Burma Related News - Nov 16-17, 2005.
- From: "Tin Kyi" <maungtinkyi@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 19:41:00 +0000 (UTC)
Dear Readers & Friends
Unfortunately, I was unable to access the internet because of my former
internet provider was terminated and now I have my new e-mail address
and would like to continue Burma Related News again. I'm sorry for your
inconvenience. My new address is tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thanks for your
patient.
******************************************************************
BURMA RELATED NEWS - NOVEMBER 16-17, 2005.
******************************************************************
HEADLINES
******************************************************************
AFP - Rice chides ASEAN for being soft on Myanmar
AFP - Myanmar builds highway to forest as new "capital" emerges
AP - Myanmar Lawyer Gets Seven-Year Jail Term
AP - Rice: Myanmar One of World's Worst Regimes
Reuters - Rice critical of Myanmar over "appalling" abuses
FE - Draft accord on Dhaka-Yangon road link may get approval today
Webindia123 - Myanmar's new capital named Nay Pyi Daw
Kyodo News - Myanmar rejects U.S. allegation of violation of religious
freedom
The Star Online - Bush prods China,cites Taiwan as democratic model
Medical News Today - Japan Pledges $3.8M to UNICEF To Improve Maternal,
Child Health Services in Myanmar
IHT - Opinion - Focus on Myanmar
PD - Chinese NPC Vice-Chairman meets Myanmar top leader
Asian Tribune - National reconciliation in Burma is possible only be
negotiation - NLD
SMH - Astrologers the likely drivers of Burma junta's capital idea
DVB News - Burmese soldiers, not rebels, opened fire on sports
spectators ? rights group
**************************************************************
Thursday November 17, 1:06 AM
Rice chides ASEAN for being soft on Myanmar
BUSAN, South Korea (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice chided
Southeast Asian nations for failing to speak out strongly enough against
human rights abuses in Myanmar, which she called one of the world's
worst regimes.
"I don't think that we get the kind of international condemnation of
what's going on in Burma (Myanmar) that we really need," Rice told
reporters at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
"I understand that a lot of countries that are neighbors of Burma feel
the need to engage them, but I would hope that that engagement also
takes the form of being serious about the really quite, quite appalling
human rights situation in Burma."
Washington has repeatedly called for the release of Myanmar's democracy
icon Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party leader
U Tin Oo as well as other political prisoners.
But Rice, calling the military junta in Yangon "really one of the worst
regimes in the world," said abuses went far beyond the mistreatment of
Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.
"We're talking about really systematic efforts to silence any critics of
the regime, to put human rights organizations completely out of
business," Rice said. "Burma is a very bad case and so we are talking to
people here."
Rice upset some members of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian
Nations when she pulled out of an ASEAN meeting in July in Laos. She
cited scheduling problems, but it was widely seen as an attempt to
pressure the group over Myanmar.
US President George W. Bush has imposed trade and investment sanctions
on Myanmar's military regime in his campaign to press for democratic
reforms.
Speaking in Japan Wednesday, Bush said that "the abuses by the Burmese
military are widespread, and include rape, torture, execution and forced
relocation."
He is due to meet the leaders of seven ASEAN members -- Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam --
at the APEC forum on Friday. Myanmar is not a member of APEC.
Earlier this month Washington condemned Myanmar's leaders for holding
secret trials and sentencing eight Shan political leaders to lengthy
prison terms.
Human rights groups accuse Myanmar's military of atrocities against
ethnic minorities, including displacing more than 300,000 Shan and
abusing thousands -- including children -- as forced laborers.
Rice also singled out Myanmar for criticism in her speech to the APEC
ministerial meeting.
"When tyrannical governments like Burma abuse their citizens and deny
their rights, it is the responsibility of all free nations to condemn
these actions," she told the gathering.
Rice later told reporters she felt it was important to mention Myanmar
"because too often it kind of falls off the radar screen of people who
don't concern themselves every day with human rights and democracy
issues."
