PDC NEWS COMMENTARY

June 2012
Compiled and commented by the Political Defiance Committee (PDC) National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)

T H E A C T I V I T I E S O F NLD A N D D O M E S T I C O P P O S I T I O N F O R C E S T HE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NLD AND THE USDP GOVERNMENT

Though USDP government did not change the wording in oath for members of parliament, National League for Democracy (NLD) decided to attend the parliament session and then 31 NLD MPs led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended oath taking ceremony held on May 2 which made tension between USDP and NLD eased a little bit. I have the best attitude towards military forces so that I am not annoyed to sit with them in parliament and I am pleased to do so, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said to reporters in answering their questions. After taking oath, the parliament adjourned and house of people (lower house) speaker Thura Shwe Mahn came to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and greeted her. Similarly USDP general secretary U Htay Oo and USDP MP U Win Oo expressed their welcome to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD MPs but U Htay Oo said that the present constitution did not need yet to be amended and the people had no interest in doing so too. Burmas Home Ministry issued passport to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on May 8 for her first ever Europe visit after staying 24 years in Burma. Union Election Commission (UEC) issued statement on May 8 which says NLDs objection for waxing the ballot papers is untrue. The statement further says that There was no waxing incident at all and moreover there were no objections against these alleged incidents. These wrong allegations can tarnish the image of elections held in Burma so that UEC inform all parties that the commission might take action in accordance with the law against those who made such false allegation. NLD spokesman U Nyan Win responded to this statement on May 10 as saying they would not make any response to this statement despite of their discontent and disagreement on it. UEC chairman and retired Lt. Gen. Tin Aye invited all parties contested in by-elections to his NayPyaydaw Office and told them, The recent by-elections were overly free and fair. According to the news photos, the election campaign of a party was anarchic as complained by some contending parties. It seems we were back in 1988 uprising period. NLD MP U Win Htein argued that NLD did not violate any electoral laws and rules but in some places the people who loved Daw Aung San Suu Kyi greeted her in her campaigns enthusiastically which might infringe some electoral laws inadvertently but they were beyond NLDs control. Though the USDP government top leaders expressed their welcome to NLDs entry into parliament, Defence and Security Council members Defence Ministry and Home Ministry are monitoring the activities of NLD party and its leaders closely and under this close monitoring, Magwe Region, Gangaw Township police station arrested NLD party Magwe Region, Htilin Township branch office acting chairman U Htay Win with the case of using unlicensed car with Motor Vehicle Act on May 25
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and then the NLD party had to postpone their scheduled branch office opening ceremony in this township.
T HE R ELATIONSHIP BETWEEN E THNIC G ROUPS AND T HE USDP G OVERNMENT

Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and Union level peace-making body led by U Aung Thaung met three times in Ruili, China but the fighting is being escalated rather than stopping. KIO spokesman U La Nan said on May 3 that they suspected of their presentations not reaching the top government leaders in NayPyaytaw sent via U Aung Thaung. On the same day, Chinese Trade Ministry issued travel advisory to Chinese nationals and companies to take care of their security as the fighting is being escalated in the region. On May 8, Northern Command Commander Maj. Gen. Zeyar Aung met Kachin ceasefire group NDA-K chief Zakhon Tinying in Pan Wah and news appeared that they discussed on eliminating KIO completely. In the meantime, KIO Chairman Zau Hara sent a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon on May 15 requesting him to intervene in the ongoing fighting in Kachin State to stop them. Starting from May 17, government troops attacked on KIO defence lines around its HQ Lai Za with heavy weapon support firing and then the fierce battle broke out again in this region. Nearly total 1,350 clashes and engagements took place from June 9, 2011 to the end of May this year, it is learnt. Peace-making team led by U Aung Min replaced the team led by U Aung Thaung and they met KIO delegation led by General Secretary Dr. La Ja in Chiang Rai, northern city of Thailand, informally on May 21. We found series of bomb blasts took place in Kachin State and northern Shan State during May 2012. Two trucks were destroyed by bombing at Nam Un village near 105-milepost Trade Zone in northern Shan State on May 19 and near Homone village bridge in Kutkai on May 23 respectively. The bombs damaged pylon numbers 73, 206, 207 and 208 of Shweli-Mansan 230 KV transmission line on May 19. Similarly the bombs exploded at pylon number 249 of Nam Kham-Muse 66 KV transmission line on May 25. On May 28, a bomb exploded at divider of the national highway in Myitkyina and another bomb could have been defused in time, it is learnt. Infantry Battalion (IB) 246, 64 and 286 launched offensive against three outposts on SSA-South in Panglong sub-township in East Salween on May 9 and 10 while the two sides were preparing to meet again to stop the renewed fighting between government troops and RCSS/SSA troops. At the meeting held on May 19 between USDP government and RCSS/SSA at Kentung based Triangle Command HQ, Union Level Peace-making Work Committee Vice-Chairman and Vice C-inC of Defence Forces Gen. Soe Win and RCSS Vice-chairman Lt. Gen. Yordserk attended and then they signed the 12-point agreement at this meeting. On their way back home, RCSS team led by Lt. Gen. Yordserk made a overnight stopover at HQ of Shan State Special Region No. 4 in eastern Shan State and met with National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS) chairman Li Min Shin aka Sai Lin, Vice-chairmen San Pay and Sao San Lu and secretary Sai Lar. It is learned that RCSS delegation was accompanied and escorted by Shan State government chief minister Sao Aung Myat and security agencies. Within a few days of meeting with union level peace team, RCSS/SSA troops had engagement with governments IB 65 in Loi Kaungmu area on May 23. For this engagement, RCSS/SSA reportedly

