From editor at burmanet.org Tue Jan 19 14:11:58 2010 From: editor at burmanet.org (Editor) Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:11:58 -0500 (EST) Subject: BurmaNet News, January 16 - 19, 2010 Message-ID: <45393.63.173.78.131.1263928318.squirrel@webmail2.pair.com> January 16 ? 19, 2010, Issue #3878 INSIDE BURMA Irrawaddy: Several politicians express support for Burma election AFP: Suu Kyi lawyers give final arguments in top Myanmar court Kaladan Press: Win Tin permitted to travel outside Rangoon Mizzima News: American academicians meet NLD leaders Reuters: As poll looms, Myanmar still building parliament ON THE BORDER Times of India: India will ask Myanmar to launch intensive search for Paresh Baruah Khonumthung News: Chin students union to observe conference BUSINESS / TRADE Vietnam News Agency: Vietnam boosts investment in Myanmar REGIONAL DVB: Japan calls for Suu Kyi?s release OPINION / OTHER Irrawaddy: Dark signs of things to come ? Kyaw Zwa Moe Wall Street Journal: India can move the needle on Burma ? Kelly Currie PRESS RELEASE Burma Campaign UK: Kachin farmer murdered by Burmese Army soldiers - authorities take no action ANNOUNCEMENT New York Open Center: New York Open Center hosts its first exhibition on contemporary Burmese art organized and curated by Burmese artists from the tri-state area ____________________________________ INSIDE BURMA January 19, Irrawaddy Several politicians express support for Burma election ? Saw Yan Naing While many international observers and Burmese dissidents have condemned the military government's plan to hold a general election this year, several veteran Burmese politicians, former political prisoners and student activists expressed support for this year's election at an informal political meeting in Rangoon on Saturday. The individual comments came at a meeting called the ?Burma Affairs Forum? which took place at the Karaweik Hotel in central Rangoon. About 50 participants discussed the pros and cons and the issues surrounding the proposed election. The meeting was organized by a committee including student activists who were involved in the 1988 uprising and politicians who intend to contest this year's election, such as ethnic Shan politician Shwe Ohn and the daughter of late Deputy Prime Minister Kyaw Nyein, Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein. One of the meeting organizers, Thein Tin Aung, said, ?We focused the agenda on how to approach the election. The participants discussed how to ensure a smooth transition from military rule to democracy. Another item on the agenda was: 'How to deal with the military regime confrontation or cooperation?' ?In my opinion, the election is vital for the process of democracy,? he added. Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday, Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein said, ?An election is a great chance for the politicians, for the people and for the country. For the sake of the country, we have decided to grab this opportunity. ?There is no other alternative to the election,? she said. ?It doesn't mean we accept the 2008 Constitution. We hope it can be changed at some time in the future,? she said, adding that Shwe Ohn, who formed the Union Democratic Alliance Party to contest the election, brought up the issue of federalism at the forum. Most major opposition and ethnic leaders did not attend the meeting, including those from detained Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD). The NLD has said the military regime must allow for a review of the Constitution and the release of political prisoners before it will consider participating in the election. To date, no electoral law or date have been announced for the election. However, the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun last week claimed the election will be held on Oct. 10. Meanwhile, Aye Lwin, a student leader in the 1988 uprising who founded his own political group in 2005 known as the Union of Burma 88 Generation Students group, said that his organization is conducting political campaigns in different townships and divisions across Burma. ?The election is a chance for change,? he said. ?Therefore, we have to try??even if we all have different opinions about the process.? He said that his organization is receiving a positive response from the public while in the field, but said that many people are still fearful of involvement in politics. The pro-junta National Unity Party (NUP) is also campaigning across the country, sources said. The NUP won 10 parliamentary seats in the 1990 election while the NLD won 392 seats. In December 2009, the Brussels-based Euro-Burma Office??which is tasked with helping the Burmese democracy movement prepare for a transition to democracy??said it will provide financial support to opposition parties and ethnic groups that will contest the general election if they need support, according to the organization's Executive Director Harn Yawnghwe. The aim of supporting those groups is to let them strive for democracy and ethnic rights within any political space that might be opened up by the Burmese regime, he said. Many exiled dissidents and international observers have denounced the planned election as a ?sham? designed to entrench the junta's rule and have called for a boycott of the election. ____________________________________ January 18, Agence France Presse Suu Kyi lawyers give final arguments in top Myanmar court Yangon ? Myanmar's supreme court heard final arguments on Monday against the extended