Thursday, March 9, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar Now Journalist Suspects Authorities Involved in Lawsuit

Posted: 09 Mar 2017 04:45 AM PST

Myanmar Now chief correspondent Ko Swe Win has suggested that authorities might have helped the plaintiff.

The post Myanmar Now Journalist Suspects Authorities Involved in Lawsuit appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Locals Vow to Continue to Protest Mon State Bridge Name

Posted: 09 Mar 2017 04:37 AM PST

Protest organizing committee member Mi Kun Chan Nom says locals prefer the name Yamanya, meaning Mon State in Mon Language.

The post Locals Vow to Continue to Protest Mon State Bridge Name appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

A Radically Different Dhamma

Posted: 09 Mar 2017 03:10 AM PST

The Irrawaddy revisits a story about the 969 movement that shook Burma with its anti-Muslim sentiment before Ma Ba Tha came to prominence.

The post A Radically Different Dhamma appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

China Says More Than 20,000 from Burma Seek Refuge Across Border

Posted: 09 Mar 2017 02:57 AM PST

Recent conflict threatens Burma's de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's top goal of reaching peace with minorities.

The post China Says More Than 20,000 from Burma Seek Refuge Across Border appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Encourages Women to Participate in Peace Process

Posted: 09 Mar 2017 02:23 AM PST

Speaking at an International Women's Day celebration, the state counselor says she wants 50 percent participation for women in Burma's peace process.

The post Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Encourages Women to Participate in Peace Process appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

People’s Tribunal Emphasizes Solidarity Across Ethnic, Religious Lines

Posted: 09 Mar 2017 02:15 AM PST

Witnesses present testimony describing atrocities committed against the Kachin and Rohingya communities to the Rome-based Permanent People's Tribunal.

The post People's Tribunal Emphasizes Solidarity Across Ethnic, Religious Lines appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rangoon Court Hears Plaintiff, Witness in M150 Bomb Blasts

Posted: 09 Mar 2017 12:43 AM PST

A Rangoon court hears the plaintiff and a witness regarding serial bombings in the commercial capital in November.

The post Rangoon Court Hears Plaintiff, Witness in M150 Bomb Blasts appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ma Ba Tha Takes Aim at the Media

Posted: 09 Mar 2017 12:28 AM PST

As member of Ma Ba Tha files case against Ko Swe Win, Lawi Weng probes the injustices that let those spreading hate speech target journalists.

The post Ma Ba Tha Takes Aim at the Media appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

PTTEP Partners with Total in Burma’s MD-7 Deep-water Block

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 10:53 PM PST

PTTEP, the only upstream petroleum company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, secures a partner with which to invest in the MD-7 project.

The post PTTEP Partners with Total in Burma's MD-7 Deep-water Block appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma set to Dodge Full UN Probe on Arakan State

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 08:48 PM PST

EU draft resolution for Human Rights Council falls short of commission of inquiry, as UN rights boss renews call for such a probe.

The post Burma set to Dodge Full UN Probe on Arakan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Magwe suffers water shortage

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:41 PM PST

Villagers in Magwe township are facing water shortage as ponds and wells are drying up, and donors have begun sending much-needed supplies to these areas.

Hluttaw approves motion to revamp judiciary system after majority votes

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:38 PM PST

A motion urging the Union Supreme Court to revamp a corrupted  judiciary system was approved at the March 7 Pyithu Hluttaw session, following discussions by 25 representatives, an explanation by the Union Supreme Court and casting of votes.

Suggestions for Bagan’s heritage draft law deliberated

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:36 PM PST

The Archaeology, National Museum and Library Department will meet with MPs from Bagan and Nay Pyi Taw, and the Attorney-General, to consider Bagan residents' suggestions for the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage draft law.

State Counsellor wants more women in peace process

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:33 PM PST

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has called for greater participation of women, especially those in business, in Myanmar's peace process.

Mandalay development policy draft completed

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:28 PM PST

The first draft of a policy to develop specific industries in the Mandalay Region has been completed and will soon be presented to the Hluttaw once the policy is finalised.

Ma Ba Tha files suit against Myanmar Now chief reporter

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:20 PM PST

The chief reporter of The Myanmar Now is facing jail time under the Telecommunications Law for allegedly defaming the leader of the hardline Committee for the Protection of Nationality and Religion, known by its Myanmar language acronym Ma Ba Tha.