The government in Myanmar has frequently been a source of embarrassment
to ASEAN in recent years. But the group insists that engaging the junta
will more likely bring change than confrontation.
**************************************************************
Sunday November 13, 2:07 PM
Myanmar builds highway to forest as new "capital" emerges
PYINMANAR, Myanmar (AFP) - New six-lane roads lead to the forest,
carrying no traffic except the military trucks and construction vehicles
that are turning this quiet timber town into Myanmar's new
administrative capital.
"It's military affairs. It's dangerous to be curious. We want to live
peacefully," said one resident who, like most people here, was too
afraid of the government to be identified.
"I have no idea about the future of our town, whether it will become the
capital or not. Good and bad things always come together. We can only
hope for the best," he said.
It is unclear why the nation's military rulers have chosen to move the
government here. In a country as secretive as Myanmar, theories have
ranged from astrological predictions to worries over urban unrest in
current capital Yangon -- to fears of a US invasion.
Although the government announced the move to reporters and diplomats on
November 7, no word of the change has appeared in state media to inform
the general public.
Since construction began two years ago, Pyinmanar's population has
tripled to 150,000 and real estate prices have soared. Prices have also
risen for basic foodstuffs as new arrivals compete for still limited
supplies in market stalls.
With government workers ordered to start leaving Yangon from November 6
for this town 200 miles (320 kilometers) north, even greater change is
just around the corner.
The "Pyinmanar Special Region Development Project" is said to be a
16-year plan that started two-and-a-half years ago, according to
unusually tight-lipped locals working at the construction sites.
Mainly a timber town, with a forestry and agriculture school nearby,
Pyinmanar is set to host the military headquarters and all the
government ministries.
The construction sites are 20 miles (30 kilometers) away from the actual
town, but they completely encompass Pyinmanar with sites to the north,
south, east and west.
"We've become quite used to this activity and are not curious about it
anymore," another resident said of the trucks that carry workers to and
from the sites every day.
Workers from around the country have poured into town to pick up
lucrative jobs handed out by firms that got construction rights from the
junta.
"It is more convenient here than in Yangon. It's very difficult to find
work in Yangon as almost all construction firms around the country are
running their businesses in the Pyinmanar region," Aung Aung, a
29-year-old worker, said.
"I don't have to worry about losing my job," he said.
Builders have had to follow strict military guidelines about the
construction, although water and electrical services aren't available at
all the sites yet.
"The authorities are very particular about quality control of the
buildings. Some say that people face difficulties with water and
electricity. It depends on the location. I'm sure everything will be
completed when the constructions are finished," said a carpenter named
Shwe, 42.
Businesses are already migrating toward the nearest of the sites,
creating a new market near where the government ministries and their
workers will be housed.
But one woman who had come here to work on a construction site said she
hoped never to return.
"I don't want to come here again. It is very difficult to live here --
the least of my problems being the high commodity prices. Everything is
more expensive here than in Yangon," she said.
**************************************************************
Wednesday November 16, 11:04 PM
Myanmar Lawyer Gets Seven-Year Jail Term
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - A Myanmar court has sentenced a lawyer to seven
years in prison for advising a group of farmers to file grievances with
the International Labor Organization, the world labor body said.
A court in Daik-U, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of the capital
Yangon, sentenced Aye Myint on Oct. 31 for "spreading false
information," according to an ILO statement received Wednesday.
The statement said Aye Myint was charged because he advised farmers
whose land was confiscated by authorities to report the matter to the
ILO liaison officer in Yangon, Richard Horsey.
Myanmar's junta recently said it would withdraw from the ILO to protest
the agency's criticism of the country.
Aye Myint has been jailed before. He was given a death sentence for
treason in 2003 because of his alleged contacts with Horsey, but was
released in January 2005 following international pressure.
The ILO statement also said authorities in the central Magway Division
prosecuted three villages for "sending false information" to the ILO
about the death in late 2004 of a villager during forced labor. The ILO
has long been a strong critic of forced labor in Myanmar, which it says
is used especially by the military.
