National News

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Govt to take action against police filmed beating villagers in Rakhine Posted: 02 Jan 2017 04:03 AM PST The government has announced it will take action against police officers who were filmed beating Muslim villagers in northern Rakhine State during a "clearance operation" last month.

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Shan Herald Agency for News

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Pessimism rules as Commander-in-Chief aired his hard-line stance on ethnic armies Posted: 01 Jan 2017 10:07 PM PST This year  Aung San Suu Kyi's close aide and trusted friend Htin Kyaw, whom she has installed as the President, took the responsibility to convey the government's message, while she reluctantly perhaps stayed out of limelight on this occasion. Rightly so, one might say, with two pressing issues of ethnic and communal conflicts in Kachin, Shan and Arakan States, challenges she still couldn't  find solution to handle. President Htin Kyaw's key message was unity and the importance of the forthcoming 21stCentury Panglong, that should lead to national reconciliation and achievement of peace. He said: "If the history is any indication, it will be found that the country always enjoyed enormous benefits whenever the countrymen were united. An obvious example was the signing of the Panglong Pact in 1947. The Panglong Pact was a symbol of the unity of all indigenous races, and attainment of Myanmar independence could be attributed to this unity." "It is common knowledge that now again, effort is being put forth commencing from the 21st century Panglong conference to be able to establish a democratic, federal union which the indigenous people are desirous of. As the building of a democratic country or a democratic system can meet with success only through the participation of the majority of people, I would like to urge the entire mass of people in the country to join us with full democratic spirit and unity in building up a democratic, federal union," he further stressed. While the President Htin Kyaw's speech might be seen as mobilizing the mass and giving importance to the spirit of unity anchored in the Panglong Agreement of 1947, the Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing was spelling out the military or Tatmadaw's hard-line stance, in relation to the peace process. Min Aung Hlaing reiterated the Tatmadaw's coalition, although short of committing that it is taking orders from the civilian government, and cooperation as: "Now, the New Year 2017 comes in after the year 2016 has come out. The Tatmadaw passed significant events in all along the 2016. For the first point, the Tatmadaw participated in carrying out the work processes in the time of the government led by the National League for Democracy which won the election." His usage of the sensitive terms that spelled out its hard-line stance could be seen in part of his short speech, when he stressed: "Because of the armed ethnic insurgent-terrorists, some areas of Kachin State, northeast area of Shan State and northern area of Rakhine State were faced with deterioration of peace and stability, harming life and property of the people, which the Tatmadaw has made utmost efforts for restoring peace and stability by sacrificing lots of lives, blood and sweat." The Tatmadaw's motion of labeling of the Northern Alliance – Burma (NA-B) members as "terrorist organizations" was endorsed in Shan State parliament on 7 December, where the military bloc has the majority seats, which earlier was rejected in the union parliament, during the session on 2 December. Again, strangely enough, in his new year speech, he started mentioning the vocabulary of "federal union", which the Tatmadaw has all along to refused to use. He said: "In the 2017 also, the Tatmadaw will continue cooperation in ensuring peace and stability of the State, undertaking development and emergence of the Union based on democracy and federal system. I request the entire ethnic people to make cooperation in all tasks." Even then, the indication on the ground is clear enough as to what the Military is planning and where it is heading to, as the offensives on Kachin Independence Army (KIA), that drove its troops from strategic mountaintop base of Gidon on 17 December and Lai Hpawng outpost near the Kachin fighters' Laiza headquarters fell to the Tatmadaw on 28 December, unmistakably pointed out its war path commitment, rather than negotiation. The KIA has been locked in a protracted conflict with the Military that began in 2011 and the recent heightened offensives on its positions have been ongoing since some four months. In order to counter and take away the heat of the Tatmadaw's onslaught, the KIA together with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Arakan Army (AA), dubbed as the Northern Alliance - Burma (NA-B), conducted a counter-offensive, banking on the strategy of "The best defensive is the offensive", in Muse Township, northern Shan State on 20 November. This had angered the Tatmadaw and possibly pushed it to sacrifice the large amount of human toll and financial cost to overrun the KIA bases, that was said to be calculated in millions of dollars, by independent observers. Although the KIA has termed the counter-offensive as a limited war and has since withdrawn the operation after a few weeks, the fallout from it continues to simmers on with armed clashes occurring on a daily basis in northern Shan State until today. For Suu Kyi, as if it was not enough fighting an uphill battle against international opinion regarding the Rohingya problematic, on the eve of the noble prize laureates of eleven petitioning to look into the human rights violations in Arakan State to the United Nation's Security Council, added accusation surfaced that the National League for Democracy (NLD) didn't even have a program, as a national party an appropriate position paper on federalism, which it vowed to establish. On 29 December, Oo Hla Saw, an outspoken Lower House lawmaker representing Arakan State's Mrauk U,  an Arakan National Party (ANP) Central Executive Committee member (CEC), told The Irrawaddy of his frustration on the government's inability to deliver. He said: "The government has publicly said that it