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

April 2011
Compiled and commented by the Political Defiance Committee (PDC)
National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)

April 2011
The activities of NLD and domestic opposition forces
The relationship between NLD and the military junta
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi stated on March 11 that the National League for Democracy was
ready to talk with the forthcoming civilian government and compromise, and asserted that it
was still upholding non-violent tactics and striving for democracy rather than gaining power.
She also said that everybody has to give support to the organization which could do better
than the NLD to achieve democracy. She also urged on the 27th to conduct dialogue in order
to smooth out misunderstandings between Burma army and pro-democracy forces. On the
same day, the NLD reaffirmed its readiness to talk national reconciliation with ex-Gen. U
Thein Sein's civilian-veiled government which was handed over power by the SPDC on
March 30. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi commented on March 31 that she viewed the new
government objectively and that she would like to get the best option for the country.
Though the NLD was repeatedly calling for dialogue, the SPDC military regime was
obstructing some of NLD's social assistance acts. Local authorities blocked and harassed
Mandalay Division Kyaukbadaung Township NLD members donating medicine and money
to senior citizens in Taungponetaung village, NLD member Ko Aye Khaing disclosed on
March 23. On March 25, local authorities also harassed a Basic English Summer course
opened in Yeni town by Eastern Pegu Division Yedashay Township NLD, said Township
Organizing Committee member U Than Aung. An unknown group distributed open letters
bearing fake signatures of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi through emails. The NLD claimed on
March 29 that the open letter to Irrawaddy with her signature was not authentic.
President-elect ex-Gen. U Thein Sein's appointing ministers and committee chiefs using
presidential powers before assuming the Presidency on oath was incompatible with the
Constitution, the NLD stated on March 8. After U Thein Sein took the oath for Presidency on
March 30, NLD spokesperson U Nyan Win said on March 31 that the NLD would wait and
see whether U Thein Sein's pledge to enact laws needed for democratic reform was sincere or
not. However NLD Central Executive member U Win Tin expressed his doubt over ex-army
officers' acting true to their words.
NLD spokesperson U Nyan Win criticized SPDC's allotment of 25% of budget to military
expenditures for fiscal year 2011-2012, saying it could hurt nation's development projects. On
March 23, ex-General U Tin Oo said that Burma army should act "like water or moon"
toward the people as indicated in "Warriors' Ethics", and that SPDC Generals need to reform
the army with goodwill. NLD statement issued on March 27, the 66 th Anti-Fascist Resistance

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Day, called for Burmese regime to draw lessons from political problems and popular
uprisings unfolding in Arab world.
With time approaching for handover of power to civilian-veiled government, the SPDC has
issued directives to regional commands and police to increase close watch on activities of the
NLD and former NLD members in addition to executing harassments. We assume that the
civilian-veiled government would subdue NLD activities by all kinds of means.

