BurmaNet News, May 18, 2007

[Editor]

THE BURMANET NEWS
A listserv covering Burma
www.burmanet.org

............................................................
May 18, 2007 Issue # 3207

INSIDE BURMA
Irrawaddy: Burmese junta tips new Prime Minister
Irrawaddy: Old woman stages solo protest in Rangoon
AFP: Myanmar opposition demands release of Suu Kyi, supporters

ON THE BORDER
Mizzima: Visa for Burmese citizens suggested by Manipur opposition

ASEAN
Jakarta Post: Asean lawmakers demand release of Suu Kyi

REGIONAL
AFP: Cambodian PM urged to call for Suu Kyi's release

INTERNATIONAL
Mizzima: President Bush extends Burma sanction for another year
Turkish Daily News: Myanmar's exiled agency wins media watchdog award

PRESS RELEASE
The White House: Statement on Continuation of the National Emergency with
Respect to Burma

____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

May 18, The Irrawaddy
Burmese junta tips new Prime Minister

As Burma’s ailing prime minister remains in a private hospital in
Singapore, the military government apparently has named a senior general
as acting premier, according to the official press on Friday.

With the absence of ailing premier Gen Soe Win, The New Light of Myanmar
for the first time on Friday described Lt-Gen Thein Sein, the junta’s
secretary 1, as "acting premier." There has been no official announcement
of the transfer of positions.

The designation came after the junta’s prime minister, Gen Soe Win,
returned to Singapore for medical treatment on Sunday. Soe Win, who is
said to suffer from leukemia, returned to Burma on May 3 after more than
two months at a hospital in Singapore.

He spent 10 days at a military hospital in Rangoon before heading back to
the island-state on Sunday.

The prime minister position is largely a ceremonial title and is not
regarded as a key position within the military government, which came to
power in 1988. Following earlier reports of a serious illness, Soe Win was
expected to be replaced. Several senior generals have been tipped for the
post in the past.

The fifth-ranking general in the regime, Thein Sein, who is in charge of
the government-sponsored National Convention and Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing,
the former head of Northeast Command who now heads Burma’s air defense
department, were among those who have been tapped as successors.

Burma's official press has been silent about the health condition of Soe Win.

Soe Win became prime minister in October 2004, replacing the junta’s Gen
Khin Nyunt who has been under house arrest since 2004. Dissidents claim
that Soe Win was involved in mob attacks on opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi at Depayin in Sagaing Division in May 2003.

____________________________________

May 18, The Irrawaddy
Old woman stages solo protest in Rangoon - Htet Aung

A 62-year-old woman activist was arrested in front of Rangoon’s City Hall
Wednesday after staging a solo protest for the release of democracy icon
Aung San Suu Kyi, a family member said.

"My mother didn’t come back the night of May 16, and later we heard she
staged a demonstration alone at the City Hall for the release of Aunty Suu
[Suu Kyi]," her daughter told The Irrawaddy.

“My mother is an active member of the National League for Democracy," she
said. "I am so worried about her health because she has suffered from
serious heart disease, and her heart is running with the support of a
machine."

She said she had reported her mother's arrest to NLD headquarters in Rangoon.

Nyan Win, an NLD spokesperson, said, “We will wait and see if they release
her within a few days, or we will call for her release officially.”

The NLD issued a statement on Thursday denouncing the actions of the
government-backed group, Phythu Swan Ah Shin, which took part in the
arrests of scores of activists this week who marched to pagodas to pray
for the release of Suu Kyi. About 40 arrested activists are still in
custody at an unknown location.

____________________________________

May 18, Agence France Presse
Myanmar opposition demands release of Suu Kyi, supporters

Yangon: Myanmar's opposition party, the National League for Democracy
(NLD), on Friday demanded the military government release its leader Aung
San Suu Kyi as well as about 40 supporters detained this week.

The call for freedom came ahead of the junta's review on Aung San Suu
Kyi's house arrest on May 27. She is the world's only detained Nobel peace
laureate.

The 61-year-old democracy leader has spent most of the last 17 years under
house arrest at her lakeside Yangon home, with little contact with the
outside world apart from a live-in maid and visits by her doctor.

The NLD's appeal also came after US President George W. Bush decided to
renew sanctions on Myanmar for another year. The European Union in April
also extended its sanctions against the military regime for another year.

