Democratic Voice of Burma

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• DVB Debate: How to tackle Burma’s economy
• NLD’s ‘constitution rally’ goes ahead in Naypyidaw
• Conservation of Inle Lake is a ‘national duty’, says Burmese VP
• Ethnic Mon parties plan merger
• Latpadaung villagers mark anniversary of firebombing
• OIC pledges help to ‘both communities’ in Arakan

DVB Debate: How to tackle Burma’s economy Posted: 18 Nov 2013 04:06 AM PST Even though the growth index is positive in Burma, the country's economy is still driven by entrepreneurs who have connections to those in power. A recent World Bank report warned that conditions were ripe for high inflation. On DVB Debate's panel to discuss measures to tackle the Burmese economy were Aung Naing Oo from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development; Vice President of Myanmar Women's Entrepreneur Association Dr Thet Thet Khine; and consultant to the Ministry of Commerce Dr. Maung Aung. Entrepreneur Thet Thet Khine highlighted the problem of corruption and warned that it will continue if staff are not paid more. She emphasized that smaller enterprises need to be a part of the economic success. "All SME's – small to medium enterprises – such as ours are pretty much inward looking; competing against each other in this rather small market which has no opportunity to grow any larger", she said. She added that it is for the whole country to work on building up credibility for the products labelled 'Made in Burma', and to gain knowledge on how to get market access overseas. Aung Naing Oo said that one problem is very few experts understand the existing laws enough to be able to change them. Cartoon by DVB Debate "It takes a long time to amend laws, but the government realizes that this is a 'must'. Though our country is supposed to practice an open market system, the SEE Law – State-owned Economic Enterprises Law – imposes restrictions on it. They say that according to the law, foreign investment will be allowed." The SEE Law specifies 12 economic activities that are closed to private investment and can only be carried out by the government. Maung Aung said he thinks the economic situation in Burma is encouraging compared to other countries in the region. However, according to the recent World Bank report Burma is one of the most difficult countries in the world to conduct business in, ranking 182 among 189 countries. "I mean that in comparison with former times it is the right time to develop the country. But as you said, we can’t change the situation instantly to make it easy to do business and enjoy ‘economic freedom’", Maung Aung explained. Special guest was Dominique Causse from the French embassy, who pointed out there have been very many good reforms in Burma. "I would say from our point of view that they are all extremely good. But the bureaucracy needs to take time to be able to implement them. There is a need to build capacity. It’s not easy. At the same time, a heavy rush of investments would not be so good for the economy because it would overheat". The World Bank report warns that inflation has reached 7.3 percent, higher than the country's economic growth. Maung Aung said one crucial point for both the economy and the development of the country is to keep society stable. "What interrupts our country’s development is not the land prices or the infrastructure. What is critical is stability. Without stability, major investors will reconsider their investments. The stability of the State depends not only on the government but also on each and every citizen." Related Stories Beer battle brewing in Burma Business Weekly DVB Debate: Burmacare – developing the healthcare system in Burma In conclusion, despite various problems such as corruption, the limited market and complicated laws, the panelists generally agreed that the future of the economy looks bright and that Burma is on the right path – as long as development continues in a controlled manner. Next week, DVB Debate discusses the upcoming SEA Games. You can join the debate and watch the full programme in Burmese at www.dvbdebate.com Or share your views with us by commenting on our website at www.dvb.no

NLD’s ‘constitution rally’ goes ahead in Naypyidaw Posted: 18 Nov 2013 02:21 AM PST Some 88 percent of approximately 20,000 participants at a public event in Naypyidaw hosted by the National League for Democracy (NLD) said they wished to see the 2008 constitution amended rather than completely rewritten, the Burmese opposition party says. The conference featured a speech by NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi and was held on Monday morning despite an original denial of permission to stage the event by authorities in the Burmese capital. Related Stories NLD refused permit to stage 'constitution rally' in Naypyidaw Amending constitution is imperative, Suu Kyi tells EU delegation Over 99 percent of Rangoonites support amending the constitution, says NLD However, local authorities relented and eventually gave permission for the conference to go ahead, said NLD lower house MP Sandar Min of Zabuthiri constituency in Naypyidaw, adding that the NLD had surveyed the attendees on whether they wanted the constitution amended or completely rewritten. "After refusing permission to stage a public event to hold the survey, some officials recommended that we submit an appeal, which we did," she said. "Approval was given on Sunday, and we were allowed to hold the survey at the same venue and on the same date we had planned." Burma's main opposition party has been conducting a road trip of public events in Rangoon and other cities in recent weeks, talking to public gatherings and NLD supporters about the 2008 constitution and the party's desire to have it either amended or rewritten. The NLD has claimed that their opinion polls show that 99 percent of 20,000 Rangoon voters interviewed said they favoured amending the constitution.

