Epic Media Censorship

Burmese media has been given minimum space for election related news recently, but starting next month the space will likely be further restricted by new censorship rules.

Two months ago, the weekly news journals in Rangoon—an estimated seven journals, each with an average circulation of between 50,000 to 100,000—offered full pages or special stories on election coverage, introducing various political parties and their leaders who plan to contest the election this year.

But beginning in July, Burma's notorious Press Scrutiny Board (PSB) will reduce election coverage and a newly formed commission will monitor the news journals to make sure the same rules apply to all—meaning that no journals will be able to circumvent the censorship rules with their connections or under-the-table payments, according to editors in Rangoon who spoke to The Irrawaddy.

Currently, journals are now allowed to submit three or four pages to the PSB for last-minute news. Next month, they will be allowed to submit only two pages, which must not include any political news. -- The Irrawaddy

If a 28- or 30-pages long journal can only print maximum of four pages of political news, how will the public be informed about political news? The junta is suppressing every possible blockage to their 'dictatorship'. Luckily, Burmese people still have radios at home to listen to the authentic news about the election via VOA, BBC, RFA, and DVB. However, people should stand up against PSB for this kind of unjustness to let the world know what is truly happening in Burma.

Reference:

Kaung, Ba. Junta Starts New Censorship News. The Irrawaddy. June 28, 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18823

USDA is planning to take over the lands of farmers

Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) members are offering low-income workers and farmers in Rangoon small “loans,” which are seen as support for government-backed political candidates, according to local residents.

In Yankin, Kawmu and Kungyangone townships, USDA members, accompanied by township leaders, made the offers to selected residents.

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday, residents in Yankin Township said: “Three days ago members of USDA and the head of the quarter offered the loans.”

A youth member of the National League for Democracy in Rangoon said that for a farmer with one acre, the USDA will loan 10,000 kyat (US $10). Many village residents have already received the loans said a resident in Kungyangone Township. -- The Irrawaddy

Not surprisingly, USDA is bribing or controlling farmers with the money. What do you think 'loan' is? In fact, USDA as known as USDP is planning to take over the lands of farmers. Since the farmers cannot reimburse, they will ask for the ballot for the election instead of the land. How can this election be fair?

Reference:

Kaung, Ba. USDA Hands Out 'Loans' to farmers. The Irrawaddy. June 28, 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18819

Some political parties will sacrifice to educate people

Officials at some registered political parties say they know the election will be unfair, but they will participate to help educate the public about the political process.

Nay Myo Wai, the secretary of the Peace and Diversity Party (PDP), told The Irrawaddy on Friday:“ We know the circumstances. And we know the election will not be free and fair. We will participate to help the people understand the political process.”

The public has many interests and many people are not concentrating on politics or the election process, while the military government is going all out to make its Union Solidarity Development Party the clear winner, said Phyo Min Thein, the chairman of the Union Democratic Party (UDP)

“People are not active in politics,” he said. “The government doesn't want people to concentrate on the election. People didn't have much interest in the 2008 constitutional referendum. If people don't take part, government can do what it wants.” said Phyo Min Thein. -- The Irrawaddy.

The election has been unfair since the beginning. Thanks to those who sacrifice themselves, people will be educated, at least, a little bit. It is true that the junta doesn't want people to concentrate on the election, but since the junta has made the country poor, Burmese people do not have time to worry about the 2010 election or the 2008 referendum.

Reference:

Htwe, Ko. Political Parties Want to Educate the Public. The Irrawaddy. June 25, 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18803

North Korean Rockets Found Again

North Korean-made truck-mounted multiple launch rocket systems have been reportedly set up at Burmese army bases in northern, eastern and central Burma, according to military sources.

The North Korean rockets were recently delivered to missile operation commands in Mohnyin in Kachin State, Naungcho and Kengtung in Shan State and Kyaukpadaung in Mandalay Division, sources said. Missile operation commands were reportedly formed in 2009.

It is not clear when the multiple launch rocket systems were shipped from North Korea. However, military sources said delivery of rocket launchers mounted on trucks occurred several times in recent years.

