Wednesday, September 7, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Advisory Commission Completes First Trip to Arakan State

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 07:53 AM PDT

Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan tours the Rohingya community of Aung Mingalar ward in Sittwe on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Maung Kyaw Hein MPA / The Irrawaddy)

Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan tours the Rohingya community of Aung Mingalar ward in Sittwe on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Maung Kyaw Hein MPA / The Irrawaddy)

RANGOON – Tha Hla Shwe, a member of the Kofi Annan-led Arakan State Advisory Commission, told The Irrawaddy that during their two-day trip to Sittwe, the commission heard perspectives on trust building from the Buddhist Arakanese and Muslim communities in the state capital.

The trip—the commission's first, lasting from Sept. 6-7—focused on improving the relationship between the two groups as the first step in addressing the wounds of the state's 2012 riots.

Dr. Tha Hla Shwe said that the commission met with Muslim religious leaders, influential Buddhist monks, civil society organizations, internally displaced persons (IDPs), parliamentarians, and the administrative body of Arakan—also known as Rakhine—State.

"We just listened to their opinions and assumptions," said Tha Hla Shwe. "We asked them what we could do for them. They also unveiled their own perspectives on how to solve the problem on the ground."

Internally displaced populations' concerns centered largely on their lack of freedom of movement and difficulties in obtaining permits to travel to hospitals for medical treatment. When asked about points raised by IDPs, Tha Hla Shwe said: "Nothing special there. Everything they told us is the same as in previous conversations.''

Aung Mingalar resident Zaw Zaw, who identifies as Rohingya, said that the Kofi Annan-led team visited his quarter on Wednesday and had a conversation with him for about half an hour beside a Muslim prayer hall.

The term Rohingya, the name with which many Muslims in the region ethnically identify, is rejected by many Arakanese Buddhists and members of the Burmese public, who describe the group as "Bengali," implying they are interlopers from neighboring Bangladesh.

According to Zaw Zaw, Annan introduced himself and the reason for his visit. Zaw Zaw said he emphasized three urgent needs to the former UN chief: access to medical travel permits, access to education for his children, and citizenship documents for IDPs; the Rohingya are not recognized as one of Burma's 135 ethnic groups, contributing to widespread statelessness in a country where citizenship is defined along ethnic lines.

Together with Annan, eight advisors from the commission and a team of government officials including Arakan State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, later visited IDP camps. There was no surveillance by military special branch officials or police unlike on previous visits from dignitaries in the last four years, said Zaw Zaw.

"We talked openly and he told us they will be here [in Sittwe] and he urged us to contact them in case of an emergency," Zaw Zaw said.

The speaker of the Arakan State parliament, U San Kyaw Hla confirmed that he and Annan met at the government office on Tuesday. He asked Annan for a fair and acceptable assessment and Annan pledged to deliver an impartial report to State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Narinjara, a local weekly journal, reported that the Arakan State parliament speaker openly voiced his dissatisfaction with the formation of the commission.

However, he declined to verify or provide further information of the discussion. "I don't want to talk much more. It's not good to say here," said U San Kyaw Hla over the phone to The Irrawaddy.

The delegation returned to Rangoon Wednesday evening. About 100 people protested against the commission at their departure from Sittwe airport, said Tha Hla Shwe.  Hundreds of local residents and Buddhist monks also rallied on Tuesday at Sittwe airport against the arrival of the advisory commission.

On Tuesday an urgent proposal put forward by Arakanese National Party (ANP) lawmaker Aung Kyaw San—calling for international members of the Arakan State Advisory Commission to be replaced with local academics—failed to earn parliamentary approval.

A memorandum of understanding between the State Counselor's Office and the Kofi Annan Foundation regarding the commission will be signed. It is currently being processed by the Union Attorney General's Office, according to representatives from the National League for Democracy (NLD) at the debate session regarding the proposal on Tuesday.

The President's Office spokesman Zaw Htay disclosed to the media on Tuesday that the State Counselor's Office would be allocating its own funds toward the Arakan State Advisory Commission project but did not mention the size of the budget.

The post Advisory Commission Completes First Trip to Arakan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Three Men Who Violently Attacked NLD Members Sentenced to Prison, Hard Labor

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 06:07 AM PDT

 Naing Ngan Lin returned to the campaign trail on Nov. 4 2015 after being hospitalized following the attack in Rangoon's Thaketa Township. (Photo: Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy)

Naing Ngan Lin returned to the campaign trail on Nov. 4 2015 after being hospitalized following the attack in Rangoon's Thaketa Township. (Photo: Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy)

RANGOON — Three men who attacked the current Rangoon social affairs minister Naing Ngan Lin and two other National League for Democracy (NLD) members during last year's election campaign period were sentenced to prison with hard labor on Tuesday.

Naing Ngan Lin, then an NLD lawmaker representing Napyidaw's Dekkhinathiri Township who was seeking reelection in Rangoon's Thaketa Township, was attacked by a group of men—at least one of whom was armed with a sword—and suffered severe injuries to his head and hands on the night of Oct. 29 while campaigning.

He was sent to Rangoon General Hospital in a critical condition, while two other party members were also sent to the hospital after being attacked.

Nearly 10 months after the violent attack, the court in Thaketa Township sentenced the three men. They were charged under articles 319, 323 and 326 of Burma's Penal Code for causing grievous bodily harm using dangerous weapons or means and under article 294 for "obscene act[s]" in a public place.

Kyaw Hla, the NLD lawyer, told The Irrawaddy that assailant Aung Zaw Latt was sentenced to six years and nine months with hard labor and the other two men received three years and six months with hard labor.

"This case and increasing crimes prove that the rule of law is weak in this country. The police will say it's because they're understaffed," he said.

The post Three Men Who Violently Attacked NLD Members Sentenced to Prison, Hard Labor appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

IFC Loans US$10M to Local Agribusiness

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:23 AM PDT

An IFC official (L) and Myanma Awba's U Thandoe Hein (R) at an IFC loan signing ceremony in Rangoon. (Photo: Kyaw Hsu Mon / The Irrawaddy)

An IFC official (L) and Myanma Awba's U Thandoe Hein (R) at an IFC loan signing ceremony in Rangoon. (Photo: Kyaw Hsu Mon / The Irrawaddy)

RANGOON — The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, supported local agribusiness with a US$10 million convertible loan to the Myanma Awba Group, formalized at a signing ceremony in Rangoon on Tuesday.

