BurmaNet News, June 5, 2009

[Editor]

June 5, 2009, Issue #3728


INSIDE BURMA
AP: Suu Kyi's trial delayed a week
Mizzima News: State media accuses U.S. and UK embassies of nexus with NLD
Kaladan Press: Forced labour increases in Maungdaw Township
Khonumthung News: Junta confiscates private lands
Kachin News Group: Activists and Baptist youths mark "World Environment Day"

BUSINESS/TRADE
New Light of Myanmar: Myanmar, ROK seek means to promote multi-sectoral
cooperation

ON THE BORDER
Irrawaddy: Karen villagers seek refuge in Thailand
Narinjara: Martyr’s Day held on Thai-Burma border for Khaing Moe Lin

REGIONAL
DVB: Burma donates to Sri Lanka’s displaced
Mizzima News: Burmese and Tibetans mark Tiananmen Square anniversary

INTERNATIONAL
Irrawaddy: Keep up the international pressure: activists

OPINION / OTHER
Guardian Weekly (UK): A decision far away: China could pressure Rangoon to
offer clemency for Suu Kyi – Sylvie Kauffmann
Atlanta-Journal Constitution (US): Burmese dictators get a free pass –
Frida Ghitis
Irrawaddy: India should reassess its Burma ‘Sweetheart’ policy

PRESS RELEASE
US Campaign for Burma: New photos: Civilians fleeing Burmese Army attacks;
groups press for global weapons ban, action on crimes against humanity
Reporters Without Borders: Blogger Zarganar completes first year in
prison, 34 years to go




____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

June 5, Associated Press
Suu Kyi's trial delayed a week

The trial of Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi for allegedly
violating conditions of her house arrest was delayed for a week over
efforts to reinstate three defense witnesses, one of her lawyers said
Friday.

Suu Kyi's trial was adjourned until June 12 while a higher court hears a
request by her attorneys to reinstate the defense witnesses who were
earlier barred from testifying at her trial, lawyer Nyan Win said. The
decision on those witnesses was expected later Friday.

The lower District Court earlier disqualified all but one defense
witness—legal expert Kyi Win. Those rejected were all members of Suu Kyi's
National League for Democracy party.

They include prominent journalist and former political prisoner Win Tin,
the party's vice chairman Tin Oo, currently under house arrest, and lawyer
Khin Moe Moe.

"The next session will be coming (next) Friday, but there won't be final
arguments that day," Nyan Win said.

Suu Kyi was detained last month after American John W. Yettaw swam to her
lakeside home without her consent and stayed for two days. Yettaw, a
part-time contractor from Falcon, Missouri, claims he had a dream that Suu
Kyi would be assassinated and he went to warn her.

Suu Kyi has pleaded not guilty. Her defense team acknowledges that the
53-year-old Yettaw swam to her lakeside home, but they argue it was the
duty of government guards outside her closely watched house to prevent
intruders.

Both Yettaw and the Nobel Peace laureate could face up to five years in jail.

The trial has drawn condemnation from the international community and Suu
Kyi's local supporters, who worry the junta has found an excuse to keep
her detained through elections planned for next year.

Suu Kyi, 63, has already been held in detention for 13 of the past 19
years, including the past six.

____________________________________

June 5, Kaladan Press
Forced labour increases in Maungdaw Township

Forced labour is increasing in Maungdaw Township due to the building of
the fence on the Burma-Bangladesh border, after Cyclone Aila lashed the
area, a local businessman said on condition of anonymity.

 The storm and tidal waves have destroyed almost 80 percent of the shrimp
enclosures of villagers and barrier or walls, which were recently
completed on the Burma-Bangladesh border, to erect the fence, said a
shrimp owner of Maungdaw Township.

 As a result, the ruling military junta, which had recently carried barbed
wires, cement and iron rods from Rangoon to Maungdaw Township by ships,
had to take the initiative again to erect the fence in the border area.

 The army accompanied by Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) recently
ordered every village in Maungdaw Township to provide at least 100
labourers for four days to work at the work site, without any wages and
also to take their own food. The concerned authority had already ordered
the village tracts of Padaung and Donkhali of Maungdaw Township to
provide 100 labourers per village. Having worked at the work site for
four days, they had to return to their homes and another group had to go
to the work site for another four days, said a school teacher.

On the other hand, the authority concerned invited some other labourers
for fence construction from other places, such as Buthidaung and
Rathedaung Townships and other villages. But, they were provided Kyat
1,500 to 2,000 per day according to their work capacity, said a local
shopkeeper.

 Erecting the fence on the Burma-Bangladesh border area causes a lot of
hardship for the local people of Maungdaw Township and forced labour also
escalated.

 Besides, yesterday, the concerned authorities distributed 2 acres of land
per family to the new settlers, who were recently brought to Arakan State
from Burma proper. The lands were seized from the Rohingya community for
Natala villagers. This also upset the Rohingya villagers, said an
ex-chairman requesting not to be named.

