BurmaNet News, January 16, 2008

[Editor]

January 16, 2008 Issue # 3381

INSIDE BURMA
AP: Explosion on Myanmar bus kills 1
Irrawaddy: Gold and fuel prices increasing
Mizzima News: Over 40,000 villagers internally displaced in Karen state
Mizzima News: Central Burma officials halt rice donation by opposition member
DVB: NLD warned over political journals
DVB: Htin Kyaw to sue junta over new charges
Irrawaddy: Pro-democracy political prisoners in poor health condition
Narinjara News: Robberies Increase on Western Burmese Border

ON THE BORDER
Irrawaddy: Democracy movement needs more financial assistance, say activists
DVB: DNA samples taken from Burmese migrants

BUSINESS / TRADE
DVB: British groups urge tourism boycott of Burma
SHAN: Chinese dam builders set up 60 pillars for Tasang dam
AFP: Myanmar to auction some 1,600 lots of precious stones: report

HEALTH / AIDS
Mizzima News: Japanese aid for Burmese mothers and children

REGIONAL
Irrawaddy: Monks call for unity and strength

INTERNATIONAL
The Business Times Singapore: US steps up efforts for political reform in
Myanmar
Mizzima News: Trade Union leaders call for tourism boycott of Burma

OPINION / OTHER
Irrawaddy: Living uncertainly in exile - Aung Zaw
Australian: Nudge the junta towards change – Morton Abramowitz and
Jonathan Kolieb
Mizzima News: Don't let Burma go nuclear - Myat Thu Pan

STATEMENT
Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association: Myanmar Times
and other media threatened and sanctioned by military censors

____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

January 16, Associated Press
Explosion on Myanmar bus kills 1

An explosion on a bus in Myanmar killed the driver on Wednesday, a
government official said. Three bombings in different parts of Myanmar
since Friday have killed two people and injured five.

The official said the explosion occurred about 65 miles north of Yangon in
Pyinbonegyi. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not
authorized to release information to the media.

Terrorism is rare but not unknown in Myanmar, which has been under
military rule almost continuously since 1962.

The official said the device exploded when the bus was stopped to allow
passengers to eat at a roadside shop, and the driver stayed on board. The
bus was traveling to Yangon from Kyaukyi, a town about 105 miles to the
north.

No one has claimed responsibility. But state media linked at least one of
the bombings in the past week to ethnic Karen rebels, and the bus that was
hit by an explosion Wednesday originated in an ethnic Karen area.

The ruling junta blamed the recent bombings on an unspecified foreign
organization and called on the public to report any sightings of
terrorists, a state-run newspaper said Monday.

"Information has been received that a foreign organization has sent
terrorist saboteurs with explosives across the border to perpetrate
destructive acts inside the country," the Myanma Ahlin newspaper said.

Myanmar borders India, China, Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh, but the
report did not specify where the alleged saboteurs had crossed into the
country from.

Most of the major groups opposed to the military are based along the
border with Thailand.

The junta routinely blames acts of violence on foreigners, including
street rallies last year led by Buddhist monks that the government
suppressed with a violent crackdown. After troops fired on peaceful
protesters in September, the junta accused Western powers and the foreign
media of fomenting the protests.

The Karen National Union has been fighting for half a century for greater
autonomy from Myanmar's military government. It is the only major ethnic
rebel group that has not agreed to a cease-fire with the junta. But they
and other government opponents deny carrying out attacks targeting
civilians.

The first of the recent explosions occurred Friday morning at the railway
station serving the country's new administrative capital of Naypyitaw,
killing a 40-year-old ethnic Karen woman whom the government later said
was the bomber.

The second blast occurred Friday night at a circus in the northern town of
Pyu, injuring four civilians and killing a man said to be a Karen rebel
who allegedly planted the explosive.

The third blast on Sunday near a public bathroom at the ticketing office
of Yangon's main railway station injured a 73-year-old woman.

____________________________________

January 16, Irrawaddy
Gold and fuel prices increasing - Shah Paung

Due to rising price of gold and crude oil on global markets, the prices of
both commodities are also increasing in Burma.

According to a gold shop owner in Rangoon the highest price for gold in
Burma reached 602,000 kyat (US $482) per tical (6.4 grams) on Tuesday from
599,000 kyat ($479).

A sales assistant displays gold products at a shop in Rangoon. The price
of gold rose to about 600,000 kyat per tical on Wednesday. [Photo: The
Myanmar Times]
Currently on the global market, the price of gold has risen above $900 per
ounce while diesel oil price is priced at $2.535 per gallon (3.8 liters).
Gasoline is at $2.293 per gallon.

The high price of gold does not affect many ordinary people in Burma as
few can afford to buy it. In addition, the military government forbids the
press from reporting gold prices.

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday, an employee at a trading company
in Rangoon said, “Whether the price of gold and the dollar go up or down,
it still won’t make any difference to working class people who are already
suffering.”

However, an increase in fuel prices will affect everyone as soon as all
other commodities go up in price.

A black market fuel trader in Rangoon, who spoke to The Irrawaddy
anonymously on Tuesday, said that one gallon of diesel currently costs
4,700 kyat ($3.76) and a gallon of gasoline is 4,800 kyat ($3.84).

Five days ago, diesel was priced at 3,800 kyat ($3.04) to 4,000 kyat
($3.2) and gasoline was 4,200 kyat ($3.36).

The fuel trader said that the increase in fuel prices was not good for
anyone and slowed down the trade in fuel.

“People are now afraid to buy and sell fuel,” he said.

In August 2007, the Burmese military government suddenly increased the
price of fuel, infuriating an already cash-strapped populace and leading
to the September uprising, which was brutally put down by the military
regime.

According to Bayint Naung Wholesale Market in Rangoon, low-quality rice is
currently priced at 7,000 kyat ($5.6) for one basket (approximately 20
kilograms per basket) and the high-quality price is between 19,000 kyat
($15.2) and 25,000 kyat ($20).

Last week, low-quality rice was costing 5,500 kyat ($4.4) per basket while
high-quality rice was selling for 16,000 kyat ($12.8) to 22,000 kyat
($17.6) per basket.

In Burma, the average daily salary is less than $1.

____________________________________

January 16, Mizzima News
Over 40,000 villagers internally displaced in Karen state - Than Htike Oo
& Nay Thwin

At least 10 villagers in eastern Burma's Karen state have been killed and
thousands rendered homeless due to increased Burmese Army occupation over
the past two months, a humanitarian assistance group said.

