BurmaNet News, May 12, 2010

[Editor]

May 12, 2010, Issue #3960


INSIDE BURMA
Narinjara: USDA wooing voters by drilling tube wells
DVB: Burmese PM ‘can run’ in elections

REGIONAL
Irrawaddy: Burma-North Korea ties resurface as hot issue
VOV (Vietnam): Vietnam, Myanmar hold political consultation

INTERNATIONAL
AP: Burma rejects int’l poll monitors
NLM: NLD criticizes the laws unjust
Mizzima: US lawmaker pushes to renew Burma sanctions
Narinjara: Election is not the only solution: U Aye Tha Aung

OPINION / OTHER
Living Color Magazine (Burma): Products of the month
IRIN: Concern over future Nargis cooperation

____________________________________
INSIDE BURMA

May 12, Narinjara News
USDA wooing voters by drilling tube wells - San Lun

People in Arakan State are being fervently wooed for support in the
forthcoming elections with myriad public projects by the Union Solidarity
Development Association (USDA) according to local reports.

USDA party officials have been building clinics, libraries, schools, and
water reservoirs in many rural villages around Arakan State to garner
support from villagers in the election.

In Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State, USDA officials have started a new
programme to mobilize people to support the party. An elder from Ray New
Su Ward in Sittwe said, "People in our ward are facing acute water
shortage this summer. So the USDA officials came to our ward and told us
to construct a tube well. Now the drilling of the tube well is on for four
days. We may get water from the tube well very soon."

The USDA officials are now constructing tube wells not only in Ray New Su
Ward, but also in other Sittwe wards to provide water in the face of the
shortage to garner people's support in the election.

Ko Lwin Maung, an active organizer in the USDA Sittwe Township, said,
"USDA has planned to construct 20 tube wells in Sittwe before the coming
monsoon to meet people’s need for water. It is a USDA plan for public
welfare. We will carry out a lot of public welfare schemes in Arakan
State."

USDA officials in 17 townships in Arakan State are campaigning widely with
programmes to provide aid such as goods, rice, medicine, and clothes, to
local villagers, but are not drilling tube wells.

The USDA has not yet formed the Arakan State-level committee, but it will
reportedly be led by Transportation Minister Thein Swe and former army
official U Kyaw San Hla.

The organization is hard at work on activities in Arakan State for the
election with the cooperation of local government bodies.
____________________________________


May 12, Democratic Voice of Burma
Burmese PM ‘can run’ in elections - Joseph Allchin

Burma’s prime minister Thein Sein is legally allowed to run in elections
this year, the country’s Election Commission said following allegations
that his inclusion would breach election laws.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Thein Soe said today that the prime
minister’s move was in “conformity with the law” as he has officially
resigned from his military post. Thein Sein is due to head the Union
Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a product of the ‘mass
organisation’, Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA).

The EC head added that “ministers are political posts, not state service
personnel”. Agriculture minister Htay Oo then echoed this: “Ministers and
deputy ministers are merely the political posts, not government servants,”
he said.

But the issue raises questions about the inherent conflict of interests in
the current Burmese state, with no mention of whether military personnel
are considered “service personnel” or “political posts”.

The announcement followed a statement by Thein Soe in which he rebuffed
international calls for election observers to be present during polling,
and said that “the nation has a lot of experience with elections. We do
not need election watchdogs to come here.”

Election candidates will be allowed to appoint a representative and helper
to observe polling stations and the ballots are to be counted in front of
the voters, Thein Soe said. Critics say the polls are aimed at simply
entrenching the ruling generals’ power.

Details surrounding the elections are unclear: the government is yet to
announce a date, although rumours suggest it could be in October. This
would be one month prior to the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose
opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party was legally dissolved
last week.

The NLD had refused to meet a 6 May deadline to re-register as a party – a
move that would have forced it to expel Suu Kyi – and boycotted the vote.

Around 30 parties have now registered; a splinter group of the NLD, which
includes senior party members, has said that it will register under the
name of the National Democratic Force, providing the junta with its most
potent opposition.

____________________________________
REGIONAL

May 12, Irrawaddy News Magazine
Burma-North Korea Ties Resurface as Hot Issue – Wai Moe

Military ties between Burma and North Korea, and the related issue of
Burma's suspected nuclear development program, have come front and center
once again as a regional topic of debate following the visit to Burma by
United States’ Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific
Affairs Kurt Campbell on Monday.

Campbell's visit came on the heels of a report in April that a vessel
linked to North Korea had arrived in Thilawar Port, near Rangoon, and one
of Campbell's key meetings was with Burmese Minister of Science and
Technology U Thaung, a former ambassador to the United States who is said
to manage Burma’s nuclear development program.
The Kang Nam I cargo ship docked at a port in Yangon on May 21, 2007.
(Photo: Getty Image)

According to a report in state-controlled The New Light of Myanmar on
Wednesday, U Thaung's message to the US envoy was ambiguous. While
acknowledging that the Burmese government had publicly announced its
agreement to comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions 1718
and 1874, U Thaung also said the Burmese government has “the duty to
maintain and protect national sovereignty.”