____________________________________

June 5, Mizzima News
State media accuses U.S. and UK embassies of nexus with NLD – Salai Pi Pi

The military government has accused officials of the US and British
embassies in Rangoon of allegedly dropping into the office of the
Opposition party  – the National League for Democracy – 25 times in May
alone.

The junta’s mouthpiece, the New Light of Myanmar, on Friday reported that
officials of the US and British embassies in Rangoon had visited the NLD
office 25 times and passed on instructions and unknown materials to NLD
members.

“During their visit, they met Central Executive Committee (CEC) members of
the party [NLD] and gave them large and small envelopes and parcels,” the
newspaper said.

But Win Tin, a former political prisoner and a CEC member of the NLD made
light of the accusation saying the visits by US and British embassy
officials were in keeping with ‘normal relations’ that diplomats maintain
across the world.

“It is just maintaining normal relations. It is not strange,” Win Tin said.

It is only normal for diplomats to maintain a relationship with the
government, political parties including the Opposition and with the media
in countries they are stationed in, he said.

Win Tin said the NLD is an independent political party and does not act on
anyone’s behest or advice including the US and British embassies. But any
advice does help in garnering diverse opinions on several issues including
political, economic, social and also natural disaster.

 “It doesn’t mean that NLD accepts whatever they suggest or advice. It
depends on us,” he said.

“Sometimes they ask about Aung San Suu Kyi’s case? How we are tackling it
and our plans to react among others,” he added.

Win Tin admitted that embassy officials had brought parcels and envelopes
that contained newspapers, news bulletins and other world related papers.

He said the junta by publishing such information in its newspaper, has
revealed that it has been monitoring the NLD. It wants to defame the party
as leaning towards the west.

“The issue is not worthy of mention in a newspaper. The government has
exposed how naïve it is
 it only degrades their dignity,” Win Tin said.

Speaking to Mizzima, a Rangoon-based western diplomat said, the visit to
NLD office is not surprising as many foreign diplomats including those
from the US maintain a good relationship and often pay visits to the
office. But the diplomat declined to elaborate further.

“They [NLD] have regular meetings with foreign diplomats not just those
from the US. Many foreign diplomats have been invited to NLD’s
headquarter,” a diplomat, who wished not to be named, said.

“Recently there was the anniversary of the election [1990 elections]
results. The chief of the US embassy was there along with many foreign
diplomats but I don’t know about the parcels and envelopes,” the diplomat
added.

The US and British embassy officials were not immediately available for
comment.

____________________________________

June 5, Khonumthung News
Junta confiscates private lands

The Burmese military junta authorities confiscated private lands in
Kalemyo, Sagaing division western Burma in May this year.

Mr. Zahleithang of Zohnuai Town Peace and Development Council said that 15
acres of land have been seized by Kalemyo authorities. The land belonged
to two farmers.

“The reason for seizing the land could be that the two farmers could not
cultivate their land. The authorities issued an order to confiscate land
which is not being maintained by the owner. So the TPDC chairman has
grabbed the land on the orders of higher authorities,” said a local.

A total of 200 acres of land have been confiscated by the authorities in
Kalemyo area.  After seizing the land they ask local people to do the
cultivation but the locals hesitate to do so as the lands are confiscated
from fellow civilians.

“Local people depend mainly on cultivation. If the authorities seize the
land how can we continue with our farming? The victims are facing many
problems in earning their livelihood. Some have sold their lands cheap
before it could be seized by the authorities, and then shifted to other
villages,” said a local.

The military junta confiscates private lands citing many reasons. The
regime never pays any compensation for the lands seized. There are about
1000 villages in Kalay area where 80 percent of the population is into
farming.

____________________________________

June 5, Kachin News Group
Activists and Baptist youths mark "World Environment Day"

Ethnic Kachin environmentalists and Baptist youths separately marked the
United Nations' World Environment Day with public awareness programmes on
the theme "Your Planet Needs You-Unite to Combat Climate Change" today in
military ruled Burma, said organizers.

Under the Youth Department of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), youths
in churches in Myitkyina and Waingmaw towns in the country's northern
Kachin State planted hundreds of saplings this morning and also received a
special presentation on environmental awareness and protection of the
environment in the afternoon, said KBC youth leaders.

A Kachin woman planted sapling in a village near Sino-Burma border in
Kachin State, Northern Burma.

A Kachin woman planted sapling in a village near Sino-Burma border in
Kachin State, Northern Burma.
KBC leader N'hkum Tang Gun said, the KBC Youth Department has also
announced 15 sub-conventions under the KBC in the country to mark the
anniversary day by planting saplings in their areas and receiving
presentations.

The border-based Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG) organized
local Kachin people at three different liberated areas on the Sino-Burma
border in Kachin State and conducted an hour long anniversary day ceremony
before noon and concluded it by planting 200 saplings in the afternoon,
said Mr. Awng Wa, environmentalist and chairman of KDNG.