would build a federal democratic Union, but we can't even feel the slightest essence of federalism, and ethnic groups are frustrated with the central government. There are big problems and big challenges." "Frankly speaking, the NLD-dominated parliament has not thought about federalism in advance. They should have [developed] moderate thoughts in advance about how they Bamars could co-exist amicably with ethnicities, what models of federalism could be built, and what concessions they could make," he stressed pointedly. He further buttressed his opinion, which is not far from reality as: "And the army does not seem to think about it. It even says that the 2008 Constitution already provides a federal union. And I believe that there is no theory teaching about federalism in the NLD. I think that NLD CEC members have zero knowledge about federalism." Analysis Summing up, the Commander-in-Chief new year message is not at all encouraging to advance the peace negotiation process, while President Htin Kyaw's speech is somewhat soothing, it failed to address the ongoing peace process in any concrete term, especially on how to end the raging armed conflict initiated by the Tatmadaw in the Shan and Kachin States, plus any durable theoretical solution to the communal conflict in Arakan State that is threatening to blow out of proportion. And capping all these woes and problems is the lack NLD's party programme or position paper regarding the constitutional crisis. In other words, its party's take and lack of it on federalism or formation of a federal union governance system. The Tatmadaw is bent on keeping its self-drawn, 2008 constitution in tact and is determined to pull through its "negotiated surrender" stance vis a vis the Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs), together with its disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) implementation, which the EAOs see it as akin to negotiated surrender. The government position seems to be to go along with the Tatmadaw's policy implementation, even though it failed to spell out transparently in official manner, Nai Han Thar, the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) leader in it recent interview of 29 December, in Kachin News Group said that the NLD was just the follower of the Tatmadaw. He used the word "Nauk Mee Swear" in Burmese, which literally means "lackey". He even pointed out that Suu Kyi was taking sides with the Tatmadaw on the recent conflict in the northern part of the country between the Tatmadaw and the NA-B, which was uncalled for and also inappropriate, considering the fact that the ethnic groups have put the hope on her as a credible mediator between the warring parties. Suu Kyi was blaming the NA-B, which has launched the counter-offensive on 20 November, while she was praising the Tatmadaw on the recent armed conflict. On top of this, there is the lack of position paper or party program on federalism that contributes to the lack of targeted political negotiation progress, after some five years of starting it. NLD, that considers itself a national party, cross-cutting the ethnic lines, should have in its basic party programme the federal union formation proposal, which it would also make use of in political give-and-take. It is in no way an appropriate stance to just excuse itself by saying that it will wait for the collective decision-making outcome, on how the future system of governance would look like, even if it is the ruling party of the  government in power. It should be noted that in a matured democracy, "Party programmes fulfill different functions. The basic party programme constitutes the identity of the party and offers a general orientation to the citizens and voters on the guiding principles and ideas of a party. With its programme, the party justifies its existence and explains how it differentiates itself from others. The party programme illustrates the political ambition and basic values, demands and suggestions of a party," according to a booklet titled, "Political Parties Functions and Organisation in Democratic Societies", written by Wilhelm Hofmeister and Karsten Grabow. If the UNFC, United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) and even the Tatmadaw have more or less their position papers or programme on federalism in place, it is only normal and appropriate for the the NLD also to own one. After all, NLD is also part of the political party cluster that has to participate in the peace process, not a referee or overseer of the political dialogue process. Having said that, the Tatmadaw's preconceived position of negotiated surrender of the EAOs or nothing, plus its self-appointed protector of the nation's sovereignty; and the NLD government's lack of basic party programme on federalism wouldn't lead to the fruitful achievement of peace and reconciliation, which is intended to be thrashed out at the forthcoming Union Peace Conference - 21st Century Panglong. Like it or not, for now, only pessimism is in the air.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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Dateline Irrawaddy: ‘Aung San Suu Kyi Did Her Best to Address Allegations on the International Stage’ Posted: 30 Dec 2016 05:40 PM PST On this week's Dateline, The Irrawaddy gives an overview of some of the key economic, political, and social issues The post Dateline Irrawaddy: 'Aung San Suu Kyi Did Her Best to Address Allegations on the International Stage' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Remembering Lives Lost This Year Posted: 30 Dec 2016 04:30 PM PST The Irrawaddy looks back at memorable deaths this year, from Gen. Aung San's driver to the short-lived rescue of a baby elephant to giants in the literature community. The post Remembering Lives Lost This Year appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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Nobel Laureates Urge UN to end Arakan Violence Posted: 29 Dec 2016 10:35 PM PST More than a dozen novel laureates issue open letter claiming Arakan situation is a 'human tragedy amounting to … crimes against humanity.' The post Nobel Laureates Urge UN to end Arakan Violence appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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National News

