pdc monthly news commentary - january 2012 (eng)

8/3/2019 PDC Monthly News Commentary - January 2012 (Eng)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/pdc-monthly-news-commentary-january-2012-eng 1/11

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THE ACTIVITIES OF NLD AND DOMESTIC OPPOSITION FORCES

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NLD AND THE USDP GOVERNMENT

Though the top leaders of USDP government are saying that they support and welcome re-

registration of NLD party and planning to contest in election, at the same time, attempts to restrict the

movements of this party are being found.

Information Ministry Minister Kyaw Hsan said to Al Jazeera news agency on December 1 that they

welcome entry of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi into parliament through election. Similarly Pyidaungsu

Parliament speaker U Khin Aung Myint invited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to his residence in Rangoon

and discussed on December 11. Union Election Commission (UEC) informed NLD on December 12that NLD had been allowed to register with election committee. And UEC Chairman U Tin Aye said

at a press conference held in Naypyitaw on December 16 that they welcomed contesting election by

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

On their visit to Naypyitaw on December 23 for re-registration with election committee, party’s first

leader U Tin Oo and second leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met not only UEC Chairman U Tin Aye,

but upon the request made by Daw Aung San Suu Ky, House of People (lower house) speaker Thura

Shwe Mahn and House of Nationalities (upper house) speaker Khin Aung Myint received her team

separately and discussed on various issues, U Shwe Mahn disclosed at the press conference held after

these discussions. U Khin Aung Myint said that they would be encouraged when Daw Aung San SuuKyi joined parliament. UEC Chairman U Tin Aye promised that upcoming elections would be freer

and fairer.

Despite of cordial relationship with NLD party by USDP government top leaders in public, local

special branch (SB) of police force and personnel from Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI) were

checking background history of NLD party leaders who would lead the party in reorganization, one

of these leaders Daw Khin Saw Htay from Magwe Division NLD party branch said. And also the

authorities first refused to allow fund raising concert and funfair for Union Ethnic Nationalities’

Education Charity Fund, organized by NLD and to be held in Thuwunna stadium and then they

reluctantly and inevitably allowed this concert and funfair to be held at Myanmar Convention Centre(MCC) instead. USDP party CEC member U Aung Thein Lin (former Rangoon Mayor) invited

leaders of 10-member Friends of Democracy Parties which contested in 2010 general election to a

restaurant in Inya Myakyuntha in Rangoon on December 4 and told them that they concerned over

the dominance and influence by foreign countries on Burma because of NLD party which was under

the influence of these countries.

USDP government has not yet harassed and oppressed the activities of NLD party explicitly but it is

found that they are harassing and oppressing other activists and those related with this party. Rangoon

Kyimyindine Township, Thadu Pariyatti monastery abbot Shwe Nya Wah Ashin Pyinnya Thiha who

usually receives celebrations and ceremonies of NLD party was ordered to be evicted from this

monastery by Sangha Maha Nayaka (the highest authority of monk organization) on December 12 for

PDC News Commentary ~ January 2012 of 11

PDC NEWS COMMENTARY January 2012

Compiled and commented by the Political Defiance Committee (PDC)National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)



his meeting with US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton and preaching sermon at Mandalay

Region NLD office on World Democracy Day. It is learned that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi concerned

over this issue and assigned U Tin Oo to resolve this issue peacefully. Lawyer U Myint Thwin from

Mandalay who usually helps political activists, political prisoners and farmers by giving them legal

aids and another lawyer were revoked their license for 3 years for alleged charge of breach of

professional conduct.