Overseas employment agencies to pay new deposit fee

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:15 PM PST

Myanmar's Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population has ordered all overseas employment agencies to pay a K50 million deposit fees for their business licenses, a hike from the previous K5 million fee.

Maungtaw district security beefed up for exams

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:14 PM PST

Securtiy in Maungtaw district has been beefed up to ensure the matriculation exams, which started on March 8, proceed without any untoward incidents, district police said.

Students to mark 2015 protest anniversary

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:13 PM PST

Members of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) plan to commemorate a protest rally held two years ago calling for education reform that saw over 100 people detained by police at Letpadan in Bago Region.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Commentary on “Panglong, then and now, and the promise of peace”

Posted: 09 Mar 2017 12:48 AM PST

If looking for an acceptable equilibrium should be the way to achieve peace, then the prevailing difference of concept on how this country, the "Union of Burma" comes into being in 1948 after the British left, needs to be first understood and eventually bridged.


In other words, while the Bamar political class and Military top brass acceptance and belief that Burma or Myanmar today stems from the liberation of the Burmese empire that the British colonized in the 18th century, the non-Bamar ethnic nationalities are convinced that it is a newly formed political entity, built with their voluntary participation on equal basis. Thus, the independence achieved from the British is seen as a co-independence owned by all ethnic nationalities, Bamar included, and with it also the co-ownership right of the country's sovereignty.

The 1947 Panglong Agreement is actually the genesis of founding the Union of Burma, which should be studied together with the 1947 Union of Burma Constitution and also the 1961 Federal Proposal of the ethnic nationalities, if the emergence of this new political entity is to be understood.

It make no sense to criticize that the Panglong Agreement is not comprehensive and that it should be disregarded, but just to make use of its "spirit" only.

The first United States Constitution in 1787 originally was only composed of single page, seven articles and since then have expanded with leaps and bounds, but no one ever has thought about nullifying it because it was incomprehensible. That is how the country's founding historical document should be treated.

Likewise, the Panglong Agreement of 1947 should also be treated as the country's founding historical document, together with the 1947 Union of Burma Constitution and also the 1961 Federal Proposal.

In short, the Bamar political elite, together with the ethnocentric Bamar military top brass shouldn't be consumed by their paternalistic attitude and believe that they have every right to replace the British colonial master and treat the non-Bamar ethnic nationalities as their colonial possessions.

If this conceptual correction and a sense of being equal to all the other ethnic groups could be instilled among the Bamar political class and the Military, all the rest of forging a common national identity, national unity, reconciliation and political settlement would follow, but not before the morally and ethically feasible adjustment as mentioned above are undertaken.

Link to the story: http://frontiermyanmar.net/en/panglong-then-and-now-and-the-promise-of-peace

To Hopeland and Back: The 27th trip

Posted: 09 Mar 2017 12:41 AM PST

Gen N'Ban La, Vice Chairman of the 
Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)
(Photo:kachinland)
Yes, I should have written this two weeks ago. I wanted to, too. But I was bedridden with flu, and as a result has surrendered completely to the ministrations of my wife, who used to be a nurse. Thanks to her, I'm back in shape to write this journal.  My hope is the data I'll be providing here is not outdated.

The trip was the result of a meeting between Gen N'Ban La, Vice Chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and Chairman of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), and Gen Mutu Saypoe, Chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU) and leader of the signatory Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) on 20 January. The two agreed that better understanding between the signatories and the non-signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) was the key to closer cooperation between them.


Gen Mutu Saypoe, Chairman of the Karen 
National Union (KNU) (Photo:chinlandnews)
"The KIO, since last year, has set up the Shawnglam Mungmasa Jasat Hpung (SMJH-pronounced Sa-Ma-Ja-Ha), the Kachin Political Consultative Team, made up of leaders from religious, civil, military and academic circles," said N'Ban La. "And I would like you to meet them in Laiza, between 10-20 February."

The plan later included meeting with the United Wa State Party/Army (UWSP/UWSA) on our way back from Laiza. At that time, the delegation was totally unaware of the pending "third summit" in Pangkham (the official name of the Wa capital Panghsang) where prominent non-signatory EAOs would be invited.

The delegation was made up of 6 KNU representatives, 2 Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) advisors, who together with retired Col Htoo Htoo Lay from KNU, later were appointed as PPST advisers.

The following, in a condensed form, is the report on what took place between 12-19 February.

Day One. Sunday, 12 February 2017

Four of us: Gen Mutu, myself, and our two assistants take a delayed flight by China Eastern Airline to Kunming this evening. The other 5, who flew from Rangoon/Yangon yesterday, are already there.

