Shan Herald Agency for News |
- Weekly Diary, No.641 (24-31 August 2013)
- Wa unlikely to join ethnic alliance
- Graduate Seminar "Understanding the Changing Dynamics of China-Myanmar Relations"
- Statement by the Burma Rivers Network
- Naypyitaw: Nationwide ceasefire in October
- U Tin E and Burma’s easy way out curse
| Weekly Diary, No.641 (24-31 August 2013) Posted: 05 Sep 2013 04:38 AM PDT
Tips for non-confrontationists: It'll be useful to remember!  Think Piece Three persons cross a fast flowing stream:
Myanmar's honeymoon with the world is being built on the bodies of Muslim victims throughout the country. Abdallah Yahya A. al-Mouallioni, Saudi Arabia's permanent representative to the UN, July press conference, reported by Bangkok Post, 2 September 2013 The World 25 August 2013  66 men and 4 women from former communist rebels graduate from Nepal's military academy and become officers in the national army they once fought against. (AP) International Relations 28 August 2013 Burma announces foreigners holding its visas can freely choose to travel to the country via any of its 6 entry points: Tachilek, Myawaddy, Kawsawng as well as Rangoon, Mandalay and Naypyitaw. (Bangkok Post) 28 August 2013 Burmese embassy in Washington told Matt Rains and Alia Mehboob from Lux Capio Photography Agency earlier this month they were banned from returning to Burma after they visited conflict-stricken areas of Arakan State in April. (DVB) 28-29 August 2013 Dialogue between US Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DILS) led by Captain Robert Sanders meet Ministry of Defense officials led by Maj Gen Ye Aung. They discuss human rights awareness and values and activities of a modern military, says Ambassador Derek Mitchell. (Myanmar Times) 29 August 2013  Statement by US Defense Department says Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met his Burmese counterpart Lt-Gen Wai Lwin on the sidelines of the Asean defense meeting in Brunei. Hagel had discussed "the importance of Myanmar severing military ties to North Korea," defense spokesman George Little says. (UPI) 30 August 2013 William Brownfield, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, will be visiting Rangoon on 4 September, says State Department. (UPI) Thai-Burma Relations 24 August 2013  Sutin Wannabovorn, former reporter for Reuters and AP, known for asking hard questions and challenging authority, has launched a book titled Nakkhao Sai Jon (Reporter on the bandits' beat), sharing 40 years of his experience as a newshound. "Bandits" he has met included Khmer Rouge, Wa, Pulo, God's Army and Khun Sa. (Bangkok Post) Politics/ Inside Burma 23 August 2013 Union Election Commission sends out warning to political parties any party found to be accepting assistance in cash or kind from foreign countries will be banned under 407 (c) of the constitution. 2 Lower House MPs say assistance for social work should not be counted. (Mizzima) 23 August 2013 Election Commission's bill debated in Lower House: Lawmakers can be removed if 1% of their constituents send complaints to EC. Shwe Mann and USDP lawmakers oppose the bill, but army representatives demand it should be approved. Debate suspended. If not approved, the president and union level high officials can be dismissed by parliament. If approved, lawmakers could be dismissed by the EC, made up of President's men, says Hsipaw MP Ye Htun. (Irrawaddy) 27 August 2013 Union Parliament has approved plan to agree to $ 261.5 million loan from World Bank to support development projects. It is a 40 year loan at a fixed 0.75% interest rate. (DVB) 27 August 2013 Statement released by parliament says a 4-month review of the constitution has been approved:
27 August 2013 Lower House MP Pe Than, a member of Land Seizure Inquiry Commission, says Army's decision to return 18,364 acres out of 297,000 acres seized is too slow, too less. At least another 19,000 acres should be returned. (Mizzima) 28 August 2013 Deputy defense minister Gen Kyaw Nyunt, in reply to MPs' query, says veterans who sustained permanent disabilities receive only 30,000 kyat ($31) per annum. (Mizzima) 28 August 2013 Farmers rights bill approved by Upper House and Lower House. (Eleven) 30 August 2013 Burmese military erects No Child Soldiers billboard in downtown Rangoon. (Irrawaddy) 31 August 2013 President Thein Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi meet at presidential ranch in Naypyitaw. No details reported. (DVB) Ethnic Affairs 25 August 2013  Mahn Nyein Maung, Karen