house arrest of detained pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, her lawyer said. The 64-year-old opposition leader was ordered in August to spend another 18 months in detention after being convicted over an incident in which a US man swam to her house. A lower court rejected an initial appeal in October. Monday's hearing at the top Yangon court, where both sides gave arguments, lasted more than three hours, according to Suu Kyi's main lawyer Kyi Win. He said a decision was expected within a month. "We expect them to accept our arguments and after that release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," he told AFP. Daw is a term of respect in Myanmar. "The law is completely on our side," he said, adding that they argued her conviction was unlawful because it was based on regulations in the country's now-defunct 1974 constitution. If the appeal is rejected, Suu Kyi and her legal team will write to the office of the chief justice at the supreme court, explained Nyan Win, another of her lawyers. If this also fails, it is thought they would have to appeal directly to the military government to try to get the conviction overturned. The Nobel peace laureate, who is detained at her lakeside mansion in Yangon, did not attend the court and journalists were barred, although the British ambassador and another embassy official were seen going into the hearing. Myanmar's military rulers have kept Suu Kyi in detention for 14 of the past 20 years, having refused to recognise her party's landslide victory in the country's last democratic elections in 1990. The extension of her detention after a prison trial sparked international outrage as it effectively keeps her off the stage for elections promised by the regime some time this year. But in recent months the United States, followed by the European Union, has shifted towards a policy of greater engagement with Myanmar -- which has been under military rule since 1962 -- as sanctions have failed to bear fruit. Suu Kyi has also changed tack after years of favouring harsh international measures against Myanmar, writing twice to junta chief Than Shwe since September offering her cooperation in trying to get Western sanctions lifted. On Friday she met the ruling junta's liaison officer, in the latest sign of dialogue between the two sides. It was the fourth meeting between the pair since the beginning of October. She was also granted a meeting in December with three elderly senior NLD members, at which she asked for their approval to reorganise the party leadership committee. But the junta has not yet granted her requests to meet the rest of the committee and to hold talks with Than Shwe himself. In November the regime allowed her to make a rare appearance in front of the media after meeting US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, the highest level official from Washington to visit Myanmar for 14 years. A visit by US senator Jim Webb in August secured the release of John Yettaw, the American man who swam across a lake to Suu Kyi's home in May and sparked the case that led to her detention being prolonged. ____________________________________ January 19, Kaladan Press Win Tin permitted to travel outside Rangoon Win Tin, a leader with the National League for Democracy (NLD), for the first time since his release from prison in September 2008 on Monday traveled outside of Rangoon. After serving over 19 years in prison, the veteran politician was released in September 2008 but remained under constant surveillance, prevented from leaving Rangoon due authorities withholding his national identity card. Ohn Kyaing, a Central Executive Committee member of the NLD, however, said he was unexpectedly given his national identity card two months ago, enabling him to travel to Burma?s second largest city of Mandalay, about 430 miles north of Rangoon, to attend the centennial anniversary of the birth of the late Ludu U Hla. ?There were no official travel restrictions imposed on U Win Tin. But he was not issued a national ID card and without this, no one can buy air, rail or car tickets. The ID card is also necessary for the registration of overnight guests and for hotel check-ins. So, in this way, he was unable to travel to other places,? Ohn Kyaing said of his previous obstacles to moving around the country. ?But strangely this ID card was issued to him about two months ago,? Ohn Kyaing added. Though he received the ID card some two months ago, he has since now been unable to enjoy his freedom of mobility due to undergoing cardiac surgery. Ohn Kyaing said Win Tin had no troubles in purchasing bus tickets and reportedly reached Mandalay safely. Win Tin was joined by Ohn Kyaing, poet Pyapon Ni Lone Oo (a.k.a. Aung Myint) and writer Monywa Aung Shin in attending the memorial of prominent journalist Ludu U Hla, which was held on Tuesday. Win Tin, also a veteran journalist, served as Editor-in-Chief of the Hantharwady daily newspaper in Mandalay for over 10 years. After attending the proceedings, Win Tin reportedly visited colleagues and friends on Tuesday morning before paying homage to U Pyinnya, abbot of the Taung Laylone monastery in Amarapura. Ohn Kyaing said Win Tin is scheduled to visit the residence of the late Ludu Daw Ahmar, wife of Ludu U Hla, in Maymyo on Wednesday. But his return date to Rangoon has not yet been fixed, Ohn Kyaing added. The 81-year old politician is one of the founding members of the NLD and was an active participant during the 1988 pro-democracy uprising. He was arrested