Burma to Mark 60th Year of Independence Amid Criticism
By VOA News
03 January 2008
Burma is preparing to mark the 60th anniversary of its independence from Britain, while the international community continues to urge the country's military rulers to democratize.
The Czech Republic's Foreign Minister, Karel Schwarzenberg, Thursday sent a letter to Burma's ruling authorities, asking for the release of all political prisoners.
An editorial in a Burma-focused news magazine, the Irrawaddy, criticizes the government's so-called Seven-Step road map to democracy, noting the recently-conlcuded first step, the National Convention, took 14 years..
One Burmese ally, North Korea, sent a warm anniversary greeting to military ruler General Than Shwe, expressing a hope that friendly relations between their two countries would expand.
snip
voanews.com
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Counsellor of Myanmar embassy in Moscow found dead
03.01.2008
MOSCOW, January 3 (Itar-Tass) -- The third counsellor of the Myanmar Embassy in Moscow was found dead at the embassy premises in downtown Moscow, a source in the Moscow police told Itar-Tass on Thursday.
Doctors said in a preliminary diagnosis report that the diplomat died of intestinal poisoning and acute heart attack.
snip
itar-tass.com
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Myanmar junta calls for discipline as country marks 60 years of independence
Published: January 4, 2008
YANGON, Myanmar: Myanmar's military rulers celebrated the 60th anniversary of independence from Britain on Friday with a simple flag-hoisting ceremony and a message from the junta chief calling for more discipline in the country.
The annual message from junta leader Senior Gen. Than Shwe did not directly mention the pro-democracy street rallies that were violently suppressed by troops in September, but he reiterated that the military-ruled government will make democratic reforms according to its own so-called road map.
Than Shwe called for the country's cooperation in building a "discipline-flourishing democratic state."
His comments came in a speech published in Myanmar's three state-run newspapers and read aloud by an official at an annual flag-raising ceremony in a Yangon park beside the city's famed Shwedagon Pagoda.
Police and soldiers were deployed around Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, during the ceremony amid rumors of possible protests and violence.
Security was removed after the ceremony ended.
snip
iht.com
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HEALTH-BURMA: Bird-Flu Awareness Campaigns Show Results
By Marwaan Macan-Markar
BANGKOK, Jan 4 (IPS) - An outbreak of bird flu virus among poultry in Burma’s eastern Shan State, close to the Thai border, is being greeted with a mix of concern and relief.
The cause for relief stems from the flow of information in the military-ruled country that triggered the alarm following the death of nearly 1,000 chickens, 20 ducks and a few geese infected by the H5N1 strain of the virus in late December.
Farmers in the affected areas notified local animal and public health authorities as soon as they spotted dead birds in their backyards.
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ipsnews.net
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Security Council presidency will be a ‘challenge’ for Libya, says its Ambassador snip
On
Myanmar, he said he would consult with the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser Ibrahim Gambari on whether he intends to brief the Council, should he return to the troubled South-East Asian nation in the coming weeks.
un.org
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snip
Son Moe Wai, Secretary of Burma Media Association, said, the junta might have been scared of the power that the Satellite TV broadcast revealed during the recent protests. Therefore it is hiking the fees.
"They [the junta] may be sacred that the same thing would be repeated.
Though they have hiked the fees of Satellite TV, it is impossible to place curbs on technology. But this shows that the junta is trying every means at its disposal to close the eyes and ears of the people," Son Moe Wai added.
Similarly, authorities have blocked the WebPages of international news agencies including Reuters and the Bangkok Post.
"Whenever we open these sites, 'Block by MPT' message is displayed on the screen. It has been about two months now," a foreign correspondent based in Rangoon said.
Earlier, the Burmese authorities informed tours and travel agents, which use internet for their online ticketing and marketing, to be careful in its internet usage and warned that severe punishment would befall them if they are found using it for anti-government purposes.
"It might be difficult for those viewing Satellite TV, but the junta cannot completely shut-off information flow as people, who are thirsty for information would find ways to receive news and information," Son Moe Wai said.
mizzima.com
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Six More NLD Members Arrested
3 January 2008
Original report by Naw Say Paw, DVB
Member of Parliament and 5 of his colleagues, all of them, members of National League for Democracy Party were arrested and detained last night, it is reported.
