BurmaNet News, November 11, 2008

[Editor]

November 11, 2008, Issue # 3596


INSIDE BURMA
Irrawaddy: 40 Burmese dissidents given prison terms of up to 65 years
Narinjara News: Nine Muslim leaders jailed for over 10 years in Arakan
DVB: Saw Wai gets two years for writing coded poem
Mizzima News: NLD welcomes EU stance on release of Suu Kyi

ON THE BORDER
Kaladan Press Network: Troop build up continues despite scaling down of
tension

BUSINESS / TRADE
Irrawaddy: Tay Za logging in Karen State

REGIONAL
Irrawaddy: Burma, North Korea sign visa agreement
Xinhua: Myanmar PM to attend BIMSTEC summit

INTERNATIONAL
AFP: UK govt slams jailing of Myanmar activists
Mizzima News: 'Catalonia' prize for Aung San Suu Kyi and Dr. Cynthia Maung
AP: Bush to name special representative for Myanmar

OPINION / OTHER
Irrawaddy: Burma’s best given brutal prison sentences – Kyaw Zwa Moe

PRESS RELEASE
Council of the European Union: Council conclusions on Burma/Myanmar

OBITUARY
DVB: Former woman army officer and revolutionary dies




____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

November 11, Irrawaddy
40 Burmese dissidents given prison terms of up to 65 years – Saw Yan Naing

About 40 Burmese dissidents, including Buddhist monks, members of the 88
Generation Students group, a prominent labor activist and individual
social activists were given prison sentences of up to 65 years by a court
in Rangoon’s Insein Prison today, relatives reported.

Fourteen members of the 88 Generation Students group, including Min Zeya,
Jimmy, Arnt Bwe Kyaw, Panneik Tun, Nilar Thein and Mie Mie, received the
heaviest sentences—65 years.

Nine dissidents from Bogalay in the Irrawaddy delta were given prison
terms of between eight and 24 years.

Five monks from Rangoon’s Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery each received prison
sentences of six years and six months.

A prominent labor rights activist, Su Su Nway, was sentenced to 12 years
and six months.

The well-known musician Win Maw and HIV/AIDS activist Than Naing each
received sentences of six years imprisonment. Other activists were given
sentences of up to 24 years.

Sources said a further 14 members of the 88 Generation Students group and
a number of social activists were scheduled to appear before the court on
Thursday. All remaining detained activists would be sentenced by November
25, sources said.

The condemned members of the 88 Generation Students showed defiance in the
face of the draconian sentences, said one source.

Min Zeya replied to the reading of his sentence: “Only 65 years?” Mie Mie
shouted: “We will never be frightened.”

Others shouted:  “Free Burma!”

In late October, nine leaders of the 88 Generation Students group,
including Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Pyone Cho, were sentenced to six
months imprisonment for contempt of court. They were later transferred
from Insein Prison to Maubin Prison in Irrawaddy Division.

Win Maung, Pyone Cho’s father, said he expected the nine to be sentenced
soon on the main charges against them. They were arrested while leading
demonstrations in August 2007 against spiraling price rises.

Three defense lawyers, Nyi Nyi Htwe, Aung Thein and Khin Maung Shein have
also been sentenced to prison terms of between four and six months for
contempt of court after complaining of unfair treatment.

On Monday, a young Burmese blogger who largely provided information for
the outside world on the brutal regime crackdown on the September 2007
uprising was sentenced to 20 years and six months imprisonment.

____________________________________

November 11, Narinjara News
Nine Muslim leaders jailed for over 10 years in Arakan

A Maungdaw Township court in Arakan State sentenced a Muslim community
leader to over 13 years, and another eight community leaders to 10 years
in prison on  November 5, 2008, said a lawyer from Maungdaw on the
condition of anonymity.

"The Maungdaw Township court sentenced the nine Muslim leaders on November
5 to long terms in prison on charges of illegally forming an association."

Lawyer Ko Than Tun, arrested in March 2008, was sentenced to 13 years in
prison on three charges, including formation of an illegal organization
and having connections with illegal organizations in exile.

Ko Kyaw Win, who was founder of the NLD branch in Maungdaw Township, along
with seven Muslim community leaders, was sentenced to ten years in prison
on charges of forming an illegal organization.

