.......................

February 2008
Compiled and commented by the Political Defiance Committee (PDC)
National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)

February 2008
The a ctivities of NLD and domestic opposition forces
The relationship between NLD and the military junta

On January 4th, sixtieth anniversary of Burma's Independence Day, the National League for
Democracy announced that it would designate 2008 as year of national reconciliation and work
towards it.

However, the SPDC responded by making more arrests of NLD members since early this year. On
January 2nd, the junta detained Magwe Division Pwintbyu Township MP Dr. Mo-nyo and six League
members in addition to NLD Youth members Ms. Htet Htet Aung of South Dagon Township, Ko
Kyaw Kyaw Lin and Ko Kyaw Zin Win of Dawbon Township. On January 3rd, it arrested Chairman
U Khin Win and member U Than Aung of Yenangyaung Township NLD, Chairman U Than Nyunt
and four members of Sagaing Division Shwebo Township NLD, member Ko Tun Tun Naing of Insein
Township NLD, one monks, four men and former political prisoners Ko Ko Maung and Ko Min Han.
NLD spokesperson U Nyan Win said on January 7th that at least ten democracy activists including
NLD members were arrested during first week of January. Though Sanchaung Township Chairman U
Thet Wei was arrested on January 10th, he was released on Kyat 500,000 bail by Kyauktada Township
Court the next day.

Yenangyaung Township authorities instructed USDA men and Power Mongers to attack NLD MP Dr.
Aung Mo Nyo and team coming to attend the Independence Day ceremony, with packs of human
excrement and catapults. The SPDC deployed more riot control police at busy road junctions in
Rangoon on 60th Independence Day for security and also put Power Mongers on alert.

While the SPDC is increasingly persecuting NLD members, it is, on the other hand, trying to make a
show of resumption of talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. On January 11th, SPDC Liaison Minister U
Aung Kyi met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for one hour at a state guest house, news agencies
reported from Rangoon. However, NLD spokesman said that they didn't know anything about that
meeting and talked about necessity of NLD leadership to meet her. The NLD issued a statement on
January 18th demanding release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo and freedom of meeting
between all NLD leaders.

On January 14th, SPDC authorities summoned NLD Central Executive Committee members and
questioned them about The New Dawn journal published by NLD Youth on Independence Day. On
January 30th, the junta allowed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to meet with seven CEC members including
Chairman U Aung Shwe and NLD Information Team member U Nyan Win but not including house-

PDC News Commentar y ~ Februa ry 2008 (En g) Page 1 of 9

arrested Vice-Chairman Thura U Tin Oo, for one and a half hour at the state guest house. This
meeting was the second time between them with the first one on 2007 November 9th. Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi briefed them on the state of talks with SPDC Liaison Minister Maj. Gen. Aung Kyi, telling
them that the talks are not encouraging and that she does not wish to give false hopes to the people
who should hope for the best and prepare for the worst. After their meeting, Daw Suu and Aung Kyi
met for the fifth time.

While Maj. Gen. Aung Kyi was meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, SPDC security personnel were
carrying on with persecution and arrests of NLD members. On January 14th, MAS arrested Magwe
Division Taungdwingyi Township NLD Vice-Chairman U Maung Soe and Secretary U Par Lay,
handcuffing them from behind and releasing them only after two or three days of rough interrogation.
Arakan State Taungup Township NLD Vice-Chairman U Than Pe was also taken in for questioning
on January 17th by township authorities. On January 23rd, a 100-strong force of police, USDA and
Power Mongers led by township police chief threatened and dispersed five League members walking
in the town. Security was tightened in Taungup with authorities closely watching activities of NLD
members and people. Authorities in Magwe Division Pwintbyu Township banned NLD member and
private tuition teacher U Sein Win from teaching. The SPDC turned down appeals of jailed NLD
members and in addition prosecuted eight NLD Youth arrested in early January, on criminal accounts
at Kyauktada Court on January 21st.

Though the SPDC military junta assured Mr. Gambari last November that no more arrests would be
made, Amnesty International stated on January 25th that political activists arrested since that time
numbered 96 in reality. Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners (Burma) announced on
January 31st that the number of political prisoners in the whole country amounted to 1864.