Following the meeting with U Thaung, the US envoy issued a strong warning
concerning Burma's arms purchases from North Korea, which some analysts
suspect includes nuclear technology.

And after leaving Burma, Campbell flew to Beijing, where his discussions
with Chinese officials regarding North Korea are expected to include the
relationship between Pyongyang and Naypyidaw.

US-based policy advisers have warned Washington that ties between Burma
and North Korea threaten regional stability.

“Several factors could intensify the threat that Burma poses to regional
stability and security, including its murky relationship with North
Korea,” said Asia Society, an influential New York think-tank, in a report
on Burma published in March.

Further talks regarding the ties between Burma and North Korea are likely
to be scheduled for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations’
regional forum, to be held in Hanoi in July. US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton and Jim Webb, the chairman of the US Senate’s committee for East
Asia and Pacific Affairs, are expected to attend the forum.

Security experts agree that North Korea has provided Burma with Scud-type
missiles, missile parts, rocket launchers, other conventional weapons and
underground warfare technology.

The debate now centers on Burma's nuclear development capabilities and the
extent to which North Korea is supporting such capabilities.

An intelligence report suggested that at least 1,000 Burmese military
personnel have graduated from nuclear technology programs in Russia and
North Korea in past year.

According to observers, and data from Burma’s Ministry of Energy, there
are nine uranium mines in Burma, and some security analysts believe that
in exchange for North Korean nuclear technology and expertise, the Burmese
regime has exported enriched uranium and primary products to North Korea.

Desmond Ball, an Australian expert on Burma, wrote a 2009 report that,
quoting Burmese defectors, said the Burmese armed forces established a
‘nuclear battalion’ in 2000 whose operational base includes an underground
complex in the mountains southwest of Naung Laing, near Pyin Oo Lwin,
where the regime is reportedly constructing a nuclear reactor.

Ball's report said that with North Korea's aide the reactor in Naung Laing
could be completed around 2012 and Burma could develop its first
deliverable nuclear weapons by 2020.

Although it is presently unclear how North Korea manages to smuggle arms
and technology into Burma, speculation over the North Korean vessel that
arrived in Rangoon in April followed the controversy last June when the
Kang Nam 1, a North Korean vessel believed to be heading to Burma, made a
u-turn in the South China Sea after being tailed by a US Destroyer.

Some observers believe that North Korea may also ship arms to Burma by air
through China. Sources in Meiktila, in central Burma, have reported seeing
military cargoes, believed to be from China and North Korea, arriving at
Meiktila Airport, which serves as a Burmese Air Force base.

____________________________________


May 12, Radio Voice of Vietnam
Vietnam, Myanmar hold political consultation

The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and Myanmar held their sixth
political consultation meeting in Hanoi on May 11.

At the meeting, co-chaired by Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet
Trung and his Myanmar counterpart Maung Myint, the two sides informed each
other of the situation in their respective countries and exchanged views
on cooperation in politics, economics, trade and investment.

The officials discussed a range of measures to realise bilateral
cooperation agreements, especially the deals signed during Prime Minister
Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Myanmar last month.

The two sides noted with pleasure the time-honoured friendship and
multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Myanmar have continued to
expand well, particularly in the economic field.

They agreed to urge ministries, sectors and businesses of the two
countries to effectively implement the signed agreements in a move to
further tighten their economic, trade and investment ties.

The officials agreed on a number of activities to celebrate the 35th
anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Myanmar diplomatic relations,
which falls on May 28.

Myanmar affirmed its support for Vietnam so that it can fulfill its role
as ASEAN chairmanship in 2010.

The diplomats touched upon regional and international issues of mutual
concern and agreed to step up their cooperation at regional and
international forums for peace, stability and development in the region
and the world as well.

They also agreed to organise the seventh political consultation meeting in
Myanmar next year.

____________________________________
INTERNATIONAL

May 12, Associated Press
Burma rejects int’l poll monitors

Rangoon — Burma's military leaders have rejected international poll
monitors for the country's first elections in 20 years but asked for
unspecified cooperation from the United States in supporting the vote,
official media said Wednesday.

An official urged the U.S. to "show a positive attitude" about the
military-organized vote, even though American envoy Kurt Campbell had
already expressed deep concerns about the elections ahead of a recent
visit.

The polls, to be held sometime this year, have been sharply criticized as
a means for the military to maintain its grip on power under a civilian
guise.

During his trip, Campbell said that the run-up to the election so far
leads the U.S. to believe the polls will "lack international legitimacy."

"We urge the regime to take immediate steps to open the process in the
time remaining before the elections," he said.