USDP party might contest in upcoming by-elections in free and fair manner but we assume that they

will use every possible means available in winning the 2015 general election.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ETHNIC GROUPS AND THE USDP GOVERNMENT

For peace talks with ethnic armed groups, the USDP government formed Union Level Peace Building

Committee in third week of December with USDP secretariat member and lower house MP U Aung

Thaung as first leader, USDP party secretariat member and lower house MP U Thein Zaw and

Railway Minister U Aung Min as second leaders, Cooperatives and Livestock ministries Union

Minister U Ohn Myint, Industrial ministry Union Minister U Soe Thein, Environment and Forest

ministry Union Minister U Win Tun, No.2 Electric Power Ministry Union Minister U Khin Maung

Soe, Energy ministry Union Minister U Than Htay, Border Affairs ministry Deputy Union Minister

Major General Zaw Win and Col. Kyaw Soe Win from C-in-C office as members totaling 10

members.

Shan State Army (South) SSA-RCSS representative Brig. Gen. Sai Lu and Railway Minister U Aung

Min signed ceasefire agreement on December 2. SSA-S spokesman Col. Sai Lao Sai disclosed on

December 10 that USDP delegation promised them to convene more inclusive and widespread

Panglong Conference after reaching ceasefire agreement with all ethnic armed groups. Delegations

from both sides met again in Tachileik on December 17 and agreed to meet again in January 2012 for

further talks on peace.

DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist Army) Kalo Htoo Phau faction led by Brig. Gen. Saw La Bwe

and USDP delegation signed a preliminary peace agreement which includes not to secede Karen State

from Union in Pa-an on December 10.

Kachin State government Chief Minister officially announced that President U Thein Sein issued his

directive to C-in-C of Armed Forces on December 10 to stop all offensives against Kachin

Independence Army (KIA) for resuming peace talks with Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)

but it is found that fighting continued in elsewhere Kachin State until the end of December 2011.

Total 68 clashes took place during the period of December 10-29 after issuing Presidential order to

stop all offensives and KIA had to abandon their 8thBattalion HQ under the command of 4thBrigade

on December 28 after suffering massive attacks by government troops. It is learned that after the

fighting broke out in June 2011, KIA had to abandon their 3 outposts under command of 4 thBrigade

and other 3 outposts under command of 3rdBrigade.

‘Union Level Peace Making Committee’ leader U Aung Thaung held a press conference at a hotel at

8thmile junction on December 16 and said that Burma was unimpressive by international communityfor its notorious over 60-year long armed conflicts which are continuing until today. USDP




government offered KIO for union level peace talks with them on December 18 and then KIO central

committee was preparing to form its delegation for this talk, spokesman U La Nan said on December

20. It is also learned that Chin National Front (CNF) has formed its peace talk 10-member delegation

led by joint secretary general Dr. Sui Khar for talks with USDP government.

USDP government delegation led by Railway Minister U Aung Min and KNU delegation led by Pado

David Tharkapaw met in Mae Sot on December 21for preliminary talks and they reportedly agreed tohold official and formal peace talk to be held on January 12, 2012. The government delegation led by

U Aung Min met with New Mon State Party (NMSP) in Sankhlaburi Thailand on December 22 for

the first time and they also met Pa-O National Liberation Front (PNLO) Chairman U Khun Okkar

informally on December 23 and they reportedly agreed to meet again for preliminary talks. U Aung

Min also met Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB) General Secretary Dr. Naing Aung in Mae Sot

on December 21 for informal talks, according to statement issued by Dr. Naing Aung.

The government delegation led by U Aung Min and U Thein Zaw met United Wa State Army

(UWSA) in Pansang on December 26 and signed a 6-point agreement. Same USDP delegation met

National Democracy Alliance Army (NDAA) in Kentung on December 27 and signed a union level peace agreement.

The USDP government is holding peace talks and on the other hand they are continuing their

offensives against ethnic armed groups so that the fighting are continued in Kachin State, Shan State,

Karen State, Chin State, Rakhine State and Tanintharyi Region and it is found that series of bomb

blasts are encountered elsewhere in Burma including Rangoon.

THE ACTIVITIES OF NLD AN D DOMESTIC OPPOSITION FORCES

After taking decision to reregister and contest in elections, NLD party has escalated their works on

reorganization, international relations and organizing people.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met visiting US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton on December 1 at the

residence of US Charge d affaires in Rangoon. Ms. Hillary gave letter written by US President Mr.