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• Top 10 news stories of 2016
• NLD’s ‘reconciliation’ cabinet may be due for a 2017 reshuffle
• Civilians killed in fighting near Kyaukme
• Yangon government given a mixed review nine months on
• Three Muslims with ties to the government murdered
• A rigid timeframe and escalating conflicts
• In 2016, conflict and IDPs continue to blight Myanmar’s human rights record
• MPs bring defamation suits against Yangon dog lover
• Messages for the New Year from Myanmar religious leaders

Top 10 news stories of 2016 Posted: 29 Dec 2016 07:40 PM PST The Myanmar Times news team walks down the top 10 stories of 2016, from the National League for Democracy convening the first democratically-elected government in 25 years to outbreaks of violence in Shan, Kachin and Kayin States.

NLD’s ‘reconciliation’ cabinet may be due for a 2017 reshuffle Posted: 29 Dec 2016 07:39 PM PST Asked recently what she is most pleased with after nine months in government, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had a simple response: "The fact that the ministers are not corrupt."

Civilians killed in fighting near Kyaukme Posted: 29 Dec 2016 07:38 PM PST Three civilians have been killed and another eight are being treated for injuries after heavy fighting erupted near Shan State's Kyaukme township, local MPs say.

Yangon government given a mixed review nine months on Posted: 29 Dec 2016 07:36 PM PST Power has been a sobering experience for the National League for Democracy in Yangon. When the Yangon Region government assumed office in April, it announced a series of initiatives to be accomplished in its first 100 days to address the city's most flagrant problems: traffic congestion and unofficial tenants "squatting" on city land. It came across a couple more problems along the way, including the proliferation of high-rise buildings and the swelling power of hard-line Buddhist nationalists. Very little progress has been made, however.

Three Muslims with ties to the government murdered Posted: 29 Dec 2016 07:35 PM PST Over the past week, three men who have cooperated with the government and security forces in northern Rakhine State have been found dead, according to Deputy Director General of the President's Office U Zaw Htay. He added that murders, including a decapitation, are believed to have been reprisal attacks.