Campbell asked if election monitors, possibly from the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations, would be allowed and was rebuffed.

"The nation has a lot of experience with elections. We do not need
election watchdogs to come here," the head of the Election Commission,
Thein Soe, said.

"Arrangements have been made to ensure a free and fair election," the
election chief was quoted as telling Campbell, the assistant secretary of
state for East Asia.

Campbell, who departed Burma on Monday after a two-day visit, met with
several junta ministers as well as detained opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi. Details of his talks with junta officials were published in state-run
newspapers Wednesday.

"We would like to receive your kind cooperation so that the election can
be held peacefully and successfully," Information Minister Kyaw Hsan told
Campbell without elaboration.

Kyaw Hsan said that he welcomed Washington's new policy of direct
engagement with Burma and urged the United States to "show a positive
attitude" toward the coming election.

Campbell's visit, his second in six months, came just days after the
dissolution of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, or NLD,
which won the 1990 election but was never allowed to take power.

The NLD considers newly enacted election laws unfair and undemocratic —
since Suu Kyi and other political prisoners would be barred from taking
part in the vote — and so declined to reregister as required, which meant
it was automatically disbanded.

Critics say the elections will be engineered so that military officers, a
number of whom have already shed their uniform to enter politics, will be
assured of victory.

____________________________________


May 11, New Light of Myanmar

NLD criticizes the laws unjust and refuses to register If NLD wants to
amend the Constitution it should run for the election and should act in
accord with the law Calling for constitutional amendment impractical A
broader view, but not a narrow-minded view based on personal and
organizational prejudice, is required for our democratization process US
Assistant Secretary of State meets SPDC Spoke Authoritative Team, Foreign
Affairs Minister, Science and Technology Minister, UEC Chairman, Labour
Minister, USDA Secretary-General in Nay Pyi Taw

Nay Pyi Taw -The US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and
Pacific Affairs Mr Kurt Campbell and party arrived in Nay Pyi Taw by
special aircraft at 1.30 pm on 9 May and met the Spoke Authoritative Team
of the State Peace and Development Council, the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, the Minister for Science and Technology, the Chairman of Union
Election Commission, the Minister for Labour and the Secretary-General of
the Union Solidarity and Development Association.

The Spoke Authoritative Team of the State Peace and Development Council
and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Mr.
Kurt Campbell held discussions at the meeting hall of the Ministry of
Information at 3 pm on 9 May.

Leader of the SPDC Spoke Authoritative Team Minister for Information U
Kyaw Hsan said, there are many developments in the democratization process
of Myanmar since the first meeting.

The nation is going to hold the multiparty democracy general elections
this year. Nowadays, we have issued Political Parties Registration Law,
the election laws and rules and also formed the Union Election Commission.
The Union Election Commission has been approving the formation of
political parties in accord with the laws.

It will also supervise the multiparty democracy general elections to be
free and fair. The Political Parties Registration Law and Rules guarantee
free and fair formation and registration of political parties. The
Election Law and rules also guarantee a free, fair, credible and
allinclusive elections.

Up to now 36 parties have submitted applications to the Commission in
accord with the laws and rules.

Of them, 31 have been permitted to set up. More parties are expected to
submit applications. There are also many who will take part as independent
candidates.

However, NLD criticized the laws unjust and refused to register. We have
ensured the allinclusiveness of the elections. It is up to the NLD to
decide not to take part. There are three main points that NLD is claiming
unjust. The first is Article 6 (c) of Political Parties Registration Law
which states that political parties shall protect the Constitution of the
Union of Myanmar.

The NLD said that it cannot accept the provision as it has called for the
amendment of the Constitution. Actually, that provision merely calls for
maintaining the Constitution, but does not call for a pledge that parties
will never amend or try to amend the Constitution or that the Constitution
is not amendable or cannot be amended at all. In fact, amendments can be
made according to the provisions of Chapter XII.

If NLD representatives are elected, they can initiate discussions on
constitutional amendments at Hluttaw and go on with amendment procedures
in accord with the provisions. However, amendments cannot be made outside
the Hluttaw.

Neither the NLD nor the government has the right to do so.

The fact is that the Constitution was ratified with overwhelming public
support. Therefore, Hluttaw members who are the public representatives
will have the right to make amendments at the Hluttaw in accord with the
provisions. If NLD wants to amend the Constitution it should run for the
election and should act in accord with the law. Otherwise it is like
making impracticable demands. So its decision to stay away from the
election will only further complicate the situation. It will only lead to
confrontation. Besides, all other provisions are issued in accord with the
Constitution.

Article 405 of the Constitution states that political parties shall abide
by and respect this Constitution and the existing laws.