Although the NLD is striving to make 2008 "the year of national reconciliation," we believe that the
SPDC regime is merely concentrating on confronting and annihilating it.

The relationship between ethnic groups and the military junta

The SPDC is wooing ethnic ceasefire groups to lay down arms, set up political parties and enter
elections.

Military Affairs Security Chief Officer Lt. Gen. Ye Myint and Cultural Minister Maj. Gen. Khin
Aung Myint (former SPDC Psychological Warfare Director) and teams led by them visited Wa,
Kokang, Shan and Kachin ceasefire groups along Sino-Burma border and pressured them to disarm
and support the SPDC road map. Since January 24th, Lt. Gen. Ye Myint consecutively called on
leaders of United Wa State Solidarity Party, Kokang ceasefire group, Shan State Army (North) and
Kachin Independence Organization while Maj. Gen. Khin Aung Myint and team toured around and
courted ceasefire groups in Kachin State at the same time, it is learnt.

Though the junta threatened and pressured smaller ceasefire groups, it did not directly do so but
subtly put forward the idea to powerful Wa ceasefire group, it is learnt. However, Wa leaders did not
accept junta's overture. In Southern Shan State and Kayah State, MAS G-I Col. Mya Win and MAS
commander Maj. Win Bo of Eastern Command toured around to pressure the ceasefire groups there
while Eastern Commander summoned the groups to Taunggyi to put pressure on them. On January
20, Eastern Command chief Maj. Gen. Aung Than Htut called up SNPLO Chairman U Ta Kelei, U
Sein Shwe, U Peter and its Taunggyi Liaison Office in-charge Sai Lin Htut to tell them that the junta
could not recognize them as the SNPLO but would only acknowledge them as a remnant of Khun
Chit Maung's Pa-O Region Nationalities Unity Organization which has surrendered to the junta not
long ago, and threatened to attack and crush them if they do not surrender their arms. When the
SNPLO Central Committee discussed about the SPDC pressure at its emergency meeting on January

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21st at Naunghtaw HQ, differences emerged among the leadership on whether to surrender or not, it is
learnt.

The MAS has also issued instructions to closely watch and report the activities of ethnic ceasefire
groups, transformed groups and surrendered troops in all military command areas in addition to
hastily compile and report the name lists and addresses of leaders and family members, it is learnt.

Due to SPDC pressure, some ceasefire groups have made military preparations. Wa leader Bao Yu-
chiang who has been undergoing medical treatment in China for health failure returned to Wa region
prior to the annual meeting of UWSP last November and re-assumed the duties of Party Chairmanship
and military and financial responsibilities. The UWSA reorganized its Divisions 418, 468, 414, 312
and 251 and re-shuffled commanders, it is learnt.

The Free Burma Rangers announced on January 3rd that the SPDC has reinforced ten divisions of
about 15,000 troop strength to KNU, KNPP and SSA (South) territories, readying to launch
offensives. More battles are breaking out in those areas, it is found. Since January 13th, fighting was
raging in SSA (South) territories. On January 21st, SSA (South) and SPDC LIR 517 battled for over
four hours in Kehsi Township, Shan State, resulting in seven SPDC men and one SSA soldier killed.
The SSA said on January 16th that it would strive to settle political problems by political means while
building up its troop strength.

Not only were battles fought between SPDC troops and KNU, but also between Karen armed groups
in Karen State. Assassinations also happened. On January 23rd, a KNU unit ambushed SPDC-DKBA
combined force between Phalu and Wawlay in Karen State, killing three soldiers from DKBA
Battalion 333 and wounding nine men including one SPDC coy commander. Ko Aung Kyaw Oo and
wife Ma Nilar Htoo who were persuading KNU troops to defect to SPDC side were assassinated on
January 13th and Maj. Saw Leh Moo, son-in-law of former KNU Seventh Brigade Commander Brig.
Saw Htay Maung who went over to SPDC side, was killed on January 29th. The KNU urged Karen
people on January 8th, Karen New Year Day, to unite further and strive harder for self-determination.
It also demanded the SPDC on January 31st, 59th Karen Resistance Day, to immediately stop the
policy of annihilation and waging war upon ethnic nationalities.