Sources said they witnessed at least 14 units of 240-mm truck-mounted multiple launch rocket systems arrive at Thilawa Port near Rangoon on the North Korean vessel, Kang Nam I, in early 2008. Previous reports said Burma had purchased 30 units of 240-mm truck-mounted multiple launch rocket systems from North Korean. -- The Irrawaddy

Burma is not a safe country anymore as it was before. It has armaments imported directly from North Korea, which is an EYE-SORE TO UNITED STATES. So, if US or International would ever wanted to scare North Korea, Burma will be the victim. Burmese people are in danger of missiles from both inside and outside of the country.

Reference:
Lwin, Min and Moe, Wai. More North Korean Rockets Reported in Burma. The Irrawaddy. June 24, 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18799

Democratic Rights Group Criticizes Burma's Election Directive

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) said on Thursday that the directive released by Burma's election commission (EC) which prohibits political parties from marching in procession to designated gathering points or venues while displaying party flags is a violation of human rights.

ANFREL media officer and political columnist, Bidhayak Das, told The Irrawaddy, “This is a total violation of Article 21 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.”

“The ruling side is trying to use this regulation to prevent people, political parties and candidates from expressing their agenda. They don't want people to know what is the political agenda of other parties,” he said.

The EC directive, which was published in Burma's state-run newspaper, also prohibits the act of marching and chanting slogans in procession, and parties must disperse without any slogan-chanting march at the end of an assembly or speech.

Chairman of Burma's Union Election Commission
Thein Soe delivers a speech during a meeting
of the commission in Naypyidaw. (Photo: AP)

The international standard is for governments to allow political parties to march, wave flags and chant slogans up to 500 meters away from parliament and other government buildings, Bidhayak Das said.

Also according to the EC directive, political parties in Burma must apply to the EC for permission to hold political gatherings and to give speeches at least seven days prior to the event.

Phyo Min Thein, chairman of the Union Democratic Party (UDP), said that the circumstances under which the government would allow political parties to give a speech is very strict, but he welcomed the fact that they would give permission for assemblies and speeches at all.

“In our country, assembling and giving speeches was never before allowed by the government. If we are allowed to assemble in public in the future, we can create the change that the public can participate in politics,” he added.

The EC directive also prohibits the use of flags when party members are traveling to a speech or assembly. Aye Lwin, the chairman of the Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics, said that party movements need party flags, and prohibiting the use of party flags is not realistic.

“If parties are not allowed to fly their flag it means the Election Commission is pessimistic about the political parties. Unrealistic regulations are a kind of political suppression,” he said.

The regulations are more strict than those issued during the last election in 1990, but political parties will proceed under the given circumstances, said Dr. Than Win, one of the founders of the National Democratic Force (NDF).

“It is very important that the regulations are applied with equality,” said Than Win.

Meanwhile, the US State Department said on Wednesday, “The US believes elections planned for this year in Burma will not be free or fair and will lack international legitimacy.”

Thus far, 42 political parties have applied to the EC for party registration and 33 have been accepted.

ANFREL, established in 1997, is a regional network of civil society organizations that strives to promote and support democratization at national and regional levels in Asia.

Reference:
Htwe, Ko. Democratic Rights Group Criticizes Burma's Election Directive. June 24, 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18795

NLD Leaders Tour Burma

Despite being disbanded for failing to register for this year's upcoming election, the National League for Democracy (NLD) remains active, sending senior members to branch offices around Burma to discuss strategy.

On Sunday, Win Tin, an NLD executive member, traveled to Karen State to meet with former party members. “I told them not to vote in the election,” he said, speaking to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday.

Win Tin, who was accompanied by two other party members from the the NLD's Rangoon headquarters, said he also urged the members in Karen State to boycott the pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Party, led by Prime Minister Thein Sein, and the National Unity Party, formed from late dictator Ne Win's authoritarian Burma Socialist Programme Party.

“The purpose of the trip was to consolidate party unity and listen to the voices of members who face difficulties since the party decided not to register. We also wanted to tell them that we will not abandon them. We will continue to work more actively in politics,” said Win Tin. -- The Irrawaddy.