The second point is Article 10 (e) of the Political Parties Registration
Law which states that any one serving prison terms shall not be organized
as a party member. But this provision does not say that anyone who has
completed his prison term shall not become a party member. A political
party is an organization on which the people can rely. Should there be
convicts among its members? Convicts may include persons who have
committed serious crimes. It is a common sense that convicts should not be
included in a ruling party.

So, this provision does not concern with any particular person, but with
all those who are serving prison terms in Myanmar.

The third point is Article 10(a) of the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law
stating that anyone serving prison terms shall not have the right to stand
for the election. There is criticism saying that the provision aims for a
particular person. It in reality is a bias criticism that ignores the
truth. This provision is not a new one. It is in accord with Myanmar norms
as well as international norms.

There was also a provision in the 1947 Constitution saying that a person,
during his prison term or after five years from the date he has completed
his prison term, shall have no right to be elected as a Hluttaw member.
The 1989 Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law has a similar provision. Likewise
most of the Asian countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand,
India and Pakistan have similar provision.

Some countries even ban a person from election within the period of five
years from the date he is released.

The election law of the nation bans only the persons serving prison terms,
but not the ones who have released from prison. The present Election Law
is more flexible than the previous laws of Myanmar and the laws of other
countries. The provision does not target specific person as slandered by
the antigovernment elements, but for all the persons serving prison terms
in Myanmar. We have made every arrangement to hold a free, fair and
credible multiparty democracy general elections in 2010. Candidates have
been permitted to assign a representative and a helper at the polling
stations to act on their behalf.

Voting will be in front of the public, and vote counting will be carried
out at the polling station. Ballot counting will be under the supervision
of the returning officer or an assigned staff of the polling station and
it will be witnessed by the polling station staff, the public and the
representatives assigned by the candidates.

After the vote counting, votes received by each candidate will be sent to
the subcommissions at higher levels in sealed envelopes. The
representatives are permitted to take part in sealing the envelopes. These
arrangements prove that the election will be free, fair and credible.

In some countries, votes are counted only after sending ballot boxes to
provisional capitals or the State capital.

Our election will be apparently much freer, fairer and more credible than
those elections.

The laws are based on the overwhelmingly approved 2008 Constitution. In
addition, reference has been made to the laws issued and practiced during
the parliamentary democracy period from 1948 to 1962 and the laws enacted
in 1990.

Moreover, every perspective was taken into consideration for the laws and
rules to be rational and just and in conformity with our country's
prevailing conditions. Moreover, they meet the international norms.

It will not be fair to evaluate our laws with the yardstick based on
individual person's right to take part in the election or the like of a
particular party. A conclusion cannot be drawn whether our laws are just
or harsh by measuring with this yardstick. The more important thing is to
consider whether the laws serve the majority interest, pave the smooth,
stable and peaceful way for democratization, and meet norms of the
previous laws and international laws, rather than meeting the needs of a
particular person or a party. No law in any country gets absolute
approval. Only laws that are acceptable to the majority can be enacted.
This is common sense.

It is usual that every government aims at serving and protecting national
interest. It is a rightful act. The promulgation of the laws is to serve
the national interest and is just the internal affairs of a country. A
broader view, but not a narrow-minded view based on personal and
organizational prejudice, is required for our democratization process.
Election is a must for democratic transition. I would like to urge all to
lend a helping hand for the success of the election.

Although we have enacted just and realistic laws, NLD under Daw Suu Kyi's
directives has decided not to register and take part in the election. On
the other hand there are many CECs, central committee members and members
in NLD who do not agree with the decision. These persons are making
arrangements to stand for the election as a new party or as independent
representatives. There are 36 parties, registered in the Union Election
Commission up to 8-5-2010, not including NLD. Among those parties, some
are formed with Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan, PaO,
Palaung, Wa, Mro (or) Khami, Kayan, Inn, Lahu and Kokang nationals. In
this regard, it can be found that political parties from hilly and plain
regions of the whole region, including ethnic races, are allowed to
participate in 2010 election.

According to democracy, there will be agreements and disagreements as well
as supporters and opposition.

However, decisions are passed according to majority wish. So, the 2010
election is legitimate.

According to the constitution, all the ethnic armed groups will have to
surrender their arms as there has to be only the Tatmadaw after the
election.

Discussion and negotiation with ethnic armed groups are under way and
there are many fruitful results in this regard.

The 2010 election will be successfully held, and Hluttaws, governments and
judicial bodies will emerge.

Those institutions will continue to build a peaceful, modern and developed
democratic nation in accord with the 2008 constitution. At the same time,
political parties, ethnic races and politicians will discuss and negotiate
about their political issues, the rights of ethnic races, amendment to the
constitution and democratic affairs in Hluttaws and comprehensively
improve them. This is the only viable way to peaceful democracy that
serves the interest of the nation and its people.

It would also be in conformity with the prevailing conditions of the
State. We understand that the US government wishes Myanmar to promote
democracy and develop with peace and stability. We thank you for that.
Therefore, we would like to receive your kind cooperation so that the 2010
election can be held peacefully and successfully.