The loan will be used for the expansion of agribusiness and job creation by the Myanma Awba group, U Thadoe Hein, chief executive officer of the group, told The Irrawaddy at the signing ceremony.

"It has a low interest rate, and the loan will later be converted to shares of the World Bank," he said.

With the money, the Myanma Awba Group will build the Hmawbi Agricultural Input Complex, a formulation plant for crop protection products, located 30 kilometers north of Rangoon.

It will be the first and only modern crop protection plant in Burma that meets environmental criteria set by the World Bank Group.

"Our support to the Myanma Awba Group will facilitate improvements in agricultural productivity and create much needed jobs along the agricultural value chain," said Vikram Kumar, IFC country manager for Burma, at the signing ceremony.

"Supporting agribusiness is one of the IFC's priorities in Myanmar as it helps increase rural income and promote inclusive growth for about 70 percent of the country's labor force working in this sector," he added.

Myanma Awba Group expects the new complex to create about 500 jobs and support a grower base of more than 3 million farming families across the country.

The plant is expected to meet up to 50 percent of the demand for crop protection chemicals in the country.

According to a joint statement, the IFC has significantly scaled up its investment in agribusiness in recent years. For the fiscal year ending June 2016, the IFC invested $3.4 billion across the agribusiness supply chain, from farm to retail—to help boost production, increase liquidity, improve logistics and distribution and expand access to credit for small farmers. IFC’s agribusiness portfolio as of June 2016 stood at US$5.6 billion.

The post IFC Loans US$10M to Local Agribusiness appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Zika Virus Risk: Consulate Warns Pregnant Burmese Women to Avoid Chiang Mai

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 04:30 AM PDT

A worker fumigates the area to control the spread of mosquitoes in the Thai capital Bangkok in February 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

A worker fumigates the area to control the spread of mosquitoes in the Thai capital Bangkok in February 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

CHIANG MAI, Thailand — The Burmese Consulate in Chiang Mai has warned pregnant Burmese women to temporarily avoid visiting the northern Thai province after a pregnant migrant woman was infected with the mosquito-borne Zika virus this week.

On Monday, the Zika virus was detected in two pregnant women in Chiang Mai Province's San Sai District. One is a 28-year-old Burmese migrant, eight months into her pregnancy, according to the Chiang Mai Public Health Centre.

As of Monday, 11 Zika cases have been reported in Chiang Mai Province, according to The Bangkok Post—the highest concentration in Thailand, where known cases have reached a total of 20 across four provinces: Chiang Mai, Phetchabun, Bueng Kan and Chanthaburi. But the Thai Ministry of Public Health says the situation remains under control.

The symptoms of Zika infection are generally mild, although in pregnant women it can cause brain malformations and other defects in unborn children. There are no vaccines or specific treatments.

The virus has been known to occur largely in tropical regions of Africa and Asia. However, a widespread Zika epidemic began in Brazil early last year, spreading to other parts of South and North America and to some Pacific islands. It has since been detected in Southeast Asia, Singapore and Thailand.

The Burmese Consulate's statement issued on Wednesday read, "Pregnant women and those planning to have a baby should temporarily suspend trips to Chiang Mai."

Burmese Consular General U Kaung San Lwin told the Irrawaddy the warning was intended for Burmese migrants living in Thailand as well as Burmese tourists.

He said the Burmese patient was undergoing treatment at the Public Health Center's emergency unit in San Sai. The Consulate intends to erect warning signs about the Zika virus in Burmese migrant communities in Chiang Mai—including in the vicinity of the Burmese Wat Sai Moon monastery—and publish posts on Facebook.

He added that the Consulate was ready to support Burmese infected with the Zika virus, and encouraged all Burmese migrants to contact the Consulate immediately if symptoms appear.

"I would like to warn the migrants to avoid being bitten by misquotes, to be aware of the symptoms and to see a doctor if you find yourself feeling any of the symptoms […] and to contact us," he said.

Some migrant communities have already been informed about the risks of Zika infection by an awareness campaign begun by Thai authorities last month.

Burmese migrant Ma Khin Phone, who belongs to a workers' association, said the migrants she knew of—particularly pregnant women—were concerned about the disease.

"When we conduct outreach among migrant communities, we advise them to scrupulously avoid mosquito bites and to use mosquito nets," she said.

The post Zika Virus Risk: Consulate Warns Pregnant Burmese Women to Avoid Chiang Mai appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

The Changing Nature of the Burma-China Sex Trade

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 04:24 AM PDT

 Kyalgaung at Burma-China Border. (Photo: Thit Nay Moe / The Irrawaddy)

Kyalgaung at Burma-China Border. (Photo: Thit Nay Moe / The Irrawaddy)

MUSE, Shan State — Life was hard for Ma Nyo Nyo (not her real name). After the death of her husband, she struggled to take care of her children and her elderly mother who had suffered a paralytic stroke.

When a cloth merchant from the China border area came to Ma Nyo Nyo's small town in Irrawaddy Division, she thought her fortunes had changed.

"The cloth merchant told us jobs are abundant in Laukkai" Ma Nyo Nyo told The Irrawaddy, referring to the primary city in the ethnic Kokang region of northern Shan State. "I decided to go to Laukkai. When I arrived, the merchant told me I could get a job in China with a good salary in Chinese yuan, which would be a large amount when exchanged to kyat."

Ma Nyo Nyo travelled with the merchant to the Chinese border town of Ruili where she was handed over to another person. After a four-day car journey, she arrived in a rural Chinese village and was placed with a local family.

"When I woke up the next morning I found the people who had sent me there had disappeared. I questioned what had happened in Burmese but the Chinese villagers just waved their hands to show they did not understand what I said," Ma Nyo Nyo recalled.