A rigid timeframe and escalating conflicts Posted: 29 Dec 2016 07:34 PM PST For the peace process, 2016 has been a year of symbolic events – two Union-level peace conferences took place but did not result in any effective decision-making. It's also been a year of increasing hostilities, with the Tatmadaw accused of pursuing a coercion campaign against ethnic armed groups that have refused to disarm and demobilise. Leaders of ethnic armed groups have questioned the National League for Democracy's silence as operations continue to cause civilian losses and fresh waves of displacement. The trust deficient has only deepened throughout the year, with the political incentives to dropping arms and signing a ceasefire only growing more tenuous.

In 2016, conflict and IDPs continue to blight Myanmar’s human rights record Posted: 29 Dec 2016 07:34 PM PST With Myanmar entering 2016 under the assumption that in one capacity or another, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would be leading a National League for Democracy government, hopes were high that the country's poor human rights record would improve. Looking back on a year of continued conflict between ethnic armed groups and the Tatmadaw, new displacement of civilian populations and an aggressive counter-insurgency campaign against suspected militants in northern Rakhine State, however, human rights activists say 2016 was a disappointment.

MPs bring defamation suits against Yangon dog lover Posted: 29 Dec 2016 07:32 PM PST A National League for Democracy supporter is facing a pair of defamation suits in a spat involving allegations of housemaid abuse, a Facebook post and two NLD lawmakers.

Messages for the New Year from Myanmar religious leaders Posted: 29 Dec 2016 07:32 PM PST Hopes for peace, tolerance, and unity in the New Year from four prominent religious leaders in Myanmar:

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• The Biggest Stories of 2016
• Through Reclusive Wa, China’s Reach Extends Into Burma
• Newsmakers of the Year
• Book Review: War and Peace in the Borderlands of Myanmar
• U OoHla Saw: ‘The NLD-Dominated Parliament Has Not Thought About Federalism in Advance’

The Biggest Stories of 2016 Posted: 29 Dec 2016 04:30 PM PST From the historic transfer of power in April to escalated violence in Arakan State in October, The Irrawaddy revisits 2016's most important stories. The post The Biggest Stories of 2016 appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Through Reclusive Wa, China’s Reach Extends Into Burma Posted: 29 Dec 2016 04:18 AM PST China seeks to influence the State Counselor's peace process through Burma's largest ethnic armed group the United Wa State Army. The post Through Reclusive Wa, China's Reach Extends Into Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Newsmakers of the Year Posted: 28 Dec 2016 07:19 PM PST From bold investigative journalists to military chiefs, The Irrawaddy highlights individuals who made especially big splashes in headlines this year. The post Newsmakers of the Year appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Book Review: War and Peace in the Borderlands of Myanmar Posted: 28 Dec 2016 06:51 PM PST The book outlines the dangers inherent in ceasefire agreements not being accompanied by a commitment to political change, writes BertilLintner. The post Book Review: War and Peace in the Borderlands of Myanmar appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

U OoHla Saw: ‘The NLD-Dominated Parliament Has Not Thought About Federalism in Advance’ Posted: 28 Dec 2016 06:11 PM PST The outspoken MP voices dissatisfaction with the NLD government's performance and defends Arakanese nationalism. The post U OoHla Saw: 'The NLD-Dominated Parliament Has Not Thought About Federalism in Advance' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Rangoon Resident Sued Under Controversial Defamation Laws
• Could the Burmese Navy Attack Malaysia’s Food Flotilla?
• Maungdaw Sees Third Murder in Two Weeks
• Magwe Govt to Reconsider Roadside Tree Felling
• Thousands Flee Burma Army Offensive in Kachin State
• Thai Police Call off Raid on Scandal-hit Buddhist Temple