Barack Obama to her which says he pays respects and proud of Burmese democratic struggle being

waged by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and he would continue giving support to her cause. On December

2, Ms. Hillary Clinton met Committee Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP) leaders for half an

hour at the residence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that she was pleased

and satisfied for relations with US. She also said that Burma badly needed capacity building and

technical assistance but the most important matters in Burma are rule of law and ceasing civil war.Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said to Myanmar Times journal on the same day that she would maintain

friendly relation with neighbouring country China while she was conducting closer engagements with

US. She invited noted film directors and actors to her home on December 3 and discussed on

shooting an epic film based on biography of her father Bogyoke (General) Aung San and his

independence struggle. On December 5, Senior Director Brian Joseph of US based National

Endowment for Democracy (NED) visited Burma and met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her central

executive committee members. On the same day, she had video conference with students from US

Virginia Tech on the subjects of democracy struggle and democracy in Burma.

Special envoy of Pope in Vatican Palace, Archbishop Martino, met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi onDecember 8 and conveyed Pope Benedict’s message regarding current religious and political




situations in Burma. At the 20thanniversary celebration held in honour of winning Nobel Peace Prize

on December 10, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urged people to do their utmost efforts for achieving

internal peace by grasping all available opportunities. Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (joint sitting of

parliament) speaker U Khin Aung Myint invited Daw Aung San Suu Khi to his residence on

December 11 and discussed on various issues.

On December 15, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi received Mr. Robert Cooper, the adviser of EU ForeignAffairs and Security Chief and discussed on monetary and releasing political prisoners affairs.

Chinese ambassador to Burma Li Junhua met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for the first time on December

15. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Weimin said on December 16 that the purpose of this

visit by Chinese ambassador to Burma was to ascertain the opinions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. On

December 20, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met visiting Thai PM Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra and discussed

on bilateral issues friendly and frankly.

On the same day, she met Bogyoke Aung San epic film production committee and she met 88-

Generation student leaders on December 21 respectively. She visited Naypyitaw on December 23 for

re-registration of her NLD party and met UEC chairman U Tin Aye, house of people speaker Thura

Shwe Mahn and house of nationalities speaker U Khin Aung Myint separately. Japanese foreign

minister Koichiro Gemba met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the evening of December 26 and briefed

her on lifting ban on providing ODA assistance and their plan to reinvesting in Burma. She told

visiting Japanese FM to provide equal assistance to ethnic people also. On December 28, Indonesian

FM Marty Natalegawa met Daw Aung Suu Kyi at her residence and explained her on what ASEAN is

doing for democratization in Burma and exchanged their views on these matters.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi donated 30 million kyats for war refugees in Kachin State and offered alms

to monks at her residence on 23rd

death anniversary of her mother Daw Khin Kyi. She and U Tin Oovisited fire victims of Rangoon Mingala Taungnyunt Township Setsan Ward on December 30 and

consoled them and donated relief supplies to them. She and U Tin Oo attended Ethnic Nationalities

Education Charity fund funfair and fund raising concert held on the same evening and delivered her

inaugural address. She also attended Art for Freedom film festival held in Rangoon Taw Win centre

on December 31 and delivered inaugural address.

NLD party is preparing to form organizing committees in each township and opening branch offices

elsewhere in the country and the party will be reorganized as soon as UEC granted them for

registration. Party Information Department In-charge U Ohn Kyaing told on December 4 that

Burmese nationals in exile could apply for party membership on internet. Election victory committeeswere formed in Taungoo and Myeik districts on December 10 and similar committees were reportedly

being formed in other states and regions. Party’s election symbol has been changed to fighting

peacock and white star from previous bamboo hat symbol, the official announcement appeared on

daily papers on December 10 say. As a part of the programme of uplifting knowledge and experience

among the party members, 8 NLD youth members visited Poland at the invitation of Polish Foreign

Ministry to study the transition works being undertaken there for a week.

