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FRIDAY, 12 MARCH 2010 14:44

Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) delegates met the regional Burmese military chief today on the contentious Border Guard Force issue for the twelfth time, following its week-long crucial central committee meet, said KIO sources.

The KIO delegates from its Laiza headquarters in eastern Kachin state, near the China border, and senior Burmese military officials met in the Northern Command (NC or Ma-Pa-Kha) in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State at about 10 a.m. local time, said the KIO relations office in Myitkyina.

The KIO delegates led by Vice-president No.1 Lt-Gen Gauri Zau Seng met the junta’s Northern Command Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win. The commander was told of the outcome of the KIO central committee meeting from March 1 to 10, on transforming the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the armed-wing of KIO to the Burmese Army controlled Border Guard Force, said sources close to KIO delegates.

The KIO delegates have proposed to the junta supremo Snr-Gen Than Shwe, through the meeting for a political dialogue, leaving aside the BGF issue for now, according to KIO relations office in Myitkyina,

With mediatory help of two Kachin church leaders— Rev. Dr. Lahtaw Saboi Jum and Father Dau Hkawng, and businessman Hkun Sa, the meeting was held in the midst of fears of fresh civil over the KIO’s failure to toe the junta line on the BGF issue, said KIO officials. This is the first meeting after the junta’s deadline of February 28 for transforming KIA to the BGF expired

The KIO central committee has avoided making a clear statement over the BGF issue on whether it will accept or reject it, according to the KIO officers in Laiza.

There has been no positive outcome till now, though the KIO and the ruling junta have met a dozen times, including today’s meeting on BGF issue since April last year, said KIO officials in Laiza.
The KIO and Kachin people have rejected surrendering arms and armed-wing conversion plans before the political imbroglio between Kachins and the Burmese junta, of over four decades, is resolved.

Maj-Gen Gunhtang Gam Shawng, the military Chief-of -Staff of KIA told BBC on February 22 that there was no benefit to Kachin people during the 16-year-old ceasefire agreement with the Burmese junta.

The KIA is preparing to defend itself from the Burmese Army’s onslaught in its own way because the junta is pressurizing the KIO/KIA to disarm, said the KIA Chief-of -Staff to BBC.

REPORT BY MAUNG AYE
FRIDAY, 12 MARCH 2010 14:57

The National League for Democracy’s Arakan State’s office was demolished by unidentified people just a day before it was to open, said U Thein Hlaing, general secretary of NLD Arakan State.

“We had planned to open the NLD state office at 8 am on 11 March. Some senior state party leaders went to the office on the day to open it, and when they arrived they say there was no structure. Only the compound remained without any buildings,” he said.

U Maung Krun Aung, MP of the 1990 election in the Rathidaung Township constituency, U San Shwe Tun, Sittwe Township NLD president, and prominent woman NLD leader Daw Myo Aye saw the building had been demolished on the opening day.

The office was located on Pan Kran Land, or Garden Road, in Myo Thu Gyi Ward in Sittwe, and it was built of wood and bamboo.

“We had discussed the opening of the office with Arakan State Police Chief Aung Than Shwe at his office on 10 March. A day after the discussion the office was demolished. I suspect some people who are pro-regime demolished the building,” said Thein.

MP U Maung Krun Aung complained to Police Chief Aung Than Shwe and the ward chairman, but there has been no response or action regarding the incident. “I heard that some government backed thugs demolished the house with the owner’s permission. The owner was pressured by unknown high officials to demolish the house before the opening of the NLD office,” Thein added.

Two NLD signboards, two party flags, a box with some important official files, and a chest of drawers were missing after the incident.

Another NLD member from Sittwe, who wished to remain anonymous said, “The military authorities are now pressuring the NLD to register the party with the Election Commission in accordance with recent election laws with the intent to expel Daw Aung San Kyi from the NLD. If the NLD refuses to bow to the authorities’ pressure, they will disturb the NLD in many ways. It is also included in the plan of government authorities to disturb the NLD officials.”

The military run government wrote in provisions to its current constitution that effectively bars Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from participating in the forthcoming election.