Rangoon Resident Sued Under Controversial Defamation Laws Posted: 28 Dec 2016 07:46 AM PST A Rangoon resident is sued by two National League for Democracy lawmakers under controversial defamation laws and says the move was an abuse of power. The post Rangoon Resident Sued Under Controversial Defamation Laws appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Could the Burmese Navy Attack Malaysia’s Food Flotilla? Posted: 28 Dec 2016 05:45 AM PST The President's Office spokesperson says a Malaysian pledge to send aid by sea to Maungdaw and Buthidaung could be met with a warning or violence.  The post Could the Burmese Navy Attack Malaysia's Food Flotilla? appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Maungdaw Sees Third Murder in Two Weeks Posted: 28 Dec 2016 05:30 AM PST A Muslim man who cooperated with authorities was found dead in northern Arakan State's Maungdaw, the third murder in the area in less than two weeks. The post Maungdaw Sees Third Murder in Two Weeks appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Magwe Govt to Reconsider Roadside Tree Felling Posted: 28 Dec 2016 05:23 AM PST Ministers tentatively agree to cut down only about 300 of the original 503 earmarked for destruction after pressure from civil society groups. The post Magwe Govt to Reconsider Roadside Tree Felling appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thousands Flee Burma Army Offensive in Kachin State Posted: 28 Dec 2016 02:37 AM PST Displaced Kachin flee camps in Waingmaw Township as Burma Army overrun Lai Hpawng outpost. The post Thousands Flee Burma Army Offensive in Kachin State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thai Police Call off Raid on Scandal-hit Buddhist Temple Posted: 27 Dec 2016 09:44 PM PST Devotees of a prominent Buddhist monk wanted for suspected money laundering barricade entrances to his sprawling temple complex in a Bangkok suburb. The post Thai Police Call off Raid on Scandal-hit Buddhist Temple appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Protesters Call for Resignation of Arakan State’s Regional House Speaker
• UNFC Hosts Stakeholder Meeting to Discuss Peace Process
• Plans Announced for SEZ and New Airport Terminal in Southern Rangoon
• Orphaned Elephant Found in Irrawaddy Division
• Vice President: Maungdaw Attacks Conspired to ‘Harm the Sovereignty of the Country’
• Women’s Federation to Undergo Overhaul
• 2016 in Photos
• Eleven Media Issue Apology Over Chief Minister Article
• Muslim with Govt Links Murdered in Arakan State
• Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week

Protesters Call for Resignation of Arakan State’s Regional House Speaker Posted: 27 Dec 2016 07:50 AM PST Demonstrators call for U San Kyaw Hla to step down over past seizures of land on which ministerial residences are to be built. The post Protesters Call for Resignation of Arakan State's Regional House Speaker appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

UNFC Hosts Stakeholder Meeting to Discuss Peace Process Posted: 27 Dec 2016 05:43 AM PST The ethnic armed group alliance hosts a three-day stakeholder meeting in Thailand to discuss further approaches to the current peace process. The post UNFC Hosts Stakeholder Meeting to Discuss Peace Process appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Plans Announced for SEZ and New Airport Terminal in Southern Rangoon Posted: 27 Dec 2016 05:36 AM PST A divisional minister announces in parliament that the projects will take place in Kwan Chan Gone, Letkokkon, Kawhmu and Dala townships. The post Plans Announced for SEZ and New Airport Terminal in Southern Rangoon appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Orphaned Elephant Found in Irrawaddy Division Posted: 27 Dec 2016 03:42 AM PST Dr. Myo Min Aung names the two-month-old calf 'Mary,' as she was found on Christmas Day. The post Orphaned Elephant Found in Irrawaddy Division appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Vice President: Maungdaw Attacks Conspired to ‘Harm the Sovereignty of the Country’ Posted: 27 Dec 2016 02:48 AM PST Report from head of investigation commission says October's attacks were unlike previous incidents as they involved overseas organizations. The post Vice President: Maungdaw Attacks Conspired to 'Harm the Sovereignty of the Country' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Women’s Federation to Undergo Overhaul Posted: 27 Dec 2016 02:39 AM PST The Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation will be restructured as an independent civil society organization. The post Women's Federation to Undergo Overhaul appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