It is learnt that health conditions of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) Chairman
Khun Tun Oo and Shan leader Sai Hla Aung both of whom are serving lengthy prison terms
respectively in Kachin State Putao Prison and Arakan State Kyaukpru Prison are deteriorating. The
SNLD supported NLD's proposal to make 2008 the year of national reconciliation and demanded the
junta to release its leaders so as to conduct dialogue. Ethnic leaders also said that SPDC Chairman
Senior Gen. Than Shwe should personally meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Veteran Shan politician
U Shwe Ohn wrote a book on the Federal Union issue and distributed it among political community.
On January 7th, the SPDC arrested Shan singer Sai Maung Htun from Northern Shan State on account
of singing a Shan political song at a Shan New Year ceremony.

The All Kachin Students Union (AKSU) dropped anti-junta leaflets listing four points that included
'absolute rejection of forced referendum' on the night of January 9th in Kachin State Myitkyina and
Bhamo cities. According to Kachin National Organization (KNO) research, more than 100,000
Kachin people in the age range of teenage to 40 have died from drug abuse and HIV/AIDS between
1997 and 2007.

Because of lack of employment opportunities and junta's unfair oppressions, large numbers of Chin
people are emigrating en masse to abroad via neighboring countries like India, Thailand and
Malaysia. In ethnic areas including Palaung region in Eastern Shan State, the SPDC is forcibly
recruiting new conscripts for its army and police.

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In order to successfully conclude its political road map, the SPDC is putting intense pressure on
ethnic forces including ceasefire groups to collaborate with the junta and planning to completely crush
opposing groups by force. Due to SPDC's systematic persecution and splitting actions, it is found that
differences and factionalism are appearing among ceasefire groups.

The activities of NLD and domestic opposition forces

Amid arrests, 60th anniversary Independence Day ceremonies were held at NLD HQ in Rangoon
and country offices in Yenangyaung, Aunglan, Taungup, Thazi and Mogok. On that day, twelve NLD
Youth members demonstrated in front of Head Office in Rangoon wearing prison clothes and
demanding release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners.

NLD Statement 1/01/08 issued on January 4th described loss of Independence due to break-up of
national unity and demanded dialogue between the military government, NLD and ethnic peoples for
national reconciliation. It also called for the release of U Tin Oo, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Khun Tun
Oo, '88 Generation Students and all political prisoners, reopening of closed NLD offices and freedom
of activity, cessation of forced resignations of NLD members and freedom of association and activity
for ethnic political parties disbanded after winning the 1990 general elections.

On January 17th, the NLD held a meeting of its Central Executive Committee and issued Statement
2/01/08 on January 18th as per the meeting's resolution demanding prompt release of U Tin Oo and
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi or a meeting between them and CEC members in order to consult matters of
national reconciliation talks with the SPDC.

As per the resolution of CEC meeting on January 11th, the NLD published Statement 3/01/08 on
January 23rd to publicize the January 14th letter of NLD Chairman U Aung Shwe to SPDC chief
Senior Gen. Than Shwe. In the statement, NLD pointed out five suggestions which the junta should
take into account for national reconciliation.

Monthly routine meetings of NLD organizing committees at various levels also adopted resolutions
that demanded the SPDC to swiftly release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and initiate meaningful dialogue
personally conducted by Senior Gen. Than Shwe. The meetings also discussed about issues of SPDC
Constitution and road map. Central Women's Task Force and Meikhtila Township NLD also carried
out Tuesday alms offering services and prayer services. On January 4th, veteran politicians demanded
the SPDC to promptly release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic political elements and conduct
dialogue along a time-fixed schedule.

In order to carry on with the movement to express popular desire, monks, '88 Generation Students and
ABFSU set up a Mass Movement Control Committee headed by a five-member Central Committee.
The committee issued an open letter to SPDC generals on January 4th demanding the release of Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners before Union Day and prompt initiation of genuine
dialogue.