Burmese military junta authorities arrested 12 Muslim leaders in a raid in
Maungdaw in March 2008 which found the community leaders sitting in a room
together discussing some issues.

Among those arrested, nine have been sentenced to long prison terms, while
three were released unconditionally. Those released are Dr. Hla Myint,
Nurl Ko Bi, and Dr Anwa.

____________________________________

November 11, Democratic Voice of Burma
Saw Wai gets two years for writing coded poem – Yee May Aung

Poet Saw Wai who was arrested early this year for writing a poem
containing anti-junta leader message has been sentenced to two years'
imprisonment by a court inside Insein jail, according to his lawyer.

U Soe Maung, lawyer for Saw Wai told DVB that Rangoon Bahan township court
on Monday has sentenced his client to two years in prison on the charge of
causing public alarm.

"We are now preparing to lodge appeal to high-level courts in accordance
with my client's wish," said U Soe Maung.

Saw Wai was arrested on 22 January after one of his poems contains the
message 'Megalomaniac General Than Shwe', was published in the weekly news
journal 'Love'.

____________________________________

November 11, Mizzima News
NLD welcomes EU stance on release of Suu Kyi – Solomon

The European Union's stance that the Burmese military junta's proposed
general elections in 2010 would lack credibility unless it releases
detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has been welcomed by the
National League for Democracy on Tuesday.

NLD spokesperson Nyan Win said, his party agrees with the EU's statement
maintaining that the release of party leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would be
the first step in the process of political reform.

On Monday, the European Union, in a statement, said "the elections
scheduled for 2010 will have no credibility unless the Burma/Myanmar
authorities unconditionally release all political prisoners, in particular
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
"

The EU also urged the junta to initiate a political process with the
support of the United Nations on the basis of an inclusive, long-term
dialogue in which the opposition and ethnic groups can participate fully.

"The EU's statement is correct because Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader
of the 1990 general election winning party NLD," said Nyan Win.

"It is neither fair nor legal to hold the election while detaining the
leader of the last general election winning party and other political
activists," he added.

The NLD in Burma's last general elections in 1990 won a landslide victory
but the military junta disallowed it from forming a government to rule the
country.

Nyan Win, however, said releasing Aung San Suu Kyi and other political
prisoners does not mean that the party will accept the ensuing election
and will contest as a political party. He said it would be the first step
and should be followed by meaningful political discussions.

"At first they [government] should release all political prisoners and
then there should be co-ordination about the 2010 general election between
all political parties and the present government," Nyan Win said.

The European Union along with the United States has stepped up its
financial sanction against Burma's military rulers for their brutal
crackdown on peaceful protesters last year.

____________________________________
ON THE BORDER

November 11, Kaladan Press Network
Troop build up continues despite scaling down of tension in Bay

Burma and Bangladesh continued their troop build up along the border
though tension has come down in the Bay of Bengal over Burma's attempt to
explore oil and gas in the disputed maritime zone, said a source close to
Nasaka (Border security force).

Burma deployed force in border areas calling armed force from Kyak Taw
Township in Arakan State and also called army battalions that deployed to
Karen State from Arakan State earlier to fight the rebels.

The crisis in the Bay of Bengal ended following withdrawal of the
exploration rig by Korean company Daewoo on November 8.

Although Burma withdrew its warships and the rig from the spot in the Bay
of Bengal, it continues amassing troops on the frontiers with Bangladesh. 
In retaliation, Bangladesh also deployed troops on the Bangladesh-Burma
border. Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), members accompanied by army personnel are
keeping round-the-clock vigil on the borders, inside sources said.

Regarding the tense situation in the border areas, BDR Director General
Maj Gen Sakil Ahamed visited various border outposts of Chittagong Hill
Tracts areas and also held meetings with security officials, source close
to BDR said.

In the mean time, on November 9, BDR held three Burmese nationals from the
Bangladesh-Burma border namely Maung Buk Yee (26), U Ching Ko (25), and
Maung Chin (23) for intruding into Bangladesh.  They were handed over to
the police. Local people also held two Burmese citizens on October 7 and
they were produced before a court that sent them to jail.  This is in
retaliation to the killing four Bangladeshi woodcutters on the
Burma-Bangladesh border before by Burma's border security force.

Though Bangladesh said that Burma had started withdrawing its troops from
the frontier yesterday, but, according to reports, there is no information
that Burma withdrew it forces from border areas.