What a marvelous work by Mr. Tin, telling former party members not to vote this unfair/unjust 2010 Election. USDP has been incessantly trying to win the election by not only cheating votes, but also forcing people to vote for them. So, we have to dissuade people from voting for those pro-government parties. Moreover, people must show their courage and their feelings by not going to the ballot stations as Burmese Noble Laureate Daw Suu Kyi said.

Reference:

Lawi, Weng. NLD Leaders Tour Burma. The Irrawaddy. June 23, 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18791

Ridiculous Letter to U.N nuclear agency from the junta

Burma has sent a letter to the U.N. nuclear agency insisting it has no current or future plan to develop a nuclear program in the isolated country's second denial this month after reports emerged it may be seeking an atomic weapon. -- The Associate Press.

It would be a ridiculous letter, blindly stating that the junta is not producing Nukes. The hard evidences have proven that the junta is tricking German Company to help them building Nukes. If U.N nuclear agency believe and accept the junta's claim, U.N will fail the hearts of all Burmeses over the world.

Check Aljazeera English from Youtube or from the videos above for DVB's video evidences of Burmese junta's Nuclear plots.

Reference:
Burma Denies Allegations It Is Seeking Nukes. The Associate Press. June 19, 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18761

Burma Joining the Mass Destruction Allies

Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win met with an Iranian goodwill delegation at the Foreign Ministry in Naypyidaw on Wednesday afternoon, according to the state-run newspaper, The New Light of Myanmar.

The report provided no further details about the visit, the first by an Iranian delegation since 2006.

Although Iran is not closely allied with Burma's ruling regime, the two countries share a similar pariah status in the international community due to their repression of internal dissent and worries about their military ambitions.

In recent years, the junta has reached out to several other nations that have been singled out for censure, including North Korea, Sudan and Sri Lanka. -- Irrawaddy

Obviously, the Burmese junta joining the Mass Destruction Allies. Since Burmese Generals are illiterate people, they will be manipulated by Iran and North Korea and will not hold back in using the weapons, thus threatening the world's security without a doubt. If UN and EU do not respond to these delegations (of Iran and of North Korea), Burma is going to be one of the nations that the world cannot control.

Reference:

Burmese Foreign Minister Receives Iranian Delegation. The Irrawaddy. June 17, 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18742

Sen. Webb, Regime 'Talking from Same Script'?

By Ba Kaung (June 15 2010)

It's now clear that the relationship between the Burmese regime and US Sen. Jim Webb is unique, and his position as a strong advocate for US engagement with the generals has not changed, in spite of recent allegations that the junta is trying to acquire nuclear weapons. Webb's relationship with the regime might even have been strengthened.
Many wondered if the relationship was damaged after the Democratic lawmaker said he would seek clarification on the report that Burma was acquiring a nuclear program—a report which compelled him to cancel his scheduled visit to Burma early this month, when he also called for the appointment of a US special envoy to Burma.

But, last week both Webb and the regime spoke out in rejecting the conclusions of the report, citing similar reasons as if they were talking from the same script.

On Thursday, Webb pointed out in a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the Oslo-based Burmese exiled news service Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), which alleged that Burma had a nuclear program, is a US-funded media organization, insinuating that the US government should be held accountable for the nuclear report.

Three days later, on Friday, the Burmese Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the DVB as “a killer broadcasting station” that survives on US aid from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and that the report was issued by anti-Burma elements in collaboration with other news media for a political purpose.

The DVB deputy executive in Norway defended the station's report, saying that the organization functions independently, and, although 10 to 15 percent of the organization's funds comes from the US government, its main financial backers are European countries such as the Netherlands.

Some observers noted that while it is not uncommon for the regime to accuse Burmese exiled newsgroups in such a way, it is unusual for an American senator to make a similar point.

Also, regarding an earlier news report that Burma might have violated UN Security Resolution 1874 imposed on North Korea by receiving alleged shipments of military items from North Korea in 2009, Webb said that it was an “unsubstantiated” allegation raised by the US top diplomat for Asia, Kurt Campbell. By the same token, the regime defended itself by saying that it had only imported cement from North Korea during the alleged transaction.

While Webb said that the new nuclear allegations had “frozen any prospect of further engagement with Burma,” the regime's media noted on Friday that the “unfounded” nuclear allegations surfaced at a time of resumption of engagement between Burma and the United States.