This morning, KDNG also planted hundreds of saplings in Myitkyina but it
was not a public affair because of security reasons, according to KNDG
organizers.

Awng Wa said, the ceremonies were held in keeping with Christian tradition
where the participants were entertained by the singer from "Blast Band"
and its famous environmental Kachin song titled "Aka Law!" (You can listen
to the song and English transcription below).

Other Kachin environmentalists also marked the anniversary with public
awareness programmes in KIO controlled and regime controlled areas in
Kachin State and Northeast Shan State, said local sources.

Under the Burmese regime, there has been rampant logging, gold mining in
the rivers and on land and jade mining activities in Kachin State for over
a decade, said local environmentalists.

Earlier, before 1994, heavy gold mining, jade mining and logging were
mostly prevented in the State because of the civil war between the Kachin
Independence Organization (KIO) and the Burmese regime, said local people.

On the other hand, the regime and China have agreed to construct nine dams
for hydropower projects in the State --- two in Irrawaddy River, also
called Mali Hka in Kachin language, five in N'Mai River and two in Dapein
(Taping) River, respectively.

At the moment, the two governments are jointly implementing the Myitsone
dam, Chipwi dam and Dapein No. 1 and No. 2 dams. However the electricity
generated is proposed to be sold to China.

Timber for export
As of last year, the Burmese junta has gone in for rampant felling of teak
and hardwood from the forests on the border between the Kachin State and
Sagaing Division as well as forests in Kachin State. It is directly
transported to Rangoon port for export, said local environmental
watchdogs.

According to them, teak and hardwood from the forests are transported to
Kathar port in Irrawaddy River and it is then ferried by ships to Rangoon
port day and night.

Each ship can carry between 300 tons and 500 tons and it is loaded in
containers in the ship, said sources close to the port.

At the Kathar port, each timber company has to give 40 tons of timber for
every 100 tons as tax to the regime and it is not negotiable said, added
port sources.

The KDNG chairman Awng Wa said, the timber is mainly transported to India,
China, Malaysia and Singapore from Rangoon port. Some of the companies in
the timber trade are Pacific Timber Company, Yuzana Company, Ever Winner
Timber Company, Htoo Company, Myat Noo Tu Company, Jadeland Myanmar, Dagon
Company and Great Wall Company, added Awng Wa.

Indian timber businessmen and other businessmen from different countries
are operating at the Kathar port, said port sources.

The timber is transported from the forests around Indawgyi Lake, from the
areas near Namti and Mayan village, Gwi Htu valley near Myitkyina, Mohnyin
District, Hukawng Valley and the forests in the border between Sagaing
Division and Kahcin State, said local timber traders.

Local Kachins in Mayan village told KNG, they are unhappy and frustrated
because the trees are being felled by logging companies. They cannot
protect forests which have been preserved since the time of their
ancestors.

According to local timber company loggers, the firms are providing them
chain-saws made in Germany to cut down trees because Chinese chain-saws
are of bad quality and often break.  They also said the companies pay them
500 Kyat per ton as felling charges.

Sources close to timber companies said the logging activities are done
with sophisticated machines such as cranes, trucks and chain-saws.  Train
transportation system is also used between Kahtar and Rangoon.

Earlier, timber from Kachin State and Sagaing Division were mainly
exported to China through the border of the two countries. But this is an
illegal timber route, border traders said.

____________________________________
ON THE BORDER

June 5, Irrawaddy
Karen villagers seek refuge in Thailand – Saw Yan Naing

More then 700 ethnic Karen villagers in Pa-an District in Karen State in
eastern Burma have fled to Thailand in fear of more clashes between Karen
troops and breakaway Karen armed groups and the Burmese army, according to
Karen sources.

Karen relief and human rights organizations said that the exodus to
Thailand started on June 1 after clashes between the Burmese army and
Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), a breakaway group, began with
troops of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).

An ethnic Karen cries in a cradle in Mae La camp, near the Thai-Burmese
border in Mae Sot district, Tak province of Thailand. (Photo: Reuters)
Villagers fled to avoid the violence and to escape from being used as
“minesweepers” or as forced labor as military porters during the fighting,
said Karen sources.

Joint Burmese and DKBA soldiers attacked KNLA Brigade 7 multiple times in
early June. The latest fighting was on Thursday.

Brig-Gen Johnny, the commander of Brigade 7, told The Irrawaddy on
Thursday that Burmese army and DKBA troops are reinforcing for more
attacks. He confirmed that the recent attacks were launched by Burmese
battalions under Light Infantry Division 22 and DKBA Battalion 999.

Karen refugees are now staying in Ta Song Yang District in Tak Province in
Thailand, according to the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG).

Poe Shen, a field director for the KHRG, said the fleeing villagers
include residents of See Poh Kee village, Mae Lah Ah Kee village and Mae
Lah Ah village in Pa-an District.