Within January, attempts to stage mass demonstrations broke out repeatedly in Taungup, Arakan
State. A signature campaign for the release of detained Arakan State NLD Secretary U Khin Hla and
Financier Ko Min Aung was launched in Taungup Township getting 7000 signatures of Arakan
people up to January 4th, Taungup NLD disclosed. On the morning of January 4th, eight monks
performed a prayer service at Phaung-daw-u Pagoda in Taungup. Ko Sithu of Taungup and Ko Moe
Naing Soe of Kaing Shay village also handed out leaflets of agreements between the SPDC and the
ILO made in 2006 to eliminate the practice of forced labor. Muslims living in Arakan State also sent a
letter dated January 6th to Senior Gen. Than Shwe, demanding freedom to travel inside the country.

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On January 7th, a signature campaign to report forced labor for patrolling to the ILO was launched in
Taungup. Some monks and people of Taungup planned to stage a strike on January 17th to demand
settling of troubles currently faced by farmers in Arakan State but SPDC got wind of it and tightened
security in the town so that the plan was postponed. Nevertheless, on January 22nd afternoon, Ko Zaw
Naing and Ko Than Htay of Taungup went around the town on bicycles shouting anti-regime slogans
and got busted by authorities. In the early morning of January 28th, anti-regime posters were pasted at
five places in Taungup. Also on January 30th early morning, posters showing six demands of Arakan
State Peasants Association were pasted in the town.

As the first letters of poet Ko Saw Wai's 'February Fourteenth' poem posted in Love journal Vol. 5
No. 46 issued on January 21st gave out the meaning "Power crazy Gen. Than Shwe" when read
consecutively from top to bottom, the poet was arrested on January 22nd. The journal became popular
all over the country leading to Xeroxing and distributing activities in East Rangoon University and
other campuses.

All Burma Monks Alliance, All Burma Monks Association and International Burmese Buddhist
Monks Organization issued statements. The All Burma Monks Alliance stated on January 1st urging
the people to determine their own destiny by non-violent means. On January 26th, the Alliance
disclosed that during the September Saffron demonstrations, at least three monks were killed and
twelve missing with sixty monasteries raided and two closed down. Chairman of Sasana Moli
(International Buddhist Monks Organization) Penang Abbot U Pyinnya-wuntha personally visited
Thai-Burma border and organized its Thailand chapter on January 13th comprising of monks who
have fled to Thai border after the September demonstrations. Ma Khin Thu Htay, brother of U
Gambira, said on January 30th that the leader of Monks Alliance has been charged under Article 17-1.
India-based All Burma Young Monks Union awarded Rev. Gambira with Abbot U Yewada Memorial
Peace prize. Sixty Burmese monks studying in Sri Lanka launched a 70-mile long protest march for
five days beginning on January 4th for Burmese people's freedom.

'88 Generation Students and Pegu Lawyer U Aye Myint's Guiding Star group continued their work in
assisting victims of human rights violations report to UN Human Rights Commission, ILO and
international organizations. On January 1st, '88 Generation Students stated that it would assist the
people whose human rights were violated, to report to the UN. Lawyer U Aye Myint also said on
January 15th that it would report to the ILO about authorities' confiscation of farmlands owned by
Midwife Daw Tin Tin Mar and farmers U San Shwe and U Soe Maung of Pegu Division Daik-u
Town in addition to imprisoning them on framed-up charges.

MDC leader Ko Htin Kyaw who was undergoing a hunger strike inside Insein Jail called off his 33-
day long fast on January 2nd but persisted in anti-junta activities that included attempts to sue the
SPDC so that authorities banned his prison visits for one month at the end of January. Families of
political prisoners also wrote to Senior Gen. Than Shwe and ICRC on January 16th demanding
prisoners' rights including putting the detainees on trial in accordance with the law. They also
expressed political prisoners' grievances through foreign news media.

As the SPDC is trying to fade out the role of Bogyoke Aung San, comedian actor director Zaganar is
writing a script for filming of Aung San's biography, and Thakin Tin Mya is also writing a more than
1000-page long Bogyoke Aung San's biography. Thee-lay-thee Colorful dance troupe led by
comedian Ko Godzilla has flown abroad and was performing in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand,
entertaining Burmese people with gags satirizing the military dictatorship. Video CDs of the dance
troupe was sent into Burma where it is gaining popularity. Moreover, "Chee-lay-chee Colorful Dogs
Dance Troupe" poster drawn up by designer Mr. Creator showing SPDC top brass Than Shwe, Maung
Aye, Shwe Mahn and Thein Sein is also spreading inside the country.