2016 in Photos Posted: 27 Dec 2016 02:23 AM PST The Irrawaddy's photographers never fail to capture Burma's most iconic moments. The post 2016 in Photos appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Eleven Media Issue Apology Over Chief Minister Article Posted: 27 Dec 2016 12:30 AM PST The apology comes while the group's chief executive and chief editor were denied bail in court on Article 66(d) charges. The post Eleven Media Issue Apology Over Chief Minister Article appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Muslim with Govt Links Murdered in Arakan State Posted: 26 Dec 2016 09:11 PM PST Two apparent government sympathizers have now been found murdered, according to State Counselor's Office. The post Muslim with Govt Links Murdered in Arakan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week Posted: 26 Dec 2016 06:23 PM PST The Irrawaddy rounds up ten ways to celebrate the New Year. The post Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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National News

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• Eleven Media apologizes for defamation-hit editorial
• Northern Alliance renews call for dialogue to end Shan State conflict
• Taskforce to manage donor-supplied peace fund

Eleven Media apologizes for defamation-hit editorial Posted: 27 Dec 2016 11:30 AM PST Eleven Media Group has issued an official letter apologizing for a November 5 editorial that prompted Yangon Region chief minister U Phyo Min Thein to file defmation charges against Eleven's CEO U Than Htut Aung and chief editor U Wai Phyo.

Northern Alliance renews call for dialogue to end Shan State conflict Posted: 23 Dec 2016 12:58 AM PST The Northern Alliance-Burma this week reiterated its call for a peace dialogue to resolve ongoing hostilities between its members and the Tatmadaw through political negotiations.

Taskforce to manage donor-supplied peace fund Posted: 23 Dec 2016 12:55 AM PST A new oversight body has been established to effectively, and more transparently, spend the US$100 million-plus provided by international donors to fund Myanmar's peace process, the State Counsellor's Office has announced.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Burma Finalizes Ethnic Census Data
• USDP Proposes Building a Brick Wall Along Burma-Bangladesh Border
• Su Su Lwin: Not ‘The’ Lady, but Rather Burma’s ‘First’ Lady
• Commerce Ministry to Cut Luxury Goods Imports
• Govt: 10,000 Displaced Residents Return to Mong Ko
• Court Verdicts Show State Counselor’s Battle on Land Disputes

Burma Finalizes Ethnic Census Data Posted: 26 Dec 2016 07:40 AM PST Burma attempts to finalize census figures on ethnic demographics by early 2017, a Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population spokesperson says. The post Burma Finalizes Ethnic Census Data appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

USDP Proposes Building a Brick Wall Along Burma-Bangladesh Border Posted: 26 Dec 2016 06:18 AM PST A proposal to build a solid wall along Burma's western border is recorded on parliamentary record in the Arakan State regional legislature. The post USDP Proposes Building a Brick Wall Along Burma-Bangladesh Border appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Su Su Lwin: Not ‘The’ Lady, but Rather Burma’s ‘First’ Lady Posted: 26 Dec 2016 03:22 AM PST After years promoting education and supporting Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD from the sidelines, Su Su Lwin steps into the spotlight as Burma's new first lady. The post Su Su Lwin: Not 'The' Lady, but Rather Burma's 'First' Lady appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Commerce Ministry to Cut Luxury Goods Imports Posted: 26 Dec 2016 02:21 AM PST Burma runs a huge trade deficit of billions of dollars every year and restricting import of unnecessary items would effectively tackle this. The post Commerce Ministry to Cut Luxury Goods Imports appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt: 10,000 Displaced Residents Return to Mong Ko Posted: 25 Dec 2016 11:54 PM PST Aid groups counter government reports and claim that residents are reluctant to return to the area. The post Govt: 10,000 Displaced Residents Return to Mong Ko appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Court Verdicts Show State Counselor’s Battle on Land Disputes Posted: 25 Dec 2016 10:14 PM PST Farmers handed down prison terms and fines for trespassing after they continued to work land they say was taken from them by the army. The post Court Verdicts Show State Counselor's Battle on Land Disputes appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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Posted: 25 Dec 2016 04:47 AM PST ddvd The post appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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