in July 1989 and sentenced to 20 years prison. Win Tin began his career as a journalist at age 13 and later wrote several political and human rights papers while in detention in Insein prison. His writings include, Resolving Crises Through Dialogue, Demanding the Release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from House Arrest and the Situation of Human Rights Violations Inside the Burma Prisons. He has received several awards in honor of his firm belief in democracy and human rights, including UNESCO?s Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom award, the Golden Pen of Freedom prize and the Reporters without Borders award. ____________________________________ January 18, Mizzima News American academicians meet NLD leaders ? Kyaw Thein Kha Chiang Mai ? A three-member team of American academicians led by Prof. Karl D. Jakson, Director General, Southeast Asia Studies, John Hopkins University, met a few leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD). The team visited the NLD party headquarters on January 11 and met CEC members Nyan Win, Han Thar Myint and Ohn Kyaing from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. ?We met but there was no discussion as such. They inquired about the current political situation in Burma, the current situation in the NLD, future objectives, among others. We just answered some questions,? CEC member Nyan Win said. Nyan Win also said that Prof. Karl D. Jakson once conducted research on former Indonesian President Suharto. He had heard that the team would meet some ministers in Naypyitaw. Another CEC member Ohn Kyaing said the US team asked about NLD?s Shwegondaing Declaration. The party clarified its stand in the declaration to the Americans. ?We explained our stand in the Shwegondaing Declaration to them but there were no discussions. They told us they would meet government functionaries in Naypyitaw the next day,? he told Mizzima. According to Ohn Kyaing, the US team told Burmese embassy officials in the US that they would like to meet NLD and Burmese government officials when they applied for visas. Though rumours suggested the American academicians met NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also, the NLD CEC members could not verify it. Despite the US team being allowed to meet the NLD, some observers said they are yet to see any positive signs in Burmese politics. Burma affairs observer Win Min said, ?Using both tools is better than using only one tool relating to pressure tactics. We must say this is exercising additional force in exploring ways for a positive development. But for the time being, we cannot see any positive sign of progress. Everything depends on Senior Gen. Than Shwe?. Prof. Karl D. Jakson received his doctoral degree in Political Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and served as Assistant Secretary of East Asia Defence from 1986 to 1989, National Security Advisor of US Vice-President from 1991 to 1993, special aide of US President and Asian National Security Council Director from 1989 to 1991 and US-Thai Economic Council Chairman from 1994 to 2005. Now he is assistant advisor to the World Bank Chairman and at the same time conducting research on ?Culture of Democracy in Asia?. He has been working in John Hopkins University since 1996. ____________________________________ January 16, Reuters As poll looms, Myanmar still building parliament ? Aung Hla Tun Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar ? Military-ruled Myanmar's first parliamentary elections in 20 years are set for this year, yet construction on its parliament is not yet complete -- suggesting little chance of a poll in the next few months. The military junta has yet to set a date for the election. Some speculate it could take place in October or earlier. A rare glimpse of the planned parliament in Myanmar's remote new capital Naypyitaw shows much work to be done -- from unfinished roads to painting many of the parliamentary complex's 31 buildings, with pagoda-style roofs sheathed in scaffolding. A Reuters correspondent who viewed the construction could not determine how much work if any was finished inside the buildings. But the huge development underscores the rapid expansion of Naypyitaw, a sprawling city built from scratch just four years ago, where the reclusive military rulers of the former Burma have isolated themselves, some 320 km (200 miles) from the largest city and former capital, Yangon. Naypyitaw -- the name translates as "Abode of Kings" -- is a maze of ministry buildings, government mansions, civil servants' quarters and unfinished presidential palaces complete with grand Roman-style pillars -- all rising from dusty, arid scrubland. Bestowed with manicured, heavily watered lawns and forbidding stone walls, it bears no resemblance to the rest of Myanmar, one of Asia's poorest countries, or even to nearby villages, where many people live in thatched wooden huts. Attractions include five golf courses, seven resort-style hotels, drinkable tap water, a Western-style shopping mall, a large zoo, a sprawling "water fountain garden," lavish mansions and 24-hour electricity in a nation beset by power outages. A sleek new cinema is in the works along with dozens of buildings in a frenzy of construction carried out mostly by workers toiling in searing heat without modern equipment. Women haul stacks of bricks balanced upon their head at one construction site, while men clear land with wooden-handled scythes at another. Ox-drawn carts transport wood