Democratic Voice of Burma

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• DVB Bulletin: 5 December 2014
• Landmine victims down, but Burma still produces: ICBL
• France links aid to free and fair elections
• Don’t put words in the president’s mouth, warns govt
• And then there was light … Sittwe connects to the grid
• Irrawaddy squats bulldozed ahead of royal visit

DVB Bulletin: 5 December 2014 Posted: 05 Dec 2014 04:24 AM PST On tonight's bulletin: Suu Kyi opens ASEAN women’s forum in Naypyidaw Norway responds to squatter relocation Burma still a listed land mine producer French tie further aid to 2015 election You can watch DVB Bulletin every weeknight on DVB TV after the 7 o'clock news. The post DVB Bulletin: 5 December 2014 appeared first on DVB Multimedia Group.

Landmine victims down, but Burma still produces: ICBL Posted: 05 Dec 2014 03:03 AM PST Burma was singled out this week as one of four countries that may still be manufacturing landmines. According to the 2014 Landmine Monitor report released this week by Washington-based International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL): "Active production [of antipersonnel mines] may be ongoing in as few as four countries: India, Myanmar [Burma], Pakistan and South Korea."Landmine Ban The United States was removed from the list of potential landmine producers following its June 2014 policy announcement foreswearing any future production or acquisition of antipersonnel mines. Burma was also among the countries listed as places where landmine use was ongoing among non-state armed groups though at a reduced rate. ICBL reported "a few credible allegations" of mine use by Burmese government forces in Kachin and Arakan states, and diminished reports of non-state groups using landmines. The only instances of new landmine use have emerged from Kachin and Karen states, the report said. Though he was unable to speculate on the number of landmine victims in Burma, Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan, the research coordinator for ICBL in Burma, said, "Clearly mine use has decreased in Burma due to the lessening of armed conflict in most parts of the country since the start of dialogue on a nationwide ceasefire." He pointed out that ICBL's Landmine Monitor does not have researchers in the field where mines are being laid. "We depend on reports by humanitarian organisations, medics, interviews with refugees and combatants and other sources," he told DVB. Related Stories Pa-Oh army pledges to protect children In eastern Burma, landmines remain an invisible curse to farmers Burma busy arresting journalists, not ratifying CW treaty David Eubank of Free Burma Rangers, an organisation that regularly sends medical teams into Burma's conflict zones, said there is a clear reduction in landmine use and casualties in eastern Burma, but a large increase in the north of the country. "In eastern Burma—Mon, Karen, Karenni and southern Shan states—landmine use has decreased since the beginning of ceasefire negotiations and especially from 2012 to present," he told DVB on Friday. "However, in northern Burma there has been an increase as the Burma army has used more landmines in its offensives against the Kachin, Northern Shan and Ta'ang [Palaung]." Despite the Burmese government not acceding to the 1997 Ottawa Treaty, the internationally recognised landmine ban agreement, in December 2013 it stated that its participation as an observer at the treaty's Meetings of States Parties "clearly reflects our keen interest in the present and future work of the convention." According to ICBL's Landmine Monitor 2014, fewer people across the world were killed and injured by landmines in 2013 than in any previous year since it began monitoring in 1999. Releasing its 2014 report on the 17th seventeenth anniversary of the signing of the Ottawa Treaty, commonly referred to as the Mine Ban Treaty, the ICBL said, "In 2013, the recorded number of casualties caused by mines and other explosive remnants of war decreased to 3,308—the lowest level since the Monitor started recording casualties in 1999—and nearly one-quarter fewer than in 2012. In 2013, there was an average of nine victims per day, indicating that many lives are being saved when compared to the 25 each day reported in 1999." It noted that, as in previous years, the vast majority of recorded casualties were civilians – a staggering 79 percent. One hundred and sixty-two countries are now state parties to the Ottawa Treaty; however several major munitions producers are not signatories, including the US, Russia, China, Israel, India and Pakistan. "While far too many people are still losing their lives and limbs to landmines, new casualties are at their lowest level ever recorded—possibly the best measure of how successful the Mine Ban Treaty has been," said Megan Burke, casualties and victim assistance editor of Landmine Monitor. "But we can't forget that there are hundreds of thousands of landmine survivors waiting for their needs to be met and their rights to be fulfilled." What was perceived as a victory for recognition of the Mine Ban Treaty came when the US announced new policies in June and September 2014 banning use of antipersonnel mines except on the Korean Peninsula, banning production of the weapon, and accelerating destruction of its stockpile. The US said that this is "signaling our clear aspiration to eventually accede" to the Mine Ban Treaty. ICBL was awarded the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for its work to eradicate landmines. It is now fully known as the International Campaign to Ban Landmines – Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBL-CMC). The post Landmine victims down, but Burma still produces: ICBL appeared first on DVB Multimedia Group.

