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

July 2010
Compiled and commented by the Political Defiance Committee (PDC)
National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)

July 2010

Th e activities of NLD and dom estic opposition forces

The relationship between NLD a nd the military jun ta

On June 25, authorities summoned lawyers who have access to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
to consult on legal matters, and warned them not to talk about matters other than those
regarding her case. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi responded that she would lodge a formal protest
to the SPDC regarding the ban, and assigned the NLD to draft a letter of objection, her
lawyer U Nyan Win said on that day.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi commented through her lawyers on June 3 that she was satisfied
with NLD's relations with international diplomats. She also praised NLD members on June
11 for their persistent struggle amidst all sorts of difficulties and exhorted her party to carry
out social welfare work based on politics and to nurture youths all over the country for
nation's future in a spirit of camaraderie. She also said that the people have the right not to
vote as well as the right to vote in accordance with their wish in the 2010 elections.
The SPDC is closely watching the activities of NLD members and is making plans to take
strong action toward those who would obstruct their political road map including the 2010
elections. Their tactics involve physical assaults and heavy action upon political activists at
grass root level but no effective action yet against top leaders earning domestic and
international attention.

The relationship between ethnic groups and the military j un ta

The SPDC has eased its intimidation and pressures upon ceasefire groups to transform
into Border Guard Forces or Home Guard Forces, and turned to the technique of driving
wedges and luring with sweet talk.
Although the Kachin State Progressive Party (KSPP) led by former KIO leader Dr. Tuja has
applied for registration since 2010 April 5, the Elections Commission has not yet issued a
registration permit, prompting the KSPP to apply again on June 16. The Commission replied
to the KSPP to wait further. Deliberately restricting the KSPP from registration while nearly
forty political parties have been granted registration is not fair, KSPP Secretary Tu Raw said
on June 22. Though the SPDC has not formally asserted that the KSPP is KIO's political
wing, Kachin State USDA head and Kachin Literary and Cultural Committee Chairman

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Duwa Madai Zunting alleged at the annual USDA meeting on June 2 that the KSPP is related
to the KIO. Kachin State USDA Secretary also said that the Elections Commission would not
let the KSPP register.
On July 17, USDA Central Executive Committee members Industry-1 Minister U Aung
Thaung and Post and Telecommunicatins Minister U Thein Zaw visited Laiza along with
Northern Command Commander Maj. Gen. Soe Win and Tactical Commander Col. Win Min
Htun to meet with KIO leaders. SPDC leaders' trip could be intended to strike a deal with
KIO leaders and thereby split them from the ceasefire groups' alliance but KIO Joint
Secretary Col. Sin War claimed it was merely a normal visit. These people also met with KIO
breakaway Col. Lasang Awnwa's group on June 19 and urged him to set up a Kachin political
party.
SPDC bosses also told Sakhon Tengyeng's NDA-K Border Guard Force to form a Kachin
Party. Regime stooge Sakhon Tengyeng wrote to the KIO to accept transformation into a
Border Guard Force. However, on June 25, the SPDC withdrew its advice to Lasang Awnwa
to form a political party and instead assigned the task to Jia Tengnang, towns elder and
USDA member from In-gyan-yan Township, to set up a Kachin political party called Kachin
State Unity and Democracy Party (KSUDP).
The SPDC continues to lure the UWSA, biggest ceasefire group in Burma, by various means.
On June 22, North-East Command Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Win Thein and Tangyang-
based Tactical Commander Col. Khaing Zaw led a delegation to visit Pangsang HQ to meet
with UWSP Vice-Chairman Shauk Ming-lian, Vice-Secretaries Bou You-ree and Bou You-
lian, Chou Kaw-ann, Chou Wan-kwan and Li Zu-lyei aka U Aung Myint. At the meeting,
SPDC representatives subtly warned the Wa, "If the UWSA does not accept Naypyidaw's
transformation proposal, things could turn into a bad direction." SPDC Chief of Bureau of
Special Operations Lt. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and Triangle Command Commander Maj.
Gen. Kyaw Phyoe also told SPDC officers and other ranks in Mongyang on June 23 to
closely watch and report activities of UWSA and NDAA (Mongla) ceasefire groups.
The SPDC is trying to portray ceasefire groups as drug traffickers to the world. On June 26,
World Anti-Drug Day, the SPDC torched US $ 76 million worth drugs in Naypyidaw. Home
Minister Maung Oo claimed that most of the drugs came from North-Eastern Shan State. On
the same day, the UWSA held the fifth drug-torching show at its Pangsang HQ. SPDC
delegates failed to turn up for the ceremony despite invitation. There are two political parties
that would contest in the elections in Wa region but the Wa Democratic Party is known as an
SPDC minion. On June 22, unknown people pulled down and destroyed SPDC flags hoisted
on government offices in Mongla region.
Many soldiers from SSA Chairman Loi Mawng's group which has to transform into a Home
Guard Force under SPDC pressure are deserting their force. In June more than 20 of them
defected to the SSA (South) group. Transformed SSA brigades have made secret
understandings with Maj. Gen. Pang Fa's Brigade 1 that is refusing to transform.
Former Joint Secretary of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) Naing Chan Toid, former
Central Committee members Naing Htaw Ein alias Naing Kho Saik and Naing Tin Hla all of
whom have resigned from the NMSP over differences on party's decision are preparing to
enter elections, the Independent Mon News Agency reported. It is not known yet how the
NMSP would view the forthcoming political party that would be formed by Naing Chan Toid
and team but it is simply watching the All Mon Region Democracy Party led by a Naing
Ngwe Thein rather than approving or opposing the move, NMSP General Secretary Naing
Hansa commented on June 6.