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lodged complaint to Union level peace-making team on May 24 by sending an official complaint letter. Karen National Union (KNU) spokeswoman Naw May Oo said on May 4 that removing the signboard of KNU liaison office opened in Kyaukgyi, Bago Region in arrangement with government could undermine the current peace process between them. USDP removed this KNU signboard and replaced it with their signboard on that day. But on May 15, Union Minister U Aung Min attended and opened the KNU liaison office in Three Pagoda Pass. Moreover Light Infantry Division (LID) 66 Commander Brig. Gen. Win Shein attended the KNU debriefing meeting to the people on current peace process held in Taungoo district on May 17. Because of strained relation between Thai government and Klohtoobaw Karen Organization/DKBA led by Maj. Gen. Saw Ler Pwe, C-in-C of Thai military put his troops on high alert along this region and The Nation daily paper reported on May 4 that Thai Deputy PM demanded Burmese government to extradite Saw Lar Pwe to face trial with drug charges. In retaliation of the news reports and developments in the region, DKBA also threatened on May 9 to close Mae SotMyawaddy Friendship Bridge if necessary. After holding press conference at Soneseemyaing in Myawaddy on May 10, DKBA invited Thai and Burmese government officials and US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to come and inspect their territory. And then they reopened 12 crossborder trade gates which had been closed since beginning of May. Moreover he declared all of their controlled areas under KKO in Myawaddy Township as drug free zone on May 20. Laos handed over drug lord Sai Naw Kham arrested in Laos to China on May 10 under the cross border anti-criminal activities agreement among China, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand but USDP government had not yet said anything on handing over Maj. Gen. Saw Lar Pwe wanted by Thai government. USDP government reorganized their Union Peace-making Central Committee and Union Peacemaking Working Committee by announcement dated May 3 and then the Union Peace-making Central Committee issued a policy statement on May 18 which says they would negotiate with ethnic armed forces to transform them into governments army. United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) secretary Nai Han Thar said on May 24 that such transformation would be difficult if done without laws credible and acceptable to the parties involved. Ethnic armed groups welcomed the inclusion of decision-making top leaders in the newly formed Union Peace-making committee but KIO said that who is included in the peace committee is not important, the attitude and policy of USDP government towards peace is the major issue for peace building, KIO spokesman U La Nan said on May 9. Chin National Front (CNF) and USDP governments union level peace committee met Hakha, Chin State on May 7 and they reportedly agreed on 16 points including observing ceasefire between them. The delegates of over 20 ethnic armed groups and UNFC met in Chiang Mai, Thailand on May 1-2 and they reviewed on ongoing separate peace negotiations with USDP government and they reportedly agreed on 4-point principle of unity, diversity, mutual respect and all inclusiveness. At the UNFC executive committee meeting held on May 8-9, they agreed on reviewing all peace agreements reached with government by six of its members unless the USDP government stops all offensives launched in Kachin State by June 10 and then they issued the statement mentioning this
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agreement. The statement also says they want credible and respected persons like Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to be included in the peace process. Union Minister Lt. Gen. Thein Htay and his 14-member team visited United Wa State Army (UWSA) HQ Pang Seng and NDAA-ESS HQ Mengla on May 10-11 and he reportedly put pressure on these two armed groups not to reinforcing and expanding their armies and to form political parties instead. KNU, KKO, KNU/KNLA Peace Council, Hautharaw, domestic and exile Karen organizations and (Karen) Border Guard Force met at Hlinebwe Township, KNU 7thBrigade area on May 28 and agreed to avoid armed conflicts among them.
T HE A CTIVITIES OF NLD AND D OMESTIC O PPOSITION F ORCES

During the recess time of parliament on May 2, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi served lunch to about 70 MPs who requested and persuaded NLD to attend the parliament session for taking oath and told them she wanted to cooperate with them for the development of ethnic inhabited areas and regions. Many organizations at home and abroad including 88-Generation students welcomed and supported the NLD attending the parliament. Student leader Min Ko Naing said on that day, Now it can be said that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is not the inflexible and no-compromise leader. She displays herself as flexible, negotiable and she respects the tradition of compromise and negotiation. At the opening ceremony of NLD Kyimyindine Township branch office in Bawga Street, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that she would negotiate and compromise on differences and cooperate with other parties in the parliament. NLD announced on May 9 that NLD had formed 9-member nationwide party conference central organizing commission led by patron Thura U Tin Oo. On May 31, commissions for Mandalay, Rangoon Regions and Kachin State were formed too. She received nine leaders of All Burma Federation of Students Unions (ABFSU) including Ko Kyaw Ko Ko, Ko Lin Htet Naing and Ma Phyo Phyo Aung at her residence on May 9 and she assured them that she would do her utmost efforts for lawful existence of student unions in democratic Burma. She also received UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon on May 1 and then held joint press conference. On the same day, she attended the opening ceremony of Sanchaung Township branch office and visited Myanmar Disabled People Organization situated at Nyaungdon Street in the same township and spoke to them to boost their morale. She received US ambassador for Womens Affairs Melanne Verveer at her residence on May 6 and spoke to former US Presidents George W. Bush Freedom Collection ceremony held on May 16 in Washington D.C through Skype. Visiting Norwegian former PM Kjell Magon Bondevik visited Daw Aung San Suu Kyis residence on May 15 and invited her to visit Norway. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi received visiting Polish FM Radoslaw Sikorski on May 10 at her residence and urged investors to consider for the development of ethnic inhabited regions and areas. She also attended the workshop The role of media in transition period and Democracy: Lessons Learned sponsored by Poland and held at Sedona Hotel in Rangoon with this visiting Polish FM. She also attended the closing ceremony of this workshop held on May 15 and delivered address. This 5-day workshop was attended by members of political parties, 88-Generation students, media persons, members of civil societies and students totaling over 30, it is learned.