Kaowao News
THURSDAY, 11 MARCH 2010 15:52

Villagers from Komile, Kyauk-Katin and Yaphu in Yephyu Township, Terasserim Division have fled to Tavoy District – an area under NMSP control – following pressure from local military authorities for them to form a militia, local reports said.

This occurred in the first week of March, according to information researched and collected by Nai Aua Mon, of HURFOM. Aua Mon estimates that between 95 and 110 households have fled, accounting for a total of around 200 people.

Another reason they have fled from their villages is because columns from Burmese Army regiments 282 and 273 and 31 are preparing to launch operations against armed Mon splinter groups and KNU Brigade 4.

At present villagers from three villages have fled because the local authorities have attempted to force them to undertake military training, and they refused. Some villagers have fled temporarily for refuge; but others have decided not to return to their villages according Nai Aua Mon’s interviews with them.

A local health worker said that villagers from Ahlae Skhan were afraid because their village chief has joined hands with the local army unit to suppress any opposition. Those who fled Ahlae Skhan have been resettled by NMSP, but their security and food provisions are not assured.

The health worker added that he had heard that those who arrived in this area do not want to return, and that since they have neither money to buy property nor allotments to grow food, the NMSP is going to create a new village for them.

Between Ahlae Skhan and Marout Chaei are many fields – in Mon “waey-hanoot” – which have been used for resettlement, but the situation there is not secure, according to those who have moved there.

The villagers from Yephyu Township used to be under the control of NMSP and KNU, but since 1995 when the NMSP signed the ceasefire agreement with the junta, the areas have fallen under military control. HURFOM says that these villagers used to be involved in forced labour such as railway and gas pipeline construction.

REPORT BY KON HADEE
THURSDAY, 11 MARCH 2010 16:08

Timber sellers in Three Pagodas Pass have informed IMNA that interest from Thai buyers has dropped dramatically since the end of February, and that consequently their businesses are suffering; sources claimed that drops in timber purchases could be partially attributed to Thailand’s recent political upheaval.

According to timber traders from the Three Pagodas Pass region, starting in the 3rd week of February 2010, the merchants noticed a dramatic decrease in the number of Thai timber merchants importing wood from the area. The remaining Thai businesses who continue to purchase timber from Three Pagodas Pass are enjoying large discounts, as timber traders have been forced to lower product prices in the newly competitive buyers market. The price decreases have proved especially problematic to individuals who have invested large amounts of funds in their timber businesses.

“Timber prices are very low. Before, we got 13,000 baht for one ton of wood, but now we get only 8000 baht per ton. I am going to lose about 2000 baht per ton [with each sale]. Currently I keep my timber and do not sell; I am waiting to see what the prices are like. If the price [of timber] goes up, I am going to sell my timber. But currently I have to stop doing my job for a while,” claimed a timber seller, who told IMNA that he had invested over 1 million baht in his business.

This seller explained to IMNA that he’d originally purchased 100 tons of timber, at the cost of 1,500 baht a ton. Shipments are made in 1-ton increments; with each shipment, sellers must plan on paying roughly 1,500 baht at assorted checkpoints run by the Burmese army and various rebel groups, and 2,500 baht in labor costs. Transportation costs an additional 4,000 baht. The decreased price of timber since late February has made it impossible for this timber merchant, as well as his peers, to earn any sort of income selling their timber.

Another Mon timber trader from Three Pagodas Pass claimed that Thailand’s unstable political situation has discouraged Thai buyers from purchasing timber, as they themselves fear that they will be unable to resell their purchases in a chaotic political and economic environment. On February 26th of this year, the Thai Supreme Court ruled to seize the financial assets of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed from power in a 2006 political coup. The ruling has caused significant upheaval, and according to the British Broadcasting Company on March 9th, the Thai government has called for the establishment of a nation-wide “security act” between March 11th and March 23rd, when Thaksin supporters plan to hold demonstrations demanding that the current government call for new elections.

This trader also explained that selling unwanted timber inside Burma is not a financially viable option, as Burmese buyers will not pay for the timber cash down, but instead will only pay Three Pagoda Pass traders back after they also have resold their purchases.

