2008

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Poem: Honour, not Blame

 

Martial Arts Odyssey: Part Two Training with Shan State Army

In the latest episode of “Martial Arts Odyssey” host, Antonio Graceffo, returns to the war zone of Burma, and goes on a jungle patrol with the Shan State Army (SSA) rebels.

“Burma’s Sixty Years of Independence”

“Sixty Years of Darkness” “Sixty Years of Fear and Terror” “Sixty Wasted Years”

New York Declaration of the Shan State Conference

 

Burma Video release: The Children of Loi Tailang

 

From Orphan to Soldier, another life in Shan State

His parents were murdered by the SPDC, now a young Shan man becomes a soldier and future leader of his people.

From Tragedy to Triumph, a Life in Shan State

Orphans find new hope at Shan State Army headquarters at Loi Taileng

Message On Sixty First Anniversary Shan National Day

On the occasion of 61st Shan National Day Anniversary, it is important to assess our collective performance as a nation; to be more accurate, a non-state nation.

A Shan National Day Message

 

Time for junta to be serious

The Burmese junta’s announcement that the time has now come to change from military rule to democratic civilian rule and multi-party election would be held in 2010 is a surprise, although the move could neither be seen as a step forward nor just usual stalling tactics of the junta to cling on to power indefinitely.

Kosovo independence, international norms and perspective of new emerging states

The unilateral independence declaration of Kosovo from Serbia on Sunday, 17 February, came as has been speculated and surprises no one. And as expected, the positioning of US, in collaboration of most EU member states on one side and Russia, together with Serbia on the other follow immediately thereafter.

Robbed by the SPDC

Every person living in the IDP camp at Loi Taileng has a story of the pain they suffered at the hands of the Burmese military. Every one of them has had some fundamental part of their life stolen.

Is there a way out for the opposition?

It shouldn't be a surprise for the Burmese military juntas exclusion or barring of Aung San Suu Kyi from participation in the forth-coming election, which is due to be held in 2010, following the constitutional referendum targeted in May of this year.

Will the Burmese junta yield to UN envoy’s pragmatic gesture?

The latest interview of U.N. envoy to Burma Ibrahim Gambari reported in Reuters needs emphasising, given quite a number of activists and journalist have not been enthusiastic, or even ready to write him off, with his shuttle diplomacy, which have been going on for a few years now.

The true colours of the SPDC generals

After the coup of 1962 the military regime hid Burma, particularly the Shan State from the eyes and ears of the outside world to achieve what they wanted. Journalists and foreigners were forbidden to enter the Shan State.

Review of Rambo IV, the first film ever made about the conflict in Burma

 

Policy Paper: Vote “No,” We will Win

After 14 years of broken promises, the Burmese Junta announce that it is finally introducing a constitution, with a referendum due in the 1st week of May followed by a full fledge elections in 2010.

Tibet: The heart of the problem is Chinese colonialism

The unrest in Tibet has thrust into international limelight for the stakes are unusually high, both for the occupying Chinese regime and oppressed Tibetans, mainly due to the timing of forthcoming Olympic games to be held in China within a few months.

Living to Help His Shan People

“Inside Shan State we cannot teach Shan language. And, when youth talk about politics there is retaliation. Even talking about the meaning of democracy, even thinking about the meaning of democracy is dangerous.” Said twenty year old Kawn Wan.

POLITICS, SCIENCE & HYSTERIA RESURGENCE 2

Several decades of aggressive law-enforcement against narcotic drugs, military operations in Afghanistan, Colombia, Peru and elsewhere have failed to stem the flow.

Gone Kurtz, on the Burma Border

American Thomas Bleming sees himself as the new Karen liberation fighter, but does anyone else?

Government and Civil Politics

What is our aim in life? Buddhists like Dalai Lama believe that the aim of life is happiness and the avoidance of pain.

Shan Monks in Exile: Seeking Basic Human Freedoms

The young Shan monk told me that the first time he came to Thailand he came illegally, to study Pali, the ancient Buddhist script. That was when he was a novice of fourteen. Now, ten years later, he is still studying Theravada Buddhism at one of the temples in Northern Thailand.