Dr Aung Moe Nyo, MP, Pwint Hpu, Magwe,
Ko Htay Myint,
U Than Tun,
U Ko Oo and a teacher
U Sein Win (all from Nyaung Pin Sat Village) and
Ko Nay Myo Kyaw from Saku were preparing to travel to attend the 60th Anniversary of Burma's Independence Day celebration at the home of U Khin Win, Chairman, NLD Party, Ye' Nan Chaung, when they were arrested.
snip
whoiswhoinburma.blogspot.com
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Who Is U Win Tin?
Friday, 4 January 2008
seapa.files.wordpress.com
U Win Tin, one of political mentors of Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, continues to serve his 20 years prison sentence. He is regularly offered freedom in exchange for a signed promise to give up all political activities. But Saya (Teacher) as his friends call him, has always refuse to cut such a deal and break his ties with National League for Democracy, which was cheated out of its landslide victory at the 1990 general elections.
He was convicted of 'subversion' and 'anti-government propaganda'. In 1996, he was held for 5 months in a dog-kennel at Rangoon's Insein prison. He has since had two heart attacks and lost most of his teeth. Now 75,he has been shuttling back and forth between his cell and the spartan prisoners' wing of Rangoon hospital for the past few years. To view the original source and to sign the petition for the release of Saya U Win Tin, please click
here.
Posted by Goldie Shwe
whoiswhoinburma.blogspot.com
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FBR: Photo Essay from Karen State
Karen State, Burma
31 December, 2007
The pictures here are of new teams with displaced people in attacked areas in Nyaunglebin District, Western Karen State, Burma, in December, 2007. 
At an IDP site
Chin GLC counselor with IDP children
Children at an IDP school
For more information, please visit
www.freeburmarangers.org
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Bangladesh Importing Rice from Burma
1/4/2008
Chittagong: Bangladesh is now importing rice from Burma after being hit by a food shortage and drastic increase in rice prices, according to an official report.
The report said that tomorrow, the cargo ship Asrar E Mostafa is scheduled to reach Bangladesh's Chittagong port with a load of rice from Burma.
snip TV Satellites Taken Down in Maungdaw
1/4/2008
Maungdaw: Many television satellite dishes were taken down from the roofs in Maungdaw Township by their owners after satellite licensing fees were increased by the government to one million kyat, reports one satellite dish owner.
"The TV satellite dish was taken off my house yesterday because we are unable to pay one million kyat for the annual licensing fee," the man said.
snip
narinjara.com
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EU wants Myanmar at top of int'l agenda
Friday, January 4, 2008
NEW YORK — The European Union's special envoy on Myanmar said Thursday the world should maintain its focus on Myanmar despite recent events that are capturing headlines and he also believes China could play an even greater role in solving the situation in the country.
"There is a risk of attention to Burma, to Myanmar, being lowered in international public opinion," Piero Fassino, told Kyodo News, explaining that recent events such as the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and other brewing crises threaten to divert attention from the country.
"I think that the first goal is to keep Myanmar as a top item on the international agenda."
snip
japantoday.com
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Myanmar Opposition Party Slams Junta Over Suu Kyi Talks -AFP
YANGON (AFP)--Myanmar's opposition party on Friday criticized the ruling junta for "pretense" over meetings with its detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying the talks were merely a bid to ease pressure on the regime.
The 62-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner and Myanmar Labor Minister Aung Kyi, who was appointed in October by the junta to liaise with her, have so far held three meetings.
But since their latest talks on Nov. 19, no further date has been set, and details of their meetings have not been disclosed.
Nyan Win, a spokesman for the National League for Democracy, said the talks have made little progress and called the meetings a "pretense" by the junta.
"This is just pretense by the junta. We have not seen any progress since Nov. 19. We don't know when they are going to meet again," Nyan Win said.
snip
nasdaq.com
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1948 – Burma gains independence from Britain with nationalist leader U Nu as prime minister
1962 – Coup led by General Ne Win overthrows democratically elected government, establishes "Burmese Way to Socialism"
1974 – New constitution transfers military power to People's Assembly led by Ne Win
1988 – Military crushes pro-democracy student demonstration, thousands reportedly killed and hundreds jailed.
1989 – State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) declares martial law, arrests pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, changes country name to Myanmar
1990 – Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy records landslide victory in national elections, but military refuses to recognise results
1992 – Reclusive General Tan Shwe takes over as head of military government
1995 – Aung San Suu Kyi released from house arrest after six years. She is repeatedly placed under house arrest later
1997 – Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) admits Myanmar into regional grouping
2003 – PM Khin Nyunt proposes new constitution as part of "road map" to democracy
2004 – Government and major ethnic rebel movement Karen National Union call a truce
2006 – Nation's capital moved from Yangon to remote town of Naypyidaw
2007 – Sudden massive hike in fuel prices triggers biggest show of public dissent since 1988. After weeks of protests military launches violent crackdown against demonstrators, sparking world outrage
english.aljazeera.net
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Myanmar deploys riot police for Independence Day
Fri 4 Jan 2008, 9:39 GMT
By Aung Hla Tun
YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's junta deployed riot police and fire trucks at potential flashpoints in Yangon on Friday to prevent pro-democracy protests on the 60th anniversary of independence from Britain.