To try to avoid sanctions, the junta agreed several years ago to work
with the ILO to monitor and combat forced labor, and allowed the agency
to set up its liaison office in Yangon.
The ILO has said that while some progress was made, with reports
submitted to its office by ordinary citizens, the government never lent
its full cooperation.
The situation deteriorated earlier this year. Restrictions were placed
on ILO representative Horsey's movements and the state-controlled press
attacked the agency, which serves as a major public forum for criticism
of the junta.
**************************************************************
Wednesday November 16, 4:36 PM
Rice: Myanmar One of World's Worst Regimes
PUSAN, South Korea (AP) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said
Wednesday the military junta in Myanmar is "one of the worst regimes in
the world" for its record on human rights and free speech.
Rice said Myanmar, also known as Burma, stands out in Asia, where
democracies such as South Korea have grown in number and influence over
the past two decades.
The outgoing U.N. envoy for Myanmar has said a diplomatic standoff with
the military junta is likely to continue so long as the West keeps up a
had line.
Rice did not try to soften her rhetoric, however, and pushed Myanmar's
Asian neighbors to speak out as well.
"I understand that a lot of countries that are neighbors of Burma feel
the need to engage them, but I would hope that that engagement also
takes the form of being serious about the really quite appalling human
rights situation," Rice told reporters shortly after arriving at the
annual forum of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
President Bush also criticized Myanmar on Wednesday as he headed to the
same economic forum. He also lectured China about human rights and
trade, brought up the delicate issue of Taiwan and told Beijing to copy
its archrival by moving from repression to democracy.
U.N. envoy Paulo Sergio Pinheiro told reporters last month that
"megaphone diplomacy" wasn't working with the increasingly isolated
regime in Myanmar, and said human rights victims whom the West could
help are being held hostage to politics.
"I am frustrated, I am not happy with the approaches that the main
countries concerned with Myanmar are having," Pinheiro said. "If this
course will continue, I don't see any reason for optimism."
Pinheiro has not been allowed to visit Myanmar, also known as Burma,
since November 2003. Appointed in 2001, his term expires in April.
Myanmar's military junta took power in 1988 after brutally crushing a
pro-democracy movement. In 1990, it refused to hand over power when Suu
Kyi's party won a landslide victory in general elections.
**************************************************************
Wednesday November 16, 6:08 PM
Rice critical of Myanmar over "appalling" abuses
PUSAN, South Korea (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
on Wednesday strongly condemned Myanmar's "appalling" human rights
record and urged Asian-Pacific nations to speak out against abuses
there.
Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in the southern
port city of Pusan, Rice said Asia-Pacific nations must work together to
strengthen democracy in the region, particularly in Myanmar, previously
known as Burma.
"When tyrannical governments like Burma abuse their citizens and deny
their rights it is the responsibility of all free nations to condemn
these actions," Rice said in a speech.
Later she told reporters that Myanmar's neighboUrs needed to be more
critical.
"I understand that a lot of countries that are the neighbors of Burma
feel the need to engage them, but I would hope that that engagement also
takes the form of being serious about the really quite appalling human
rights situation in Burma," she said.
"Too often, Myanmar has been off the radar screen."
For years, the United States has been urging Myanmar to ease
restrictions on political opposition, which includes the house arrest of
Nobel laureate and democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.
Suu Kyi has spent nine of the last 16 years behind bars or under house
arrest for campaigning against the military junta.
The leaders of the country refused to hand over power after Suu Kyi's
National League for Democracy won a 1990 election. Myanmar's military
has run the country since 1962.
**************************************************************
Financial Express
Draft accord on Dhaka-Yangon road link may get approval today
FE Report 11/17/2005
Bangladesh is likely to finalise the draft agreement on construction of
the Bangladesh-Myanmar Friendship Road at an inter-ministerial meeting
today (Thursday) to give a momentum to its 'Look East Policy'
initiative.
The approval of the draft agreement, prepared after a series of meetings
by the technical and financial committees of two neighbouring countries
in last couple of years, will pave the way for construction of the first
phase of the road project.
