Govt. Pressure Wrecks NLD Study Program

In this photo taken on November 19, 2010, members of National League for Democracy (NLD) sell posters of Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her father general Aung San in front of their main office in Rangoon. (Photo: Reuters)
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Foreign scholars withdrew from a planned study meeting at the National League for Democracy (NLD) headquarters after pressure from the Burmese government, according to sources.
Win Htein, of the NLD, told The Irrawaddy that many scholars were very keen to come and meet the opposition party’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi and train its members, but their planned visit had to be been canceled.
The group were due to lecture students at the Bayda Institute from June 6 to 25 before addressing NLD members from June 20 to 28, but now even the first session has been moved to pro-government NGO Myanmar Egress instead.
“I think Kyaw Yin Hlaing, who currently works in Hong Kong, is afraid the government will revoke his passport if he speaks to NLD members. If Kyaw Yin Hlaing came to visit the NLD he could get into trouble, but he should still take the risk to find out what the result would be,” said Win Htein.
Dr. Kyaw Yin Hlaing is director of Myanmar Egress and also assistant professor of the Department of Asian and International Studies at the City University of Hong Kong.
Myanmar Egress is controversial for being closely associated with individuals connected to the Burmese Chamber of Commerce, and Kyaw Yin Hlaing also supported last year’s sham election in Burma.
Htike Zaw Oo, from Tavoy Township, Tenasserim Division, is studying at the Bayda Institute and says he feels cheated by the renowned foreign-based professors who have shunned the seat of learning.
“At first we were very happy that professors from foreign countries would be teaching us. We have been preparing for the training for nearly three months. But when the fixed date arrived they [professors] canceled these plans very easily,” said Htike Zaw Oo.
The NLD study course on “the principles of political science” was the first offered by the party for two decades and was scheduled to be taught by almost a dozen foreign scholars. Young NLD members from across Burma have already arrived in Rangoon to attended the session.
“The teachers did not arrive at the opening ceremony of the Badya Institute and it is hard for them to come to the NLD. Although they did not come to the opening of the Bayda Institute, they are still teaching at Myanmar Egress. It is like a balloon which has been pierced with a needle,” said Win Htein.
“We have been planning this tuition since March but Kyaw Yin Hlaing said on the phone that he cannot give the lecture because the government put pressure on him. The professors would be teaching at Myanmar Egress and Bayda at the same time,” said Myo Yan Naung Thein of Bayda Institute.
The Irrawaddy contacted Kyaw Yin Hlaing but he refused to comment.
Burmese scholars Kyaw Yin Hlaing, Tin Maung Maung Than and US attorney Thi Han Myo Nyun will all contribute to the training program.
They will be joined by foreign scholars Robert Taylor, Robert Gregory, Martin Painter, Mark Thompson, Federico Ferrara and Brad Williams from City University of Hong Kong; Michael Montesano from Singapore’s Institute of South East Asia Study; Eric Thompson from the National University of Singapore; and N. Ganesan from the Hiroshima Peace Institute in Japan.
http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21454

BBC/Burmese: Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) on Depaeyin Massacre

Opening remarks at UN Headquarters year-end press conference

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
UNHQ

17 December 2010

Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

Before we begin, I want to make a statement on Côte d’Ivoire.

As of this morning, the situation has taken a dangerous turn.

Let me say clearly and directly: any attempt to obstruct UN operations or blockade the Golf Hotel is totally unacceptable.

Any attack on UN forces will be an attack on the international community.

I emphasize: those responsible for the loss of civilian lives will be held accountable.

In these circumstances, it is crucial for both parties to avoid provocations or a further escalation of violence.

The response by ECOWAS and the African Union shows the continent united in its commitment to respect the constitutional order and will of the people.

That is our message, as well: the results of the election are known. There was a clear winner. There is no other option.

The efforts of Laurent Gbagbo and his supporters to retain power and flout the public will cannot be allowed to stand.

I call on him to step down and allow his elected successor to assume office without further hindrance.

The international community must send this message — loud and clear.

Any other outcome would make a mockery of democracy and the rule of law.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Since this is the final press conference of the year, let me take a few minutes to reflect with you.

2010 was a big year for multilateralism — a big year for the United Nations.

We adopted a forward-looking action plan on the Millennium Development Goals.