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Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met visiting South Korean President Lee Myung-bak at Sedona Hotel in Rangoon in the morning of May 15 and discussed with him. US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton called Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on May 20 and explained her that US would retain sanctions imposed on Burma to ensure the reform process in Burma continuing. She also met visiting Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh at Sedona Hotel in Rangoon on May 29 and gave invitation letter sent by India Congress Party Chairman Sonia Gandhi to her for visit to India. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visited her constituency Kawhmu again on May 12 and met local students, doctors from hospitals and clinics, local administrative officer and discussed on unemployment, farmers affairs, education, health, getting drinking water and better road communication in her constituency. It is also learned that she attended the presentation of UNs Burma Project (draft) held at Rangoon UN office on May 12. As the first ever foreign visit in past 24 years, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in Bangkok, Thailand by flight in the evening of May 29 and visited Mahachai, Samut Sakhon Province, where many Burmese migrant workers work and she delivered address there. She also met and discussed with representatives of Burmese migrant workers and those working for rights of these Burmese workers. On May 31, she met Thai Deputy PM Chalerm Yoobamroong at governments guest house and discussed on migrant workers affairs and friendship between two countries for about 45 minutes. In the evening of the same day, she visited Mahachai again and studied the functioning of Thai labour offices there. The movements and strikes of farmers, workers and many class and mass organizations were found appeared continuously in May. As the farmers movement, villagers lodged their complaint to Rangoon based ILO office on May 3 against the forcible seizure of their over 700 acres of farmlands from Doetan, Kali, Innthazin, Bagankwe, Thayetaw villages etc in Daik-U Township in Bago Region by Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 440 and threatening them of shooting at any trespasser. The farmers from Magyipin village, Pyaynoolwin, Mandalay Region are planning to file suit against High Tech Company owned by U Aik Tun and they would send their notice to Air Defence battery commander to pay compensation, their legal counsel advocate U Myint Thwin said on May 4. 1,816 acres of farmlands in Dahmaswe village, Singai Township, Mandalay Region were seized by No. 3027 Air Defence Battery and USDP party in 2002. The farmers had heated argument with No. 3027 Air Defence battery commander when they entered their farmlands and ploughed their fields in the first week of May. On May 7, Meiktila Peoples Service Network also exposed and protested against forcible seizure of farmlands at intersection of Meiktila, Mahlaing, Wandwin highways by Kaungkin Company in collaboration with local authorities. The farmers from Tonekhan village, Homlin Township, Khamti District, Sagaing Region filed case against gold mining companies namely Aung Taing San, Swan Htet Win etc on May 11 for dumping the earth and waste from their gold mines on their over 200 acres of farmlands and then by the arbitration provided by Sagaing Region government Chief Minister and Mining Ministry, these gold mining companies stopped their mining operations and left their mines. The farmers from Shwenanthar village-tracts, Mingladon Township, Rangoon Region tried to enter their farmlands for plough while the Zaykabar Company which seized their farmlands was removing embankments built in their paddy fields by using tractors and bulldozers on May 10 and then the
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township and village authorities came and barred them from entering the farmlands. Farmer U Kyaw Sein representing his fellow farmers registered case against Zaykabar Company Chairman U Khin Shwe at Mingladon Township court on May 28 with cheating. Over 250 farmers including 38 farmers from Maletto village sent their petition to President U Thein Sein on May 16 for getting back their farmlands of over 200 acres seized by office under the Defence Ministry in Maubin Township and USDP party. Over 100 farmers from Pekhinkyaw village-tract in Wandwin Township, Mandalay Region sent similar petition to President U Thein Sein on May 24 for getting back their over 665 acres farmlands seized by Than Zaw Shwe Company in 2011. Ethnic Karen farmers from Tazin Kone Gyi village, Myaungmya Township, Irrawaddy Region also sent their petition to President U Thein Sein for getting back their over 200 acres of farmlands grabbed by IB 3 during military offensive against Karen guerillas launched in 1991 in the pretext of their area domination campaign. The farmers warned on May 26 that they would stage protest demonstration if their demands are not met. After Shwetaung Company seized their about 100 acres of farmlands in Padan village-tracts, Hlaingthayar Township, Rangoon Region, 16 famers and Region Assembly legislator U Nay Lin discussed and negotiated with that company on May 22 and finally they got compensation of over 700 million kyat from the company. Over 100 farmers from ShwePyaythar and Hlaingthayar Townships staged protest on May 31 against forcible seizure of their farmlands in front of the Rangoon Region Housing and Human Settlement Department Office. It is learned that these farmers movements were supported and assisted by Peace and Diversity Party, Human Rights Defenders and Promoters, NLD Farmers Affairs group, Burma Lawyers Network, Farmers Unions and some individuals. This Peace and Diversity Party which gives their support to these farmers movements published news and articles about land grabbing in their monthly party organ and then UEC warned them on May 2 that their party would be taken action under existing laws which may extends to deregistration of the party. As the workers movement, Myanmar Industrial Zone Trade Union (MITU), All Burma Farmers and Farm Labours Union (AFFM) and other six unions jointly held 122ndInternational Workers Day on May 1 at Rangoon Tawwin Hninsi hall for the first time and sent their 8-point demand to President, government and MPs. Kawthaung palm oil plantation workers who have not get their full wages that they deserve for many years planned to file suit against their employer Yuzana Company with assistance provided by workers rights campaigners and then the company gave the workers over 300 million kyat as wages in arrears and they promised to pay the remaining wages in arrears later. About 400 female workers from HI-MO wig factory in Hlaingthayar industrial zone in Rangoon Region staged their strike for raising their basic pay in the afternoon of May 9 in front of Labour department office at 9-milepost Mayangon Township and then by the arbitration and negotiation of Labour Department the employer agreed to give in to the demands made by workers and the strike was resolved on May 10, it is learnt.