In the meantime, Japan has agreed to offer logistic assistance worth US
$ 5 million for the construction of the first phase that begins at Ramu
in Bangladesh and ends at Bawli Bazar in Myanmar, sources said.
Bangladesh will construct the 43-kilometre road in the first phase -- 20
kilometres in Bangladesh and 23 kilometres in Myanmar -- at a cost of Tk
1.63 billion.
Communication Minister Nazmul Huda will preside over the meeting in
which high officials of the foreign, law and home ministries will
attend.
The constriction of the first phase will enable Bangladesh businessmen
to use a river port in Bawli Bazar. The river port is one of the main
business points in Arakan state of Myanmar and has links with others
business spots of the country, the sources added.
Bangladesh has initiated 'Look East Policy' in early 2002.
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia signed a note of intention to construct the
road during her visit to Myanmar in March 2003 with a view to increasing
trade and boosting relationship with the countries in the Far East.
A memorandum of understanding was signed during the visit of Myanmar's
head of the state in Bangladesh in April 2004. Four committees were also
formed later to carry forward the task.
A total of eight clauses are included in the draft agreement. The
clauses are related with financial, technical and law affairs. Both
Bangladesh and Myanmar will sign the agreement once it is approved by
the respective government.
The road will be constructed in two phases at a cost of over Tk 9.33
billion, which will stretch from Taungbro to Kyauktaw of Myanmar via
Ramu-Gundom of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh.
Of the total fund, Tk 940 million will be spent on construction of the
23km road from Taungbro to Bawli Bazar with two bridges and 90 culverts.
Bangladesh engineers and construction firms will implement the first
phase.
The remaining 110 kilometres road stretching from Bawli Bazar to Kyautaw
in Myanmar will be built at a cost of Tk 7.70 billion the second phase.
The ministry officials said the road would boost regional cooperation by
strengthening economic and trade relations among countries in South and
Southeast Asia.
**************************************************************
Webindia123 - India
Myanmar's new capital named Nay Pyi Daw
Yangon | November 13, 2005 6:15:06 PM IST
Myanmar's new administrative capital at Pyinmana will be named Nay Pyi
Daw (place of a king).
"Sources in Rangoon have confirmed government plans to name the new
capital Nay Pyi Daw," Mizzima News reported.
Pyinmana, with a population of 97,400, is a city in the country's
Mandalay division. It is approximately 600 km north of present capital
Yangon.
Myanmar's military junta moved all government ministries from here to
Pyinmana Nov 7.
Meanwhile, reports said that dissent was growing among government
employees with some complaining the relocation had separated families
and was eating up too much of the country's national budget.
Sources told Mizzima News that Nay Pyi Daw is less than fit for a king
with telephone lines the only modern amenity available.
A deputy minister expressed shock after arriving in Pyinmana that the
road to his new office was unfinished, the report said.
Reasons for the move are, however, unclear.
Official have claimed that Pyinmana is more central and better located
to serve the country's needs.
During the Japanese occupation of Myanmar in World War II, Pyinmana was
the base of the resistance movement of the Burma Independence Army, led
by Gen. Aung San, father of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu
Kyi.(IANS)
**************************************************************
Saturday November 12, 5:56 PM
Myanmar rejects U.S. allegation of violation of religious freedom
(Kyodo) _ Myanmar on Saturday rejected an allegation by the United
States in a report on religious freedom that Myanmar has seriously
violated religious freedom and other human rights, saying it is baseless
and politically motivated.
"These reports are all same old tunes based on groundless facts and
figures, which came from unscrupulous persons with the aim of damaging
the image of the country," the Foreign Ministry said in a press release
carried by state-run newspapers.
Myanmar, along with China, North Korea, Vietnam, Iran, Sudan, Eritrea
and Saudi Arabia, was designated as one of the "countries of particular
concern" in the Report on International Religious Freedom 2005, released
by the U.S State Department on Tuesday.