It is found that NLD party is doing for selecting candidates to be fielded in all 48 vacant seats in

upcoming by-elections. Party top leader 85-year old Thura U Tin Oo said that he would not contest in

this by-election but Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s office administrator and former army captain U WinHtein said that he would contest in his native Meiktila constituency as his duty given by Daw Aung




San Suu Kyi. Former MP-elect in 1990 general election Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint said that she

would contest in vacant seat if the party assigns her to do so. Party leader U Tin Oo said at the

meeting with Youth Network meeting held on December 23 at Naypyitaw Thabyaygone market that

the party needed to do their utmost efforts for winning the four vacant seats in USDP hardcore

constituencies in Naypyitaw.

Some former NLD party members who resigned from the party and those from breakaway factionwhich formed new party are planning to rejoin the mother NLD party, National Democratic Force

(NDF) leader U Khin Maung Swe said on December 2 and then five of his party members including

Pyawbwe Organizing Committee chairman and secretary tendered their resignation letters to NDF

party to rejoin NLD party. Similarly NDF party MPs elected in 2010 general election U Kyi Myint

and Dr. Myat Nyarna Soe said that they would resign from NDF and rejoin NLD party. The party

leaders from NDF party and its breakaway party ‘New National Democracy Party’ (NNDP) party said

that they would not contest in constituencies where NLD would contest. NDF party chairman Dr.

Than Nyein said that they were ready to accept Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s decision. NLD party

spokesman U Nyan Win said on December 22 that the party would scrutiny and accept former party

members who resigned from party for various reasons when they apply for party membership.During this period, the movements of ethnic political parties, former political prisoners, students,

workers, farmers and class and mass movements are also found. At the meeting with visiting US

Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton by ethnic political parties, former political prisoners and

leaders of social organizations on December 2, they presented the current situation of ongoing wars in

ethnic inhabited areas, rights of ethnic people and current political, economic and social situations to

the visiting US Secretary of State.

As a movement of students, 88-Generation students issued their statement on December 5 which says

they would not contest in elections as long as political prisoners are in prisons but some of the

students from this group who agreed to support and rally around Daw Suu would stand for election,one of the student leaders of this 88-Generation group, Phyo Min Thein, said on December 6. 2007

All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) and All Burma Monks Alliance (ABML) issued

their joint statement on December 9 which expresses their support to statement issued by 88-

Generation group. ABFSU 2007 group organized 73rdanniversary of Bo Aung Kyaw Day on

December 20 for the first time at Thamaing Myoma Pariyatti monastery in Rangoon. About 50

students from 88-Generation Student group visited houses of imprisoned 88-Gen students on

December 29 and they encouraged and consoled their families.

About 100 former political prisoners held a get-together at Rangoon Shwenyawah monastery on

December 1 for the purpose of working for releasing all political prisoners. They issued statement

dated December 23 which condemned and protested against the bomb blast at public toilet near busy

Hledan junction. Former political prisoners and families of political prisoners condemned the

statement issued by USDP government’s National Human Rights Commission Secretary U Sitt

Myaing as saying this is just the sheer lies and impractical on December 29. They opened a fund

raising shop at the fund raising concert and funfair for Union Ethnic Education Charity Fund.

During this period, labour movements were found too. The authorities rejected their application for

forming trade union at Bago textile mill and leather factory as per the new Labour Organizations

Law, this trade union organizing committee spokesman U San Maung said on December 7.

Workers who were fired from their jobs staged a protest demonstration at the Woodwork industry inRangoon South Dagon industrial zone but instead of mediation and arbitration in this protest,

Township Labour Department forbade their protest, the protesters said on December 14. When the




Parami taxi drivers planned to stage protest against strict regulation in their works, the authorities

held emergency meeting and negotiated with them. This taxi company is owned by military Myanmar

Economic Holdings Ltd.