Ma Nyo Nyo gestured to the Chinese family that she wanted to use the phone and called the person who had brought her from Ruili. The person told her to be well-behaved and to "give birth to a child as soon as possible" if she wanted to go back to Burma.

In a state of shock, she demanded to be brought back to her home country but the phone line went dead. At that moment, she understood that she had been sold to a Chinese family and married off to a complete stranger.

After a few days, the son of the family tried to sleep with her. When Ma Nyo Nyo resisted his attempts he produced papers and gestured that he had bought her with money.

"It was not a one-day thing. Eventually, I could no longer resist and I was forced to have sex with him," she said. Her ordeal lasted for five months, until she was lucky enough to escape. She ran for a day before she was picked up by Chinese police and handed over to Burma's human trafficking branch of the police force in Muse on the Burma-China border.

According to official statistics, there were about 400 reported cases of human trafficking from 2006 to 2015 in Muse District. Over 1,000 traffickers were arrested over this period, but police believe more than 400 are still at large.

Police major U Khin Maung Oo of Muse district's human trafficking police squad, told The Irrawaddy that he had witnessed many cases where Burmese women had been sold into forced marriages in China.

"In most cases, Burmese women are not 'married' off to Chinese men in urban areas," he said. "They are forced to marry men in rural villages who can't find a bride. Some places are in very remote areas and it is even difficult to get to the nearest paved road. They can't escape."

Among the victims who have been handed over to Burma by Chinese authorities, some report that they have been raped by as many as five Chinese men and have given birth three times. They also report being forced to "marry" men with mental and physical disabilities.

"One victim was forced to marry a man who could not speak and had developmental problems. The man's family was so desperate for a descendant that they locked the victim and their son in a room together and showed pornographic videos to demonstrate what they were meant to do," the police major explained.

One of the challenges facing U Khin Maung Oo and his team is that the nature of trafficking is constantly changing.

Until 2008, human traffickers usually targeted girls who made a simple living by selling things at bus terminals and stations. Since 2009, however, they have targeted girls working at massage parlors, KTV bars and brothels.

"Traffickers are less frequently operating in organized groups. Some Burmese women who have been married in China for four or five years return home and persuade women to work in China by showing off their newfound wealth. As they can speak Chinese, they work together with the men in China [to traffick new women]." U Khin Maung Oo said.

"These women do the trafficking once or twice a year when they come back to Burma to visit their families. It is incredibly difficult to investigate such cases," said U Khin Maung Oo.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko

The post The Changing Nature of the Burma-China Sex Trade appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Asean Summit Overshadowed by Philippine President’s Remarks

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 09:57 PM PDT

Southeast Asian leaders pose for photo during the Asean Summit in Vientiane, Laos, September 7, 2016. (Photo: Reuters / Soe Zeya Tun)

Southeast Asian leaders pose for photo during the Asean Summit in Vientiane, Laos, September 7, 2016. (Photo: Reuters / Soe Zeya Tun)

VIENTIANE, Laos — A summit of Southeast Asian leaders to discuss issues ranging from terrorism to South China Sea tensions opened Tuesday, overshadowed by the Philippine president’s intemperate comments in his debut appearance at the annual meeting. The insult was made more egregious because of who the target was — President Barack Obama.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte occupied center stage on the eve of the summit Monday when he made comments about Obama that included a "son of a bitch" remark.

He was again in the spotlight Tuesday when he trooped into a conference hall in the Laotian capital of Vientiane wearing a traditional Filipino shirt with sleeves rolled up, and hands in pant pockets. The other male Southeast Asian leaders were dressed in dark business suits. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi wore a mauve traditional dress.

Filipinos wear the "barong" shirt on formal occasions too, but with sleeves buttoned down at the wrists. Rolled-up sleeves are considered too casual for any formal setting, let alone an Asean summit. Duterte rolled his sleeves down and buttoned them when Laotian President Bounnhang Vorachith gave a speech to open the summit.

"Multifaceted security challenges have occurred in many parts of the world, such as terrorism and extremism, natural disasters, climate change, migration crisis, trafficking in people, territorial disputes and armed conflicts," Bounnhang said. "At the same time, although the global economy has gradually recovered, growth remains slow and fragile."

"There is a need for us to closely follow these developments and continue to enhance Asean cooperation and collaboration with the international community," he said.

The 10-nation Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The summit will be followed by a series of other meetings on Wednesday and a summit Thursday between leaders from Asean and other countries, including the United States, China, Russia, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Obama arrived in Vientiane on Monday night and will attend Thursday’s summit. Duterte also arrived Monday night.

But hours before his arrival, Duterte dropped a diplomatic bombshell by saying he doesn’t want Obama to ask him questions about extrajudicial killings that have occurred amid an ongoing crackdown on drug dealers in the Philippines. More than 2,000 people have been killed in the crackdown since he took office on June 30.

In his typical loose-tongued style, Duterte said: "I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody. You must be respectful. Do not just throw questions. Putang ina, I will swear at you in that forum," he said, using the Tagalog phrase for "son of a bitch."

Obama later canceled a bilateral meeting he was scheduled to have with Duterte in Vientiane. On Tuesday, Duterte expressed regret over the remarks, but the damage was already done.

Duterte is also planning to ask China’s premier at the Vientiane meetings whether China is trying to develop a disputed reef, Scarborough Shoal, off the Philippines’ northwestern coast, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

The shoal is part of the larger dispute in the South China Sea between China and some Asean countries. An international arbitration panel recently ruled that China’s expansive claims in the sea are illegal. Beijing has rejected the ruling as a sham.

Although Asean has the power of the ruling behind it, its summit is unlikely to mention it in its final declaration, a reflection of Beijing’s diplomatic clout.

But according to a draft of the final statement Asean is scheduled to release on Thursday, the region’s leaders will express strong concern about Beijing’s construction of man-made islands in the South China Sea, which Southeast Asian countries fear could destabilize the region.

Duterte said last week that the Philippine coast guard has sighted Chinese barges at Scarborough, which he said could presage the transformation of the Chinese-held reef into another man-made island. One of the Chinese vessels had what appeared to be a crane, according to a Philippine official who did not want to be identified because he was not authorized to discuss classified intelligence.

