BurmaNet News, July 25-27, 2009

[Editor]

July 25-27, 2009, Issue #3762


INSIDE BURMA
DVB: Suu Kyi trial again suspended
DVB: Suu Kyi warns junta on 2010 elections
Reuters: Myanmar court hears final arguments in Suu Kyi case
AP: Myanmar criticizes Clinton following ASEAN meeting
NLM: Final arguments heard for lawsuit against US citizen Mr John William
Yettaw, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Daw Khin Khin Win and Ma Win Ma Ma

HEALTH / AIDS
AP: Myanmar may get more money in fight against AIDS
Irrawaddy: Several die in Kachin State’s worst dengue fever outbreak

REGIONAL
AP: Malaysian official accused of selling Myanmar man

OPINION / OTHER
Guardian (UK): Asean's Burmese diplomacy has failed – Tom Fawthrop
Irrawaddy: All talk, no traction – Aung Zaw
Bangkok Post: A chink may yet be appearing in Burma's obstinacy – Thanida
Tansubhapol
NLM: On my return from Europe – Wai Hmu

PRESS RELEASE
Amnesty International: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is Amnesty International’s
“Ambassador of Conscience”




____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

July 27, Democratic Voice of Burma
Suu Kyi trial again suspended – Htet Aung Kyaw

The trial of Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi has been suspended for a second time
in recent days and will resume tomorrow after the prosecution again failed
to wrap up their statement.

The trial was expected to finish on Friday last week, but the hearing
lasted only two and a half hours and didn’t allow the prosecution enough
time to deliver their statement.

Six diplomats, including US and UK officials attended today’s hearing, as
they had been allowed on Friday.

A lawyer for Suu Kyi, Nyan Win, said that today’s hearing started at 10am
and ran through to 5pm.

“After the lunch break
government prosecutors began presenting their
statement and they didn’t finish until the trial time was over at 5pm so
the court decided to extend the hearing to tomorrow,” he said.

The court heard statements from both Suu Kyi’s lawyers and lawyer for John
Yettaw, whose intrusion into her compound in May triggered charges that
she had breached conditions of her house arrest.

Suu Kyi will be asked to arrive back at the courtroom at 10am tomorrow for
what is hoped to be the final day of the trial.

It is unclear however when a verdict will be given, although Nyan Win told
Reuters that it could take up to two or three weeks.

It is widely expected that she will be found guilty, and her lawyer said
that his client was “preparing for the worst”.

A source closes to Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party said last
week that Suu Kyi “was disappointed” with the court’s decision to extend
the trial because it gives the prosecution two days to prepare a counter
argument.

The defence has only been allowed to put forward two witnesses, while the
prosecution has heard from nine in total.
____________________________________

July 27, Democratic Voice of Burma
Suu Kyi warns junta on 2010 elections – Thurein Soe

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has again warned the ruling junta in
Burma that without national reconciliation prior to next year, the 2010
elections would be futile.

The government has penciled in March next year for the first general
elections since Suu Kyi’s opposition National League for Democracy party
won a landslide victory in 1990 that was never honoured.

The opposition leader was speaking to her lawyer Nyan Win on Friday during
what should have been the final day of her trial.

“Daw Suu said the upcoming elections in 2010 would not be credited as
legitimate unless national reconciliation has been carried out before
that,” said Nyan Win, adding that she had urged the United Nations to warn
the junta about the necessity of reconciliation.

Today is expected to be the final day of Suu Kyi’s trial, which was
delayed on Friday by the prosecution team failing to testify.

Critics claim the trial is a ploy to keep her in detention beyond the 2010
elections, although Burma’s revised constitution which was ratified two
weeks after cyclone Nargis last May bars her from running for office.

Earlier this month the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited Burma in
an attempt to kick start dialogue between the ruling State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC) and opposition groups, as well as push for the
release of Suu Kyi.

Nyan Win said that Suu Kyi’s comments reflected the general feeling within
the party, and this had been stressed to Ban Ki-moon during his visit.

Prosecution lawyers are today expected to give their final statements in
the trial in which Suu Kyi has been charged with breaching conditions of
her house arrest.

It is unclear when a verdict is likely to be given. If, as is widely
expected, Suu Kyi is found guilty, she could face a sentence of up to five
years.

A number of delegates attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) Regional Forum last week independently called for her release,
while a joint communiqué issued following the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’
Meeting said her release was a necessary prerequisite for free and fair
elections next year.

____________________________________

July 27, Reuters
Myanmar court hears final arguments in Suu Kyi case – Aung Hla Tun

A court in army-ruled Myanmar heard final arguments on Monday in a case
involving opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who faces five years in
prison if found guilty of breaching a draconian security law.

Lawyers read closing arguments for the other defendants, two of Suu Kyi's
housemaids and John Yettaw, an American intruder whose two-night stay at
Suu Kyi's home in May could land all four defendants in jail.