Riot police took up positions outside the former capital's City Hall and the Shwedagon and Sule pagodas -- all key locations in mass anti-junta protests that erupted in September.
One government official, who did not want to be named, said local authorities had also been ordered to prepare gangs of "Swan-Arr-Shin", or "Masters of Force", thugs in case pro-democracy activists tried to demonstrate.
snip
Myanmar was one of Asia's brightest prospects when it won independence from Britain in 1948. However, its economy has stagnated under four decades of military rule and a disastrous attempt at home-grown socialism.
(Editing by Ed Cropley and Alex Richardson)
africa.reuters.com
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Myanmar Monks in Sri Lanks start Long Peace Walk
Source: Ashin Mettacarra Blog (
link here)
Myanmar Monks in Sri Lanka Start Campaign
Myanmar Student Monks in Sri Lanka have started walking campaign 7 am in this morning. Welcomed by the authority of Galle City and will be guarded by the Sri Lanka security on the long way.
This walking campaign is dedicated to Myanmar Independence Day and to keep peace in the whole world including inside Burma. This news will be posted with the photos sooner or later.
Walking Campaign for Burma 
lanka-msma.blogspot.com
updates avaible here
Ashin Mettacara: Arrives Hikkaduwa City Now the procession arrived Hikkaduwa City and the monks are walking in the city. Proudly, the Sri Lanka National Television programs are continuously showing our walking campaign.
Posted by Ashin Mettacara
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from chat ....................
4 Jan 08, 11:26
Bay Dah: Today noon time in Rangoon, at Shwe gon dine Road, People wearing prisoner clothes and doing walking protest carrying banner demanding to release political prisoners
xs.to
drlunswe.blogspot.com
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Swan Arr Shin members given riot control training Jan 4, 2008 (DVB)–Swan Arr Shin members in New Dagon and Hlaing Tharyar townships, Rangoon division, have been taking part in riot control and weapons training, while military deployments to Rangoon have increased, locals said. A Dagon township resident said that Swan Arr Shin members in Ywar Thar Gyi, Lay Daunt Kan, Shan Tal Gyi, Yay Kyaw, Kyar Ni Kan, Kyi Su and Sit-pin villages were taking part in the training. The resident said that local authorities were running the sessions covertly, and had been instructing the Swan Arr Shin members in the use of mêlée weapons and on how to make arrests. "The riot control training is being given to local Swan Arr Shin members secretly during the night," the Dagon resident said. “We have seen them being trained with sticks.” Meanwhile, a resident of Rangoon said that the number of soldiers deployed in the formal capital has increased, with more units from artillery and other technical divisions. snip
english.dvb.no
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Gems, Jade Sale Planned for Rangoon
By William Boot / Bangkok
January 4, 2008
The Burmese government is to stage another gems sale—just a few weeks after a major auction in Rangoon netted tens of millions of US dollars.
The new sale is being managed by state-controlled Myanmar [Burma] Economic Holdings and will take place over five days in Rangoon, starting January 15.
snip
irrawaddy.org
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January 4, 2008.
Seventy two Rohingya Muslim ethnic minorities from Burma at Kura Buri district police station in northern Thailand, after being caught by the Thai Navy on January 2, 2008.
Police said the 72 Rohingyas were arrested near Kura Buri district and were handed over to Ranong police station.
However, it is still not clear when they will be deported to Burma.
mizzima.com
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Reconciliation call on independence day January 04, 2008
From correspondents in London
BRITISH Foreign Secretary David Miliband called for national reconciliation in Myanmar in a statement marking the country's 60th anniversary of independence from Britain. "Today marks the 60th anniversary of Burma's independence. We congratulate the people of Burma on this historic landmark," Mr Miliband said. "But for 45 of the last 60 years Burma has been under military rule. The brutal suppression of peaceful demonstrations last autumn was a sad reminder of the extent to which the Burmese people's aspirations for democracy, stability and prosperity have been frustrated. They deserve far better.
theaustralian.news.com.au
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Diamonds Wedding Video 'Criminals' Release Hopes
2 January 2008
Original report by Naw Say Paw, DVB
The wife of
Ko Tin Htay, who was serving a 2 year jail term, because he dared to watch video recording of the wedding of senior general Than Shwe's daughter, known in Burma as
'Diamonds Decorated Wedding' (there are 24 of them), is hoping that her husband could be in the list of pardoned release of prisoners on 4 January, the Independence Day.