In a new report, the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian assistance group
working in eastern Burma, said in the past two months the Burmese Army's
presence in Karen state has gone up to over 90 battalions.

With the number of soldiers ranging between 11,000 to 14,000 operating in
three Karen districts – Papun, Nyaunglebin, and Taungoo – the number of
internally displaced persons in the three districts have gone up to
25,000, the report said.

The FBR said with the increase of Burmese Army battalions in Karen state
since 2006, human rights violations have escalated and landmines have
filled the area, causing uncalled for destruction in the villages and
killing local residents.

According to Saw Hla Henry, secretary of the Committee for Internally
Displaced Karen People (CIDKP), over the last two months the number of
internally displaced people has increased to 10,000.

"There are at least 10,000 internally displaced people due to the fresh
offensive launched by the Burmese Army in the last two to three months,"
Saw Hla Henry said.

The IDPs, since they have to flee their farm lands and leave their daily
occupation, are faced with severe shortage of food and shelter in the
jungles hideouts, he added.

According to the FBR report, there are at least 4,500 Burmese soldiers in
Nyaunglebin district, 34 battalions in Papun district and 27 battalions in
Taungoo districts.

The increase in the number of Burmese soldiers has seen to at least 12,900
IDPs in Nyaunglebin, 3,000 – 4,000 IDPs in Papun and 7,000 in Taungoo
districts, the FBR said.

The Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a London based Human Rights group, in
a statement released on Tuesday, said the Burmese Army's attacks on ethnic
groups have been going on for the past 60 years. It condemned the military
junta's onslaught against innocent civilians.

"The world was shocked by the killings of demonstrators in the cities of
Burma in September 2007. However, the ongoing horrific attacks against the
ethnic groups of Burma are less well known despite the fact that they have
ensued for almost 60 years," Tina Lambert, CSW's Advocacy Director said.

"We condemn the onslaught of the Burma Army against its innocent civilians
and urge the international community to assist ethnic groups like the
Karen people through direct aid and diplomatic action," Lambert added in
the statement.

Hla Ngwe, information officer of the Karen National Union (KNU), Karen
ethnic rebel group, said according to statistics that the KNU has compiled
currently there are 187 Burmese Army battalions in Karen state including
the three districts.

With at least 120 to 150 soldiers in each battalion, there are an
estimated 25,000 soldiers currently deployed in Karen State, he added.

According to statistics released by the KNU information department in
December 2007, there have been at least 1,391 clashes between the KNU and
a combined force of the Burmese Army and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army
(DKBA), a ceasefire Karen armed group.

According to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), there are 1,
24,300 Burmese refugees, who are registered with the agency, living in
nine camps along the Thai-Burmese border.

____________________________________

January 16, Mizzima News
Central Burma officials halt rice donation by opposition member - Maung Dee

A rice donation programme to poor people by the chairman of the township
National League for Democracy was halted by authorities in Thada Oo
township of Mandalay division in central Burma. He was warned to stop
donating in future.

U Kyin Maung, chairman of Thada Oo NLD, on Tuesday was donating rice to
100 families, who are struggling to meet ends. However, he was stopped by
the local authorities and warned not to continue, a close friend of Kyin
Maung said.

"He was just donating rice to poor people and did not have any purpose for
doing so. But the local authorities accused him saying 'you are doing it
so as to indirectly persuade the people and if you do it next time we will
take action against you as per the law'," U Ko Gyi, a close friend and
member of the NLD, told Mizzima over telephone.

While Kyin Maung and family were planning to donate to 100 families, due
to the disturbances by authorities only 25 families received the rice.

U Ko Gyi said while Kyin Maung did not donate the rice in his capacity as
the Chairman of the township NLD, the authorities accused him of
influencing and organizing the people and restricted his individual social
life.

"It is like members of the NLD are being restricted from any activities.
If even donations are being restricted, other activities will be
definitely restricted," U Ko Gyi added.

In August, a similar rice donation in a slum area in Rangoon by Burmese
veteran politician U Win Naing was stopped and he was attacked by members
of junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA).

"Due to increasing essential commodity prices, daily wage earners are
having a difficult time in fending for themselves. It is even more
difficult for people in rural areas," U Ko Gyi added.

____________________________________

January 16, Democratic Voice of Burma
NLD warned over political journals

National League for Democracy officials were summoned before the
government censor board yesterday and given a warning about political
journals given out by NLD youth wing members.

The journal was compiled by the youth wing members and distributed and
posted up at celebrations for the 60th anniversary of Burma’s independence
on 4 January, sources from the censor board said.

The New Dawn journal featured a number of political stories, including an
editorial on the September 2007 Saffron Revolution which urged the
government to move towards national reconciliation.

It also included articles on hunger strikes in Insein prison, the closure
of Maggin monastery, arrests of 88 generation students and a performance
by Burmese comedians Thee Lay Thee in Kandawgyi park.

Other stories focused on forced labour complaints filed with the
International Labour Organisation and the rise in satellite television
fees.

The NLD declined to comment on the incident.

____________________________________

January 16, Democratic Voice of Burma
Htin Kyaw to sue junta over new charges – Aye Nai

High-profile activist Htin Kyaw has said he will sue the government for
breach of promise after they decided to prosecute him for a solo
demonstration he staged in March 2007.


Htin Kyaw is already facing charges for his role in demonstrations over
commodity prices, for which he has been detained since August last year.

He was originally charged under section 505(b) of the penal code for
causing public alarm, but an unlawful assembly charge has since been
added.

Htin Kyaw attended a court hearing at Pabedan township court on 9 January,
and is due to appear before the court again on 23 January.

His lawyer was not allowed to see him before the 9 January hearing, and
was denied access to the courtroom in an earlier hearing.

In addition to these charges, Htin Kyaw is now being prosecuted for
staging a solo demonstration in Kamaryut township on 22 March after
authorities refused to allow him to become a monk.

He is due to attend a separate hearing on these charges on 25 January at
Kamaryut township court.

But Htin Kyaw told his wife, Ma Than Than Maw, that he will sue the
government for reneging on their promise not to prosecute him for his
March protest.

Htin Kyaw was arrested during his solo protest but was released the
following day and said that authorities told him they would not press
charges.

“He told me that he is going to sue the government for breaking the
promise given to him by the nation’s leaders,” said Ma Than Than Maw.

She added that Htin Kyaw had informed the Kamaryut township judge, police
chief, court staff and special police officials of his intention.