The prosecution may wrap up its case against Suu Kyi later on Monday,
court officials said.

However, Suu Kyi's lawyer, Nyan Win, told Reuters he did not believe a
verdict was imminent.

"I expect all the arguments will be made today but I think the verdict
might take as long as two or three weeks," he said.

A guilty verdict is widely expected in a country where courts are known to
rule in favor of the army, which has governed the former Burma for nearly
50 years.

The trial began in May and has been held mostly behind closed doors,
although several European diplomats were allowed to attend Friday's
proceedings, when lawyers for Suu Kyi concluded their defense statements.

The case has been dismissed as a show trial by critics, and the
international community has repeatedly called for the charges to be
dropped and for Suu Kyi, 64, to be freed.

She is charged with breaching the terms of her house arrest by allowing
Yettaw to stay at her home, but her legal team argue that the law she is
charged under is obsolete.

Yettaw told the court last month that he wanted to warn Suu Kyi she would
be assassinated by "terrorists." Suu Kyi has blamed the authorities for
the security lapse.

At an Asia-Pacific security forum in Thailand on Thursday, U.S. Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton offered Myanmar the prospect of better relations
with the United States but said that depended in part on the fate of Suu
Kyi.

The junta has given no indication it will accept the offer and a
commentary published in three state-controlled newspapers on Sunday
accused Clinton of interfering in regional affairs and seeking to assert
U.S. power over Southeast Asia.

Lawyer Nyan Win said on Friday it was unlikely Clinton's calls for reform
would be heeded, adding that the National League for Democracy (NLD)
leader was "preparing for the worst."

Suu Kyi has been in detention for 14 of the past 20 years, mostly under
house arrest.

The NLD won Myanmar's last general election in 1990 by a landslide but the
generals ignored the result. Critics have expressed concern that next
year's polls will be rigged to further entrench army rule.

(Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Alan Raybould and Dean Yates)
____________________________________

July 26, Associated Press
Myanmar criticizes Clinton following ASEAN meeting

A Myanmar state-run newspaper on Sunday accused U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton of interfering in the affairs of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations after she urged its members to press for more
democratic reforms in the country.

Clinton, who attended the ASEAN Regional Forum last week in Thailand, also
called on Myanmar to unconditionally release pro-democracy leader Aung San
Suu Kyi, who is on trial for allegedly violating the terms of her house
arrest and faces a possible five-year prison term.

"It amounts to interfering in the affairs of the ASEAN," according to a
commentary in the state-run Myanma Ahlin daily. "If ASEAN complies with
the instruction of U.S. Secretary of State, ASEAN will become the follower
of United States."

Myanmar is one of ASEAN's 10 member countries.

The commentary also suggested that American calls for Suu Kyi's release
were part of a long-term plan to place someone in power in Myanmar whom it
can control.

Clinton saved some of her toughest criticism during the forum for Myanmar
and North Korea, which is not an ASEAN member. She expressed concerns that
North Korea, already a threat to its neighbors and the U.S. with its
history of illicit sales of missiles and nuclear technology, is now
developing ties to Myanmar's military dictatorship.

Clinton also offered Myanmar the prospect of better relations with the
United States, but said that depended in part on the fate of Suu Kyi.

Myanmar state media rejected the criticism, accusing those calling for Suu
Kyi's release of "interference" and "showing reckless disregard for the
law."

Suu Kyi, 64, is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest by
harboring an uninvited American man who swam to her lakeside home and
stayed for two days in May.

Western diplomats in Yangon generally believe that Suu Kyi will be found
guilty, with the verdict expected sometime next month.

The trial has drawn condemnation from the international community and from
Suu Kyi's local supporters, who worry the ruling junta has found an excuse
to keep her behind bars through elections planned for next year.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been under military rule since 1962.

Suu Kyi's opposition party won national elections in 1990, but Myanmar's
generals refused to relinquish power. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest
for 14 of the past 20 years.

­­­­­­____________________________________

July 25, New Light of Myanmar
Final arguments heard for lawsuit against US citizen Mr John William
Yettaw, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Daw Khin Khin Win and Ma Win Ma Ma

Yangon North District Court heard Criminal Case Nos 47/2009, 48/2009 and
49/2009 filed against US citizen Mr John William Yettaw, Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi, Daw Khin Khin Win and Ma Win Ma Ma this afternoon.

The court first heard the final arguments of Advocate U Kyi Win defending
the accused Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Criminal Case No 47/2009.

It hears final arguments for the rest at 10 am on 27 July.

____________________________________
HEALTH / AIDS

July 27, Associated Press
Myanmar may get more money in fight against AIDS

Shrunken to 30 pounds of skin and bones, Ma Moe could barely walk when she
arrived on the doorstep of the clinic nearly two years ago. AIDS had
killed her husband three years earlier, and it was slowly killing her.