As a farmers’ movement, about 3,000 farmers from states and regions signed their protest letter and

sent it to President U Thein Sein which urged him not to sign and give his assent to 2011 Farmland

Bill tabled by USDP party in house of people (lower house) as it will not beneficial to the landowners and farmers.

As a human right movement, Human Right Defenders and Promoters (HRDP) held a

63rdInternational Human Right Day on December 10 in Bogale, Irrawaddy Region. One of the

founders of this group, U Maung Maung Lay, said on this occasion that the new civilian government

inherited the human rights violations from the previous military regime.

As the class and mass movements, series of demonstration demanding round the clock electricity

supply took place elsewhere in Rakhine State. Villagers from 19 villages which have to be relocated

from Dawei deep sea port project held a press conference in Rangoon on December 15 and briefed

their grievances and plight to the reporters. The artistes from music and film industries and literature

circle enthusiastically helped and worked for Union Ethnic Education Charity Fund funfair and fund

raising concert and Art for Freedom film festival organized by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The people

donated cash enthusiastically too at these funfair and fund raising concert.

Over 200 shops opened and sold their goods and products at this Union Ethnic Education Charity

Fund funfair and fund raising concert and over 10,000 people visited there. It is learned that the

organizers got over 30 million kyat from these events. Heavy Machinery Volvo Company owner Daw

Marlar Thein alone bid a red T-shirt bearing portrait of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the signatures of

artistes participated in this festival and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the price of 12.5 million kyat as her

donation to this funfair and festival.

Despite of growing networks and their movements rallying around Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, we

assume that they should put more emphasis on organizing new party members, selection of party

leadership and candidates for by-elections by fielding right man at the right place. We also ponder

that it’s more important to build strong party by drawing lessons from their experiences in old party.

THE USDP GOVERNMENT AND DOMESTIC S ITUATION

THE S ITUATION OF THE USDP GOVERNMENT

It is found that the USDP government was trying hard to build better relationship with international

community including meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton in December.

US Secretary of State visited Burma for the first time in past 50 years on December 1 by landing at

Naypyitaw airport and she was received by President U Thein Sein, house of people speaker Thura U

Shwe Mahn and house of nationalities speaker U Khin Aung Myint separately. At these meetings, US

Secretary of State told her hosts that US would consider for easing sanctions imposed on Burma if the

reforms in Burma became concrete and firm, she said at press conference held in Naypyitaw on the

same day. At the meeting with her, Thura U Shwe Mahn promised her that the remaining political

prisoners would be released and they would sever military ties with North Korea too. US Secretary of State invited President U Thein Sein to visit US in early 2012 for further bilateral talks when she met

with him. Despite of the demise of North Korean leader Kim Jung-il, the normal relationship with




North Korea would be maintained as before, Presidential political adviser Dr. Nay Zin Latt said on

December 20, 2012.

U Shwe Mahn said on December 8 that despite of better relationship with US, the normal relationship

with traditional friend China would not be affected. World grade Naypyitaw international airport built

by Asia World Co, with Chinese loan was opened on December 19 by China Council of State

member Dai Bingguo.

President U Thein Sein received Belarus goodwill delegation led by PM Mikhail Myasnikovich on

December 2 and Bangladeshi goodwill delegation led by PM Sheik Hasina on December 5 and

discussed on bilateral issues and signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for trade. High level

military delegation led by Chief of Staff (Navy) Lt. Gen. Nyan Tun paid 4-day official visit to

Bangladesh on December 12 and they discussed bilateral naval cooperation with his Bangladesh

counterpart Chief of Staff (Navy) Zahir Uddin Ahmed.

India Home Ministry secretary R.K.Singh said on December 4 that Col. Paresh Baruah from United

Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and a reporter from Guwahati Daily Newspaper were arrested byBurmese government on tip-off given by India. Burmese delegation led by house of people speaker

Thura U Shwe Mahn paid 4-day official visit to India on December 11 and this delegation studied the

functions and proceedings of India parliaments.