China sparked widespread alarm when it converted seven reefs in the Spratly Islands into islands that the United States says could be transformed into military bases to reinforce Beijing’s territorial claims and intimidate rival claimant countries.

Duterte has taken a more conciliatory stance toward China than his predecessor. But a confirmation of Chinese reclamation activities at Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing ground where Filipino fishermen have been forced away by Beijing’s coast guard, could impede relations.

US officials have also expressed deep concern over the possibility of China developing Scarborough into an island or starting to erect concrete structures there, which could reinforce Beijing’s control over a swath of the South China Sea.

The post Asean Summit Overshadowed by Philippine President's Remarks appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ye Htut: ‘Policymakers Need to Be More in Touch With International Norms’

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 06:24 PM PDT

U Ye Htut at his house in Rangoon. (Photo: Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy)

U Ye Htut at his house in Rangoon. (Photo: Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy)

RANGOON — Five months after the transfer of power to the new government in April, former Minister of Information (2014-16) U Ye Htut became a senior visiting fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. While in Burma conducting research for a book to be published later this year, he spoke to The Irrawaddy about his past experiences in government and views on the current administration.

What is your book about?

Mainly, it will be about the reforms initiated by former President U Thein Sein over the past five years. It does not boast about the success of those reforms, but discusses the reasons behind them, the difficulties faced and the lessons learned.

What have you realized about the previous government since you began to study outside of the country?

Since I entered an environment in which scholars consider everything impartially, I can think without strings attached. I could not do that before because I was representing the government for which I worked. I am more liberated and my perspective has changed.

The previous government was weak in regard to studying abroad. Since you are now looking in from the outside, what does the government need to improve on?

 When I was assigned to the Ministry of Information, I had the chance to speak to visiting scholars. I found that when my superiors made decisions, they based them on personal experience. But foreign scholars presented theories based on international norms. There are huge differences. If people can leave the country, they will get a more balanced view. The previous government had shortfalls because of this gap.

The previous government took actions based on prior experience?

The previous government worked based on its own experience but it failed to follow international norms and procedures because there was a closed-door policy for a long time. It was also partly because of its distrust in people. The international community and the people inside the country were at odds with the government. But policymakers need to be more in touch with international norms.

Now, the opposition party—the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)—has a new leadership. Could this be interpreted as real change?

 The party made the change with the intention of bringing in new blood but it needs to change its mindset and methods. We will wait and see how much the new people change the old methods.

Both the former and current government worked by basing decisions on previous experience. The current government organized the 21st Century Panglong Conference in the same way meetings were organized under the Burma Socialist Programme Party, the State Law and Order Restoration Council, and the previous government. Songs are broadcast, singposts are erected and public rallies are held. The USDP needs to change and think outside of the box.

There were some problems with the United Wa State Army (UWSA) at the Panglong conference. Do you think the conference could lead to peace? What needs to be done?

 This first conference was just a gathering of people sharing their thoughts. They were not finding answers. Later, national-level negotiations need to be held. But, if non-signatories of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) are not allowed to join, negotiations will go nowhere.

Stakeholders need to accept that things are different from 1947 (when the first Panglong Conference was held).

We need to oppose racial prejudice at the national level as well as at the state level. For example, Shan nationals have demanded greater power as their influence has increased. I accept that. But there are other ethnicities living in Shan State. When the Shan demand greater power they should also be ready to give that opportunity to smaller ethnic groups in their state.

Currently, some ethnicities attack Burman racial superiority, but they need to assess whether they are also asserting racial superiority in their regions.

Regarding the unresolved crisis in Arakan State, the former government formed a local investigation commission. The committee formed by the new government includes international representatives. What difference do you think the new commission will make?

It needs to be pragmatic. We tried to solve the Arakan issue locally but the commission could not find a solution that appeased all parties, and international recognition was weak.

I think Daw Aung San Suu Kyi included Kofi Annan to garner international recognition. But that is a double-edged sword that the government can benefit from if they make use of it.

For that to happen, Arakan nationals need to provide the commission with information. If they do not, they will not get the result that they want.

People concerned with this issue need to know that citizen rights and ethnic rights are different. People who identify as Rohingya cannot currently be granted citizenship. But, if there is a systematic citizenship verification system, we should be ready to accept them as citizens.

The government needs to find out what the self-identifying Rohingya want. Do they want citizenship, freedom of movement, or are they stuck on terminology?

The longer this problem remains unsolved, the more the state and country will be damamged.

How would you compare the previous government with the new government, in its first five months in office?

 People have very high expectations of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's government so there is more pressure now.

In the former administration, no one had trust in us when we took office. People did not expect change so we did not feel much pressure.

Another difference is ministerial performance. Although the new government has articulated its economic policy, it is very broad.  Also, the current ministries are not effective in implementing their policies, perhaps because they are hesitant. They are weak in that regard.

Regarding peace, clashes broke out with the Kachin Independence Army just after the former government assumed power. The new government has the NCA in place and the influence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and they are doing better in regards to the peace process.

Did you make any decisions that you regret during your time as information minister?

I knew that media censorship needed to be lifted, even back in 2008. It would have been better if it had happened gradually but when censorship was suddenly abolished in 2012, neither side was ready and problems were unavoidable.

We failed to coordinate sufficiently while an interim press council was formed, so journalist cooperation with the council was weak.

We also could not get people to understand the idea of public service media and as a result MRTV [Myanma Radio and Television] and some newspapers are still state-owned.

This was due to the weakness of our ministry and the fact that I was hesitant at times. If I had been more bold, media relations would be better.

The post Ye Htut: 'Policymakers Need to Be More in Touch With International Norms' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

National News

National News


Seeking closer ties, Myanmar and India due for bilateral talks at ASEAN summit

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:42 PM PDT

The Myanmar delegation has scheduled a bilateral meeting with India on the sidelines of this week's ASEAN summits to continue work to establish closer ties between the neighbouring countries following President U Htin Kyaw's trip to New Delhi last month.