We mobilized $40 billion for the new Global Strategy on Women’s and Children’s Health. And we just established a high-level Commission on accountability to ensure that commitments are tracked and results delivered.

We are making progress in the malaria fight.

After years of effort, we created UN Women and hired a dynamic new head of the agency, Michelle Bachelet.

We made advances in Nagoya on biodiversity.

In Cancun, Governments took an important step forward in building a low-emissions, climate resilient future.

They agreed on a balanced package of measures that formalizes mitigation pledges from all countries and ensures increased accountability for them. They made progress on forest protection, climate finance, adaptation and technology. We will build on this foundation as we look to COP 17 in South Africa.

We completed the first successful NPT Review Conference in ten years, and were able to advance my five-point plan on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

We supported highly sensitive elections in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We strengthened the UN’s capacities for preventive diplomacy and mediation.

All told, we supported 34 different mediation, facilitation and dialogue efforts this year.

The persistent work of UN envoys helped, for example, to ease the crisis in Kyrgyzstan and keep a transition to democracy on track in Guinea. Next week, the Deputy Secretary-General will attend the inauguration of the newly elected civilian President of Guinea.

We advanced the fight against impunity by strengthening the International Criminal Court.

We have continued to assist Member States in resolving difficult issues and undertaking impartial inquiries on sensitive matters from the Flotilla incident to the Bhutto Commission to the Special Tribunal on Lebanon.

We enhanced efficiency and effectiveness on the ground through a first-of-its-kind Global Field Support Strategy, which concentrates support for various peacekeeping missions in single, more efficient regional hubs.

We responded to the devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, as well as the floods in Pakistan. And we helped amplify the voices of the vulnerable, the billions around the world facing global economic insecurity.

Looking ahead, our challenge is to carry our progress forward.

Resources are tighter. Demands on the UN are growing. This requires us to focus more on prevention, preparedness, being proactive, being persistent – all within a framework that is transparent and accountable.

I will have much more to say next month on our agenda for 2011.

For the moment, let me say:

We will continue to closely watch the situation in Côte d’Ivoire.

In Sudan, I am deeply concerned by the recent clashes in Darfur. And in just a few weeks, the people of Southern Sudan will exercise their right to vote on their future.

The United Nations remains committed to supporting the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and holding the referendum on January 9 next year. And we will work to help the two sides address common challenges in the aftermath.

We will seek to advance the Middle East peace process to realize the two-state solution, despite the absence of direct talks.

I once again urge the parties to engage seriously and be forthcoming on substance.

A meeting of the Quartet principals is expected early in the new year.

We will also continue to focus on improving life in Gaza. And I repeat: Israel must meet its obligation to freeze all settlement activity, including in East Jerusalem.

With respect to Myanmar, despite its serious shortcomings, the elections and the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were significant developments. Myanmar can and should build on them.

Our strategy is one of long-term comprehensive engagement. We will continue to work to help Myanmar meet the objectives of national reconciliation, democratic transition and respect for human rights.

And we will seek progress on many of the longer-term challenges – including peace and security in the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue, bringing a stable government to Somalia, and helping to reunify Cyprus.

With regard to Cyprus, we have worked to increase the momentum in the talks, and I plan to meet leaders next month in Geneva. Between now and then, I hope they will continue to build on common ground as I urged them to do last month here in New York.

Finally, a few words on Haiti.

I am concerned about allegations of fraud in the recent elections. A second round is scheduled for mid-January.

We will continue to support free and fair elections that reflect the will of the Haitian people.

I urge all candidates and their supporters to remain calm and refrain from violence.

With respect to the cholera challenge, our first priority continues to be saving lives. We are working to reassure the population that the disease can be managed through early treatment and some clear and simple steps.

It is crucial to get this message out, far and wide.

And we need more funding. The Cholera Response Strategy that we launched last month is still only 21 percent funded. Haiti needs more doctors, nurses, medical supplies, and it needs them urgently.

As you know, there are several theories on the origins of the cholera outbreak in Haiti.

Not all reports have reached the same conclusion. MINUSTAH and the Government of Haiti have conducted a number of tests. All so far have been negative.

But there remain fair questions and legitimate concerns that demand the best answer that science can provide.

That is why, pursuant to close consultation with Dr. Margaret Chan of WHO, I am announcing today the creation of an international scientific panel to investigate the source of the cholera epidemic in Haiti.