Poe Shen said it is risky for Karen refugees to stay in the internally
displaced persons camp, Ler Per Her, on the Thai border because the camp
is located near KNLA Battalion 101, 21 and 22. The camp houses more than
1,200 people from Pa-an District.

Saw Steve of the Karen relief group, the Committee for Internally
Displaced Karen People, said that more villagers will flee to the border
if the fighting continues.

Meanwhile, KNLA soldiers launched two guerrilla-style attacks on Burmese
troops on June 2-3 and planted landmines. Eight Burmese soldiers were
injured and five were killed in the attacks, according to a KHRG report.

____________________________________

June 5, Narinjara
Martyr’s Day held on Thai-Burma border for Khaing Moe Lin

A function was organized to honour famous Arakanese revolutionary Khaing
Moe Lin on Thursday on the Thai-Burma border. Khaing Moe Lin Day was held
for the revolutionary for sacrificing his life for the freedom of the
Arakanese people from the yoke of the Burmese rulers. It was the 32nd
anniversary of Khaing Moe Lin Day on 4 June 2009, said an Arakan
liberation Party (ALP) press release.

The ceremony was held by ALP on the Thai-Burma border to immortalize him
for his great contribution for Arakan.

Over 100 people from many political organizations, including NDF, NCGUB,
KNU, NLD (LA), ALD (exile), MNLD-LA and RWU based on the Thai-Burma border
attended the ceremony. The function started at 9 am on 4 June 2009.

At the ceremony, two senior ALP central executive members – Khaing U Maung
and Khaing San Tun Aung, presided as president and Ko Ah Naung, a famous
Arakanese video director, was the master of ceremonies.

Khaing San Tun Aung read out the five principles, which were adopted by
Khaing Moe Lin, before he died. Those principles were: to establish the
Arakan Army for Arakan’s independence; to join hands with all oppressed
ethnic revolutionary organizations for Aakan’s independence; that armed
struggle was the only way to get Arakan’s independence; Arakan’s
independence depended on unity of Arakanese people and that betrayal and
surrender to enemies could not be forgiven by Arakanese people.

Many leaders from the attending organizations also delivered speeches
during the ceremony to honour the ALP former President Khaing Moe Lin.

Major Saw Hla Ngwe, joint secretary No 1 from KNU, We KNU and ALA (Arakan
Libration Army) struck an alliance under the supervision of some KNU
leaders and Khaing Moe Lin to fight against the central government of
Burma. They vowed to fight the military junta continuously together till
freedom was achieved.

U Tun Aung Kyaw from NLD-LA said at the ceremony that NLD is continuously
fighting against the military junta along with the ethnic nationalities in
Burma for democracy and equal rights. All ethnic nationalities in Burma
need to fight to develop the country in the future.

Many leaders vowed during the ceremony to fight the military junta
together for democracy and equal rights in Burma.

The martyr Khaing Moe Lin established the Arakan liberation Party and its
armed wing the Arakan Liberation Army in the KNU area in 1964 with the
help of the KNU. From 1964 to 1966, many Arakanese youths joined the ALA
and received arms training from KNU.

In 1966, Khaing Moe Lin started a 2000-mile long march along with 120
freedom fighters from KNU area to Arakan state across many ethnic areas
like Shan and Kachin State.

In June 1967, when he reached Chin State, near the India border, with his
troops, he fought many battles with the Burmese Army. At lease 10 Burma
Army battalions blocked the route and waged war on the ALA. After nearly
100 battles many of his loyalists (comrades) were arrested and fell in the
battles. On 4 June 1967, he shot himself with his pistol and became a
hero.

ALP vice president Khaing Soe Naing Aung said during the ceremony that
they had lost a great leader of the movement but “we are still marching
ahead to achieve our goal. If we unite our people we will be victorious
one day”.

____________________________________
BUSINESS/TRADE

June 5, New Light of Myanmar
Myanmar, ROK seek means to promote multi-sectoral cooperation

A discussion between the delegation led by Prime Minister of the Union of
Myanmar General Thein Sein and the Korean delegation led by President Mr
Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea was held at Regency Ballroom (A) of
Hyatt Hotel in Jeju of the Republic of Korea at 4 pm on 2 June.

Together with Prime Minister General Thein Sein at the meeting, were
Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for National Planning
and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Myanmar Ambassador to ROK U Myo Lwin,
Director-General of Government Office Col Thant Shin and departmental
heads, and Korean delegation members together with President Mr Lee
Myung-bak of ROK were Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr Yu
Myung-huan, Minister of Commerce Mr Lee Youn Ho, ROK Ambassador to Myanmar
Mr Park Key-chong and senior officials.

The two countries mainly discussed promoting bilateral relationship and
multi-sectoral, cooperation including economic cooperation between the two
countries.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

June 5, Democratic Voice of Burma
Burma donates to Sri Lanka’s displaced – Francis Wade

The Burmese junta has donated US$50,000 to the Sri Lankan government in
humanitarian aid for the thousands displaced by the recent conflict
between the rebel Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan army.