Author, his Thai friend, Gen Mutu Saypoe and
 assistant Saw Marcus at Chiangmai airport 
before departure. (Photo: PI)
It takes only two minutes, on arrival, for the Chinese immigration officials to decide I'm worth an entry stamp. But another half hour to decide we are not carrying any nuclear weapons. It was the same procedure the last time we came in July 2016. The security system is tight even for domestic flights.

We are then welcomed by officials from the Yunnan foreign department officials, one of whom speaks fluent Burmese. He tells us we will be meeting Mr. Sun Guoxiang, special envoy to Myanmar, tomorrow morning.

By the time we arrive at the hotel it is already 22:30.

(To be continued)

DEMOCRACY IN THE KNU

Posted: 08 Mar 2017 11:58 PM PST

A disturbing report has been released by the Karen Information Center about the KNU Congress, which is being held next week. The Congress this year is to have significant overseas representation, from organizations for the huge number of Karen people who have fled Karen State and other areas of Burma. At the last KNU Congress, an agreement was reached whereby these organizations would be able to attend and they would also be able to vote. The KNU Executive Committee, under the control of Chairman Mutu Say Poe and General Secretary Kwe Htoo Win, however, has decided that this agreement will not be honored. The international organizations will be represented at the Congress, but they can't vote.



The reason for the about-face is obvious. This Congress will be a showdown between the Mutu clique and other Karen leaders who oppose his appeasement policy with the military regime. It is well known that international Karen also mistrust the clique. They have an independent perspective on the overall picture both in Burma and for the Karen. For the KNU top leadership, they (and of course also countless Karen still inside Burma) have learned the truth about many different things:

- That Mutu and Kwe Htoo only gained power through electoral fraud at the last Congress.

- That they signed a preliminary ceasefire with the regime, even though they were expressly forbidden from doing so, and also that now - years later - nothing has even been done to implement its agreement.

- But, that during this period the Burma Army greatly expanded its bases in Karen State.

- That the clique has focused on personal business opportunities and interests, and ignored the exploitation of Karen villagers including through land thefts.

- That it has had many secret meetings with the top generals of the dictatorship, including Than Shwe, and that what happened in these meetings has never been made public.

- And that Mutu and Kwe Htoo have aligned completely with Aung San Suu Kyi, even though she has shown no respect for ethnic nationality interests, and which by doing so fractured ethnic unity.

In summary, international Karen want a return to loyalty to the Karen Revolution and Saw Ba U Gyi's Four Principles. Therefore, they are likely to vote against the clique, hence Mutu's actions in the Executive Committee to deny them their right.

This fiasco, though, does raise the question of who should properly be entitled to vote on the leadership. Said another way, what type of organization is the KNU?

The KNU, together with the KNLA and KNDO, is the revolutionary organization for the Karen people. Its goals are to win peace, freedom and self-determination. As such, defense issues have always taken precedence.

This situation has changed. Even though protecting the people against the murderous military dictatorship remains the paramount concern, the KNU/KNLA/KNDO is no longer only a revolutionary organization. Through seven decades of struggle it has earned such an important position that it is effectively the overall Karen political organization as well.

As such, it should be democratic, to accurately reflect the Karen people's desires. And, in principle, it is. Ordinary KNU members elect committees at the village level which in turn elect village tract, township and district officials. These representatives along with KNLA officers and other officials then serve as the voting Congress delegates. But, as the international Karen have argued, they too should be represented (and also Karen outside of the State). And, the top leadership should be responsive to Karen concerns, such as the land thefts and the struggles of IDPs and refugees. But, for the last four years, under Mutu and Kwe Htoo, they have not been responsive. Instead, they have focused solely on their own selfish interests, for wealth and power, even though in many cases this actually hurt the Karen.

It is probably too late to change the voting structure at the Congress. Therefore, the international participants, and other Karen Civil Society Organizations, must be given an open forum to present their positions; and, the delegates who will vote must take these positions into account.

The KNU is the Karen political organization. Therefore, the votes at the Congress must be free and fair, and they must truly represent the entire people. The Karen have an opportunity to attain an adherence to democratic principles that has not yet been achieved anywhere in Burma. The ethnic group that the Burman rulers have historically disparaged the most can lead the way in implementing real democracy for the country.

Link story : http://www.dictatorwatch.org/prKNUdemocracy.html
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