If not for the free medicine she receives, she would be dead, the
35-year-old widow said as she waited for her monthly visit. "I had no
money, my house was destroyed by (Cyclone) Nargis, I had nowhere else to
go."

The modest one-story wooden clinic, one of two dozen run by international
aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres, is on the front lines of Myanmar's
struggle against HIV/AIDS, a disease that often spells a slow death
sentence for Burmese because of a shortage of antiretroviral medicines. As
foreign donors largely shunned this isolated military-run nation, its AIDS
epidemic, one of the most serious in Asia, steadily worsened out of the
spotlight.

But now Western governments and donors have begun reassessing their
approach after years of tough sanctions failed to yield much progress. The
Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a major international
donor that pulled out in 2005, is considering returning to Myanmar, a
decision that could inject millions of dollars in funding and triple the
number of people getting life-saving medicine.

Donors have long feared that aid would only bolster the iron-hand rule of
the military government. Myanmar receives only about $3 per capita in aid,
compared with $23 for Vietnam and $50 for Laos.

An estimated 240,000 people are infected by the HIV virus that causes
AIDS. Of those, about 76,000 are in need of the life-saving
anti-retroviral treatment, but less than a quarter of them — about 18,000
— are getting it. The lack of accessible treatment translates into about
25,000 deaths a year.

At $30 a month, roughly equal to the average monthly salary here, the cost
for the medication is beyond the reach of many. A lucky few get it free
from Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors Without Borders,
which provides drugs and treatment to some 12,000 people across the
country. A handful of smaller NGOs cover about 4,000 patients, while the
government provides for about 1,800.

"There's such huge need but so little money from donors that we end up
being the main provider of (anti-retroviral treatment)," said Luke Arend,
the head of MSF in Myanmar. "It's probably the only place in the world
where an NGO is effectively running the country's HIV program, as the
national AIDS program has such limited funding. That's a sad state of
affairs."

After years of silence and denial, the regime finally acknowledged the
AIDS scourge in early 2000.

Some aid groups say privately that government health officials are now
keenly aware of the problem but that the regime's priorities lie
elsewhere. Myanmar, with one of the world's largest armies, spends the
least amount of any country on its national health budget — just 0.3
percent of GDP, of which a small amount goes toward AIDS.

The lines start early outside the AIDS clinic set in the middle of
farmland on the outskirts of Yangon. By midmorning, the waiting room is
jammed with patients — mothers holding babies, young couples, men visibly
frail and emaciated.

The anti-retroviral drugs have returned Ma Moe, the young AIDS widow, to a
visibly healthy glow. Her weight has rebounded back to normal. Sitting in
a small room off the main clinic, she talked candidly about the disease
she didn't know existed until after her husband died in 2006.

"I was scared to take a blood test. I didn't know anything about AIDS,"
she said. "The doctors warned me ahead of time that if I had HIV, I might
die."

"My health has gotten better but I know in my mind I am still HIV
positive. I know I can die without the drugs," she said.

In mid-2007, overwhelmed and beyond its capacity, MSF temporarily stopped
taking new patients for more than a year. The result was starkly painful,
said Dr. Soe Yadanar, who has been working in the clinics for a decade.

"While they waited, some died," she said.

The situation could be very different by next year. The Global Fund, a
U.N.-backed fund for three key diseases, is now considering an application
by Myanmar for $320 million in funding, with the goal of treating 42,000
new AIDS cases within five years. A final decision could come by this
fall.

Increasingly, Western nations have realized that broad sanctions are
hurting their interests because the military junta is prepared to forego
any aid with political strings attached, according to a report last fall
by the International Crisis Group.

The European Union, including Britain, has reviewed its assistance policy
to Myanmar. Even the United States, perhaps the strongest supporter of
ever-tightening aid restrictions, has said it is now in the process of
reviewing its overall Myanmar policy. During a trip to Asia earlier this
year, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke plainly: "Clearly, the path
we have taken in imposing sanctions hasn't influenced the Burmese junta."

The shift marks a turnaround in the political climate from even a few
years ago, when Myanmar was treated as a complete pariah state.

In 2005, the Global Fund abruptly announced it was withdrawing from the
country after less than a year. Spokesman Jon Liden said government
restrictions barring access to certain areas of the country made it
impossible to monitor how the $100 million in funding was being used.

"For us, there was no direct political considerations," he said. "We'd
always be willing to provide funds regardless of the government, as long
as we can ensure that it's being used effectively."

But other aid groups believed the decision was more likely the result of
heavy political pressure exerted by the U.S., the largest donor to the
Global Fund and one that strongly opposed any kind of aid.

Regardless of the reasons, the government read it negatively, said Andrew
Kirkwood, country director for Save the Children in Myanmar.

"It sent a message to the (Myanmar) government that humanitarian
assistance was political, despite the rhetoric that it was not linked. It
did a great deal of damage to the relationship between international aid
groups and the regime," he said.