Rakhine commission greeted by jeers and protests

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:38 PM PDT

As hundreds of protestors gave Kofi Annan a hostile welcome to Sittwe yesterday, the chair of the newly formed Rakhine advisory commission vowed to work with all sections of the community to end the conflict that has blighted the state, and to help build economic prosperity.

More delays for long-awaited decision on Myitsone dam

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:34 PM PDT

A decision on the stalled Myitsone hydropower dam has been delayed for several more months, even as the commission tasked with evaluating the project has admitted to having already reviewed the contract.

New commitments made to fight non-communicable diseases

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:32 PM PDT

Just as Southeast Asia announced a declaration to fight non-communicable diseases, the Mandalay Region Public Health Department announced a new initiative to find and cure such diseases in three townships.

Anti-foreigner motion on Rakhine advisory body defeated

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:31 PM PDT

The Pyithu Hluttaw yesterday voted down an urgent proposal seeking the removal of three foreigners from a recently formed Rakhine State advisory commission that has provoked the ire of nationalists. The failed motion came the same day commission members included former UN secretary general and Ghanaian Kofi Annan travelled to state capital Sittwe for an initial foray into the Rakhine's thorny political arena.

Snags hobble activists’ youth policy formulation

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:29 PM PDT

Young people in Yangon Region helping to draft a proposed youth policy say greater coordination is needed as efforts to formulate the plan continue.

Garment factory owner refuses to rehire striking workers

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:25 PM PDT

A Japanese-owned garment factory is refusing to rehire workers striking over new daily production requirements, which they said were nearly impossible to meet.

Program cuts red tape to enrol migrant students in school

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:20 PM PDT

Almost a quarter of a million children of migrant workers on the Thai-Myanmar border will gain access to education under a plan that will go into effect in the coming academic year.

More timber found on military research compound

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:19 PM PDT

Officials have found a third cache of timber on a military research compound in Mandalay.

Inmates allowed to continue studies through distance learning and matriculation exams

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 11:14 PM PDT

Prison bars are not preventing some inmates from receiving a university education. This year's intake at the University of Distance Education will include nine students currently serving terms at Yangon's Insein Prison.

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News


DEMAND OF NEW NATIONAL STATES: A challenge that is unavoidable

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 03:38 AM PDT

One controversial and visible challenge coming out of the recently finished 21st Century Panglong Conference (21CPC) is the demand for the status of new national state and this has created a big headache for the power-holders of Nay Pyi Taw and as well, for the Shan - the majority non-Bamar ethnic population who called themselves "Tai" - political and armed groups, on how to handle and tackle this delicate and sensitive issue.

The emotionally charged proposal was the demand for self-rule and autonomous states by several ethnic sub-group or minorities, particularly in Shan State.

The ethnic groups that demanded their own self-administered states include: the United Wa State Army (UWSA), arguably Burma's strongest ethnic armed group, which does at present fall within a self-administered division; the Ta'ang (Palaung) National Liberation Army (TNLA); the Pa-oh; and Tai Leng group. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) based in Mong La demanded a self-administered zone for ethnic Akha people.

Danu, Kokang, Pa-Oh, Palaung self-administerd zones and Wa self-administered division are in Shan State; only Naga self-administered zone is within the Sagaing Region.

The Shan were already feeling the pinch when almost all self-administered zones and a division were carved out of Shan State and now the Wa, Pa-Oh and Palaung are demanding national-level state status, which literally would mean the loss of territories for the majority Shan population. And to exacerbate the problem, UWSA and TNLA were demanding more territories than have been demarcated by the existing present, political country map.

UWSA moved down to south of Shan State with its hundreds of Wa population, during the late eighties to fight with the Shan Mong Tai Army (MTA) of Khun Sa, on the side of the Burma Army, and have never returned back ever since. And now the Wa wanted to claim the territories that are normally inhabited by the Shan.

The Wa were said to be given verbal promises that if it could drive out the MTA, the conquered territories would be allotted to them, by the then military intelligence chief General Khin Nyunt. However, the new military regime that followed didn't honour the verbal promises of Khin Nyunt and started to demand the Wa to move back to their original stomping ground in the north, close to the Chinese border, but refused and have been at odds with the military and government ever since.

The same is also true with the TNLA claims of more territories to be incorporated into its demanded state-level administration, when it troops expanded into the majority Shan settlement, which incites animosity among the two ethnic groups, which have for immemorial time lived harmoniously together.

Since last year, shortly after the signing of Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), the signatory Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) went up to the northern part of Shan State to reinforce its troops (at the military base along the Chinese border in Namkham township) and reportedly also to defend the Shan population from the TNLA riding roughshod on the population.  The armed conflict between the RCSS and TNLA ensued, resulting in huge exodus and producing thousands of refugees until today, with no end in sight.

The UWSA in its position paper tabled at the 21CPC also reveal some of its thinking, regarding this issue. The paper said that the present establishment of administrative region procedure gives more rights to the larger ethnic population and could even decide the fate of the lesser minority groups, which is not in line with the notion of national equality. Thus it suggested that if an ethnic group is 100,000 living in the same region, it could apply for autonomous region; if 200,000 autonomous prefecture/district; and if 300,000 a national-level state.

But regardless of such enthusiastically thought out inputs, according to Maj. Sai Nguen, the spokesperson for the RCSS/SSA, said that it is every ethnic group's right to make such a request. However, he said that these matters are directly concerned with the central government, and therefore fall under the 2008 constitution.

He explained that several stages must be met in order to form an autonomous state.

Gen. Hso Ten, a veteran of the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), said that in order to establish a new state, a detailed process must be followed.

"It does not depend on us [SSPP/SSA]," he said. "It needs to pass through parliament and the Shan State people. It is not so easy just to establish a new state."

He added that such a new state would have to depend on ethnic population, as well as language and literature, which should be historically sound and traceable.

"It's their [ethnic minorities'] right and we cannot stop that," said Khuensai, the director of the Pyidaungsu Institute for Peace and Dialogue.

Khuensai continued: "What we have to consider is the loss we are facing as the majority group.
"But whatever we lose, they will also lose. We all faced with losses."

