Myanmar
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Hillary Clinton to visit Burma
Hillary Clinton to visit Burma to check on 'flickers of progress'
News of first Burma visit by a US secretary of state in 50 years follows decision by Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD to re-enter politics
- guardian.co.uk,
Hillary Clinton will become the first US secretary of state in 50 years to visit Burma, it has been announced, as Washington ramped up its efforts to kindle "flickers of progress" in the isolated south-east Asian nation.
The visit next month, announced by Barack Obama, appeared to be a reward for Burma's reforms, which were marked hours earlier by the return to politics of the democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.
The double boost was widely applauded as a sign that Burma may be moving in from the political cold, but it contains risks: a political transformation is far from guaranteed in a government system that is still largely under the influence of the military, and the move may add to China's suspicion that the US is attempting an encirclement policy.
In announcing a "historic opportunity" for a top-level diplomatic mission, Obama spelled out that Burma had a long way to go to shake off decades of repression by military leaders. The US has serious concerns over human rights abuses, the detention of political prisoners and Burma's treatment of ethnic minorities.
But Obama said "after years of darkness, we've seen flickers of progress in these last several weeks" – apparently a reference to the government's release of political prisoners, economic reforms and a decision to halt a controversial dam project.
News of Clinton's visit was welcomed by both the Burmese government and supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi. "It's a very good sign," Ko Ko Hlaing, chief political adviser to the president, Thein Sein, told Reuters. "I think it is a significant turn in US policy towards Myanmar … people in Myanmar will welcome, cheer Hillary Clinton because for a time in history, they have never seen a secretary of state."
Friday, November 11, 2011
One Year On: Has Aung San Suu Kyi’s Release Changed Burma?
One Year On: Has Aung San Suu Kyi’s Release Changed Burma? (VOA Henry Rodgewell Nov. 8, 2011)
Twelve months after Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest, a new government has begun talking to some of its critics. ActionAid, a charity working in Burma, says the opportunity to advance reforms should be seized. But outside the major cities, ethnic minority groups say the suppression of their people is only getting worse.
It’s a year since opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from seven years of house arrest - to rapturous cheers from thousands of supporters who had gathered outside her Rangoon home.
Her opposition to Burma’s military rulers had seen her spend 15 of the previous 21 years in detention.
The nominally civilian government has opened a tentative dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi. Some observers say this offers the best chance in decades to advance democratic reform.
British actress Emma Thompson recently traveled to Burma with the charity ActionAid, and met Aung San Suu Kyi. “She’s very cautious but optimistic," she said. "The phrase she used to me about what was happening now was, ‘it is very important that we do not proceed with indecent haste.'"
Thompson was left with optimistic impressions from her visit.
“I did see poverty of course," she said. "Deep, wrenching poverty. But I did not feel that there was a generation of people there too scared to move forward and inhabit the space that appears to be appearing. I felt that there was a dialogue, a genuine dialogue beginning to start between a very difficult government and the people.”
...........
Twelve months after Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest, a new government has begun talking to some of its critics. ActionAid, a charity working in Burma, says the opportunity to advance reforms should be seized. But outside the major cities, ethnic minority groups say the suppression of their people is only getting worse.
It’s a year since opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from seven years of house arrest - to rapturous cheers from thousands of supporters who had gathered outside her Rangoon home.
Her opposition to Burma’s military rulers had seen her spend 15 of the previous 21 years in detention.
The nominally civilian government has opened a tentative dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi. Some observers say this offers the best chance in decades to advance democratic reform.
British actress Emma Thompson recently traveled to Burma with the charity ActionAid, and met Aung San Suu Kyi. “She’s very cautious but optimistic," she said. "The phrase she used to me about what was happening now was, ‘it is very important that we do not proceed with indecent haste.'"
Thompson was left with optimistic impressions from her visit.
“I did see poverty of course," she said. "Deep, wrenching poverty. But I did not feel that there was a generation of people there too scared to move forward and inhabit the space that appears to be appearing. I felt that there was a dialogue, a genuine dialogue beginning to start between a very difficult government and the people.”
...........
Monday, October 24, 2011
Suu Kyi Sees a Shift in Myanmar
Suu Kyi Sees a Shift in Myanmar
By WSJ Staff Reporters
YANGON, Myanmar—Dissident Aung San Suu Kyi said a series of reforms under way in Myanmar represents the biggest opening in the repressive Southeast Asian country since the 1980s, but also said she wants to see more changes before she can support easing Western economic sanctions against the military-backed government.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203911804576651051732968950.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
By WSJ Staff Reporters
YANGON, Myanmar—Dissident Aung San Suu Kyi said a series of reforms under way in Myanmar represents the biggest opening in the repressive Southeast Asian country since the 1980s, but also said she wants to see more changes before she can support easing Western economic sanctions against the military-backed government.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203911804576651051732968950.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Monday, August 1, 2011
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Open Letter (Unofficial Translation)
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Open Letter (Unofficial Translation)
Thu 28 Jul 2011
1) U Thein Sein, President, Union of Myanmar
2) Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)
3) Karen National Union (KNU)
4) New Mon State Party (NMSP)
5) Shan State Army (SSA)
The (post-independence) Union of Burma was co-founded by different nationalities. Like siblings from a single family, all these nationalities had cohabited this land since time immemorial. Therefore, forging peaceful ties and unity among the nationalities is of paramount importance.