France links aid to free and fair elections Posted: 05 Dec 2014 01:26 AM PST France's Minister for Development and Francophony Annick Giradin, who is currently visiting Burma, said the French government plans to increase aid to the country but only after it has confirmed next year's general election as free and fair. She said the French government aid will include low-interest loans via the French Development Centre, as well as health programmes. To date, France has invested seven million euro (US$8.66m) in Burma's health sector but says it is looking to increase aid tenfold. French investment in development as of 2013-14 amounted to 293 million euro. France is Burma's second largest aid donor among European Union member states, with an allocation of 700 million euro set aside for the period 2014-20. Related Stories EU earmarks $300m a year for Burma BUSINESS WEEKLY 7 NOVEMBER 2014 BUSINESS WEEKLY 17 OCTOBER 2014 In July 2013, French Trade Minister Nicole Bricq led a delegation of small- and medium-sized businesses to Burma as France looked to boost trade ties with the once-isolated nation. The delegation came just two weeks after Burma's President Thein Sein visited France, where he met with President Francois Hollande and was praised for implementing economic and democratic reforms. By far the largest French investor in Burma is oil company TOTAL, which has been in the country since 1992 and operates the offshore Yadana gas field that fuels power plants in Thailand. In a bidding war for offshore oil concessions in March this year, TOTAL won rights to the deep-water YWB block in the Gulf of Martaban. The post France links aid to free and fair elections appeared first on DVB Multimedia Group.

Don’t put words in the president’s mouth, warns govt Posted: 05 Dec 2014 12:45 AM PST The Burmese government on Thursday released a press statement accusing political party officials of putting words in President Thein Sein's mouth and personally attacking others who have different opinions from themselves when referring to the proposed sexpartite dialogue. "Expressing different opinions is to be welcomed in a democratic society," an official announcement said in state media. "However, it has been discovered that some responsible persons from some political parties expressed their opinions by quoting the words that the president had not said as if they had been said by the president or used words that personally attacked other people who have different opinions from them." Related Stories 'Firm agreement' made on federal union, says Thein Sein King Harald reaffirms Norway's support for Burmese reform Suu Kyi reiterates call for dialogue after sexpartite talks flounder Khin Maung Swe, chairman of the National Democratic Force, said: "Political party leaders and members, when speaking to the media, may voice their disappointment with the president and the government, and sometimes we get emotional expressing our opinion. "I assume the [press statement] was meant as a polite reminder to reflect the situation." Thu Wei, leader of the Democratic Party-Myanmar, said, "Generally, not only political parties but every citizen should enjoy freedom of expression and the right to criticise. As the head of state, the president's activities must be analysed and discussed, so there may be an extent of personal criticism directed at him. But deliberate personal attacks should be avoided." The government statement urged political parties to "confirm with news sources before expressing their opinions and to respect the rights and dignity of other people are organisations' in parallel with the ongoing efforts for national reconciliation. The post Don't put words in the president's mouth, warns govt appeared first on DVB Multimedia Group.

And then there was light … Sittwe connects to the grid Posted: 04 Dec 2014 10:37 PM PST Residents in Arakan State capital Sittwe this week began enjoying the benefits of a 24-hour supply of electricity. The western Burmese city – population estimated at around 200,000 – became connected to the national power grid on 2 December, just ahead of the 40th anniversary of Arakan State Day, which falls on 15 December. Aung Than Tin, the state minister for electricity and industry, said the government had been extending the power grid to towns across Arakan State since the middle of this year. "In June 2014, Taunggup and Sandoway [Thandwe] became connected to the power grid and then in August it was linked to Ann Township," he said. "Electricity was then distributed to Ponnagyun on 1 December and finally to Sittwe where major celebrations are being planned at the Weithali festival grounds for 15 December." Previously, Sittwe residents had to buy electricity from private companies at a rate of 500 kyat (US$0.50) per unit; even then, it was limited to only four hours a day. Connecting to the national grid will qualify Sittwe households for power at the fixed rate of 35 kyat per unit, while industrial or business premises pay 75 kyat per unit. Minister Aung Than Tin said the Arakan State government is currently developing plans for industrial zones in Sittwe and Ponnagyun to support small-scale industries, and is aiming to bring electricity to all towns in the region within the 2015-16 fiscal year and to all villages in the state by 2030. Aung Myint Kyaw, an MP in the Arakan regional parliament, praised the development in electricity. "I think this is a victory for the local population," he said. "As a citizen and MP, I welcome this and would like to say that I am completely delighted." He added that caution should still be exercised as power cuts may continue to be frequent. Related Stories Koh Tao murders: Burmese pair indicted Japan, Thailand 'hesitating' on Dawei Thousands march against UN in Sittwe However, he said, with a steady supply of electricity, there will be greater opportunities for developing the region's economy, education, health, transportation, home businesses and small industries, though he noted it may take time. "I think it may take a while. It would be impossible that everything progresses immediately because we now have electricity," he said. "Technologically, we are coming from far behind." Burma's President Thein Sein is scheduled to attend the celebrations in Sittwe on 15 December. According to government statistics, there are 540,065 families – more than three million people – living in 3,770 villages and 133 wards in Arakan state's five districts and three sub-townships. Arakan is also commonly known as Rakhine State. In September 2013, residents of Arakanese town Kyaukphyu and 21 surrounding villages began enjoying the benefits of 24-hour electricity when small-scale gas turbines began turning at the Shwe Gas pipeline terminal. The post And then there was light … Sittwe connects to the grid appeared first on DVB Multimedia Group.

Irrawaddy squats bulldozed ahead of royal visit Posted: 04 Dec 2014 09:53 PM PST Squatters living on the bank of the Irrawaddy river in Mandalay Division say their makeshift homes were demolished ahead of a visit to the area by the Norwegian Royals. King Harald and Queen Sonya will sail down the stretch of river towards the ancient temple complex of Bagan on Friday. They say they had no warning before they saw their squats bulldozed. Related Stories King Harald reaffirms Norway's support for Burmese reform Musician Moon Aung's visa application falls on deaf ears 400 fishermen rescued after storm The post Irrawaddy squats bulldozed ahead of royal visit appeared first on DVB Multimedia Group.

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