For humanitarian groups, the key shift came in the aftermath of last
year's devastating Cyclone Nargis, which claimed at least 138,000 lives
and was impossible for other nations and aid groups to ignore.

After an initial bottleneck by Myanmar's military leaders, aid groups have
flooded into the country, said Choo Phuah, country director for the
UK-based International HIV/AIDS Alliance, which works with grassroots
organizations in Myanmar.

"I think (Cyclone) Nargis did shift people's perspective about working in
the country. Following the cyclone, many organizations started programs in
the country," she said.

In the wake of Nargis, huge amounts of aid funding flowed into the
country, she said, money that ultimately "has a momentum of its own."

____________________________________

July 27, Irrawaddy
Several die in Kachin State’s worst dengue fever outbreak – Saw Yan Naing

An outbreak of dengue fever in Myitkyina, capital of Burma’s Kachin State,
has claimed several lives, according to local residents.

Myitkyina’s public hospital wards are full of dengue patients and many
residents are seeking medical attention in private clinics, local sources
say. Most of the patients are children and elderly people.

“The situation is terrible,” said one local resident, Ma Grang.

Local hospitals and clinics are overburdened by the increasing number of
cases, and Ma Grang said many patients waited in vain all day for
treatment. The Kachin News Group reported that more then 120 children are
being treated in a local hospital known as the “Children’s Ward.”

Hospital and clinic staff told The Irrawaddy they had no authority to give
out information on the outbreak, which began in mid-June. No official
death toll has been reported.

The Kachin News Group reported that a 16-year-old schoolgirl, Hkawng Naw,
was among the recent victims,. She died on July 23.

Dengue fever outbreaks occur every year in Kachin State, but the current
epidemic is the worst ever.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

July 27, Associated Press
Malaysian official accused of selling Myanmar man

A Malaysian immigration official was charged with selling an illegal
immigrant from Myanmar to human traffickers at the country's border with
Thailand, his lawyer said Monday.

Rahman Selamat, a senior immigration official from southern Johor state,
pleaded innocent to human trafficking charges, his lawyer Wan Mohamad
Fadzil Maamor said.

If found guilty, Rahman faces up to 15 years in prison. The court in
northern Kelantan state refused bail for Rahman pending trial on Aug. 25,
Wan Mohamad Fadzil said. Further details were not immediately available.

Rahman was arrested July 17 with four other immigration officials and four
bus drivers, who allegedly helped transport the migrants to the border.

Police said investigations showed the immigration officers sold an
unspecified number of Myanmar migrants detained for living in Malaysia
without valid travel documents to human traffickers at the Thai border for
up to 600 ringgit ($170) each.

The traffickers then allegedly took the migrants into Thailand and told
them to pay 2,000 ringgit ($570) each for their freedom, or they would be
forced to work in the fishing industry, police said.

It was unclear if the other Malaysian officials or bus drivers accused of
involvement would also be charged. The officials did not specify the
ethnicity of the migrants, but most Myanmar people who try to enter
Malaysia are ethnic Rohingya Muslims.

In April, a report by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said
illegal Myanmar migrants deported from Malaysia were forced to work in
brothels, restaurants and on fishing boats in Thailand if they had no
money to buy their freedom.

The United Nations refugee agency has registered more than 48,000 refugees
in Malaysia, most from Myanmar. But community leaders estimate the number
of Myanmar people in Malaysia is about twice that

____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER

July 27, Guardian (UK)
Asean's Burmese diplomacy has failed – Tom Fawthrop

The trial of Aung San Suu Kyi has highlighted the inability of Burma's
neighbours to counter the generals' stranglehold

The bizarre and protracted trial of Aung San Suu Kyi has just heard the
final arguments of the prosecution and defence. The verdict – not expected
for another month – will not only decide the fate of Burma's iconic
opposition leader, who has been held under house arrest for the best part
of 19 years, but will cast a decisive shadow over elections scheduled for
2010.

During the recent visit of UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon, junta chief
General Tan Shwe promised free and fair elections next year. Indonesia's
foreign minister Dr Hassan Wirajuda has made it clear that Burma must
release Suu Kyi if those elections are to be credible. Attending ARF, the
Asean regional forum in Phuket, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton
informed the Burmese delegation that any US offer to improve relations is
dependent on releasing Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.

And what happens if – as most observers expect – she is perversely found
guilty of violating her conditions of house arrest, all because of a
mysterious intrusion from an uninvited American guest?

Burma's opposition has already predicted a guilty verdict, expecting the
judge to send her to prison or renew her detention order for another five
years, thus denying her any role in next year's elections. So what will
Asean do about their recalcitrant member? Not too much hope should be
placed in the newly approved human rights provision of the Asean charter.
The human rights commission has no power to monitor violations, and Burma
participated in efforts to water down the provisions to exclude any
monitoring or investigation.