Myanmar was criticized in the report for monitoring "virtually all
organizations, including religious ones." All religious groups are
"systematically restricted" from promoting human rights, and Muslims
experience difficulty traveling freely and discrimination in public
employment, the report said.
In the statement, the Foreign Ministry said its classification by the
U.S. report does not in any way reflect the true situation in Myanmar.
"The government of the Union of Myanmar, therefore, categorically
rejects the one-sided assessment of the U.S. on religious freedom of
Myanmar since it is based on unfounded facts and is nothing more than a
politically motivated document aimed at interfering in the internal
affairs of Myanmar," the statement said.
"It is absolutely improper and insensitive to accuse other nations or
governments on the basis of fabricated or unsubstantiated information
for whatever purposes it may serve," it added.
**************************************************************
The Star Online - November 16, 2005
Bush prods China,cites Taiwan as democratic model
By Caren Bohan
KYOTO, Japan (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday
urged China to move further to allow political and religious freedoms,
and he held up Taiwan as a model for Asia of a free and democratic
society.
In remarks sure to annoy Beijing ahead of his visit there on Saturday,
Bush said communist-run China had taken steps toward more openness but
had "not yet completed the journey."
He painted a different picture of Taiwan, the self-ruled island over
which China claims sovereignty.
"Modern Taiwan is free and democratic and prosperous. By embracing
freedom at all levels, Taiwan has delivered prosperity to its people and
created a free and democratic Chinese society," Bush said in prepared
remarks for a speech in Kyoto.
Asked at a news conference if he was suggesting that China emulate
Taiwan, Bush said his message was "universal" and that he was "not
necessarily trying to compare one system to another."
"What I say to the Chinese, as well as others, is that a free society is
in your interests," Bush said.
"To allow people to worship freely, for example, in your society is part
of a stable mature society and that leadership should not fear freedoms
within their society,"
Bush said at a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro
Koizumi.
He reiterated support for the one-China policy.
Bush is in Japan at the start of a week-long, four-nation trip in which
North Korea's nuclear programme, China trade and the threat of avian flu
are high on the agenda.
His tour will take him to South Korea later on Wednesday and to Mongolia
on Monday.
The trip, which comes as Bush is beset by political woes at home, is
centred around the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in
Pusan, South Korea.
Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in
1979 in keeping with a "one China" policy, but continues to be the
democratic island's strongest backer.
Bush has said he would do "whatever it takes" to defend Taiwan but has
also urged it to refrain from taking independence-minded steps that
might provoke China.
Bush reiterated that neither side should take steps to change the status
quo and said "it's important for this issue to be solved peacefully."
In Pusan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said he "had not noticed"
Bush's remarks on Taiwan but said U.S.-China relations were generally
"making progress".
TOUGH WORDS
Bush had tough words for North Korea and Myanmar, formerly known as
Burma, and said that unlike China they had "not taken even the first
steps toward freedom".
Abuses by the military in Myanmar included "rape, torture, execution and
forced relocation," Bush said.
He cited satellite pictures showing prison camps in North Korea "the
size of whole cities" and said the country's pursuit of nuclear weapons
threatened to destabilise the region.
A Nov. 8 report issued by the Bush administration named China, North
Korea, Vietnam and Myanmar among eight "countries of particular concern"
for serious violations of religious freedom.
Bush plans to attend a church service while in China, a way of
underscoring his message about religious freedom.
In the speech, Bush called Koizumi "one of my best friends in the
international community" and he thanked him at the news conference for
support in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The two started the day with a visit to the Kinkakuji temple, also known
as Golden Pavilion, and held a lunch after the news conference.
Bush underlined his support for giving Japan a seat on the United
Nations Security Council and he called Japan a democratic role model for
Asia and a "pillar of stability and security for the region".
The fact that Bush chose Japan as the venue for a speech prodding China
on democracy might further irk Beijing.
Ties between China and Japan have been strained lately over Koizumi's
visits to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine for war dead.
The shrine is seen by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's
militaristic past because convicted war criminals are also honoured
there.