According to the reports from Bloomberg, Burma withdrew its warships,
exploration rig and vessels because the South Korean Company conducting
the exploration work had completed its seismic survey and shifted to
another place.

The State- run newspaper, The New Light of Myanmar also yesterday stated
that "The necessary survey was completed

____________________________________
BUSINESS / TRADE

November 11, Irrawaddy
Tay Za logging in Karen State – Lawi Weng

Burmese business tycoon Tay Za’s Htoo Trading Company has recently started
logging timber in Karen rebel-held territory, according to a source close
to a delegation of businessmen negotiating the deal in Three Pagodas Pass
on the Thai- Burmese border.

According to the source, Tay Za got permission to begin logging in the Mae
Kathr forest from the Karen National Union (KNU) by paying “taxes” in
advance.

The Mae Kathr forest had, until recently, been undisturbed for more than
60 years. It lies in   Dooplaya District, about nine kilometers (5.5
miles) from Three Pagodas Pass in an area under the control of KNU Brigade
6.

The source said that Htoo Trading Company has already cut down about 1,000
tons of timber in the forest.

According to KNU Forestry Department data, the KNU has preserved two main
forests, Mae Kathr and Kyunchaung, which both lie in Dooplaya District.
Mae Kathr forest covers an area of 50,000 acres while Kyunchaung covers
20,000 acres. Both forests are rich in virgin hardwoods, including teak
and ironwoods.

A resident in Three Pagodas Pass told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that the
company has begun construction of timber-processing factories across a
football park and 10 acres of land in Three Pagodas Pass. He said the
company has lined up more than 20 trucks to carry the logs.

According to the source close to Tay Za’s delegation, three trucks are
currently being deployed to ferry in and out workers who are preparing the
road on which the timber is being transported. He said that Htoo Trading
cuts and processes the logs at the factories in Three Pagodas Pass before
transporting them to Kyar Inn Seikgyi Township in Karen State.

However, Captain Htat Nay of KNU Brigade 6 denied that the rebel army had
granted permission for Htoo Trading Company to log timber in the Mae Kathr
forest. Speaking to The Irrawaddy by telephone on Tuesday he said that Tay
Za’s delegation has requested a permit to log the forest in the past, but
that the KNU had refused permission.

Previously, the KNU has only granted logging contracts to large timber
companies like the Thailand-based Sia Hook firm. Revenue from logging
contracts is reportedly the KNU’s major source of income, from which it
subsidizes its war against the Burmese army by purchasing arms.

Meanwhile, a source at the New Mon State Party (NMSP) on Tuesday said that
the Burmese junta and its main ally, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army
(DKBA), are currently preparing for a dry season military offensive
against the KNU in the Brigade 6 region.

He said this might have forced the KNU’s hand into accepting the quick
cash from a logging contract with Tay Za in case they are forced to
withdraw from the region and lose control over logging rights.

The KNU, one of the oldest surviving rebel groups in Southeast Asia, has
been struggling for autonomy since 1949.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

November 11, Irrawaddy
Burma, North Korea sign visa agreement – Wai Moe

Burma and North Korea have signed documents to eliminate visas for
diplomats and government officials, a Burmese state-run newspaper reported
on Tuesday.

North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Young Il and his Burmese
counterpart, Kyaw Thu, signed the agreement during an official four-day
visit to Burma.

A state-run-newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported that Kyaw Thu and
Kin Young Il held the two countries’ third bilateral consultation meeting
at a hotel in Naypyidaw.

“After the meeting, they signed the agreement between the Government of
the Union of Myanmar and the Government of the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea on visa exemption for diplomatic and service/official
passport holders,” the paper said.

The newspaper said the ministers also discussed cooperation on trade and
technology issues. Minister Kim Young Il visited Burma from November 6-10.

During the trip, he also met with Secretary 1 of the junta, Lt-Gen Thiha
Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, the Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win and the
Rangoon City mayor, Brig-Gen Aung Thein Linn.

Nyan Win visited Pyongyang in late October and high-ranking military
officials have also visited the communist-ruled country this year.

Burma and North Korea resumed diplomatic relation officially in April
2007. Burma cut its ties with the North Korean regime after North Korean
agents attempted to assassinate South Korean President Chun Doo Hwan and
his delegate in Rangoon in 1983.