The USDP government tried to promote relations with regional countries including ASEAN during

this period. The Burmese government hosted 4thGreater Mekong sub-region Summit in Naypyitaw

on December 20. At the opening day of this meeting attended by China, Myanmar, Laos, Thai,

Cambodia and Vietnam, President U Thein Sein said that Burma would cooperate with international

community for the development of the country and to get the role and place in world political arena

which deserved to the country. And then they signed an agreement on 10-year project which includes

poverty alleviation. He discussed with new Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra who attended this meeting

for bilateral issues separately too.

Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra confirmed the news which says he visited Napyitaw on

December 15 in advance of his sister’s visit to Burma and had a secret meeting with Senior General

Than Shwe and U Thein Sein for facilitating her visit and for the interests of Thailand. Bangkok Post

reported this news on December 20 but his sister Thai PM denied this news on December 21 as

saying her brother’s visit to Burma for facilitating meeting and smooth relation between her and Daw

Aung San Suu Kyi was not true.

President U Thein Sein received Japanese FM Koichiro Gemba on December 26 and he asked

Japanese FM for providing economic aids and reinvesting in Burma. The USDP government is found

during this period trying hard in doing cosmetic changes in the country to attract interest at home and

international community. Government Social Welfare department and UNICEF (Myanmar) jointly

organized a workshop for the first time at Rangoon Sedona Hotel on December 8-9 for reviewing

Myanmar Juvenile Laws and their rules to make them compatible with the international standard.

Myanmar National Human Right Commission formed by USDP government issued statements to

defend the government as saying allegations made by Amnesty International (AI) of political

prisoners being tortured in Insein prison for their hunger strike was not true and the prison conditionis good as wards, kitchens and toilets are clean and personal hygiene of these prisoners are found

good during their inspection visit to Insein prison on December 27. Moreover the commission also




said that they mediated between KIO and government and facilitate for realizing peace talks between

them, demanded not to use landmines in the battles and to stop all fighting in Kachin State and also

they provided relief assistance to war refugees who fled from their homes and taking refuge in 59

refugee camps opened in Kachin State.

To ease international pressure and domestic pressure put on them for releasing political prisoners,

house of people speaker Thura U Shwe Mahn said on December 9 that they would release prisonerswho would do politics with keen interest in priority without debating on controversial words of either

political prisoners or prisoners of conscience. Similarly ‘Union Level Peace Making Group’ leader

and Railway Minister U Aung Min said on December 21 at the meeting with KNU that the prisoners

would be released again on Independence Day which falls on January 4, 2012 and Union Day which

falls on February 12, 2012.

Despite of giving these promises for releasing political prisoners, 88-Generation student leader Ma

Mee Mee a.k.a. Ma Thin Thin Aye was abruptly transferred from Katha prison to Shwebo prison on

the same night on December 27 so that skepticisms appeared on their hollow promises. The analysts

assume that if these prisoners are to be released soon, they need not to be transferred from their prisons.

USDP party, which won 2010 general election by rampant electoral fraud and vote rigging, Rangoon

Region Organization Department In-charge and former Rangoon Mayor U Aung Thein Lin said on

December 4 at the meeting invited by him and held at Rangoon Inya Lake Myakyuntha restaurant

with leaders from 10-member Friends of Democracy Parties which contested in 2010 general election

that their party sees NLD party which reregistered for contesting in by-elections as formidable rival

party. He befriended with these parties and he reportedly invited these party leaders to meet with their

party GS U Htay Oo in Naypyitaw. The Voice weekly journal reported on December 10 that eight of

these ten parties reached preliminary agreement with USDP party for cooperation in common agenda.USDP party Mandalay Region branch invited political parties in Mandalay to their office on

December 14 and had the informal talks with them. They would meet these parties occasionally in

future too, USDP party Mandalay Region branch Secretary U Win Maung told Myanmar Times

journal. The Mandalay Region USDP government lent over 4 billion kyat at the low interest rate of

2.5% p.a. to poor people and farmers in their region in their election campaign. Similarly Rangoon

Region USDP party was conducting election campaign by promising providing land lease grants to

the people, the local people in Mayangon Township said.