on the new military-built highway from Yangon. The government declines to disclose Naypyitaw's cost but analysts and diplomatic sources say it must have cost billions of dollars, drawing criticism from aid groups over the priorities of a country facing chronic poverty and crumbling infrastructure. But its rise reflects the strengthening diplomatic and financial muscle of Myanmar's rulers as Southeast Asia and China tap its rich natural resources, from timber and natural gas to precious Burmese gems, despite Western sanctions imposed in response to rights abuses. MISSING PULSE A Western diplomat in Yangon expressed amazement at the scale of Naypyitaw, questioning how the government would occupy parliament's 31 buildings, which are in addition to ministerial offices and three presidential palaces spread around the city. "It's astonishing how fast it is being built," he said. But one critical element is missing -- a pulse. There's no lively city center thronged with people, even four years after the government moved nearly all its workers there. Though officials put its population at about 1 million, this is ballooned by four surrounding townships. And while a ban on foreigners has lifted and tourists are welcome, Naypyitaw itself feels like a high-end ghost town. Its roads are puzzlingly wide, including one 20-lane boulevard, but they are largely empty. Civilian cars are rare. Its city center, a roundabout where five roads meet, is populated only by palm trees and potted flowers. Restaurants are busy at night, but the city's amenities -- from parks to a double-tiered, fully lit golf driving range -- are eerily empty. It's possible to drive hours on the new highway from Yangon and see just a half a dozen cars. One person they're surely happy to leave in Yangon is opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate whose house arrest was extended in August. Some experts say she may be released ahead of elections, but even then she is not expected to be allowed to play a significant role in politics after leading her National League for Democracy to a landslide victory in the last election in 1990, a poll the junta never recognized. (Editing by Bill Tarrant) ____________________________________ ON THE BORDER January 19, Times of India India will ask Myanmar to launch intensive search for Paresh Baruah New Delhi ? India will ask Myanmar to launch a thorough search in its Kachin province area where ULFA `commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah is hiding. It will also seek the neighbouring country's help in flushing out other north-east insurgents from its territory. The matter along with the issue of smuggling of Chinese arms through Myanmar will come up for discussion during three-day home secretary-level talks between the two countries, beginning in Nay Pay Taw on Tuesday. Besides ULFA, NSCN(I-M), NSCN(K), PLA and UNLF too have their camps within Myanmar territory. While ULFA has camps in the Kachin province bordering China, the other outfits have been operating from areas bordering India. The 10-member Indian delegation for the talks will be led by Union home secretary G K Pillai. Sources in the home ministry said that besides talks on action against Indian insurgents hiding there and smuggling of Chinese arms through Myanmar, the Indian side will also pitch for setting up a number of `police liaison posts' at the border for constant infomation sharing between the two countries over criminals and smugglers. The posts will provide a platform of daily interaction and joint interrogation of persons arrested for drugs/arms smuggling and for insurgency related activities. Issues like border security, smuggling of narcotic drugs, effective border management and border trade will also be discussed during the talks. ____________________________________ January 19, Khonumthung News Chin students union to observe conference The Chin Students Union of Kale University in Sagaing division, Burma, also known as Lai Sianghleirun Sianghngakchia (LSS), will observe its conference on January 23 at the Salem Baptist Church in Tahan. Joseph Bawi (LSS functionary) told Khonumthung News that about 500 Chin students will participate and preparations are on. During the meeting 23 students will be selected as office bearers of the LSS for the year 2010. The meeting will then go over the union?s future plans. Besides, the LSS is observing its anniversary to foster unity among Chin nationals, to hold on to Chin culture and tradition, and to find new leaders among the Chin people for the future and to promote education. ?Although Chin people have their own land and tribes, the present military junta discriminates against them on different issues. The people suffer like slaves under the regime. Therefore, they have to try to get back the right of self-determination and to think of their future,? he said. Chin people have to understand how threatened their lives are by the junta and they have to work for their rights and have it accepted by the international community. The Chin students? Union was established in 1993 as the Hakha-Thantlang University Association, but in 1996 it was renamed the Lai Sianghleirun Sianghngakchia (LSS). ____________________________________ BUSINESS / TRADE January 19, Vietnam News Agency Vietnam boosts investment in Myanmar Hanoi ?A delegation of representatives of Vietnamese ministries and businesses visited Myanmar [Burma] from January 14-16 to survey investment opportunities in this country. The delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Doan