____________________________________

January 16, Irrawaddy
Pro-democracy political prisoners in poor health condition - Shah Paung

At least four detained political prisoners in Burmese prisons are in poor
health and need medical attention, according to their family members.

The four political prisoners are Hla Myo Naung and Kyaw Soe of the 88
Generation Students group, who are both in Insein Prison in Rangoon; Win
Maw, a pro-democracy activist, also in Insein Prison; and Myint Oo, a
committee member of the Magwe Division of the National League for
Democracy, who is in Mandalay Prison.

Hla Myo Naung has eye problems and is nearly blind in both eyes, according
to a family member. He has had eye problems since October 2007, and was
arrested while he was enroute to a Rangoon clinic to have an operation on
the left side of one eye.

After he was arrested, authorities performed an operation on one of his
eyes, but it was not successful and an eye nerve was damaged.

Family members of both Win Maw and Kyaw Soe said they received medical
treatment in prison after they were tortured by the authorities in an
interrogation center.

However, Win Maw has now contracted pneumonia. Kyaw Soe suffers from
fainting spells. Both men were victims of water torture, according to
sources.

A family member of Win Maw said they have not been allowed to visit him
for nearly three weeks.

Myint Oo, who also suffers from pneumonia, began receiving medical
treatment in a Mandalay prison hospital three days ago, according to
family members.

Tate Naing, the secretary of the exiled-based Assistance Association for
Political Prisoners (Burma), said that since August 2007, the military
government has arrested more than 7,000 people, including pro-democracy
activists.  Prisoners are not allowed to receive outside medical
treatment.

88 Generation Students leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi also have health
problems, say their family members. They were arrested by authorities in
August 2007.

According to the AAPP, there are more than 1,850 political prisoners in
Burmese prisons.

____________________________________

January 16, Narinjara News
Robberies Increase on Western Burmese Border

The incidence of robbery has been increasing in the western Burmese border
area since the beginning of 2008, due to increasing hunger among the
people from increasing rice prices in the region, said a police officer.

"In only the first fifteen days in January, 2008, at least six robberies
have taken place in Maungdaw Township," he said.

One recent robbery took place in a village of U Don, located in southern
Maungdaw on 15 January, with the robbers looting many of the possessions,
including gold ornaments, from two houses in the village.

The police said about 30 million kyat worth of goods was robbed from two
houses - one owned by Mrs. Dibal and the other owned by Mr. Illiya - by an
armed robber group around midnight on the Tuesday.

On 5 January, there were two robberies that occurred in two villages of
Zartjet Khali and Hlabowa in Maungdaw Township, with many goods stolen
from the houses.

In Hlabowa Village, an eight-member group of armed men attacked a house
owned by government teacher U Nurl Hug and stole property and 300,000 kyat
from the teacher, reports the police officer.

The police have not arrested any suspects in the cases as the robbers fled
across the border after committing the crimes in Maungdaw Township, said
the officer.

It has also been learned that people in Maungdaw Township are worried
about the recent increase in robberies in the township, and are concerned
it will create unrest among the people if the rising crime continues in
the future.

____________________________________
ON THE BORDER

January 16, Irrawaddy
Democracy movement needs more financial assistance, say activists - Wai Moe

The international community has united in condemning the Burmese military
government but financial assistance to fund pro-democracy and civil
society groups remains limited, activists say.

Since the early 1990s, funding agencies from Western countries have
provided annual grants and other funds for Burma’s democracy movement,
particularly the Washington-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED),
the International Republican Institute, the Danish Burma Committee of
Denmark and the Norway-based Norwegian Burma Committee (NBC).

However, most international donors underestimated the democracy movement
and opposition groups in Burma and along the border, Nyo Ohn Myint, the
head of the Foreign Affairs Office of the National League for Democracy
(Liberated Area) told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday.

He said many international NGOs and foreign experts who work on Burma
issues miscalculated the democracy movement and were ill-prepared for a
civil uprising like that in September 2007.

“NGOs that could influence donors at the international level thought
Burma’s democracy movement was going nowhere (before the monk-led
uprising),” he said.

“So they (NGOs and Burma experts) recommended that donors not increase
grants to political campaign groups that could shape the political
landscape to perhaps remove the regime.”

He said NGO workers can not think like government officials on Burma issues.

During the “Saffron Revolution” in September, several dissident groups
based on the Thai border faced serious funding shortages, he said. Worse
still, no emergency funds were available to border pro-democracy groups
that have connections with activists and monks inside Burma.

“Donors should rethink how to provide funds to democracy movements in an
effective way,” said Nyo Ohn Myint, who fled Burma after the bloody
crackdown in 1988.

He said grants and funding provided by international organizations were
usually small.

“It makes us ‘mission impossible’ (to achieve change),” he said.

The exiled National Council of Union of Burma which includes several key
ethnic leaders received
US $20,000 from a Western donor for “inside political work,” he said.

He asked, “How can we do inside movement work with this amount?”

Some political groups formed by activists and dissidents have channeled
funds and other assistance to inside Burma, but they have never publicly
acknowledged their work.

During the crisis, some activists inside Burma said they could accomplish
more if they had much needed assistance. In the past, some prominent
activists were arrested simply because they could not afford
transportation fees or money to rent a safe place to hide.

Aung Moe Zaw, the leader of the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS),
said a few international funding agencies are interested in providing
assistance to Burma’s fragile democracy movement.

“But we need more aid for the democracy movement,” he said. “I mean not
just money alone, but also other capacity building assistance.”

He praised the Washington-based NED of giving support to the movement.

“The NED is the only one that openly supports our democracy movement,” the
said. The DPNS receives grants from NED.

The NED provided more than US $3 million to Burmese dissident groups,
civil society groups and Burmese media groups in exile in its 2006 annual
budget.

Burmese dissidents say, however, the amount of aid to the movement is
small and lacks a long-term plan and consistency.

Bo Kyi, the joint secretary of the Assistance Association for Political
Prisoners (Burma), said money and international assistance is essential
during a critical period.

“We need to make sure there are funds available during a time of crisis,”
he said, referring to the September uprising.

Bo Kyi, a former political prisoner and the co-founder of the AAPP in Mae
Sot opposite Myawaddy, said grants provided by international groups to the
Burma movement are less than the value of a missile (dropped on Iraq).

Comparing the West’s funding of democracy-building projects around the
world, particularly in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, he said, “We just
receive pocket change.”