leader, launches his book Against the storm, Across the sea, detailing his escape from Coco Islands in 1971 in a small boat. It was first published outside Burma in 2000. (Irrawaddy) 27 August 2013 UN special envoy Vijay Nambiar meets Shan community leaders in Myitkyina who say the KIO has worked only for the Kachin ethnic group and not for the Shan. (RFA) 28 August 2013  Vijay Nambiar visits Laiza and spends 5 hours holding talks with KIO officials and inspecting IDP camps. (RFA) 26-29 August 2013 Karen commanders hold conferences in Hlaing Bwe. Decides to uphold ceasefire with the government although the latter has refused to withdraw from 90 out of 300 outposts in KNU territory. (Mizzima) 29 August 2013 The UNFC and the government will meet in Chiangmai on 7 or 8 September to discuss: political framework and nationwide peace accord, according to Dr Khin Maung of UNFC, and Hla Maung Shwe of Myanmar Peace Center. (Irrawaddy) 31 August 2013  Shan-Karen delegation meets Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) led by Vice President Sai Mawk Kham. (SHAN) Shans/ Shan State 23 August 2013 Meeting in Taunggyi announces trust-building conference in September. Karen, Karenni, Chin and Shan will be participants, according to spokesman Sai Leik. (DVB) Economy/ Business 28 August 2013 Land prices in Muse, earlier 25 million kyat ($25,600) per acre, has climbed up to 100 million kyat ($ 105,000), following plans for 288 acre Central Economic Zone project was approved early this year. (Irrawaddy) Human Rights 24 August 2013  42 houses and 15 shops burned down in Kantbalu, Sagaing region, following rumors that a Muslim man tried to sexually assault a young woman. (Irrawaddy) 26 August 2013 Teachers associations issue statement criticizing the sacking of a teacher in Naypyitaw for attending political rally and meetings. (Irrawaddy) 28 August 2013 Retired police officers' criticism of today's police force:
29 August 2013  Monywa court sentences Naw Ohn Hla to 2 years in prison with hard labor for Letpadaung protest earlier this month. (Irrawaddy) 2 September 2013 Human Rights Watch (HRW) says draft law relating to the forming of organizations, made public on 27 July, fails to meet international norms and should be revised:
Environment 2 September 2013 Sai Htun Yin, Minister for Electric Power, Shan State Government, says it is negotiating with Chinese Hanergy to begin Kunlong Hydro power project this year. The 1,400 megawatt project will be completed in 7 years under $ 1.4 billion investment. The government will receive 10% of the shares and 15% of electricity. (Mizzima) Drugs 1 September 2013 Lt-Col Sai Harn, head of RCSS's Anti Narcotics Committee (ANC), says implementation of October 2012 agreement for a joint project in Mong Nai and Mongpan has yet to take off:
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| Wa unlikely to join ethnic alliance Posted: 05 Sep 2013 04:42 AM PDT  Ta Lone (Photo: UWSA) A delegation from the grouping is currently visiting Panghsang, where the Wa headquarters is located. He refused to identify the names of the delegates.  Li Julie aka U Aung Myint (Photo: UWSA) Both the UWSA and NDAA have maintained their fragile truce with Naypyitaw for 24 years. As for the ceasefire with MNDAA, better known as Kokang, it broke down when Kokang was invaded and occupied in 2009.  Zhao Guo-an (Photo: UWSA) Speaking on yesterday's meeting with Thura Shwe Mann, Speaker of the Union Assembly (Pyidaungzu Hluttaw) in Kengtung, the source commented it was a visit to cultivate relations with the UWSA and NDAA. "He has already declared himself a candidate for the next presidency," he said. "The meeting therefore was useful also for the Wa and Mongla (NDAA headquarters)." The Wa delegation was led by Ta Lone, Deputy Commander-in-Chief; Zhao Guo-an, Chief of External Affairs; and Li Julie aka U Aung Myint. The NDAA representatives were Sai Leun aka Lin Mingxian, Chairman; Hsan Per, Vice Chairman; and Khun Hsang Lu, Vice Chairman. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graduate Seminar "Understanding the Changing Dynamics of China-Myanmar Relations" Posted: 05 Sep 2013 04:35 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statement by the Burma Rivers Network Posted: 05 Sep 2013 04:35 AM PDT September 3, 2013 Burma Rivers Network welcomes India's cancellation of Tamanthi Dam, urges China and Thailand to take similar environmental responsibility The Burma Rivers Network (BRN) warmly welcomes the Indian government's recent cancellation of the controversial Tamanthi hydropower dam on the Chindwin River, which was planned for export of electricity to India. BRN urges China and Thailand to take similar responsibility for our shared environment and halt their accelerated plans to dam Burma's major rivers to fulfill their domestic power needs. India signed an agreement with Burma's military regime in 2004 to develop the Tamanthi dam. In 2007 over 2,400 people were forcibly relocated from the dam site, and surveying continued until 2011. However, there has been strong local resistance to the 1,200 MW dam, which would have flooded an area the size of Delhi, displacing over 45,000 people, irreversibly impacting an area of rich biodiversity, and affecting livelihoods of millions relying on fisheries and riverside agriculture downstream. "Opposition from local groups over its environmental impact" was mentioned as a key factor in the Indian government's decision to cancel the Tamanthi dam in June 2013. Regrettably, this responsible lead taken by India is not being followed by other neighbouring countries carrying out cross-border hydropower development in Burma. In March of this year, Burma's Deputy Minister of Electrical Power announced that six dams on the Salween were proceeding, despite ongoing conflict along the river, and complete lack of transparency around the dam plans. Most of the power from these dams, which will produce over 15,000 MW, will be exported to China and Thailand, while the millions living along the length of the river in Burma will bear the environmental and social costs. At the same time, Chinese authorities and investors are pressing to restart the Myitsone dam, suspended since September 2011. This is in spite of huge popular opposition to the giant 6,000 MW dam, which will block off the Irrawaddy at its source, and place the flow of Burma's main artery in the hands of Chinese engineers. China and Thailand are adhering neither to international standards nor their own domestic regulations when building dams in Burma. They are taking advantage of Burma's lack of safeguards protecting the environment and local livelihoods in order to access "cheap" power for their own domestic use. BRN therefore urges China and Thailand to take India's example in heeding the concerns of impacted communities. They should immediately cancel their untransparent and damaging dam projects on Burma's major rivers, and develop more regionally responsible and sustainable plans to fulfil their domestic energy needs. Contacts: Ngai Ngai – (+) 91-9436872556 ,(+)95-9400505203 Ah Nan – (+)66-848854154 ,www.burmariversnetwork.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Naypyitaw: Nationwide ceasefire in October Posted: 05 Sep 2013 04:31 AM PDT He was speaking at a meeting between the joint government-parliament team led by Vice President Sai Mawk Kham, who doubles as Chairman of the UPWC, and the joint Karen Shan delegation led by Karen National Union (KNU) President Gen Mutu Sayphoe in Naypyitaw. "There are 14 armed groups that have concluded state level ceasefire with the government," he said. "The only two groups that have yet to agree to a ceasefire remain Kachin (Independence Organization) and Palaung (State Liberation Front). Sounding out the 14 ceasefire groups, 10 are found to be agreeable to the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord idea." Although U Aung Min did not elaborate, the 4 ceasefire groups that are still withholding their consent appear to be Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), New Mon State Party (NMSP), PaO National Liberation Organization (PNLO) and Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), all being members of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), the alliance led by KIO, according to another report. Only two of its members, KNU and Chin National Front (CNF), enjoy somewhat better relations with Naypyitaw.  Lt-Col Sai Ngeun taking the floor at the UPWC-Karen/Shan meeting 31 August 2013.