Even though there may have been no direct discussions between Webb and Burmese government officials, informed sources said that there is regular contact between him and the regime aided by overseas Burmese who support the junta.

Based on his sources, Webb told the Asia Society last week that Burma's election, whose date is yet to be announced, would probably be held on Oct. 10, adding that the election should be viewed as a step forward for Burma.

When Webb made his first official visit to Burma in 2009 and met with the reclusive regime's chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe, opposition figures said he did not mention the more than 2,000 political prisoners languishing in prisons and human rights violations against ethnic minorities.

Since that visit, Webb has not enjoyed support among many Burmese democracy activists, who say that his primary concern is countering Chinese influence in Burma through US economic investment in the country.

Nevertheless, Webb is not mistaken in pointing out the growing Chinese influence in Burma, as seen by the recent visit by Chinese Primer Wen Jiabao, during which 15 cooperation agreements were signed covering areas such as natural gas imports, a trans-Burma gas pipeline, hydro-power dams and foreign aid.

And according to the latest reports, Chinese political influence might have been a factor in the regime's recent easing of pressure on ethnic cease-fire groups on the China-Burma border to join the regime's border guard force plan.

Given these realities, Webb's position for greater engagement with the regime to counter China's growing influence is not likely to change. In doing so, Webb frustrates Burmese pro-democracy activists and delights the regime, which will soon probably reward him with another personal meeting with Snr-Gen. Than Shwe.

Reference:
Kaung, Ba. Sen. Webb, Regime 'Talking from Same Script'?. The Irrawaddy. June 15, 2010.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18724&page=1

Junta's Covert Nuclear Plans and Burma, Ignoring Nuclear Disarmament

The Burmese junta’s ambition to become a nuclear power is a threat to regional security, according to a documentary by the Norway-based Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), which alleges that Naypyidaw is developing nuclear weapons and a missiles system with help from North Korea.

Quoting experts and defectors, the documentary, which was aired by Al Jazeera on Friday, said that if the junta achieves its goal, Burmese missiles could target neighboring countries, as well as threatening US military activities in the Indian Ocean.

Burmese army defector Maj Sai Thein Win, who is a missiles expert, said the junta is constructing nuclear and missiles facilities at at least two sites in Magwe and Mandalay divisions in central Burma.

“They [the junta] really want a [nuclear] bomb. That is their main objective,” said Sai Thein Win in the documentary. “They want to have rockets and nuclear warheads.” -- Irrawaddy

Should not UN be very strict with its UN Nuclear Resolutions? Thanks to Major Sai Thein Win, the world could apprehend the evil nuclear plans of the junta. Anywhere in Burma is not a safe place to live anymore. International must interfere or Burma will be the second North Korea in a couple of years. Hopefully, Rangoon, where most politicians live, will not be the target of the nuclear warheads. I care more about people in Rangoon or anywhere else in Burma than neighboring countries or the US military fleet in the Indian Ocean.

Reference:

Moe, Wai. Burma's Nuclear Ambitions 'Threaten Regional Security'. The Irrawaddy. June 4 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18628

Roughneen, Simon. Evidence Points to Burma's Nuclear Weapons Intent. The Irrawaddy. June 4 2010.http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18622

Tunnels in Burma -- Resurfaced

The Burmese military regime is constructing a tunnel in Rakhine Yoma, some 80 km west of Padan Township in Magway Division, local sources said. The tunnel is 50 feet wide and 50 feet high, a worker from the project said, and is being supervised by North Korean technicians.

On Friday, fresh evidence of the regime constructing a secret network of hidden bunkers and tunnels across the country surfaced. According to an investigative film by an exiled Burmese broadcaster, the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), which was aired by Al Jazeera on Friday, some tunnels are marked as substations for fiber optic cables and are part of a plan to provide the military with a secure nationwide communications network.

“They are constructing a tunnel ... a huge tunnel. Many tunnels all over the country,” said Sai Thein Win—a former defense engineer and missile expert who recently defected from the army—in the film. The documentary also revealed bunkers alleged to be used as secret military storage facilities and command centers in case of aerial attacks. -- Irrawaddy

Tunnels again! Before this new evidence from former Major Sai Thein Win, tunnels are believed to be the hiding places for the generals of junta when US aircrafts come. Experts referred these tunnels as rat-tunnel defense used by Vietnams when they fought US in World War II.