A prominent activist who is involved in political training in Burma agreed
that grants are inadequate.

“If we want to see change in Burma, these small grants won’t make any
significant change,” he said. He requested anonymity because he wants to
maintain a good relationship with donors.

Activists point to the military regime’s investment to maintain and
prolong military rule.

“Look at how much money they (military rulers) spend to run the military
machine,” said Bo Kyi.

UN reports estimate the regime spends more than 40 percent of the national
budget on the military.

The armed forces budget has increased over the past decade. It is
estimated the regime receives US $2 billion each year from gas revenue.

“What do you expect us to do with peanuts or little funding—remove the
regime?” asked Nyo Ohn Myint.

____________________________________

January 16, Democratic Voice of Burma
DNA samples taken from Burmese migrants – Saw Kanyaw

A group of World Health Organisation officials and professors from Chiang
Mai University collected DNA samples from 300 Burmese migrants yesterday
at Dr Cynthia Maung’s Mae Tao clinic in Mae Sot, Thailand.


Group leader Dr Tor Pong, a professor from Chiang Mai University’s faculty
of medicine, said that blood samples would be used for DNA testing to
identify and record people by nationality and ethnic group.

Saw Thar Win, a Mae Tao clinic official, said that the records could be
used to help identify migrants in future.

“A lot of Burmese migrants were killed during the tsunami in 2004, but a
lot of the bodies were left unidentified, even though we knew they
belonged to Burmese migrants, because there was no proper evidence to
confirm it,” Saw Thar Win said.

“This is going to help the next generations to track their ancestors more
easily as well.”

DNA samples have also been collected from Thai, Laotian and Cambodian
workers.

____________________________________
BUSINESS / TRADE

January 16, Democratic Voice of Burma
British groups urge tourism boycott of Burma

Concern have called on tourists to stay away from Burma and urged tour
operators and travel guides to boycott the country.

In a press release issued today, the groups said that tourism in the
country is directly linked to human rights violations, and can be seen as
a validation of the Burmese military regime.

“We're urging the travel industry to drop Burma from their list of
destinations because of the forced and child labour involved in Burmese
tourist attractions and facilities, because of the money and endorsement
tourism offers the bloody dictatorship that runs Burma, and because it's
simply immoral to holiday in a country-wide prison camp," TUC general
secretary Brendan Barber said in the statement.

The groups highlighted the forced displacement of over a million people
from tourist areas and use of forced labour in tourist development
projects as examples of abuses directly linked to the industry.

Detained National League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has
previously called on tourists not to visit the country, saying that a trip
would be “tantamount to condoning the regime”, and this position is
supported by many Burma campaign groups.

However, advocates for responsible tourism in Burma argue that a boycott
further isolates the country from international scrutiny and harms
ordinary Burmese people who rely on the industry for their income.

Tour companies and guidebook publishers who cover Burma have said
individuals should make an informed choice and say it is possible to opt
for privately-owned hotels and tourist facilities to limit the amount of
money given to the junta.

Tourism Concern and the TUC dispute these claims, arguing that tourism
generates much-needed revenue for the regime while bringing little benefit
to ordinary Burmese people.

“Travelling to Burma without contributing to the regime - either
economically with your money or 'morally' with your very presence - is
virtually impossible,” Tricia Barnett of Tourism Concern says.

“Visa fees, airport duties, currency exchange and domestic travel are
unavoidable outlays for international tourists, and many hotels and
businesses are owned by or pay money to the regime,” she explains.

“As such, any tour operator or guidebook condoning travel to Burma sends a
strong message of validation, as do tourists visiting the country.”

____________________________________

January 16, Shan Herald Agency for News
Chinese dam builders set up 60 pillars for Tasang dam

The Tasang dam implementation project on the Salween River in south
central Shan State has started with up to 60 pillars installed by Chinese
engineers, according to a reliable source from the border.

The huge pillars are about 17-30 yards long and have been set up on both
sides of the Salween riverbank.  About 40 Chinese dam builders arrived on
the dam site at the beginning of November 2007 and have started the dam
construction since then.

"About 100 more Chinese engineers will come for the dam construction and
for the Thai engineers. Initially they had about 30 and now there are just
about 13 remaining," said the local source.

Also, over 50 soldiers from a Burma Army Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)
594, have set up a temporary camp on the west bank of Salween River in
order to provide security for the dam project, added the source.

The Tasang dam is the largest of a series of proposed hydroelectric
projects on the Nu/Salween River in south central Shan State, 40 km north
of the Tasang river crossing, and about 130 kilometres from the
Thai-Burmese border. The 7,110-megawatt, 228 metre high dam will be the
tallest dam in all of Southeast Asia, according to Salween Watch.

 Salween Watch was formed in February 1999, and is a coalition of
different organizations and NGO's based in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand,
which deals with different Burma-related and environmental issues. It was
set up with the primary aim of preventing the building of harmful
hydroelectric power dams on the Salween River.

____________________________________

January 16, Agence France Presse
Myanmar to auction some 1,600 lots of precious stones: report

Military-run Myanmar has opened another major auction of gems and jade in
the nation's economic hub Yangon, despite international efforts to cut off
the junta's sales, state media said Wednesday.

Nearly 400 lots of precious stones and about 1,200 lots of jade are up for
sale at the auction that opened Tuesday, the official New Light of Myanmar
newspaper said.

About 100 foreigners were among the 637 merchants attending the event, the
paper said, despite international efforts to end sales of stones from
Myanmar.

The paper gave no details about the sale, but said that another auction
would be held in March.

Myanmar, one of the poorest countries, is the source of up to 90 percent
of the world's rubies, and each auction of precious stones rakes in more
than 100 million dollars, making it a key source of revenue for the
military regime.

The junta sold gems worth 150 million dollars during its previous auction
in November, defying US and European calls for a boycott.

The sales also came despite tightening sanctions against the ruling
generals in the wake of a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protests in
September.

The United Nations said at least 31 people were killed in Myanmar after
troops opened fire on the peaceful demonstrations, twice as many as the
regime's official death toll of 15.

The UN also said 74 were missing after the crackdown, with more than 600
dissidents still in detention.

Following the violence in September, US First Lady Laura Bush urged
companies to shun the auctions, while top jewellers Tiffany, Cartier and
Bulgari said they would refuse to sell Myanmar gems.

But robust demand from jade-crazed China, Thailand and Singapore has
continued to boost gem trading.

