bathe elephants in the Pasak River in the ancient Thai capital Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, on Aug. 11, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

BANGKOK — A Scottish tourist has been gored to death by an elephant that he and his 16-year-old stepdaughter were riding on the resort island of Samui, Thai authorities said Tuesday.

Police Lt. Rotjanart Kiewjan said the animal threw Gareth Crowe and Eilidh Hughes to the ground during a trek on Monday. The elephant then gored Crowe with his tusk and stomped on him.

Thai news reports said the elephant became enraged after its trainer, known as a mahout, climbed off to take a picture of the tourists. Police think hot weather may have disturbed the 13-year-old elephant.

The mahout, who is from Burma, was also gored and Hughes was injured from her fall. Both were hospitalized.

There was speculation that the elephant might have been in a state of musth, when it becomes more aggressive during its mating cycle, but Cherdchai Jaroenwech of the Office of Livestock Development said that was not the case.

Cherdchai, who shot the elephant with a tranquilizer dart Monday evening, said it had been taken back to the corral of its trekking company owners, Island Safari, where it was attended to by its usual caretakers and showered constantly to cool off while remaining chained.

He said the elephant, dubbed Rambo but also called by the nickname Golf, will take a 15-day break from work and then be moved to another branch of the trekking company in either Krabi or Phang Nga.

Elephants are Thailand's de facto national animal and were once featured on the country's flag. Their numbers have declined in recent decades as expanding human settlements have reduced their natural habitats. Thailand now has fewer than 3,000 wild elephants and about 4,000 domesticated elephants, according to the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.

The beasts once were used for logging, but deforestation and a subsequent ban on most logging has led to many elephants now being used as tourist attractions.

The post Thai Elephant Gores Scottish Tourist to Death on Trek  appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

India’s Top Court to Re-Examine Gay Rights

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 09:14 PM PST

A gay rights activist pins a badge onto another during a gathering in Mumbai, India, Feb. 2, 2016.  (Photo: Reuters)

A gay rights activist pins a badge onto another during a gathering in Mumbai, India, Feb. 2, 2016.  (Photo: Reuters)

NEW DELHI — India's top court on Tuesday agreed to re-examine a colonial-era law that makes homosexual acts punishable by up to a decade in prison.

The Supreme Court set up a five-judge panel to reconsider its 2013 ruling that only Parliament can change the 1861 law banning gay sex.

Gay activists cheered the court decision and said they were hopeful that the verdict would ultimately go in their favor, giving them a chance to live openly.

In 2009, a New Delhi High Court declared unconstitutional Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which says intercourse between members of the same sex is against the order of nature.

But the judgment was overturned four years later when the Supreme Court decided that amending or repealing the law should be left to Parliament, not the judiciary.

However, India's Parliament did not act in the matter, with the ruling Hindu nationalist party in no hurry to change the law.

Activists sought a review of the court decision.

On Tuesday, Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and two other judges said it would be appropriate to refer the issue to a five-judge panel because it involved important issues concerning the country's constitution.

Many activists welcomed the decision.

"It's a very positive development and we are confident that we will get our rights," said Vaijanti, an activist who uses one name.

Over the past decade, homosexuals have gained a degree of acceptance in parts of deeply conservative India, especially in big cities. Many bars have gay nights, and some high-profile Bollywood films have dealt with gay issues.

Still, being gay is seen as shameful in most of the country, and many homosexuals remain hidden.

The post India's Top Court to Re-Examine Gay Rights appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

National News

National News


NLD leader ‘must be’ president: U Tin Oo

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 02:30 PM PST

U Tin  Oo, veteran patron of the National League for Democracy, declared yesterday that he had no desire to become president and that the post must be given to party leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Upper house gets ready to elect next Speaker

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 02:30 PM PST

A rehearsal was held yesterday for newly elected Amyotha Hluttaw MPs as they prepared for the election of the Speaker and deputy speaker today.

Permanent secretaries prepped for change of guard

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 02:30 PM PST

Civil service chiefs, themselves barely a year in the job, are getting ready to meet their new bosses. The permanent secretaries have been preparing for a changing of the guard since last November's elections resulted in a landslide for the National League for Democracy.

Upgraded bus system to kick off next week

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 02:30 PM PST

A Bus Rapid Transit system, designed to relieve traffic congestion in Yangon and increase the safety of commuters, is aiming to launch the second week of February.

