Friday, January 27, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Arakanese Villagers Call for Suspension of Kyaukphyu SEZ Project

Posted: 27 Jan 2017 07:36 AM PST

Locals call for a suspension of the Special Economic Zone until there is a compensation scheme for land grabbing, a resettlement plan and SEZ by-laws.

The post Arakanese Villagers Call for Suspension of Kyaukphyu SEZ Project appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Despite Improvements, Corruption Continues in Burma

Posted: 27 Jan 2017 05:16 AM PST

Burma rises slightly in transparency rankings under the new govt, ranking 137th out of 176 nations in a new report from Transparency International.

The post Despite Improvements, Corruption Continues in Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Youth Protest Calls for Mon Political Parties to Unite

Posted: 27 Jan 2017 05:08 AM PST

Around 300 ethnic Mon youth in Ye Township protest against the leaders of two Mon political groups who refuse to combine their parties.

The post Youth Protest Calls for Mon Political Parties to Unite appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt to Reinstate Anti-Smuggling Checkpoints En-Route to Chinese and Thai Borders

Posted: 27 Jan 2017 04:55 AM PST

The same two checkpoints currently being proposed were opened under Burma's military government in the 1990s, then closed in 2012.

The post Govt to Reinstate Anti-Smuggling Checkpoints En-Route to Chinese and Thai Borders appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ma Ba Tha Resists Reforms to Race and Religion Laws

Posted: 27 Jan 2017 04:18 AM PST

But Upper House lawmaker says amendments are necessary before Parliament can vote on the new prevention of violence against women act.

The post Ma Ba Tha Resists Reforms to Race and Religion Laws appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Four Charged With Timber Smuggling

Posted: 27 Jan 2017 02:38 AM PST

Acting on a tip-off, the forestry department seizes over 30 tons of smuggled teak from two containers in Myanmar Industrial Port.

The post Four Charged With Timber Smuggling appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Myeik: It’s Not Just About Gorgeous Islands

Posted: 26 Jan 2017 10:27 PM PST

A new walking guide highlights the rich legacy of the southern port town's colorful yet forgotten past.

The post Myeik: It's Not Just About Gorgeous Islands appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Villagers vow to cont protest

Posted: 26 Jan 2017 11:43 PM PST

Farmers in Mandalay have vowed to continue with their protests in front a government office until their problems with gold miners who have allegedly encroached on their land is resolved.

MCDC warns illegal shops to vacate Strand Road

Posted: 26 Jan 2017 11:37 PM PST

Owners of shops and homes erected illegally along the Ayeyarwady River on Strand Road, west of Mandalay, have until January 29 to clear out or they will see their structures demolished by the authorities.

Youth lead anti-drug campaign in Yangon townships

Posted: 26 Jan 2017 11:35 PM PST

Young volunteers are leading a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse in four townships in Yangon.

Free sign language lessons offered next month

Posted: 26 Jan 2017 11:33 PM PST

The Mary Chapman School for the Deaf is offering free sign language lessons to improve communication with people who have impaired or no hearing.

Draft foreigner laws worry experts, expats

Posted: 26 Jan 2017 11:29 PM PST

Two draft laws concerning foreigners are sending shockwaves through the expat community and could undermine the government's stated priorities in attracting responsible foreign investment and promoting a human rights agenda, lawyers and business experts say.

Overseas employment agencies could face 10-fold hike in fees

Posted: 26 Jan 2017 11:27 PM PST

The labour ministry is looking to introduce a 10-fold increase in deposits paid by overseas employment agencies.

Shan groups to launch perception survey prior to second Panglong conference

Posted: 26 Jan 2017 11:23 PM PST

Political parties, armed groups and civil society organisations from Shan State will hit the pavement and conduct a door-to-door perception survey this weekend to gauge what people are thinking about the upcoming 21st-Century Panglong Conference.

Commission prepares 47 redrafted laws for next hluttaw session to enact

Posted: 26 Jan 2017 11:21 PM PST

Thura U Shwe Mann's legal affairs commission has been busy. Tired of facing down a gargantuan legislative backlog, the 35-member body has reviewed over 395 bills in common use since the former Speaker took the helm of the commission in February 2016. Of the laws reviewed, 198 were found to be in need of amending, repealing or entirely redrafting.