____________________________________
HEALTH / AIDS

January 16, Mizzima News
Japanese aid for Burmese mothers and children - Maung Dee

New Delhi: The Japanese government has allotted USD 1.79 million as aid
for the health of mothers and children in Burma. This is the first such
aid provided to Burma since Japan suspended its aid programme last year.

"This aid is directly paid to UNICEF for the mothers and children in
Burma. We will provide assistance to mothers and children of the country
through our offices", Pe Tin Thein, the information in-charge of UNICEF
said to Mizzima.

This is the eighth time aid has given to Burma for the mothers and
children by the Japanese government and its total amount has touched USD
31.9 million so far, he added.

Japan had suspended aid to Burma after a Japanese photo journalist was
shot in September uprising in 2007.

UNICEF will use this aid funds for measles vaccination programme for 1.4
million children and anti-tetanus serum (ATS) vaccination for 1.6 million
expecting mothers, and also will provide medicines for anti-natal uterine
bleeding for 150,000 expecting mothers.

Moreover, 60,000 insecticide-soaked mosquito nets will be distributed in
malaria endemic area and earmark money for malaria eradication program for
300,000 people by providing medical equipment.

"We renovate school buildings to attract students, repair roofs, develop
the curriculum and encourage the students' participation. We encourage the
children for participative learning unlike passive learning by listening
only to what their teachers say. Besides these activities, we build
mosquito proof latrine in schools, and provide potable water to them", Pe
Tin Thein said.

He added that the UNICEF is publishing public health care booklets on
HIV/AIDS prevention methods, prevention of child diseases and distributing
them to mothers and children as public health awareness campaign in
collaboration with local community organizations and religious
organizations.

However, he admitted that current aid received from UNICEF is not enough
for all these activities and they still need a lot more funds to cover all
these expenses.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

January 16, Irrawaddy
Monks call for unity and strength - Htet Aung

“The year 2008 must be the year for change in Burma,” said U Uttara,
secretary abbot of the International Burmese Monks Organization, at a
meeting with civil society groups at the Student Christian Centre in
Bangkok in Thailand on January 15.

The discussion, titled “Saffron Revolution: Unfinished Business,” was
chaired by two venerable Burmese monks, IBMO chairman U Pannya Vamsa, who
is based in Penang, Malaysia, and secretary U Uttara, head of the Buddhist
organization, Sasana Ramsi Vihara, in London.

The two abbots’ trip to Thailand is part of an international campaign to
mobilize governments and civil society to bring about change in Burma.

Addressing the forum, “How to establish peace and security in Burma” U
Pannya Vamsa said, “The most important thing is unity. Everybody—monks and
laypeople alike, whether inside or outside Burma—is not really united. If
we have unity, we will have strength.”

U Uttara urged the Burmese community in Thailand to be united. “If we
can't show our strength, other people can't help us,” he said. “To get
assistance and interest from the international community, our people must
take action. Only if we use our strength, will our country see change.”

The two abbots stressed the importance of international pressure on the
military regime.  “We have plans to address parliaments, governments and
Buddhist monks’ organizations around the world,” said U Uttara, adding
that there was no plan to meet Thai government officials on this occasion
because of their military status.

Asked the role of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka—a state-sponsored monks’
organization inside Burma—in the country's future political process, U
Uttara told The Irrawaddy: “If the State Sangha Maha Nayaka was really so
powerful, no monk would have been killed in the street.

"They don't know what they should tell the government, because they can't
truly observe and analyze the current situation in the country. They are
selfish and powerless," he said.

Regarding “patam nikkujjana kamma,” the monks’ refusal to accept alms from
the military regime and its supporters, which was extended to include
Burmese embassies abroad, U Uttara said, “On Independence Day [January 4],
Burmese embassy staff in London tried to arrange an alms donation, but we
refused to accept it. ‘Patam nikkujjana kamma’ is continuing against the
regime.”

The meeting with civil society groups in Bangkok was held the day after
the two abbots had toured Mae Sot to observe the conditions for monks who
had fled to Thailand after the Burmese military regime's crackdown on the
protests in September.

U Pannya Vamsa said, “There are many Burmese temples along the
[Thai-Burmese] border, but no one dares go, because they are afraid of the
Thai authorities and the Burmese government.”

The two abbots called on the people of Thailand to view the Burma issue
not as another country’s problem, but as a matter for human society. “If a
country has peace, all the neighbors will have peace,” said U Uttara.
“This is not just Burma's problem; you must look at it as a human
problem.”

The IBMO was formed in the United States on October 27, 2007, after
appeals by monks and laypeople to protect Buddhism in Burma following the
regime's brutal crackdown on the September “Saffron Revolution.”

The organization is now planning to form branches in other countries to
speed up their activities. “We have branches in India and Bangladesh,”
said U Uttara. “Eventually, I believe the military regime will hold
dialogue if we can organize international pressure from outside the
country and simultaneously work in harmony with our people inside. That's
why we need to show our unity and strength.”

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

January 16, The Business Times Singapore
US steps up efforts for political reform in Myanmar - Anthony Rowley

The US is stepping up efforts to get the international community to
increase pressure on authorities in Myanmar to establish dialogue with the
opposition and bring about political reform, Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Scot Marciel said in Tokyo.

Myanmar's economic and social slide cannot be halted without such
dialogue, he insisted. The US envoy was speaking on the first leg of a
tour that will take him also to Vietnam Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, where
Myanmar will be high on the agenda.

Mr Marciel claimed there has been 'no real progress' towards political and
other reforms there despite an international outcry after last September's
'brutal crackdown' on dissent.

'We think it is very important that the international community not forget
what happened with the brutal crackdown and should continue to find ways
to pressure the regime to begin a dialogue with the opposition that can
lead to some kind of political transition,' he said.

He met Japanese Foreign Minister Machimura Nobutaka and other officials
and urged Tokyo to find new ways to put pressure on Myanmar.

'We are asking all governments to look for ways to increase pressure on
the regime,' he said. 'We are not saying everyone has to follow exactly
the same approach. Different countries have different relationships and
different approaches and all governments can use whatever influence they
have, be it sanctions or diplomatic pressure of some type to encourage the
regime to take some positive steps.

'Asean spoke out very strongly in late September and there have been a
number of statements from Asean countries since that time urging the
regime to move. Several Asean leaders have written to Myanmar Prime
Minister, General Thein Sein, asking for progress and we welcome these
steps. But we are not saying that everyone has done enough, including the
US, because there is still a lot more work to do.