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Though the SEC has instructed Tactical Operations Command No. 2 based in Kya-inn
Seikkyi Township A-nun-kwin village to put military pressure upon NMSP leaders who are
refusing to form a Border Guard Force, the NMSP reopened its liaison office in Moulmein on
June 24, prompting the SEC to cease its pressures and instead turn to watch the situation with
care and spy on KNU Brigade 6 activities to find out whether NMSP troops are involved.
When differences came up inside the Democratic Karen Buddhist Association (DKBA) over
BGF transformation issue, the C-in-C (Army) office instructed subordinate SPDC troops to
cooperate with DKBA Central Security Guards to prevent splits among the DKBA and
defection to the KNU. The regime ordered DKBA Brigade 5 on June 5 to transform into a
BGF by August 10 at the latest. When MOC 8 Commander Brig. Than Soe called DKBA
Brigade 5 Commander Col. Mustachio on June 16 to talk about the matter, no deal was
struck. On June 26, DKBA Brigade 999 Tactical Commander Col. Saw Chit Thu promised to
the Karen people that he would not make war with fellow Karens anymore. The C-in-C
(Army) office instructed frontline troops to watch and lure certain DKBA military leaders
who were secretly contacting KNU. Video records and documents framed up to sow
dissensions between DKBA and KNU also surfaced in Rangoon and some towns.
KNU troops and SPDC forces battled within June. On June 9, KNLA forces intercepted and
seized SPDC army's provisions and medical supplies. Next day, KNLA Brigade 6 ambushed
SPDC troops under the command of MOC 8 twice on the road between Three Pagodas Pass
and Thanbyu-zayat at the border of Karen and Mon states, killing ten SPDC soldiers and
wounding over twenty. Also on June 13, KNLA Battalion 103 waylaid SPDC LIR 405,
killing one SPDC man and wounding another three. At a press conference, SPDC police chief
Khin Yee accused former KNU members of banditry in Rangoon Division Kunchangon
Township Da-ye-loo village to which the KNU denied any involvement. Col. Nadar Mya, son
of late Gen. Saw Bo Mya, was travelling around Europe to promote a peace strategy.
The Pa-O National Organization, a ceasefire group planning to contest in elections, was
campaigning in Taunggyi, Hopong, Hsihseng, Pinlaung, Loilem and some other townships.