Analysts say that military ties between two countries improved during in
1990s. Burma reportedly sought strategic weapons such as submarines and
ballistic missiles from North Korea. Pyongyang reportedly exported nuclear
technology and strategic tunnel building technology to the Southeast Asian
nation.

North Korea and Burma were described by United States Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice in 2005 as an “outpost of tyranny,” along with Belarus,
Cuba, Iran and Zimbabwe.

Among Burma’s ruling generals, North Korea has become not only a strategic
partner
but also a model, analysts say.

Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency reported on November 7 that
Brig-Gen Aung Thein Linn, the Rangoon City Mayor, said that he  was deeply
impressed by the North Korean people who are “dynamically advancing” under
the Communist policy of “Military First Politics,” which serves as the
core political system in the North Korean government.

The policy elevates the Korean People’s Army, granting it the position of
“supreme repository of power” in the nation.

Aung Thein Linn said: “It is my belief that the Korean people will surely
build a great, prosperous, powerful socialist nation under the leadership
of Kim Jong Il.” Aung Thein Linn visited North Korea in September.

____________________________________

November 11, Xinhua
Myanmar PM to attend BIMSTEC summit

Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein will attend the 2nd Summit on
the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation (BIMSTEC) slated for Thursday in New Delhi, India, said an
official announcement from Nay Pyi Taw Tuesday.

BIMSTEC now comprises seven members -- Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri
Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal with the prior five standing as the
original members sharing the Bay of Bengal since its founding in 1997.
Bhutan and Nepal joined in 2004.

The grouping, aimed at promoting multi-sectoral cooperation for economic
and social progress of the region, outlined six areas of cooperation in
1999 and the areas were increased to 13 in 2006.

Myanmar has been active in cooperation with BIMSTEC member countries and
out of a total of 13 sectors of cooperation of the sub-regional economic
grouping now, Myanmar shares the duty of the leading country in the
sectors of transportation, communication and agriculture.

The 13 sectors are known as trade and investment, technology, energy,
transportation and communication, tourism, fisheries, poverty alleviation,
agriculture, cultural cooperation, counter-terrorism and transnational
crime, environment and disaster management, public health and
people-to-people contact.

Of these sectors, Bangladesh shares the duty of the leading country in
trade and investment, while India in technology, energy, counter-terrorism
and transnational crime, and environment and disaster management, Sri
Lanka in tourism, Thailand in fisheries and public health, Bhutan in
cultural cooperation and Nepal in poverty alleviation.

The first summit of the grouping was held in Bangkok, Thailand in 2004.

Myanmar is reported to take over the chairmanship of the BIMSTEC from
India this year under the rotation system for the status of the member
countries in alphabetical order.

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

November 11, Agence France Presse
UK govt slams jailing of Myanmar activists

The government condemned Tuesday jail sentences handed down in Myanmar on
a group of activists arrested during anti-junta protests last year.

Junior foreign minister Bill Rammell said he was "deeply concerned to
learn that the Burmese regime has sentenced fourteen members of the '1988
student group' to 65 year terms."

"Those detained have done nothing other than exercise their right to
express themselves and have at all times underlined their willingness to
work with others for a better Burma," he said in a statement.

"This once again underlines the need for a genuine and inclusive political
process. I therefore reiterate the recent call by the Council of the
European Union for the lifting of restrictions placed on political parties
and the early release of those in detention, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

"There can be nothing approaching free elections until these steps are
taken."

Britain, Myanmar's colonial power until 1948, intentionally refers to the
country by its former name Burma, though it was changed by the junta to
Myanmar in 1989.

The 23 activists, including several women, were jailed during a
closed-door hearing at the notorious Insein prison on the northern
outskirts of the commercial hub of Yangon, relatives and an opposition
party said.

The sentences came a day after a court handed a 20-year prison term to a
prominent blogger who was arrested after the 2007 demonstrations, which
snowballed into the biggest challenge to junta rule in nearly two decades.

____________________________________

November 11, Mizzima News
'Catalonia' prize for Aung San Suu Kyi and Dr. Cynthia Maung – Zarni

Burmese pro-democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Dr. Cynthia Maung of
the Mae Taw clinic on the Thai-Burma border were awarded the 20th
'Catalonia International Prize' today by the government of Catalonia
State, Spain.