Bush again pressed China to take further steps to liberalise its
currency and open its domestic market to U.S. exports and urged a "level
playing field" for trade.
**************************************************************
**************************************************************
Medical News Today
Japan Pledges $3.8M to UNICEF To Improve Maternal, Child Health Services
in Myanmar
Category: Aid/Disasters News
Article Date: 15 Nov 2005
The Japanese government on Wednesday announced it will provide $3.8
million to UNICEF to improve Myanmar's maternal and child health
services, including efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and malaria, Xinhua News
Agency reports (Xinhua News Agency, 11/9). UNICEF aims to use the funds
to prevent vertical HIV transmission in the country by providing
antiretroviral drugs to pregnant women. The organization also plans to
purchase malaria drugs and 70,000 insecticide-treated nets for children
and pregnant women. In addition, UNICEF plans to immunize more than
500,000 infants and women of childbearing age against measles and
tetanus, respectively. "We need the support of the international
community to help us protect Myanmar's children from HIV/AIDS, malaria,
measles and other killers of children," Carroll Long, UNICEF's Myanmar
country representative, said (Dow Jones/Mainichi Daily News, 11/9).
Earlier this year, the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria announced its withdrawl of funding to Myanmar -- also known as
Burma -- citing travel and other restrictions implemented by the
country's military-controlled government that impede the delivery of
medical supplies and services. The Global Fund in 2004 pledged to spend
$98 million in the country over five years for programs to fight the
three diseases (GlobalHealthReporting.org, 8/23).
Japanese Coalition Donates $250,000 to Global Fund
In related news, a Japanese coalition of anti-poverty organizations on
Tuesday announced it is donating $250,000 to the Global Fund. The money
consists of a portion of the proceeds made by the Hottokenai
Sekai-no-Mazushisa campaign from the sale of white plastic bracelets in
Japan. The white bracelets are a symbol of the global campaign to
eradicate poverty and are modeled after similar bracelets from the Make
Poverty History campaign in the United Kingdom and the ONE Campaign in
the U.S. In June, Japan pledged an additional $500 million to the Global
Fund to be disbursed over several years (Global Fund release, 11/8).
**************************************************************
The International Herald Tribune
Opinion - Focus on Myanmar
The Boston Globe
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2005
As President George W. Bush travels through Asia this week, he has a
rare chance to demonstrate that his oft-declared preference for
democracy in the greater Middle East is not merely a geopolitical ploy
limited to one area of the world. If the president wishes to show he is
as concerned with fostering democracy in Asia as he has been in Lebanon,
Iraq or Egypt, he will lobby the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation Leaders' Meeting to have the UN Security Council take up the
issue of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, and the depradations of that
country's military dictatorship.
This is a cause that Asia's democracies - particularly Japan and the
Philippines, currently members of the Security Council - ought to
embrace. Those that are reluctant to do so, whether because of trade
ties with Myanmar's junta, rivalry with China or a self-deluding belief
that stability is synonymous with the status quo, need to be shamed into
acting in solidarity with the people of Myanmar.
In 1990, the party of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
won 82 percent of the seats in Myanmar's Parliament. The junta refused
to honor the results of that vote, and the generals unleashed a wave of
repression that has caused hundreds of thousands of refugees to flee
into neighboring countries. The ruling military is responsible for
extrajudicial executions, torture, rape, the destruction of thousands of
villages of ethnic minorities and extensive use of forced labor.
Moreover, the junta continues to hold Suu Kyi under house arrest and
more than a thousand political prisoners in harsh conditions.
It may be understandable that China, a trading partner and military
supplier of the junta and itself not a democracy, does not want the UN
to be hectoring the generals to allow a genuine democratic evolution.
But Japan has no excuse, nor does the Philippines. Bush should not miss
this chance to show Asians that the United States is not selective in
its backing for democracy and democrats.