Th e activities of NLD an d domes tic opposition forces

NLD leaders received and briefed foreign diplomats who came to ask about current
political situation and NLD's future programs. They received Norwegian International
Development Minister Erik Solheinm on June 2 and officials from Japanese Foreign Ministry
on June 14. On June 17, NLD leaders met with diplomats from Germany, Britain, France,
Italy, Denmark, Finland, Netherland, Czech and Austria at German Embassy in Rangoon. On
June 18, NLD officials received Bangkok-based Canada Embassy's South-East Asia Director
Mrs. Nadia Burger. They met with Robin Larner, Aide to US Senate Foreign Affairs Sub-
committee Chairman John Kerry, on June 22. On June 28, NLD leaders received Australian
Ambassador Michelle Chang and Australian Foreign Ministry's Assistant Secretary for
South-East Asia Hugh Barrowman.
In accordance with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's advice on getting in touch more with grass root
members, NLD Central Executive Committee members toured some States and Divisions
since June 12 to make consultations. A team led by U Ohn Kyaing and U Kyi Win visited
Mogok, Thabeikkyin, Madaya, Patheingyi, Meikhtila, Myingyan, Kyaukbadaung and Nyaung
Oo in Mandalay Division and Pakokku in Magwe Division, starting on June 12. U Win Tin,
U Hantha Myint and Bahan NLD chief U Aung Myint led a team to visit Karen and Mon
states on June 19. At the meetings with local NLD members, the leaders briefed them on

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NLD's positions and future programs, exhorting them not to cast votes at SPDC elections or
at least not to vote for USDP and NUP, U Win Tin said on June 23.
NLD leaders were having regular weekly meetings to talk about future work. On June 4, they
and CRPP leaders met to discuss current political situation and programs. The NLD meeting
at Rangoon Shwegondaing HQ on June 14 resolved to continue supporting political prisoners
and their families, caring HIV/AIDS victims and legal assistance works as well as stepping
up assisting child soldier, forced labor and land confiscation cases. The meeting at NLD
Vice-Chairman U Tin Oo's house on June 21 also decided to carry on doing regular work
among the HQ and grass roots. U Tin Oo said on June 30 that the NLD would file a formal
objection to the use of wide-brimmed bamboo hat as logo of the National Democratic Force
formed by some ex-NLD CECs.
The NLD Nargis Relief Committee carried on sinking tube wells in Irrawaddy Division
which was stricken by water shortage. The NLD is also working for child soldier eradication
jointly with the ILO and was able to return Maung Thura Thet Htay alias Ko Ye of Irrawaddy
Division Danubyu Township to his mother Daw Than. Starting from June 26, Mandalay
Division NLD Social Assistance Team granted Kyat 50000 each to long-term political
prisoners. On June 13, NLD Vice-Chairman U Tin Oo and CEC member U Win Tin together
with NLD HIV/AIDS Action and Relief Team in-charge Ma Phyu Phyu Thin visited and
encouraged about 60 HIV victims who repaid respects to them.
Social activities in commemoration of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday were also carried
out in various townships. U Tin Oo and U Win Tin planted two Kha-yay trees on June 13 at
South Dagon Township HIV patients' dorm in commemoration of her 65th birthday. NLD
members in various States and Divisions also planted more than 20,000 trees since June 10.
In Mandalay, social welfare associations joined hands to carry out plastic bag collection work
monthly as an environment preservation activity. In Rangoon Division Thon-gwa Township,
NLD Organizing Committee member U Mya Zin walked around the town putting on a blue
umbrella with the words National League for Democracy together with a fighting peacock
logo printed on it in honor of the Lady's birthday. On June 18, Rangoon Division NLD
Youths and NLD sympathizers collectively donated 65 bottles of blood in various townships.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday was celebrated at Mogok Township NLD MP Daw May
Hnin Kyi's home in Insein Township 10th mile point on June 19. Monks were offered meals
and NLD CEC U Nyan Win, Karen State Pa-an Township Constituency 3 MP Nan Khin
Htwe Myint and Pegu Division NLD Youth Organizing Committee Secretary Ko Khin Tun
who had served as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's home security gave talks in honor of the Lady.
NLD Central Women's Team granted education stipends to 94 students who were family
members of political prisoners in Rangoon Division. The Funeral Assistance Association
(Rangoon) led by movie actor U Kyaw Thu also opened an X-ray lab on Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi's birthday to provide free public service.
A Kachin youth group posted anti-election flyers at busy places in Kachin State Myitkyina,
Waingmaw, Bhamo and Mongmauk on June 19 night. The Basic Education Students Union
also distributed a statement in Rangoon demanding settlement of problems relating to high
education costs, shortage of school accessories and corruption of teaching staff on June 12.
The All Burma Monks Alliance and Religion Defense Front issued an open letter on June 16
calling for USDA members' renunciation of their life as dictators' stooges and siding with the
people to fight the military dictatorship.
Parents and guardians of child soldiers continued to express their feelings through media and
kept on complaining to the ILO office. Farmers from Magwe Division Natmauk complained

