KANG NAM 1 MAKES U-TURN!
ADAM AND EVE WERE ASIANS?
SWINE FLU COMES TO BURMA!
UN CHIEF VISITS BURMA!
Cartoon
Tips for the Senior General on environmental issue
Think Piece
Never stop an enemy when he is making a mistake.
Napoleon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The World
26 June 2009
The bar code: 59 black and white bars, helping to speed up checkout line and track stock becomes 35 years old today. It is being challenged by competitors such as radio frequency identification (RFID) (New York Time)
1 July 2009
Britain’s Royal Society says Ganlea megacanina, fossilized remains of primates that lived 38 million years ago in the area that is now Burma (China and Thailand) suggest that the common ancestors of humans evolved in Asia and not Africa, as previously believed. (Irrawaddy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Relations
29 June 2009
Ban Ki-moon is returning to Burma to address three pressing issues: political prisoners, dialogue and setting the stage for credible elections slated for 2010, says UN chief’s spokesperson Michele Montas. (Mizzima)
30 June 2009
The world’s largest resettlement program today hits 50,000 mark when Plu Reh, a Karenni school teacher from Maehongson leaves Bangkok this morning to New Jersey. The program began in 2004. (UNHCR)
30 June 2009
Bishow Parajuli, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Burma, urges the international community to increase support for children in cyclone-hit Irrawaddy. The Tripartite Core Group (TCG) has asked for $ 15 million. (Mizzima)
1 July 2009
Senior General Than Shwe sends letter of congratulations to president-elect of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, reports junta-run media. (Irrawaddy)
2 July 2009
Ban Ki-moon will meet with members of 10 registered parties in Naypyitaw tomorrow, says a junta official. (Irrawaddy)
3 July 2009
Photo: Getty Images
UN Secretary General meets junta leader Than Shwe for two hours. His initial request to meet jailed Aung San Suu Kyi rejected. He was assured however that the 2010 elections will be held “in a fair and free and transparent manner.” (Irrawaddy)
3 July 2009
As UN chief arrives in Burma, the hearing of testimony from a second defense witness Khin Moe Moe was postponed to 10 July. (Mizzima/Irrawaddy)
3 July 2009
Ban meets 10 registered parties’ representatives in the evening. Shan party calls for release of political prisoners and opening of dialogue with the opposition. (SHAN)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thai-Burma Relations
30 June 2009
www.manager.co.th reports some 4,000 Burmese migrants were arrested in Thailand in June, the majority in Phob Phra district, Tak province. There are up to 5 million Burmese living and working in Thailand, according to Migrant Assistance Program (MAP) Foundation. (Irrawaddy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Politics/ Inside Burma
27 June 2009
Only about 300 out of 700 monks in Myingyan come out to collect food offerings after it was made known that visiting industry minister Aung Thaung would join the offerings. (Mizzima)
29 June 2009
Three Kachin armed groups have agreed to become border militia forces, according to sources close to the groups:
Kachin Defense Army (KDA), 500 strong, led by Mahtu Naw, Kutkhai township, Shan State,
Lasang Awng Wa Peace Group, 200 strong, based near Myitkyina, Kachin State
New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), 800 strong, based in Pang Wah, Kachin State
(Kachin News Group)
29 June 2009
New Mon State Party (NMSP)’s 14th anniversary celebration of its ceasefire agreement with the military government held in Moulmein is attended by none of the Southeast Region Command officers. The junta also withdrew its monthly contribution to the group K 4 million ($4,000) in 2008 after it refused to join the National Convention. (Irrawaddy)
Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial
29 June 2009
High court judge Tin Aung Aye rejects appeal by Suu Kyi’s lawyers to reinstate two key witnesses because it was “intended to disturb and delay the trial.” (AP)
29 June 2009
Reporters Without Borders (RSF0 and Burma Media Association (BMA) release a statement saying the Suu Kyi trial is being held “in a climate of repression and censorship.” Journalist Zaw Tun, who reported on the trial was sentenced to 2 year imprisonment. (DVB)
2 July 2009
The British embassy in Jakarta releases statement saying Aung San Suu Kyi’s image will be projected on to a banner starting today, until 4 July. (Jakarta Post)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shans/ Shan State
29 June 2009
Development of a huge iron ore mine in southern Shan State’s Mount Pinpet near Taunggyi could displace more than 7,000 homes, says Robbing the Future, a report by PaO Youth Organization. An Italian company Danieli is highlighted in the report. (DVB)