Rakhine government builds homes for displaced people

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 02:30 PM PST

The Rakhine State government has started building new homes in six villages in Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U townships for civilians who fled fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military last month.

Child support laws amended

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 02:30 PM PST

Parliment has revised a colonial-era law that capped child support payments at just K100. Now, husbands sued for alimony will be on the hook for monthly payments of K50,000 per child and can be ordered to financially support their ex-wives as well.

Dhamma schools lack funds

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 02:30 PM PST

The Dhamma School Foundation says it aims to establish more than 9000 Buddhist Sunday schools over the next five years, nearly quadrupling the current number. A rise in Buddhist nationalism has increased demand for Dhamma schools to instil the "right way" of living, according to the foundation. In the past few years, Sunday schools have been opened around the country. In Myanmar's dry zone, a shortage of funding is proving an obstacle for the Magwe Dhamma Schools Committee.

Experts aim for a quieter Inle Lake

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 02:30 PM PST

Noise from boats in Inle Lake could be reduced by half, creating a calmer environment for tourists and local residents alike, experts say.

Police colonel addresses child abduction rumours, human trafficking

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 02:30 PM PST

On the night of January 14, in Aung Myay Tharzan township, Mandalay Region, a man was beaten to death by a frenzied mob who suspected him of stealing a child. Police say no children have been abducted, and more must be done to stop the spread of false rumours and get the truth out.

The Myanmar Times interviewed Police Colonel Thet Naung on the latest situation.

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News


Back to Tell’s Land (Day-6)

Posted: 03 Feb 2016 01:23 AM PST

Day 6: Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Dr Julian Thomas Hottinger
Decentralization pulls diverse peoples together. On the contrary, centralization only serves to push them apart.

Sao Yawd Serk, Chairman, Restoration Council of Shan State, speaking to foreign department officials in Bern, 18 January 2016

Today, we are honored by a scholar highly respected among groups working in Burma. Dr. Julian Hottinger is a 27 year veteran consultant for projects over conflicts in several countries, including Indonesia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Sudan.

Again, there isn't any opportunity for me to take notes of this presentation on ceasefire implementation. But I do remember two things:

·         I've never known any treaty signed by all the groups concerned.
(Because not all parties have signed, one cannot say a ceasefire has failed.
One should not close the door to others in a nation-wide ceasefire.
The legitimacy of the ceasefire comes with its implementation: Sitting and waiting for other signatures is not a good tactic.
While time goes by, more parties will sign and therefore it is crucial not to marginalize or exclude anyone.)

·         Security Sector Reform/Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (SSR/DDR) can be discussed (concurrently with other topics). But agreement can come only after agreement on political issues has been concluded (not before).

At least that's what I think he means.

At 15:00, we are in Bern again, this time to attend the presentation given by Mr. Thomas Minger, head of home affairs, on the principles of fiscal federalism.

After all these years, the only thing I know well about money is how to spend it, and maybe also saving it for the rainy day. All my life, the subject has too much been deep water for me. But perhaps this time, he manages to knock some sense into my old thick head.

Finance, according to him, is the core of federalism. The distribution of powers to different level of government will mean nothing unless it comes along with distribution of finance. Suppose Shan State is allowed to set up a self defense force, but there is no budget allocation for it, what can the Shan State government do?

He goes further to explain how the Three Guiding Principles of Swiss Federalism is being applied for fiscal matters.

The three principles are:
·         Subsidiarity
Every task shall be carried out at the lowest level possible
·         Fiscal equivalence
Each function of government should be financed at the level at which it is consumed, and decisions are taken by those who pay
·         Direct democracy
Elections/voting
People's initiatives, Referendums and Petitions

The first principle is applied in the following way:
·         Regional and local problems have to be solved at the cantonal or communal level.
National concerns meanwhile require national solutions.
·         For example, internal security is managed by cantons; national security by the confederation.

A look at the following graphic will be more lucid for both the first and second principles:



One sees that:
·         When it is general administration, the communes have more to spend than other levels. The same goes for culture, sport and leisure, and protection of the environment and spatial planning
·         But when it comes to health and education, the cantons are spending the most
·         As for national economy, finances and taxes, the top expenditures go to the confederation
·         Interestingly, the confederation and cantons (collectively) are spending almost the same amount for security

More interestingly, tax sources and maximum tax rates are fixed in the constitution by applying the third principle, direct democracy. "It means if the government wants to revise the tax rates, it can only be done by changing the constitution, which in turn can only be done through referendums," says Mr. Minger.