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Similarly about 1,000 workers from Korean owned Yes-Inno garment factory in No.4 Hlaingthayar industrial zone staged strike for increasing their basic pay and about 500 workers from Chinese owned Protein garment factory in No. 3 Hlaingthayar industrial zone staged their strike on May 15 and made their demands. Out of four branches of Korea owned Myanmar Wine and Distillery Company Ltd. (MWDC) in ShwePyaythar industrial zone, over 200 workers from No. 1 and 2 factories made their demands of increasing basic pay and other workers rights and benefits to Rangoon north district administrative officers office. About 1,500 workers from Sabepwint, Nay Min Aung and Pearl garment factories in Hlaingthayar industrial zone had staged peaceful demonstration since May 16. On May 21, in some factories, the clashes between striking workers and security personnel took place. 88-Generation leaders urged both sides to resolve their issues peacefully. On the same day, about 60 workers from Asia-Pacific cardboard box factory staged their strike, it is learnt. Similarly workers from Miss Style footwear factory staged their strike on May 24. About 400 workers from MGF garment factory situated at Phaunggyi crossroads near Taikkyi town staged their strike starting from May 19. Steel workers from Yangon Crown steel factory in Myaungtagar industrial zone in Hmawbi Township staged their strike starting from May 19. Abbot Shwenyawah who is in brief sojourn in Hmawbi visited striking workers and encouraged them and provided food. After the employers refused to give in to their demands, 41 workers have started their hunger strike on May 25 and then two of them were hospitalized and ten had to be taken treatment. The strikes at Sabepwint and Pearl garment factories in Hlaingthayar industrial zone were over after their employers agreed to give in to their demands on May 26. Over 1,000 workers from Tawwin knitting and embroidery factory in Hlaingthayar industrial zone staged strike on May 28. Similarly about 1,200 workers from Myanmar Sunny garment factory staged strike on May 30. 36,800 workers from 57 factories staged strikes and made demands but in only 38 factories the negotiated settlement had reached and 14,323 workers from 19 factories had not yet reached settlement for their demands, according to Labour Minister U Aung Kyi. While the price for table dhte in roadside restaurants is about 1,000 kyat, the wage for the worker is mere 65.50 kyat per hour and they cannot enjoy weekend holiday and moreover the government cannot yet fix the minimum wage for the workers so that these strikes take place across the country, it is learnt. At the NLD central executive committee meeting held on May 23, the party reportedly decided to present these workers rights demanded by strikers to ILO. In the meantime series of movements demanding right to forming trade unions occurred in the country. Though the Labour Organisation Law has been enacted by the parliament, Bago District administrative officer refused to grant permission for forming unions demanded by workers in Bago, Nyaunglaybin and Daik-U by telling them so on May 2 by inviting them to his office. Similarly the authorities in Pathein Township refused farmers to grant permission for forming farmers unions but in some places we saw unions of farmers, workers and students were being formed.

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On May 18, Import Export Inspection Department trade union was formed at Thamaing Myoma monastery in Rangoon. Daw Bauk Ja from National Democratic Force (NDF) said on May 10 that they were trying to legalise the provisional farmers union formed with 500 farmers in Phakant, Kachin State. On May 22, trade union of textile, apparels and leather workers was formed in Three Pagoda Pass on Thai-Burma border. Myanmar Overseas Seafarers Association (MOSA) which was formed about ten years ago was in dissolution and they would stand under the newly formed Myanmar Overseas Seafarers Federation which was formed on April 25, the office bearers said on May 22. During this May 2012, candlelight vigils for protesting against frequent and long power cuts occurred across the country. About 1,000 persons in Mandalay marched in procession by holding lighted candles and staged peaceful protest in front of Mandalay Region Electricity Supply Board Office and Chinese Consulate. The number of protesters increased to 5,000 on May 21 night and similarly over 2,000 protesters staged the same candlelight vigil against load shedding and power cuts in Monywa. On the next day, Mandalay Region Police Special Branch (SB) took 40 leaders of Mandalay candlelight vigil protest to their office and questioned them but they were later released on the same day. This candlelight movement spread to other cities such as Rangoon, Bago and Pyay cities on May 22. In Rangoon, about 1,000 people staged candlelight vigil protest in front of Sule Pagoda. The authorities blocked the protesters in Rangoon at the corner of 28th and 30thstreets, it is learnt. In Bago, the security forces were deployed heavily in Bago in the evening of May 23 and then the protesters had to postpone their scheduled protest but in other cities the protesters continued their protests every night. Securities were beefed up considerably in Rangoon and Mandalay on May 23 and on that day the security personnel blocked and hindered about 3,000 protesters in Rangoon at Mahabandoola park and the protesters were told them they were not allowed to assemble more than five people here and then the protesters marched in two by two in procession until they reached Sule pagoda. In the same night, over 600 people from Pyay city marched in procession to township electricity supply office and protested against the insufficient power supply in the city. Similar protest was staged in Paungde town by about 500 people. About 100 riot police blocked about 300 peaceful demonstrators in Pyay in the morning of May 24 and 3 of them were beaten and arrested. On that day, Ko Zaw Tun from HRDP, Ko Win Hlaing, Ko Kyaw Swe, Ko Pho Phyu aka Ko Aung Moe Kyaw, Ko Than Htay Aung, Ma Ju Ju aka Ma June totaling six persons were arrested. In the afternoon on the same day, 2 MPs from USDP party and other 2 MPs put up bail on them and then they were released on bail from Pyay prison. They were welcomed by about 1,000 people at the prison main gate. Ko Win Hlaing, Ko Pho Phyu and Daw Mi Kay who is wife of Ko Kyaw Swe reportedly registered case against police force who beat the peaceful protesters at No. 1 Police Station in Pyay city in the evening of the same day. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi spoke her attitude on these candlelight vigils at the opening ceremony of NLD Rangoon Region Kyauktada Township branch office held on May 24, I like these peaceful candlelight vigils protesting against power cuts but some protesters said that they wanted electricity first, democracy later. I dont like these words. Id like to urge them considering carefully what is the root cause of the non-availability of regular and sufficient power supply. Police Force in Thonese Bago Region led by Township Police Officer U Sein Htwe beat and kicked two candlelight vigil protesters on May 24 which left two young people injured. These protests were