We are a developing nation striving hard to develop in the future. At the
same time, we are exercising the independent, active foreign policy and
dealing with the neighbouring countries, regional countries and global
countries in accordance with the five principles of peaceful co-existence.
Our nation is a UN member and is collaborating with ASEAN and BIMSTEC in
shouldering regional and international duties. Moreover, we have never
shown aggression and invaded any country.

In addition, we are always against terrorism and have been cooperating
with the neighbouring countries in combating terrorism. We have signed 11
out of the 13 UN conventions on international terrorism.

In short, we are striving in an honest way for the security and
development of our own nation and people. This is why we would like your
country to show positive attitude towards our internal affairs such as the
drafting of the constitution and measures for holding the elections after
issuing the necessary laws for democratization process. We really want to
normalize and promote the relations between Myanmar and the US. We also
welcome the US policy of direct engagement. We believe that such
engagement is important for the normalization and promotion of bilateral
ties and building of understanding and confidence.

In such contact and discussion, there will be common views as well as
differences between the two sides. Cooperation on common views will
promote understanding and trust, thereby contributing to the bilateral
ties. I would like to conclude by saying that we should promote our
bilateral ties not only for the short term interest, but also for the long
term.

Mr Campbell asked whether former NLD CECs form a new party and run for the
election. Minister U Kyaw Hsan said that 23 NLD CCs including NLD CEC U
Khin Maung Swe, Dr Than Nyein, Dr Win Naing and U Thein Nyunt formed the
National Democratic Force (NDF) to run for the election.

They issued an announcement on 8 May saying that they are preparing to
take part in the election and that they will submit application to the
Commission on 15 May It is a well-known matter in the political community.

Mr Campbell asked whether there will be observers or monitors at the
coming election.

The minister explained that the matter will be decided only by the
Commission. He then asked the exact date of the election. The minister
said that the Commission will decide the matter. It is now busy with the
tasks of scrutinizing applications to set up parties and forming
subcommissions at township level. After completion of the tasks, it will
announce the date.

Government working in accord with the Contitution will emerge and the
constitution will come into force only if the election is successful. At
the same time, freedom, human rights, politics and economy wull be
transparent in accord with constitution.

And this will benefit not only Myanmar but also the regional countries and
global countries including the US. So, all should lend a helping hand for
holding the election peacefully, while understanding the objective
conditions. We have held talks with you twice to foster bilateral goodwill
relations.

Mr Campbell thanked the minister, expressing hope to meet again. The
minister said that efforts will be made for improvement of bilateral
relations.

At 2 pm, the delegation led by Mr Kurt Campbell called on Minister for
Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the
call, Minister U Nyan Win said that he expected to exchange views of
through discussions. The minister begged the indulgence of the guests for
some inconvenience in arranging a call with the Prime Minister as the
Prime Minister was on a local trip.

Mr. Campbell said that the Myanmar-US direct engagement programme has been
implemented for about eight months. He continued to say that he would like
to know the attitude of Myanmar on the programme and the wish of Myanmar
on discussion process.

Minister U Nyan Win said that Myanmar wanted to cement relations with all
the global countries including the US. The attitude of the US played an
important role in promoting the Myanmar-US relations.

Imposing economic sanction, restriction of visa and putting pressures of
the US has resulted in Myanmar-

US relations dwindling. Thus, he hoped that the present direct engagement
would promote the bilateral relations.

Mr. Campbell expressed thanks for knowing the attitude of Myanmar side.
After holding the meetings in New York and Nay Pyi Taw for the first time,
the US focused on building mutual trust and extension of collaboration
step by step, he said.

The basic point of direct engagement programme is to hold meetings
regularly. However, he noted that there were difficulties and delay in
making a meeting with Myanmar.

Minister U Nyan Win said that he would like to openly discuss about it,
saying that some delegates only make criticisms against Myanmar during the
discussions. So, it is natural that the guests who criticized the host
again and again are unwanted. If the meeting is based on the positive
attitude for promoting bilateral cooperation, there will not be
difficulty, he explained.

Mr. Campbell said that the US on its part wished to continue the direct
engagement programme. He expressed his opinion that agenda should be made
to hold the meetings such as meetings between ambassadors or the
directors-general.

Minister U Nyan Win discussed that plans on topic-wise discussions will be
informed to the US through the embassy after the ministries had held the
coordination meeting on ongoing cooperation matters.

The delegation led by Mr. Kurt Campbell met with Minister for Science and
Technology U Thaung at the hall of the Ministry of Science and Technology
at 4.30 p.m. At the meeting, Minister U Thaung said that the US could not
able to get true information due to lack of relations between the two
nations during the period of 14 years. He stressed the need to join hands
in setting up the good relations between the two nations during the period
of six or seven months when relations were normalized again. He said that
he heard discussions were made in Senate to extend the sanction against
Myanmar for onemore year which was timed to coincide with the arrival date
of the delegation here.