The panel will be completely independent and have full access to all UN premises and personnel. Details on the panel will be provided when finalized.

We want to make the best effort to get to the bottom of this and find answers that the people of Haiti deserve.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Looking back and looking ahead, I want to reiterate a point that I believe defines today’s complex and connected world.

Truly global action requires mobilizing support, creating broad alliances and building coalitions.

In the search for solutions, progress does not come with big bangs, but with steady, determined steps.

It is the accumulation of these small steps, these steady elements of progress that set the stage for larger changes — the breakthroughs of tomorrow.

We live in a unique multilateral moment — a world changing in the most dramatic ways since the end of World War II.

The United Nations must keep pace.

We have made progress this year. But we can and must continue.

Thank you for all your support and now I will be happy to take your questions.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=1039#

WikiLeaks: Singapore Lee says Myanmar ’stupid’

Alex Kennedy
AP
SINGAPORE-statista Singapore Lee Kuan Yew chiamata Myanmar i leader della giunta “stupido” e “densa” nelle conversazioni con i diplomatici statunitensi, secondo i documenti classificati pubblicato questa settimana da Wikileaks.
Il leader di Singapore ha detto che fare con il regime militare del Myanmar è stato come “parlare con la gente morta”, secondo un briefing riservato Stati Uniti su una conversazione del 2007 tra Lee e l’ambasciatore americano Patricia L. Herbold e il Vice Assistente Segretario di Stato Thomas Christensen pubblicato da Wikileaks.
Il 87-year-old Lee è noto per le sue valutazioni franco e schietto degli affari del mondo, ma evita di insultare pubblicamente la leadership dei paesi stranieri. Lee è stato primo ministro dal 1959-1990 e rimane un consulente senior a suo figlio, attuale primo ministro Lee Hsien Loong.
Un cavo pubblicato da Wikileaks un paio di settimane citazioni precedenti Lee chiamata della Corea del Nord leader “tipi psicopatica con un ‘tipo flaccido vecchio’ per un leader che s’impenna in giro per gli stadi in cerca di adulazione.” Il riferimento al leader della Corea del Nord Kim Jong Il è da un cavo citando una conversazione maggio 2009 tra Lee e vicesegretario di Stato James Steinberg.
Lee non ha commentato le uscite, mentre il governo di Singapore, li ha liquidati come “gossip” e messo in guardia contro la presa fuori dal contesto.
Nel cavo più recente pubblicazione, Lee ha detto che la Cina aveva il più influenza sulla leadership del Myanmar di qualsiasi paese straniero e che Pechino è preoccupata che il paese avrebbe “Blow up” e minacciano pertanto di investimenti cinesi lì.
“Lee ha espresso il suo disprezzo per la leadership del regime,” ha detto il cavo trapelato. “Ha detto di aver rinunciato a loro una decina di anni fa, li chiamavano ‘densa’ e ‘stupido’ e ha dichiarato di avere ‘cattiva gestione’ grandi risorse naturali del paese.”
Lee ha detto che l’India è stata coinvolgente leadership di Myanmar nel tentativo di ridurre al minimo l’influenza della Cina, ma che “l’India mancava di cogliere sottili della Cina come la Birmania lavorato”, secondo il cavo.
Lee ha detto che un gruppo di ufficiali militari più giovani meno ‘ottuso’ potrebbe prendere il controllo e condividere il potere con attivisti per la democrazia “, anche se probabilmente non con Aung San Suu Kyi, che era un anatema per i militari”.
Dopo più di sette anni agli arresti domiciliari, la leader democratica Aung San Suu Kyi è stata rilasciata 13 novembre, una settimana dopo la prima elezione del Myanmar in 20 anni, che hanno visto la vittoria schiacciante da parte di un pro-militari. I critici hanno denunciato la farsa elettorale come volto a cementare il controllo dei militari.
Singapore ha messo in dubbio la veridicità di alcuni documenti presumibilmente trapelare da Wikileaks e pubblicata da alcuni giornali australiani. I rapporti diplomatici Singapore inserito come fare commenti poco lusinghieri su Malesia, India, Giappone e Thailandia durante gli incontri con diplomatici statunitensi.
In una dichiarazione rilasciata in ritardo Martedì, Singapore ministero degli Esteri ha detto che “quello che i funzionari di Singapore sono stati accusati da Wikileaks abbia detto non coincidono con le nostre registrazioni.”
“Un incontro pretesa (tra Singapore e diplomatici statunitensi) non hanno nemmeno prendere posto”, ha detto.
Singapore il ministro degli Esteri George Yeo ha detto ai giornalisti all’inizio di questa settimana che, in ogni caso, questi cavi sono state interpretazioni delle conversazioni dei diplomatici degli Stati Uniti, e quindi non dovrebbe essere “sovra-interpretare”.
“Questi sono nella natura della conversazione cocktail”, ha detto Yeo. “E ‘sempre fuori contesto. Si tratta di pettegolezzi. “

