Re: Recently sent to The Irrawaddy's donors (circular #2 in a series)

On Apr 11, 11:02 pm, idirl...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
As much as I hesitate to wade into this business, it seems to me that
some of the charges posted in this open letter, particularly those
insinuating that Aung Zaw has used funding from donors to finance a
lavish lifestyle for himself, demand a response. To my knowledge (and
I don't claim to know anything with certainty), Aung Zaw's home was
paid for largely with his earnings as a regular correspondent for RFA
over a period of around a decade. While this income was not
particularly large by Western standards, it was probably quite
substantial in relation to the cost of living in Thailand, given the
frequency with which he contributed to RFA. For most of this time he
lived in a far more modest home, and acquired the land on which he now
lives at a time when real estate prices were probably much lower. The
house itself is quite attractive, and has no doubt added considerable
value to the property, but it was built over a period of several
years, using hardwood lumber salvaged from older homes to save money.
It is also worth noting that Aung Zaw is not the sole owner of the
property (in fact, as a non-Thai, he probably has no legal right to it
at all). His Thai spouse has held senior salaried positions with
foreign-funded non-governmental organizations for many years, and has
likely saved a decent little nest-egg herself over this period. So it
seems entirely possible that Aung Zaw acquired his new home through
legitimate means. While it may seem grossly unfair to relatively low-
paid staffers at theIrrawaddythat their employer lives in vastly
greater comfort than themselves, it seems irresponsible to toss around
the innuendo that he must be corrupt. For better or worse, some people
are disproportionately rewarded in this world, and unless you are
prepared to turn your personal vendetta into a broader ideological
struggle, you are probably wasting your time with your aspersions
about how he came to own a home many would envy.

I don't owe Aung Zaw any favors, and if I come to his defense now, it
is chiefly out of a sense of fairness. In general, I agree that theIrrawaddyhas gone astray, and that this is largely due to Aung Zaw's
poor leadership skills. Unfortunately, Aung Zaw has allowed the
success of theIrrawaddyto go to his head. His current difficulties
seem to stem from a decision he made a couple of years ago to hire a
senior journalist from a well-known regional news magazine to occupy a
responsible management position at theIrrawaddy. Having this
individual on his staff added to the prestige of theIrrawaddyand put
another feather in Aung Zaw's cap, but in the end, it did little to
fill the void in leadership left by Aung Zaw's absenteeism. Instead,
this person appears to have regarded his position as a sinecure,
taking his cue from Aung Zaw and often not turning up for work at all
-- or else, turning up blatantly inebriated. This led to his
acrimonious dismissal, and a rapid deterioration in morale at the
office, which Aung Zaw has only worsened by lashing out at anyone he
regards as disloyal. Putting his brother in a management position was
probably not the wisest decision, if only because it adds to the
perception that he is now only interested in working with those who
are beholden to him.

It's a great shame to see the situation come to this. TheIrrawaddy
was and remains an excellent publication, and one can only wish it
continued success, whoever is at the helm. Personally, I believe Aung
Zaw is capable of leading the magazine, but only if he openly
addresses the concerns of his colleagues. TheIrrawaddyshould not be
allowed to succumb to the distrust and suspicion that plague so many
other Burmese groups operating in exile. In the interests of Burma's
future, which will ultimately depend upon the careful nurturing of a
culture of cooperation, I implore all concerned to set aside their
pride, and resist the temptation to reduce theIrrawaddyto yet
another instance of Burma's spectacularly misspent potential.

Irrawaddy continues to flow!

After reading idirlion@xxxxxxxxx's letter and his/her insightful
comment on Irrawaddy and Aung Zaw, I like to contribute, my
understanding and some inside knowledge about (The Irrawaddy magazine
which was named after )Burma's beautiful river.

But first allow me to say "idirlion" seemed to know some good
information about the Irrawaddy and presented his/her opinion in fair
way.

I think the Irrawaddy magazine is still first class magazine for the
people who have concerns or interest in Burma and growing strongly. I
also think the magazine's credibility and reputation is going strong
too. So no wonder some anonomus Westerners who called themselves
"enemies of the Irrawaddy" will envy and attack the establishment. But
this is only coward's actions and looks like nobody is paying much
attentions!

Also allow me to congratulate Irrawaddy's members in spite of unfair
criticism and childish attacks, the magazine has been gaining strength
day by day. Keep up your good work! Do not betray your cause and good
journalism, people read you everyday!

As a former friend of Aung Zaw ( I called him Zaw Gyi) and some staff
in the office - (I am a Burmese now living in Australia) I know the
situation quite well. But I am not going to compete with "idirlion"!

I want to say Aung Zaw worked for Radio Free Asia for quite some times
may be more than 10 years and Burmese people inside Burma were hearing
his reports and his voice almost every night. That means he made quite
a considerable amount of money from reporting! RFA pays well.