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to the Rangoon ILO office in person to regain farming rights on their ancestral lands that
have been seized by the army. Five farmers from Magwe Division Aunglan Township
recently released from jail complained again to the ILO because they could not resume
farming on their land. Farmers from western Pegu Division Paukkhaung Township were also
collecting data about lands confiscated for Prome-Naypyidaw railroad construction to be
reported to the ILO.
Labor leaders inside the country have formed a Myanmar National Trade Union to help with
workers' affairs at factories and farms all over the country, and have filed a formal application
to the military regime for registration on June 2. On June 22, Rangoon Division Police
Commissioner and Labor Dept. officials summoned seven officials from the Myanmar
National Trade Union formed by U Par Lay of Taungdwingyi and young lawyer U Po Phyu
to inform and warn them of regime's non-recognition for the trade union formation.
Nevertheless it would carry on existing, the Union's legal assistant U Po Phyu asserted on
June 23.
Despite no exact date for elections has been announced yet, political parties started
campaigning since early June. Military regime's Elections Commission granted party
registration to the National Democratic Party for Development comprising mainly of
Muslims living in Rangoon on June 4, the Union Solidarity and Development Party led by
Prime Minister Thein Sein on June 9, the National Democratic Force party led by certain
former NLD leaders on June 14, the Kaman National Development Party from Arakan State
on June 2 and the Khami National Development Party on June 16. Although the SPDC has
not announced the deadline for political parties' registration yet, number of political parties
contesting in the elections could not be much more than existing forty, NUP party's
spokesperson U Han Shwe speculated on June 8. As the Elections Commission has specified
that registered political parties must recruit at least 1000 members within 90 days, parties
have started organizing work though the regime has not officially permitted campaigning.
Since the people are afraid of involvement in party politics, organizing work is difficult,
parties that have acquired registration permits said. The SPDC is providing permits to
registered political parties to publish documents related to elections, and the Commission has
instructed them to observe 1962 Press Scrutiny Act and to pay the Press Scrutiny Board Kyat
1 lakh for press registration and another 1 lakh for indemnity, U Nyo Min Lwin of Peace and
Diversity Party disclosed. Union Democracy Party's Information in-charge U Win Sein said
that most of the parties were facing financial difficulties. Modern People's Party Chairman U
Tun Aung Kyaw also said that they were planning to do business to raise party funds.
Though the military regime was granting publishing rights to political parties, its Press
Scrutiny Board continued censoring their interviews printed in private journals, Union
Democracy Party and National Democratic Force said. The Union Democracy Party has
launched a website to let voters know extensively about party's activities, its Chairman Phyo
Min Thein said. Political parties remarked that the new "Instructions on political parties'
recruitment" issued by the Elections Commission on June 23 are highly restrictive.
Military junta's Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) was causing all sorts of
troubles for other political parties' organizing work including that of ethnic political parties',
Wa National Unity Party Chairman Loap Paung commented. The All Mon Region
Democracy Party which has started campaigning in Mon State's Mudon, Thanbyuzayat, Ye
and Lamaing townships since the second week of June would face USDP and other regime-
sponsored parties as main rivals, its Chairman Naing Ngwe Thein said. On June 17, the
Union Democracy Party (UDP) issued a six-point statement that formally objected to
mingling of the USDP led by Prime Minister and ministers with the SPDC military

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government. UDP Chairman U Phyo Min Thein said on June 18 that political parties facing
recruitment difficulties, time shortage and monetary hardships could join up and form
alliances.
Party leaders U Nay Myo Wai, Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein and U Phyo Min Thein admitted
that they realize SPDC's 2010 elections would not be fair but they are contesting in order to
raise public awareness of politics. Because of local authorities' obstruction, the Democratic
Party is having difficulties in renting an office room, the party's Central Youth Team
Secretary Ko Hla Htay disclosed. U Aye Lwin's Union of Myanmar National Politics League
and his brother U Ye Tun's '88 Generation Students and Youths (Myanmar) were openly
campaigning in Mandalay by driving on motorcycles flaunting fighting peacock flags. They
have campaigned in Mandalay, Sagaing and Bassein, and collected Kyat 500 for membership
fees and Kyat 100 for monthly dues, U Aye Lwin said.
Rangoon-based Myanmar Egress group and foreign experts conducted workshops and
training courses on international election norms and election monitoring in Rangoon in the
third week of June for some political parties which would contest in the elections, Peace and
Diversity Party Secretary Ko Nay Myo Wai who has attended the training disclosed.
When visiting Assistant Secretary for Australian Foreign Ministry South-East Asian Affairs
Hugh Barrowman met with leaders of four political parties, the latter said that they wanted a
free and fair elections in Burma, Democratic Party (Burma)'s Chairman U Thu Wai reported
on June 30.
There were disputes over use of fighting peacock flag as party flag by the '88 Generation
Students and Youths (Myanmar) Party, use of Arakan State emblem as party flag by the
Kaman National Progressive Party and use of NLD's bamboo hat logo as party logo by the
National Democratic Force.