Mandalay Blast Adds to Fears for Suu Kyi’s Security

Two people were injured in a bomb blast at a temple in Mandalay on Saturday, raising concerns for the safety of recently released pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was reportedly planning to visit Burma’s second-largest city sometime in the near future.

According to police sources in Mandalay, the explosion occurred in the compound of the Eaidawyar Buddhist temple in Chan Aye Tharzan Township at around 7 am. Police said they suspected the bomb was a home-made device.

Burma’s pro- democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi (top center) poses for a photograph with politicians during a visit to a senior politicians house in Yangon on November 20, 2010. (Photo: Getty Images)

Following the blast, the authorities closed the temple compound, which was busy at the time of the explosion due to preparations for an important Buddhist festival this weekend.The Saturday blast came amid rumors that Suu Kyi was planning to make Mandalay the destination of her first trip out of Rangoon since her release on Nov. 13.

“People have been saying that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will come to Mandalay soon, so the bomb blast may have been intended as a warning against political gatherings,” said a correspondent for a private journal in Mandalay.

On Wednesday evening, another bomb injured two people in Mandalay. On the same day, four time bombs were discovered near the City Star Hotel in downtown Rangoon and safely disposed of by the authorities, according to Burma’s state-run media.

Although there is no indication of who was behind these incidents, Suu Kyi’s supporters say they have only served to heighten their fears for the pro-democracy leader’s safety.

“Her security is a real concern for us,” Ohn Kyaing, a senior leader of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, told The Irrawaddy.

“Since her release, the security guards who surrounded her home during her house arrest are no longer there. Not only the guards, but also the barbed wire barriers along Inya Lake at the back of her compound have been removed,” he said.

A day after her release, Suu Kyi told reporters on Sunday that her security, like that of all Burmese citizens, is the responsibility of the country’s authorities.

Security has long been a major concern for Suu Kyi and her supporters, especially since May 2003, when junta-backed thugs from the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) ambushed her and her entourage while traveling near Depayin, Sagaing Division. Suu Kyi narrowly escaped the attack, but about 100 of her supporters were reportedly killed.

Intelligence sources said at the time that junta head Snr-Gen Than Shwe gave the green light for the operation, which was backed by army and USDA hardliners such as Gen Soe Win and Aung Thaung but carried out without the knowledge of military intelligence, then headed by Gen Khin Nyunt.

They also said that Than Shwe still follows the advice of Depayin mastermind Aung Thaung, who is in charge of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in Upper Burma.

The USDP was formed from the USDA earlier this year to contest the Nov. 7 election, in which it claims it won nearly 80 percent of seats.

“One faction of the USDP suggested letting the opposition win about a third of the seats in the election to get international recognition, but the hardliners said they could engineer a landslide,” said a military source who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Finally, Than Shwe backed the idea of a total victory for the USDP.”

Intelligence sources added that as long as hardliners like Aung Thaung remain close to Than Shwe, another Depayin could happen at anytime and Suu Kyi’s security remains at risk.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20137

Burma’s Myo Yan Naung Thein on Junta’s Parliaments

CNN has now released his interview with pro-democracy activist Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Suu Kyi Calls For Dialogue

2010-11-14
In an exclusive interview with RFA a day after her release, Burma’s democracy icon seeks a true dialogue with the ruling military junta and pushes for freedom.

AFP
Burma’s newly released opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (R) waves to the crowd as she arrives at her National League for Democracy headquarters in Rangoon on Nov. 14, 2010.
Fresh from her release from house arrest, Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has called for a dialogue with the military junta, emphasizing that her top priority was to bring democracy to the reclusive country.

In an exclusive interview with Radio Free Asia’s Burmese service on Nov. 14, the 65-year-old democracy icon said she wanted to build a network using “modern communication” among people within and outside her country in the push for democracy via “people power.”