Although the Indonesian foreign minister has expressed anger, the
misgivings of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, expressed through
softly-softly diplomacy known as "constructive engagement" with the
regime, have so far made no difference. If anything, it has become routine
at major Asean conferences for the Burmese delegation to deflect criticism
and carry on as usual. The club of south-east Asian nations operates by
consensus and shrinks from suggestions that Burma should either be
expelled or suspended. The idea, suggested by parliamentarians from
Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, of suspending Burma's membership was
rejected by Thailand's prime minister, the current Asean chairman. "There
are not enough grounds to do that," he said.

Since 1997, when Burma joined Asean, the military regime has been accused
of forced labour, systematic torture of political prisoners and shooting
protesting monks. Thailand has been flooded with political refugees,
especially ethnic minorities such as Karen and Shan, fleeing the burning
and pillaging of the Burmese military offensives. A recent report from
Harvard law school calls for the UN security council to establish an
investigation into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma.

Whether or not Burma should be suspended from Asean is one issue, but to
suggest there are not enough grounds to even consider it is an insult to
the endless sufferings of the Burmese people which Asean has singularly
failed to alleviate. Asean's leaders are quick to point out the failure of
western sanctions and the futility of isolating a paranoid regime which
has already withdrawn Burma's capital from Rangoon to the newly-built
secret citadel of Naypidaw, designed to be a "foreigner-free zone".

But it is clear Asean's policy of "constructive engagement" has equally
failed to move Burma's generals away from their bunker mentality and
convince them of the need for a transition towards democracy. Asean has of
course called for Suu Kyi's release. But if the junta takes no notice and
the court finds her guilty, after the usual round of polite protest,
nothing will happen – it will be business as usual. Indeed those who
condemn western sanctions are also countries involved in trade and
investment in Burma.

A Thai Democrat MP, Kraisak Choonhavan, concerned that his country has not
done enough for human rights in Burma, says one reason is "Thailand is the
number one investor in natural gas. We pay 16bn baht a year to Burma." He
would like to see his government impose ethical and good governance
practices on state enterprises doing business across the border.

The real issue, however, is not sanctions or engagement, but the type of
sanctions, and the terms of engagement. But as long as Asean engages in
unconditional diplomacy, sanctions are necessary to indicate the
diplomatic rejection of a brutal regime. Up to now, the junta has survived
thanks to support from China and Russia in the UN security council, and
the cynical scramble for Burma's rich natural resources which has united
India, Thailand and Singapore with China and Russia. Suu Kyi will continue
to languish behind bars (or under house arrest) as long as pressure on the
generals is constantly deflected by the competing greed of these nations.

____________________________________

July 27, Irrawaddy
All talk, no traction – Aung Zaw

International gatherings like the ones held on the Thai resort island of
Phuket last week are seldom much more than talk shops. The ministers who
attended the Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and the Asean Regional Forum
(ARF) went there to be seen and heard, not to solve any of the region’s
problems.

That’s why no one was particularly surprised or disappointed that there
were no great breakthroughs in resolving the perennial problems of Burma
and North Korea, which, as expected, dominated discussions at the
high-level meetings.

As usual, ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(Asean) reiterated their call for Burma to release all political
prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and pave the way for national
reconciliation through “inclusive” general elections in 2010.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda acknowledged, however, that
the Burmese regime was unlikely to budge much under pressure. The junta,
he said, changes “too slowly and often a little change at a time.”

But this did not prevent his Thai counterpart, Kasit Piromya, from
offering to facilitate the process of change. “Asean as well as members of
the ARF would like to work with Myanmar [Burma] and are ready to assist
Myanmar in its efforts to promote democracy, human rights and well-being
among her people,” he said.

In his capacity as chairman of the 16th Asean Regional Forum, Kasit added
that the Burmese foreign minister had been asked “to convey this sentiment
to the Myanmar leadership. It is hoped that Myanmar will be responsive to
the international community’s concerns.”

At least one person—Vitavas Srivihok, the director-general of the
Asean-Thailand office of Thailand’s ministry of foreign affairs—seemed to
think that Asean’s message would get a receptive hearing in Naypyidaw.

He told reporters, “The first time I saw Myanmar’s reaction, I thought it
was very positive
. They fully understand and appreciate the offers of
help by Asean colleagues.

Meanwhile, others were asking what Asean might do if Burma does not comply
with calls for reform. Although no clear answer to that question emerged,
at least one option—throwing Burma out of the regional grouping—was ruled
out as a possibility
.

For more, please visit: http://irrawaddy.org/opinion_story.php?art_id=16403

____________________________________

July 27, Bangkok Post
A chink may yet be appearing in Burma's obstinacy – Thanida Tansubhapol

The Burma and North Korea issues have been in the spotlight at Asean
meetings for more than a decade. The "issues" vary from meeting to
meeting, depending on what is happening with these countries at the time.

Mostly, Burma would be brought up at the meetings because of its strong
opposition to human rights within the country.

There seems to be no sustainable solution to the problems although the
regime always tries to appease its Asean neighbours by releasing a number
of political prisoners prior to the conferences.