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staged in Pathein on May 25, Ahlone Township in Rangoon on May 29 also respectively. District police officer from Pathein reportedly called and questioned 10 young leaders of this protest in Pathein. During this period, 88-Generation students and youth leaders were found actively worked for political activities. 88-Generation Student group led by Ko Min Ko Naing toured to Lawksawk, Hopong, Taunggyi, Mongthauk, Nyaungshwe, Heho, Aungban, Ywangan, Pindaya in southern Shan State, on May 13 this group visited Pathein, on May 15 they visited Dawei, Launglon, Yebyuadn they met with local people and had cordial meetings and discussions on open society. It is learned that this student group faced harassments, restrictions and hindrance by authority throughout their journey in this Dawei, Tanintharyi Region trip. Another 88-Generation student group consisted of Ko Jimmy, Ma Nilar Thein, Ma Mee Mee and Ko Ko Gyi (Sanchaung) visited Dala on May 13 and donated drinking water to the local people. 88Generation student group led by Ko Min Ko Naing visited Hi-Mo wig factory, Pearl, Y2, Nay Min Yaung and Sabepwint garment factories and they met and discussed with striking workers there and employers of them. Student unions are being formed in universities and high schools across the country and student unions of Mandalay Yadanabon University, Mandalay University, Mandalay Institute of Foreign Languages, Mandalay Distance Education University and University Teachers Union (Provisional) have been formed in this period too, a member of Teachers Union said on May 9. 88-Generation middle Burma former students group met with about 30 new generation students from six universities on May 9 and they formed organizing committee for establishing middle Burma student union. On May 11, 88-Generation students met with members of Generation Wave and they exchanged their views on involvement of new generation youths in internal peace campaign. Myanmar Journalists Network comprised of about 200 young reporters and freelance reporters held their first congress on May 2 at Yuzana Hotel in Rangoon and they formed 17-member executive committee after this congress. The first ever Press Freedom Day was held on May 3 in Rangoon and Mandalay. Free political prisoners campaigns were continued during this period too. On May 6, former political prisoners group visited the homes of political prisoners Saw William and Saw Francis who are charged and tried with Bago bomb blast case and spoke encouraging words to their parents. On May 7 Kasone full moon day, NLD youths from Kyimyindine, Tamwe, Hlaing, Ahlone and Hlaingthaya marched in procession from Shwegondaing street corner to Kyaythoon pagoda in their free political prisoners campaign and they released live fishes at southeast corner of the pagoda and held a prayer meeting. Similarly 1996-98 generation student group sent their letter to President U Thein Sein to release Dagon University student Ko Aye Aung who is serving 59 years imprisonment. U Win Tin Foundation which is providing financial assistance to political prisoners and former political prisoners donated 3.4 million kyat for the second time to 2 political prisoners, 7 former political prisoners and 90-year old granny, owner of Naythurein cinema, who had supported Burmese political movements consistently since Bogyoke Aung Sans time. Similarly NLD social support group gave cash assistance of 5,000 kyat each to remaining political prisoners on May 7.
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It is found the campaigns for stopping civil war and peace were continued during this period. The musicians led by Ko Ye Lwin (Medium Wave band) formed a group called Path of free and peaceful flower on May 6 and they performed at the restaurants and teashops in metro cities such as Rangoon and Mandalay as fund raising performances for the war refugees in Kachin State and their activities for internal peace. Generation Wave group also launched Lasting Peace 67 on May 25 for immediate stopping of ongoing civil war and restoring lasting peace in conflict zones. In this campaign, they will collect up to 676,700 signatures in the whole country. As the movements of political parties, two winning parties of 1990 general election got permission to reorganize their parties. UEC informed Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) on May 8 and Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) on May 30 respectively that their parties could be reorganized as political parties for reregistering but MNDF was informed to rechristen their party as Mon Democracy Party (MDP) in registration. It is also learned that UEC also informed another 1990 general election winning party Zomi National Congress (ZNC) that they could not be registered in this name as there is no Zomi in the list of ethnic nationalities recognized by Ministry of Immigration & Population and then instructed them to rechristen their party and apply for registration by the end of May. Similarly Asho Chin National Party (ACNP) applied for registration to UEC on May 12. Hlegu Township court tried and sentenced The Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics party chairman U Aye Lwin to 2 months imprisonment on May 22 with charge of obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions. NDF party policy affair leader U Khin Maung Swe said on May 21 that they were considering reorganizing the party after 8 MPs including some party CEC members resigned from their posts and party. Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) held their first party congress for 3 days from May 30 to June 1.