Sri Lankan troops intensified their offensive against the Tamil Tigers,
the world’s largest guerilla army, in May this year.

The Tigers then announced their defeat on 17 May with the statement, "This
battle has reached its bitter end", following the death of leader
Velupillai Prabhakaran.

The Sri Lankan civil war rivals Burma’s internal conflict for longevity.
The Tamil Tigers were founded in 1976 and have been fighting the
government for over 30 years, making it one of the world’s longest running
conflicts.

A statement on the Sri Lankan government website confirmed that the money
would go to the displaced in Sri Lanka’s north.

“Responding to a request for humanitarian assistance, the Government of
the Union of Myanmar has decided to donate US$50,000 as a demonstration of
sympathy and goodwill towards internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the
Northern province in Sri Lanka,” it said.

Both Sri Lanka and Burma have topped news headlines over the past month;
Sri Lanka for the Tamil conflict and Burma for its trial of opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with both governments accused of illegal
practice.

____________________________________

June 5, Mizzima News
Burmese and Tibetans mark Tiananmen Square anniversary

Burmese and Tibetan activists in New Delhi on Thursday staged a joint
demonstration to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Tiananmen Square,
also known as the June 4 movement.

About a hundred Burmese and Tibetan activists shouted slogans such as
‘Long Live Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi!’ and ‘China – respect democracy
and human rights!’ while marching the streets in Janta Manta Park in
India’s capital city.

“Here we are getting together with Burmese to show our solidarity and
support for Chinese students who were involved and killed in 1989. Today
they raised their voices against the government for democracy as they
didn’t want any communist party in China,” Urgen Chophel, President of the
India-based Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, told Mizzima.

“Even we Tibetans have a problem with the communist party in China. Last
year, the world came to know how the Tibetan people have suffered from the
communist party. So, we are here, hoping that China will become a
democratic country,” Chophel said.

On June 4th, 1989, the Chinese army rolled tanks into the streets near
Tiananmen Square and cleared student-led protests calling for economic and
democratic reforms which had been ongoing since April 14th. The bloody
crackdown resulted in several protesters killed and injured.

Burmese and Tibetans, in a joint statement released on Thursday, said the
Chinese government is not only suppressing democracy in their own country
but also supporting military dictators in Burma.

Fifty years ago China invaded Tibet forcing the Dalai Lama, a future Nobel
Peace Laureate, to flee the county. Today China supports the Burmese
military regime, which is notorious for committing human rights abuses
against its own citizens, the statement further added.

“China must stop supporting Burma's military regime. If not, people will
never forgive and forget the way China (our big-brother) has treated and
betrayed us, even after democracy is restored in Burma,” Kim, a member of
the Burma Centre Delhi, said in the statement.

Following the protest march activists held a candlelight vigil at India
Gate in remembrance of those killed 20 years ago at Tiananmen Square.

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

June 5, Irrawaddy
Keep up the international pressure: activists – Arkar Moe

Burmese politicians and activists are continuing the campaign to urge the
International community and world leaders to maintain pressure on the
military regime.

Win Tin, a prominent politician and executive member of National League
for Democracy (NLD) told The Irrawaddy on Thursday international pressure
has given the democracy movement “a bit of breathing space.”

As the current chair of Asean, Thailand called on May 19 for the immediate
release of Aung San Suu Kyi. In a statement on behalf of Asean, the Thai
government said it was ready to help with national reconciliation and
democracy efforts in Burma.

Recently, Burmese state-run-media has exposed a rift between the junta and
the current Thai chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(Asean) over comments he made about the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The junta is counter attacking critical comments from neighboring
countries: “Foreign countries should realize that the present case
concerning Aung San Suu Kyi is not ‘trumped up’ by the government, as some
have been willing to claim,” said a statement sent by the foreign ministry
to all Burmese embassies.

Ashin Issariya, a leader of All Burma Monks Alliance (ABMA), said, “I
agree and welcome condemnation of the international community. I think it
is very effective and has an impact on the Burmese government. If Asean
suspends Burma, it will be more effective because Asean has protected the
Burmese government in the past.”

Han Thar Myint, a spokesperson for the NLD, told The Irrawaddy on
Thursday, “The international criticism is very important for Burmese
pro-democracy activists and the Burmese people, because it makes them feel
good. Now, Asean has also criticized the Burmese military government. I
think it is important because Burma is a member of Asean.”

He said the image of the Burmese military junta has been tarnished, and,
“I think they are trying to release international pressure, so they
postponed Aung San Suu Kyi’s verdict.”

Activists have called for the international community and world leaders to
take more effective actions against the junta.

Win Tin said, “UN chief Ban Ki-moon should go to Burma as soon as
possible. But, if he leaves Burma empty-handed, it will be a set back. We
must keep up the pressure.”
Many activists said the military regime’s real fear is the UN Security
Council.