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Despite fierce suppression by the SPDC, it is found that NLD members, monks, students, opposition
political forces and the people are carrying on with the struggle in various forms and means. Since the
SPDC regime has no capacity to solve the basic livelihood necessities of the people who would be
getting more and more impoverished this year and coming years, we believe that a general mass
uprising could break out any time.

The military junta and domestic situation

The situation of the activities of the military junta

Although the military regime is faking negotiations with the NLD on account of internal and
external pressures, it is in reality planning to destroy all opposition forces. It is now working to
prosecute and sentence all detained political activists which includes monks, '88 Generation Student
leaders and NLD Youth to lengthy terms. The junta is constructing model dormitories in many jails to
put exclusive and ordinary exclusive political prisoners for long term. As acts of psychological
warfare against political prisoners and their families, the junta is found to be placing political
prisoners together with criminal convicts on death row or long term convicts, allowing those convicts
to body search political prisoners even including rectum after prison visits and making all kinds of
restrictions on visiting families.

The junta is also planning to prevent further demonstrations and swiftly crush them if they break out
by striking first. It is reinforcing riot control police battalions to become 500-strong each and
organizing dependent family members into auxiliary riot control squads. The junta is also replenishing
the police battalions with arms and ammo. As an act of encouragement, the SPDC reward Riot
Control Police Superintendent Police Brig. Than Han and riot control police, Power Mongers, USDA
members, ward- and township-level PDCs who have brutally suppressed the uprising in 2007
September, with Outstanding Social Service Awards on January 4th.

Rangoon Division USDA chief Brig. Aung Thein Lin, Mayor of Rangoon, and SPDC ministers who
are also chiefs of state and division USDA branches are touring their respective regions to meet with
local USDA members, Power Mongers, ward- and township-level PDCs, exhorting them to closely
watch the activities of opposition political elements and prepare to crush them by striking first. They
also instructed the USDA men and Power Mongers to attend riot control training courses and to
compile voter lists for referendum and new elections.

The SPDC has made more restrictions on Internet connections and local and foreign news agencies. It
is watching Internet cafes all the time and has severed the phone lines of some reporters from foreign
news agencies like Reuters, NHK and Jiji, and some employees of foreign embassies. At the 16th
annual meeting of Burma Printing and Publishing Businessmen's Association held on January 13th,
Information Minister Brig. Kyaw Hsan threatened to take strong action on local and foreign news
media people if they write pieces upsetting the national interest. The SPDC banned Myanmar Times
journal for one week on account of printing the news of suspension of satellite receiver fees on its
cover page and forced it to sack editor Ma Nwe Nwe Aye and chief correspondent Ko Win Kyaw Oo
in addition to changing the editorial board.

Starting from January 17th, SPDC Communications Enterprise blocked www.blogger.com and
arrested writer cum blogger Ko Nay Hpone Latt so that many bloggers have to go into hiding. SPDC
authorities prohibited the sermon sessions of Nine-Title Abbot Ven. Arcara Linkara, Dhammaduta
Abbot Ven. Seikeinda and Shwe Pyi Hein Abbot Ven. Khemarthiri planned to be held at Rangoon's
Bogyoke Aung San Market from January 23rd to 25th, only two hours before the sermons started.

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During January, there were bomb explosions at some cities leading to deaths and injuries. Bombs
went off at Kyatpyay capital's Pyinmana Rail Station and Pyu Township Nyaungbintha fun fair on
January 11th, at Rangoon Rail Station on January 13th and on a Rangoon-Kyaukkyi highway bus on
January 16th. Though no culprits have been found, SPDC newspapers issued on January 12th blamed
the KNU and a big foreign organization which wishes to dominate Burma. On account of the
bombings, security was tightened and more questionings were made.