Xuan Hung, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Thein Sein and held a working session with the Myanmar Ministry of Economic Development and State Planning at Myanmar 's administrative capital of Nay Pyi Taw. At the meetings, the Myanmar side spoke highly of the Vietnamese delegation's visit, affirming that Myanmar values the traditional relationship between the two countries. The Myanmar officials said they were pleased with the continuously developing friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Myanmar , both bilaterally and multilaterally. They also affirmed that they would create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest in areas that benefit both sides and meet Myanmar 's demand for development. On January 15 and 16, the Vietnamese delegation joined Myanmar's Ministry of Economic Development and State Planning and Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry to hold two seminars in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon which aimed to seek solutions to boost Vietnam's investment in Myanmar as well as bilateral trade cooperation. According to the Myanmar statistics, by the end of September 2009, Vietnam had invested 23.4 million USD in Myanmar. Investment activities between the two countries started in late 1988. Vietnam is Myanmar 's 16th largest export market. The country imports agro-forest, seafood products and electronic components from Myanmar while exporting steel, electronic items, pharmaceuticals, industrial goods, chemicals, computers and computer's spare parts. The two countries are looking towards launching a direct air route to promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation. ____________________________________ REGIONAL January 18, Democratic Voice of Burma Japan calls for Suu Kyi?s release Japan?s foreign minister has urged Burma?s military rulers to release detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, adding that aid could be stepped up if elections this year are free. Katsuya Okada met with his Burmese counterpart, Nyan Win, on Sunday on the sidelines of a gathering of foreign ministers from Asia and Latin America. According to the Japanese foreign ministry website, Okada said that Suu Kyi and Burma?s 2,100 political prisoners should be released prior to the elections, although the Burmese junta is yet to announce a date. Japanese aid to Burma was halted in 2007 following the shooting by Burmese police of Japanese reporter Kenji Nagai, who was covering the September 2007 monk-led uprising. It was resumed however following cyclone Nargis in May 2008, and Japan that year provided more than $US30 million in aid and technical assistance to Burma. Tokyo has since maintained close ties with the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), despite issuing sporadic calls for it to pay greater attention to human rights. Nyan Win replied that elections would be free and fair, and that he expected Suu Kyi?s National League for Democracy (NLD) party to participate, the foreign ministry said. The NLD spokesperson, also called Nyan Win, told DVB that the party agrees with Japan?s stance. ?[Aung San Suu Kyi] is the most important person in our country and has won support from the international community,? he said. ?If a person like this is to be locked away when elections are held, then the elections will never be justified as fair.? Suu Kyi?s sentencing in August last year to 18 months under house arrest was greeted by critics of the junta as a ploy to keep her out of the political arena until the elections had passed. Even if she were released before the elections, a clause in the 2008 constitution that prohibits former prisoners from participating looks set to ensure she will play no role. ____________________________________ OPINION / OTHER January 18, Irrawaddy Dark signs of things to come ? Kyaw Zwa Moe Burma's year is off to a grim start, thanks to the country's ruling junta. In a year that is supposed to mark a major political transition, the regime has moved quickly to snuff out any glimmer of hope for real change. We now know what to expect in 2010: harsh punishment for those who cross the generals, and rich rewards for those who work with them to keep the country under their control. In other words?more of the same. On Jan. 6, a court in Insein Prison sentenced ex-major Win Naing Kyaw, a former aide to Lt-Gen Tin Oo, the junta's late Secretary Two, and Thura Kyaw, of the foreign affairs department, to death under Section 3 of the State Emergency Act. At the same time, it sentenced a clerk from the foreign affairs department to 15 years imprisonment for violation of the Electronics Act, which prohibits sending information, photos and videos damaging to the government via the Internet. Their crime was leaking military secrets to the exiled media. Specifically, they were found guilty of sending information and photos about a secret trip to North Korea by Gen Shwe Mann, the third most powerful general in the regime. The trip, which took place in late 2008, involved arms procurement and an agreement with Pyongyang for technical assistance in the construction of secret tunnels in remote regions of Burma. Earlier, it was learned that 25-year-old video journalist Hla Hla Win and her assistant were thrown behind bars for 26 years for attempting to smuggle video footage of the country's situation to the Norway-based Democratic Voice of Burma. Meanwhile, there have also been reports of continuing cronyism in Burma. The