(Photo: RCSS/SSA) While the armed groups, which include the UNFC, had proposed 19 dialogue topics, the government has only 9, according to him. "We want to hold the political dialogue in 2014," he said. "If there are too many topics, it will take too much time. And the next government may have to take over from us." Saw Htoo Htoo Lay, adviser to the KNU, delivered a power point presentation of the armed groups' draft framework, dubbed Comprehensive Union Peace and Ceasefire Agreement. Lt-Col Sai Ngeun, RCSS representative, urged the government not to leave out any armed organizations at the planned nationwide ceasefire signing ceremony, which is expected to be witnessed by world dignitaries including UN chief Ban Ki-Moon. "We also need to discuss thoroughly beforehand on the points that should be included in the Accord," he added. "For instance, the guarantee that the political dialogue will immediately take place after the signing, and a waiver on Section 17-1 (Unlawful Associations Act) for dialogue participants." The common framework for political dialogue has been scheduled to be completed by February 2014, according to Sai Ngeun, quoting a government technical team. A confusion yet to be resolved was over the role of the parliament. "To our understanding, the national dialogue should be convened outside the parliament in order to make it inclusive," he told to meeting. "But the President's speech on 14 August has confounded us. According to him, the 3 stage peace roadmap is: state/regional level, Union government level and negotiation with the team formed by the Parliament. Which makes us wonder whether the government that started the process is going to turn over the job to the Parliament and just wash its hands off us. What we would like to see instead is the resumption of the peace process by the government until a Union Accord is reached. As for the Parliament, we would need its support to ratify the Accord." To which Sai Mawk Kham replied it was merely a misunderstanding. No elaboration however was provided. During has "State of the Union" address on 1 March 2012, President Thein Sein had said there were three steps to realize eternal peace:
The meeting lasted 10:00-12:30. It was also graced by Vice Senior General Soe Win, the Army Commander-in-Chief and U Thein Zaw, two other UPWC vice chairman. Ms Dwe Bu, Kachin MP, People's Assembly, mentioned that this was the first and U Thein Zaw, two other UPWC vice chairmen. time lawmakers were allowed to participate in a meeting with armed groups and demanded that they be invited to participate in such events in future. Naypyitaw has signed ceasefire with 14 movements:
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| U Tin E and Burma’s easy way out curse Posted: 05 Sep 2013 04:35 AM PDT  According to the late U Tin E, regarded as one of the fathers of today's Union, the country might have been cursed with a second nature of looking for a quick cure, known as Say Mee Doe in Burmese, whenever a problem arises.He traced it to the well known Tagaung legend of Kan Yaza Gyi and Kan Yaza Nge, the princely brothers who were told by their dying father that one who was able to construct a pagoda overnight would be designated his heir-apparent. Kan Yaza Gyi, the elder brother, apparently a simple person, tried to accomplish the task in the customary way. His younger brother, on the contrary, was a sophisticated man and what he did was, instead of ordering his workers to make bricks, he instructed them to weave mats which he assembled into a cone shape. This was in turn painted white and before the dawn broke the pagoda was ready for his father's inspection and subsequent approval. U Tun E says this slipshod method, while useful for short term goals, are not worthwhile in the long run. The reason is obvious: it only goes for the symptoms but not the root cause. Just listen to today's leaders explaining the reason for the non-Burmans' uprisings against the majority Burmans. According to them, it is because these hills peoples are poor. Make them richer and there'll be no more insurrections. Meantime, other leaders are saying the country needs a strong, modern army to prevent its 135 national races from splitting away to establish 135 independent nations. Simply forgetting that the British conquerors were able to do the job with only a handful of infantry battalions:
Anyone can run a country with guns and killings. But to run it without guns and killings, that takes a man, if SHAN is to paraphrase one of the world's favorite authors. So our question to anyone who's leading the country, either behind the curtain or in front of it, and anyone, who aspires to do so, whether man or woman, is: Are you man enough? *One noteworthy fact is that, in comparison, the British had less number of units in the Frontier Areas than the Burma Army does today: Burma Proper : Frontier Areas British days 3 : 2 Today 1 : 4 Why so would be an interesting question for researchers to answer. |
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