Along with Aung San Suu Kyi's release, the opposition party urged the
junta to release the 40 people arrested this week.

Most are NLD members who went to temples to pray for their leader's
freedom ahead of May 27, when the latest period of her detention is set to
expire.

"They were only praying for Aung San Suu Kyi's release," the party said in
a statement.

"We urge the immediate and unconditional release of our party members who
were unjustly arrested" earlier in the week, it said.

Myanmar has been ruled by the military government since 1962. Aung San Suu
Kyi's NLD won a landslide victory in 1990 elections, but the junta never
allowed it to take offices.

____________________________________
ON THE BORDER

May 18, Mizzima News
Visa for Burmese citizens suggested by Manipur opposition - Subhaschandra M

Introduction of visa facilities for Burmese citizens and other South East
Asian nationals, wishing to visit India through Manipur, was suggested by
a senior opposition member in the legislative assembly of the northeast
Indian state on Friday.

"We need a visa policy in the region to tap financial resources and the
state should initiate it," Prof N Bijoy, Opposition MLA told the house
during a discussion on the Budget session.

The policy could be applied to Burmese citizens and others who wish to
visit India through Manipur for business or religious purposes, he added.

Predominantly Buddhists, people from Southeast Asian countries including
Burma, regularly visit Bodh Gaya in India's Bihar state, one of the four
most sacred pilgrimages for Buddhists.

The Dalai Lama often spends time in Bodh Gaya, located about 13 kilometres
from Gaya, 450 kilometres west of Kolkata, and 90 kilometres south of
Patna, Bihar's capital.

"Many Buddhists cannot afford to visit this sacred place as one needs to
cross Bay of Bengal, but the turn-out is expected to be higher once the
government opens its land route through Manipur under the Look East
Policy," Prof Bijoy, former Vice Chancellor of the Manipur University
said.

The Manipur People's Party, MLA also suggested the need to upgrade the
Moreh College with modern facilities and equipment over and above the
existing infrastructure to impart necessary higher education to both
Indian and Burmese youths living along the international boundary.

To boost existing trade between the two countries as well as to improve
the socio-economy status of the region, it is high time to learn the
Burmese language as a prerequisite for trade, he said.

"Traders who know the [Burmese] language would be at an advantage over
others," the MLA added.

Following the Indo-Burma border trade agreement signed in 1994 and made
operational in 1995, as part of strengthening bilateral trade
relationship, Manipur University has been conducting a three-month
certificate course on Burmese language every year since the past three
years under its Centre for Myanmar Studies at Canchipur campus near
Imphal.

Earlier during the question and answer session, Manipur Chief Minister
Okram Ibobi said his Congress led government is taking necessary measures
to improve Indo-Burma border trade.

Replying to a question by another senior opposition MLA and former Chief
Minister Radhabinod Koijam, he said, "Several measures are being taken up
by both the central and state governments to promote trade link with
Southeast Asia and to expand the existing border trade with Burma by
increasing tradable items."

He also said his Secular Progressive Front ministry in Manipur has
formulated a specific policy for the purpose, adding that the volume of
trade during 2006-07 on the Tamu-Moreh border point was Rs 62.13 crores in
terms of exports while it was Rs 1.78 crores in imports.

The Manipur government has also identified a plot of land measuring 45.50
acres in Moreh border town,110 kilometre south of the state capital for
the construction of an integrated check post and sanctioned Rs 200 crores
for the proposed project.

____________________________________
ASEAN

May 18, The Jakarta Post
Asean lawmakers demand release of Suu Kyi - Abdul Khalik

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Inter-Parliamentary
Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) has demanded the Myanmar military junta release
pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest during the junta's
annual review of her detention on May 27

"We are deeply concerned that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will not be released
when her term under house arrest comes up for review on May 27," the group
said in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post on Thursday

The military government, AIPMC said, has consistently extended Suu Kyi's
house arrest since she was detained in May 2003

The lawmakers urged Myanmar's military junta to act in accordance with
international standards on human rights as followed by ASEAN countries and
the international community

"AIPMC calls on all governments in ASEAN and around the world to strongly
and willfully be vocal in ensuring Daw Suu Kyi's detention is not
extended," the lawmakers said