state-run newspaper Myanmar Ahlin reported that the government had awarded a major contract for construction of two hydro-power plants to the Htoo Trading Company, owned by Tay Za, a close associate of junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe and his family. These are inauspicious signs, indeed. With an election expected to take place later this year, we are all still very much in the dark about the country's political situation. The junta has set no date for the election, nor has it promulgated any law allowing political parties to form. No one has any idea when the campaign will begin or who will be permitted to run. ?The current political situation is like the blind groping in the darkness,? said Khin Maung Swe, a spokesperson for the National League for Democracy (NLD), speaking by phone from the party's headquarters in Rangoon's Shwegondaing Township. His words hold true not just for dissidents and political groups, but also for the majority of people in Burma. Only the generals themselves have any idea what the junta's plans are. All we can say for certain is that the regime sees the 2010 election more than just part of an exit strategy. It also intends to use it to lay the foundation for the military's long-term domination of Burma's political system. After the election, the 2008 Constitution will come into force, ensuring the military a 25 percent share of the seats in parliament. On Jan. 4, in his speech to mark the country?s Independence Day, Than Shwe stated: ?Plans are underway to hold elections in a systematic way this year.? ?The entire population has to make the correct choice,? he added, offering no guarantee that the election would be free, fair and open, as the international community has demanded. As for the NLD, it remains firmly committed to its Shwegondaing declaration, which calls for a review of the Constitution, political dialogue between the junta and opposition groups, and the release of more than 2,000 political prisoners, including party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained for more than 14 of the past 20 years. The current dark cloud in politics has left several main ethnic groups wondering whether they should even consider forming political parties to participate in the upcoming election. ?We will not found a political party, much less take part in the election, if the government doesn't review the 2008 Constitution,? said 76-year-old veteran journalist and politician Thar Ban, the acting chairman of the Arakan League for Democracy, which won 11 seats in western Arakan State in the 1990 election and was later abolished. ?We were cheated once. We don't want to be cheated again,? said Thar Ban, who was put in jail twice, for a total of 12 years. Leaders from a coalition of 12 ethnic parties based inside Burma have stood together with Thar Ban. The ethnic coalition, known as the United Nationalities Alliance, won 67 seats in the 1990 election. What they complain about mainly is the lack of equality and autonomy for ethnic people in the 2008 Constitution. Although most political groups in Burma agree that the regime's political process is too flawed to participate in, there is a small minority who take a different view. Even in the absence of electoral laws and an election date, a small group of dissidents has decided that the election is the only game in town. A few months ago, veteran politician Thu Wai formed the Democratic Party. However, the party has not yet been registered. ?Anyone expecting to contest the election is not allowed to do anything yet,? he said. His party is supported by the daughter of former Prime Minister U Nu. Thu Wai, who was also put in jail in the mid-1990s for his political activities, sees demanding dialogue with the junta as just a waste of time. ?If discussions are possible, it is good. But if they are not possible, why should we be wasting time?? Thu Wai told The Irrawaddy in a recent interview. ?Only in a legal parliament can we secure the right to criticize what we don't like and to engage in politics.? The crucial problem is that the game is never fair, not even to a minimal degree. Players?even those who view the election positively?are never allowed to participate in the whole process. Undemocratic and irregular rules drive them out of the game. This is supposed to be a year in which great things will happen. Yet we haven't seen any movement in a positive direction. Like it or not, however, this is the country's political process. Even developments from last year, such as the meetings between US officials and the junta and meetings between Suu Kyi and Than Shwe's liaison officer and Western diplomats, are losing momentum. The news over the past couple of weeks is an indication of what kind of result we can expect from the election. The ethnic leader Thar Ban concluded his interview with The Irrawaddy by saying: ?We are in the middle of a storm far from shore. The election will be just like lightning: It won't provide enough light to help us find our way.? ____________________________________ January 18, Wall Street Journal India can move the needle on Burma ? Kelly Currie Delhi should be more clever about using its own values and role as a regional leader to press for political reform. Burma is back in the news amid reports that the ruling military junta has set its upcoming "elections" for October 2010 and is making serious efforts to secure short-range ballistic missiles. Taken with the lack of results from the Obama administration's attempted