“The only body that the junta really fears is the Security Council,” said
the former UN Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro.
“I have personal evidence of this. So the Security Council must address
this immediately as a matter of absolute urgency.”

Some observers have called for the International Criminal Court to become
involved.

The monk-activist, Ashin Issariya, said, “Now, International organizations
and governments need to take effective measures against the military
junta. We should build a case for human-rights abuses by military junta
and call for the Security Council to take action to bring it before the
International Criminal Court.”

Ashin Issariya said the UN is aware of the scale and severity of rights
abuses in Burma, and it is incumbent on the Security Council to authorize
a commission of inquiry into crimes against humanity and war crimes in the
country.

Pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi’s trial has drawn worldwide condemnation and
is seen as an effort of the junta to detain the political leader through
elections scheduled for 2010.

____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER

June 5, Guardian Weekly (UK)
A decision far away: China could pressure Rangoon to offer clemency for
Suu Kyi – Sylvie Kauffmann

entered the court where she is on trial for infringing the rules of her
house arrest, everyone spontaneously stood up: foreigners and Burmese,
diplomats, journalists, police and military. The daughter of General Aung
San is a prisoner but she nevertheless commands respect. This tribute must
have upset the authorities because a few days later, when foreigners were
once more allowed to attend, they were the only ones to rise.

The Chinese ambassador, Ye Dabo, did not have to face the difficult
question of whether or not to rise, having opted not to attend. Yet he is
a key figure in this affair. Given the international community's lack of
influence over the Burmese junta, all eyes are on Beijing. Only China can
make the military see sense, or at the very least obtain concessions such
as clemency for Suu Kyi.

The People's Republic is the top supplier of arms, tanks and planes to a
country with 400,000 soldiers. It is also an essential trading partner.
When the brutal repression of the democracy movement in 2007 accentuated
Burma's international isolation, trade between China and Burma expanded.
According to official Chinese sources, bilateral trade was up by 26% in
2008 over 2007. Chinese imports from Burma increased by 71% over the same
period.

The flagship project in this relationship is a giant gas and oil pipeline,
finalised in March. China and Burma agreed to start work this year on
construction of a pipeline connecting Kunming, the capital of Yunnan
province which borders on Burma, to the port of Kyaukpyu, on the Bay of
Bengal, at the other end of Burma. The twin pipeline will continue through
Guizhou province to the industrial centre at Chongqing. It will be of huge
strategic importance for Beijing, enabling it to supply southwest China
via the Indian Ocean and avoid the need for tankers to pass through the
Malacca strait, the route currently taken by 80% of its oil imports. The
Japanese press estimated the gas pipeline would cost $1bn with a further
$1.5bn for its oil counterpart.

A Chinese company won a major contract to drill for natural gas off the
coast of Burma in December 2007, upsetting India in the process. New Delhi
has no real cause for complaint, for India too has its deals and projects
here which have enabled it to end the relative isolation of its north east
region. China is also very active in mining. In April the giant China
Nonferrous Metal Group undertook to mine ferronickel in the north of
Burma. Once operational, the mine will boost Burmese GDP by 2%, according
to the company's management.

A handful of optimistic observers think Beijing might put pressure on the
Rangoon regime. Word has it the

Chinese have already prevailed on the military to change the prison
sentence imposed on General Khin Nyunt, who was ousted from power in 2004,
to just house

arrest. Some have noted a change of tone and claim that China's request
for national reconciliation should be taken as a warning. It remains to be
seen if Suu Kyi and her 2,000 companions in misfortune carry as much
weight as the general.
____________________________________

June 5, Atlanta-Journal Constitution (US)
Burmese dictators get a free pass – Frida Ghitis

Every time we become distracted, the generals in Burma manage to jolt us
back to attention. The world’s most despotic regime is alive and well,
inflicting suffering on its people after five decades in power, while the
world does little more than issue an occasional statement of outrage.
We’ve grown awkwardly accustomed to that. Now, security forces in the
former capital Rangoon (now named Yangon) have sprung into action. The
junta’s most recent move comes perfectly timed to ensure continuing
hopelessness.

The latest outrage in Burma, the country renamed Myanmar by its ruling
generals, came May 14, when startled witnesses saw a security convoy
speeding from the home of pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, headed
for the horrific Insein prison. After years of house detention, the ailing
Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, was moved to prison to face a show
trial. The generals had found a convenient excuse to extend her detention.
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The 63-year-old Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy was denied
its election victory in 1990, has spent most of the past three decades
under house arrest as the ruling junta keeps a tight grip on the power it
has refused to relinquish since 1962. The latest detention term was set to
expire this month. Then, an American man called John Yettaw swam the
distance of the lake adjoining Suu Kyi’s house and visited with the woman
known simply as “The Lady.”

Security forces charged her with violating the terms of her detention,
which call for almost complete isolation broken only by a monthly visit by
her doctor. Her doctor, too, incidentally, was recently jailed while Suu
Kyi’s health deteriorated.