Conflict and Health

Displacement and disease: The Shan exodus and infectious disease implications for Thailand

Time for Burmese junta to repent

The first thing the junta should do is to swallow its false pride, simplify visa procedure for international NGO workers and speed up the process, so that needy population in Irrawaddy Delta, which is hard hit by cyclone Nargis, could be helped.

The tragic situation in Burma

Burmese people are now suffering from the great impact of Cyclone Nargis. It is very shocking to hear that the death toll has increased dramatically three days after it hit last Saturday.

JUNTA PLAYING GOD AT THE EXPENSE OF THE SUFFERING PEOPLE

The Burmese junta's decision to block foreign search and rescue teams after the deadly cyclone is tantamount to a death sentence for thousands of people, who are unreachable or easily inaccessible and trapped in areas surrounded by floating dead bodies, without food and shelter. The aftermath spreading of contagious disease of cholera and danger of malaria and dengue sickness are sure scenarios, which will definitely follow sooner than later.

How can many words can a picture say?

The Kengtung market in the morning is a ceaseless cacophony and kaleidoscope of life that is the daily ritual for peoples of eastern Shan State. Here, a panoply of stalls stock all the necessities of day-to-day life. Some sold clothing, Burmese longyis and green-and-white school uniforms hanging alongside Shan outfits and more generic Chinese tee shirts and jeans.

Misuse of Power and Privileges

The Burmese military regime with arms and ammunitions at their disposal staged a coup in 1962 and acquired complete power over the peoples of Burma. All members of U Nu’s civilian government were put in prison.

R2P through Burma’s looking glass

It is heartening to hear that the international community should use all possible means to get aid through to victims of Burma's cyclone despite the reluctance of the military junta, the European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Tuesday.

Burmese junta's slight opening to humanitarian aid

After more than two weeks of cyclone Nargis disaster, the international relief and rescue operation is still in its embryonic form.

Junta’s voting victory and Cyclone Nargis

The Burmese community in Australia felt anger towards the Burmese military junta after the release of the referendum voting results last week. On 15 May, the state-controlled media announced that 92.4% voters have turned “Yes” to the nationwide referendum in Burma.

Make honest men of generals

Burma’s generals, except for Aung San, regarded as the founder of independent Burma, are not known for keeping their words.

Cyclone Nargis: A blessing in disguise?

If the world is hoping that Senior General Than Shwe, head of the Burmese junta, will become more conciliatory for agreeing to let in all foreign aid workers into cyclone devastated Irrawaddy delta, the continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, symbol of the democratic movement and NLD leader, is to drive home the point that the junta is nowhere near to meaningful all-inclusive, reconciliation process, leading to genuine reconciliation and democratisation process of the country.

A Day in Loi Tailang: The Shan People Live a Beautiful Culture which is being Driven to Extinction

All over the village boys are fashioning bows from natural materials, preparing to compete in the big archery contest. Small children kick a Takrow ball, a small hollow ball made of rattan. I pull out my camera, but the mothers quickly tell the children to hide their faces.

Update on Nargis donations

Beginning 13 May, the Chiangmai Shan Literature and Culture Committee has opened a bank account for the Cyclone Nargis survivors.

Burmese activism in the new technology: How IT is helping and hampering movements

Advancement of new media and communication has substantially impacted on the social and political movements of the Burmese democratic activists. The political activists from inside and outside Burma are using new media and communications as a tool to struggle for democracy and Human Rights in Burma.

Nursing the Shan

On a bamboo bed in a dark clinic at Loi Taileng, a woman sits with her three children. One has a severe foot burn, which is all infected and ugly looking. It is very common for children in the rural villages to be burned when cooking pots overturn on the fire at the center of their hut. At the Loi Taileng temple there is a young monk who was horribly disfigured by similar burns which cover his face and head. A health worker explained to me that in the villages burns are often treated with a poultice of cow dung or with oil, both of which worsen the effects of the injuries.

Burma’s Sham Referendum

The following article appeared in Mekong Today, June issue. It talks about widespread irregularities that took place during the constitutional referendum.