Monday, November 28, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

NLD Announces Candidates, Selection Criteria for By-Election

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 08:30 AM PST

Nineteen vacant seats are up for grabs in the by-election slated for April 1, 2017.

The post NLD Announces Candidates, Selection Criteria for By-Election appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Lower House Dismisses NLD Lawmakers from Committee Posts

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 08:21 AM PST

Five lawmakers from the National League for Democracy are dismissed from their posts in parliamentary committees.

The post Lower House Dismisses NLD Lawmakers from Committee Posts appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Two Rape Cases Reported in Mandalay

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 05:59 AM PST

Two new rape cases—including one involving underage victims—are filed with the local police in Chanayethazan Township.

The post Two Rape Cases Reported in Mandalay appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Free Speech Must be Defended

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 05:52 AM PST

The 250th anniversary of the Freedom of the Press Act in Sweden reminds the Swedish Ambassador to Burma of the long road to promote free expression.

The post Free Speech Must be Defended appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

State Counselor Postpones Visit to Indonesia

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 05:43 AM PST

Amid Jakarta protests against violence toward Rohingya Muslims, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi postpones a visit to Indonesia, citing scheduling difficulties.

The post State Counselor Postpones Visit to Indonesia appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Commission Revisits Arakan State Amid Allegations of Abuse

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 04:23 AM PST

Head of the Arakan State Advisory Commission will lead a delegation to the conflict-torn region in the north of the state.

The post Commission Revisits Arakan State Amid Allegations of Abuse appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Military Chief Mentions State of Emergency Provisions Amid Ongoing Clashes

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 04:00 AM PST

The military would not engage in 'party politics,' but the 2008 Constitution does allow for a state of emergency, says Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The post Military Chief Mentions State of Emergency Provisions Amid Ongoing Clashes appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Jade Sales Drop Significantly

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 03:12 AM PST

Jade sales are expected to drop significantly at the latest gems emporium in Naypyidaw, due to lower quality jade lots and fewer traders.

The post Jade Sales Drop Significantly appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ethnic Armed Groups Claim Control of Border Town

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 03:01 AM PST

'Already, the town of Mong Ko has fallen into the hands of the joint ethnic armed groups,' a Northern Alliance spokesperson says.

The post Ethnic Armed Groups Claim Control of Border Town appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma Officials Lodge Complaints with BBC, UNHCR

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 02:05 AM PST

Comments on Arakan State made in BBC coverage by UN refugee agency personnel spark complaints of misinformation.

The post Burma Officials Lodge Complaints with BBC, UNHCR appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Indonesia says two Militants Arrested in Burmese Embassy Plot

Posted: 27 Nov 2016 09:18 PM PST

Anti-terror squad arrests two men allegedly planning to attack prominent places in Jakarta, including the Burmese Embassy.

The post Indonesia says two Militants Arrested in Burmese Embassy Plot appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

A Not-So-Golden Culture of Extravagance

Posted: 27 Nov 2016 05:33 PM PST

A discussion of questions of consumerism, capitalism, and links to a new dependence on social media among Burma's youth.

The post A Not-So-Golden Culture of Extravagance appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

NLD researcher’s defamation case not coming from military higher-ups: complainant

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 12:37 AM PST

One of the latest high-profile cases of alleged defamation under the Telecommunications Law continued last week with the complainant insisting he was not acting on instructions from above in a lawsuit pitting him against a researcher for the National League for Democracy.

2000 civilians reportedly pinned down by conflict in northern Shan State

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 12:35 AM PST

Ongoing hostilities between the Tatmadaw and four ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State have left about 2000 people trapped in the Hai Kaung area, near the Sino-Myanmar border between the towns of Pang Sai and Mong Koe.

Myanmar lodges protest over UNHCR official’s critical Rakhine comments

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 12:34 AM PST

A UNHCR representative's comments about violence in Rakhine State have sent the government into public relations overdrive, with a senior cabinet member describing the UN official's remarks as "just allegations" and calling into question his professionalism.

Bail decision for Eleven defamation defendants postponed

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 12:33 AM PST

Lawyers for Eleven Media Group CEO U Than Htut Aung and chief editor U Wai Phyo lobbied unsuccessfully last week for a swift decision on their bail petitions, with the judge unmoved by their appeals to speed the ruling along in light of one of the defendants' ailing health.