She also said the generals did not impose any conditions when releasing her from house arrest on Nov. 13. She had been locked up for 15 of the past 21 years.

“For me, it’s better to have a dialogue,” Suu Kyi said when asked whether there was anything she would like to convey to the the military government.

“I don’t want to be having a one-sided conversation. There’s only one thing I want to say. I’ve said this from the beginning. I’ve said this before. ‘Let’s have a dialogue.’ That’s it.

“Only when we talk, only when we have two sides talking, will it be effective. It’s not going to be effective if I just say, ‘I want to say this. I want to say this,’ just by myself.”

Suu Kyi last met the junta leader, General Than Shwe, in secret talks in 2002 at the encouragement of the United Nations.

“Voice of the people”

The Nobel Peace Prize winner earlier spoke to a cheering crowd of several thousands who jammed the street in front of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party headquarters, causing heavy traffic congestion.

She said she wanted to “hear the voice of the people” before charting her next course of action, following controversial elections a week ago in which the junta’s proxy party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) scored massive gains.

The elections have been widely criticized as a sham by Western powers and human rights groups, and opposition parties which contested the elections have complained of cheating and voter intimidation.

Suu Kyi did not directly comment on the elections in the interview but stressed the need for inclusiveness in any democratic process, saying she was impressed by the large youth turnout during her speeches and by their increasing involvement in Burmese politics.

“The best way is one where the entire people can participate as far as possible. One thing I noticed is that among those who came over, there were many young people. That is a very good sign.

“I saw our new blood, our new generation, participating in the political process actively,” said the daughter of the nation’s assassinated independence hero, General Aung San.

Unconditional release

Asked about her immediate plans, Suu Kyi, who also held talks with foreign diplomats and a press conference on her first full day of freedom, said, “The main thing I have in mind is for us to achieve democracy.”

She also said that she was given an unconditional release from house arrest.

Asked whether the government had imposed any “limitations” on her, she said, “No, there aren’t any.”

Suu Kyi, known as just the “lady” among Burmese, called for increasing participation from people within and outside her country in bringing about democracy.

“By people, I am not referring only to people in our country, but also people of the world,” she said.

“For us to achieve democracy, we will have to establish a network of people—a network of Burmese people, a network of people of the world. Everyone must be involved (in the process through) communication means appropriate to modern era and work for democracy.That’s what I believe.”

Before her release, her lawyer Nyan Win said that Suu Kyi wanted to get a Twitter account so that she can get in touch with the younger generation after years of isolation.

Suu Kyi said she had been listening to broadcasts by Radio Free Asia (RFA) in efforts to keep in touch with developments during her years of house arrest.

“For RFA, as well as other news agencies, I listen to political news as a duty. But I listen to programs on literature, poetry, and arts because I’m interested in them.”

Suu Kyi also thanked world leaders for supporting her democratic struggle, when asked to comment on the deluge of messages from a wide variety of government leaders on her release from house arrest.

“People’s Power”

On what she would like to particularly convey to the Burmese people, she said, “I would like to thank them first. Also, [I would like to say that] we will be able to succeed only with people’s power, with people’s support, with people’s trust.

“I cannot do this on my own. The NLD cannot do this on its own. All of the political parties cannot do this on their own. Without people’s participation, nothing can be done effectively for our country. I would like the people to participate.”

Suu Kyi said that she was touched by the people’s support.

“In some of the small wards I passed by, people looked very poor. But when they came out and welcomed me and waved their hands, they were all smiles.

“I thought to myself, ‘Oh, our people are very warm—and very magnanimous.

“Even though they are very poor and tired, they are able to great me warmly, happily, and cheerfully. They have these powers. They are giving me strength.

“If people continue to give us such strength, we in turn will strengthen the people. If we join hands and help each other, I believe we will be successful.”

Interview with Aung San Suu Kyi was conducted by Kyaw Kyaw Aung of Radio Free Asia’s Burmese Service. Translation by Than Than Win, Kyaw Min Htun, and Khin Maung Soe. Written in English by Parameswaran Ponnudurai.

Copyright © 1998-2010 Radio Free Asia. All rights reserved.

Boycott Sham Election 05/11/2010 . UK

Aung San Suu Kyi Speech (Part 1)