The 'Catalonia International Prize' was awarded to them for their selfless
sacrifice in promoting pro-democracy activities, freedom, and human rights
in Burma.

"This is the first time the award has gone to Burmese ladies. The prize
committee selected them for their sacrifices and devotion to the freedom
of Burma, democratic struggle and social work," Ms. Teresa Salar,
assistant secretary of the prize selection committee, told Mizzima.

The award is presented annually to persons who have made remarkable
contribution to the development of cultural, scientific or human rights
anywhere in the world.

Dr. Cynthia Maung will personally receive this award in Barcelona, capital
city of Catalonia State at a prize giving ceremony. Spain based Burma
Campaign coordinator Zoya Phan will receive the prize on behalf of Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi at the same ceremony.

"This prize shows that the world has not forgotten and recognizes Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi's efforts for the people of Burma. The whole world also shows
its sympathy and support for the Burmese people and their sufferings. So I
feel very happy", Zoya Phan told Mizzima.

The prize is the most prestigious award of Catalonia State in Spain and it
will be awarded to the recipients by José Montill, President of the
government of Catalonia.

The recipients of this prize will get sculpture titled La clau i la lletra
(The key and the letter) by Antoni Tàpies and will share a cash prize of
Euro 100,000.

This prize was first given in 1989 and has been awarded to many writers,
scientists and historians around the world from France, Germany, US and
Egypt, including Indian Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen.

____________________________________

November 11, Associated Press
Bush to name special representative for Myanmar

President George W. Bush intends to nominate one of his former senior Asia
advisers as special representative for the military-run country of
Myanmar.

The White House said Monday that Bush will nominate Michael Green to the
position.

Green is an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies
and a professor at Georgetown University.

Green would have to be confirmed by the Senate, but it is unclear when
that might happen. Lawmakers and the White House are dealing with an
economic crisis during Bush's last weeks in office.

Green served in Bush's Republican administration, but both Democrats and
Republicans favor tough sanctions against Myanmar, also known as Burma.

The representative is meant to review U.S. sanctions and talk to Myanmar's
neighbors.

____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER

November 11, Irrawaddy
Burma’s best given brutal prison sentences – Kyaw Zwa Moe

The family members of 39 Burmese dissidents have tears in their eyes
today. Fourteen leading activists of the 88 Generation Students group,
including five women, were given 65-year prison sentences in a court in
Insein Prison. At the same time, 25 other activists, including five monks
and women who took part in the September 2007 uprising, were sentenced to
up to 26 years imprisonment. The well-known labor activist Su Su Nway was
sentenced to 12 and half years.

The lengthy sentences demonstrate that the oppressive regime is determined
to crack down on pro-democracy groups in keeping with its slogan
“annihilation of destructive elements and foreign stooges.” It also shows
that the regime is simply ignoring calls from the international community
for the release of political prisoners.

Among the 14 activists were Min Zeya, Jimmy (known as Kyaw Min Yu) and his
wife, Nilar Thein, and Mie Mie, another prominent female activist. Most
had also served lengthy imprisonment following the 1988 pro-democracy
uprising.

Jimmy and Nilar Thein served 15 years and seven years imprisonment
respectively. Many readers are familiar with the couple and have great
sympathy for them and their young daughter, who remains with her
grandparents ever since her father was jailed last year and while her
mother was in hiding before her arrest in September.

Many of the activists are in their late 30s and 40s. If they have to serve
their full sentences, many will die in prison. After 1988, the ruling
regime generally gave dissidents three to five years as a basic sentence.
In 1990s, the junta handed down longer imprisonment, such as up to 10
years. Now it’s different, and the future seems to be harsher and longer
sentences.

How about Min Ko Naing, the leader of the 88 Generation Students group?
Min Ko Naing and eight other members of the group were transferred to
Maubin Prison in the Irrawaddy delta on 31 October as punishment two days
after the group was sentenced to six months imprisonment for contempt of
court. It’s expected that they will soon receive sentences of 65 years or
longer.

The longer sentences are designed to discourage dissent. And the new,
harsher policy is also being directed at attorneys who are brave enough to
represent activists. In October and November, three lawyers who
represented dissidents also were sentenced to from four to six months for
contempt of court.