The perennial barb, however, is the continued detention of the opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is now facing trial for an alleged violation
of her house arrest rules after an American man swam across the river to
her home.

Burma has given some hope to the international community by announcing a
national reconciliation process and its peaceful transition to democracy,
as envisaged in the seven-step road map to democracy, in particular the
adoption of the State Constitution of 2008 by referendum which will lead
to a general election next year. It will be the first national election
after the regime refused the overwhelming victory of Ms Suu Kyi in 1990.

But without Ms Suu Kyi joining in the 2010 election, it will be worthless.

Asean's goal of becoming one community by 2015 is approaching and if the
2010 election in Burma fails, the hopes and dreams for all 10 Asean
members to become a homogeneous community might remain just that - a
dream.

A diplomat who attended the Asean meeting last week said the grouping's
members conveyed to Burma that the atmosphere was not good and Burma had
to do something to break its silence.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said that in this meeting, Burmese Foreign
Minister Nyan Win learnt that "his country is a major factor in moving
Asean forward".

"It is the duty of Asean and Burma to push the grouping together to become
a community," Mr Kasit said.

For the first time, Asean asked Nyan Win to convey the sentiment to the
Burmese leadership.

The action came after Asean foreign ministers felt concerned that their
joint call for changes in Burma might not reach the ears of the Burmese
leader Snr Gen Than Shwe.

Nobody can tell how receptive the Burmese leaders will be to what the
outside world has been demanding. Many demands were made in the past but
no actions were taken by the regime.

The many joint communiques of Asean and the chairman's statement from the
Asean Plus Three - Japan, China and South Korea - as well as ARF
throughout the years reaffirm that the Burmese government must hold a
free, fair and inclusive election in 2010 in order to lay down a good
foundation for future social and economic development.

They reiterated their calls for the Burmese government to immediately
release all political prisoners, including Ms Suu Kyi to pave the way for
genuine reconciliation and meaningful dialogue involving all parties.

"Asean ministers were afraid that the Burmese leader might choose to
acknowledge only the positive reaction from Asean such as its welcoming of
the recent visit of UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon or the thanks for
Burma's cooperation in allowing outsiders to help its people after Cyclone
Nargis," said a source who attended the meeting.

The source admitted the atmosphere in the meeting rooms was better than
the past year as there was not any pressure on Burma.

"The atmosphere was full of cogency and pertinent to the real reason [of
the need for change in Burma]. There were more frank discussions than in
the past," the source said.

This was reflected in the offer of Asean and members of ARF to work with
Burma to promote democracy, human rights and the well-being of her people.
At the same time, it was hoped that Burma would also be responsive to the
international community's concerns, according to Mr Kasit.

Nyan Win, however, told his Asean counterparts on Monday that pressure
from the outside world and economic sanctions were hampering Burma's
democratisation and development efforts.

According to the same source, Asean was in the process of persuading Burma
to change its situation.

"Having Asean to help Burma in its democratisation is better than fighting
it," the source said. This message was released during the ARF meeting in
which the US also participated.

Mr Kasit emphasised that Asean members wanted to help one another and
resolve internal problems within the bloc's family without recourse to the
international community.

Asean's new approach towards Burma at this meeting is its ministers have
agreed to take turns to engage the Burmese leadership soon and if the
Burmese government would allow outsiders to observe its elections next
year, Asean should be the first grouping to do so, the source said.

Asean is expected to receive a positive response from Burma before the
annual United Nations General Assembly in New York in September where all
Asean foreign ministers will gather, the source added.

If Asean is a pull factor for Burma, the US is working as a push one.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Burma to release Ms Suu Kyi in
exchange for direct investment from the United States.

"If she were released, that would open up opportunities at least for my
country to expand our relationship with Burma, including investments in
Burma," she said.

Pornpimon Trichote, a Burmese expert, said she was not surprised at the US
shift as new US President Barack Obama used to hint that the US policy
towards Burma might change.

"The US might change some approaches towards Burma but its principles
would remain the same. However, I believe Burma might not be in a hurry to
reciprocate on what the US has to offer as the relationship of both
countries has been estranged for a long time," she said, adding that Burma
never cared for the US as it is friends with other powers like China,
Russia and North Korea.

If things go according to plan, these push and pull factors could
eventually help create more space to deal with Burma after the election
next year, she said. "The US might face an impasse as the sanctions have
produced nothing for many years. If it has not changed its position, it
has nowhere to go," she said, adding it was likely condemnation of Burma
will be softer after this.