'My strong sense is that all of these countries and others in the region
are quite concerned with the situation in Burma. They may not share our
views exactly on the way ahead, and even if they are not as focused on the
human rights aspects as we are, they can see that the current regime in
Burma is driving the country down and that this can only create more
economic and other problems.

'They would probably all like to see some movement towards a national
reconciliation in Burma - a reaching out by the regime to the people to
try to establish better policies and better treatment of people. The
economy is getting worse, the education system is being ruined and Burma
is becoming an exporter to dangerous diseases, refugees and drugs.'

China probably has more influence than any other country on Myanmar, Mr
Marciel suggested. 'But what is really key is for the entire international
community is to send the same message to the regime. We are not
anti-Burma.'

____________________________________

January 16, Mizzima News
Trade Union leaders call for tourism boycott of Burma

Britain's trade union leaders today urged all tourists and tour operators
to stop visiting Burma, as the ruling military regime, infamous for its
human rights violation against its own people, maintain their rule from
income generated by tourism.

United Kingdom based Tourism Concern and Trades Union Congress (TUC) on
Wednesday urged all tour operators, tour guidebook publishers and tourists
to drop Burma from their itinerary until democracy is restored in the
country.

Rachel Noble, spokesperson of the TUC said, the Burmese military junta's
brutal reign has been sponsored partly by the income generated from
tourism business and that every sensible tourist and tour operator should
avoid contributing to sufferings of the Burmese people.

"A lot of money from tourism goes directly to military regime's fund and
all business and hotels directly linked to the junta but there are very
limited benefit for the people of Burma from the tourism industry and only
few people are involved in this industry," Noble told Mizzima.

"We are calling for the boycott because tourism is directly linked to the
mass human rights abuses. We request the people not to visit the country
until the time democracy is restored" she added.

According to the joint statement released today by the TUC and tourism
concern, a non-profit charitable organization, US $ 1.1 billion has been
invested in the tourism industry in Burma since it opened in 1998 and the
junta annually earns up to US $ 100 million.

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary in the statement said, "Trade unions
have been at the forefront of campaigns for longer holidays, but Burmese
unions have asked us not to take those holidays in Burma."

"We're urging the travel industry to drop Burma from their list of
destinations because of forced and child labour involved in Burmese
tourist attractions and facilities, because of the money and endorsement
tourism goes to the bloody dictatorship that runs Burma. It is simply
immoral to holiday in a country-wide prison camp," added Barber.

Noble added that at least eight million Burmese people, particularly in
remote areas have been displaced by the authorities to make way for
tourism development.

Tourism boycott was first called for by Burma's elected government in
exile and their leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains under house arrest
in Rangoon, in the early 1990s.

However, today, the opposition call remains the same and a boycott on
tourism is seen as part of a broader strategy of economic sanctions and
diplomatic efforts by the international community to exert pressure on the
Burmese military regime to implement political reforms.

____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER

January 16, Irrawaddy
Living uncertainly in exile - Aung Zaw

Last week, I received a sad message from a colleague in Bangkok. “My
mother died of a brain tumor in Rangoon hospital.”

The former political prisoner, who now lives in Bangkok, missed the
funeral of his beloved mother.

If he had returned home for the funeral he risked being imprisoned again.
After spending nearly 10 years in Rangoon’s notorious Insein prison, he
didn’t want to repeat the experience. So he went to a Bangkok temple and
prayed for his late mother.

Several of my colleagues who were forced to live in exile are longing to
return home. They miss loved ones and family members whom they haven’t
seen for decades. Like my colleague in Bangkok, some of them have also
missed the funerals of dead parents, relatives and friends.

Burma’s political stagnation and military rule have resulted in
ever-increasing numbers of Burmese fleeing the country into exile.

Many of my friends who left Burma after their involvement in the 1988
uprising have sad stories to share.

My younger brother and I both missed our mother’s funeral when she passed
away in 1994. My brother was in prison after being sentenced unjustly for
his involvement in student activism, and I could not return home from
exile. If I had, it would probably have been the end of my career and
perhaps my life. The military intelligence officers who constantly
monitored our house would have happily locked me up.

On the day of our mother’s funeral, I spoke on the phone with one close
relative, who told me “Please, do not come back, it is not safe to come
back here.” The line was then cut.

I later received a letter from my grandmother saying the funeral was well
attended. She also told me: “You don’t have to come back”. I understood
that she didn’t want to see me in prison.

Many of my Burmese colleagues living in exile in the West quietly return
to Thailand where they arrange meetings with family members from Burma.
They spend a few days or weeks together and then say emotional
farewells—perhaps for ever.

Since the 1962 military coup, many Burmese have left the country and are
now waiting for the chance to go home. Large exile communities live in
Thailand, the US and Europe.

The democracy uprising in 1988 provided them with a glimmer of hope of
returning home soon. I remember some prominent faces and names. Tin Maung
Win and Ye Kyaw Thu, both then in their early 30s, went into exile in
1969, together with former Prime Minister U Nu, and returned from the US
to Thailand in 1988 to assist the pro-democracy movement along the border.
They both died in Thailand without ever having the chance of seeing a
democratic Burma.

Shan scholar Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, son of Sao Shwe Thaike, Burma’s first
president, and his friend Khun Kyar Nu, also died in exile.

On the border, Karen leader Gen Saw Bo Mya, Brig-Gen Maung Maung and Gen
Shwe Sai, who were active in the Karen armed struggle and led the Karen
fight against the Burmese army for several decades, have gone.

In 2007, we lost our beloved poet laureate Tin Moe, who spent time in
Insein prison and finally left Burma in 1999. Tin Moe was one of Burma’s
most respected poets and was hated by the regime. He passed away in
California. I am sure he wanted to spend his last days at home in Burma.

Life in exile is full of uncertainty. It is not easy to live and stay in a
foreign land while hoping to return home. The anxiety, false hopes, fears,
anguish, struggles and deep depression dominate daily life in exile. But,
like many Burmese, I never feel I have left my country. Dreams of my
hometown, school days, the faces of friends and the good old times always
return to me in my dreams.

Many exiled Burmese realize that change is not coming soon and some are
skeptical about seeing change in their lifetime. When students and
activists arrived on the border in 1988, they were hopeful that change was
imminent, and their optimism was widely shared by senior exiled Burmese
like Ye Kyaw Thu and Tin Maung Win and ethnic leaders along the border.
The simple reason was that they all loved their homeland and missed it.