Just before his arrest, attorney Aung Thein told The Irrawaddy that
justice would win in the end—and he quoted Buddhist teaching. “Ah-dhhamma
(injustice) is winning now, but one day dhamma (justice) will win.”

Three lawyers Aung Thein, Khin Maung Shein and Nyi Nyi Htwe, are now being
detained in Insein Prison. Four other defense lawyers who are representing
several dissidents have also been barred from representing their clients
since early November.

But even such a harsh policy hasn’t stifled the spirit of dissent.

After hearing his sentence this morning, Min Zeya, a leading member of the
88 Generation Students group, loudly ridiculed the sentence, “Only 65
years!”

Mie Mie, one of the female activists, shouted, “Never frightened!” Their
determination and courage is beyond words.

Sadly, however, the history of the 20 year uprising has proved that spirit
alone can’t achieve the democracy movement’s goal. All dissident groups
have been seriously beaten down by the military regime. The government
plans to hold an election in 2010 but many dissidents are very likely to
be serving sentences in prison by then.

The international community has pushed the regime to reconcile with
pro-democracy groups, especially Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy
which was the winner of the 1990 election. But the regime simply ignores
the pleas.

The military leaders understand well that the world is divided into at
least two camps: a sanctions-oriented policy versus engagement-oriented.

The world is divided and the junta has benefited. If the world united
behind a single policy that combined elements of both strategies, some
progress might be possible,
using a combination of economic sanctions, engagement and other creative
approaches.

New ideas and tactics are needed. Otherwise, the leading activists who
were just sentenced to 65 years will languish in prison. Thet Win Aung,
34, died in Mandalay Prison in 2006 while serving his 59-year
imprisonment. His elder brother, Pyone Cho, a leading member of the 88
Generation Students group, is now in Maubin Prison and is expecting a long
sentence, together with his colleagues including Min Ko Naing.

It’s clear the regime is getting even tougher. It’s past time for the
international community to come up with new policies designed to counter
such inhuman, brutal treatment of freedom-loving activists.

____________________________________

November 11, Asian Tribune
Obama energizes Burma’s ethnic minorities – Nehginpao Kipgen

Electing Barack Obama as president of the United States of America is a
new history in the making. It not only gives a new hope to the Americans,
but excitement is felt around the world.

He is the first president from a minority community in a predominantly
white society. His election to the White House may have proven wrong to
people who have prejudices about white supremacy in American politics.
African-Americans make only 12.8% of the United States population as per
the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2006 estimate.

A number of similarities can be found in the United States politics and
that of Southeast Asian country Burma. Although Burma is comparatively
smaller in size than the state of Texas, there are as many as 135 "ethnic
races" in the country according to the military regime.

One similarity between Burma and the United States is that: the whites
constitute 80.1% of the United States population (2006 estimate); whereas,
approximately 60 percent of the population in Burma is ethnic Burmans.
Ethnicity plays a vital role in Burma’s politics.

The present military regime is overwhelmingly dominated by ethnic Burmans.
Discrimination on the basis of religion and race is prevalent in the
country. Under the present military regime, even the most outstanding and
potential individual from a minority group stands little to no chance of
becoming the leader of the country.

There are a number of reasons why Obama was elected to the most coveted
position on earth. Among others, his vision to take America into a new
direction convinces voters in an unprecedented turnout with his words "yes
we can."

The entire world is also buoyed by his extraordinarily successful
campaigns and passionate advocacy to use diplomatic means in resolving
crises around the world — from Darfur to Burma and to Afghanistan.

His historic victory was a dream come true, and it was a shock to many
Americans and people around the world until recently. Not only was he
little known to the outside world, his entry into U.S. national politics
was also not long ago.

I remember talking to an African-American colleague sometime in 2006 of a
black president sitting in the White House. His response was unambiguous;
he never even dreamed of seeing an African-American becoming president of
the U.S. in his lifetime. The gentleman, first name Terrance, was only in
his 40s, hailing from Maryland State.

The world has now seen a new history in the making. Can a similar
development be expected in Burma in a distant future? The military is
obdurate on its seven-step “road map” leading to a nationwide election in
2010.

The military in its new constitution reserves 25% seats in the parliament.
It is further twisted by a clause that states that amendment to the
constitution requires the support of over 75% votes in the parliament;
which means no amendment can happen without the support of the military.