engagement with the junta, these developments highlight the need for stepped-up regional activism in favor of democracy in Burma, especially from its democratic neighbors. India in particular faces an increasingly untenable balancing act in maintaining its current accommodation of the junta, and will be under growing pressure this year to move toward a policy that better aligns its values and interests. Such a shift would be a boon to those supporting democratic reforms in Burma, as well as to India's own interests and its regional leadership aspirations. Since 1993, India has steadily deepened its engagement with the Burmese junta, setting aside ties to Burma's democratic past and moral qualms about this odious regime. Indian foreign policy elites defend this unprincipled policy by pointing to cooperation between the Indian and Burmese militaries on their restive common border, and the growth in trade between the two countries. They also claim that the relationship is an important strategic counterweight to the junta's close relationship with authoritarian China. But in reality India's benefits from cooperation with the junta have been disappointingly small on both the economic and security fronts. The Burmese regime plays India and China off of each other, protecting its own interests above all. But when forced to choose, the Burmese junta invariably favors Beijing. A case in point was the 2005 decision to award China a 30-year contract to develop the most valuable blocks of the Shwe natural gas fields despite India putting in a higher bid. Senior General Than Shwe and his ilk may dislike and fear Chinese hegemony, but they know Beijing will suffer no attacks of conscience or domestic political pressure over the junta's human-rights abuses. Recent security-related developments should give India's "realists" further pause. Last week, Australia's Lowy Institute published a report by Burma expert Andrew Selth on the junta's alleged long-running efforts to secure Scud-type short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) from North Korea and other sources. Mr. Selth writes that the junta is more interested in obtaining SRBMs than nuclear weapons technology and posits that much of the evidence cited in media and intelligence community reporting about Burma's nuclear ambitions is more likely attributable to its pursuit of SRBMs. If Burma's generals get SRBMs, which have a range of 700 miles, India is a potential target. In light of the junta's closer relationship with Beijing, and the links the Chinese have endeavored to build between the Burmese and Pakistani militaries, Indian defense planners are unlikely to be comforted by Mr. Selth's prediction that Burmese missiles would be pointed at Thailand. The regime's planned elections this year provide a fitting opportunity for India to change its approach. Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper and the Democratic Voice of Burma radio service have reported that junta officials have scheduled the elections for Oct. 10, 2010 (a date consistent with their penchant for numerology). The regime reportedly plans to permit the National League for Democracy to compete in the elections, even though NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi will likely be prohibited from participating and many party activists will remain in prison. These polls will take place against a backdrop of fear and repression under a constitution designed to institutionalize military rule, thus ensuring they fall far short of any standard for a credible election. Such a blatantly manipulated election presents a serious policy challenge for India. China's unelected leadership can pronounce the Burmese junta's most deeply cynical electoral efforts to be a triumph of democracy with a straight face, but Indian leaders will and should be held to a higher standard. Giving their stamp of approval to a farcical election would undermine the ideals that animate Indian national identity. New Delhi should be more clever about using its own values and role as a leader within Asia to change the regional calculus on Burma. This means working with fellow democracies in the region such as Indonesia, Japan and Thailand to press for political reform and improvement on human-rights, economic and internal security issues that have external consequences for the region. These democratic countries occupy a privileged position that gives them unique prerogative to address the quality of Burma's electoral processes, and they should use their status to full effect in the coming months. The additional weight of India's voice to this group, particularly if raised through Asian venues such as the Bali Democracy Forum, would undoubtedly move the center of gravity within Asia. China would be forced to adapt or find itself outside the regional consensus. By embracing its values and the leadership role that naturally follows, India can better protect its interests, while undermining China's present advantage in Burma. Unlike India's present failing approach, such a policy has the advantage of being smart?and the right thing to do. Ms. Currie is a fellow with the Project 2049 Institute, a think tank in Washington. ____________________________________ PRESS RELEASE January 18, Burma Campaign UK Kachin farmer murdered by Burmese Army soldiers - authorities take no action Burma Campaign UK sources have confirmed that Burmese army soldiers brutally killed a farmer in his local church in Kachin State. However, there has been no proper investigation