**************************************************************
People's Daily Online
UPDATED: 16:32, November 16, 2005
Chinese NPC Vice-Chairman meets Myanmar top leader
Visiting Vice-Chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC)
Standing Committee Wang Zhaoguo met with Chairman of the Myanmar State
Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Senior-General Than Shwe in Yangon
Wednesday.
The two sides highly evaluated the continuously developing neighborly
and friendly ties between China and Myanmar.
Wang said China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors with the peoples of
the two countries exchanging closely and forging " Paukphaw" (fraternal)
friendship since ancient times.
For over 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations
between the two countries, the Sino-Myanmar relations, established on
the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful and Coexistence, have
always maintained a good development trend with the two countries
continuously developing in the exchange in all sectors including
politics, economy and culture, he noted.
Wang expressed China's appraisal over Myanmar's adoption of the
"one-China" policy and opposition to Taiwan independence, emphasizing
also China's adherence to a foreign policy of developing neighborly and
friendly ties with neighboring countries including Myanmar.
At the meeting, Chairman Than Shwe said Myanmar and China have a
long-standing "Paukphaw" friendship, speaking highly of the development
of the Myanmar-China relations.
He stressed giving the priority in Myanmar's foreign relations to
consolidating and developing friendly ties with China generation by
generation.
Than Shwe also stressed that Myanmar will abide by the "one-China"
policy, opposing Taiwan independence.
Present on the occasion were Myanmar SPDC Vice-Chairman Vice
Senior-General Maung Aye and other state leaders as well as key members
of the Chinese delegation and Chinese ambassador to Myanmar Guan Mu.
On Tuesday, Wang also met Secretary-General of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association (USDA) U Htay Oo.
Wang arrived here Monday evening on a three-day official goodwill visit
to Myanmar as the final leg of his three-Asian-nation tour after
visiting Thailand and India. (Source: Xinhua)
**************************************************************
Asian Tribune - Date : 2005-11-16
National reconciliation in Burma is possible only be negotiation - NLD
The National League for Democracy has pointed out that the root cause
behind the various problems in Burma is the political tension. Since
"National Reconciliation" is central to resolving those problems, the
national reconciliation in Burma is only possible by discussions held
between the two sides. Further it underlined that the State Peace and
Development Council and the National League for Democracy need to meet
face to face for talks and consultations to find a solution.
Recently, the coordination meeting of the National League for
Democracy?s Central Executive Committee, along with the state and
divisional organizing committees, women's central work committee, and
the youth wing reformation committees were held successfully at the
National League for Democracy headquarters.
According to a press release, delegates from the Central Executive
Committee, state and divisional organizing committees, women's central
work committee, and the youth wing reformation committee
enthusiastically and meaningfully joined the discussions with a focus on
overcoming and resolving the economic, social, education, health, and
other general problems that Burma is presently facing.
At the meeting it was clearly pointed out that the root cause behind the
various problems is the political tension. Furthermore it was clearly
emphasized that since "National Reconciliation" is central to resolving
those problems, the State Peace and Development Council and the National
League for Democracy need to meet face to face for talks and
consultations to find a solution.
?The National League for Democracy is convinced that after "National
Reconciliation" is achieved through amicable discussions between the two
sides, a "democratic transition" period will need to be unavoidably
followed through and implemented. Just as it is of necessity to meet
with each other to hold discussions communication is vital for the two
sides to meet.
Hence, while always keeping all available communication channels open,
the National League for Democracy will make the efforts necessary,
revealed the press release issued by the Central Committee of the
National League for Democracy.
"The State Peace and Development Council is currently the wielder of
state power and the National League for Democracy is a party that has
been given the mandate by the people to act on their behalf. Therefore a
dialogue must be held as the first step to bring about the process of
National Reconciliation, which is urgently needed by the country."
The Central Committee of the National League for Democracy said, ?Hence,
the National League for Democracy hereby declares that it welcomes any
effort that will contribute to "National Reconciliation" and also
pledges that it will strive to bring about "National Reconciliation"
without fail.?
**************************************************************
The Sydney Morning Herald.