Still another input that has been making the round, since the demand of the ethnic sub-groups or minorities become louder, especially in Shan State, is that invoking the "Federated Shan States" structure of 1922, where some 30 or so administrative states were diversified, each with its traditional ruler, called Saohpa. Of course, the Federated States would be led by democratically elected people's representatives, rather than the traditional rulers.

Accordingly, the political system of Federated Shan States,  made use of in pre-War days were said to be satisfactory, for the Wa, Pa-Oh, Palaung, Danu and the likes were ruled by their own traditional rulers and not by anyone else.

One couldn't agree more, when Khuensai said: "What we have to do now is establish equal rights. And the best way to do that is to sit together and discuss the issues until we have solutions."

Whatever it is, since the ethnic upsurge and identity consciousness are international trend, they are to be encouraged. The decentralization and devolution of power to address the demand should also be done sequentially in a row. And this is none other than going through the existing administrative procedure, with a lot of democratically charged discussions to determine a set of criteria that all could live with, on how different level of administrative zone, division and up to national-level state administration could be meted out.

It is hoped that cooler heads would prevail and this seemingly hard to crack nut could be overcome through mutual understanding and benefit.

To Hopeland and Back: The 21st trip

Posted: 07 Sep 2016 12:25 AM PDT

The gods presented (Pandora) with a box into which each had put something harmful, and forbade her even to open it. (But) Pandora, like all women, was possessed of a lively curiosity. One day she lifted the lid—and out flew plagues innumerable, sorrow and mischief for mankind. In terror Pandora clapped the lid down, but too late. One good thing, however, was there – Hope. It was the only good the casket had held among the many evils, and it remains to this day mankind's sole comfort in misfortune.

Mythology, by Edith Hamilton

This was the longest (in terms of time) Burma trip I had made during the last 4 years. Like previous trips, it was both wonderfully informative and educative.

But unlike them, it coincided with what the UN Secretary General called a "historic occasion" – the Union Peace Conference (21st Century Panglong), 31 August-3 September. And my journal here has attempted to give a comprehensive overview of what took place each day – from my own perspective.

No doubt I must have overlooked what others saw. But at least readers interested in affairs of Burma may make something out of what's written here, and decide on a course of action that will positively benefit the country's struggle for peace.

Day One. Monday, 22 August 2016

We don't negotiate with strangers.
Until you know the person, it is pointless to discuss matter of substance.

The Global Negotiator

Today the plane is full of passengers who are working in the country's peace process. I seem to be the only busybody among them.

Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon
(Photo: venue.eventnook.com)
From Mingladon airport (with a new international terminal) we are whisked to a hotel in town – Chatrium, said to be owned by a Thai bank.

I certainly don't have any prejudice against it. Maybe staying and working in a 5 - star hotel will really bring us a 5 - star peace in the country. At least one well known activist thinks the idea is  a great one. "You can't be worried about peace, if you are worried about poor food and an uncomfortable bed," he says.

As usual, I have an informal meeting with friends in the evening. And as usual, I do most of the questioning and listening, while they do most of the talking – out of which comes the following:

If we are going to transfer some issues (like social, economic and land and natural resources management) to the CSOs, a TOR (Terms of Reference) should be drafted and approved, the sooner the better. Some of us are sure to argue that there are topics (like land and natural resources management) which not only concern the CSOs, but also those who will be discussing federalism.

The TORs for CSO Forums, as well as the national level political dialogues, should be approved right after the 21st Century Panglong, so that they can be launched as soon as possible, Then we will be ready for the next session of it which is due six months from now.

STATE COUNSELLOR'S FOREIGN POLICY BLUNDER: Tibet, Xinjiang and China-Myanmar Joint Statement

Posted: 06 Sep 2016 08:31 PM PDT

Generally, the China-Myanmar Joint Press Release or Statement of 20 August 2016 is seen as a  diplomatic procedure normally issued after the end of a country's leaders visit.

But a closer look at it revealed a controversial issue that has been endorsed by the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, implying that Myanmar see eye-to-eye with China's stance on Tibet, Xinjiang and Taiwan ownership without reservation. This sort of official political position, especially where Tibet and Xinjiang are concerned, has never been made public, safe for the "one China" policy that has been in place for several decades.

The paragraph regarding this was written: "Myanmar reiterated that it sticks to the One-China policy, understands and supports China's stance on the Taiwan issue, Tibet-related issues and Xinjiang-related issues."

While people readily are inclined to understand Suu Kyi's political position to accommodate the big neighbouring country's by bowing to the inclusion of this controversial phrase that says Myanmar endorsed the Chinese claims of undisputed ownership, from the moral and ethical point of view, it might be having a negative impact, specifically from the sovereignty and human rights violations facets.

Suu Kyi is admired for her staunch avocation of democracy and human rights, although she insisted that she is only a politician. But still forsaking universal human rights violations for only national interest that could tarnish, or even contradict, her steadfast, liberal democratic commitment might not be the way to go.

But before dwelling on this let us look at a bit more on the said controversial issue.

Tibet and Xinjiang

Quite a lot of people that this writer have known during the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) days as a Shan representative were openly quite disappointed, particularly those from Tibet and Xinjiang, also known as East Turkestan.

It is not a wonder that the feeling of being hurt and betrayed were unable to be suppressed, especially when it was coming from a person they deeply considered to be their own kind, ideologically and world outlook.

But let us look at a bit more on this politically and internationally charged Tibet issue that refuses to fade away, which has pitted international community against each other and been at odds with one another. Many have given in to China's claims under pressure reluctantly, but also due to the fact that the world in general has become increasingly interdependent politically, militarily and economically. Still there are many countries that choose to be against China's claims or opt to stay neutral, in order to be on the justified side of the history.

Due to the readily available data, only Tibet issue will be discussed here, although Xinjiang is also a controversial issue and not less important than Tibet.

Is Tibet a country?

The main thrust of the argument from China's perceptive is that Tibet was absorbed about 800 years ago during the Yuan Dynasty, becoming an inseparable part of China. It has not been a country since and no country has ever recognised Tibet as an independent state.