At the 14th annual meeting of Burma Industrialists Association held on January 12th, Lt. Gen. Myint
Swe said that the SPDC would cut budget deficits in the fiscal year 2008 to make it a balanced-budget
year. In order to reduce deficits, the junta has planned to hike fuel oil prices and cut quotas, lift up
satellite TV license fees to Kyat 1 million and raise taxes but as news leaked out and stirred up the
population, junta dailies announced on January 1st that the rumors were groundless and that fuel oil
quotas would hold steady and prices unchanged. The junta also stated that it would remove
restrictions on private firms that have licenses to import fuel oil. Satellite TV license fee collections
were also suspended abruptly.

To reduce budget deficits, an official from Finance and Revenues Ministry disclosed that it is
planning to raise domestic business taxes and income taxes by 150%. The junta is collecting data on
private possessions like radio, CD player, TV, bicycle, motorbike, cars, etc. so as to raise taxation. In
Pegu Division Nyaunglebin Township, wheel taxes on motorbikes with or without licenses were
raised from K 2500 to K 5000. As the military junta pressured ministries to earn more foreign
exchange and allotted quotas to fill, Husbandry and Fisheries Ministry has to raise $1000 million in
this fiscal year, Minister Brig. Maung Maung Thane said. The SPDC is also arranging to auction off
the National Library building in Rangoon and rent out Insein Government Technical Institute campus
which is more than 31 acres wide, to industrialists.

While the SPDC is preparing to counter Western countries' economic sanctions by expanding border
trade with neighboring China, Thailand, India and Bangladesh, corruption and graft continues to soar
in border trade zones and various ministries. Because of continued corruption in Muse and Myawaddy
border trade zones, Naypyidaw is sending out special investigation teams to take action. The junta
caught three border trade department officers from Muse 105 mile trade zone but customs chief U
Zaw Zaw Han and his deputy U Than Zaw Naing escaped. More than eighty police assigned in
Northern Shan State were also punished in the second week of January for graft. According to
Germany-based Transparency International's findings in 2007 September, it is learnt that the three
most corrupted countries in the world are Somalia, Burma and Iraq.

As natural gas becomes the only resort to earn foreign exchange for the military regime, it is
approaching rich oil exporting countries like Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Dubai, Indonesia and
neighboring countries. SPDC Prime Minister Gen. Thein Sein has planned to visit Indonesia on
January 14th, but the latter postponed it on account of former President Suharto's health condition and
so he rerouted his trip to Brunei on January 15 for two days. On January 2nd, SPDC Foreign Minister
U Nyan Win also met with Indian government leaders in New Delhi. SPDC Deputy Foreign Minister
U Maung Myint also went to Beijing as junta Prime Minister's special envoy on January 21st to meet
with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jia-shin. On January 11th, SPDC Secretary-1 Lt. Gen. Tin Aung
Myin Oo met with Chinese People's Congress Vice-Chairman He Luli who was on a five-day visit to
Burma.

We believe that the SPDC military regime is unable to solve economic and social miseries Burmese
people are currently suffering from and, furthermore, it would face more severe economic, social and
political crises in this year and coming years.

PDC News Commentar y ~ Februa ry 2008 (En g) Page 7 of 9

The socio-economic situation of the people

As the military regime granted rice export licenses to Ayar Shwe-wah Company owned by Gen.
Shwe Man's son Aung Thet Man, Thein Shwe Company, Thonzeh U Khin Myint's Yadanar Win
Company and Sustainable Agriculture Development Company all of which are close to SPDC
generals, local rice prices climbed up drastically hurting civil servants and poor laborers. Utilizing
generals' weight and connections, rice export companies are abusing purchase and export regulations
fixed by authorities so that local rice prices rose to K 17,000 per bag. Though SPDC generals are
claiming they have enough rice for 100 million people in Burma, UN World Food Program (WFP)
reported on January 8th that five million people from remote areas have not enough food.

As the price of 24-carat gold rose to K 602,000 on January 16th in Rangoon, trading stopped resulting
in closure of gold dealer shops. The country is facing more electric power failures and fuel oil price
rises. Economics Professor Sean Turnell from Burma Economic Watch Project ascertained that fuel
oil prices could rise another 40 percent this year.