The relationship between ethnic groups and the military junta

Battles between government troops and armed ethnic ceasefire groups intensified in 2011
March with battle lines expanding. Clashes that began last December between SPDC and
SSA (North) or SSA/SSPP escalated after March 13. SPDC's offensive against SSA/SSPP
posts in Mongshu and Tangyan townships by using MOC-1, MOC-2, LID-33, LID-55 and
LID-99 has caused heavy fighting. The offensive aimed to capture strategic posts on the
communications route between UWSA and SSA (South) troops so as to prevent the UWSA
from giving support to SSA/SSPP troops. Both sides suffered casualties while some outposts
of SSA/SSPP have to be abandoned due to manpower disparity. When the SPDC bombarded
Nam Lao post in Tangyan Township, some houses and a monastery were hit resulting in
deaths of some monks, novice monks and villagers, local residents reported. Hundreds of
people fled from their villages due to fighting.
The SPDC was reinforcing its troops around Wan Hai village where SSA/SSPP HQ is
located. It reportedly issued an ultimatum to the SSA/SSPP to completely surrender by April
1. The regime also ordered eleven villages in Kunheng, Namsan and Kehsi townships to
resettle along Kengtung-Taunggyi highway. Fourteen members of SSA/SSPP's Tangyang
Township Administration have surrendered on March 19, the SPDC announced. By the end
of March, clashes have spread to Namsang and Mongkao townships. The North-East
Command HQ repeatedly pressured Loi Mawng, Chairman of the SSA (North) that has
transformed into Hsen Kiao Home Guard Force, to join SPDC's fight against Shan rebels but
was refused to do so.
The SSA/SSPP issued an open letter to Burmese soldiers on March 27, denying SPDC
regime's propaganda about the former's agreement to surrender. On March 17 th, the NDF
announced its denunciation of SPDC offensive against SSA/SSPP bases.
SSA (South) troops and SPDC forces also battled in March. On the 1st, the SPDC shelled an
outpost of SSA (South) in Loilann near Thai-Burmese border with 120mm mortar. On that
day, SSA (South) troops raided opium refineries owned by Pa-O Home Guard Force
transformed from SPDC stooge PNO in Namsan Township Mongsit Tract. On March 11 and
12, SSA (South) forces clashed with IB 246 and LIR 524 in central Shan State Kholan Sub-
Township, resulting in death of one RSM and many other soldiers.
While SPDC troops were battling SSA/SSPP forces, adjacent UWSA territory saw a five-day
long annual departmental meeting of the UWSA at its Pansang HQ on March 15. UWSA
Vice-Chairman Chao Wen-Kuan expressed his satisfaction on March 16 about the
organization's united rejection of SPDC pressure to transform into a Border Guard Force
(BGF). In his closing address to the meeting on the 20th, Chairman Bou You-Chiang asserted
that the UWSA would not give up even one gun, one bullet or one inch of land to the SPDC
regime.
After that meeting, the UWSA hiked taxes in all its territories tenfold. NEC G-1 Col. Tun Tun
Nyi refused to convey UWSA's letter expounding its stand to SPDC leaders. A UWSA officer

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said on March 21 that it was hard to assist the SSA/SSPP militarily and that both sides should
work out a political solution to the political problem. The SPDC was planning to deploy LID
55 troops in Southern Shan State Monghta Township which was controlled by southern Wa
troops.
Beginning from March 1, the SPDC cut off the highway linking Kengtung to NDAA-ESS
Mongla region led by UWSA's ally Sai Lin, at Taping checkpoint on Nam Loei River.
Triangle Region Command's Col.-G.S. warned and threatened NDAA-ESS again on the 22nd
to withdraw certain outposts.
Relations between SPDC and KIO were also becoming tenser. Northern Command MAS
Commander Lt. Col. Thet Pone repeatedly threatened KIO with use of force. KIO also
warned the SPDC not to intrude into its territory or else be fired upon. The SPDC in turn
handed out propaganda flyers in villages along Myitkyina-Laiza highway about KIO
landmines killing innocent locals. When an eighteen-member strong SPDC company
approached a KIO camp at Ngwar Lay near La-faing village between Kampaiti and Sadone in
Waingmaw Township there was almost a shootout. The regime also apprehended some KIO
members. On the 24th, IB 74 arrested two employees from Hpakant District KIO Battalion 6,
tortured and handed them over to police station. Dr. Tuja, who has resigned from the KIO and
planned to run for elections by forming the Kachin State Progressive Party (KSPP), has now
applied to join the USDP, party secretary Tureh disclosed on March 29.
SPDC troops and Karen armed groups continued to clash throughout Karen State. Guerrilla
attacks broke out consecutively in Myawaddy Township Wallay region and Chukali Sub-
Township, Kya-inn Seikkyi Township, Kawkareik Township, Paingkyon Township, Papon
District, eastern Nyaunglaybin area, Toungoo District Thandaunggyi Township and
Tenasserim Division. In some battles in Myawaddy and Kawkareik townships, KNLA and
DKBA breakaway groups joined hands. Karen armed forces' guerrilla attacks and mine
warfare caused many casualties among SPDC and Karen Border Guard Forces while SPDC
artillery wounded many villagers including one 14-year old novice monk.
Bomb blasts also occurred in Karen State. On the 21st, there were three explosions in
Shwekyin Township, eastern Pegu Division, but no casualties were reported. SPDC
newspapers alleged that KNU troops have bombed three pylon towers in Mon State Beelin
Township, resulting in blackouts in Moulmein, and that a KNU landmine has killed three
innocent villagers and seriously wounded three others on March 28. The KNU denied the
allegations.
More battles have broken out in territories under the control of Karenni National Progressive
Party (KNPP), Arakan Liberation Army (ALA) and Chin National Front. On the 8 th, SPDC
LIR 332 fought with KNPP troops on Shan-Kayah border, resulting in four dead and two
wounded on SPDC side. As the regime carried out "four cuts" operation against ALA troops
by using IB 55, IB 232 and LIR 538 in order to secure upper Kaladan River transport, battles
broke out resulting in three dead and two wounded on SPDC side, said ALA spokesperson
Capt. Soe Naing on March 9. IB 55 based in southern Chin State Paletwa Township carried
out forced recruitment of Chin youths in order to make up for dead and wounded during
battles with CNF. At Naga Hill Tracts in the upper part of Sagaing Division, fighting between
two Naga groups caused local residents to flee into jungles.
Despite emergence of civilian-veiled governments in Mon State and at the central level, the
New Mon State Party could not accept the regime's current policy and so has not adopted any
plan to talk to the new government singly.