Th e m ilitary jun ta and dom estic situa tion

Th e situ ation of the activities of th e military junta

Before the Elections Commission officially granted party registration to the USDP led by
Prime Minister U Thein Sein on June 9, USDA signboards in Rangoon's Tamwe, Mingala-
taungnyunt, Alone, Kyauktada and Yankin townships were removed on June 7. Also in
Mandalay Division and Northern Burma's townships, USDA signboards were pulled down.
After its transformation into party, the USDP increased its recruitment drive.
The Elections Commission issued its Notification 2/2010 on June 22 stipulating that political
parties must ask for prior permission from the Union Elections Commission for membership
recruitment activities and campaigning actions. However, USDP Central Executive
Committee members such as Prime Minister U Thein Sein and ministers have brazenly
campaigned for the USDP while travelling on government duty. Township- and village-level
election training courses are being given on the whole country since early June under
supervision of State and Division election commissions and General Administration
Department. After Lt. Col. Myo Myint Maung (Navy) has been appointed Associate Director
of the Press Scrutiny Board, censorship of political news in private journals increased.
Chinese Premier Wen Jia-bao and US Senator Mr. Jim Webb have planned to visit Burma in
June but when Maj. Sai Thein Win, Deputy Manager of defense factory in Myaing, exposed
SPDC's plans to produce long range missiles and nuclear weapons with North Korea's help
Jim Webb announced postponement of his trip on June 3 on his arrival in Thailand. During
that time, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jia-bao met with Senior Gen. Than Shwe in

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Naypyidaw, and signed fifteen agreements on cooperation including constructions of gas
pipeline and hydel plants. According to diplomatic community they also talked about 2010
elections and ethnic issue.
After the Al Jazeera news agency aired SPDC's plans to produce military weapons and
equipment with the help of North Korea on June 3, the DVB news agency also re-broadcasted
the program. SPDC Foreign Ministry denied the allegations on June 10 and accused Maj. Sai
Thein Win as a deserter of the rank of captain and Maj. Aung Lin Htut as a fugitive and
embezzler of $3500 while serving as charge d'affaires of Burmese Embassy in America. The
SPDC also wrote to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on June 14 that Burma
was not attempting to produce nuclear bombs. On June 14, Maj. Sai Thein Win and Maj.
Aung Lin Htut refuted SPDC's charges by showing evidences of official photo records and
documentation.
After Maj. Sai Thein Win fled from army in February, Capt. Aung Ko Ko of Air Defense
Battalion No. 3036 and Capt. Aye Min Maung of Air Defense Operations Command No. 4
went AWOL on May 3 and May 21 respectively. As not only other ranks but also gazetted
officers are increasingly deserting the army, the C-in-C (Army) office has to issue an order to
all units to compile and send to the War Office personal data of officers who have abandoned
their posts since 2004 and warned the units that if deserting officers joined up opposition
organizations, superiors would be held accountable. Due to oppression and discrimination
inside the army, the whole regiment of LIR 3 under the command of LID 44 tried to resign
from the army in June.
The SPDC military regime is particularly trying to entice support of China and ASEAN
countries before 2010 elections. SPDC Commerce Minister U Tin Naing Thein attended the
International Expo that would be held in Shanghai, China, for six months and opened the
Burmese pavilion there on June 1. A Burmese delegation led by Prime Minister U Thein Sein
also attended the East Asia Economic Forum in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam, on June 6.
However, SPDC Deputy Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Aye Myint failed to attend the 9th Asia
Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) held in Singapore from June 4 to 6 initiated by
London-based International Strategic Studies Center.
The SPDC is handing over big state-owned-enterprises to their family members and business
tycoons close to them before the elections. It has delivered the Air Inlay airline to
businessmen U Nay Aung and U Aung Ko Win, bank ventures to U Tayza (Asia Green
Bank), U Zaw Zaw (Irrawaddy Bank), U Nay Aung (Amarar Bank) and U Chit Khaing
(Burma Pioneer Bank), and petrol stations to Myanmar Naing Group Co. owned by Senior
Gen. Than Shwe's son U Tun Naing Shwe, Ayar Shwe War Co. and Shwe Yamon Co. owned
by Gen. Shwe Mahn's sons U Aung Thet Mahn and U Tun Naing Mahn, army-owned
Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd., Zaygabar, Kambawza, Htoo Trading, Annawar Co.,
Shwe Thanlwin, Nilar Yoma Trading and Asia World's subsidiary Green Asia. Although
private firms have taken over fuel oil shops under the Energy Ministry since June 1, rationing
system is still in effect, resulting in a black market of fuel oil.
Due to domestic and foreign debts and huge budget deficits, the military regime is selling off
car import permits to Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. and businessmen. The regime is also
arbitrarily seizing a huge amount of cars, motorbikes and goods illegally imported through
border points but is granting new licenses to previously smuggled-in illegal cars and
motorcycles. It has also allowed account transferring and import rights for those with legally-
earned foreign exchange inside the country. Urban and Housing Development Department
sold off five of more than twenty state-owned buildings in its hand. The regime sold off

