Tuesday, January 3, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Land Dispute Erupts Between Actor Lwin Moe and a KNLA Official

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 06:01 AM PST

A land dispute between the well-known Burmese actor Lwin Moe and a major with the Karen National Liberation Army continues.

The post Land Dispute Erupts Between Actor Lwin Moe and a KNLA Official appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Judiciary Grievances Top Public’s Complaints

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 05:19 AM PST

More than half of 4,000 complaints received by the parliamentary Public Complaints Committee relate to the judiciary.

The post Judiciary Grievances Top Public's Complaints appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Local Administrator Alleges Extortion on Kyunthaya Island

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 05:14 AM PST

Local administrators allege that the army has extorted fisherman on Kyunthaya Island for decades.

The post Local Administrator Alleges Extortion on Kyunthaya Island appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

DKBA Splinter Group Joins Northern Alliance

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 03:46 AM PST

As Col. San Aung's Democratic Karen Benevolent Army splinter group joins the Northern Alliance in Shan State, seven members surrender to Burma Army.

The post DKBA Splinter Group Joins Northern Alliance appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

First Private Bank to Trade on Yangon Stock Exchange

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 03:39 AM PST

Locally-owned bank to become fourth firm to trade shares on Burma's fledgling stock exchange.

The post First Private Bank to Trade on Yangon Stock Exchange appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

USDP to Field Most Candidates in Upcoming By-Elections

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 01:10 AM PST

National League for Democracy fail to contest all 19 vacant seats after Karenni State's  Hpruso Township candidate does not register in time.

The post USDP to Field Most Candidates in Upcoming By-Elections appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 09:34 PM PST

An ICT fair, a dance performance, live music, a cat face tea party and fundraiser, an elephant awareness exhibition, and a children's reading event.

The post Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Draft law could see men jailed for deceitful promises of marriage

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 12:39 AM PST

Any man who cohabitates with or impregnates a woman after agreeing to marry her, but then fails to stand by the promise, could soon face prison terms if a draft law comes into effect.

Police held after beating caught on video

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 12:35 AM PST

In a rare admission, the government has confirmed that security personnel were involved in abusing and beating Muslim villagers during an operation in northern Rakhine State after a video clip of the incident was circulated widely on social media. According to the State Counsellor's Office, immediate action will be taken against those involved in the abuse, and four police officers have already been detained.

MPs call for donations to help shelter IDPs

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 12:33 AM PST

More than 1200 displaced people in northern Shan State are urgently in need of shelter, local MPs say. They have issued an urgent appeal to donors to help build accommodations for families displaced by conflict.

State Counsellor opens peace centre

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 12:32 AM PST

Help us make 2017 the year of peace, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said on the first day of the new year during two back-to-back peace events, including the official opening of the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre in Nay Pyi Taw.

Ethnic data from 2014 census to be released

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 12:30 AM PST

The long-awaited and final section of the 2014 census will be revealed within four months, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, adding that preparations for the release of the ethnicity data are underway now.

Govt orders factory to close and conduct impact assessments

Posted: 03 Jan 2017 12:15 AM PST

A strike-hit factory in Hlaing Tharyar has been temporarily closed until the completion of impact assessments ordered by the Yangon Region government, the factory manager confirmed to The Myanmar Times yesterday.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

To Hopeland and Back, the 24th trip

Posted: 02 Jan 2017 07:47 PM PST

(9-20 December 2016)

Whatever wholesome that I've learned, may it be yours

This trip came about as both the EAOs and the government begin preparations for the Union Peace Conference 21stCentury Panglong (UPC 21 CP), or UPC# 3, according to the NCA, in February 2017.

My initial plan was to attend three meetings:
·         Peace Process Steering Team (PPST)- Coordination Team (CT) meeting, 10-11 December, in Rangoon
·         Preparatory meeting for National Level Political Dialogue (ND), Shan Ethnic Based, 11-12 December, in Taunggyi
·         Strategic Planning Meeting for the NCA signatory EAOs, 17-19 December, in Rangoon

The trip coincided with the aftermath of the offensive by the Northern Alliance-Burma (NA-B), hitherto an ethereal entity, that had prompted the country's all powerful military to launch a campaign to dub its members as "terrorist organizations." The element of excitement therefore was there. Faint-hearted I may be, but I never have been wise enough to stay out of trouble. So I went.

Day One. Friday, 9 December 2016

The Tatmadaw should also be labeled 'terrorist'. Offensives, killings, tortures, rapes, destruction of houses and villages. These are exactly what it has been doing to maintain power in the country since 1962. This kind of action is what I call 'terrorist.'

Lwe Cherry, Joint Secretary General, Palaung Women's Organization (PWO), reported by The Irrawaddy, 9 December 2016

My arrival in Rangoon follows a series of gatherings with friends, who see things differently, but sharing the common hunger for peace nevertheless. I hope their names can be revealed one day but not now.

(Photo: VoA)
At present, what is important is what I'm learning from them to share with those like-minded. But not all of course, because while 'The Truth Shall Make You Free' in most cases, it can also detain some from going onward to reach the common goal.

Here's what I've learned:

·         Fighting in Mongkoe (on the Sino-Burma border opposite China's Manhai) is fierce. There is suffering all around. Some of the government leaders, especially two of them, want the army to focus more on negotiations. But the army, whose pride has taken a severe blow by the surprise attack, says only through a successful counter attack its honor will be restored.

·         The government is planning to hold a review meeting for the October study visit to South
(Photo: 7Daydaily)
Africa on 16 December in Naypyitaw. As the Burmese delegation that went there included those from the non-signatories, particularly Maj Gen Gun Maw (Vice Chairman, KIO) and Khu Oo Reh (Vice Chairman, KNPP; Secretary General, UNFC), the organizers from Inter Mediate that are advising the State Counselor hope the two will come to the meeting to present their case, and thus further the cause for peace. (One counters that the decision by the Shan State Assembly to designate the NA-B, in which KIO is a leading member, however  might deter Gun Maw from coming. It later turns out that the guy who counter was right.)

·         The military's opposition to hold NDs in White areas has also posed as an obstacle: Firstly, Some ethnic peoples, like Karen, have sizeable populations in regions designated by the military as White. Secondly, many of these Burman majority regions, are different from one to another. And if states and regions, according to the 2008 constitution (Article 9), are of equal status, they are also entitled to hold NDs too.

My friends want to hold informal talks (or consultations, as preferred by some) with those close to the State Counselor, and the Commander-in-Chief, to do some brainstorming sessions on the matters described here and more.

Phone calls are then made, But, to their disappointment, nobody is available, at least for the time being.


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