Now, these tunnels are proven to be not only bunkers, but also nuclear missile-silos. UN and EU should have closely and tightly scrutinized these rats (generals) since North Korea's ship carrying weapons anchored at Burma shore in June 2009.

Because of these negligence, Burma is going to be a second North Korea and Burmese citizens are in danger of nuclear side-effects and consequences.

Reference:
Paing, Yan. Junta Constructing Tunnel in Magway. The Irrawaddy. June 4, 2010.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18626

Our Steel Resolution

It is the time that all the people of Burma must demonstrate the will of anti-military dictatorial system with boycotting the 2010 Election together with elected-parties including the NLD and ethnic parties in order to prevent the military junta from coming up with legitimacy for enduring a military rule.

All the people including students and youths,

We, All Burma Monks’ Alliance, 88 Generation Students and All Burma Federation of Student
Unions, seriously request for your actions of boycott the 2010 Election by:
(a) No voting
(b) No advanced voting
(c) Making your vote null if being forced to vote.

All Burma Monks’ Alliance
88 Generation Students
All Burma Federation of Student Unions







Reference: http://abfsu.net/

Five Years Added to Student Leader's Sentence

By Ba Kaung (May 25, 2o10)

Kyaw Ko Ko made three dramatic escapes, but his luck finally ran out in 2008, when Burmese authorities arrested him for his role in the 2007 Saffron Revolution and he was sentenced to three years in prison for possesing illegal videos.

On Friday, with his first sentence set to expire in one year, the junta tacked on an additional five years for illegal asociation and subversion.

Kyaw Ko Ko delivers a speech to students in Rangoon during the 2007 Saffron Revolution.

Rahul Kyaw Kyaw Maung, alias Kyaw Ko Ko, 28, is the son of school teachers in Rangoon's Tamwe township. In 2006, he was in Rangoon studying for his masters degree in economics when he was recruited by former political prisoners to engage in political activities.

“Though he received some influence from other individuals, he himself is well-read, calm and disciplined,” recalled a political activist who met Kyaw Ko Ko a few years ago.

Kyaw Ko Ko met the prominent 88 Generation Students' leader Min Ko Naing in a monastery, where they were celebrating the anniversary of the student-led uprising in 1988. When Min Ko Naing and other 88 Generation Students' leaders were re-arrested for their protests against the unannounced increase in fuel prices, and many former political prisoners consequently fled Burma for fear of persecution, younger activists like Kyaw Ko Ko stepped in to take a leadership role.

Representing the new generation of activists that has emerged since since the nationwide anti-government uprising in 1988, Kyaw Ko Ko attempted to rejuvenate the Burma Students' Union, which had became active again during the 1988 uprising.

Although not an officially outlawed association, the Students' Union had become virtually illegal since the 1962 military coup, despite the fact that it played an important role in the country's independence struggle.

“At the court on Friday, my brother did not deny that he tried to reorganize the student's organization, but he insisted to the judges that the organization is a legal organization,” said Kyaw Ko Ko's sister.

When the Saffron Revolution broke out, Kyaw Ko Ko continued his dissident leadership role, and after the crackdown on protesting monks, he went into hiding in and around Rangoon.

In October 2007, a house in South Okkalapa township that Kyaw Ko Ko was hiding in was raided. He managed to escape by jumping off the balcony, but some of his friends were arrested.

Later, the police discovered him in a Rangoon monastery where he had been given refuge, but again he managed to escape. He eluded the authorities for a third time when they raided a snack bar in Rangoon's Junction 8 Shopping mall where he was meeting with friends, who were all arrested.

Kyaw Ko Ko fled to Pegu, but returned to Rangoon in early 2008 to launch a no-vote campaign against the referendum over the junta's controversial Constitution. Before the referendum was held, however, he was finally arrested.

The authorities found videos of the 1988 uprising in the place where Kyaw Ko Ko was hiding, and although family members said he had nothing to do with the videos, in 2009 Kyaw Ko Ko was sentenced to three years in jail after being convicted of violating Burma's Video Act, which regulates uncensored videos, and sentenced to three years in jail.