The position of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which has ruled mainland China since 1949, as well as the official position of the Republic of China (ROC), which ruled mainland China before 1949 and currently controls Taiwan, is that Tibet has been an indivisible part of China de jure since the Yuan dynasty of Mongol-ruled China in the 13th century, comparable to other states such as the Kingdom of Dali and the Tangut Empire that were also incorporated into China at the time.

The PRC contends that, according to international law and the Succession of states theory, all subsequent Chinese governments have succeeded the Yuan Dynasty in exercising de jure sovereignty over Tibet, with the PRC having succeeded the ROC as the legitimate government of all China.

Furthermore, according to the PRC, successive Chinese governments have recognized Tibet as having its own unique culture and language; however, they believe that this situation does not necessarily argue in favour of its independence, because China has over 56 unique ethnic groups and is one of many multi-national states in the world. (Source: Tibetan sovereignty debate - Wikipedia)

But the Tibetan point of view is that Tibet was not ruled by the Chinese government prior to the 1950 invasion. In 1912, the 13th Dalai Lama - Tibet's political and spiritual leader - issued a proclamation reaffirming Tibet's independence and the country maintained its own national flag, currency, stamps, passports and army. It signed international treaties and maintained diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries. And that from a legal point of view Tibet remains an independent state under illegal occupation, a fact that China wishes it could whitewash from history.

The Tibetan, further consolidated their argument with a number of new findings related to Tibet's sovereignty since the publication of The Case Concerning Tibet in 1998. Some refer to pre-1950 Tibet.

·        Original Tibetan text of Tibet-Mongolia treaty discovered

In 1913, shortly after the proclamation of independence, Tibet and Mongolia signed and sealed a treaty acknowledging their status as independent states. The absence of the original treaty texts enabled critics to shed doubt on the validity of the treaty, until 2007, when the original Tibetan text was rediscovered in Mongolia. This discovery proves that "[t]he treaty is real; it does exist and it is signed and sealed by officials acting in the capacity of Minister-Plenipotentiaries of the Dalai Lama, with full authority to conclude it."That the Government of Tibet was able to enter into such international diplomatic relations adds weight to the argument that Tibet was rightfully an independent state at that time.

·        Tibetan Passport rediscovered

In 2003, Tibetans rediscovered a Tibetan passport in Nepal, providing important insight into the way in which Tibetans were able to travel as recognized citizens of Tibet in the years preceding the 1950 Chinese invasion of Tibet. The passport had been issued in 1947 by the Tibetan government to Tsepon Shakabpa, Tibet's then Finance Minister. Friends of Tibet India, who were instrumental in the passport's recovery, note that "it has a message in hand-written Tibetan and typed English, similar to the message given by the nominal issuing officers of today's passports, stating that:

"The bearer of this letter – Tsepon Shakabpa, Chief of the Finance Department of the Government of Tibet, is hereby sent to China, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and other countries to explore and review trade possibilities between these countries and Tibet. We shall, therefore, be grateful if all the Governments concerned on his route would kindly give due recognition as such, grant necessary passport, visa, etc. without any hindrance and render assistance in all possible ways to him." The text and the photograph are sealed by the stamp of the Kashag [The Tibetan cabinet], and the page is dated "26th day of the 8th month of Fire-Pig year" (14 October 1947).

Through the use of this passport, Tsepon Shakabpa was recognized as a Tibetan citizen and government official by a number of different countries.

·        UK Government Changes Position on Tibet

Since the tripartite Simla Convention of 1913 held between Britain, Tibet and China, the UK had maintained that Tibet was autonomous from China, under the vague and legally undefined concept of "suzerainty" – the idea that Tibet existed as a protectorate of some kind in relation to China, but was not a legal part of the Chinese sovereign state. However, in late October 2008, and without public debate, Britain's then Foreign Minister, David Miliband MP, made a statement in which he changed the UK's position to one that recognised China's full sovereignty over Tibet. (Source:  The Case Concerning Tibet - Update added by Tibet Justice Center, February 13, 2013)

Oppression and human right violations

According to Tibet Post International (TPI), in its 20 April 2016 report titled, "Human Rights Violations in Tibet: Report 2013-2016", starting 1949, Tibet was invaded by 35,000 Chinese troops who systematically raped, tortured and murdered an estimated 1.2 million Tibetans, one-fifth of the country's population. Since then over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed, and thousands of Tibetans have been imprisoned. According to different sources, it is estimated that up to 260,000 people died in prisons and labour camps between 1950 and 1984. Variety records show that between 1949 and 1979 the following deaths occurred under the Chinese rule:

·        173,221 Tibetans died after being tortured in prison.
·        156,758 Tibetans were executed by the Chinese.
·        432,705 Tibetans were killed while fighting Chinese occupation.
·        342,970 Tibetans have starved to death.
·        92,731 Tibetans were publicly tortured to death.
·        9,002 Tibetans committed suicide.

The Chinese regime enforces its control over every aspect through the threat and use of arbitrary punishments, at times including severe violence. Any act deemed to threaten its rule normal to become a criminal offence. However TPI also believes its efforts have increasingly become a strong voice to its targeted international readership. Reporters without Borders (RSF) ranked China (include Tibet) 176 out of the 180 countries on its Press Freedom Index 2015. Freedom House, in their annual 'Freedom in the World' report release in 2016, has placed Tibet as the second worst place in the world for political rights and civil liberties. Tibet was amongst the world's 12 worst countries, in 2015.

But despite such massive human rights violations, Dalai Lama's "Middle-Way" approach continues to be the policy of the exile Tibetan government, to which he has devolved the political decision-making power.

The Middle -Way Approach

On 10 March 2011, the Dalai Lama proposed changes to the exile charter to remove his position of authority within the organisation and devolve his political power to the elected leader, thus making the Kalön Tripa (Chief Minister or sometimes translated as Prime Minister) the highest-ranking officeholder. These changes were ratified on 29 May 2011, even though, according to Dr. Lobsang  Sangay, there was "a high level of anxiety among Tibetans" over the Dalai Lama's decision to relinquish his own political authority.

On 27 April 2011 Sangay was elected as Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile and again for another five years on 27 April 2016, gathering a total of 33,876 votes (57.08 % of the total vote share) against the 24,864 votes (41.89% of the total vote share) of Mr Penpa Tsering, the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament.