Thus, the act of the Senate of the US was not constructive. The Senate's
decision to extend the sanction against Myanmar for another year showed
there was a different approach towards Myanmar between the government and
the Senate, he added.

In his response to Mr Campbell for his expression of international concern
over Myanmar-North Korea relations, Minister U Thaung replied that Myanmar
government had publicly announced that it agreed to follow the UNSC
resolutions (1718) and (1874) absolutely, but it has the duty to maintain
and protect national sovereignty.

Mr. Campbell asked about future plan to be made with the elected
government. He said that ASEAN Regional Forum will be held in July in
Vietnam. The US delegation including US Secretary of State Mrs.

Clinton and Senator Mr. Jim Webb will attend it. So discussions may be
held with them at the forum, he added. The minister replied that relations
can be made easily with the new government as it is a democratic
government.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs attends ASEAN Regional Forum. Regarding
the discussions to be held at the forum, the matter will be reported to
the higher authorities. It is necessary to take more time and to have
patience in making cooperation as there were differences between the two
governments, he added.

The delegation led by Mr Kurt Campbell called on Chairman U Thein Soe of
the Union Election Commission at Office No (22) in Nay Pyi Taw at 5 pm.

The commission chairman briefed them on the functions of the commission,
and said that most of national races applied for formation of political
parties; that some old members broke away from their old parties and
applied for formation of new parties; that the Union Election Commission
takes into consideration the fact that those wishing to form political
parties can take their time; and that tasks are being carried out as
scheduled for successful holding of free and fair elections.

US Charge d' Affaires ai Mr Larry M. Dinger said that he would like to
know the date of Myanmar elections. In response, U Thein Soe said that it
has been announced that elections will be held in 2010; that elections
processes are being taken step by step and that the date of elections will
be announced after preparations have been made.

Regarding the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Mr Larry M.
Dinger said that he would like to know whether or not ministers'
application for formation of political parties is in conformity with the
law and whether they can be allowed to do so. U Thein Soe responded that a
provision says that State service personnel shall not be organized in
political parties; that ministers are political posts, not State service
personnel; Section 448 of State Constitution (2008) says that in-service
State service personnel including the Tatmadaw formed under the State
Peace and Development Council on the date on which the constitution came
into force shall continue to discharge duties until the government of the
Union of Myanmar promulgates other provisions; that Section 444 (A) says
that the government that is existing on the date on which the constitution
comes into force shall continue to discharge its duties until a new
government is formed in accordance with the constitution; that so, present
ministers' formation of Union Solidarity and Development Party is in
conformity with the law; that in many other countries, presidents and
ministers engage in party services; and that only persons who will be
appointed as ministers in the government to be formed in accordance with
the constitution of Myanmar shall not engage in party services.

Mr Kurt Campbell said that he would like to know whether international
watchdogs including ASEAN will be allowed to visit the nation for
elections.

U Thein Soe said that the nation has a lot of experience of elections;
that according to the provisions of Election Law and Regulations,
candidates standing for elections have the right to appoint election
representatives, polling station representatives, helpers and clerks for
them; that those persons have the right to watch polling stations, and the
ballots are to be counted in front of the voters along with them; that so
it is clear that arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair
elections; and that international watchdog groups do not need to come
here.

Mr Kurt Campbell said that he thanks the commission chairman and party for
clarifications; and that the forthcoming elections will be an important
challenge for Myanmar. The commission chairman said that they are working,
taking lessons from international elections for the country.

The delegation led by Mr Kurt Campbell met Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi
at his office at 5.45 pm, and the two sides exchanged views on matters for
boosting bilateral relations.

At 6.50 pm, the delegation held a meeting with USDA Secretary General U
Htay Oo at USDA Headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw Dekkhina Thiri.

On the occasion, the USDA Secretary General said that Union Solidarity and
Development Party will be formed based on the Union Solidarity and
Development Association; that the purpose of the party is to build a
peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation, as aspired by the
people, and to cooperate with the people for sustainable progress of the
nation; that those who proposed to form a political party have resigned as
State service personnel in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution and the Election Law; ministers and deputy ministers are
merely the political posts, not government servants; that the party will
recruit new members in line with the principles; that the previous USDA
comprises government servants; that only those who have resigned as
government servants are allowed to join the party; that USDA also
comprises students; that they want students to continue their education
without engaging in party politics; and that they will not recruit
students as party members, and will encourage their education.

He continued to say that they will organize the entire people in the drive
for formation of a government reliable for the State and the people in
accordance with the State Constitution (2008) that has been approved with
the support of the entire people, and the laws promulgated by the Union
Election Commission; and that they believe that all will focus on the
development of the State and the people although parties and people may
have different beliefs, concepts and policies.