But now I wonder if that optimism is still shared among Burmese who left
in 1988. Many have migrated to western countries and have lost touch with
the movement inside the country and on the border.

But the recent September uprising in Burma did offer a return of faint
hope and a reason to be optimistic even though the regime is unyielding.
That faint hope, I am sure, is felt throughout the exiled Burmese
community.

____________________________________

January 16, The Australian
Nudge the junta towards change – Morton Abramowitz and Jonathan Kolieb

A few months ago, the courage of Burmese monks enlightened the world. But
a brutal military crackdown ended their protest marches and, despite
evoking a strong reaction initially, international outrage has since
mostly quieted, failing to elicit the desired political change. Burma
continues its downward spiral.

In the wake of the crackdown, US President George W. Bush imposed tighter
sanctions on Burma's rulers, and Britain and the European Union followed
suit.

Australia put a diplomatic ban on the junta when it ruled out accepting a
member of the military as an ambassador in Canberra.

The Association of South-East Asian Nations publicly castigated the junta
and openly urged rapprochement with democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and
the opposition, but subsequently backed off. Indian and Chinese leaders
have softened that stance, with China willing to approve a UN Security
Council non-binding statement that deplores the military's crackdown.
India apparently has limited or stopped arms sales.

The UN's special envoy Ibrahim Gambari continues to shuttle between New
York, Rangoon and regional capitals, trying to generate momentum towards
political reconciliation within Burma. His offices have produced a few
rounds of talks between the regime and Suu Kyi, including one this week,
the first time in nearly two months.

Burma's isolated military leadership remains firmly in power even as the
people decline further, suffering from negligible government spending on
health and education and a stagnant economy. The hike in fuel prices - the
initial cause of the protests - remains in place, making the cost of
cooking, heating and travel too expensive for many.

The fearful regime has clamped down on access to free media, raising the
fee on satellite television by a whopping 16,000 per cent, to three times
the average annual Burmese salary.

While public animosity seethes and further unrest cannot be precluded, the
aftermath of last year's clashes indicates yet again that Burma is not a
short-term proposition, nor has anyone figured out a quick fix. Eastern
engagement, Western pressures: neither has helped to loosen the military's
grip on power. Nor has military dissatisfaction with the leadership
apparently bubbled up.

Western efforts to support democracy groups in and around the country will
continue (as they should), but a practical approach that might effect
internal change, one that can win substantial international unity, is
needed. No easy task.

It is hard to see the slightest political change in Burma without the
involvement of the military. Even the regime's most vehement critics,
including Suu Kyi, accept that the military has a major role in Burma's
future.

The military, remember, is the only institution with national reach and
resources, enmeshed in Burma's economy and deeply involved, for good or
ill, in keeping the ethnically diverse country together.

So, how to move the Burmese military towards internal change? Most
countries could coalesce around the goal of seeking government
reorganisation and allowing the opposition a role in national
decision-making and freedom to operate politically. Reaching even that
stage will require a difficult international juggling effort to find ways
to make the military feel the costs of its policies and at the same time
provide incentives to reduce its stranglehold on power.

At this point, any combination of dialogue and pressure is best developed
and implemented by Gambari. A multinational support group could help his
task. Such a group, consisting of representatives of the EU, China, India,
Japan, Indonesia and Australia, would try to reinforce Gambari's
discussions with the regime and get other governments to act in support.

Dialogue with the military on political reform, most practically, should
be based on the regime's own Seven Steps to Democracy, which it claims to
be carrying out. This document is patently deficient, and the initial
scope for change depressingly small. But basing negotiations on the
military's work is probably indispensable for starting a dialogue.

Second, the contact group must be willing to maintain pressure on the
regime if talks founder. Worldwide sanctions remain politically
impossible. Other means must be pursued. One would be to work with China
to limit arms sales to the regime. The Indian example obviously offers an
opportunity for persuading China to do the same, and a willingness to
explore negotiations with the junta on the basis of its road map should
reinforce that.

In addition, targeted financial sanctions on Asian regional banks could be
implemented as necessary to squeeze the military and its businesses of
much-needed capital, as the US has done with Singaporean banks.

Finally, Gambari should be authorised to offer greater humanitarian
assistance in the health and education fields, and pursue ways to better
deliver humanitarian aid to communities that are at risk.

The world's policy options for Burma are not promising. And as is so often
the case in other problem countries, the desire for change among outsiders
outstrips their willingness and capacity to effect it.

The world has failed over many decades to help bring any political change
to Burma, and the modest proposals outlined above may go nowhere. But
incessant public rhetoric and divergent policies will most assuredly not
facilitate evolution in Burma, and we must search for common means to do
so.

Morton Abramowitz, a former US ambassador to Thailand, is a senior fellow
at the Century Foundation in Washington, where Jonathan Kolieb is a
research associate.

____________________________________

January 16, Mizzima News
Don't let Burma go nuclear - Myat Thu Pan

Politics is playing out a game of chess in today's Burma. In October after
the massive demonstrations by the monks, UN official Dr Gambari's arrived
in Burma on a diplomatic effort to facilitate national reconciliation. As
a result of his efforts Sr General Than Shwe the current regime leader
made an opening gambit stating that he will meet Aung San Suu Kyi if she
helps to lift the sanctions by the West.

On the eve of Dr Gambari's second trip to Burma in November the UN Country
Representative to Burma Mr Petrie threw in the towel with his letter to
the Burmese regime commenting on the deteriorating economic and
humanitarian situation in the country. That had the Generals up in arms.
ASSK tried to save the day by her announcement for reconciliation at the
end of Dr Gambari's visit but her opening gambit came too late. The lion
was already provoked and roaring its head off. Petrie's well intentioned
letter gave the generals the excuse to shut down the reconciliation
process. It was a case of touch and go.

We need to look at the Burma chess board – the Burmese regime has got
their Queen (ASSK and democracy) imprisoned by their powerful Knights,
China and Russia and also the Bishops i.e. Asean countries. The West and
UN are quite impotent to push past these defences try as they may. Asean
lent the Burmese its Bishops so that to use Burma as the buffer from the
Chinese knight. But all is not lost the West still has its Queen – the
sanctions and economic aid. The generals wanted their Queen ASSK to lure
the West's Queen. They also wanted UN to help bring the Queen in. But
before any other moves could happen the path to negotiation was closed.