His bank account might have been quite healthy as Thai baht was around
45 baht per dollar in 1997 and 1998 when he became super stringer for
RFA. RFA had two stringers in Thailand. U Tint Zaw who now lives in
Australia also filed about 30 stories a month. So U Tint Zaw's bank
account was also very healthy.... He earend more than Aung Zaw. I have
no envy! They all worked very hard and they deserve the rewards. I
know Aung Zaw, he works hard and builts up the Irrawaddy from
scratch.... he deserved it too although he is not concerned about money.
I heard that Aung Zaw himself asked Soe Thinn, former chief of RFA
(Burmese Section), to stop his yearly contract in 2006 because doesn't
want to work for RFA anymore and he lost his motivation and spirit.
That meant he doesn't care much about the money even though the salary
from RFA was quite good (I heard he was making between 2,000 US to
2,500 USD per month - which was a very high income in Thailand and
Southeast Asia - even in Australia!.)

So Aung Zaw, according to his staff, never bothered about salary from
Irrawaddy. But his love and passion for the magazine is out of the
question. He worked hard to build up his team and organization. He
fights hard and struggles.

As far as I know, Aung Zaw and all staff used to get little amount of
salary from Irrawaddy. Only a few years ago, they get a better salary.
Aung Zaw asked his trusted man, Win Thu, to come and take care all
money matters of Irrawaddy office's budget. Win Thu, as far as I know,
is most diligent, trust worthy, smart and effective manager. He keeps
and helps Aung Zaw and Irrawaddy all the way. If Aung Zaw has done
something wrong, he is the one who will leave The Irrawaddy first. I
know he lives with pride and dignity. Win Thu (Ta Yoke Gyi) is also a
former 8888 student activist who involved in "June Affair" in 1988.

In reality, Aung Zaw and Irrawaddy magazine cannot be separated.
Before he published Irrawaddy, he founded the Burmese run human rights
news group called Burma Information Group in 1990 - it was the first
HR newsletter by Burmese in Thailand along with friends in JRS in
Bangkok. He might be the first Burmese who was nominated for Reebok HR
Award in 1991. Zaw Zaw who lives in America now was also nominated
along with him. I think Zaw Zaw was cofounder of BIG. BIG was also
quite popular with media in Thailand - that was how Aung Zaw got
involved in journalism and wrote for the Nation.

Everyone knows that, and I also agree, Aung Zaw is uncompromising,
tough, straightforward, stubborn and arrogant - he is hated and
respected by Burmese government and oppositions groups from both
inside and outside Burma. He is a journalist and I don't think he
really cares! So Aung Zaw might have made many enemies as well as
friends. Remember he is a journalist and lives in heavily politicized
environment! I know that he got blames and flak from everywhere. In
2006 and 2007, KNU blamed Irrawaddy creating divisions! NLD also
criticized the Irrawaddy. I believe all these happened because
Irrawaddy was doing its jobs.) But his position as head of an
independent newspaper, he has no choice and his job is not to appease
people but to tell the truth. If you start lying, you will fail....

(He once told me about this phrase and I know he was proud of his
position and founder of independent news group in exile.) Remember, he
was a former student activist but he steered the magazine to be free
from any influence including donors, powerful organizations and
governments and opposition. I remembered he once wrote powerful
editorial on NCGUB.

Other reputation about him: Aung Zaw has strong resistance to
international donors - he doesn't want any influence from donors. It
is interesting to see that Irrawaddy still receives funds and money
from donors but Aung Zaw keeps a healthy distance from the donors to
protect its independent journalism.

The attack to bring down Aung Zaw and The Irrawaddy is awful and
appalling and I don't think these were the works of smart and
intelligent people and those who know him well don't believe it.

I agree that Irrawaddy and Aung Zaw made a big mistake by hiring
several expatriate staff including former Myanmar Times reporters and
staff. When he faced staff shortage in 2004, Irrawady hired many
people without proper scanning and proper interviews. Then he might
got some people who are not effective and incompetent but only trouble
makers. That happens ever where.... Check carefully Zaw Gyi!

I heard some Myanmar Times staff as they are superficial and nothing
but stupid. Myanmar Times worshiped Khin Nyunt and Burma's secret
police.

Surprisingly, the two unpleasant incidents between Ross Dunkley and
Aung Zaw at the Bangkok Press Club were quite well known and reported
even in the Far Eastern Review.

Then Irrawaddy's ideological and Myanmar Times are completely
superficial.
He should not hire them in the first place. BIG MISTAKE!

Why Aung Zaw decided to hire these people who worked for Ross? I don't
understand him at all. (There was a rumor that some foreign staff
members wanted to take over the Irrawaddy management and but they all
failed. Aung Zaw and his staff defended and protected it. (Some
insider called it "failed coup" attempt. Am I right???)

His Burmese staff quietly or behind him complained about this. Now
Aung Zaw has to take all blame. I was surprised that his selection of
people. In the past, he picked good, intelligent and committed people
and with them he builds up his own little empire. But this time he
made mistakes by picking wrong people. So I believe he fired them!
They hit him back! Then the anonumous letters..

"idirlion" which one you were saying that Aung Zaw hired and let him
go??? I saw two names disappeared from the Irrawaddy's staff list on
the magazine. Bruce Kent and Shawn Nance. I don't know who worked for
regional news magazine????? I remember Aung Zaw is also proud of his
magazine is founded by Burmese, we are proud of this and it should
continue that way.

Let me stop here. I am proud of the Irrawaddy's establishment and its
hard works. Love it or hate it, we still read Irrawaddy. Don't give up
many people out there are with you! Keep up your good work.... With
full admiration.... Kyaw Hein (Australia)

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