The trial’s outcome is all but assured. Now that Suu Kyi’s house arrest
has officially expired, she is —- in Orwellian fashion —- technically
free, but confined to one of the world’s worst prisons.

Some will blame Suu Kyi’s new predicament on Yettaw. That misses the
point. The unauthorized visitor gave the junta a convenient pretext. The
regime was not about to free the one person who stands as a symbol of the
Burmese people’s endlessly postponed wish for democracy, reminding us all
of the illegitimacy of the government. In fact, it is conceivable that the
generals knowingly allowed him to dodge security and reach the house. (I
attempted to see Suu Kyi in Rangoon several years ago. The plainclothesmen
guarding the perimeter made it coldly clear I would get nowhere.)

After years of sanctions and high-minded rhetoric, the international
community has nothing to show for its efforts at persuading the generals
to remove their boot from their country’s throat. The generals have grown
obscenely wealthy exploiting the land’s mineral riches as their people
live in grinding poverty. Burma spends less on health care than any
country.

When a hurricane swept ashore last year and killed more than 140,000, the
toughest task for aid groups was convincing the authorities to let them
help. The generals are so intensely despised that a few years ago they
suddenly decided to move the capital from the biggest city, Yangon, to a
piece of land in the thick of the Asian jungle, where presumable coup
attempts would face more difficult odds.

The junta has spent decades pretending change is just around the corner;
that’s why they allowed the 1990 election, which Suu Kyi shocked them by
winning. Their latest charade says there will be another election in 2010.
Nobody expects it to be open. They certainly would not allow Suu Kyi to go
free just in time for 2010.

The Obama administration is reviewing America’s failed Burma policy. A new
approach should include pressuring Burma’s Asian neighbors —- including
China —- to take a tough stand against the regime. A dictatorship should
receive the message that without freedom for Suu Kyi and true reform,
force is an option to bring change.

During this latest incident, cries for Suu Kyi’s freedom have come from
Europe and America, but Asia has remained eerily quiet. After all, the
governments of countries surrounding Burma have benefitted from its vast
natural resources and from trading with the corrupt rulers.

Aung San Suu Kyi has long stood as a symbol of the Burmese people’s hopes
for an end to despotism. But her defiant, dignified visage brings to mind
more than the aspirations of an oppressed country. It also reminds us of
how dismally ineffectual the international community has proven in
protecting a people from the brutality of their own government. Suu Kyi
reminds us all that we have failed.

Frida Ghitis, a resident of Decatur, is a world affairs columnist and author.

____________________________________

June 5, Irrawaddy
India should reassess its Burma ‘Sweetheart’ policy – Nehginpao Kipgen

India and Burma not only share a common border, but are home to millions
of people from the same ethnic communities, separated during the creation
of the two countries in 1947 and 1948.

They include the Kukis, Nagas and Shan, who live side by side in the
Indo-Burmese region.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Indian government was noticeably
sympathetic and supportive to the Burmese democracy movement. Burmese
activists were openly welcomed and sheltered in India, whose government
was vocal on human rights and democracy.

One notable staunch supporter of the Burmese democracy movement was George
Fernandes, the then Indian defense minister in the National Democratic
Alliance coalition government. His official residence housed Burmese
democracy activists, where a large picture of Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991
Nobel peace laureate, was placed.

Support for Burma's democracy movement faded with the introduction of
India's "Look East" policy. A dramatic foreign policy shift, from
pro-democracy to pro-military, began during the Congress government of
Prime Minister P V  Narasimha Rao in 1991, and was augmented by the
Bhartiya Janata Party under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
(1998-2004).

Salient factors for India's policy shift were its national interest and
security. Opening doors to Southeast Asia provided a gateway to expanding
its international market. Tackling insurgencies in the northeastern part
of the country and countering China's influence in the region were the
primary security concerns.

As long as China is economically and strategically engaged in Burma, India
is likely to stick with the defunct non-aligned movement doctrine of
"non-interference" in the internal affairs of others, which serves its
national interest. There is no foreseeable sign, at least in the near
future, that New Delhi will retreat from a sweetheart relationship with
Naypyidaw.

International outrage over Suu Kyi’s trial in Rangoon is not shared by the
Indian government, which is prevented from advocating human rights and
democracy because of economic interests and its fear of antagonizing the
Burmese military regime.

The safety of Suu Kyi is one rare common concern shared by pro-sanctions
and pro-engagement governments alike. Her trial has sparked an
unexpectedly critical reaction from the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (Asean), which has traditionally been silent on Burma. As a member
of Asean, Burma has a responsibility to protect and promote human rights,
according to a statement released by Thailand, which currently chairs the
bloc.

The statement, issued on May 19, said in part: "With the eyes of the
international community on Myanmar [Burma] at present, the honor and the
credibility of the government are at stake."

A similar statement was expected from India, the world’s largest
democratic nation, but it was never heard.

