- DEADLINE FOR MIGRANTS’ NATIONAL VERIFICATION EXTENDED!
- TIN OO GETS NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AWARD!
- WA CALLS FOR DEADLINE EXTENSION!
- PRIVATIZATION CATCHES MINISTERS WITHOUT PANTS!
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Tips for King of Kyaukse: How to deal with clumsy toadys
Think Piece
Than Shwe’s biggest fear is not the Opposition, which is weak and divided, and largely without a program, capable leaders and experience in public governance. His biggest worry will be the army itself.
Adam Selene, Irrawaddy, 25 February
The World
22 February 2010
Guatemalan indigenous Maya people marks the start of the year 5126 under ancient Mayan calendar. (AFP)
International Relations
23 February 2010
A Cameroonian, who had been arrested on a non-political charge three weeks ago, flees temporarily into the French Embassy so it could let his family know of his arrest. He surrenders to the police later. (AP)
24 February 2010
UNHCR officers rescue 106 Burmese refugees from Malaysia’s Lang Geng camp following a hunger strike begun on 22 February. (Mizzima)
24 February 2010
Larry Dinger US Charge d’Affaires, who meets 5 NLD CEC members including Tin Oo and Win Tin says the US has no comment on whether the NLD should take part in the election nor whether there should be a constitutional review, but it will urge dialogue between Aung San Suu Kyi and the Senior General ahead of the elections, according to Win Tin. (Irrawaddy)
Thai-Burma Relations
19 February 2010
The Ministry of labor says migrants who do not wish to be deported must “agree” to the National Verification process “within” 28 February. The completed NV form must be submitted by 31 March, 1 month later than the deadline set earlier. (SHAN)
23 February 2010
Report by Human Rights Watch says 80% of migrants are particularly at risk starting 1 March:
- Ethnic and political conflict in their home country
- Abuse by Thai police who treat them like “walking ATMs” The Nationality Verification process is “unrealistic” which “can amount to two-three months of salary”. (DVB)
23 February 2010
Thai Army launches mine clearing operation along the Moei after 3 of its soldiers suffered injuries last week. (Mizzima)
26 February 2010
Three persons, including 2 children, killed and 5 wounded, after being shot by Thai security forces in Ranong. The car carrying 15 Burmese refused to stop, say sources, (Irrawaddy)
26 February 2010
The Thai government extends previous deadline 28 February to 2 March for migrants to agree to go through National Verification (NV) process, but it is impossible for 1.4 million of them to get their signed agreements by 2 March, says Andy Hall, Director of Migrant Justice Programme. (Irrawaddy)
26 February 2010
“Historic” judgment day for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s B7.6 billion assets. He is also been charged of using $121 million loan to Burma for his business. (TV Channels)
27 February 2010
Home minister Maung Oo, visiting Bangkok’s Mahachai, tells migrants the Nationality Verification (NV) program is safe.” (Irrawaddy)
Politics/ Inside Burma
20 February 2010
Tin Oo awarded for “bravery for national reconciliation” by United Nationalities Alliance (UNA). He was attacked and jailed fallowing his visit to Chin State in 2003. (Mizzima)
22 February 2010
Six Burmese political inmates in Insein are on hunger strike for “basic human requirements “, following their 5 point demands on 17 February. (DVB)
24 February 2010
PM Thein Sein, during his visit to Chin State, announced that a government employee will get 8 times his current salary on a par with Asean countries. (Khonumthung)
26 February 2010
Burma’s supreme court turns down Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal against her 18 months extension of house arrest. (Agencies)
Shans/ Shan State
22 February 2010
Wa leader, Bao Youxiang forced by China to accept invitation by Lt-Gen Ye Myint to meet in Lashio on 26 February. “It should be a healthy man visiting an ailing man, not the other way round,” says the source. (SHAN)
25 February 2010
The critical meeting between the UWSA and Naypyitaw in Tangyan ends without reaching any agreements, despite the presence of Chinese officials. (SHAN)
28 February 2010
The United Wa State Army (UWSA) “appeals” to Lt-Gen Ye Myint to extend deadline. (SHAN)
27 February 2010
Pa Os mark National Day. Pa O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) reminds its people that Pa O prince Sao Hkun Kyi was one of the signatories of Panglong. (Press Release)
Economy/ Business
23 February 2010
Hyundai Heavy Industries signs $1.4 billion deal with Daewoo International to build offshore-onshore plant at the Shwe project by March 2013. Daewoo has agreed to supply gas to China from May of the same year. (AFP)
25 February 2010
Win Khant, transport ministry official, says private companies can tender proposals to build new ports under build, operate and transfer (BOT) system. There are two junta ports operated on the Rangoon river:Sule and Bo Aung Kyaw. Another port Thilawa is owned by HongKong based Hutechinson Port Holdings. (Irrawaddy) Privatization has been carried out without prior knowledge by ministries concerned, creating dissatisfaction among the ministers - Editor
25 February 2010
Ministry of Electric Prower #1 and China’s Hanergy Holding Group-Goldwater Resoures Limited sign memorandum of agreement to implement Upper Salween (Kunlong) Hydropower project. (NLOM)
Human Rights
22 February 2010
Over 260 households in North Okkalapa, Rangoon, have been ordered to move from their current location on 16 February, citing outbreak of cholera. Authorities are also planning to move 1,500 other households, rumors suggest. (Mizzima)
22 February 2010
Up to 1,000 detained migrants, mainly Burmese in Lenggeng camp, Malaysia, who have been living in terrible conditions (lack of water and space) for a long time, are on hunger strike, according to Arakan Refugee Relief Committee. (DVB)
22 February 2010
There is no doubt that there is severe discrimination of Muslims, UN special rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana says after visiting Arakan State. (The National UAE)
25 February 2010
Karen Women’s Organization releases “Walking Amongst Sharp Knives”, a report compiled from interviews conducted with 95 Karen village headwoman, who became village chiefs after most of their men fled or were killed. (Press Release)
Environment
22 February 2010
Save the Mekong coalition believes the unsual low level of the Mekong is caused by Chinese dams. The 4th dam, Xiaowan, the world’s highest arch dam, began to store water last October. The Thai government is urged to hold talks with Beijing on the impact. (Bangkok Post)
26 February 2010
The dam project on the Nu-Salween has been scaled down from 13 dams, following PM Wen Jiabao’s order to do an environmental assessment in 2004. According to the 5 year plan published in 2008, there will be 4 dams. (Irrawaddy)
Drugs
24 February 2010
Eradication of drug production in Burma is contingent upon a reduction in the number ethnic armed forces, says UNODC report. Drug cultivation and trafficking is critical to the survival of their armed forces, according to it. It has charged the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Shan State Army (SSA) South and Kokang. (Mizzima) Survival of junta and junta backed forces also dependent on the drug industry – Editor
28 February 2010
Militias are now playing a major role in the drug business due to the junta’s push to bring the ceasefire armies under control. The Wa were once able to engage in the drug business with impunity but now that impunity has become the privilege of the militias. Even the Wa are paying the militia for security and transportation. (Bangkok Post)
War
19 February 2010
One school boy is killed and two more injured when the Burma Army fires a mortar shell at a school in Papun district, Karen State. (Burma Campaign UK)
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