Which also means a citizen is required to pay his dues to all three levels of government. But how? "In Germany, all taxes are paid to the federal government, which then transfers them to the state and local governments," he explains. "But here, you pay directly to each level through your bank." (Well, when do you think we can do the same back home?)

Another particular we learn about the Swiss fiscal federalism is equalization of resources, which in plain language means rich cantons must share their wealth with the poorer ones.



According to the graphic, the minimum equalization is fixed at 85% since as many as 9 cantons are below it, a referendum was held to decide on it resulting in the resource index shown in the above graphic. "Richer cantons of course didn't like it," he reports. "But they can't very well go against the popular decision either."

So what is the average taxpayer getting out of it?
·         Free schooling
·         Security
·         Infrastructure
·         Culture ("You may think you still have to pay for the ticket to a cultural event. But what the event costs is much more than the fee you pay. That comes from your tax.")
·         Services
·         Social Security


What about health care? We are to learn about it tomorrow. 

Taming ethnic upsurge and resolving conflict need viable comprehensive concept

Posted: 02 Feb 2016 08:39 PM PST

The Pyithu Hlutaw, lower house, started on 1 February and the Aung San Suu Kyi-led NLD took over the reins from the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), with the Ahmyotha Hlutaw, upper house, scheduled to take place a few days later, where the two presidential candidates from the NLD and one from the military would be selected for the voting, not later than the end of March. Most are optimistic that the change for the better is in the air.

The second parliament session was attended by 429 out of 433 MPs, as four of them were absent. The breakdown accordingly was National League for Democracy (NLD) 255, Arakan National Party (ANP) 12, Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) 12, Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) 30, Ta-ang (Palaung) National Party (TNP) 3, Zomi Congress for Democracy Party (ZCDP) 1, Lisu National Development Party (LNDP) 2, Kachin State Democracy Party (KSDP) 1, Kokang Democracy and Unity Party (KDUP) 1, Wa Democratic Party (WDP) 1, individual 1, Pa-O National Organization (PNO) 3 and Tatmadaw (Military) 110.

The session elected three non-Bamar and one Bamar ethnic MPs to the Pyithu Hluttaw and Ahmyotha Hluttaw – upper and lower houses - as house speakers. They are: lower house speaker, U Win Myint of NLD , the Bamar ethnic; lower house deputy speaker, U T Khun Myat of USDP, Kachin ethnic; upper house speaker, Mann Win Khaing Than of NLD, Karen ethnic; and upper house deputy speaker, U Aye Tha Aung (ANP), an Arakan ethnic.

The majority selection of the non-Bamar ethnic nationalities to the lower and upper houses was greeted with optimism by the ethnic leaders, even though it is quite clear that the real power lies in the lower house, for the upper house doesn't count much, under the present military-drafted constitution.

Regarding the NLD's tactical move, Hkun Htun Oo, Chairman of the SNLD said: "It is good for she (Aung San Suu Kyi) has already said that reconciliation with the ethnic is needed. The ethnic nationalities should be united, isn't it? She also said that she would resolve the ethnic problematic. In line with it, it is good that ethnic are given the opportunity."

Echoing the same expression, Dr Tu Ja of KSDP said: "It is good for national reconciliation. A good step for the prospect of the future, because all must work in cooperation. The ethnic people of the states had given their votes to the NLD because they want changes in all the parliaments. This leads to the ethnic having less voice (in the parliaments). Therefore, giving space (opportunity) as much as possible to the ethnic is very good. I would say that this is the first step that has to be welcome."

While such enthusiasm and upbeat mood is in the air, in the realpolitik power equation, the ethnic as a whole is only assuming the role of a second fiddle in national political arena, for only 11 ethnic political parties with some 40 MPs are participating in the parliamentary process.

But the insignificant number of ethnic MPs doesn't mean that the ethnic nationalities don't have a say in determining their own faith, for there is such notion as "ethnic self-determination" or "ethnic group rights" that has to be taken into account.

Broadly speaking, for the ethnic part of reconciliation, implementation must be grounded on broad conceptual thinking, which must be targeted at aiming to tame the global trend of  "ethnic upsurge" that is so contagious and already wide spread in the present day Burma.

It is imperative to understand that the need for comprehensive attention to resolve ethnic conflict on a nationwide scale and accommodating ethnic self-determination aspirations are two sides of the same coin and has to be tackled together and not separately.