“Even though the price of timber is going down, the tax we pay for timber has not gone down. This is also the main problem for us. If we are going to sell this timber inside Burma, we will not get money for the timber at once. We have to wait till they [timber traders inside Burma] resell the timber. So this is not ok for us or our businesses” he added.

A third timber businessman from the region claimed that this latest decrease in timber prices is the most severe since 1997. Starting in the summer of 1997, currencies around Southeast Asia dropped dramatically in value, after the Thai government changed the baht into a floating currency and subsequently caused the baht to collapse; between 1997 and 1998 the Thai baht’s value dropped over 40 percent. The crisis became regional, and currencies and stock markets throughout Southeast Asia plunged in value.

REPORT BY MEHM AO
WEDNESDAY, 10 MARCH 2010 20:53

According to sources in Rangoon, a combined security force comprised of the Rangoon police and State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) soldiers have maintained strict security and baggage checks at Rangoon’s famous Shwedagon Pagoda since the 27th, when the annual “Shwedagon Festival” was held.

The security forces have set up checkpoint stations at each of the 4 entrances to the pagoda; visitors to the pagoda informed IMNA that between 3 and 5 guards man each station and conduct rigorous searches of backpacks and large bags.

“They started this [ the checkpoints] due to the festival, not just the police but also the soldiers were included. They also had guns and wore their uniforms,” said a Rangoon resident who lives in Rangoon Division’s Pahan Township, near Shwedagon Pagoda.

Shwedegon Pagoda is a major point of religious pilgrimage in Burma, and many pilgrims and visitors arrive with large traveling bags and backpacks in tow. Sources informed IMNA that the ongoing, rigorous searching of luggage at each entry to the monument backlogs visitors attempting to enter the pagoda.

“They are still checking people every day at the pagoda, but now if they suspect people with bags, they open the bags and check everything. There are always many people at the Shwedagon Pagoda, they come from different places, all around Burma. Some of them carry big bags and backpacks, and some of them just have handbags” explained a Mon state native studying in Rangoon, who attended the Shwedagon festival on February 27th. Many of the sources that IMNA spoke to felt that the restrictive security measures taken at Shwedagon Pagoda are merely harbingers of future SPDC attempts to control large gatherings of the Burmese population; many speculated that the Burmese government is striving to prevent to reoccurrence of a unified mass protest like September 2007’s “Saffron Revolution”, before the upcoming 2010 elections.

“I think they are worried that the people [in the crowds at the pagoda] will combine and demonstrate like the monks in 2007 demonstrated, and the people will protest the coming 2010 elections” the Pahan Township resident informed IMNA.

According to a 2010 election observer from Mudon Township, such security measures will only multiply and heighten in intensity in the months preceding the upcoming elections; he predicted that “crowd control” will become a major feature of SPDC pre-elections checks on the Burmese population.

“They are worried the monks will demonstrate again, because in 2007 the monks demonstrated, the monks are a big group. The people and the monks don’t like that the government is holding the 2010 elections, nor did they like the 2008 constitution, and they [the authorities] know that. Tight security will increase, not just at Shwedagon Pagoda, but at every place with big crowds of people,” he explained.

I first went to Burma or Myanmar in 1988. At the time I visited there was a series of marches and riots that became known as the “People Power Uprising.” Thousands of monks, students and locals demonstrating against the regime were killed and the uprising led to the country being ruled by the military. Although Aung San Suu Kyi won an election for the National League for Democracy party in 1990, the results weren’t recognised by the military junta and to this day she remains under house arrest. My memories of visiting Burma then feelings of suppression. I had no idea what the people were going through as there were nightly curfews and nobody discussed what was happening to their compatriots. But to the outsider the people seemed happy enough so you wouldn’t have guessed that there were problems.

In 2009 I returned to Burma for the second time. I’ve read many articles over the years arguing the ethical dilemma whether tourists should visit Burma or not as going there only lines the pockets of the military rulers and doesn’t assist the local people. Well I disagree. I went for a month travelling all over the country. I stayed in local Guest Houses avoiding the Government run institutions. I mainly travelled on public transport such as buses which means getting up at 4am to get a seat and pick up trucks sharing the rear with multiple sacks of plant fertiliser, thus avoiding the trains and air companies also Government run. I ate from food stalls or cheap restaurants. It was a marathon task that knackered me out and starved me of home comforts, decent food and frequent power cuts but well worth it for four weeks considering the human rights issues the Burmese people have been subjected to and endure daily.  Yes some of the money I spent will no doubt end up supporting the powers to be but at least I was trying my best to support the local people.