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exploration rights for oil and gas in Nga Hlaing Twin region, Salin Township, Magwe
Division, to the North Petro-Chem Corporation, a new Chinese company.
The SPDC is carrying on recruitment and military expansion drives. It has purchased K-8 jet
fighters and 155mm howitzers from China. It is reinforcing troop strength in Kachin and
Shan states, opening Missile Battalion No. 603 in Kachin State Monghnyin, Missile Battalion
No. 606 in Shan State Naungcho, Missile Battalion No. 609 in Kyaukbadaung and Missile
Battalion No. 610 in Shan State Kengtung, equipped with anti-aircraft missiles including
122mm multiple rocket launchers. The regime also installed Russian-made IL-117 advanced
radars in Triangle Command's Loi-mwe, South-West Command's Ngwe Saung, Coastal
Command's Mergui, Central Command's Natyaygan Taung and Tada-oo, Naypyidaw
Command's Taungnyo, Northern Command's Duwun (Pt. 3551) near Monghnyin.
Because of inferior quality, fighter airplanes and helicopters purchased from China and
Russia are crashing frequently. On June 16, a Russian-made MI-1 military chopper failed
near Pindaya, southern Shan State, killing pilot Maj. Kyaw Kyaw Win, co-pilot Lt. Kyaw Lin
Tun, flight mechanic Capt. Aung Lin Htet and another airman while gravely wounding one.

Th e socio-economic situation of the people

A research paper conducted by US-based Fund for Peace group studying 177 countries
of the world showed that Burma is one of the sixteen failed states and that SPDC Chairman
Senior Gen. Than Shwe is the third most evil dictator of the world. In his report "An analysis
of Burma's Marcro-economics during the 2010 election period" published in the first week of
June, Australian economist Sean Turnell who is studying Burma's economy warned that
SPDC regime's policies could not only hurt the current economic development but also
damage future economic prospects. The Institute of Economics and Peace, an independent
think tank group, stated on June 7 that Burma ranks 132nd in its 2010 peace index. The UN
refugee agency announced on June 18 that Burma is second only to Africa's Zimbabwe in
terms of refugee applications.
US State Department's report on combating international human trafficking issued on June 14
listed Burma as the third worst country ignoring human trafficking issue for ten consecutive
years. On June 2, Thailand caught 46 Burmese women in its waters off Ranoung Province
while they were trying to illegally enter Thailand. On that day, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva ordered arrest and prosecution of all illegal workers in Thailand, leading to
beginning of arrests of Burmese workers in Thailand's 76 provinces.
There were arrests and confiscations in border trade business. Gold prices in Burma climbed
to Kyat 658,000 per tical on June 21, resulting in rise of general consumer prices. In addition
to natural disasters like floods and fire, Burma also faced a rat scourge. In the third week of
June, floods and landslides caused fifty-seven people dead and left about 77,000 homeless in
Arakan State, the UNHCR reported. Within this month, new Chindwin Yadana market in
Mon-ywa and Myanmar Teleport (MICT) building in Hlaing Township caught fire. Fire
Department reported that fires in three big markets within 2010 have caused a loss of Kyat
24150 million. In the last week of June, hundreds of thousands of rats were found crossing
the Rangoon-Naypidaw expressway in Daik-oo Township, eastern Pegu Division, prompting
fears of crop destruction by rats.