Next, Mr. Campbell and party put questions, in connection with formation
of political parties, USDP and 2010 elections. The USDA Secretary General
replied to the questions.

Mr Campbell said that there have many positive changes between his
previous and present trips; that the USDA Secretary General's
clarifications are beneficial a lot; and that he hopes that the new
government will pay serious attention to the discussions held for
improving the bilateral relations.

The USDA Secretary General said that greater positive cooperation will
benefit both countries; that some disagreements can be settled through
coordination; and that he believes that Mr Campbell's trip will be
successful.
____________________________________


May 12, Mizzima News
US lawmaker pushes to renew Burma sanctions - Thomas Maung Shwe

Chiang Mai – US Congressman Joe Crowley led a bipartisan introduction of a
bill yesterday to renew America’s targeted sanctions against Burma’s
military regime by extending the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, a
statement said.

Crowley’s effort to obtain a sanctions renewal came two weeks after the
European Union renewed its own targeted Burma sanctions.

us-sanctionAfter introducing the legislation, Crowley, a six-term Democrat
representative from New York, issued a statement in which he said: “It is
abundantly clear that we need tougher, and a more robust application of,
sanctions on Burma, and we need to start soon because the Burmese regime
continues to commit crimes against humanity and war crimes against its
people.”

He also expressed his concern that Burma’s military rulers had “completely
rejected true co-operation” with Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League
for Democracy to whom he referred as the “legitimate leaders of Burma”.

As the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act was endorsed by powerful
politicians from both Democratic and Republican parties it is very likely
that the bill will pass before the current sanctions expire in July. Last
year Republican Senators John McCain and Mitch McConnell supported renewed
sanctions as did Democrat Senator Diane Feinstein and several other
influential members of her party.

His statement accused the regime of continued abuses of human rights
beyond the point of criminality and called for an international probe over
those crimes.

“Many of us in this Congress, as well as credible human rights
organisations, have been saying this for years, but now even the United
Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma has said that it is
highly likely the regime has committed crimes,” Crowley said. “This is a
regime that has destroyed or forced the abandonment of 3,500 villages,
raped countless ethnic minority women and recruited thousands of child
soldiers. There is no shortage of evidence of these crimes – which
continue to this day.”

“It is my hope the [US] Administration will support the United Nations’
findings, both by acknowledging the Burmese regime is committing crimes
against humanity and by seeking a strong international investigation,” he
said.

Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse in December agreed to pay an
unprecedented US$536 million fine after sanctions enforcers at the US
Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control concluded Credit
Suisse had violated American financial sanctions against Iran, Burma,
Libya, Sudan, Cuba and the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor. On
announcing the settlement, US Attorney General Eric Holder said the bank
had illegally enabled countries under sanctions to circumvent the bans by
creating “a business model to allow these rogue players access to US
dollars”.

Although the US government investigation found that most of the violations
related to transactions with Iran, Credit Suisse under terms the
settlement admitted that it had illegally sent money to Burma on 30
occasions. Credit Suisse also acknowledged that over a 20-year period it
had illegally sent a total of more than US$1.6 billion in funds to the
sanctions-bound countries.

Yesterday’s proposed Burma sanctions extension comes as Burma’s
long-suffering opposition forces are at a crossroads. Suu Kyi’s NLD have
opted to boycott the national elections expected to take place this year
while other smaller parties, including a faction of NLD defectors, have
agreed to take part in the polls.

The NLD boycott was brought on by Burma’s new electoral and political
party rules, which effectively barred Suu Kyi and anyone else serving a
criminal sentence from running for office. Those rules, combined with
Burma’s much criticised 2008 constitution, ensure that Burma’s military
will be guaranteed a central role in ruling the country when Burma
supposedly returns to civilian rule following the poll results.

____________________________________


May 11, Narinjara News
Election is Not the Only Solution to Burma's Political Crisis: U Aye Tha
Aung – Htu Htu

Rangoon -  Arakanese leader U Aye Tha Aung told the Assistant Secretary of
State Kurt M. Campbell when he met with him that the upcoming election is
not the only solution to Burma' political crisis, said U Aye Tha Aung.

He said, "I had the chance on Monday to meet with him at the house of the
US attache in Rangoon, along with some other leaders from the recently
registered new political parties. In the meeting, I said that because
there are many important themes like dialogue and national reconciliation,
besides the election."

U Aye Tha Aung is the Joint Secretary of the Arakan League for Democracy
and General Secretary of the Committee Representing the People's
Parliament , or CRPP, which was formed by elected MPs to call parliament
on behalf of those elected. His party, the ALD, won 11 seats in Arakan
State in the military junta-sponsored 1990 election.