Astrologers the likely drivers of Burma junta's capital idea
By Seth Mydans in Bangkok
November 15, 2005
At 6.37am on November 6, one account says, with a shout of "Let's go", a
convoy of trucks began a huge, expensive and baffling transfer of the
Government of Burma from the capital to a secret mountain compound 320
kilometres to the north.
Diplomats and foreign analysts are left groping a week later for an
explanation of the unannounced move. In a country as secretive and
eccentric as Burma, it is a full-time job to try to tease the truth from
the swirl of rumours and guesswork, relying on few facts and many
theories. The leading theories now have to do with astrological
predictions and fears of invasion by the US.
The relocation, which the Government announced to reporters and foreign
diplomats a day after it began, but not yet to the public through the
state-controlled media, had been rumoured for years.
But, reports from Rangoon say, officials and civil servants were given
only a day or two to pack and say goodbye to their families. When they
arrived at the new site, at Pyinmana, it was still under construction,
and there were shortages of water, telephone lines and even sleeping
quarters and food, news agencies and exile
groups that monitor Burma quoted family members as saying.
Foreign diplomats said they were told that if they had urgent business
with the relocated Government they could send a fax but that no number
was yet available.
Diplomats and other unofficial sources inside Burma say that the vast,
fortified compound is to contain military headquarters, government
ministries, huge meeting halls, residences, hotels, a hospital, an
airport, underground bunkers and a golf course.
The Minister for Information, U Kyaw Hsan, told reporters in Rangoon
that the transfer of the Government had begun with nine of the 32
ministries. He gave no date for completing the move.
The military junta that runs Burma offered little explanation for the
move. "Due to changed circumstances ? a more centrally located
government seat has become a necessity," it said in a statement. That
left plenty of room for theories, and it was difficult to find one that
seemed rational. Astrology seemed to make as much sense as anything.
Burma is a deeply superstitious nation that scheduled its ceremony
marking independence from the British to follow astrological dictates,
at exactly 4.20am on January 4, 1948.
The 6.37am departure was reported by U Aung Zaw, editor of the magazine
The Irrawaddy, an emigre publication based in neighbouring Thailand. He
said this strangely precise departure time might well have been dictated
by astrologers.
Astrological timing may also have been behind the abruptness of the move
to a site that was not yet complete. One theory is that the move was
prompted by astrologers who several years ago warned the ruling generals
that the dilapidated capital on the Bay of Bengal would become a
dangerous place for them.
Seen from their perspective, the notion of a US invasion might not seem
far-fetched. They are a ruling clique of soldiers whose background is
jungle warfare and who know little of the outside world.
For years they have been squeezed by economic sanctions and battered by
relentless criticism from the West over their abuses of human rights,
and they have responded by pulling further into their shells. (The New
York Times)
**************************************************************
Burmese soldiers, not rebels, opened fire on sports spectators ? rights
group
Nov 15, 2005 (DVB) - A Chin human rights group said in a statement that
two Burmese soldiers, not rebels, as claimed by the state-controlled
newspaper Myanmar Ahlin, opened fire on spectators at a footaball
(soccer) match in Burma?s northwest Chin state, killing two people,
including a 7-year-old boy, and wounding six others.
Citing the testimonies of witnesses, the statement said that two Burmese
soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion ? 304 fired on the crowd with
small arms on 12 November as awards were presented after the game at the
Myoma sports ground in Matupi.
The statement said that the army gave 100,000 kyat (less than US$ 100)
in compensation to the parents. Among those wounded are said to be
Southern Chin State, No.2, Tactical Command commander Lt-Col San Aung?s
wife and she is being treated at a special military hospital in Maymyo,
and other victims are sent to rundown Matupi, Pakokku and Mandalay
hospitals.
Matupi is about 590km (370m) northwest of Rangoon, near the border with
Bangladesh.
**************************************************************
--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG
.
- Prev by Date: test cancelled
- Next by Date: Authority demand money for a traditional festival
- Previous by thread: test cancelled
- Next by thread: Authority demand money for a traditional festival
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
|