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Interna tional Press ure

Due to DVB news agency's exposure of SPDC nuclear and missile production plans this
month, international attention and pressures upon the SPDC military regime increased.
At the press conference of US State Department on June 4, spokesperson Philip Crowley said
that the US would closely watch SPDC's relations with North Korea. US State Department
Asia and Pacific Affairs chief Mr. Scott Marciel also commented on June 10 that SPDC's
attempting to acquire nuclear weapons could threaten the stability of whole South-East Asia.
On the 65th birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, US President Obama, American women
senators and UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon demanded immediate and
unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners. The US State
Department stated on June 22 that since SPDC's 2010 elections would not be free and fair, it
would not get international recognition.
On June 30, US Senate's Financial Committee renewed Burma Freedom and Democracy Act
which was enacted after the Depayin massacre of 2003. US Senate Foreign Relations
Committee's East Asia and Pacific Affairs Sub-Committee Chairman Mr. Jim Webb, who is
close to the SPDC, personally wrote to Secretary of State Mrs. Hilary Clinton on June 8
asking for investigation into news about SPDC's violating US resolution no. 1874 and
cooperating with North Korea to make nuclear weapons.
On June 7, Yukiya Amano, Director-General of IAEA based in Vienna, Austria, said that the
IAEA has started studying the report about SPDC's attempt to manufacture nuclear weapons.
Robert Kelly, Associate Senior Researcher of Stockholm International Peace Research
Institute, Sweden, who has participated in analyzing the data brought by Maj. Sai Thein Win,
held a press conference in Washington, DC, US, to explain SPDC's secret nuclear production.
At a workshop conducted on June 23 sponsored by Washington-based National Endowment
for Democracy (NED) on SPDC's nuclear project, ERI Director Paul Donowitz said that the
SPDC regime is keeping the money from gas sales in Singapore banks rather than using for
the people.
British Foreign Minister William Hague and European parliamentarians' Burma Caucus
demanded immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners on June 17
and denounced SPDC's 2010 elections. British parliamentarians also criticized the UN on
June 21 for failing to reform SPDC's political course. On June 30, European Union
parliamentarians (EPCB) staged a drama called "The Lady of Burma" at the European
Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, in honor of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
New Zealand Parliament unanimously resolved on June 2 to demand the SPDC to let Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi contest in 2010 elections and grant democratic rights to all political
prisoners. Japanese parliamentarians wrote to Senior Gen. Than Shwe demanding him to talk
with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi before the elections. Australian parliamentarians also demanded
their government on June 23 not to recognize SPDC's elections. In late June, an Australian
court decided to deport Ma Zin Mon Aye, daughter of Bassein Air Base Commander Brig.
Zin Yaw, for attending a school in Australian under a false identity.
Benigno Noynoy Aquino who swore in as Philippines' new President on June 30 said that he
would continue leading ASEAN countries to work for Burma's democracy issue. Pakistan's
ruling party, the Pakistan People's Party, conferred 'Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Award' to Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi on June 21. On June 29, The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats
(CALD) honored Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by making her its first-ever honorary member.

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Ban Ki-moon's new advisor on Burma Vijay Nambiar visited India, Singapore and China in
the second week of June to meet with relevant officials and reported back to the UN. At the
14th UN Human Rights Council conference held in Vienna, Austria, on June 9, Slovakia
expressed its support for UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur on Burma Mr. Tomas Ojea
Quintana's proposal to establish a Commission of Enquiry to investigate Burmese regime's
crimes against humanity and war crimes. On June 16, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary
Detention condemned SPDC military regime's detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as illegal
and against articles 9, 10, 19 and 20 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
At the 99th ILO Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 2 to 18, participants
discussed issues of forced labor and lack of freedom to form trade unions in Burma, and
slammed the SPDC. The G-8 summit held in Canada also demanded the SPDC on June 26 to
promptly release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, conduct meaningful dialogue and hold free and
fair elections.

//End of Report /Thursday, July 08, 2010//

//End of Translation/Thursday, July 22, 2010//

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