2008

images — by admin — last modified 2008-01-14 05:42

 

Poem: Honour, not Blame — by admin — last modified 2008-01-05 05:36

 

Martial Arts Odyssey: Part Two Training with Shan State Army — by admin — last modified 2008-01-05 05:38

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” — by admin — last modified 2008-01-08 04:46

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

New York Declaration of the Shan State Conference — by admin — last modified 2008-01-14 05:47

 

Burma Video release: The Children of Loi Tailang — by admin — last modified 2008-01-14 05:50

 

From Orphan to Soldier, another life in Shan State — by admin — last modified 2008-01-14 05:55

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-02-05 07:31

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

Message On Sixty First Anniversary Shan National Day — by admin — last modified 2008-02-08 04:16

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-02-10 06:51

 

Time for junta to be serious — by admin — last modified 2008-02-11 04:22

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-02-19 05:31

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-02-19 04:30

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? — by admin — last modified 2008-02-21 04:05

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? — by admin — last modified 2008-03-01 12:14

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-03-17 04:11

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-03-17 04:13

 

Policy Paper: Vote “No,” We will Win — by admin — last modified 2008-03-20 05:51

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-03-22 04:48

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-04-02 03:29

“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 — by admin — last modified 2008-04-07 02:56

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-04-07 03:37

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

Government and Civil Politics — by admin — last modified 2008-04-09 11:01

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-04-25 09:28

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-05-06 04:36

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

Time for Burmese junta to repent — by admin — last modified 2008-05-08 06:56

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-05-08 07:06

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-05-09 09:11

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? — by admin — last modified 2008-05-11 06:29

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-05-13 03:17

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-05-14 04:44

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-05-20 10:03

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-05-22 03:47

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-05-26 04:38

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? — by admin — last modified 2008-05-29 03:56

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-06-02 03:47

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-06-05 05:34

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-06-10 08:39

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-06-21 04:08

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 — by admin — last modified 2008-07-03 04:16

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

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE, BURMA? — by admin — last modified 2008-07-23 11:05

Where do we go from here, Burma, is the question all peoples of Burma are at present asking because they have had enough of the present illegal dictatorial government.

Shan Migrants Vulnerable to HIV Infection — by admin — last modified 2008-08-06 06:45

An oral presentation entitled HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, stigma, and testing history among Shan migrants in northern Thailand was delivered on August 4, at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. The conference was attended by an estimated 23,000 participants from all over the globe, including scientists, community leaders and activists, and political leaders, including Mexican president Felipe Calderon Hinojosa and Ban Ki-moon, Director-General of the United Nations.

South Ossetia and Abkhazia: Endorsing rights of self-determination or staging a comeback as superpower? — by admin — last modified 2008-09-07 03:12

From the outset, Russia's conflict with Georgia and recognition of its small breakaway territories as independent states might look like the replay of classical clash between territorial integrity of a sovereign state and humanitarian intervention to divert ethnic cleansing or genocide.

To save Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, A Courageous Freedom Fighter — by admin — last modified 2008-09-09 06:22

In the last two centuries unfair treatment of society by other groups or by their government has improved greatly. This has been due to campaigners and freedom fighters of the world. They resisted and rebelled against dictatorial governments and fought for liberty and freedom. In the face of danger and suffering they have changed society not only in which they lived but in the entire world.

New Year Custom of Thai or Tai (Thai Yai) — by admin — last modified 2008-10-03 03:16

The Shan New Year this year falls on 28 November. The following article is contributed by one of the most well-known writers among Shans.

International Conference on Shan Studies — by admin — last modified 2008-10-07 10:02

 

A message on the End of Lent — by admin — last modified 2008-10-20 03:38

 

Obama : President-Elect of the U.S. and his Campaign Promises — by admin — last modified 2008-11-07 09:23

As has been expected Obama won the 2008 presidential election. It is all the more spectacular and even astonishing, given that the White House built by the labour of African slaves for more than 200 years ago is about to be occupied by Obama, who is half African and half American.

SAO HARN YAWNGHWE, THE LAST GENERATION OF A TAI SAO FA WHO STRUGGLES TO RESTORE SHAN STATE BY DEMOCRATIC MEANS — by admin — last modified 2008-11-10 06:08

I find below published article on the interview of Harn by Thai Mathichon Press interesting reading. I translated it into English Version and reviewed by my guidance the best possible in trying to reproduce the meaning of the Thai expressions. Hope it be useful.

Time on his hands — by admin — last modified 2008-11-18 05:39

The following story about an American journalist who went across the border to interview a Shan resistance leader and got stranded in Shan State is contributed by an American resident in Thailand. Comments are most welcome. If anything he writes offends you, do remember it’s only a fictional story – Editor

The big problem inside the Federal Union of Burma — by admin — last modified 2008-11-21 05:35

The perspectives of Col. Yawd Serk