30 June 2009
National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA) holds 20th anniversary celebrations of peace building. It is attended by a Chinese consul and a Burmese Army colonel. One of its allies National Democratic Army Kachin (NDA-K) recently broke ranks by agreeing to become a border security force. (SHAN)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economy/ Business
29 June 2009
Commerce ministry says trade between Burma and Indonesia hit $ 238.69 million in the 2008-09 fiscal year:
Export $ 28.35 million (Agricultural products)
Import $ 210.34 (Crude oil, cigarettes, and medicines)
(Xinhua)
29 June 2009
UK is leading among European countries in importing Burma’s marine products, Popular News weekly reports. Total export amounts between 32,000-360,000 tons each year. (Xinhua)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Human Rights
30 June 2009
IB 269, based in Tiddim, took away half of the relief items sent by Aizawl-based Women’s League of Chinland (WLC) for fire victims, claiming the relief materials were given by illegal organizations. The event took place in the first week of June. (Khonumtung)
30 June 2009
U Myo Myint, Kachin State Council secretary tells Myitkyina’s Aye Mya Thaya ward heads a large number of houses will be demolished for the airport expansion. Rumor circulating says house owners will be paid compensation from K 1 million to K 1.5 million. (NMG)
1 July 2009
The Burmese army bans travel from Chin State’s Paletwa to India after 7 people died of an unidentified disease. (Narinjara)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environment
26 June 2009
A 13 year old girl returning from Singapore hospitalized after being confirmed of H1N1, reports New Light of Myanmar. (DVB) Kachin News Group meanwhile says a boy from Hongkong dies on the same day in Lashio after being infected with swine flu virus – Editor
28 June 2009
Authorities detain a journalist who had tried to take a photograph of a 13-year old girl who is being announced as the first detected H1N1 patient in Burma. (Mizzima) The journalist had violated an important ethical rule for journalists, remarked an RFA reporter later – Editor
30 June 2009
Price for surgical mask soars to more than 3 fold after junta media confirmed its first case of swine flu: K60 to K 200. (AFP)
1 July 2009
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) that has been operating in 6 Mon State townships since 2007, says 11 HIV/AIDS patients died in June, more than 100% increase in May, 5 deaths. (IMNA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drugs
26 June 2009
Thailand burns 6.12 tons of drugs worth $ 273.5 million to mark world anti-drugs day. (Bangkok Post)
26 June 2009
Burma burns drugs in 3 towns: Lashio, Taunggyi and Kengtung. (NLOM)
26 June 2009
Since the Kunming-Bangkok Road through Laos was completed last year, Chinese officials say they have arrested many drug smugglers. (Bangkok Post)
27 June 2009
US envoy for Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke says the US is phasing out support for crop eradication to work on interdiction, rule of law and alternate crops. Eradication is a waste of money and driving people into the hands of the Taliban, according to him. (AP)
2 July 2009
Yaba are sold in hotel in Bangladesh’s Teknaf, Cox’s Bazaar and Chittagong, at unit price between Taka 300-1,000. The tablets are usually packed in 200 pill per blue bags. In Dhaka, a pill reaches Taka 2,000 – 2,500. (Kaladan)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
War
27 June 2009
The Kang Nam 1 is a rusty old freighter inching along at a paltry 10 knots per hour. (Time)
27 June 2009
According to Thakin Chan Tun, former ambassador to North Korea (1974-75) who is working for national reconciliation, democracy and human rights, the diplomatic relationship has been resumed without a formal apology from North Korea. “However, I know that people from here were the first to approach the other side (because they) want those weapons and they want nuclear technology.” (Irrawaddy)
29 June 2009
Three top businessmen arrested by Japanese police on suspicion of attempting to export to Burma a magnetic measuring device that could be used to develop long range ballistic missile systems, reports Yomiuri Shimbun. The attempt was aborted twice as the company had failed to submit an export application. (Irrawaddy)
30 June 2009
Kang Nam 1 has turned around and is heading north, say US officials to AP. (DVB)
1 July 2009
Chosun Ilbo, a South Korean paper, says North Korea is suspected to have illegally exported weapons to Burma via overland routes through China. Burma has reportedly refused to accept the Kang Nam 1. (DVB)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