NLD censures MPs, upholds axing of two Shan party members

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 12:32 AM PST

Three ruling party lawmakers have been relieved of their party tasks after they were each hit with unrelated lawsuits, while two Shan State party members have been ousted over election complaints.

Legal body calls for constitutional change

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 12:31 AM PST

In order to bolster the rule of law and improve ethnic minority rights, the Myanmar Lawyers Network (MLN) has called for the country's 2008 constitution to be redrafted.

Activists urge stricter penalties for child rape

Posted: 27 Nov 2016 11:15 PM PST

Activists are pushing for heavier penalties for those who sexually abuse or rape children, with a signboard campaign over the weekend held at Mandalay's Manaw Yaman public square on 62nd Street.

Drinking, loitering banned on Magwe’s Ayeyarwady Bridge

Posted: 27 Nov 2016 10:56 PM PST

Loiterers who stop their motorcycles or drink alcohol on the Aye­yarwady Bridge in Magwe township will face charges, Region Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Naing Oo has warned.

Five injured in Minbya city blaze

Posted: 27 Nov 2016 10:51 PM PST

A fire that triggered a petrol tin explosion in Minbya city, Rakhine State, injured five people and damaged 12 homes and nine market stalls before it was extinguished over the weekend.

Trash troubles pile up in Mogok

Posted: 27 Nov 2016 10:48 PM PST

The landfill in Mogok township, Mandalay Region, is close to overflowing as the municipality struggles to come to an agreement with the regional government over an alternative waste disposal site.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

To Hopeland and Back: The 23rd trip

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 12:32 AM PST

Day Eight. Saturday, 12 November 2016

When China sneezes, the whole world catches cold.
Bangkok Post, 10 October 2016

Today I'm meeting friends who can open their hearts to me, and mine to them.

We naturally begin our non-agenda conversation with Burmese domestic politics (Section 66d, etc) which naturally drifts to the peace process, the involvement by big powers, and, as can be expected, to China.

New route for Yunnan-Kyaukphyu railway

 The following are the excerpts:

·         The MoU for the Yunnan-Kyaukphyu railway project has expired. And China seems to have decided on a new proposal: Instead of Mangxi (Mong Khawn to Shans)- Ruili (Mong Mao to Shans)- Muse-Lashio, as the previous project called for, it is now proposing a new route: Mangxi- Lincang-Mengding (Mong Ting to Shans)- Chinshwehaw (in Kokang on the Burmese side) – Kunlong and Lashio. When the State Counselor visited China in August, a new agreement was signed to build a (new?) bridge in Kunlong on the Salween, which connects Chinshwehaw with Hsenwi and Lashio.
As the projected Chinshwehaw-Kunlong-Lashio railway passes along the Ting River, a tributary of the Salween, and forms as a natural boundary between Kokang and Wa, the implication is that the Wa will be torn between its security concern and the reluctance to offend China. "They will also realize that if Naypyitaw gives everything Beijing wants, which is not foreseeable at this time, their status as China's proxy will become precarious," comments one.

·         China is said to have 3 special departments under its foreign ministry: Myanmar Affairs, North Korean Affairs, and Afghan Affairs.
It proves how high Beijing is prioritizing Burma.

·         A yet-to-be confirmed report also says China had proposed to CinC Min Aung Hlaing, during his late October visit, to form border committees as Burma has been doing with Thailand:

1.      Township level Border Committee (TBC): meets every month, as necessity calls for, led by top area military officers from each side
2.      Regional level Border Committee (RBC): meets every 6 months, as necessity calls for, led by regional army commanders
3.      Joint Border Committee (JBC): meets every year, as necessity calls for, led by foreign ministers from each side
4.      High Level Committee (HLC):meets as need arises, led by top commanders of each armed forces

In the evening, representatives from Shan parties, armies and CSOs meet at Shan Yoya, a Shan restaurant at Wadan Road, near the Panda Hotel, to discuss how, where, and when the Committee for Shan State Unity (CSSU) should be held to plan for the National level Political Dialogue (ND).