and no one has been arrested for the murder. Instead, the family members of the victim have been offered around ?300 for the murder. According to local sources, the attack happened at 8:45pm local time on 19th December in Nawng Mi Village, Hpakant District, Kachin State, northern Burma. A group of soldiers led by Sgt. Kyaw Myint from village based Burmese Army Artillery Battalion No. 298 came into the church in Nawng Mi quite inebriated and began to yell insults to the church members, who were watching Sunday school children rehearsing and preparing for Christmas. A youth leader, Lama Brang, pleaded with the soldiers to calm things down but was attacked and beaten by Sgt. Kyaw Myint. He was injured on his face, and lost one tooth. Later, Sgt. Kyaw Myint attacked another villager, Lama Seng Naw, and stabbed him in the chest and thigh, causing serious wounds. Lahpai Naw Seng, a local farmer, was among the crowd. He was stabbed in his chest and died after 15 minutes. The chairman of village State Peace and Development Council arrived at 11:00pm and notified the neighboring police, who came at 2:00 pm the next day. However, the police authorities refused to take action because the Burmese Army soldiers were involved in the case. On 20th December, Col. Aung Kyaw Htun, a Deputy Commander of Danai Military Region, came to investigate the case. Although Sgt. Kyaw Myint confessed to the murder under interrogation, no action has been taken either to arrest or charge him. Instead, Col. Aung Kyaw Htun offered 500,000 kyats to family members as compensation for the murder. A villager said, ?This is not the first time. There are many other violations committed by the Burmese soldiers in our village, like brutal assaults, attacks to our civilians, who were left unconscious on the streets. They come into the village and threaten the civilians. I want to say one thing it is totally not true when they say ?Burmese Army is Mother and Burmese Army is Father?. They are just terrorists and enjoy committing human rights abuses against us?. There are more than 300 households living in Nawng Mi village and all of them are ethnic Kachin farmers. In the first week of January, the villagers, including church leaders, wrote a letter to Northern Regional Commander, Maj. Gen Soe Win expressing how they live in fear under the military, the continuous assault of the military, and appealing for action on the case. So far, there has been no response at all regarding the letter. Last June, around 15 schoolchildren and young men were attacked, beaten and severely injured by a group of Burmese Army soldiers in Mayan village in Moegawng district, Kachin State but no action was taken by the authorities. ?This is another example of impunity, where no action is taken against Burmese military soldiers who commit human rights violations. It is shameful that the international community is still silent and has failed to take action on widespread and systematic human rights violations in Burma?, said Nang Seng, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. This month, more than 140 Members of Parliament from the British Parliament have been calling on UK government to urge the UN to establish a Commission of Inquiry for crimes committed by the military regime in Burma. For more information contact Nang Seng on +44 788 983 2485. ____________________________________ ANNOUNCEMENT January 16, New York Open Center New York Open Center hosts its first exhibition on contemporary Burmese art organized and curated by Burmese artists from the tri-state area The New York Open Center announces a contemporary art exhibition focusing on the talent and creative motivations of the Burmese diaspora. In a show organized and curated by the artists themselves, ?Contemporary Burmese Art: Ideas and Ideals? will explore the modern landscape in which Burmese diaspora artists find themselves today. The artwork, and their creators, will bridge the gap between tradition and creativity, between one homeland and another. A roster of sixteen Burmese artists from across the United States have come together to jump-start a dialogue on creativity, censorship, tradition, modernity, ?stranger-hood,? identity, and the irreverent boundary-shattering power of art. ?Contemporary Burmese Art: Ideas & Ideals? will delve into the complexity of the Burmese creative spirit while examining what it means to be a Burmese artist in the U.S. Drawing from a rich and nostalgic tradition, how do these artists define their creative identities and as artists in limbo, between one homeland and another, what are their values and their inspirations? One of the show?s artists, Chaw Ei Thein reveals that ?Burmese artists used to do self-censorship on ourselves whenever we create our art while we were in Burma to show the public. The question becomes, are we continuing this self-censorship once away from Burma? Do we change, adapt, or remain the same. During this exhibition, can an audience see or feel the sensitivity to this dilemma through our artwork?? Join Burmese artists and the Open Center February 6th through February 10th 2010 as they take a view into this creative diaspora and contemplate the ideas and ideals that breathe life into Burmese contemporary art today. Show Times: New York Open Center Inc 22 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016(212) 219-2527‎ opencenter.org February 6 8:00pm Opening Fees Members: $18 / Non-Members: $20 February 7 6:30 - 9:00 pm Free February 8 10:00 - 6:00 pm Free February 9 10:00 - 5:00 pm Free