____________________________________

July 25, New Light of Myanmar
On my return from Europe – Wai Hmu

In my youth, I once studied geopolitics, and held Sir Halford Mackinder
and Alfred Thayer Mahan in 'great esteem for their beliefs including
heartland theories. Later, I also disrespected them simultaneously due to
the world wars and Cold War along with the colonial wars that were under
their beliefs. Their convictions are, in fact, the nucleus of colonialism.
Anyhow, I had interest in Europe, home to those whose convictions
conceived colonialism and who introduced colonialism to the world. By good
fortune, I was given an opportunity to stay in Brussels, also known as the
heart of the Europe, for a few years. Only then could I come to know a lot
about Europeans, aggressive and mean peoples, their beliefs, their some
habits worthy of emulation, excessive selfishness, and covetousness. In my
opinion, these points led to the world wars, and negative attitude towards
Myanmar. To write this article, I was inspired by a strong desire to share
thy knowledge and experiences which I gained from my stay there, with
those Myanmar people who have not been to European countries and those who
have not got much knowledge of the continent.

Brussels is Belgium's capital city, a famous city in the world's political
stage, as well as the city, in which European Union (EU), North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO), and World Customs Organization have their
headquarters. Belgians boast that their capital Brussels is more
well-known than their country Belgium. During my stay in Brussels, my
family and I happened to visit some surrounding countries such as Germany,
France, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. I had read the book "History of
World War II" by Winston Churchill. On our way to Luxemburg, I enjoyed the
natural beauty of Arden forest and happened to recall my memories of the
battles that took place in the forest. During my stay in Brussels, I not
only worked but also studied a lot such as EU, especially, EU-Myanmar
relations; NATO, WCO, political systems of European countries and liberal
democracy and debated many subjects with my European and Asian friends
there. And there the more I knew that many were misunderstanding writing
wrong facts and leveling baseless accusations against Myanmar, the more
frustrated I felt.

I came to know well about European Union (EU)'s attitude towards Myanmar
because during my stay there I read a lot, broadened the scope of my
friends and acquaintances and often used the Internet. I would like to
present some facts about European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office
(ECHO) first. I had a conversation with an official from ECHO. I had
learnt that ECHO set up a branch in Myanmar. So, I asked what ECHO was
doing in Myanmar. He replied that ECHO provided over 10 million Euros for
the fund of its branch in Myanmar; and that about .6 million Euros of it
went to refugee camps in Thai border areas. I said that those refugee
camps were merely nominal ones, therefore ECHO should not have provided
cash assistance because if it kept on doing so, the insurgents could well
survive and trouble the nation. He did not respond to my words, but he was
looking at me in a faintly bemused manner. I also learnt that in many
cases when budgets for humanitarian aid European Commission supported the
developing countries were passed, some Europeans went down to the branches
of their offices in these countries and competed against each other for
projects to skim off the funds.

The second point is that it was in the early 2007. If my memory serves me
right it was the time when Chairman Major General Htein Maung of KNLA
Peace Council and party returned to the legal fold. According to the news
I got, about 10 million Euros were provided to KNU refugee camps in order
that the remnant insurgents would not return to the legal fold. So, I felt
embittered a lot. I am in doubt they want to see national race armed
groups return to the legal fold.

The third point is that Euro-Burma Office is in Brussels. The director of
it is Harn Yawnghwe (son of Sao Shwe Thaik). According to his Website, the
office has been opened since 1995. Harn Yawnghwe seems to be popular among
the anti-government groups. All the politicians, young and old, call him
"U (Mr) Harn" to show their high esteem to him. He has been opposing
Myanmar government to earn his living since the previous government. His
mother founded SSA armed insurgent group. His elder brother was a
battalion commander in SSA. In Shan Thandawsint newspaper, Harn Yawnghwe
was branded as patron of drug trafficking terrorist group SSA (South) Ywet
Sit. I came to know that he has been trying for generations for Shan State
to secede from the Union to found Shan nation. I believe all who have ever
dealt with him know well about his plot. He always claims democracy,
praising himself to be the spokesman of Daw Suu Kyi, as if he is a real
pro-democracy activist among European politicians. He is CEO of DVB
broadcasting station as well as a secessionist. Without any doubt he is
believed to keep on attempting till his final days to break up the Union.
So, he is a sort of person, whose acts the people should remain constantly
aware of. His Website also says that Euro-Burma Office was established
with the joint annual funds by European Commission and European
Parliament; that Friedrich-Elbert-Stiftung (FES), a German foundation,
provided funds for it; and that Norway government, dialogue partner of
Tamil Tigers, also provided funds for it. Surely, EU has aided and abetted
a dangerous secessionist thug for over a decade. What is their motive?

The European Commission held a forum on Myanmar in 2006. All those who
consider themselves to be pro-democracy Myanmar activists, attended it,
and held discussions. At that time I was busy, so I requested a French
friend of mine to attend the forum. He is a writer and he has read a book
by Robert Taylor. So, he volunteered to attend it. However, he was not
allowed to attend the closed door meeting that evening. And he was
dissatisfied with that and commented the closed door meeting to be a
meeting to seek funds secretly. No one knew how much who aided and how
much who got, but I was sure it was a huge fund. Europeans I previously
thought did things openly, publicly and decisively, and I wondered why
they did not do so that time. A European commissioner once said to me that
he did not want to exercise double standard in Myanmar affairs unlike
those from other EU member countries.