Violation of the Video Act is one of the charges the regime used in handing down a heavy prison sentence to Burma's famous comedian Zarganar, who is currently jailed in a remote prison.

On Friday, following a trial that was not covered by the state-controlled media, Kyaw Ko Ko received an additional five-year jail sentence for unlawful association and subversion, which according to his defense lawyer, Aung Thein, he is alleged to have committed during the monks' protests in 2007.

“He gave a speech to the crowds in 2007 in front of the Rangoon city hall while representing the students, and this entails the first charge of unlawful association. The same fact becomes the basis of the second charge for subversion,” Aung Thein said. “I believe this is nothing but an attempt to lengthen his prison term.”

“I am not frustrated. I will try to survive the prison life,” Kyaw Ko Ko told his sister during his Rangoon court appearance last week.

The 2007 Saffron Revolution saw the arrest and incarceration of other young activists in Burma, such as blogger Nay Phone Latt and hip-hop singer Zay Yar Thaw, who joined their activist predecessors in jails across the country.

And 2007 was not the first time Burma's young activists have been persecuted following the 1988 uprising. In 1998, many young dissidents were arrested and given long prison sentences, some exceeding 50 years. Many of these activists are still behind bars, according to the Thailand-based Association of Assistance for Political Prisoners in Burma (AAPP).

Currently, while the regime is preparing to hold Burma's first election in twenty years, more than 2000 political prisoners are estimated to be in jails across the country. Under the regime's election laws, all of them are barred from the voting process and do not have the right to be a member of any political party.

“My brother is against the election this year. He has no faith in this at all,” Kyaw Ko Ko's sister said.

Reference:

Kaung, Ba. Five Years Added to Student Leader's Sentence. The Irrawaddy. May 25 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18554&page=2

Fighting Peacock Flag is our emblem

Fighting Peacock Flag is an ABFSU's emblem and was a NLD's flag. It was and must be used solely by students of ABFSU but should not be used for any political purposes: good or bad.

I, as a student activist from ABFSU, condemn both Ye Htun of "FAKE" 88 Generation Student Union of Myanmar (GSUM) and Aye Lwin of Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics (UMFNP). Since both of you are students of 88 Generation, you should have known that it is strongly prohibited to used for any benefit. And I believe both of you have become military dogs after being put behind bars. I also conclude that your intentions of using our emblem is detrimental.

If you believe in yourselves, you can create and use your own. DO NOT USE OUR FIGHTING PEACOCK FLAG AT ANYTIME, YOU IMPOSTORS!!!

Feathers Fly Over Use of Fighting Peacock Image

By Ko Htwe (May 7 2010)

Feathers are flying in Burma over the use of the fighting peacock emblem by two newly registered political parties in their election campaigns.

The emblem—famously associated with the now disbanded National League for Democracy (NLD)—has served as a national symbol since the days of the Burmese monarchy and was a rallying image brandished by student activists in colonial times.

“It's not appropriate to use the student movement's flag as the symbol of a political party,” said prominent journalist Ludu Sein Win, one of a group of about 40 people in the Burmese media world who signed a letter of complaint to the Election Commission.

“The fighting peacock symbol is not the property of a certain organization and it is associated with all Burmese nationals,” said Ludu Sein Win.

The Election Commission has ruled that it will accept objections against the use of flags or symbols by registered political parties.

The fighting peacock symbol is being used by two newly registered parties, the Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics (UMFNP) and the 88 Generation Student Union of Myanmar (GSUM), led by two brothers who are former political prisoners. The two are the subjects of unsubstantiated suspicions that they are collaborating with the regime.

Objectors point out that the fighting peacock symbol adopted by the two new parties is similar to the one used by the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), which played a key role in Burma's independence movement against British colonial rule.

Since the 1962 military coup, the ABFSU has been viewed by successive regimes as an illegal organization. Its building on the Rangoon University campus was destroyed in a bomb attack in the year of the coup.

The ABFSU objected to the use of the peacock symbol when it was first adopted by the the now-defunct NLD and used in its party flag, but later dropped its objection.