Nobel Prize Laureate Suu Kyi has spent the past four years under house
arrest. She has been detained without trial for a total of almost 11 out
of the past 17 years

The caucus also expressed firm support for Norway's former prime minister
Kjell Magne Bondevik who has secured the endorsement of 50 former
presidents and prime ministers around the world in a petition campaign
calling for Suu Kyi's immediate and unconditional release

The junta crushed pro-democracy demonstrations in 1988 and two years later
rejected the results of national elections won by Suu Kyi's National
League for Democracy (NLD)

The military, which has ruled the country since 1962, has spelled out a
"road map" for democracy, including talks on a new constitution, but the
NLD has boycotted the process

ASEAN countries and the international community have been frustrated by
the slow progress of democratization made by the junta

The UN Security Council failed late last year to issue a resolution to
hand down sanctions on Myanmar after a U.S.-backed draft was vetoed by
China and Russia

"We further repeat our calls to the United Nations and its Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon to encourage and support a UN Security Council
resolution on Burma (the former name of Myanmar) that would enable
humanitarian and political intervention in the country's crisis," the
caucus said

"The people of Burma have repeatedly called on the free world to help
them. We can't turn a deaf ear to their pleas," it added

AIPMC member Djoko Susilo urged Indonesia, which will become UN Security
Council president in September, to devise a new initiative to help solve
the problem

"We hope that as the UN Security Council president, Indonesia will discuss
a solution for this issue. It's up to the Indonesian government as to
whether or not the solution is in the form of a UN resolution or another
initiative," he told the Post on Thursday

Meanwhile, AFP reported Thursday that Myanmar's military government said
the detention of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was "nothing unusual"
after a crackdown on supporters ahead of the review to decide whether she
will be freed

Some 55 supporters of Suu Kyi were arrested over the past two days as they
went to temples to pray for the democracy leader's freedom ahead of the
junta review of her detention

"Those including Daw (Aung San) Suu Kyi who were under restrictions were
detained for attempting to disrupt peace and tranquility and cause unrest
in the country," pro-government newspaper the New Light of Myanmar
reported

"Arrest and detention like this are nothing unusual," the paper added.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

May 18, Agence France Presse
Cambodian PM urged to call for Suu Kyi's release

Phnom Penh: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will visit Myanmar next week,
local media reported Friday, prompting calls from political opponents that
he should push for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The premier refused to reveal his agenda for the visit, which is due to
start Monday, but Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy told AFP that
that the prime minister should urge Myanmar's military-run government to
release the jailed democracy icon.

"Hun Sen realises this is a golden opportunity for Cambodia to play a
constructive role," Sam Rainsy said.

Cambodia is one of the few countries to maintain diplomatic ties with
Myanmar, which has been under military rule since 1962 and is one of the
most isolated nations in the world.

"If Cambodia can help bring a solution to this problem, then we should not
lose the opportunity. I would not be surprised if Hun Sen tries to play
the role of a 'bridge' between Myanmar and its critics," he added.

Aung San Suu Kyi -- a Nobel Peace prize laureate whose National League for
Democracy (NLD) political party won 1990 elections but was never allowed
to take office -- has spent most of the past 17 years under house arrest.

Myanmar authorities are set to review her case later this month, deciding
whether her detention should continue amid global demands that she be
freed.

The United States Thursday renewed sanctions against Myanmar for another
year, saying that the junta had become more repressive. It has prohibited
new investments and exports of financial services to and imports from
Myanmar.

Washington has also frozen Myanmar junta members' assets in the US and has
broadened its refusal of visas to regime officials.

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

May 18, Mizzima News
President Bush extends Burma sanction for another year - Mungpi

US President George W. Bush on Thursday told the US Congress that he
intended to extend sanctions against Burma for another year because of
concerns over the deteriorating situation and lack of freedom in the
military-ruled country.

In a press statement, the White House said the Burmese junta in recent
weeks has stepped up attacks on ethnic groups, and is using its
mass-member organization to attack extra-legally detained students and
democracy activists.

"These recent actions take place against a backdrop of ongoing grave human
rights violations, including the use of rape as a weapon against civilian
populations and conscription of child soldiers," the statement said.