T H E USDP G O V E R N M E N T A N D D O M E S T I C S I T U AT I O N T HE S ITUATION OF T HE USDP G OVERNMENT

USDP government faced protests and demonstrations of all walks of life in May and there are signs which suggest they have various intra-party difficulties. Presidential political adviser U Ko Ko Hlaing said to Bloomberg news on May 2 that U Thein Sein might retire from his post without running for second term after 2015 general election. Because of his poor health, 67 year old President U Thein Sein held his cabinet meeting one day in advance of scheduled meeting on May 17. After that meeting, he took rest at his residence in Rangoon and collapsed at this house. The news circulating among the people said presidential medical team was giving treatment to him. VOA news called Presidents Office Director U Zaw Htay on May 17 to confirm this news but director replied that his president was well and healthy. Presidents Office Order No. 11/2012 and 12/2012 dated May 3 says 11-member Union Peacemaking Implementation Central Committee led by President U Thein Sein and 52-member Union Peace-making Implementation Working Committee led by Vice-President Sai Mauk Kham have been formed. In the peace central committee level, most of the members are from National Defence and Security and Council (NDSC) and in the working committee, Vice-President Sai Mauk Kham will act as chairman, Vice C-in-C of Defence Services Gen. Soe Win, Union Minister U Aung Min, House of
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People MP U Thein Zaw will act as vice-chairmen. The members of this working committee are union ministers, chief ministers of states and regions, regional command commanders, lower house and upper house MPs. In these orders, the functions and authorities of these two committees are mentioned. In these reformed and reorganized peace committees, USDP party secretary (1) U Aung Thaung is not included. He told reporters on April 30 that he was not included in these committees because of his poor health. Vice-President U Tin Aung Myint Oo is still included in the peace-making implementation central committee but he did not turn up at meetings held at Presidents office and he disappeared from the scene of public for long time which created various rumours among the people. According to unconfirmed reports, after returning from Singapore for medical treatment, he tendered his resignation on May 3. It is learned that a cancer tumour was detected in the throat of 61 year old U Tin Aung Myint Oo and he was suffering from depression too. He was reportedly ordained and now sojourns at Hmawbi Masoyane monastery. The news of resignation by U Tin Aung Myint Oo was reported by exile news agencies and international media such as Reuter, Financial Times by citing sources in NayPyaytaw. Similarly editor-in-chief Ko Wei Phyo of domestic media Weekly Eleven also reported this news on its May 10 online posting by citing family members of vice-president. But Presidents political adviser U Ko Ko Hlaing said on May 6 that he was not aware of the resignation of vice-president. The censor board summoned another domestic media Myanmar Post on May 7 to their office and forced them to sign pledge not to report such unconfirmed reports in future. A domestic media Venus News Weekly submitted this news report to censor board but Maj. Tint Swe and Maj. Myo Myint Maung from the censor board didnt allow them for reporting this news, chief editor of this media said on May 8. According to article 72 of 2008 constitution, president and vice-presidents may resign from their posts before the expiry of their tenure on grounds of health or by their own will. Under article 73(f), If the office of a Vice-President becomes vacant before the expiry of the term by reason of his resignation, death, permanent disability or any other cause when the Pyaydaungsu Hluttaw is in session, the President shall promptly intimate the head of the Pyaydaungsu Hluttaw to elect a VicePresident within seven days by the group of Hluttaw representatives (MPs) concerned that elected the said Vice-President. Article 73(g) of constitution stipulates, When the Pyaydaungsu Hluttaw is not in session, the head of the Pyaydaungsu Hluttaw shall summon the Pyaydaungsu Hluttaw within 21 days from the receipt of the intimation from the President and proceed with the election of a VicePresident by the group of Hluttaw representatives (MPs) concerned in accord with the prescribed procedure. U Tin Aung Myint Oo tendered his resignation on May 3 after the Pyaydaungsu Hluttaw (joint session of both houses) announced on May 2 that the parliament sessions will adjourn for one and half months and then it was impossible to summon and reconvene the parliament within 21 days as stipulated in the 2008 constitution. So the Presidents office announced they gave U Tin Aung Myint Oo 2 months leave and then MP circle assumed that his resignation would be presented to parliament only when they are reconvened. Serving Vice C-in-C of Defence Services Gen. Soe Win, House of People speaker Thura Shwe Mahn, UEC Chairman U Tin Aye, Joint Chief of Staff Gen. Hla Htay Win and Rangoon Region Government
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Chief Minister U Myint Swe are tipped as possible candidates and contenders for this vacant VicePresident post by analysts and observers at home and abroad. USDP party propaganda machinery blogs also reported and posted on the news of Vice-Presidents resignation. One of them, Myanmar Express Blog, which always disparage and discredit the Burmese democracy activists, posted an article entitled Why Vice-President U Tin Aung Myint Oo resigns which says since U Tin Aung Myint Oo handled some ministries with tight hand by using his authority of secretary (1) in predecessor SPDC government, he had bitter arguments and differences with union ministers U Aung Min, U Soe Thein, U Zaw Min and U Khin Maung Myint and then these union ministers approach President U Thein Sein and treated Vice-President U Tin Aung Myint Oo disrespectfully and contemptuously and then because of these ill-treatment on him, he suffered from depression which led to the resignation from his post. The post remarkably expressed that this event obviously showed disunity, infighting and sectarianism among the cabinet ministers as claimed by observers at home and abroad. Disregard of the accuracy of this news of Vice-Presidents resignation, whether true or untrue, the government had responsibility to explain and clarify on this news if they are truly transparent, House of Nationality (upper house) Fundamental Rights, Democracy and Human Rights Affairs Committee Chairman Dr. Aye Maung and upper house Bills Committee member Dr. Myat Nyarna Soe said on May 17. At the same time, according to the unconfirmed reports, some reshuffles have to be made in USDP government cabinet but because of infighting among the cabinet ministers it cannot yet be announced and official announcements will be made public when the parliaments reconvene in July. On May 10, official Presidents website was launched and on that day extraordinary meeting of cabinet held on that day was posted on this website on the same day. At this meeting attended by union ministers and chief ministers of States and Regions, President said that the people can no longer accept unhealthy working style of preceding governments and the people eager to see real change which was vividly showed in recent by-elections so that his government had to leave some conservative and those who live in the past behind. In the news photo of this meeting, the seat of Vice-President U Tin Aung Myint Oo was vacant but official news release issued by Presidents Office dated May 18 says Vice-President is charging his duty in the government as usual. In the meantime, the signs of differences are seen among the Presidents advisory bodies. The news of apparent forming of 15-member Presidents Advisory Council with one patron which will give advice to President on social, economic and technology issues appeared. The head of Presidents economic advisory body Dr. U Myint said on May 12 that he would not be a member of this apparent Socio-economic Advisory Council which has been circulated among the people since one month ago. And then he released an open letter calling for revitalizing once prestigious Rangoon University and rebuilding its Student Union building. On May 24, two Presidents political advisors U Ko Ko Hlaing and Dr. Nay Zin Latt held a press conference at Presidents Office and said that the contents of this open letter written by Dr. U Myint was his own opinion and written by his own will, Presidents Office was unaware of this open letter and it did not reflect the opinion and attitude of Presidents Office too.
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At the workshop held on May 18 under the title, Chinas Development and its impact on neigbouring countries, Dr. U Myint said, Malaysia earned US$ 161 billion in Year 2006 alone from the sale of natural gas but we earned only US$ 29 billion in 30 years which is mere two months earning of Malaysia. We must compare these figures. We must see if the sale of gas really benefit for the people, what the government is doing with the money earned from the sale of gas and we must see state budget. Even I myself do not know about them thouroughly. We must try to understand them more. We must know the receipt and expenses of the state. The government must release all these figures, as reported by Hot News journal published by Daw Hay Mar aka Daw Ma Ma, the daughter of once powerful Lt. Gen. Khin Maung Than. In responding to this news report, USDP party propaganda machinery blogs posted an article under the title Who is responsible for this cheap propaganda and also said that their Senior General Than Shwe was not as stupid and nave as they claimed and all facts in this news report were untrue and unfounded. Presidents Socio-economic Advisory Council which will be formed soon will include former rector of Rangoon Economics Institute U Maw Than as patron, U Tin Htut Oo as Chairman, Daw Khin San Yee as Vice-Chairwoman, Presidents economic advisor U Sett Aung as Secretary, Dr. Kyaw Yin Hlaing from Hong Kong City University as Joint-Secretary, and Chairman of Myanmar Egress U Tin Maung Than, Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) Chairman U Win Aung, UMFCCI Vice-Chairman U Hla Maung Shwe, Dr. Zaw Oo from Vahu Development, Dr. Thant Myint Oo, Law academic U Thiha Myo Nyan, Diamond Star Company owner U Ko Ko Gyi, KMD company owner U Thaung Tin, U Moe Kyaw from Myanmar Marketing Research and Development (MMRD), Kanbawza Bank Vice-Chairman U Than Lwin, U Khin Maung Aye from CB Bank and retired professor U Aung Tun Thet will be members of this new advisory council. Official announcement on the forming of this new advisory council has not yet been made by Presidents Office but President had already had meetings with this advisory council for two times and some of its functions had already been begun, it is learnt. In the meantime, President U Thein Sein received visiting foreign dignitaries during this month. On May 14, he received visiting South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and discussed on bilateral issues. South Korean Presidents office issued news release which says Burmese President assured his counterpart that Burma had stopped buying military equipments and arms from North Korea by abiding the resolution and sanctions imposed by UN though they bought conventional weapons from North Korea in the past and Burma had never cooperated with North Korea in any nuclear projects. On the same day, President U Thein Sein received Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Mr. Wang Gang and his entourage and U Thein Sein urged visiting Chinese leader to give full cooperation in maintaining peace along Sino-Burma border, it is learnt. Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived in NayPyaytaw on May 28 and President U Thein Sein received him. And then they signed bilateral agreements including granting US$ 500 million loan to Burma. Thai government invited President U Thein Sein to attend World Economic Forum to be held in Bangkok on May 31 and June 1 and to address the forum under the title Myanmars future but he cancelled this trip without giving any reason. USDP party is preparing for contesting in coming 2015 general election after suffering humiliating defeat in recent by-elections by rectifying their weaknesses and drawbacks in time. Party general secretary U Htay Oo said on May 2 that they would replace unpopular leaders and party workers unfriendly with people with more competent and popular leaders in their organizational works. These
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works had already been begun, he said on May 14. He also said that from village level to States/ Regions level, only the leaders who had capacity to organize the people successfully would be assigned duty and all of these office bearers must be duly elected persons in accordance with democratic norms. But at the central committee and top level leadership, the party did not need yet to replace any existing leaders except those retiring from their posts on health reason and those who were assigned other duties, he further said. During the adjournment of both houses at the moment, house of nationality speaker U Khin Aung Myint and deputy speaker U Mya Nyein left for Japan on May 5 and house of people speaker Thura Shwe Mahn kicked off his European tour on May 6 in goodwill visits. Not only the states and regions governments concerned but also the union government, No. 1 and 2 Electric Power Ministries started explaining and clarifying the state of electricity generation and distribution to the public starting from May 22 after the nationwide candlelight vigil protests across the country against load shedding and power cuts which started in Mandalay on May 20.