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The attack on the SSA/SSPP might be military regime's sounding out the unity of ceasefire
groups. We assume that if the allies fail to provide effective mutual support, the regime would
crush them one by one.

The activities of NLD and domestic opposition forces

The NLD is found to be expanding its political and social activities. The NLD Central
Executive Committee called a meeting with State/Division/Township organizing committees
starting on March 3. At the first day meeting with over thirty townships from Rangoon
Division, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addressed that NLD members should do more deeds to
serve the people and thereby display the concrete existence of the NLD while enhancing their
awareness of people's political feelings. After her release from detention, people's support for
the NLD significantly rose, said township organizers at the meeting.
NLD Central Executive Committee met with Pegu Divisional and township organizing
committee members on March 5, with Irrawaddy Divisional and township organizing
committee members on the 9th, with State/Divisional and township organizing committee
members of Mon State, Karen State and Tenasserim Division on the 10 th, with State and
township organizing committee members of Arakan and Chin States on the 12 th, with Magwe
Divisional and township organizing committee members on the 14 th, with Sagaing Divisional
and township organizing committee members on the 16 th and with Kachin State and township
organizing committee members on the 18 th to discuss political and organizational works.
They met with CRPP leaders on the 4th to discuss regime's budgetary expenditure notification
and state financial budget laws, and probability of ecology damage wrought by deforestation
in upper reaches of Irrawaddy River. On the 17th, NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U
Win Htein met with NDF leaders U Khin Maung Swe and Dr. Than Nyein at U Tin Oo's
home.
The NLD also conducted weekly roundtable discussions and lectures. During a discussion on
March 27, economist U Myo Myint talked about corruption, prompting Vice-Chairman U Tin
Oo and CEC U Win Tin to join in the discussion. At a discussion on March 31, agriculture
expert U Sein Win Han of Min Naing Aung Co. talked about rural development matters.
Youth networks opened a summer charity school in Mandalay Mahar Aungmyay Township
on March 1. Rangoon Division NLD Women Task Force was expanded to include Daw Than
Than Swe (Bahan) and Daw Aye Mi (Thaketa) on the 2nd in order to further women activities.
Micro-credit programs initially suggested by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to lend Kyat 20000
each to fifty vendors in Rangoon Division interest-free were doing well, CEC Dr. May Win
Myint disclosed.
Czech Republic Foreign Minister Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg phoned Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
to reaffirm his country's support for economic sanctions upon the SPDC regime, said NLD
spokesperson U Ohn Kyaing on March 1. Mongolian President Elbegdorj also called her to
express his support to Burma's pro-democracy efforts. Japan's ruling party DJP General
Secretary Mr. Katsura Okada also called her to talk about the issue of dialogue between the
military regime and the opposition, and other political issues, said U Ohn Kyaing on March 3.
On the 13th, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi sent a special message of condolences through the
Japanese Embassy in Rangoon to Japanese people who lost their lives and property in
earthquake and tsunami. She visited French Embassy Cultural Center on Prome Road,
Rangoon, on March 14 to meet with about fifty Burmese students attending French language
courses. She exhorted them to study not only for their own sake but also for the sake of
nation and people. During her phone discussion with the Amnesty International on March 20,