“The ABFSU flag is being used only in the movement led by students, handed down from one generation to another,” said Myo Myint Nyein, of the Rangoon-based weekly journal The Ray of Light. “I don't agree with using it as the image of a party.”

GSUM chairman Ye Tun said his party and the UMFNP were only trying to trying to preserve the image of the fighting peacock.

The group of objectors agreed in their letter to the Election Commission that the symbol was “crucial for the history of the nation” but said “it should not be the property of any political party.”

Among the signatories of the letter of complaint was Maung Wun Tha, a veteran writer and editor who was a member of the ABFSU before 1962.

Reference:

Htwe, Ko. Feathers Fly Over Use of Fighting Peacock Image . The Irrawaddy. May 7 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18419

Thein Sein, if you have done nothing wrong and believe in yourself, what are you afraid of?

Burma’s censorship board is keeping a tight control on reporting in private journals about the junta’s Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) led by Prime Minister Thein Sein. Journalists in Rangoon said the censorship board, the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division under the Ministry of Information, does not allow any questioning on the controversial formation of the USDP, which was formed directly from the state mass organization, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA). -- Irrawaddy

Again... Why is Thein Sein afraid off? Is he frightened that people might be focussing on his corruptions? Why is the Censorship Board preventing journalists to write critical comments although Thein Sein is no longer a Military official?

Answers to these questions are obvious. Although the War Office announced that Thein Sein's retirement, he is still acting as a Premier without a doubt. His party USDP, which is hated by citizens the most, involved in beating monks in Saffron Revolution. The corruptions in this election will be evident by the victory of USDP.

Hopefully, United Nations would not approve the outcome of this election. If UN or the World's Nations approve the result of election, it means that these Nations approve the massacre of Saffron Revolution in September 2007 and these nations will have proved themselves to be the same as Burmese junta.

Reference:
Moe, Wai. Tight Censorship on Reporting USDP. The Irrawaddy. May 5 2010. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=18388

Burmese Generals deceive US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs

WASHINGTON — Speaking at a daily press briefing on Tuesday, the assistant secretary of state for public affairs, P J Crowley, suggested that if Burmese generals resigned from the military to contest the upcoming election, this could be seen as a positive step.

Even Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs was deceived by the sly actions of Military Junta. Do you really believe these Burmese generals resigned for good or for the well-being of Burma? Of course not!

These generals are resigning because they have to cope with the unjust rules of 2010 Election written by themselves and because they want other countries to think they have become innocent. Even prime minister, Thein Sein, has stood down from his super position to take part in 2010 Election. If this is not the greediness, then what is it?

One thing for sure is that these resignations are not POSITIVE in all senses!


Reference:
Jha, Lalit K. Generals Resignation for Election May Be Positive. Irrawaddy. May 5 2010 http://www.irrawaddy.org/

Dirty laws of Burma Election 2010

The National League for Democracy (NLD) will cease to exist as a political movement after the deadline for party registration on May 6, according to NLD Central Executive Committee (CEC) members. The Burmese opposition party refused to re-register for this year's general election, saying the election laws were “unfair and unjust.”

-- Irrawaddy

Unfortunately, NLD had fallen into the dirty tricks of Military Government. With NLD's declaration of refusal to take part in the election, Military Government immediately announced a new rule for the election -- "all parties which took part in 1990 election must register for 2010 election or they will be disbanded".

What an "unfair and unjust" move! Like I speculated, this Military junta has always been craving to wipe out the name "NLD" from the surface of the earth.

Students, monks, and opposing political parties are the only groups which dare to express their beliefs towards everything, and thus are targets of this cruel regime. DON'T FORGET that a lot of students had been massively annihilated since 1988 uprising, monks were beaten to death in September 2008, and politicians, especially from NLD, are still in jail.

Is this what Democracy is? Definitely not!!! This is a pure dictatorship of the suppressive regime which always wants to clear anything in its way.

Reference:

Htwe, Ko. NLD Will Cease To Exists. The Irrawaddy. May 1, 2010 http://www.irrawaddy.org/

Persecution of Chin people

What is persecution?

Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms.

Reporters from BBC covertly went to a village of Chin people who are being mistreated and abused in all ways. The culprits of these persecution are Burmese Troops, the puppets and "dogs" of military junta.

BBC team was guided to the village by military-blacklisted Chin activist Ms. Zahau. The words of Ms. Zahau, "If we don't speak up, if we don't tell the stories of the people under this repressive military regime, then no-one will know what's happening, and if they don't know they will not do anything," grasp the heart of many people over the world.

People from Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) have not heard of these stories for a long time because of the government's total control of media in Burma. Television, Newspaper, Journals, Magazine, and all kinds of media, except Internet, are regulated by military officials. Even Internet is blocked partially sometimes.

The regime systematically banned the watching of news over the world via satellite by increasing the tax rates of possessing the satellite receivers (in Burma, even if you buy the satellite with your money, you still have to pay tax to the government). Since the average salary of middle-class people are low due to inflation, the general public has no idea what is going on far from the city, Rangoon.

The systematical persecution of the military regime is very treacherous. Nobody ever has such twisted brain as the junta since history. Hitler is just a fly compared with the bat-like junta.

Although Hitler was notoriously vicious and cruel, Hitler did not do any harm to his people. Burmese military government do not care about Burmese people, instead they live on citizens' "sweat and blood" (according to Burmese saying).

If the regime successively mistreats Chin people for their difference in climate, religion and views, more Chin people will move to India. If most of the people from Chin State move to India, that means Burma has lost its land, a State. If Burma lost a state, we have to change our beautiful national flag with fourteen stars which represent fourteen states. So, we, Burmese people, should make people from all over the world know about Chin people's lack of human rights... right now!!!


Reference:

Bagnall, Sam. Burma's 'forgotten' Chin people suffer abuse. BBC. Apr 19 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk

Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution

Chin Women Organization http://www.chinwomen.org

BLAST IN BURMA? WHO MIGHT CAUSE IT?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8622068.stm

In the very secure city of Rangoon, my hometown, there was a huge blast this morning, causing 9 casualties and at least 30 wounded people. (according to BBC)

In fact, total of 59 man and 16 woman were injured, according to resources.

Today is the most sacred holiday called Thingyan for Buddhist people. In this water festival, people play water from 13th April to 16th April in order to celebrate this sacred holiday. The purpose of Thingyan is to clear the sins from last year and be a new person with new soul and body.

However, Military government banned building of Pandals ('mandat' in Burmese or 'pavalions') around the city since last 4 years, allowing people to build Pandals in a big road called Inyar Road where most of the higher-ups from military live. Do they not want people to clear their mind and body? May be they don't.

Surprisingly and sadly, Military government banned building of Pandals even in Inyar Road this year. As Thingyan is important for Burmese people, Pandal coordinators decided to build near the Kandawgyi, which is one of the most famous place in Rangoon.

A lot of people went there for celebrating the festival. What did they get? They got bombed. Isn't it too obvious that the military government deliberately moved the festival area to the place where the higer-ups do not live?

And don't forget that in September the military government shot monks, the most sacred persons for Buddhists and for people in Burma. So, it is not a surprise that the junta won't even care about the people under their reign.

But what makes me think this way?

There will be a so called election in October where many political parties will get involved, except NLD which got highly supported by Burmese citizens.

In 1990, NLD won the election by high percentage of support but the military government cheated the ballot counts and made fake ballots of their own. They overruled the election and took the position of the head of the state by force.

Talking about history, there was also bombing before the referendum in 2008. And the bombing was very close to the City Hall which had a very tight security. Who else can get near city hall without permission from the military? Who else can diffuse the bomb near the city hall? I could think of no one, except the military junta.

But why? Why did they want to plant the bomb near the city hall? They just tried to scare people and wanted to win the election in dirty way.

Back to present, IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN!!! They want to get the "Seat at the United Nations" which is taken by NLD by scaring people. Without a doubt, the junta will definitely blame and link these bombings on NLD in a few days.

My guess is there will be more terrorist activities in coming months in order to discredit NLD. And of course, they are using such "control-by-scaring" tactics to baffle the minds of the citizen and hoping to get the reason to disband NLD.

After all, their goal is to wipe out the name, "NLD", from the surface of the earth and rule over the country with the dirtiest tricks.

Reference
BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8622068.stm
CNN News http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/04/15/myanmar.blast/index.html?iref=allsearch