In September, 2007 an undisciplined protest dubbed "golden revolution"
broke out. But the EU seemed to be happy with that. It issued a statement
demanding that the Myanmar government was to tolerate. They felt satisfied
and happy thinking those who would serve the long-term interests of the
western bloc would come into power in Myanmar like colour revolutions they
had created in Belarus, Ukraine and Georgia. When the State took control
of the situation for the sake of the security of the people and their
property, the EU got infuriated and imposed more sanctions against
Myanmar. Visa ban was imposed even on grocery owners from far-away areas.
Then economic sanctions were imposed. Ignoring the fact that sanctions
affected only the poor, they, in a dishonest way, continued to apply their
sanction strategy thinking that more unrest and violence would occur when
the poor got poorer and poorer. When the UN appointed Mr Gambari as
special envoy, the EU appointed Mr Fascino, an Italian socialist, as
special envoy. I think there are about eight special envoys the EU has
appointed. The special envoy sent to Serbia for Kosovo crisis was able to
show his excellent performance. It was said that even the UN had to refer
to his report. Soon, a small new Kosovo seceded from Serbia as the sixth
one to do so. About 15 EU member countries hastily declared their
recognition. Some member countries with internal secession problems kept
silent. Thanks to the EU special envoy, Serbia became weaker and weaker.
For what purpose was the EU special envoy appointed for Myanmar? It is not
easy to know their motive only by reading their statement. It would be
better for us to try to know their habit, interest, character, means and
history. The Myanmar government did not recognize the EU special envoy. If
he was recognized, it would yield no benefits
.

We, the national people, will have to continue to strive for the Union of
Myanmar to become a more developed, discipline flourishing nation. We have
to continue to march towards a glamorous new nation by thwarting the
danger of breaking up the nation that has overshadowed since the
pre-independence period. We will have to continue to build a society with
constitutionalism that follows and respect the sound provisions included
in the unanimously-approved constitution. We will have to continue to
ensure good governance with honest and loyal service personnel at various
levels for the emergence of a discipline-flourishing democratic nation.
The national duties ahead of us are wide and enormous.

____________________________________
PRESS RELEASE

July 27, Amnesty International
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is Amnesty International’s “Ambassador of Conscience”

(Dublin) -- Amnesty International today announced that Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi is being awarded its most prestigious honour – the “Ambassador of
Conscience” Award for 2009.

This year’s award will be presented in Dublin by Amnesty International and
the Irish rock band U2, previous recipients of the award and long-time
supporters of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

“This month marks the twentieth anniversary of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s
arrest and twenty years since Amnesty International declared her a
prisoner of conscience. In those long and often dark years Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi has remained a symbol of hope, courage and the undying defense of
human rights, not only to the people of Myanmar but to people around the
world,” said Irene Khan, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.

Daw Suu’s fellow Nobel laureate Vaclav Havel, who received the inaugural
“Ambassador of Conscience Award” in 2003, joined in the congratulations:

“I know from my own experience that international attention can, to a
certain extent, protect the unjustly persecuted from punishments that
would otherwise be imposed. That is why, shortly after I was elected
President, I nominated Mrs Suu Kyi for the Nobel Peace Prize, which she
did subsequently receive. Goodness knows what would have happened if her
fate had not been highlighted as it is again today. I welcome Amnesty’s
decision and am delighted at the solidarity, that U2 and all of you are
showing towards this courageous woman – the Ambassador of Conscience of
each one of us.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the Myanmar opposition party the National
League for Democracy, and has been detained for over 13 of the past 20
years, mostly under house arrest.  Her house detention order was set to
expire on 27 May 2009, but she was arrested and placed on trial on 18 May.
 Over 2,100 other people are currently imprisoned in Myanmar for their
political beliefs and should be freed.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial for violating the terms and conditions of her
house arrest resumed on 24 .July. If convicted Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could
face up to five years in jail.

Background
Amnesty International's "Ambassador of Conscience" Award recognises
exceptional individual leadership and witness in the fight to protect and
promote human rights.

The Ambassador of Conscience Award, now in its sixth year, recognises
exceptional leadership and witness in the fight to protect and promote
human rights. Past winners of the award include Nelson Mandela, U2 and
Vaclav Havel.

The Award -- inspired by a poem written for Amnesty International by Nobel
Laureate Seamus Heaney -- aims to promote the work of the organization by
association with the life, work and example of its 'Ambassadors', who have
done much to inspire the world through their work and personal example.

Notes to editors

To request an interview with Amnesty International spokespeople please
contact Tom Mackey on +44 207 413 5810

Images are available on request. For more information please call Amnesty
International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566 or email:
press at amnesty.org

International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London
WC1X 0DW, UK www.amnesty.org