It was only during the first few years after independence from the British
that Burma had a nominal president from the Shan minority group. Sao Shwe
Thaik served as the first president of independent Burma from 1948 to
1952.

Burma, also known as Myanmar, is a union formed by different ethnic
nationalities at the Panglong Agreement 1947. Although its ethnic
Burman-dominated military seems to take sole ownership of the country,
Burma is a nation of different nationalities.

If a black person who belongs to only 12.8% of a country’s population can
be given a chance to become a leader of the free world, Burma should give
an equal opportunity to potential leaders from minority groups which make
about 40% of the country’s population.

It is participation and inclusiveness that make a nation strong, and Burma
is not an exception. Should Burma fail to understand this reality, the
socio-political conflicts will continue to persist even after the
restoration of democracy.

Barack Obama’s election as the 44th president of the United States of
America makes one to think that everyone has a place in American
democracy. His election not only gives a new hope to millions of
Americans, but also energizes the ethnic minority groups of Burma.

Nehginpao Kipgen is the General Secretary of U.S.-based Kuki International
Forum (www.kukiforum.com) and a researcher on the rise of political
conflicts in modern Burma (1947-2004).

____________________________________
PRESS RELEASE

November 10, Council of the European Union
Council conclusions on Burma/Myanmar

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

The Council welcomed the Chair's Statement adopted at the ASEM Summit in
Beijing on 24 and 25 October 2008, calling for the lifting of restrictions
placed on political parties and early release of those under detention and
encouraging the government to engage all stakeholders in an inclusive
political process and to cooperate more closely with the United Nations.
The Council also called upon the Burma/Myanmar authorities to facilitate
the issue of visas.

However, the Council deplores the lack of progress made this year towards
a genuine transition to democracy in Burma/Myanmar since the violent
repression of peaceful demonstrations by the military authorities.

The European Union points out that the elections scheduled for 2010 will
have no credibility unless the Burma/Myanmar authorities unconditionally
release all political prisoners, in particular Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and
initiate a political process with United Nations support on the basis of
an inclusive, long-term dialogue in which the opposition and ethnic groups
can participate fully.

The Council reaffirms its firm and unconditional support for the UN
Secretary-General's Mission of Good Offices and welcomes his renewed
personal commitment to ending the current deadlock.

The Council pays tribute to the work of European Union Special Envoy Mr
Piero Fassino in support of the UN's efforts, aimed at closer cooperation
with the countries of the region, and welcomes the renewal of his mandate.

The European Union is prepared to revise, amend or reinforce the measures
it has already adopted to keep pace with developments in the situation. It
is determined to help the people of Burma/Myanmar to achieve stability,
prosperity and democracy and remains ready to react positively to real
progress towards democracy.

The European Union welcomes the close cooperation between ASEAN, the UN
and the authorities of Burma/Myanmar in reaction to Cyclone Nargis. The
Council reiterates the commitment made by the European Union and its
Member States to give substantial assistance to all those in need and to
deal with the humanitarian situation in Burma/Myanmar in a more
comprehensive way.

____________________________
OBITUARY

November 11, Democratic Voice of Burma
Former woman army officer and revolutionary dies – Htet Yazar

Daw Nu Nu Aye, one of the patrons and founders of democratic veterans,
ex-member of All Burma Students Democratic Front and veteran of Burma's
air force, died in Thai border town Mae Sot, at the age of 70.

Ko Win Khine, who tended her at Mae Tao clinic told DVB that Nu Nu Aye
died on 9 November from heart attack triggered off by diabetes and kidney
diseases.

"The main cause of her death is she had diabetes, kidney and heart
(diseases). Her sudden death was caused by heart attack, the doctors noted
thus," Ko Win Khine said.

"We are forming a committee to arrange a proper funeral for her."

After the Burmese army staged a coup in 1988, Nu Nu Aye fled to Thai-Burma
border and took refuge in Salween Uthutta jungle camp.

"When we were in Salween camp, she became the leader for 17 female
fighters. She guided them as a mother, a teacher and an experienced female
soldier," said Moe Kyaw Oo who was a colleague of her in the ABSDF.

"It feels like losing the mother of our army. It is a great loss to us and
it will affect our revolution in the future," a comrade of her Ko Myo
Thant said.

Nu Nu Aye held the rank of sergeant before she deserted the air force and
joined pro-democracy rebel forces.