Burmese authorities on Tuesday arrested over 30 students and activists,
who are into a prayer campaign for the release of detained pro-democracy
leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

While about 15 were released yesterday, authorities continue to detain
others including labour rights activist Su Su Nwe, who was awarded the
John Humphrey award in 2006 for her fearless struggle for labour rights in
Burma.

The statement said the Burmese junta's action has become only more brutal,
more repressive, and more indifferent to the concerns of its neighbours
and the international community.

Bush, in his message to the Congress, said the actions and policies of the
Government of Burma, including its policies of committing large-scale
repression of the democratic opposition in Burma, are hostile to the
United States.

"For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the
national emergency and maintain in force the sanctions against Burma to
respond to this threat," Bush said.

"I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to Burma,"
Bush added.

The US first imposed sanctions on Burma in 1997 under the national
emergency act. But this act was amended by President Bush to Burmese
Freedom and Democracy Act in 2003.

The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 imposed a ban on import and
prohibited exports of financial services to Burma. It also freezes
properties of Burmese generals and bans travel to the US.

____________________________________

May 18, Turkish Daily News
Myanmar's exiled agency wins media watchdog award

Media watchdog the International Press Institute (IPI) on Tuesday handed
its annual Free Media Pioneer award to Myanmar's exiled news agency
Mizzima News

The agency's editor-in-chief, Sein Win, received the award in a ceremony
at the end of the IPI's annual assembly in Istanbul

Created in 1998 by a group of journalists exiled from Myanmar, formerly
known as Burma, the New Delhi-based Mizzima News puts out a monthly
newsletter and provides daily print and broadcast news in Burmese and
English by e-mail and on its websites www.mizima.com and www.mizzima.tv

Despite a "clampdown on anybody who provides information to foreign news
outlets" by Myanmar's military government, "Mizzima News has continued to
provide accurate and timely news and information on Burma for both Burmese
and English readers and viewers," the IPI said

The agency employs some 30 people, including correspondents in China,
India and Thailand, which all house large communities of Burmese refugees

The 2006 Free Media Pioneer award went to the Yemen Times daily newspaper.

On Monday, the IPI also adopted resolutions condemning restrictions on the
media in a number of countries

The group denounced the "progressive curtailment" of press freedom in
Russia, citing the case of murdered journalist Anna Politkovskaya

The IPI called on Sudan to grant full media access to Darfur and on
Ethiopia to release all imprisoned journalists and allow foreign reporters
into the country

Sri Lanka was urged to stop interfering in the local news media, while
Zimbabwe was slammed over complaints of harassment and unlawful arrests of
journalists, frequently accompanied by torture

The IPI said it was worried over deteriorating press freedom in
Azerbaijan, calling for the release of jailed journalists and measures to
ensure freedom of speech

The group decried press freedom violations in Somalia where one journalist
was killed and two others injured recently

It also denounced the conviction of Spanish editor Jose Luis Gutierrez for
insulting the late King of Morocco, Hassan II, and called on the European
Court of Human Rights to reverse the decision

____________________________________
PRESS RELEASE

May 17, The White House
Statement on Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Burma


The White House

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 17, 2007

Statement on Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Burma

President Bush today signed a notification to Congress of his intent to
continue the national emergency with respect to Burma and the associated
sanctions. This step is an indication of the President's serious concern
over the continued deterioration of the situation in Burma and his
determination to stand with those who are struggling to end tyranny in
that country.

In recent weeks, the Burmese junta has stepped up its attacks on ethnic
populations, producing even greater refugee flows; has used its mass
member organization to conduct attacks on and extra-legally detain
citizens in Irrawaddy Division and in Rangoon; has continued to harass and
detain peaceful democracy activists; and has arrested students and others
seeking to pray at pagodas for the release of political prisoners,
including Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. These recent actions take place
against a backdrop of ongoing grave human rights violations, including the
use of rape as a weapon against civilian populations and conscription of
child soldiers.

As the 17th anniversary of the 1990 elections approaches, it is clear that
the junta is becoming only more brutal, more repressive, and more
indifferent to the concerns of its neighbors and the international
community. We urge the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to
immediately and unconditionally release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political
prisoners so that a genuine dialogue between all stakeholders may begin
and national reconciliation may start in earnest. We also urge all
nations, and especially Burma's neighbors, to condemn unequivocally the
SPDC's continued unwillingness to move forward on its own promises to
return the nation to democratic rule.