Of late, there have been news stories about military conflicts between the country’s Armed Forces and the armed nationalities groups in various regions such as the Kachin, the Shan, the Karen, the Mon and so on. These conflicts are resulting in the tragic outcomes such as loss of life, destruction of costly physical infrastructures and economic projects and a condition of general deterioration. Besides causing enormous sufferings among local communities, these conflicts come with a potential risk of spilling over and spread across Burma’s immediate neighborhoods.
The use of force to resolve the conflicts is only going to be mutually harmful to all parties concerned. National reconciliation and unity cannot be built on might. It can only be pursued through political negotiations. Only through political negotiations can genuine national unity be established. Only such unity among nationalities can guarantee the country’s (peaceful) future. In the absence of genuine peace and reconciliation the potential spread of civil war always lurks beneath.
Conflicts among nationalities can surely be resolved on the basis of mutual respect and mutual understanding, leading ultimately to the Union’s peace and stability. Only when the Union is genuinely peaceful and stable can nation building programs be implemented successfully. Therefore, with the sole purpose of promoting the well-being of all nationalities in the land I call for immediate ceasefires and the peaceful resolution of the conflicts.
On my part I am prepared, and pledge, to do everything in my power towards the cessation of armed conflicts and building peace in the Union.
Signed
Aung San Suu Kyi
54/56 University Avenue, Rangoon
Thu 28 Jul 2011
1) U Thein Sein, President, Union of Myanmar
2) Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)
3) Karen National Union (KNU)
4) New Mon State Party (NMSP)
5) Shan State Army (SSA)
The (post-independence) Union of Burma was co-founded by different nationalities. Like siblings from a single family, all these nationalities had cohabited this land since time immemorial. Therefore, forging peaceful ties and unity among the nationalities is of paramount importance.
Of late, there have been news stories about military conflicts between the country’s Armed Forces and the armed nationalities groups in various regions such as the Kachin, the Shan, the Karen, the Mon and so on. These conflicts are resulting in the tragic outcomes such as loss of life, destruction of costly physical infrastructures and economic projects and a condition of general deterioration. Besides causing enormous sufferings among local communities, these conflicts come with a potential risk of spilling over and spread across Burma’s immediate neighborhoods.
The use of force to resolve the conflicts is only going to be mutually harmful to all parties concerned. National reconciliation and unity cannot be built on might. It can only be pursued through political negotiations. Only through political negotiations can genuine national unity be established. Only such unity among nationalities can guarantee the country’s (peaceful) future. In the absence of genuine peace and reconciliation the potential spread of civil war always lurks beneath.
Conflicts among nationalities can surely be resolved on the basis of mutual respect and mutual understanding, leading ultimately to the Union’s peace and stability. Only when the Union is genuinely peaceful and stable can nation building programs be implemented successfully. Therefore, with the sole purpose of promoting the well-being of all nationalities in the land I call for immediate ceasefires and the peaceful resolution of the conflicts.
On my part I am prepared, and pledge, to do everything in my power towards the cessation of armed conflicts and building peace in the Union.
Signed
Aung San Suu Kyi
54/56 University Avenue, Rangoon
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Burma Shan State Earthquake Death Toll Rising to 150
Earthquake Death Toll Rising to 150
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21017
Local relief workers in eastern State Sate said on Saturday that the death toll from the powerful earthquake that shook Shan State on Thursday night could very likely rise to more than 150.
Burma’s state media reported on Saturday that 73 people had died as a result of the 7.0 magnitude tremor and its subsequent aftershocks on Thursday and Friday.
“At least 150 people were killed. The worst hit areas were Tahlay and Mong Linn", said a member of the Red Cross based in Tachilek on the Thai-Burmese border.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21017
Local relief workers in eastern State Sate said on Saturday that the death toll from the powerful earthquake that shook Shan State on Thursday night could very likely rise to more than 150.
Burma’s state media reported on Saturday that 73 people had died as a result of the 7.0 magnitude tremor and its subsequent aftershocks on Thursday and Friday.
“At least 150 people were killed. The worst hit areas were Tahlay and Mong Linn", said a member of the Red Cross based in Tachilek on the Thai-Burmese border.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Earthquake hits Myanmar near China and Thailand borders
Earthquake hits Myanmar near China and Thailand borders
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/24/myanmar.quake/index.html?hpt=T2
(CNN) -- A powerful earthquake hit Myanmar Thursday near its borders with China, Thailand and Laos, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The quake hit in eastern Myanmar, about 55 miles (89 km) north of Chiang Rai, Thailand, the survey reported.
It had a magnitude of 6.8, the survey said, revising the estimate down from an initial reading of 7.0.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/24/myanmar.quake/index.html?hpt=T2
(CNN) -- A powerful earthquake hit Myanmar Thursday near its borders with China, Thailand and Laos, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The quake hit in eastern Myanmar, about 55 miles (89 km) north of Chiang Rai, Thailand, the survey reported.
It had a magnitude of 6.8, the survey said, revising the estimate down from an initial reading of 7.0.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)