Recently, a new ethnic armed resistance outfit, the Tai-leng's Shan-ni Nationalities Army (SNA), entered the armed conflict arena as a new kid on the bloc, adding another one more to the existing 21 ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), as if to demonstrate the rising tide of ethnic upsurge and Burma still doesn't have enough anti-government ethnic resistance groups.

According to the 25 January Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) report, the "Red Shan" of northern Burma announced the formation of their armed group, the Shan-ni Nationalities Army (SNA), on social media in mid-January, amidst calls for their own state in parliament.

Described as an independent organization "not under any other group," the SNA claims to represent the Shan peoples of northern Burma. With a population estimated at 300,000, the Red Shan—translated to Shan-ni in Burmese and Tai-leng in Shan—largely live in southern Kachin State, particularly near Mohnyin and Bhamo, and in Sagaing Division.

"If the tiger has no fangs, the animals will not be afraid of it," said a retired Shan-ni soldier from Kachin State, who asked not to be named. "If the people have no guns, we will not be safe. We cannot protect our area."

He said he believes that the establishment of an armed group will give the Red Shan a more prominent role in Burma's political dialogue. A commonly held perception is that arms allow for demands to be taken more seriously at Burma's negotiating table.

Recently, the Tai-leng Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), which won one state seat in November's parliamentary election, asked the government to demarcate a Shan-ni State made up of territory within Kachin State and Sagaing Division, not to be outdone by the Pa-O and Wa that also had voiced demands for the upgrade to national-level state status.

Supporting this ethnic upsurge trend, various ethnic groups have been active in a variety of ways.

For instance, alarmed by the NLD political onslaught that produced its winning majority in Karen State left the Karen without voice in parliamentary arena, five Karen political parties agreed to prepare for a fusion during the course of the year, so that they could ward off such a political disaster for the Karen people in the future.

On 29 January, the Karen News reported that the decision to be integrated was made at an integration meeting held on the 26 January in Rangoon where 30 delegates from Plone Sawor Democratic Party (PSDP), Karen Democratic Party (KDP) and Karen State Democracy and Development Party based in Karen state and the Yangon based Karen People's Party (KPP) and Karen National Party (KNP) attended.

Speaking at the meeting, Mann Aung Pyi Soe, the vice chairman of PSDP said; "The committee for the integration of Karen parties is going to be formed composed of 30 members with six representatives from each party. This committee is responsible for the implementation of getting the five parties integrated within one year."

Also seeking to empower their political outlook in state-building, a leadership delegation from the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South (RCSS/SSA-S) went for a ten-day exposure trip, in January, to Switzerland, which was the first such international trip and is themed as "Power Sharing and Federalism: Comparative Experiences", according to the SHAN report.

The delegation of 14, which includes RCSS/SSA-S commander-in-chief Lt.-Gen. Yawd Serk, advisors, and members of education, health, peace, foreign affairs and anti-narcotics departments, were invited to the country by the Swiss ambassador in Yangon. It was said that they hoped to gain further insight into Switzerland's federal government system—specifically, how power is allocated between a central government and the country's 26 "cantons," or states, and "communes," or municipalities.



Khuensai Jaiyen, an adviser to the RCSS/SSA-S, said that the group is interested in "study[ing] not only about federal and state level governments, but also about local governments."
During stays in four cities—Bern, Geneva, Montreux and Murten—the delegation  met representatives from international NGOs and study Swiss departments of defence, development, economics, education and healthcare.
Khuensai, who is also a journalist apart from being the patron of  SHAN and Director of the Pyidaungsu Institute (PI), that styled itself as a provider of "impartial and independent spaces for building common understanding, resources and assistance to communities in building the Pyidaungsu (Union)", was impressed by the Swiss federalism for its power-sharing arrangement among the German spoken 63.7% of the population, French 20.3%, Italian 6.5% and Romansch (which descends from Latin used by the Romans) 0.9%.
He was particularly delighted with regards to the usage of three official languages. He recently writes in SHAN that "every place we visit, signs are written in 3 languages: German, French and English".
Meanwhile, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has asked the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) and the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) to intervene to end fighting with the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS).


While the RCSS that signed October's nationwide ceasefire agreement claimed to have been attacked at least 10 times since November by the TNLA, the latter accused the former for expanding and intruding into its area with the help of the government troops, which was categorically denied.

"We are seeking to end the ongoing clashes. We have already informed the UNFC and the SSPP about the clashes. We requested both organizations intervene to stop the clashes with the RCSS," said Colonel Tar Phone Kyaw, general secretary of the TNLA.