And what a joy the people are. Everywhere I went there was hearty welcomes and big smiles. Forget Thailand which they market as “the land of smiles” who are positively moody in comparison with the Burmese. I don’t know another country where visitors receive the same welcome. So has the country changed in 20 years? Still suppressed? Maybe. But still smiling. People were more wanting to converse with me in public this time around with one young cafe owner wanting to talk politics. But I stopped him. I advised him to be careful of who might be eavesdropping. Better safe than sorry. And the government are obviously encouraging more tourism as they’ve opened up the visiting regulations. Whereas in 1988 I was granted a 7 day visa and could only visit the three main areas of Rangoon, Mandalay and Pagan – a monthly visa is now standard issue although there are still restricted areas but generally the country has developed pretty slowly in comparison with the advanced Asian countries it borders. You won’t find a Starbucks or McDonalds, the roads and infrastructure are somewhat potholed and the internet and cable TV connections are somewhat erratic but the people are the real draw. If you can live with a few hardships and fancy seeing a third world Asian country that is unique and has retained a village like charm for the past twenty years then tourists shouldn’t think twice about visiting this enchanting place.

Please check out some images below:

Our Kachin

This is Our Kachin!!

Above is the Today Style Kachin Traditional Shoulder Bag originated from our Kachin State throughout the whole country, Myanmar.

FRIDAY, 12 MARCH 2010 15:52 HSENG KHIO FAH
Since ethnic ceasefire groups had rejected the Napyitaw’s latest deadline, the junta military has contined deploying more forces, food supplies and weapons to the ceasefire areas in Shan State North, especially targeting to the United Wa State Army (UWSA) controlled areas, according to latest reports from the Sino-Burma border.

Some 8 trucks of Light Infantry Division (LID) # 55 were deployed to Monghsu and Ta Weun Nawng Salween crossing, southwest of the Wa capital Panghsang on 11 March. The number of soldiers was not less than 200, a local source from Mongnawng said.
Wa fighters
On the same day, a battalion based in Mongpiang was reported moving across the Namkha and taking position at Mawfah, southwest of Panghsang. “The battalion carried cable and heavy weapons with them,” the source said.

Sources informed that the Burma Army’s food supplies and weapons were sent mainly to Loi Panglong base, northwest of Panghsang, and to Manghseng base, in the west.

Now, the Burma Army forces are taking positions at all bases facing the Wa capital Panghsang: LID # 55 in the southwest and in the south, LID# 33 (over 600 men) and #77 (up to 2,000 men) in the south. Another LID #99 was reported to have arrived in Mandalay, poised to move to the northeast. Meanwhile, reports of the Wa’s preparation for war was also received. The group has been rebuilding bunkers, trenches and more forces, sources close to the Wa leadership said.

The Wa authorities have reportedly arrested over 20 Burmans who have been working in their controlled areas. “They were suspected of being Burma Army’s spies. Among them are some novices and monks or spies disguised as novices and monks,” the source said.

The NGO programs in the areas have also been decreasing compared to the previous period.

A source said, “It was due to increased security checks by both sides [the Burma army and the Wa], concerns of safety and funds being cut off.”

At the end of February, the junta military set 10 March as another deadline for the armed groups that are still refusing to give their response to the Naypyitaw’s Border Guard Force program. It also warned the groups that failure to respond by the deadline would lead to war and declaration as illegal organizations by 15 March.

Nevertheless, the Wa and its allies continued to stick to their guns. Until their autonomy is recognized, they would not accept the program without conditions.

10 March was the 4th and latest deadline set by Naypyitaw. The first one was in October 2009, the second in December 2009 and the third in February 2010.

The ceasefire groups that have continued to oppose the BGF program are UWSA, Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’, National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) better known as Mongla group and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).