NGOs call for ceasefire, food for IDPs

Posted: 26 Jan 2017 11:17 PM PST

A group of NGOs yesterday collectively called on the government to immediately halt the ongoing armed conflict in Kachin and northern Shan States and to protect civilians.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

THINK PIECE: Negotiation, total annihilation and international community

Posted: 27 Jan 2017 05:47 AM PST

Why is it so hard for the Tatmadaw to accept all-inclusive participation of all the ethnic armies that have been its adversaries or enemies?

Isn't making peace involve talking and negotiating with one's enemies?

But if the Tatmadaw entertains total annihilation of the ethnic armies as a solution, there is no need to be indulging in this fake peace negotiation, as its ultimate aim is not "win-win", problem-solving but "win-lose", negotiated surrender of the ethnic armies.

Thus, it is the Tatmadaw's mindset and "political will" that needs to change and nothing else is more important. In other words, if the Tatmadaw could embrace and is committed to the welfare of the people and not just for its "group survival", to hold on to political decision-making power, then there is a way out of this debacle.

It is none other than to abandon its paternalistic posture, in the manner of a father dealing benevolently and often intrusively with his children or master-slave relationship. It needs to come down from its high horse and must have the courage to sit down as equal negotiation partners, around the table, with other stakeholders. Then and only then, would there be earnest peace process negotiation and possible peace settlement. Otherwise, the war or internal conflict will go on. It is as simple as that.

Regarding international community the ethnic armies can't rely too much on it, especially the nation-states. They are designed to firstly look at their national interest - meaning: economic advantage, Geo-political concern and instilling or advancement of their ideologies and policies beneficial to them. And as such, democratization, universal human rights and all are just lip-service and secondary at most. Thus, General Gun Maw of Kachin Independence Organization/Army (KIO/KIA)  shouldn't be disappointing but learn how to make use of individual nation-state to one's advantage, through give-and-take.

There is a saying: "All's fair in love and war". And no doubt, adversaries will be implementing this adage so long as the world goes on. I am afraid, the ethnic armies would also need to do so.

Environmental groups voice opposition to IFC dam workshops

Posted: 27 Jan 2017 02:17 AM PST

Leading Burmese environmental groups, including Burma Rivers Network (BRN) and Save the Salween Network (SSN), today released a statement, voicing strong opposition to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which they say is currently promoting various hydropower projects in areas that are primarily conflict zones.

Photo SHRF- 1,500 civilians stage protest against Upper Yeywa Dam construction on November 27, 2016
"BRN and SSN oppose any attempts to push ahead with large dams while conflict continues along Burma's major rivers, where Burma Army offensives and systematic abuses have displaced hundreds of thousands, and where ethnic peoples continue to be constitutionally denied their right to decide over natural resources in their homelands," read the statement.

The IFC is a member of the World Bank Group which finances private sector initiatives in many developing countries including Burma.

The IFC workshops, which are to include seminars about social and environmental impact assessments, are scheduled to start today, January 27, in Yangon, Kachin State capital Myitkyina, and Karenni State capital Loikaw.  

Sai Khur Hseng of the Shan Sapawa Environmental Organization and a joint-spokesperson for today's statement told Shan Herald that he strongly disagreed with the IFC operation.

"I strongly disagree with their activities," he said. "Right now, dam constructions have been suspended. However, the IFC is pushing a hydropower agenda. This workshop is part of their plan to ensure the dams are built."

Friday's statement noted that construction of mega-dams on the Irrawaddy and Salween rivers will have massive impacts on local residents and the environment.
"Pushing ahead with projects in conflict zones reinforces the root causes of conflict, and contradicts the NLD government's claims to be promoting democratic federalism," said Mi Ah Chai, the other joint-spokesperson for today's statement.

The blueprints for hydropower projects on the Irrawaddy River include the 20,000-megawatt chain of Myitsone dams, while a Salween River proposal would include a series of dams in Shan State: the 7,100 MW Mong Ton Dam; the 1,400 MW Kunlong Dam; the 1,200 MW Nong Pha Dam; and the 200 MW Manntaung Dam. The project also includes plans for the 4,000 MW Ywathit Dam in Karenni State, and the 1,360 MW Hat Gyi Dam in Karen State.
Three countries are involved in these projects: China (through three state-run firms: Three Gorges Corporation; Sinohydro; and China Southern Grid); Thailand, via its state-run arm Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand; and Burma's Ministry of Electric Power, alongside the International Group of Entrepreneurs (IGE), a firm controlled by the offspring of the late Aung Thaung, the long-time industry minister under Snr-Gen Than Shwe's military regime.
Once the proposed projects are completed, 90 percent of electricity produced is slated to be exported to China and Thailand.

 By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
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