Colonel Sai La, a spokesperson for the RCSS, said: "We don't want clashes. We want to be on good terms with all ethnic groups. We will be glad if the TNLA gives the green light."

But to date, the conflict lingers on and the said peaceful settlement intervention has not taken place.

While Aung San Suu Kyi thought that a token symbol of ethnic reconciliation  by placing some ethnic MPs in key government positions should be enough, ANP was not happy with the NLD in airing that it's right to form government and occupy Chief Minister post.  The ANP had won 23 seats in the state election.

And although Thein Sein stressed that his mission had been to pave way for a smooth democratic transition and anchored multi-party system, during his farewell speech, the question remains if and when the military's privileges would be curtailed and abolished that is blocking the whole democratization process.

The SNA entering the EAOs scene is also stark reminder that the armed ethnic conflict has not been resolved, but only exacerbated after four years of peace process.

The RCSS and TNLA armed clashes could also be seen as part and parcel of the ethnic upsurge, as the Ta'ang or Palaung shows increased identity awareness, territorial expansion and longed for an upgraded national status, on par with the Shan State, which it seeks to secede from.

Five Karen political parties unification deliberation is also an increased ethnic identity awareness, that has been trying to turn the lost of last election into a more formidable force and regain back political stature.

Capacity building and broadening the understanding of federalism by RCSS's Switzerland visit arranged by its foreign ministry is also an important activities that has to do with ethnic awareness.

All in all, these varying degree of ethnic awareness activities, which could be identified with ethnic upsurge is an unstoppable global trend and that needs attention and viable solution.

Successive military regimes have tried forced and institutionalized assimilation to solve the ethnic conflict but has only heightened the ethnic identity awareness.

The recent NLD's token ethnic reconciliation overtures of placing few ethnic MPs is hardly an appropriate remedy to tame the surging ethno-nationalism and it is just like a drop of water falling on a heated stone.

As for the USDP-Military clique whatever it might say, the ingrained idea of military supremacy tendency and Bamar ethnocentrism is hard to reform, if its Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing's  repetitive reiteration of the said stance is to be taken as indications.

Given such a circumstance, it is fair to conclude that while the NLD might has some form of ethnic accommodation scheme, at least judging from what it has been doing in reconciliation aspects, it still needs to open up a dialogue with the ethnic umbrella organization like United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) to exchange ideas on a wide range of policy formulation. As for the military class, so far, it is determined to be a bulwark of Bamar ethnocentrism.

This means the two Bamar political classes, the NLD and the military, still have no comprehensive accommodation plan to meet the ethnic self-determination aspirations. Besides, there is a likelihood that that national state-based federalism and federal army formation would be the bone of contention that will be hard to bridge, while the ethnic upsurge trend is gaining momentum, accelerating and on the rise.

There is no argument that the NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi need to first pass the transitional period in order to address the other pressing problems. But treating the ethnic groups as a whole as just a junior partner, worthy of only for a handout, and not open to policy consultation on par with the NLD, for the country's future is worrying and this has to be tackled.

In this sense, while the NLD should proceed its handling of transitional administrative undertakings, which is seen as political horse-trading with the military, reconciliation with the ethnic nationalities, armed and unarmed, should be worked out in tandem to be fair. For it would be a failure to dictate just the NLD policy one-sidedly, without their participation, especially where the ethnic self-determination issue is concerned.

Finally, Aung San Suu Kyi also knows what should be included in the viable solution concept that the ethnic peoples have been demanding all along.

All have already agreed and even written in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, that it should be according to our unique historical background and appropriate system in forming a genuine federal union, we only need to go back on our historical treaty and documents and base our deliberation in overcoming the constitutional crisis, that has existed since independence.

These historical treaty and documents are none other than the 1947 Panglong Agreement, 1948 Union of Burma Constitution, and 1961 Shan Federal Proposal that was endorsed by all ethnic nationalities in Taunggyi, Shan State.


If there is real political will and this concept is taken seriously, adhering to the decades-long United Nations endorsement of tripartite dialogue, between the military, the EAOs and political parties, to have fair representation for all stakeholders, the long awaited political settlement will be at hand. Otherwise the vicious circle of conflict would go on unabated, with or without Aung San Suu Kyi.

The contributor is ex-General Secretary of the dormant Shan Democratic Union (SDU) — Editor