One needs to look at psychology of the generals especially Than Shwe. Most
dictators are generally narcissistic and are psychopaths unfortunately who
are blinded by power that they have achieved by their might not by merit.
The current Burmese military regime is no exception and by their recent
behaviour with their responses to the UN overture, Mr Petrie and ASSK they
clearly fall into this category.

Narcissist by nature do not respond well to criticism of any form. They
cannot tolerate any kind of confrontation especially when it is right in
their face. Mr Petrie made a tactical error by sending the letter to the
regime commenting on the humanitarian point of view which to the regime is
nothing short of confrontation. For narcissitic people it is an
unforgivable offence.

Most narcissists will not negotiate or reconcile. The word reconciliation
is not in their vocabulary but they will barter if you can give them what
they want. They want to trade with the West and get their economic aid.
They know only ASSK can persuade the West to lift the sanctions. That's
why Than Shwe made the opening gambit. Everyone thought the West is only a
paper tiger in the case of Burma. But according to the recent developments
that is not so. To the Burmese military regime the West is the golden
goose. China's and Thailand's trade is sufficient to keep the junta
running but they still need Western aid and trade to jump start the
economy to a level that they need to move the country forward. They need
the West badly but they are too proud to kow tow to the West especially
when they have been demonized by them.

American pundits are now touting new approaches for the US government's
policy towards Burma. One notable idea is from Walter Lohman of Heritage
Foundation who wrote "The US and EU must look at ways to make their
sanctions relevant. The hardline American approach is an important moral
statement, but the lack of American engagement feeds cynicism about its
ability to lead. Unilateral sanctions have run their course as a threat.
What remains is their positive side. The vision of life in Burma is where
the full resources of the international community are brought to bear. The
US and others should make clear that it will lift sanctions and spur
economic development according to a negotiated, verified transition to
democracy. "

There needs to be an adjustment in US policy towards Burma centering on
the one single thing they want which is trade with the West and aid.
That's the US's golden goose. And it is the only thing that will move them
along. The West does have the bargaining chips and now is the time to make
good use of the chips judiciously. Once the general's Road Map is executed
and the national referendum is carried out albeit with the military
forcing the population at gun point to vote in its favour the Burmese
cause will be lost forever. It's now or never.

Not only is Than Shwe a narcissist he is also smart unfortunately and a
very crafty dictator. He had already lined up a cyber city but for what?
He wants high tech business from the West. He had lined up Russia and
North Korea to help him build a nuclear reactor. He knows how to hit the
West in the most vulnerable spots. He will develop Burma by by-passing the
usual developmental conduit by these means. He will not be cornered into
reconciliation with the opposition without a windfall from the West.
That's the price he wants from the West. If the West do not want to deal
with him he is fine because China, India and Asean countries will still
keep Burma going. He will still be in power no matter what. It is now a
matter of take it or leave it. He does not need to bend to the Western
powers because he has the trump card which is ASSK and democracy.

But the West needs to act fast and use the good offices of the UN as the
mediator to engage with the regime. Just recently Bush made a break
through by sending his letter to North Korean government offering aid if
the nuclear facility is absolved and the latter responded to Bush to keep
its word on economic aid. It shows that diplomacy does work at certain
time and juncture. If the West does not use its trump card now Burma will
definitely follow the course of North Korea and establish its own nuclear
facility. More so now that they are seeing the West bowing to North
Koreans. Why not use this opportunity to get the Generals to free the
country now. Why wait until they follow the North Korean path and corner
the West to bend to them. That's what they have in mind. The mighty
America brought down to size. In the mean time there will be more
imprisonments, torture and deeper prolonged misery for the population of
Burma.

It will be a gamble but it is worth a try. The Burmese generals are moving
very fast. Grab the chance now America or the opportunity will be lost.
Time is of the essence. DON'T WAIT UNTIL BURMA BECOMES ANOTHER NUCLEAR
ROGUE NATION.

____________________________________
STATEMENT

January 16, Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association
Myanmar Times and other media threatened and sanctioned by military censors

Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association condemn the
recent sanctions taken by the military government’s censorship board
against the Burmese-language edition of the Myanmar Times weekly, which
was ordered to suppress its next issue for carrying a report about an
increase in the price of satellite dish licences
(http://www.mmtimes.com/no400/n006.htm) in its 11 January issue.

The newspaper apparently published the story, which quoted an Agence
France-Presse dispatch, without requesting the censorship board’s
permission.

"The latest sanctions against news media that are already subject to
censorship and self-censorship appear to be linked to recent official
statements on press freedom," the two organisations said. "Information
minister Kyaw Hsan, for example, told a group of media publishers on 13
January that the media must make an effort to help the national economy to
improve and to protect itself against the destructionists threatening the
country’s interests. We suspect that this kind of comment may pave the way
for new sanctions and restrictions."

A Rangoon-based journalist said the government also asked the Myanmar
Times to fire four of its journalists, Nwe Nwe Aye, Win Nyunt Lwin, Myint
Soe and Win Kyaw Oo. The four were reportedly told to go this week.

The censorship board recently ordered at least two magazines, the Myanmar
Tribune and Action Times, not to publish any "political" news. A
journalist employed by one of these publications said Maj. Tint Swe, the
head of the censorship board, threatened them with reprisals if they did
not concentrate on entertainment and sport. Myanmar Tribune and Action
Times decided to temporarily suspend publication.

A spokesperson for the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD),
Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, was summoned by the censorship board on 11
January and reprimanded for issuing a newsletter on 4 January,
Independence Day. Reference was made to the Printers and Publishers
Registration Act, under which an unauthorised publication is punishable by
up to seven years in prison.

According to the Burmese exile magazine Irrawaddy, young NLD activists
printed and circulated a newsletter entitled Ah-Yoan-Thit (The Dawn)
containing articles on last September’s demonstrations and arrests of
party activists.

The military government has refused to give the NLD any publication permit
since the start of the 1990s. Aung San Suu Kyi has herself repeatedly
requested authorisation to publish a newspaper.

Around 150 weekly newspapers and 80 magazines are published in Burma. Most
of them do not cover politics but all of them are subjected to prior
censorship. According to some sources, rampant corruption within the
censorship board means that publications are sometimes able to carry
reports that would normally be censored.

Reporters Without Borders defends imprisoned journalists and press freedom
throughout the world. It has nine national sections (Austria, Belgium,
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland). It has
representatives in Bangkok, London, New York, Tokyo and Washington. And it
has more than 120 correspondents worldwide.