This informal meeting results in 3 informal resolutions:

·         The venue should be Taunggyi
·         The date should be 27-29 November. (This was later postponed to December as hotels in Taunggyi are full during the Shan New Year which falls on 30 November)
·         The non-Shan parties/CSOs will be invited

We also discuss participation by non-signatory EAOs in the upcoming ND. There are however 2 different views:

·         On the one hand, the non-signatories who are bilateral signatories should be made eligible to join. If their participation is denied, then it will be difficult to implement any decisions passed by the Union Peace Conference (which is held to present the results of the NDs in areas under their control)
·         On the other hand, there are those on both sides: government and signatory EAOs) who see that by allowing bilateral agreement signatories to join the ND and the UPC, the NCA will become meaningless


There's an old saying  that says," Where there is a will, there is a way." So do we have the will?

To Hopeland and Back: The 23rd trip

Posted: 28 Nov 2016 12:20 AM PST

Day Seven. Friday, 11 November 2016

The principle must be 'One kyat for Burman, one kyat for Shan.'
Aung San's famous quote


Dr Aung Tun Thet
(Photo:AYABank)
Today, the second meeting of Joint Coordination Body (JCB) for Peace Funding is held at NRPC. On the EAO side are representatives from both signatories and non-signatories. Except for NSCN (Naga), UWSA (Wa) and NDAA (Mongla), all of whom have bilateral agreements with Naypyitaw.

Each side has brought its draft ToR to the meeting.

U Kyaw Tint Swe
(Photo: talkvietnem)
U Kyaw Tint Swe (assisted by to doctors Aung Tun Thet and Min Zaw Oo) takes pains to explain to his EAO counterparts the government's stance:

1.      The JCB, after establishment, will not come under NRPC. It will be a separate entity.
2.      The key word is (coordination) not (control). It is about (facilitation) not (centralization).
3.      'National ownership' only goes in line with UN principles, to facilitate, nothing more
4.      The JCB's focus will also be on programmes, not projects
5.      The sharing of funds will be on the principle of equity and not equality

Dr Min Zaw Oo
(Photo: newchina)
The EAOs then present their views:

·         We are in the peace process, not because we want funding. On the contrary, we are asking for funding because we want to make the peace process a success.
·         International funding should be without strings attached

The meeting agree upon two other important items:

·         Both the government and the EAOs can develop and raise funds for their individual projects separately with timely information to one another
·         A joint drafting team is formed that will meet on 14 November.
·         The third meeting will be on 19 November.

(I have seen the joint draft that came out on 14 November, but have yet to see the resolutions passed on 19 November.)

 Altogether, not bad a day, considering the result. But the 5 year experience has taught us all that the peace process in never an ever ascending one. That it always has its ups and downs. But whatever happens, one hopes for the best.



China reinforces troops at Shan border

Posted: 27 Nov 2016 09:03 PM PST

Following intensified hostilities between Burmese government forces and ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State, the Chinese military has beefed up its manpower and munitions along the border, according to local sources.


Sai Bee, a resident in Muse Township who fled across the border to the Chinese town of Shweli to escape the recent fighting, told Shan Herald that he saw tanks and more than 200 military trucks full of soldiers arriving at the China-Burma border on Saturday.

"More than 200 military trucks, tanks and heavy weapons, including machine guns, came in with the troops and they are now positioned near the border," he said. "It has been reported that they have been sent in to protect the border area, but we do not know what is going to happen next."

According to Ko Aung Aung who is also a resident in Muse, at least ten Burmese military trucks with troops and weapons from Lashio were on Friday heading to the volatile areas of 105-Mile, Parng Zai and Mong Koe in Muse District.

"During these past few days, we have not heard any gunfire in the area," he said. "However, in the city [Muse], there are barely any people – only security guards remain there."

Also on the Chinese border, in Namkham, some 30 kilometres southwest of Muse, security is reported to be "very tight." Any travelers or traders going in and out the town are searched carefully, and the local bridge linking Shan and Kachin states has been closed since November 23.

Last Thursday, Chinese and Burmese delegations met in Burma's capital to discuss the ongoing conflict in northern Shan State, according to the President's Office in Naypyidaw.

Meanwhile, last Sunday, November 20, a coalition of ethnic militias – the Arakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) – launched a joint military operation against Burmese government outposts and police stationsin the Muse Township villages of 105-Mile, Mong Koe and Parng Zai, as well as in Namkham and Kutkai townships.
Fighting has left at least ten civilians dead and 30 injured, and has compelled tens of thousands, including women and children, to flee their homes.

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
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