U Aye Tha Aung added, "I also explained to him about the ALD's stand on
the election and the reason for ALD's decision to boycott the election. I
told him it does not matter whether the present military government
accepts that or not, but the important thing is dialogue and national
reconciliation among the Burmese people to overcome the current political
crisis. Because of this, the NLD and other ethnic parties that won in the
1990 elections are pressuring the military authority to reach the process
of national reconciliation. I also requested him to understand our
decision and we also told him that we need the US's support for our
efforts to develop Burma's politics."

However, U Aye Tha Aung did not mention Campbell's response to his
comments. After the meeting, the assistant secretary of state met with ten
senior officers from the NLD in the same house in Rangoon.

He also met with democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi early Monday afternoon.
That meeting took place at a government guesthouse near her home in
Rangoon, the former capital of Burma.

The three major political parties that received the majority of seats in
the 1990 election - the NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the ALD led by U
Aye Tha, and the SNLD led by U Khun Tun Oo - decided not to register with
the Election Commission for the upcoming election.

____________________________________
OPINION / OTHER


May, Living Color Magazine No. 178 (Burma)
Products of the Month – Editor

(unofficial translation)

Books on the laws and bylaws on the 2010 election, printed and distributed
by the government in March, have been selected as products of the month. 
As it gets really close to the election period, the Union Election
Commission Law, Political Parties Registration Law, People's Assembly
Election Law, National Assembly Election Law, Regions or States Election
Law, Political Parties Registration Bylaws, People's Assembly Election
Bylaws, National Assembly Election Bylaws, and Regions or States Election
Bylaws have been mentioned in national news media and are published in the
form of books starting March 8, so that the political parties
participating in the election and the voters can study them.  Since they
are easy to carry and easy use as reference and sold at a reasonable
price, they are selected as products of the month.

____________________________________


May 12, IRIN
Concern over future Nargis cooperation

Yangon - Aid workers have expressed concern that recovery work in
cyclone-affected Myanmar may be hampered by the disbandment of a
coordinating group set up to oversee aid efforts.

The Tripartite Core Group (TCG) - which includes the Myanmar government,
UN and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - was
established after Cyclone Nargis to facilitate access to the country's
Ayeyarwady Delta, assess the needs, and develop a recovery plan.

After its mandate expires on 31 July, the Ministry of Social Welfare will
take on those responsibilities, and agencies worry that international aid
access will be restricted and recovery efforts affected.

"Ministries in Myanmar are typically steeped in bureaucracy, and often
delay decisions at a lower level for fear of being held responsible for a
mistake," Kyaw Myint, a local consultant for several NGOs working in the
delta, told IRIN.

Burmese NGOs with local staff have had "excellent access", but the main
concern is for international NGOs looking to work in severely affected
areas, he said.

"It's frustrating because the local NGOs have the access, but the
international NGOs have all the funding."

Permit worries

One international aid worker in the delta, who wished to remain anonymous,
expressed concern over travel permits. "All travel permission requests
have to be re-launched and we can surely expect problems or delays there,"
the aid worker said.

However, other international organizations were pleased that the Ministry
of Social Welfare - which works closely with international NGOs - was
taking the reins.

"We work very well with the Ministry of Social Welfare," Grace Ommer,
country director for Oxfam, said. With respect to visas, she said, "we
haven't had a lot of problems with that".

After the category four storm struck, Myanmar's government initially
denied visas to international aid workers.


Initial international access to the delta was restricted

The TCG - with ASEAN at the core - is credited with turning around that
situation, establishing trust between the various parties working to help
those in need.

"ASEAN was called upon as a broker," said Joern Kristensen, head of the
TCG's Recovery Coordination Centre (RCC). "Now it is the position of the
government that the TCG is no longer needed."

The continuing recovery coordination - including granting access and
approving visas - will fall to Myanmar's Ministry of Social Welfare, which
has created a special task force, headed by Deputy Minister U Aung Tun
Khine.

According to the European Union delegation in Thailand, although the TCG
is transferring responsibilities to the ministry, ASEAN will still be part
of the coordination.

"The stakeholders are currently discussing the setting-up of a
coordination mechanism that will guarantee the continuation of activities
without disruptions and we are confident that the handover will be smooth
and that ASEAN will play an important role in facilitating it and
providing support and technical assistance to the Ministry also beyond
July 2010," it said.

Major role

The TCG has played an invaluable role by facilitating relief and recovery
efforts, said Bishow Parajuli, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Yangon.

"The continued cooperation and understanding of the Government of Myanmar
in facilitating the support needed is important and key to attracting
donor support."

The estimated total cost of the Post-Nargis Recovery and Preparedness Plan
through 2011 is approximately US$691 million, but of that amount, only
$180 million has been received, according to Parajuli.

Cyclone Nargis, which struck the Ayeyarwady Delta on 2 and 3 May 2008,
claimed more than 138,000 lives. It affected 2.4 million people, leaving
nearly half of them needing assistance.

contributor/at/mw

a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs