PDC NEWS COMMENTARY

July 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

Despite of assurances given by some USDP government leaders that there will be no U-turn in current reform process being undertaken by their government, we see continuation of repeated attacks by various means against National League for Democracy (NLD) party. The relation between USDP government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi became questionable among Burmese analysts at home and abroad and these developments suggest uneasy relation between them. And also many people at home and abroad made speculation on cancellation of scheduled President U Thein Seins visit to Thailand of delivering his address on May 30 at World Economic Forum held in Bangkok and June 4 goodwill visit to Thailand at short notice without giving any reason. But at the press conference held on June 6 at NLD head office on her Thai visit, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said in her reply to the questions raised by the reporters that she did not think her visit would have any impact on the government to government relation between two countries because of her recent visit to that country. Thai Foreign Ministry issued press release on June 7 which says USDP government Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin called his counterpart and said that President U Thein Sein had to postpone his scheduled visit to Thailand as he had to supervise his officials concerned in handling the current peaceful demonstrations in the country peacefully and successfully. At the Asia Security Forum held in Singapore on June 2, USDP government Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Hla Min said that the armed forces fully support the current reform process being undertaken by President U Thein Sein and they would reduce the role of armed forces in future Burmese politics. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi welcomed this address delivered by Defence Minister at her press conference held on June 6. We still see various attempts by officials of USDP government to suppress and harass NLD party leaders and its supporters and sympathizers. USDP 100-household head registered case against U San Aye and Ko Naychi Oo from Shege Inn village in Dekkhinathiri Township, Naypyitaw under section 5(d) of Emergency Provisions Act for their alleged using of loudspeakers during 2012 April byelections for giving assistance to aged people in voting. The prosecutors tried them as scaring the people and undermining the peace and tranquility in the area and then the township court started hearing this case on June 14 and 27. Union Election Commission (UEC) Director U Thaung Hlaing registered case against NLD party campaign manager U Nyan Win on behalf of UEC for making false information by wrongly accusing commission of waxing the ballot papers in recent by-elections. This case was tried under section 182 of Penal Code by Naypyitaw Zabuthiri Township court on June 26. Rangoon west district court made its judgment on the case of inheritance of property between Daw
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Aung San Suu Kyi and her brother US citizen U Aung San Oo on June 22, to divide this property equally between two of them. The existing laws clearly stipulates that the foreigners cannot inherit immovable property in Burma and moreover the brother and sister had agreement to let the sister stays at this home as long as she wishes and to divide the money only after sale of this property. This contract reached between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Aung San Oo was submitted to court but the court did not take into consideration on this document so that they would file appeal case against this judgment, her lawyer U Nyan Win said on June 25. At the opening ceremony of NLD branch office at Welong sub-township in Taungtha Township, Mandalay Region which is the birthplace of USDP secretariat member U Aung Thaung, about 50 inebriated USDP members protested against NLD party by shouting slogans and holding placards which read Dont divide our village, Dont divide the villagers, Dont destroy the development, Dont destroy the peace and tranquility in the village, We dont want destroyers of our locality etc but the local authorities didnt take any action against this mob, it is learnt. Similarly another Welong native USDP party MP from Myingyan constituency U Win Myint reportedly put pressure on landlord of NLD branch office in Welong village by telling them not to rent their premises for NLD office as their elder U Aung Thaung would be angry with them. Similarly some USDP party members attacked NLD members by catapults on June 17 at opening ceremony of branch office in Monetawgyi village, Pwintphyu Township, Magwe Region which left 5 NLD members injured. State-run daily papers reported on June 29 that UEC sent warning letters to NLD party on June 1 and 28 on Daw Aung San Suu Kyis usage of Burma instead of official Myanmar in referring to the country during her visits to Thai and European countries which violated the countrys constitution. In her Europe visit, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi clarified that she did not use the official name of country Myanmar since the change of the name of country was made by government without taking consent from the people. Her party presidium member and senior leader U Win Tin also said on June 29 that the government officials exaggerated the trivial issues and it suggested they were still manipulating UEC with firm grip. He also said that he would use Burma which is well known among the people. We assume that this tussle between government and NLD is not merely on the wording but it is the larger issue of abiding and accepting the 2008 constitution. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said on June 21 that she welcomed the invitation of British PM David Cameron sent to President Thein Sein to visit Britain. Daw Aung San Suu Kyis foreign visits got broad media coverage in world media as breaking news and front page news but the Burmese media didnt cover her visits at all. Director General U Ye Htut from Information Department, Information Ministry said on June 21 that their state-run media did not cover her visits as they were her private visits to these countries. USDP government has not yet released all remaining political prisoners but they released NLD party member U Nyi Pu on June 25 from Khamti prison after fully serving his prison sentence.
T HE R ELATIONSHIP BETWEEN E THNIC G ROUPS AND T HE USDP G OVERNMENT

The Peace-making implementation work committees constituted by USDP government continuously met ethnic armed groups, exile opposition groups and negotiated with them on ceasefire and peace
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building but some armed ethnic groups which had already had ceasefire agreements with government such as SSPP/SSA, RCSS,SSA, KNPP, KNU etc had fighting with government. KIO delegation met newly constituted Union Peace-making implementation work committee vicechairman U Aung Min at Mai Jayan on Sino-Burma border as informal talks with government on June 1,19 and 20. KIO had already met Kachin State level peace committee led by Col. Than Aung for two times, met with union level peace committee led by U Aung Thaung for three times and met informally with union level peace committee led by U Aung Min for four times. Despite of continued fighting in Kachin State, declaration of KIO as unlawful association punishable under section 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act had been revoked by verbal order issued by U Aung Min, it is learnt. The fighting between USDP forces and KIA troops continued elsewhere in Kachin State and Muse district, Mongko in northern Shan State. It is learned that they had over 60 clashes and engagements from June 1 to 20 and both sides suffered casualties in the fighting. At the meeting between government delegation led by U Aung Min and KIO delegation at Maijayan on June 20, they discussed on repatriation of war refugees in the region and KIO demanded government to withdraw their troops from these villages. The series of bomb explosions took place in Kachin State and some places in northern Shan State in June this year. Nine bombs exploded one after another at six strategic places at midnight of June 9 in Muse, northern Shan State. These bombs exploded in front of Muse police station, United Bank and other places but there were no casualties from these bomb blasts, it is learnt. Another bomb was exploded near the motorcycle parking lot at indoor stadium in Ayer Ward, Myitkyinar in the evening of June 29 which killed one person. The USDP government signed ceasefire agreement with SSPP/SSA (North) on January 28, 2012 but fighting renewed between them and they had 17 clashes up to June 6. Newly constituted union level peace committee vice-chairman U Thein Zaw sent invitation letter to SSA(N) on June 14 but the government troops launched offensive with massive troops against Phaphint outpost of SSPP/SSA in north of Monghsu Township on June 17 and then the fighting escalated between them. Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) party chairman U Khun Tun Oo sent his appeal letter to President U Thein Sein on June 21 to intervene for stopping of current renewed fighting between government and SSA troops at the earliest date possible. On June 22, government delegation led by U Thein Zaw and SSPP/SSA delegation led by general secretary Col. Khun Saing met in Mandalay and they reportedly agreed on ceasing fire and deploying their troops at current positions. Similarly RCSS/SSA (South) reached ceasefire agreement with government after their second meeting with union level peace-making implementation work committee in Kengtung on May 19 and then they had renewed fighting between them again too. The government troops overrun Loi Ngun Tub outpost in northeast of Poneparkyin sub-townsip in Mongton Township, eastern Shan State on June 16 and this outpost was set on fire. After this incident, the peace delegation of RCSS/SSA(S) sent letter dated June 28 to Vice C-in-C of Defence Services and Vice-Chairman (1) of union level peace-making implementation work committee Gen. Soe Win to review their peace agreement. In the meantime, the relation between United Wa State Army (UWSA) and RCSS/SSA (S) strained
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after they fought over domination of disputed territory which led to almost breaking out of war between them. Mongyun based UWSA 518thBrigade and Huiaw based 775thBrigade totaling over 1,000 troops placed Loikawwan headquarters of RCSS/SSA(S) No. 1 Military Region in Monghsat Township, eastern Shan State under siege on June 16 and then they the tensions developed. But the leaders from both sides negotiated on this issue and they reached agreement between them and then UWSA troops withdrew from this outpost on June 19. This outpost was situated on Thai-Burma border, opposite of Mae Phalun, Chiang Rai, Thailand so that Thai government put their troops on alert along the border along with sending some reinforcements there. KNPP delegation led by Secretary (1) Khu U Yel and government delegation led by U Aung Min met in Loikaw on June 9 and these delegations including military commanders concerned deliberated on armistice, withdrawal of troops from specific areas and then they finally reached on 14-point ceasefire agreement but they had one-hour long engagement on Mawchi-Taungoo highway in Mawchi Township on June 28. During over one and half month period of ceasefire between KNU and government troops, they did not have any fighting between them but they had minor clashes and disputes in expansions of their area domination and reinforcements of troops, military hardware and ammunitions, KNU spokesman Saw Hla Ngwe said on June 1. At the KNU central committee meeting held from June 4 to 7, KNU reviewed their peace process with Burmese government. New Mon State Party held mass rally and briefed their peace process to the people. General Secretary Nai Han Thar said on June 21 that he had suspicion on what the newly constituted government union level peace-making group said of forming political party and contesting in election, presenting what they want at the parliament after winning the election, having sole armed forces in the country etc. On the World anti-drug day which falls on June 26, some ceasefire groups which are accused of engaging in narcotic drugs production and trafficking destroyed the drugs seized by them by setting them on fire. KIO burned assorted narcotic drugs worth over 70 million kyat in the presence of five Chinese officials and the people and similarly RCSS/SSA burned narcotic drugs that they seized from Naung He based Pa-O peoples militia and Laihka based Wang Pan Peoples militia for the first time. Governments union level peace-making group led by Vice-Chairman (2) U Aung Min met Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS) and Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB) in Bangkok on June 25, met KNU, NLD (LA), FDB, ABSDF and Mae Taw clinic run by Dr. Cynthia Maung in Mae Sot, Thailand on June 26, Womens League of Burma (WLB), Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Pa-O Nationality Liberation Organization (PNLO) in Bangkok on June 27 separately. At this meeting, PNLO reportedly agreed in principle for ceasefire. U Aung Min reportedly said to pro-democracy groups in his meeting with them in Mae Sot, Thailand that they had already had met with 18 ceasefire groups and pro-democracy groups and they would hold broad based convention before 2014 like Panglong Conference convened in 1947 as their extraparliament movement.
T HE A CTIVITIES OF NLD AND D OMESTIC O PPOSITION F ORCES

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended World Economic Forum held in Bangkok on June 1 and delivered her address. In her address, she said that the investors in Burma should create jobs for the people and their projects should be transparent and the unemployment rate among Burmese youths was too high
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so that it was ticking like the time bomb. She arrived in Mae Sot by flight on June 2 and visited Mae La refugee camp. On the way back, she planned to meet Burmese migrant workers and Dr. Cynthia Maung from Mae Taw clinic but she was not allowed to meet any Burmese groups and then she held press conference at Mae Sot airport. She arrived back Burma on the next morning, June 3. NLD is planning to hold All-Burma party congress and held 6-day workshop on Democracy, Good Governance and capacity building for political parties at Tawwin Hninsi (Royal Rose) hall in Shwegondaing, Rangoon, starting from June 1. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi held press conference on June 6 on her recent Thai visit. She said at this press conference that she concerned over the communal riots that took place in Rakhine Sate as there were some instigators behind them which suggested lack of rule of law in the country, immediate action should be taken against those who committed crimes in these riots and there must be peaceful coexistence of all races and creeds. Some Islam religious leaders also attended this press conference and they briefly met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after that. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi invited seven labour movement activists to her house on June 6 and she studied the current situation of the workers and their plights from them. NLD presidium members Thura U Tin Oo and U Than Tun also attended this meeting. NLD jointly issued a statement on current violence in Rakhine State with its ethnic alliance parties on June 9. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi kicked off her European tour on June 12. On June 13, she met with Swiss President Eveline Widmier Schump, Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter in Berne and held their joint press conference but she had to stop the press conference as she felt dizzy due to exhaustion from travel sickness. On the next day on June 14, she delivered her address at ILO conference held in Geneva, Switzerland. She visited Swiss parliament on June 15 and then proceeded to Oslo, Norway. She was received at airport by Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjoern Jagland and other officials and moreover over 2,000 Burmese migrants living in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany waited for her at Grand Hotel where she would stay to greet her. On the same day, she met Norwegian PM Jens Stoltenberg and held the joint press conference after that. Nobel Prize awarding ceremony was held in the morning of June 16 and it was attended by Norway King, Queen, crown prince and Norwegian people totaling about 1,000 people. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi received the Nobel Peace Prize that was awarded to her in 1991. And then she delivered her prize acceptance speech as saying she and her party was ready to play any role and to do any work in national reconciliation process. In the same evening, she delivered her address to the people waiting her outside the Oslo Town Hall. She then met and discussed with Norwegian government including foreign minister on June 17 and then she visited second city of Norway, Bergen, and received the Rafto human rights prize which was her first international award. She then attended Oslo Forum held on June 18 and after that she and her entourage was taken to Dublin, Ireland by U2 music band leader Bono by his private jet. Irish FM received her at airport. On the same evening, she received Ambassador of Conscience awarded by Amnesty International (AI) and Citizen of Dublin awarded by Irish government. And then in honour of her, U2 music band performed concert under the title Electric Burma along with
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other world famous singers and artistes. Then she made short address to the people coming to this concert. On June 19, she arrived in London, Britain and enjoyed her 67thbirthday party thrown by her old friends. In her interview given to London based ITV, she said that she would not like to exaggerate her sacrifices in democratic struggle since this was her own choice, in fact, those who really sacrificed their lives are her husband and two sons. I felt very sorry for my two sons who were too young at that time and had to stay away from both parents and faced a lot of difficulties but I said myself I must give up one thing if I want another thing, she said. She also attended a forum held at London School of Economics (LSE) and presented on current reform process in Burma. She gave interview to BBC World Service and in the evening she met her fellow Nobel peace prize winner Dalai Lama for the first time. On June 20, she went to Oxford and had a family reunion there. Her younger son Kim lives in this town and he came to Norway to welcome and greet his mother while she was in Oslo, Norway but her elder son Alexander lives in Oregon State, US. She then mourned and paid tribute to her late husband and Tibetan expert Dr. Michael Aris who died of cancer in 1999 while she was in her house arrest at his tomb. She was conferred Honourary Doctor of Civil Law awarded in 1993 by Oxford University where she studied from 1964 to 1967. Oxford University Chancellor and former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten conferred this honourary degree to her and then she made the degree acceptance speech. In this acceptance speech, she said on her sweet memories in the past in this university and then over 1,000 students and teachers of this university applauded her and she got standing ovation. On June 21, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met Burmese pro-democracy activists, Burmese families in London and in the afternoon, she delivered her address to joint session of both houses at Westminster Hall. In her address, she said that the support extended by British people encouraged her in democratic struggle. Then she met British PM David Cameron, former PM Gordon Brown and Labour Party leader Ed Miliband. On behalf of British Royal family, crown prince, Prince of Wales and wife Camilla invited her to their Clarence House in honour of her and talked for 40 minutes. On June 23 and 24, she met with royal family on weekend holidays and on June 25 she offered alms to abbots including Sayadaw U Ottara at London Sasana Yanthi monastery. Then the abbots recited Metta sutra to her. At the invitation of French President Francois Hollande, she went to Paris by Eurostar channel train from London on June 26. The French government officials greeted and picked up her at station and then the French President received her at Elysee palace. The Mayor of Paris gave her honourary citizen of Paris at a ceremony on June 27 and in the evening on the same day, French FM Laurent Fabius met and discussed with her. After that they held the joint press conference. She urged the investors to make investments which would complement the democratization in Burma at this press conference in replying to questions raised by reporters. She also said that Burma still needed to be cautious during and before the next 2015 general election and she was ready to rule the country as and when she was granted this opportunity. In the evening, French FM hosted her dinner party. On June 28, she attended meeting held at prestigious Sorbonne University and replied to questions raised by the students.
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She arrived back in Burma on the morning of June 30 and she was greeted and welcomed by hundreds of thousands of people from airport to her residence along the way, orderly and peacefully but enthusiastically. The Burmese police force deployed traffic police heavily along the route and gave green traffic signals at all intersections for smooth traffic flow until she reached her residence. In the meantime, NLD continued in opening their township branch offices, gearing up for holding All Burma party congress, preparing for parliamentary business which will be reconvened on July 4. NLD party parliamentary committee would be formed only when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrived back home, it is learnt. NLD MP U Win Htein attended Europe Parliament Liberal Democrat Congress held in Brussels, Belgium. Daw Aung San Suu Kyis 67thbirthday parties were held at township branch offices across the country including Rangoon head office in grand scale. At these ceremonies, prize awarding to five unknown heroes and opening of free school called Mothers Love were held too. The labour movements demanding wage increase and labour rights continued during this period too. In some factories, the labour disputes were settled peacefully after their employers conceded to their demands but in some factories, the workers faced intimidation and violence. After intervention and negotiation with employers by 88-Generation students, the Hi-Mo wig factory in Rangoon agreed to pay basic pay at 30,000 kyat but the employers failed to keep their promise and then the workers continued their demonstration. At Hallmark garment factory in Hlaingtharyar industrial zone in Rangoon, the workers started their demonstration on May 28 and then the security staffs of this factory beat the demonstrators on June 1 and then the tensions ensued. The employer from Japanese owned Famoso garment factory threatened 654 workers from this factory who had started their strike since June 8 to report to their works by July otherwise they would be fired from the jobs. And then the workers said they would continue their strike until their demands were met by their employer. The workers from Taiwan-China owned embroidery factory in Hlaingtharyar industrial zone (1) had ruckus and chaos with the factory security staffs during their strike. Despite of heavy downpour and bad weather in Rangoon, the workers from Hi-Mo wig factory, Tawwin Myanmar and Myanmar Sunny footwear factories, Hallmark, Myth Appeal, Costec and other garment factories continued their strikes daily. Similarly starting from June 1, over 50,000 workers from Mo Hti Mo Mee gold mines in Yamethin Township, Mandalay Region staged strike against Amyotha Toetet Yay Company demanding giving back their gold mine concessions. Over 2,000 gold miners started their marching in procession to Naypyitaw on June 11 after the company refused to concede to their demand but they were blocked on their way by riot police personnel on that night near Shwemyintin pagoda on the mountain. And then they negotiated with the company for two days and finally their six demands were met with time limit and their strike concluded successfully. The Asia World Company fired the workers from Namtu No. 1 mine in Kyaukme district, northern Shan State after takeover and then over 300 workers started staging strike on June 1. The employer of Sun brand dry cell factory conceded to the demands made by workers but 10 leaders of labour strike at Aung Sein garment factory were fired from their jobs. Similarly 17 workers
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leaders were fired from Grand Royal Distillery. Over 200 workers from Yathar Gaung sweets factory in Pyigyitagon Township, Mandalay Region started their labour strike on June 23. Nearly 2,000 workers from Rangoon Tawwin construction site started staging their strike on June 28. After facing unprecedented number of labour protests in factories and establishments, Union Labour Ministry issued announcement on June 12 which says the minimum basic pay without overtime pay is fixed at 56,700 kyat per month as per the international standard and then they explained Labour Rights Law and Trade Dispute Law at Kanaung Hall in Hlaingtharyar Township. The demonstrators who staged their demonstration daily in Rangoon for regular and uninterrupted supply of electricity stopped their demonstration on June 3 after they got better power supply, one of the leaders of this demonstration said. In the meantime, No. 2 Ministry of Electricity issued their official press release on June 4 which says they are distributing round the clock electricity across the country. Similarly the farmers whose farmlands were forcibly seized by authorities escalated their protest demonstrations and then they faced intimidation and legal action taken against them by those who seized their lands. 61 farmers whose lands had been seized since 1988 for building Hlaingtharyar industrial zone staged their demonstration for the second time on June 1 at Housing and Settlement Department office in Bogyoke Aung San Street in Rangoon with small groups not exceeding five persons in lawful manner. The authorities in Pyinoolwin city stopped shooting of documentary video footage by film director Waing and his camera crew while they were shooting documentary film on farmers demonstration staged in Pyinoolwin and then these local authorities forced them to sign bond not to do such activity again and destroyed their video footage, it is learnt. Myanmar Wanbo Company seized over 7,800 acres of farmlands owned by local farmers for Monywa copper mining project by giving only money amount equal to three years rent given by sharecroppers. Moreover four villages namely Sede, Wethmay, Kandaw and Zeedaw were forcibly relocated and some of these houses were demolished by the authorities besides sealing their monastery, forcibly relocating their schools and dumping industrial waste on their farmlands. And then the farmers from 23 villages reportedly planned to send their petition to President U Thein Sein and Sagaing Region government chief minister. 88-Generation student leaders, NLD party members led by Dagon Seikkan constituency MP Dr. Myo Aung and a group led by lawyer Ko Pho Phyu visited farmers from Thayetchaung village, Dagon Seikkan Township, whose lands were seized forcibly by Pinle Ko Thwe Company and village-tract administrator and then they discussed and encouraged these farmers. Military owned Myanmar Economic Holdings Co. Ltd. unlawfully seized 148 acres of land owned by 50 farmers in Sankin village, Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region. Then they arrested these farmers when the latter entered their lands and ploughed them. Now the company filed case against these farmers with trespassing under section 462 (?) of Penal Code, lawyer Ko Pho Phyu said. The farmers did not accept and refused to vacate their lands when Oil and Gas project informed them about seizure of their lands and ordered them to evict from their lands. And then the case was filed against these 12 farmers from Ywathit village, Dekhinathiri Township, Naypyitaw with Municipal Act and they had to appear before the township court four times in June. Similarly Municipal
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(Township City Development Committee) filed case against Byada free school and 28 families with trespassing case and they were temporarily detained by court on June 29. Political parties, social and religious organization, political activists and people at home and abroad rendered their helping hands as much as they can to the people who suffered in communal conflicts that took place in Rakhine. Rakhine Nationality Development Party (RNDP) issued their position paper on June 4 on these unrests and conflicts in Rakhine. In this paper, they said that they felt extremely sorry for the inhumane rape and murder of a Rakhine girl in Kyauknimaw village and they also could not accept brutal killing of 10 Islam faith believers in Tungup. The party criticized the authorities on June 12 as saying the government had many flaws and weaknesses in handling this communal conflict. Similarly Arkakan League for Democracy (ALD) party held a press conference on June 11 and appealed all not to spread this conflict that took place in Rakhine State to other places. Buddhist abbot Shwenyawah, U Wunna Shwe from All Burma Islam Organization and responsible persons from All Burma Baptist Church appealed to the people to stop this conflict at the earliest. All sects abbot group from Sittwe sent their letter to President U Thein Sein on June 19 which says to settle Bengali people at the separate place far away from Sitttwe for the sake of peaceful residing of other ethnic nationalities, deploying reliable security forces between Rakhine and Bengali settlements, evict all illegal migrant Bengalis who dont have citizenship status and proper ID from Rakhine State. RNDP statement issued on June 26 also expressed the same opinion and demanded the government to discuss and deliberate with UN and other international bodies to send these non-citizen Bengalis to third country resettlement after fixed short period. But Burmese Rohingya Organization UK (BROUK) accused in their statement issued on June 26 that hardliners in USDP government and RNDP party systematically hatched this conspiracy of communal riots and conflicts being taken place in Rakhine State. 88- Generation student leaders condemned the violent acts unleashed during the communal conflicts in Rakhine State at the press conference they held and they called all people for facing this crisis as a national cause. Student leader Ko Ko Gyi said that they could not accept so-called Rohingyas as the Burmese citizen since they were in fact migrant Bengalis and they would respond this crisis as the national cause if there were hidden agenda of Rohingya issue behind these communal riots and conflicts. Similarly another student leader and Islam faith believer Ko Mya Aye said that they could not accept Rohingya as the Burmese citizens and all Burmese Muslims must be allegiance to the country of Burma. The social network called Path of Freedom and Peace formed for helping refugees in Rakhine State started their fund raising programme on June 17 by performing at roadside teashops and restaurants. On this day alone, they could collect 2.6 million kyat by performing music directly to the people on the road. Religious organizations including Shwenyawah abbot and Ven. U Wirathu, sports and social organizations including Myanmar Football Federation, individual donors and well wishers sent cash and relief supplies worth hundreds of millions of kyat to these conflict victims. The people at home and abroad are continuing sending cash and relief supplies to war refugees in
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Kachin State. Environmental organizations including Sein Yaung Soe from Mandalay, music organization Gita Meik, and charity organizations held a mobile music performance at five places in Mandalay on June 9 as a fund raising programme for Kachin war refugees and they got donation of 4 million kyat on that day. The Chinese people in Myitkyina donated over 20 million kyat for Kachin war refugees on June 18. Over 2,000 people in Myitkyina held the prayer meeting at the place behind the Kachin Baptist Church and they prayed for stopping war in Kachin State. Despite of warnings and harassing by authorities, the students continued their student union movement in defiance of these hindrances. Student Union Organizing Committee was formed with 19 executive members including Chairmen Dee Nyein Lin and Vice-Chairman Sithu Maung successfully in Rangoon University campus in Hlaing Township, Rangoon. And then they held a press conference on that day. Rangoon Region General Administration Department head Dr. Than Aung under the Rangoon Region government invited All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) chairman Ko Kyaw Ko Ko, Student Union Organizing Committee Vice-Chairman Ko Sithu Maung to their Rangoon Region Legislative Assembly office and warned them to register their organization first with the department concerned otherwise they would face up to 5 year imprisonment for those who form unlawful association and 3 year imprisonment to those who were member of this unlawful association under the Associations Law. Then the student leaders replied these officials that in their tradition, ABFSU never register in the past and in the future and in international student unions and other student organizations too they did not need to register so that they would not register with the administrative departments, it is learnt. Similarly Mandalay Region General Administration (GA) Department head invited four ABFSU leaders including Ko Ye Yint Kyaw to his office and gave warning to them. Under the Associations Law enacted and promulgated in September 1988, those forming of union, association, club, front etc without registration shall face up to 5 years imprisonment. ABFSU (Central) leader Ko Kyaw Ko Ko said on June 17 that the student unions were continuously formed across the country and they had already formed such student unions in all states and regions except Tanintharyi Region. The student unions had been formed in 16 districts and they were planning to form more unions in remaining areas, he said. About 40 university teachers including professors and lecturers from Mandalay University (Main), Foreign Language University and Distance Education (Mandalay) met and discussed on forming their University Teachers Union with 7-member provisional committee with Associate Professor U Thet Lwin from Psychology Department as chairman of this committee. And then they registered their organization in the name of University Teachers Primary Union-Maha Aung Myay with the department concerned officially on June 27. 74-75-76 student movements anniversary ceremony and 38thanniversary labour strike was held on June 6 evening at Taw Win Hnin Si (Royal Rose) hall and they issued a statement. Organizing Committee for silver jubilee anti-one party rule movement in Rangoon University to commemorate the student movement that took place in June 1988, held a press conference on June 8 at the same Royal Rose Hall and they said that they would strive for forming student unions officially. 88-Generation student leaders, student unions, NLD party members and people totaling over 500 persons held a ceremony at Royal Rose Hall to commemorate the 1988 June Student movement on
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June 17. Moreover 36thdeath anniversary of 1974 student leader Salai Tin Maung Oo who was executed in 1976 was held on June 27 at Royal Rose Hall and it was attended by U Win Tin, former student leaders, 88-Generation student leaders, ABFSU leaders, members of political parties and former political prisoners. Moreover over 200 lawyers from Lawyers Network met at Royal Rose Hall on June 1 and they discussed on reorganizing the Bar Council which was changed and altered under the SLORC regime. Performing artistes, painters, sculptors and musicians met Rangoon Region legislative assembly Sports, Culture and Public Relation Development Committee members in person on June 20 and presented their plights and hardships. Ethnic Kachin, Shan and Burmese from Bahmo formed Organization of those who wish lasting peace in Kachin State with 17-member executive committee on June 5. As the movement of political parties, National Democratic Force (NDF) party held their executive committee meeting and elected U Khin Maung Swe as their chairman. Over 72,000 people from Lanpya Kye (Guiding Star) led by lawyer U Aye Myint from Bago would join their NDF party, U Khin Maung Swe said. At the meeting held by 10-party Friends of Democracy group on June 26, NDF led in presentation of changing the current electoral system to Proportionate Representation system from first-past-the-post system in future elections. UEC first refused to grant re-registration of 1990 election winning party Zomi National Congress (ZNC) by giving reason of no such ethnic group Zomi in Burma and later it allowed for re-registration of this party in this name, party leader Pu Cing Tshing Thang said on 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 party faces a lot of problems and crises such as workers and farmers strikes, resignation of Vice-President U Tin Aung Myint Oo, renewed fighting with some ceasefire groups, the worst ever violence and communal conflicts in Rakhine State etc during this period of June 2012. It is learned that Burmese FM informed and explained the cancellation of Presidents scheduled visits to Thailand by giving reason of need to supervise and oversee the domestic problems at the moment. President U Thein Sein had the plans to attend World Economic Forum held in Bangkok on May 30 and delivering address there and goodwill visit to Thailand on June 4. But he cancelled both trips. After the sudden disappearance of a leader in protesting movement against rising taxation in Nasi market, Sittwe, Rakhine State, local people and family members surrounded the Sittwe No. 1 police station and demanded to return this person in the night of June 3 and then it triggered riots and chaos. Then the riot police dispersed the crowd by firing teargas and rubber bullets which left 10 people wounded and the police detained nine persons after that. Yoma Thitsa passenger bus left Thandwe at about 4 p.m. on the same day for Rangoon was stopped at Tungup by motorcycle borne miscreants and then they killed 8 Muslims found on the bus who came to Thandwe for religious purpose and two more Muslims from Thandwe. These brutal killings might be the retaliation attack for raping and killing of a girl called Thida Htwe from Kyauknimaw, Ramree on May 28. Before these brutal killings, a group called Wunthanu Rekhita distributed leaflets inciting communal conflicts by bearing the photo of slain girl in Tungup