'A lot of people are now travelling all over the country, to wait at the gates of prisons where their loved ones are held, in the hope that they might be released. My husband commited no crime. Two years jail for just watching the video is unbelievable. Our family has lost so much, just for that, so I am hoping that he will be released as soon as possible', said Ma Lwin Lwin Mar, Ko Tin Htay's wife.
snip
whoiswhoinburma.blogspot.com
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Burma's Financial Crisis
By Rory Byrne and Wido Schlicting
Rangoon
03 January 2008
snip
Debbie Stothard is the co-ordinator of the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma. She explains, "When the price of rice doubles overnight you're basically facing a situation where most families don't even have money to feed their children. They cannot afford to even feed their children -- that's how bad it became and that's why people took to the streets."
Bruma's economic situation is dire for some
Years of neglect have crippled Burma's healthcare system. Modern medicines, if available at all, are often fake, or out of date.
Many people rely on traditional cures, made from plants and roots. Burma's life expectancy is one of the lowest in the world -- averaging less than 60 years.
A hospital in Burma
Everything is repaired countless times -- nothing is wasted.
Many children are forced to work full-time jobs, seven days a week, earning less than a dollar a day.
Nothing is wasted. Here, a man repairs an umbrella
voanews.com
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Officials demand money to boost electricity supply Reporting by Maung Too Jan 4, 2008 (DVB)–Officials in Thone Gwa township, Rangoon division, have been demanding up to 30,000 kyat from households to pay for improvements to the electricity supply. Thone Gwa township Peace and Development Committee chairman U San Hlaing and Electric Power Corporation director major Myint Thu reportedly formed a committee for neighbourhood lighting, which has been collecting 20,000-30,000 kyat from every household with an electricity meter, according to a local resident. snip The township PDC and EPC refused to comment on the claims. snip NLD members kept from independence celebrations
Reporting by Naw Say Phaw
Jan 4, 2008 (DVB)–Six members of the National League for Democracy in Pwint Phyu township, Magwe division, were detained on 2 January, reportedly to stop them attending independence day celebrations in a nearby township.
snip
english.dvb.no
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Junta Refuses to Reregister Three Ethnic Cultural Groups
By Shah Paung
January 4, 2008
The Burmese military government has refused to renew the registration of three ethnic cultural groups, effectively closing them down.
Ethnic cultural groups have to renew their registration annually with the Ministry of Home Affairs, but three organizations representing Mon, Karen and Shan communities say the authorities have refused to accept their applications, giving no reason for the action.
snip No Freedom, No Independence
By Saw Yan Naing
January 4, 2008
Today, Burma celebrates the 60th anniversary of its independence. But very few people in the country are in a celebratory mood.
Nyan Win, a spokesperson for the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, said, “From my 20s until now—my 60s—I feel there is no independence in Burma, because people feel they are not free.”
Independence hero Gen Aung San’s statue in Rangoon
At the party headquarters, the NLD held a solemn ceremony with 600 people in attendance.
It seems many Burmese feel they are now slaves or prisoners of the military leaders who have ruled the country since 1962.
On Friday, about 12 NLD members held a brief vigil in front of the party’s headquarters wearing convicts’ white uniforms and calling for the release of all political prisoners. Burma currently detains more than 1,000 political prisoners.
snip
irrawaddy.org
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REUTERS/Aung Hla Tun
Fri Jan 4, 9:54 AM ET
A Buddhist monk attends the ceremony to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Independence Day at the National League for Democracy (NLD) party headquarters in Yangon, Janurary 4, 2008.
About 350 people, comprising party members, veteran politicians and leaders of ethnic political parties and elected representatives attended the ceremony.
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January 4, 2008 - The Burmese military regime's promise notwithstanding that fuel prices will remain pegged at the last rise, vendors in various parts of Burma said fuel price in the black market has been on the increase.
While the authorities officially set the price of petrol per gallon at 2500 kyat, and diesel per gallon at 3000 kyat, in the black market the actual prices are double the government's rates, vendors said.
snip
Mizzima News (
Mizzima News - Specialising in Burma-Related News and Multimedia)
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