T HE S OCIO - ECONOMIC S ITUATION OF T HE P EOPLE

Farmers staged series of protests against grabbing of their farmlands by military and USDP government but the government did not return these forcibly seized farmlands to the rightful owners of them and even more they forcibly relocated these farmers from their villages and then these farmers are suffering a lot. The government seized over 7,800 acres of farmlands in Salingyi Township, Monywa District which falls in the project area of copper mining project and then they ordered many villages such as Sede, Zitaw, Wet Hmay, Kandaw etc to leave their homes from this project area, it is learnt. Similarly Danyawady naval base in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State seized farmlands owned by local farmers and they planted cashew nut trees on them and issued shoot-on-sight order to anyone who trespass on their plantation. The entire nation experienced intense heat wave and severe shortage of drinking water. Tens of thousands of people in Pyiynsalu and Myaungmya Townships in Irrawaddy Region suffered severe shortage of potable water. And the outbreak of cholera epidemic experienced in Pyinsalu and Konegyi in Irrawaddy Region and some townships in Rangoon Region. NLD Blood Group (BG) training school chief Ko Nyi Nyi said on May 7 that because of increasing number of people below the poverty line in Burma, the number of child rag-pickers was increasing day by day and they can be found everywhere along the roadside in the city. He runs training school for these rag-pickers in southern Dagon Township, Rangoon Region, providing health and moral classes to them. The people are still facing human rights violations and saw 114 cases of forcible seizure of farmlands and family properties by government and government-backed personages, 85 cases of torture and persecution and 59 cases of forced labour during one year period from March 2011 to March 2012, ND-Burma Report issued on May 9 says. Out of about 240,000 people living with HIV, nearly 100,000 patients badly need ARV drugs for antiretroviral treatment (ART), Dr. Sitt Naing, country resident doctor of Marie Stopes International, said on May 11.
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L P R E S S U R E

US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton said in the statement issued on May 2 that US welcomed the decision taken by NLD to attend parliament as the positive step and it would be the crucial step taken by NLD as the role of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD party could be seen in parliament. US congressman from Democratic Party Mr. Jim Webb and another congressman from Republican Party Mr. James Inhofe sent a letter to US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton and called for lifting all sanctions imposed on Burma in support of reform process being carried out in Burma. Deputy special envoy of US State Department for Burma Patrick Murphy said on May 11 that US responded accordingly to the democratisation process in Burma by judging on its trends but these processes were still had the tendency of reversing and making U-turn at anytime. US based 12 organizations who advocate for investment with moral value warned Obama administration to deal with Burma cautiously and it was not yet time to make investments in Burma in order to stop the ongoing human rights violations in Burma and not to derail the ongoing democratization process in the country. As the upgrading and normalization of diplomatic ties between two countries, US administration invited Burmese FM U Wunna Maung Lwin to visit to US as goodwill visit. US government extended the term of sanctions imposed on Burma for another one year but eased ban on financial services and new investments, the statement issued on May 17 says. US President Obama made official proposal on May 17 to appoint US government policy coordinator and special envoy for Burma Derek Mitchell as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Burma. U Wunna Maung Lwin also announced that Burmese government appointed Burmese ambassador to UN U Than Shwe as Burmese ambassador to US to serve both positions jointly. The biggest commerce organization in US, US Chamber of Commerce, sent its Asia Pacific Affairs Vice-President Tamil Overby and his team to Burma from May 16 to 19 and they met and discussed with government officials and office bearers of UMFCCI. The biggest electrical machinery company of US, General Electric (GE) Company, announced on May 17 that they would cooperate with Burmese government in road transport sector and construction industry. At the G8 summit held in Chicago, US, the leaders appreciated the current reform and democratization process in Burma and assured to provide assistance as much as they can on May 19. Canadas lower house foreign affairs committee which relaxed sanctions imposed on Burma held a hearing on Burmas human rights situation on May 2. In the Burmas Human Rights Report issued by UK government on May 2, despite of some unexpected changes and progress in Burma crucial challenges still exist in the country. In the yearly human right situation report prepared by US State Department, the report says progress is seen in human rights situation in Burma but the situations of concern still exist, Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton said at the press conference held on May 23. In the Yearly Human Report for 2012 prepared by London based Amnesty International (AI), the report says Burmese armed forces are still committing crime against humanity in ethnic areas. After visiting Burma and discussing with Burmese government officials, UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon briefed political situation in Burma to UN General Assembly on May 8 and he urged international community to help Burma for the success of this political reform process. He also called for stopping war in Kachin State on May 17.
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Switzerland officially announced on May 9 that they had already lifted all sanctions imposed on Burma except arms embargo but they would reinstate these sanctions if the political situations in the country worsen again. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said on May 19 that they would provide assistance for all-round development in Mon State. Norwegian government would build a model village in Kyaukgyi town, Nyaunglaybin District as the pilot project to provide livelihood support for war refugees in assistance and support of stopping civil war and restoring peace, Norwegian Deputy FM torgeir Larsen said on May 30. ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan warned Burmese government on May 24 not to use violent means in suppressing ongoing candlelight vigils in Burma and to resolve this issue peacefully instead. In her visit to Australia, Thai PM Ms. Yinluck Shinawatra said on May 30 that the political reform process in Burma was encouraging so that regional countries should extend their support to Burmese government for strengthening these reform works.
// End of Report // Wednesday, June 13, 2012 // End of Translation // Monday, June 18, 2012

PDC News Commentary ~ June 2012

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