Conservation of Inle Lake is a ‘national duty’, says Burmese VP Posted: 18 Nov 2013 01:51 AM PST The Burmese government has pledged to continue spending 100 million kyat (over US$100,000) every year to conserve and protect Inle Lake in Shan state, one of the major tourist attractions in the country. According to the Shan state government's Inntha Ethnic Affairs Minister Win Myint, the promise was made by Vice-president Sai Mauk Kham while on a tour of the lake area and nearby town of Nyaungshwe on Saturday, when he said that the 100-million-kyat annual budget will be allocated to the irrigation, agriculture and forestry departments to be used towards conservation of the lake. Related Stories Foreign tourists cancel trips to Burma after bombings Burma's beach paradise still safe despite riots, say officials Immigration officials relax restrictions for tourists travelling overland "The vice-president urged the people of Inle Lake, including the younger generations, to join the effort to conserve the lake via a public-focused campaign," said Minister Win Myint. He said the vice-president emphasised that the lake's width had been narrowing and silting gradually over the years. Speaking to guests at the nearby town of Nyaungshwe, Sai Mauk Kham said that conservation of Inle Lake was "a national duty". More than 90,000 foreign tourists have visited Inle Lake so far this year. Tourism authorities say they expected that number to hit 150,000 by the year's end. According to an official report, the area of Inle Lake has declined from 104 square miles to 24 square miles; from 36 miles long to 11 miles; eight miles wide to four miles; and from 20 feet deep to 12 feet."

Ethnic Mon parties plan merger Posted: 17 Nov 2013 10:41 PM PST Two major Mon ethnic parties, the All Mon Region Democracy Party (AMRDP) and the Mon Democracy Party (MDP), have tentatively reached an agreement to merge, party representatives tell DVB. A special committee, in which both parties have equal representation, will convene on 22 November to hammer out the details of the proposed merger. According to MDP secretary Min Soe Lin (also spelled Min Soe Linn) the committee's 30 members will determine the new party's flag, objectives and how best to implement a framework for registration with the Union Election Commission via secret ballot. Related Stories Without self-determination, revolution will go on: Mon militia Heavy rain displaces thousands across eastern Burma Armed Mon group calls on army to return abducted members AMRDP's chairman Nai Ngwe Thein told DVB that both parties opted to merge in accordance with Mon public opinion. "All the monks and people of Mon state wish to see us as one party. It is also important to have many Mon representatives in the 2015 elections so that we will be able to self determine legislation, executive and judicial matters," Nai Ngwe Thein said. The parties first began merger discussions in early 2012. The MDP first formed in 1988 using the name Mon National Democracy Party (MNDP). The MNDP was officially abolished by military authorities after it won seats in the May 1990 national election. Following the ban many MNDP party officials, including Min Seo Lin, a medical doctor, were sent to jail. The party was later allowed to re-register using the current name in preparation for the April 2012 round of by-elections. But although the MNDP participated it failed to win any seats. The AMRDP was established during the run-up to the November 2010 general elections; the party presently has 16 seats in the Mon State parliament.

Latpadaung villagers mark anniversary of firebombing Posted: 17 Nov 2013 10:35 PM PST Around 150 villagers and Buddhist monks gathered at Shwezigon Pagoda in Monywa on Sunday morning to conduct a prayer ceremony to mark the anniversary, nearly one year ago, of the night riot police brutally firebombed peaceful protestors at a historical Buddhist site near the Latpadaung copper mine. Later that afternoon, the group travelled to Latpadaung Mountain to view its conditions, in the wake of a resumption of mining activities which the protestors fear will damage the shrine and destroy the mountainside and the wider environment. "We are here at the pagoda to commemorate the violent crackdown in which locals and Buddhist monks were firebombed," said Sandar, a local villager. She said the event's organisers were told by police not to use or mention the word "Latpadaung" during their prayer ceremony. Related Stories Seven villagers shot with rubber bullets in Latpadaung clash Locals, monks resume sit-in protest at Latpadaung Fresh protests erupt near Latpadaung copper mine "Monywa township administrator Kyu Aye came and told us not to use the word 'Latpadaung', and we were under watch by government officials including the special branch," she said. La Pyae, a resident from Mogyopyin village, which is located close to the controversial copper mine, said that after inspecting the mountain, the activists issued a set of demands to the authorities. "Primarily, we have no wish to have the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings and the Wanbao [mining contractors] in the area," he said. "We are also demanding the removal of police guardhouses from the farmlands, and that the police stop shooting at us." Meanwhile, Rangoon-based civil society group, the Public Assistance Network, also marked the anniversary of the incident at the Botahtaung Pagoda in the former capital on Sunday evening. A mass sit-in protest was broken up brutally by riot police on 29 November last year. Some 80 protestors were injured, many with horrific burns that several experts have attributed to white phosphorous bombs. A subsequent investigation headed by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi failed to pronounce anyone guilty for the violent crackdown, and to many villagers' dismay, recommended to the government that the project be resumed.

OIC pledges help to ‘both communities’ in Arakan Posted: 17 Nov 2013 08:05 PM PST A delegation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) wrapped up a four-day visit to Burma on Saturday, pledging humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance to the communities affected and displaced by communal violence in Arakan state. In a joint statement with the Central Committee for Implementation of Stability and Development in Rakhine State issued on Sunday, the OIC delegation said it had "assured the [Burmese] government of the principled position of the OIC, OIC institutions and its member states not to discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity and religion in the provision of humanitarian assistance." It further stated that any assistance would be provided "on a non-discriminatory basis" though the Burmese government. The OIC delegation also called on Naypyidaw "to continue legal reforms, including repealing laws restricting fundamental freedoms." The OIC website confirmed that the delegation, headed by Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, visited IDP camps in Arakan state where they "listened to Rakhine [Arakanese] Buddhists and Muslims, giving them a message of assurance that the OIC seeks to help both communities in order for them to live together in peace and harmony." Related Stories Four Kachin IDPs sentenced for 'unlawful association' Buddhists take to the streets of Sittwe to protest OIC visit Clinton praises 'remarkable transition' in Burma It said that "throngs" of Muslims, mainly from the Rohingya community, lined the streets to greet the delegation. The Associated Press estimated that 5,000 people from the IDP camps near Sittwe turned out to meet the OIC delegation. Its report said that the OIC secretary-general was reduced to tears by the emotional visit. "I never had such a feeling," AP quoted Ihsanoglu saying on Saturday. Ahead of the trip to Arakan state by representatives of the Islamic bloc, demonstrations were staged at various cities across Burma, protesting the visit. Buddhist monks led more than 5,000 residents on a demonstration through the streets of Arakan state capital Sittwe on Friday morning, while similar street protests were held in Rangoon and Lashio in the days before. The OIC consists of 57 member states, including Burma's neighbours India and Bangladesh, as well as fellow ASEAN member states Malaysia and Indonesia, with Thailand as an observer. China too requested observer status to the bloc in 2012. The OIC has a permanent delegation at the UN, and is the largest international organisation outside the United Nations.

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Shan Herald Agency for News

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Researcher: Naypyitaw sticks to its guns on 135 national races Posted: 18 Nov 2013 07:01 AM PST Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund with Ministe of Immigration and Population U Khin Yi on 29 August 2012 (Photo: UNFPA) Critics and researchers can say whatever they like, but Burma's next census in 31 years will still be based on the controversial 135 "national races", according to a foreign researcher working in the country. "Detailed information however will not be released until a month before the actual census taking," said the analyst on 15 November while visiting Thailand. "Officials concerned say they are afraid it will be politicized if it comes out prematurely." No intensive research on the number of the country's "national races" has been made, but according to Gamanii, an analyst based in Thailand, actual count could be no more than 58:                    Junta count    Researcher's count 1    Kachin            12                     6 2    Kayah             9                      5 3    Karen             11                     3 4    Chin               53                    11 5    Burman          9                       5 6    Mon               1                       1 7    Arakan           7                       5 8    Shan              33                     22     Total               135                   58 Kachins, for example, he says, are unnecessarily divided into 12, when it should be only 6: 1    Kachin    Term covers Jingpho, Maru, Rawang, Lashi, Atsi and Lisu 2    Jingpho   a Kachin branch 3    Maru       a Kachin branch 4    Rawang   a Kachin branch 5    Lashi       a Kachin branch 6    Atsi         a Kachin branch 7    Lisu        a Kachin branch 8    Trone     a Rawang clan 9    Guari      a Jingpho clan 10    Khakhu    a Jingpho clan 11    Duleng    a Jingpho clan 12    Dalau    a Jingpho clan (some argues a Rawang clan) "The funny thing," he says, "is that Kachin has been set apart from Jingpho, Maru and others although all of them are collectively known as Kachins." The same thing goes for Shans, who have been divided into 10 different national races, Palaungs into 2 and Lahu into 2 in Shan State. An ongoing campaign is urging all Shans of different clans or sub-families to be registered as one single label, that is, "Shan" or, as they call themselves, "Tai". Last March, a pilot census was taken in 20 townships across the country, where 41 questions were asked. "In Loikaw," said the researcher, "the people just handed out their household registers for the enumerators to copy as they had been warned earlier by the local immigration officers that they must give correct answers. The result was that a Christian family I saw was ticked off as Buddhist, although a portrait of Jesus was hung on the wall for all to see." "The UNFPA (UN Fund for Population Activities) should do public consultation well beforehand," the researcher concluded. The census taking will be conducted on 30 March-10 April 2014. "We need to achieve peace as soon as possible," Minister for Immigration as Population U Khin Yi told SHAN in Myitkyina on 5 November. "Because it's only barely 5 months away. You shift your head a little and your bottom a little, and, before you know it, you're already there." 135: Counting Races in Burma by Gamanii, 25 September 2012

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Democratic Voice of Burma

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They say ‘peace’, we say ‘peace process’: Gen. Gun Maw of KIA Posted: 16 Nov 2013 07:56 PM PST Following rounds of negotiations aimed at ethnic unity, a nationwide ceasefire, political dialogue, the return of IDPs and other issues, the Kachin Independence Army's vice chief of staff Gen. Gun Maw sat down with DVB contributing reporter Niels Huby. They spoke candidly about the current round of peace talks and the Kachin leader's goals for the future.   Q: Why did you decided to organize a conference of ethnic armed groups in Laiza? A: This kind of conference is what all the armed groups have been longing for. Since the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) is the only group left fighting against the government, we asked for permission to organize this conference and for the peace talks in Myitkyina.   Q: How did you reached a common agreement? A: What all the armed groups want is to build a genuine union. And what we perceive is that the armed struggle is conducted at the cost of political dialogue. That's why we have a problem. That's why we have to settle our problems by political means. When the Burmese government called for ethnic armed groups to sign a national ceasefire agreement we thought this was a good thing. But the question is: what are we going to do after signing the national ceasefire agreement? That's why we convened and roundly agreed on proceeding to political dialogue and attending peace talks with the government.   Q: Will the armed groups insist on political dialogue before signing a ceasefire? A: What we are saying is that we want guarantees for the political dialogue and we want to know what the Burmese government is going to do after signing the ceasefire. We want some proof that we can trust them and then we can move forward. If no such evidence exists then we cannot move forward.   Q: What do you mean by guarantees? You want government troops to withdraw? A: The first thing we are asking the Burmese government is: do you genuinely want to resolve this conflict by means of political dialogue? If they have the genuine will to do so, then they have to announce to the international community that they are going to end the conflict through political dialogue and not with military power. After that, things like the withdrawal of troops will become a minor issue.   Q: Do you think the Myanmar government really wants peace? A: When the Burmese government says "peace", we remind them that this is a "peace process". The Burmese define peace by signing agreements. They say that once you sign an agreement then there will be peace, but if you don't sign there is no peace – that is the definition of the Burmese government, and that is the problem.   Q: How did the Myitkyina peace talks go? A: We gave them our proposal and the Myanmar government gave us its proposal explaining how they wanted to establish a national ceasefire.   Q: Do you have high hopes for the peace talks in Hpa-an? A: Yes, I hope that we will get to some mutual understanding towards the future.   Q: Do you envisage hostilities resuming? A: The KIO is always saying to U Aung Min that we don't want to sign a ceasefire agreement simply to prepare for the next round of fighting. This is why we are really careful. We want a ceasefire agreement that leads to political dialogue and not to another round of fighting. This is why we have not been able to sign any kind of agreement yet.   Q: Does the central government really have control of its generals in the field? A: This is hard to say and is a question that I am often asked by the international community. But when we are having peace talks with the government and simultaneously the military invades an IDP camp and treats the IDPs brutally, then it clearly shows that the army is not listening to the government.   Q: What is the role of China in the peace process and the negotiations? A: Now we are at the stage where the Chinese come and listen in on the peace talks. Previously they never attended because of their foreign policy on non-interference. We are thinking that China will progressively become more involved in the peace process and help solve this problem. Since China is a neighboring country, it must raise its voice one day. But are waiting to see how it raises its voice and in what ways its voice is practical for the peace process.   Q: What role will the Kachins play in the future of Myanmar/Burma? A: We have to see it from two different perspectives. The first is that we have to create a future that relates to our history. The second point is how the government develops its policy towards that future. When we signed the Panglong Agreement with Gen. Aung San in 1947, just one year before independence, we did not sign an agreement that demanded our rights. What we signed at Panglong was an agreement on how we were all going to live together equally in one country. Since the Burmese did not respect those promises, the different ethnic groups requested separation. Today all the ethnic groups are again demanding the establishment of a genuine union. Based on that perspective, the government must set a policy detailing what the future of our country will be.   Q: What about autonomy for the Kachin people? A: This is about history, and every ethnic group has its own history. When the British came into Burma, some ethnic groups were already under the rule of the Burmese kings. Kachin, Chin and Shan peoples were never under Burmese rule. This is why, when we were about to win independence from the British, Gen. Aung San had to convince us that we should all negotiate independence together. At that time, he told the ethnic groups that the Burmese would not attempt to come and rule over us. This is what we are discussing now.   Related Stories Four Kachin IDPs sentenced for 'unlawful association' A federal union means a federal army, says Aung Min RCSS play wait-and-see on nationwide ceasefire decision

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Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Ne Win’s grandson urges govt to free more prisoners, including convicts
• The stigma of HIV/AIDS in Little Burma
• NLD refused permit to stage ‘constitution rally’ in Naypyidaw
• Four Kachin IDPs sentenced for ‘unlawful association’
• Thai firm reacts after Dawei seizure rumours

Ne Win’s grandson urges govt to free more prisoners, including convicts Posted: 16 Nov 2013 02:21 AM PST Released on Friday from Insein prison after more than 10 years behind bars, Kyaw Ne Win, the grandson of former military strongman Gen. Ne Win, urged the Burmese government to release not only all the political detainees, but other convicts "who deserve to be free". Sixty-nine political prisoners were released from prisons across Burma on Friday after a presidential amnesty was declared on the recommendation of the government-appointed Political Prisoners Assessment Committee. Among them were Kyaw Ne Win and Aye Ne Win, two grandsons of ex-dictator Ne Win, the military general who ruled Burma with an iron fist from 1962 till 1988. Shortly before Ne Win's death in December 2002, his son-in-law, Aye Zaw Win, was implicated in an alleged plot to overthrow the military junta. Along with his wife Sandar Win (well-known at the time as Ne Win's favoured daughter) and his three sons (Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwe Ne Win), the family were each found guilty of treason and given suspended death sentences. Related Stories Nearly 70 political prisoners freed in Burma Release of political prisoners discussed in Rangoon Over 99 percent of Rangoonites support amending the constitution, says NLD Sandar Win was freed in 2008 while Aye Zaw Win and Zwe Ne Win were released in a presidential amnesty in January 2012. Speaking to the media in Rangoon after his release on Friday, Kyaw Ne Win said that the release of prisoners does not cost money from anyone's pockets. "There were many prisoners [I met in prison] who should be set free," he said. "The president and the parliament are the father of the country. But prisoners are also members of that family." In an interview the same day, Kyaw Ne Win told Eleven Media that he had no plans to enter politics, however he said he would do whatever it took to stop foreigners "trespassing on Burmese territory, insulting our sovereignty, and damaging the role of the army," as well as "protecting the country's race and religion, and from secessions from the state". He reportedly told Eleven Media he regarded himself as a "military dog". "If a military commander or an officer offered his hand, I will offer mine," said Kyaw Ne Win. "If he tells me to bite someone, I will bite."

The stigma of HIV/AIDS in Little Burma Posted: 16 Nov 2013 01:37 AM PST It's low paid, difficult and often dangerous work. But Thailand's fishing industry provides employment for tens of thousands of Burmese migrants who have fled their country in search of a better life. Many of them work in Mahachai – nicknamed Little Burma – 45 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. Most dockworkers here earn the minimum wage of 200 Baht, or six dollars a day. The workers face numerous hazards. About a third of them are not officially registered, making them targets for harassment by extortion gangs and the authorities. They are poorly educated and dream of one day returning home. But many of them also enjoy new freedoms that were taboo in their own country, including sexual experimentation and multiple partners. And that makes them vulnerable to HIV, especially the younger workers. "The majority of HIV infections among Burmese migrant workers is among the 15 to 25-year-olds", said Zayar Lin from Foundation for Education and Development. "That is because of two reasons, the first being that they want to explore more, the second is the low awareness of HIV and AIDS." He said the problem is you don't really talk about these things in Burma, so when young Burmese come to Thailand, they have lots of opportunities to experiment, but they lack basic knowledge of how to protect themselves from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). And they don't know the dangers of HIV. Related Stories MSF suspends Pauktaw operations after 'misunderstandings' DVB Debate: Burmacare – developing the healthcare system in Burma Burmese migrant group files formal complaint against Thai police The Raks Thai Foundation runs a drop-in center, an informal place where Burmese migrants can safely access information about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Here Burmese migrants are shown how to use condoms and protect themselves from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. They can also access peer support services and counseling. New is a Peer Support Counselor at The Buddy Center. "They need to know more, so they read information, education and communication pamphlets here so they will learn about the transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and how to prevent HIV and STIs." The center provides services and knowledge that most of the migrant workers and their families did not have access to in Burma, officially known as Myanmar. Forty-two-year-old Tin Tin Aye has been coming to the center since her husband died of an AIDS-related illness seven years ago. "I had heard about HIV but I had never seen or used a condom when I was living in Burma," she said. Migrant workers can also obtain referrals for health check-ups, treatment and support from a nearby clinic. But despite Raks Thai being a "safe place" that offers anonymity, many Burmese still fear stigma and discrimination if they contract HIV. "When they are HIV positive they don't want to tell their relatives, their husband or their wife, especially when they become very, very ill and nobody takes care of them", said health advisor Dr Khin Thant Zin. "At that time they come to Raks Thai instead. Usually they are afraid of discrimination and stigma in their community, that's why they come to us very late." International agencies have been working for many years to improve working conditions and legal rights for some 2.5 million Burmese migrant workers in Thailand, and have made strides in some areas. Yoshiteru Uramoto is the Asia Pacific Regional Director of International Labour Organisation (ILO). He said that Thailand has done a good job compared to other Asian countries, but thinks the ideal situation would be if the migrant workers get integrated under the social protection scheme. "Fishing and non-commercial vessels is an area that we need to still give some attention," he said. "But I think we are very much into introducing some institutional arrangements, legal measures. Humanitarian assistance is important, that's the start, but we also need to have some institutions to protect migrant workers from all sorts of issues, and HIV is one of them." The 11th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP 2013) will be held on 18-23 November 2013, in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme is "Asia/Pacific Reaching Triple Zero: Investing in Innovation".

NLD refused permit to stage ‘constitution rally’ in Naypyidaw Posted: 15 Nov 2013 11:34 PM PST The National League for Democracy (NLD) has been refused permission by police in Naypyidaw to conduct a survey to measure public perception of constitutional reform, the Burmese opposition party said. The NLD had scheduled a meeting to be held on Monday in Zabu Thiri Township in Naypyidaw, however the local police station denied the party a permit on the grounds that it had not supplied all the necessary documents, a party MP told DVB. The party was also told they could not hold such a meeting so close to government offices and at a time when schools and offices are open, said NLD MP Min Thu. Related Stories Amending constitution is imperative, Suu Kyi tells EU delegation Burma looks to its lucky stars for SEA Games success Over 99 percent of Rangoonites support amending the constitution, says NLD However, Min Thu said the party's plan to hold a public referendum on the constitution was in accordance with the law and that the NLD organisers had provided all the relevant documents to authorities except the requested signatures of each speech-giver scheduled for the event. "The rule that a political rally cannot be held at a place which is close to government offices, schools or religious buildings has recently been abolished by the Union Election Commission. So this is not a concrete reason," said Min Thu. "The avenue [where we intend to stage the event] is very wide and will not cause a traffic jam or disturb local people." NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi was one of several key speakers scheduled for Monday's meeting, alongside Win Myint and Aung Kyi Nyunt. Burma's main opposition party has been conducting a road trip of public events in Rangoon and other cities in recent weeks, talking to public gatherings and NLD supporters about the 2008 constitution and the party's desire to have it amended or rewritten. The NLD have claimed that their opinion polls show that 99 percent of 20,000 Rangoon voters interviewed said they favoured amending the constitution.

Four Kachin IDPs sentenced for ‘unlawful association’ Posted: 15 Nov 2013 10:53 PM PST While the Burmese government released 69 political prisoners on Friday, a Myitkyina court on the same day sentenced four Kachin Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to terms of two years in prison for being in contact with the outlawed Kachin Independence Army (KIA). According to their lawyer, Myitkyina Township and District Court charged six IDPs in June 2012 under the controversial Unlawful Associations Act. On Friday the court sentenced Lahpai Gun, Brang Yone, Zaw Bauk and La Ring to two years while Karyar Nandar and Lamar Aung were set free. Those sentenced, with the exception of Zaw Bauk, are also due to face charges under the Explosions Act. Speaking to DVB on Saturday, the IDPs' lawyer Mar Khar said the court neglected to consider his testimony and his clients' argument that they never made contact with the KIA. Related Stories Burmese army compromises for sake of peace, says Lt-Gen Myint Soe Kachins flee to displacement camps following military clashes in Bhamo Nationwide ceasefire, political dialogue appear on the horizon "In summarizing, the judge said that the accused men did not deny contacting the KIA," he said. "In fact, my clients refuted all claims that they had contact with the KIA and our witnesses backed this up. This sentence is totally unfair." The lawyer also alleged that during interrogation, the Kachin refugees were tortured by security forces. "These high-ranking officers' ignorance of human rights and flagrant abuse of the law could impact the peace process," he said. The Asian Human Rights Commission lists 36 cases of people being arrested and tortured by security forces in Kachin State in 2012 for allegedly having "unlawful" contact with the KIA. Similarly, another Kachin IDP, Lahtaw Brang Shawng, was sentenced to two years in prison under the Unlawful Associations Act in July 2012 but was freed as part of a presidential amnesty in June.

Thai firm reacts after Dawei seizure rumours Posted: 15 Nov 2013 08:59 PM PST Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) is ready to defend itself if the Burmese government decides to seize the concession of the Dawei megaproject awarded to the Thai contractor but says it has not been informed about any such decision. Executives of ITD, Thailand’s largest construction company, and Dawei Development Co (DDC) said they are surprised by remarks made by Thai Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal that the Burmese government is preparing to end the concession with ITD. Mr Pongsak, who was recently named head of a special task force to kick-start the massive project in eastern Burma, said the Burmese government plans to call for international bidding for Dawei early next year. The Thai and Burmese governments expect to reach an agreement on a financial adviser at a meeting of the Joint Coordinating Committee on Dawei and surrounding areas this month in order to conduct due diligence of ITD’s assets in Dawei, said Mr Pongsak. Related Stories Tavoy farmers demand return of lands seized in 1990 Business Weekly Thai govt tries to breathe life into Dawei ITD was granted a 75-year concession from the Burmese government to develop a special economic zone and deep-sea port in Dawei, but the project has struggled to get off the ground, given the massive investment required. “We have no clue about such a decision by the Burmese government,” said DDC managing director Somchet Thinaphong. “Both governments agreed this is a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) and that special-purpose companies (SPCs) will be set up to handle the investments in Dawei.” The SPV will be a joint venture between the Thai and Burmese governments, with the Japanese government invited to join. SPCs can be set up with investors including ITD itself investing in Dawei projects. “Claims the Dawei project has progressed slowly from its original plan are defensible, I think. There have been delays on both sides, as Burma has been slow in granting permits,” Mr Somchet told the Bangkok Post. Kiwamu Honda, a senior adviser to DDC’s chairman and an adviser to ITD’s president, was also unaware of any news. “If they made that decision, we should have been informed,” he said, adding that so far complaints about project delays have not been an issue. Mr Pongsak, who went to Dawei last week, said the Burmese government wants to see progress on the project after several years of delays. The National Economic and Social Development Board is studying what infrastructures should be developed at Dawei and what should be done next. The Burmese government wants only light industries such as textiles, food and electronic parts to be developed at Dawei, said Mr Pongsak. This article was originally published in the Bangkok Post on 16 November 2013.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• ‘We Have to Work Together as a Sisterhood’
• Many Tastes, All in One Place
• Burma Business Roundup (Nov. 16)

‘We Have to Work Together as a Sisterhood’ Posted: 15 Nov 2013 08:11 PM PST Monique Wilson, an actress and women's rights activist from the Philippines, is in Burma to promote the One Billion Rising for Justice movement. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy) Monique Wilson, a well-known stage and film actress in the Philippines who has gone on to take up the cause of women's rights, is in Burma to encourage her Burmese counterparts to soldier on in the campaign to stop violence against women. Back in her country, the 43-year-old Wilson, who has received numerous honors as an actress, has been a driving force behind changes to her country's laws on sex trafficking and domestic violence. She is also a coordinator for Southeast Asian countries participating in One Billion Rising for Justice, a global women's movement to stop violence against women. The Irrawaddy met up with Wilson in Rangoon to talk about her decision to become an activist and the challenges facing women today. Question: After your success as an actress, what inspired you to become a women's rights activist? Answer: In 1999, the Gabriela women's organization in the Philippines invited me to be a spokesperson for anti-sex trafficking. I didn't know much about the issue then, but through my partnership with Gabriela, they really opened my eyes to the violence against women in the Philippines, especially in very poor communities. In 2000, I produced 'The Vagina Monologues' in the Philippines. That really began a very amazing journey for me. Everybody thinks, 'Well, you produced The Vagina Monologue and then you became an activist.' But when I look back, it was not only The Vagina Monologues that brought me to this place. There was violence in my house as well. My father was very violent to my mom and to us. In the Philippines, we have a culture of silence—that we don't speak about what happens to women. Even when I was a young girl, I felt that it was not fair and there was no justification for it. So, when I grew up, I wanted to be my mother's voice. Q: Now you are the regional coordinator for the One Billion Rising movement. Why did you join this cause? A: Because I'm an artist and One Billion Rising promotes and spreads the message to stop violence against women with song and dance, I believe that combining the arts and activism has a very powerful capacity to transform people's minds. Q: Since you have experience living in Europe and also working in Southeast Asian countries, what differences between the two regions' women have you found? A: There are a lot of difficulties faced by the women of Southeast and South Asia. We live in oppressive societies where women dare not speak about the abuses they are facing because of a culture or religion that keeps us from speaking up. It is very hard to break that mold because it is deeply rooted. Women are very scared to break that barrier. At the same time, there are many Asian women who are doing amazing works for their communities. The economic hardship that we share in the region has created the economic violence, which pushes young women to be victims of sex-traffickers and domestic violence. When a woman is so poor, she cannot go to school or feed her children. For women in Europe, their government has helped them access education, health care, and they've been taken care of. We do not have such things yet. Q: How have you managed the transition from actress to women's activist? A: There are risks you take when you are an artist and an activist. I've lost a lot of my projects since working for V-Day women's movements in the Philippines. For example, I am no longer on television, which I used to appear on frequently. And people do not want you to endorse their products because they view you as too political. So, I asked myself whether I wanted to be a celebrity or contribute myself to the country. And I resolved this and now this is who I am. My belief is that if I'm a good artist, people will still seek me out. After a few years, many producers approached me and said 'OK, you have a political life but you still are good at your art, so we will cast you and that's it.' When One Billion Rising happened, I felt that it could really transform society. And we need that, because even if we have many successes with tackling violence against women, the violence is escalating and it's still a big problem. We still have a lot of violence so there's a long battle to fight. As citizens of the world and our own countries, we need to contribute in our own small ways to end the violence. A lot of my friends said, 'This is such a big problem. Why do you bother yourself?' But we cannot have that kind of mentality, of seeing things in a negative light. We need to change this for our future, in which we dream of a world free from violence. Q: As a celebrity and a women's rights activist, what would you like to say to Burma's celebrities? A: We need your voices too. You are known to a nation and also respected, and you have a big voice. Having a big voice comes with big responsibility. And you must use it not for yourself and your career but for the larger majority who are not being heard. What makes a true artist is serving your country and the people of your country through your art and celebrity status. Q: What would you like to say to governments across the globe regarding the protection of the women? A: I would like to tell every government around the world this: Violence against women is a major issue, not a side issue or a small issue. Women are being violated all around the world on so many levels—rape, female genital mutilation, sex trafficking and now, economic violence. I would like to tell them to make it a No. 1 priority. Women make up more than half the population of this Earth. We are an amazing workforce. So why are you allowing such violence to happen to us? Each government and each nation has to really go to the root of the violence. What is causing the violence is the most important question to ask. Is it your laws or lack of laws? Is it the culture? Is it the church? Is it the government because they are corrupt? Or is it that the government doesn't have policies to protect women? Is it about education? Certainly, education is important—you have to educate the boys and the men to respect the women. When we came up with One Billion Rising, it was because of a statistic that said one of every three women on the planet has been raped or beaten in her lifetime. That is a staggering statistic. That is not acceptable. Governments have a lot of responsibilities in their hands because they have the resources, they have the reach to educate the community. For Burmese women's activists who are facing many difficulties, for many different reasons, I would like to say we have to work together as a sisterhood. With our brothers, of course, who also want to end the violence against women, it is very important to come together as a community, and not work in isolation. We are stronger when we work together. The path is very difficult, there will be many challenges. But you must have faith, you must have hope, and you must be there for each other. It is your brother or sister who will give you that hope when times are tough. I was so moved by the works of Burmese women's activists who made One Billion Rising happen here last year. They made it happen with so little time and not enough support. When I met and talked with them, I thought, 'Oh my God, these are amazing women!' We need to support them, we need to bring their stories out. That's why I'm here. The post 'We Have to Work Together as a Sisterhood' appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

Many Tastes, All in One Place Posted: 15 Nov 2013 07:50 PM PST A waitress at Taing Yin Thar Restaurant in Yangon, which offers cuisine from all over Myanmar. (Photos: Steve Tickner / The Irrawaddy) You wouldn't know it from its long history of ethnic conflict, but Myanmar is a country that takes real pride in the richness of its cultural tapestry. One of the blessings of this cultural mix is the many gastronomic opportunities that it gives us. From the remote highlands to the central plains, and from the Andaman Sea to the Bay of Bengal, Myanmar has many distinct cuisines, each one the product of a unique culture. Sadly, however, volatility in some hill-tribe regions and government restrictions on travel to certain parts of the country make it difficult for gourmets to venture out to those areas to taste local foods. That's why visitors and residents alike can be grateful for the Taing Yin Thar Restaurant in Yangon, which offers the many flavors of multiethnic Myanmar all in one convenient location. Situated at the northern end of Inya Lake, this semi-open-air eatery is Yangon's answer to those who want to know how the rest of the country eats. "There's no other restaurant like it in the whole country," said Daw Yamin Aung, one the establishment's owners. "We simply want the world to know our country's food diversity." Established in 2011, the two-story restaurant's menu boasts more than 100 items representing the country's eight major national ethnic races. An English menu divided into seven categories—appetizer, salad, soup, main course, vegetable, side dishes and special menu—is available to help foreign visitors navigate through the restaurant's unfamiliar culinary terrain. Most ingredients are sourced from the regions where the different dishes originate, ensuring an authentic dining experience. Flavors vary, from mild-tasting fried sausages from southeastern Myanmar's Kayah State to moderately spicy grilled fish served up boneless and marinated in pepper and chili in the Shan style. Both go well with khaung yay, a kind of liquor made from fermented rice that's popular in hilly regions of the country. For those who aren't afraid to try the fiery food of Myanmar's westernmost state, the Rakhine pickle salad is sure to be a real eye opener. Or if you want to take the intensity down a few notches, just order the Chin-style pork-rib soup, served with sweet corn, bean, pumpkin and other vegetables, with green chili added for a sweet and mildly spicy taste. Besides the food (which is made to order, so freshness is guaranteed), the restaurant has a spacious dining area and attentive staff. Apart from traditional liquor, Western beverages are also available on request. There is also a parking lot. Taing Yin Thar is conveniently located about half-way between downtown and the airport, so if you want one last chance to savor something slightly less mainstream before you leave the country, it's well worth the detour. Taing Yin Thar Restaurant, Corner of Maykha Road and Parami Road, Mayangone Township, Yangon. Tel: 01-966-0792, 09-42-012-6002, 087-322-1717 This story was first published in the November 2013 print issue of The Irrawaddy magazine. The post Many Tastes, All in One Place appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

Burma Business Roundup (Nov. 16) Posted: 15 Nov 2013 07:22 PM PST Burma's Electricity Shortage Rises to 5,000 MW as Demand Grows Financial "difficulties" have prevented construction of several planned new power stations, leaving Burma with its biggest-ever electricity shortage, Minister of Electric Power Khin Maung Soe admitted. Electricity demand in the country is now running at the equivalent of 8,929 megawatts, he said, but there was a shortfall of at least 5,000 megawatts, the state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported. Burma's electricity generating capacity this year should have been about 4,900 megawatts but only reached 3,600 megawatts on average, the minister said. "He called for local and foreign investment in [power station] projects, saying that the government alone cannot afford to implement them," the Global Times reported. A number of foreign companies from Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia have undertaken feasibility studies into proposals for natural gas or coal-fueled power plants. Meanwhile, Parliament has suspended plans to raise electricity prices following a succession of public protests and also postponed a decision on whether to accept a US$150 million loan from South Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund. Two-thirds of the loan was proposed to finance a 117-mile-long, 500-kilovolt power grid transmission line between Taungoo and Pegu northeast of Rangoon. German Firm Among Contractors in State Cement Production Plans German, Thai and local businesses have won Naypyidaw government contracts to form joint ventures to help more than double Burma's production of cement—one of the building blocks of the growing new economy. The Ministry of Energy named 13 firms to join state-led factory construction projects, among them the large Ferrostaal GmbH of Essen in Germany. The companies were chosen from a larger group of bidders for government tenders, said Eleven Media. The new factories, details of which have yet to be announced, plus projects already under way, will increase Burma's annual cement production capacity from 4 million tons at present to 10.5 million tons, said international industry website CemNet. "[Burma's] cement sector is set to expand with the prospect of several new state-led joint ventures coming into existence after the government gave the go-ahead to … boost the country's cement production," CemNet said. No timetable for the state-led projects has been announced. Thailand's Siam Cement Company has separately already been awarded a contract to build its own cement factory in Burma. Thai Firm Wins Contract for Burma State Paper Factory at Thabaung Thailand's leading paper maker, Double A, has won a multimillion dollar contract to take over the running of Burma's state-owned pulp and paper factory at Thabaung in Irrawaddy Division. The Bangkok firm beat four other local and foreign companies in a tender bid to operate and modernize the factory, said Eleven Media, quoting the Ministry of Industry. Double A secured a 30-year contract and will pay the government US$2 million per year to operate the factory, which produces about 70,000 tons of pulp and 15,000 tons of paper annually, said Eleven Media. Double A won the contract because it offered the best prospects for local employment and may also build a new pulp plant. The Indian paper-making firm JK Group was last year named by Mumbai's Economic Times as being on the verge of clinching a deal to manage the Thabaung plant, but the deal fell through. Brewery Ownership Tussle with Army 'Could Affect Foreign Investment' The outcome of a secret legal battle between a Burma military company, Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings (UMEHL), and ThaiBev for control of the country's biggest brewery could affect investment plans by other foreign businesses. Bangkok-based beer-to-spirits firm ThaiBev's purchase of a majority stake in Myanmar Brewery is being challenged by UMEHL. ThaiBev, owned by one of Thailand's richest men Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, acquired the brewery when it bought Singapore's Fraser & Neave earlier this year. But UMEHL, which is partnered with Fraser & Neave at the Myanmar Brewery, is now insisting it should have been given the opportunity to buy the Singapore's firm's 55 percent stake first. "Foreign investors will be keeping a close eye on the dispute: If the arbitration is seen to be handled unfairly, many will likely reconsider investing in [Burma]," said the Bangkok Post. Although Burmese at present drink on average less than four liters of beer per year, the market potential is considered to be large. By comparison, Thailand's annual per capita beer consumption is 25 liters and in Vietnam 30 liters. Thai Budget Airline Offers US$50 Fares to Rangoon to Boost Business Nok Air, the budget airline subsidiary of Thai Airways International, is offering one-way fares between Bangkok and Rangoon for just US$50 in a bid to fill planes as competition for Burma business heats up. Nok is offering the same cut price fare for its flights between the Thai Burma border town of Mae Sot and Rangoon and Mae Sot and Moulmein, said the Bangkok travel industry magazine TTR Weekly. The discount flights can be taken any time between the middle of December and October 2014, but they must be booked by Nov. 17. The $50 fares include airport taxes, said TTR Weekly. Travelers to Burma still need entry visas but the Naypyidaw government said it still hopes to finalize visa-free agreements with all member countries of Asean before the end of this year. The agreements would permit visa-free travel for up to 14 days. The post Burma Business Roundup (Nov. 16) appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

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