At the same time, U Thein Sein’s government is doing cosmetic changes in Burma. He gave his

assent on December 2 by signing on the bill passed by both houses which grants the fundamentalrights of the people for freedom of assembly and marching in procession as provided by article

354(b) of 2008 Constitution unless they will endanger the rule of law and public tranquility but the

local authorities were found still rejecting the applications presented to them for such demonstration

and rally. U Win Cho and six people submitted their application for peaceful demonstration on

December 5 but the local authority rejected their application by giving reason of necessary

notification, directive, rule, regulation and procedures in this regard were not yet issued by Home

Ministry, U Win Cho explained on December 6. Democratic Party (Myanmar) also planned to march

in procession peacefully to Independence monument pillar erected at Rangoon Mahabandoola square

on Independence Day which falls on January 4 but their application for peaceful assembly and

marching was also rejected by the authority, party leader Daw Than Than Nu said on December 23.




President U Thein Sein signed on Private School Registration Law which would cover from primary

to secondary level education on December 2. Myawady-Mae Sot Friendship Bridge which was closed

for over one and half year was reopened on December 5. Information Minister U Kyaw Hsan said on

December 10 that his ministry eased censorship rule on print media and celluloid media by allowing

over 50 business and crime journals publishing without submitting draft copies to censor board and

cancelled six out of total ten restrictions imposed on film and video. The constitutional court gave its

verdict on December 14 by judging that Ethnic Nationality Minister should be given equal status and privileges being enjoyed by ministers in local governments in states and regions in accordance with

the provisions in 2008 constitution.

Economics and Commerce Ministry Minister U Win Myint said on December 14 that the complaints

lodged on their staffs for their wrongdoings can be made by addressing to Minister and Deputy

Minister and if these complaints are made on minister and deputy minister, they can be addressed to

President. UEC Chairman U Tin Aye said on December 16 at the press conference held in Naypyitaw

that the political parties would be allowed for free canvassing in upcoming by-elections. The USDP

government issued a notification dated December 21 which exempts income tax payable by Burmese

nationals working in foreign countries.

As a monetary reform, House of People Banks and Monetary Development Committee Chairman U

Aung Thaung said on December 23 that the exchange rate was fixed at 800 kyat against US$ for the

ministries which spent in US$ in the State Budget. Eleven banks of private and joint venture banks of

private and government were allowed to conduct banking business on foreign banking. Similarly

some private banks namely Cooperatives Bank, Kanbawza Bank, Irrawaddy Bank and Asia Green

Bank were allowed to conduct remittance banking business for Burmese workers working in foreign

countries. Central Bank reduced its interest rate to 10% from 12% and announced on December 29

that they would issue government treasury bonds with 2-3-5-year maturity, starting from January 1,

2012.

By judging the differences in what they talked and what they did actually, it seems that there are

differences among the top echelons of military and this government especially in the powerful

National Defence and Security Council which seems to be dominated by hardliners. We assume that

we should closely monitor the leverage and activities of secretariat of USDP party which is not the

member of this powerful Defence and Security Council but fully controls the USDP party.

THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE PEOPLE

Despite of poverty alleviation works and reform works being done by their government, the people inBurma are still facing abject poverty more and more and also they are yet deprived of their

democratic rights. According to the report compiled by Transparency International, Burma stands

fourth in the worst corrupt countries among 183 countries in the world. Though the government said

that they eased their censorship on media and film, 12 reporters are still behind bars and Burma

stands fourth as the worst countries in media freedom, the report compiled and issued on December 6

by Committee to Protect Journalists says. The USDP government is advocating to all countries

including US for lifting economic sanctions imposed on them and investing in their country but

Burma is still in the status of worst investment environment with 19th position in the region, the

survey conducted by Singapore based Vriens and Partners research group and released for 2011 says.