Sangay has emphasized the importance of seeking a peaceful, non-violent resolution of the Tibet issue. He has supported the Dalai Lama's call for a so-called "Middle-Way" approach "that would provide for genuine autonomy for Tibet within the framework of Chinese constitution." Noting that China has established "one country, two systems" mechanisms in Hong Kong and Macau, he has argued that it makes no sense for China to continue to resist a similar solution for Tibet, which, he emphasizes, would be a "win-win" result.

According to Dalai Lama, "Important Components of the Middle-Way Approach" are outlined as below:

·        Without seeking independence for Tibet, the Central Tibetan Administration strives for the creation of a political entity comprising the three traditional provinces of Tibet;

·        Such an entity should enjoy a status of genuine national regional autonomy;
·        This autonomy should be governed by the popularly-elected legislature and executive through a democratic process and should have an independent judicial system;

·        As soon as the above status is agreed upon by the Chinese government, Tibet would not seek separation from, and remain within, the People's Republic of China;

·        Until the time Tibet is transformed into a zone of peace and non-violence, the Chinese government can keep a limited number of armed forces in Tibet for its protection;

·        The Central Government of the People's Republic of China has the responsibility for the political aspects of Tibet's international relations and defence, whereas the Tibetan people should manage all other affairs pertaining to Tibet, such as religion and culture, education, economy, health, ecological and environmental protection;

·        The Chinese government should stop its policy of human rights violations in Tibet and the transfer of Chinese population into Tibetan areas;
·        To resolve the issue of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama shall take the main responsibility of sincerely pursuing negotiations and reconciliation with the Chinese government.

In a nutshell, the Dalai Lama's proposal could be summed up as follows:

"The Tibetan people do not accept the present status of Tibet under the People's Republic of China. At the same time, they do not seek independence for Tibet, which is a historical fact. Treading a middle path in between these two lies the policy and means to achieve a genuine autonomy for all Tibetans living in the three traditional provinces of Tibet within the framework of the People's Republic of China. This is called the Middle-Way Approach, a non-partisan and moderate position that safeguards the vital interests of all concerned parties-for Tibetans: the protection and preservation of their culture, religion and national identity; for the Chinese: the security and territorial integrity of the motherland; and for neighbours and other third parties: peaceful borders and international relations." (Source: His Holiness's Middle Way Approach For Resolving the Issue of Tibet)

But so far China has refused to negotiate, citing that the real motive of Dalai Lama has always been separatism and independence from China.

Suu Kyi, Michael Aris and Dalai Lama connection

Suu Kyi met Dalai Lama in 2012 for the first time, while she was visiting United Kingdom, where she was praised by His Holiness, who is also a fellow Nobel prize laureates, for her courage and steadfast democratic commitment and human rights advocate of the people.   

Dalai Lama later urged her repeatedly to fend for the oppressed Muslim population, including the Rohingya, for religious harmony to take place in Burma, to which she was said to reply to be a complicated issue, non-committally without elaborating.

Suu Kyi is no stranger to Tibet issue, as her late husband, Michael Aris was a Tibetologist, who was well-versed in matters encompassing Bhutan and Tibet. And as such, it could be taken that she is well-informed on the problematic surrounding Tibet issue.

Foreign policy blunder

Such being the case, a host of questions on why she has signed a Joint Statement containing such a sensitive moral and ethical question becomes an issue that could not be overlooked, particularly when she said that Myanmar literally would remain a neutral country, in dealing with the world at large. She was said to be enthusiastic of the pre-military coup, former Prime Minster U Nu's foreign policy on non-aligned position forged at Bandung, in Indonesia.

Bandung Conference, convened in Indonesia,  on April 18–24, 1955, is the first large-scale Asian–African or Afro–Asian Conference involving 29 countries, of which Burma is also a founding member, represented nearly one-quarter of the Earth's land surface and a total population of 1.5 billion people was an important step toward the Non-Aligned Movement. The second conference in 2005, with 89 represented by their heads of state or government or ministers; and the third conference in 2015, with delegates from 109 Asian and African countries, 16 observer countries and 25 international organizations participation, were held respectively also in Bandung.

Of the ten point declaration that is still in force six are worth emphasizing, especially in view of conforming to neutrality. They are:

·         Respect for fundamental human rights and for the purposes and principles of the charter of the United Nations;
·         Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations;
·         Recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations large and small;
·         Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country;
·         Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country; and
·         Respect for justice and international obligations.(Source: Bandung Conference - Wikipedia)

Seen from above mentioned neutrality criteria, it is hard to agree with China on human rights, racial equality and respect for justice point of view, no need to even invoke sovereignty and territorial integrity arguments, which are debatable in Tibet context.

Naturally, critical observation like whether Suu Kyi has yielded to the Chinese initiative; if it was a trade off to get China pressured the ethnic armed groups that it have influence to join the 21st Century Panglong Conference; to show the Chinese that Burma is not in the West camp and catering to United State's China containment policy, among others, are also questions that come to mind.

But one thing is sure that she has abandoned her moral and ethical posture as an icon of democracy and human rights defender, and might be opting or trying to become a pragmatic politician, bent on realpolitik approach, at the expense of international human rights norm. 

Suu Kyi's  rise to fame and prominence were due to her posture of democracy and human rights crusader, which have ushered her eventually into the present political office. But if she would pursue national interest, without paying attention to international human rights norm, her standing as a world stateswoman would be called into question, so do Myanmar as a respectable country.

To sum up, Tibet issue is a foreign policy blunder, from which she could have come out without having to make any concrete commitment, but has chosen to be led by the nose. The successive regimes, even including the military governments, have circumvented the issues of Tibet and Xinjiang.

But the damage has been already done, even if people are for now reluctant to blow it out of proportion, for fear that her good international standing would be tarnished and eventually bring her popularity down. 


No one would like this to happen. Besides, everyone that has good will for Myanmar to achieve peace and prosperity wouldn't like Suu Kyi to fail either. We could only hope and pray that such foreign policy blunder would never happen again.