Engaging Burma is not a wrong policy. However, engaging the military
generals for the sole purpose of economic partnership and counterbalancing
China's influence in the region is discouraging.

New Delhi's overture to root out Northeast Indian militants from Burma
also remains an open question. The militants still enjoy free passage.

Burma will not be under a military dictatorship forever. It is important
that a democratic nation like India does not compromise its cardinal
democratic values just to dance in the tune of the Burmese military
generals.

The new Congress-led coalition government, under the leadership of Sonia
Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, needs to look beyond the
Northeast militancy problem and its relations with Communist China.

While the United States is reviewing its policy toward Burma, India should
offer every possible support to formulate a coordinated international
strategy. A democratic Burma would better serve the interests of a diverse
and democratic India.

Nehginpao Kipgen is general secretary of the US-based Kuki International
Forum (www.kukiforum.com) and a researcher on Burma's politics.

____________________________________
PRESS RELEASE

June 5, US Campaign for Burma
New photos: Civilians fleeing Burmese Army attacks; groups press for
global weapons ban, action on crimes against humanity

The U.S. Campaign for Burma today released newly obtained photos (see
bottom of this page) of refugees fleeing across the border from Burma into
Thailand, as the Burmese military regime increases attacks on the
country's ethnic minorities in eastern Burma.

The photos are available for download in high-resolution, print-quality
at: http://uscampaignforburma.org/pr/2009-newattacks.html

The attacks, and photos, come just days after a former United Nations
expert on Burma, in the New York Times, called for a UN Security Council
investigation into crimes against humanity committed under Burma's
military regime - crimes largely targeted at the country's ethnic peoples.
The attacks also follow the release of a major new report, commissioned by
the world's leading judges and jurists and written by the Harvard Law
School International Human Rights Clinic, which calls on the UN Security
Council to take immediate action. The judges and jurists, from the U.S.,
Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, included those who served at the
International Criminal Tribunals on Rwanda and Yugoslavia.  Two of the
jurists penned a subsequent op-ed in the Washington Post.

"The United States needs to take action, now, at the UN Security Council,"
said Aung Din, co-founder of the U.S. Campaign for Burma. "Already, at
least 1.5 million people have fled attacks like these, and now we see it
happening yet again. It is the job of the UN Security Council to address
issues like this, and it is time the U.S. lead the way in seeking a ban on
weapons sales
to the Burmese regime."

Since 1996, Burma's regime has destroyed over 3,300 villages in eastern
Burma and forced 1.5 million civilians to flee their homes as internal and
external refugees.  For context purposes, the number of civilian villages
destroyed in eastern Burma is nearly twice the number destroyed in Darfur,
Sudan.

"Besides banning arms sales, we urge the UN Security Council to
immediately launch an investigation into crimes committed by the Burmese
regime - including those that are happening right now," added Aung Din.

At present, leading members of the U.S. Congress, Joe Crowley (D-NY) and
Donald Manzullo (R-IL) are organizing a letter to President Obama asking
him to lead the push to establish a UN Security Council investigation into
crimes committed by Burma's military regime.

Since 1996, Burma's military regime has carried out a massive,
scorched-earth campaign against ethnic minority civilians in eastern Burma
in an attempt to subjugate the area under regime control. The area had
been controlled by ethnic nationalities attempting to hold onto their
ancestral homelands, but slowly the regime is carrying out a campaign of
ethnic cleansing and asserting control over the resource rich land. The
regime is targeting food supplies, rice fields, cooking utensils, medical
facilities, and schools for attacks so that civilians either die or are
forced to flee. The regime also uses rape as a weapon of war against
ethnic minority women, and has recruited tens of thousands of child
soldiers into its military apparatus, possibly more than any other country
in the world.

Contact: Jeremy Woodrum (202) 246-7924
________________________________

June 5, Reporters Without Borders
Blogger Zarganar completes first year in prison, 34 years to go

Reporters Without Borders reiterates its call for the release of Zarganar,
a dissident blogger and comedian who was jailed a year ago today on a
charge of disturbing public order. He was given a 45-year jail sentence by
special court inside Insein prison last November and then received an
additional 14-year sentence a few days later. The combined jail terms were
reduced to 35 years on 16 February.

"The sentence alone shows that Zarganar has been subjected to a travesty
of justice," Reporters Without Borders said. "Do you give such a long jail
term just for 'disturbing public order'? The military government had him
arrested and then denied him due process because he had become a reliable
source of information in a country throttled by censorship and
repression."

The press freedom organisation added: "The conditions in which Zarganar is
being held are very bad and his health is deteriorating steadily. These
are additional reasons why he must be released."

Suffering from jaundice and hypertension, Zarganar is not getting access
to adequate medical care in Myintkyina prison, to which he was transferred
in December.

For further information: Maude Marshall, Reporters Without Borders Canada,
(514) 521-4111, rsfcanada3 at rsf.org