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in the morning of this fateful day. The name of this group is known as the youth branch of NLD in Tungup but the officials did not say anything on who distributed these hate leaflets. The state-run daily papers, The New Light of Myanmar and The Mirror, reported these Rakhine communal conflicts on June 5 by using the word Muslim Kalar and it drew sharp criticisms by people at home and abroad and then on June 6, the papers published errata issued by Information Ministry, Information and Public Relations Department, which requests people to read this word as Domestic Islam faith believer instead. And then some Islam staged peaceful demonstration in front of the mosque near Sule pagoda in Rangoon on June 5 in protest of Tungup killing and reporting style of this incident by state-run papers. Then 88-generation student leader and he himself is a Muslim, Ko Mya Aye, came to this mosque two times and requested the demonstrators not to let chaos and unrest ensue. As the unrests spreading and the tension heightened among the people in the region, Rakhine State government formed the Peace and Stability Committee in Sittwe with local elders from all faiths. Similarly union government issued a statement dated June 6 which says forming of 16-member inquiry commission led by Chairman Brig. Gen. Kyaw Zan Myint to investigate violent crimes committed in Rakhine State during this conflict and they are assigned to submit their report to President by June 30. Some Islam from Maungdaw attacked Rakhine people and their homes in retaliation on June 8 and it triggered series of violent mob attacks each other in the town and arson. About 300 monks and Rakhine people in Rangoon staged their peaceful demonstration on the platform of Shwedagon pagoda in the afternoon of June 9 and called for protecting Rakhine race, Buddhist faith and Rakhine State. USDP government imposed dusk-to-dawn curfew in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships on June 8 and tried to maintain law and order by using its riot police force but the violent attacks spread to other places and escalated and then they declared state of emergency not only in Maungdaw and Buthidaung but also in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Thandwe and Ramree towns and assigned military to maintain law and order in these regions. On the same night the President appealed all people to help in restoring peace and tranquility in the nation in his nationwide televised address. On June 9, the team consists of Vice-President Sai Mauk Kham, Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Hal Min, Rakhine State government U Hla Maung Tin and Western Command Commander Brig. Gen. Ko Ko Naing visited Maungdaw and discussed with the local authorities. Special envoy of UN Secretary General for Burma Mr. Vijay Nambia was allowed to visit Maungdaw, Rakhine State on June 12. In the meantime, unverified reports appeared which says the authorities concerned detained some Muslim staffs of UNHCR office in Maungdaw, Dr. Tun Aung aka Nu Hauk and his daughter Dr. Mya Nandar Aung, and questioned them in connection with violent attacks in Maungdaw and also other Muslim staffs of INGOs such as MSF and World Food Programme (WFP) were detained and questioned in connection with this conflict. Despite of intervention by military units after declaring state of emergency in some regions in Rakhine State, the violent attacks and arsons did not stop, blame game continued and confrontations had been escalated instead so that the military had to shoot and arrest some from both sides in some
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areas. In the violent confrontation that took place in Kutaung village, Rathedaung Township, 10 Rakhine and two Muslims were killed and many were injured. Two with serious injuries were admitted to the hospital, it is learnt. It is also learned that on June 21, the authorities concerned arrested 22 persons who led in this violent attack. Out of communal conflicts and riots between Rakhine people and Bengalis that have taken place after 1942, this is the severest and worst conflict. Some similar riots and conflicts took place in 1996, 1998, 2001 under the SLORC, SPDC regimes. Total 92 violent attacks took place between May 28 and June 24 which left 78 dead, 85 civilians and 2 policemen injured and 3,158 houses were set on fire, reports posted on government websites on June 26 said. After getting tip off, the Bangladesh government arrested seven Islam religious leaders from Nelsa-eIslamic and Islami United organization on June 18 in connection with unrests in Rakhine State but Coxs Bazar court released six of them on bail on June 28. Burmese deputy foreign minister U Maung Myint visited Bangladesh on June 30 to discuss on refugees in Burma and Bangladesh. Ii is learned that Bangladesh government wanted to send 29,000 UNHCR recognized refugees and about 300,000 undocumented refugees taking refuge in Bangladesh to Burma. Bangladeshi authorities stopped and expelled 11 boats carrying about 1,500 refugees on June 11 and did not let them mooring at their jetties. At the press conference held in Dhaka on June 12, Bangladesh FM Dr. Dipu Moni said that Bangladesh was the poor country so that it could not accept any refugee on their soil. The government made enquiry on murder case of Ma Thida Htwe from Kyauknimaw village, Ramree, attack on Sittwe No. 1 police station and killing of 10 Muslims in Tungup and took action accordingly. Four RNDP members and four civilians were arrested in connection with violent attack on Sittwe No. 1 Police Station that took place on June 3, RNDP party said. The alleged rapist and killer of Ma Thida Htwe, Rashi aka Htet Htet aka Phyo Zeya Kyaw, committed suicide in the prison in the evening of June 9 and two remaining accused Rauhi and Luyub were sentenced to death by Kyaukphyu Township court on June 15. Government inquiry commission had started their work since June 16 and they examined eye witnesses from Tungup at No. 5 Military Operation Command HQ and they had reportedly examined total over 40 witnesses until June 21. There were many video clips recorded by mobile phone handsets and MP4 video recorders but these video clips showed only onlookers rather than the culprits who committed these brutal killings. USDP MP and Township Medical Officer Dr. San Hlaing who was greatly respected by the local people tried to stop the killing but he was rudely responded and insulted by the culprits, the local people said. These facts suggested that the culprits must not be the local people form Tungup and there must be some foul play behind this ugly incident, the analysts at home and abroad speculated. Before the riots and communal conflicts being taken place, notorious websites such as Myanmar Express, Voice of Myanmar, Opposite Eye, Kee Say Ta Man, Golden Country, Hero of Myanmar etc which are believed to be run by Burmese military and their thugs, posted the photos of rape and