Civil war, poverty and protecting drug kingpins by the authorities cause opium production in thecountry grows year by year. According to the survey jointly conducted by United Nations Office of




Drug Control (UNODC) and Burmese government and released on December 15, the opium acreage

for this year is estimated at over 107,000 acres and was increased by 14% over previous year, 2010.

It is found that Burma is still plagued with the problems of forcibly recruiting child soldiers, human

trafficking, forced labour as porters in frontlines, internally displaced persons fleeing from their

homes, religious persecution and oppression and forced seizures of farmlands.

INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE

International pressure putting on Burma by international community is decreasing but US and its

allies have not lifted their sanctions immediately yet and we found that they are exercising

benchmark policy instead by gradually lifting their sanctions one step after another.

In the first visit by US Secretary of State to Burma in past 50 years, Ms. Hillary Clinton warned

Burmese government including President U Thein Sein by giving clear message to them on US

policy on Burma.

She reportedly said to them that US would not consider yet for lifting sanctions, though some steps

on reforms were seen in Burma but there would be more steps to be taken for realization of realchanges and it needs not be reversible to past situation in the country and only after that, US would

consider to lift the economic sanctions imposed on Burma.

US special envoy for Burma Mr. Derek Mitchell visited South Korea, Japan and China for discussion

with these countries for cooperation with regional countries in realization of political developments in

Burma. He said to reporters on December 15 in Beijing that China was interested in cooperation with

US in tackling challenges being faced by Burma.

Former US Secretary of State Madaleine Albright accepted Chatham House Prize 2011 awarded by

British Chatham House on behalf of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on December 2.

Japanese FM Koichiro Gemba said at press conference held in Washington on December 19 that

Japan was closely monitoring the changes and developments in Burma along with US and encourage

these changes and he planned to visit and to see these changes in Burma soon. He met with USDP

government leaders in Naypyitaw on the morning of December 26 and reportedly agreed for making

further negotiations on reaching agreement on investment in Burma. On the evening of the same day,

he met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and she reportedly told visiting Japanese FM that Japanese assistance

need to be beneficial for democratization in Burma is important for the country. Amnesty

International (AI) Japan branch, Japan trade union RENGO and Federation of Trade Unions of

Burma (FTUB) urged Japanese government to take into account the democratization process and

developments in human rights for reissuing of ODA assistance to Burma.

UN special rapporteur for human rights in Burma Tomas Ojea Quintana said on December 9 that

army should hand off while the civilian government was trying to restore internal peace in Burma.

Special envoy of UN Secretary General for Burma, Mr. Vijay Nambia, demanded Burmese

government on the same day to provide humanitarian assistance to war refugees fleeing from fighting

in Kachin State. UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon said on December 13 that he saw

interesting developments in Burma and UN would continue its efforts for further developments.

UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Erika Feller said on December 14 after his visit to Burma that

he had optimistic view on situations in Burma.

Indonesian FM Mr. Marty Natalegawa said on December 28 that Burmese government needed to

release political prisoners and to do democratic changes in Burma including restoring internal peace

PDC News Commentary ~ January 2012 o f 11



after meeting with Burmese government which would take alternate ASEAN chairmanship position

in 2014.

Norway Ethic Council warned Norwegian government on December 8 to review its investment made

in Burma in gas pipeline project being built by Chinese state-owned CNPC Co. Indian

Parliamentarians’ Forum for Democracy in Burma (IPFDB) urged Indian government to put pressure

on Burma for progress in human rights situation during the visit of house of people speaker ThuraShwe Mahn. Washington based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) demanded

Burma on December 15 to let IAEA inspect its nuclear facilities to clear the suspicion of international

community for her alleged attempt to acquire nuclear weapons with the assistance of some rogue

countries such as North Korea.

// End of Report // Monday, January 9, 2012 // End of Translation // Sunday, January 15, 2012

PDC News Commentary ~ January 2012 o f 11

pdc monthly news commentary - january 2012 (eng)

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