The SPDC has stopped giving free-of-charge treatment to HIV/AIDS patients at North Okklapa
Weibagi Hospital and started charging them, causing distress to the patients. UN officials said
Burma's mortality rate for children under age 5 is between 270 and 400, making it second highest in
Asia after Afghanistan. Since the military regime could not provide health care for Burmese people,
Japanese government donated US$1.79 million through UNICEF for children and women on January
14th. On January 9th, WFP requested for donations to help millions of malnourished Burmese people.
EU Ambassador to Burma Freidrich Hamburger urged the SPDC to expend more from budget for
distressed Burmese people.

Hawaii-based US military command's urgent press release said that Burma's economy is in turmoil
and could face the worst kind of poverty in future.

International Pressure

The UN and the international community are giving more pressure upon the SPDC military
regime which is delaying dialogue and committing more suppression of political dissidents.

The UN Security Council held a closed-door session on Burma issue on January 17th. In the statement
issued after the meeting, the Security Council stated that it fully supported Mr. Gambari's efforts on
Burma issue, demanded speedy allowance of his visit which was postponed to April by the SPDC and
expressed disappointment over junta's delay in fulfilling Security Council stipulations of last year. UN
annual report to the Security Council said that Burma and thirteen countries are using children as
soldiers in war.

The European Union demanded the junta on January 19th to promptly allow Mr. Gambari to come to
Burma. On January 20th, British Prime Minister Mr. Gordon Brown said in New Delhi that UN
Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki Moon should personally go to Burma to obtain assurance from SPDC
generals "to carry out national reconciliation." On January 25th, UK, US and French Foreign Ministers
attending World Economic Forum seminar in Davos, Switzerland, issued a joint statement urging all
nations to exert collective pressure on junta generals to let Mr. Gambari visit Burma as soon as
possible.

Before he traveled to India and China to discuss Burma issue, Mr. Gambari met with European
leaders on January 25th. On January 29th, he met with Indian government leader to solicit support from
all nations and regional countries towards peace and national reconciliation in Burma.

PDC News Commentar y ~ Februa ry 2008 (En g) Page 8 of 9

Mr. Piero Fassino, EU Special Representative appointed for Burma issue, urged the international
community on January 4th to give top priority to Burma's democratic transformation. His
spokesperson Ugo Papi said on January 7th that the EU Rep was able to talk about common ground
for joint action with the UN on Burma issue. On January 30th, Mr. Piero Fassino asked for rapid
release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and urged Thai government which would become ASEAN
Chairman in July to work jointly with the international community for Burma's human rights,
democracy and peace matters.

Indian Prime Minister urged SPDC Foreign Minister U Nyaw Win who was visiting India on January
2nd to be inclusive in Burma's political reform processes so as to enlist Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all
ethnic groups. However, China rejected US Under-Secretary of State Scot Marciel's demand to put
more pressure on the SPDC by all nations on January 22nd. On January 17th, Japanese Foreign
Minister Masahiko Khomura also urged the SPDC to talk with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and swiftly
execute democratic reform. According to the resolution of five Mekong valley countries' Foreign
Ministers' meeting held in Tokyo on the same day, Japan omitted Burma from major Mekong
development projects receiving aid, it is learnt.

On January 28th, Philippines President Arroyo announced that her Congress would not ratify the
ASEAN Charter if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is not released. Singapore's veteran statesman Mr. Lee
Kuan Yew said on January 8th that SPDC generals' actions in deciding to move the capital to Nay-pyi-
daw is irrational and absurd.

On January 4th, US First Lady Laura Bush urged all nations to repudiate junta's disgraceful human
rights abuses and ask for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. President George Bush also said in
his State of the Union address on January 28th that liberation of tyrant states such as Burma, Cuba,
Zimbabwe and Belarus must be assisted. US Assistant Under-Secretary of State Mr. Nicholas Burns
wrote an article titled 'Time to make a decision on Burma' in January 8th issue of Washington Post.

Freedom House reported on January 16th that Burma is the worst in the world among countries
lacking political freedom and justice such as Russia, Iran, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Venezuela and
Burma.

We assume that although the international community including the UN Security Council is reaching
the point of impatience over SPDC activities, regional and neighboring countries including China
continue to assist the junta causing it to delay meaningful dialogue.

//End of Report /Saturday, February 09, 2008//

//End of Translation/Tuesday, February 26, 2008//

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