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murder victim Ma Thida Htwe lying in the pool of blood and postings which inciting and instigating communal conflicts and riots with hate language and the comments made by union immigration minister U Khin Yee on Rohingya issue. The style and words used in reporting by state-run media, the postings posted on the facebook of Mhu Zaw aka Maj. Zaw Htay, the director of Presidents Office, the postings of above mentioned semi-government websites and blogs, all of them suggested there must be foul play and machinations by the authorities behind this violence attacks in communal conflicts in Rakhine State. Some news being circulating among the people says there will be cabinet reshuffle and cabinet reorganization by removing and merging some ministries but we could see only notification issued by Presidents Office on June 6 which says accepting resignations tendered by Deputy Minister U Soe Tint of Union Government Ministry of Post and Telecommunication, Union Deputy Minister of Energy Ministry U Soe Aung, UEC member U Thar Oo. Vice-President U Tin Aung Myint Oo who is believed to be having tendered his resignation from his post on health reason reappeared in public scene on June 17, attending opening ceremony of Rangoon Thitagu Buddha University new building. Despite of facing many crises on domestic front, we see USDP is trying hard to build good relations with international community. President U Thein Sein held a briefing meeting at his presidential palace in Naypyitaw on June 19 and it was attended by union ministers and union level institutions, States/Regions local governments cabinet ministers and chairmen of self-administered divisions. President briefed them on action plan of ongoing reform process at this meeting. Under this presidential policy guidance, there will be threefold increase of per capita income in next five years and he told them to focus on economic growth and economic development. Presidents address delivered at this meeting was televised to the country. President U Thein Sein also attended and delivered his speech at Social Protection Conference which started in Naypyitaw on June 25. In his address, he also said that the country would work hard for getting more aids from international community and NGOs to tackle unemployment and alleviation of poverty. Union Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Hla Min said at 10thAsia Security Summit or Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore on June 2 that Burmese Defence Services would 100% in total support of the countrys reforming leadership led by President U Thein Sein and they would fully abide and follow the order given by the civilian government. He also pledged that they had abandoned nuclear research programme which worked for energy and educational researches. Similarly Union Immigration and Population Minister U Khin Yee said during his tour to Thai-Burma border for meeting with Thai border based oppositions that they had no reason to backtrack or make U-turn from the current reform process. UN announced on June 27 that UN and USDP government signed agreement for eradication of child soldiers in Burmese Defence Services.
T HE S OCIO - ECONOMIC S ITUATION OF T HE P EOPLE

Though President U Thein Sein called for increasing per capita income threefold in next five years, the socio-economic situation in the country continued to deteriorate.
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Fail State Index (FSI) prepared and issued by Fund for Peace on June 18 says Burma is still ranking 18thin this list. This Fund for Peace studies and prepares report on political, economic, social situations in world countries. Burma ranked 16thin 2010 and it slightly progressed and jumped to 18thin 2011 but it was not out of danger, the report says. About 75,000 war refugees fled from their homes from conflicts in Kachin State and then this figure was added by 90,000 refugees in Rakhine State after the communal conflicts broke out in the region. After the central bank of USDP government issued 10,000 kyat denomination new currency notes on June 15, the Burmese currency fell in exchange market and US dollar and FEC have appreciated day by day since then. The Burmese currency was traded at exchange market at the rate of 835 kyat against US dollar before the issuance of this new high denomination currency note and then it depreciated to over 850 kyat after that. Similarly the price of gold and other commodities are rising and then the government warned gold traders not to make speculation in the market, it is learnt. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) East Asia and Pacific Region representative Gary Lewis appreciated Burmese government on June 26 for their great efforts in suppression of drugs production and trafficking but according to the UNODC report for 2011, Burma is still the largest drug producing country after Afghanistan. The unemployment rate among the youths is very high in the country and ATS tablets are easily available in the market at comparatively cheap price of 1-2,000 kyat per tablet so that there are many drug addicts in all age and sex groups of adults, youths, male and female in northern Shan State and they are consuming these ecstasy tablets like candies and chewing gums.
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
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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. 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, July 11, 2012 // End of Translation // Wednesday, July 18, 2012

PDC News Commentary ~ July 2012

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