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she urged them not to forget more than 2000 political prisoners languishing in Burma's jails.
She told German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau in an interview on March 23 that
Western sanctions should remain in place because there has been no progress shown by
Burmese military regime. In her video-taped address to a conference of international
Burmese pro-democracy forces held in Fort Wayne, Indiana State, USA, she urged them to
get united along with concrete responsibilities because Burma has reached an important
crossroad.
On March 26, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remarked that UN Security Council's Resolution 1973
adopted on the 17th to intervene militarily to save Libyan people from massacre was a rightful
act. The NLD welcomed Human Rights Special Rapporteur on Burma Mr. Quintana's report
presented to the 16th UN Human Rights Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland, said Vice-
Chairman U Tin Oo.
In order to reopen Pann San Pyidawtha drainage canal needed for cultivation of damaged rice
fields in Pegu Division Letpadan and Minhla townships, local farmers and some of Pegu
Division Youth Network members asked the NLD for help on March 9. As per Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi's suggestion, the NLD set up a farmers' network in Irrawaddy Division on
March 22.
The NLD has also stepped up its social assistance actions. On March 3, Pegu Division
People's Democracy Network bought medicine with network members' donations and carried
out free medical treatment in Ward 5, Pegu Myothit, with help from private doctors. NLD and
Youth social organizations donated waterproof canvases and clothes to people in Rangoon
Division Dagon Port and Dagon townships hit by tornado on March 11, and also conducted
free medical service. The NLD also opened a charity clinic on the 21 st to provide free medical
services to the needy in South Dagon Myothit.
Among the services carried out by the NLD for the people, advocacy work for farmers whose
lands were confiscated were increasing, reported NLD member U Thet Wai who was
assisting farmers in Naypyidaw. The current period was the most united period between NLD
CECs, State/Division/township leaders and grass root members, asserted Thayawaddy
Township NLD Chairman U Aung Myint on March 7. On that day, NLD Information In-
charge U Ohn Kyaing disclosed that they have obtained donors for more than 500 political
prisoners.
The NLD notified relevant State and township organizing committees to aid March 24
earthquake victims of Eastern Shan State Talay and Monglin areas and arranged for cash
assistance. In dedication to her parents Bogyoke Aung San and Daw Khin Kyi, Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi donated the holy umbrella for Kyeekhaungtaung Pagoda in Arakan State
Myebon Township damaged by Cyclone Giri, on the Full Moon Day of Tabaung month.
The Arakan League for Democracy, a member organization of the CRPP, also carried out
sinking of wells and digging of ponds as well as donations of food and cash in villages of
Myebon Township hit by Cyclone Giri. The United Nationalities Alliance conferred
Nationalities Hero Award to Shan leader Khun Tun Oo currently serving a heavy prison
sentence. Since the first week of March, Mon Literature and Cultural Committee has
conducted summer language courses throughout Mon State attended by more than 65000
trainees, reported Dr. Min Soe Lin on March 30.
Local farmers form Rangoon Division Kayan Township together with people working for
peasants' issues jointly commemorated the Peasants' Day at farmer U Myat Aye's house in
Ward 3 on March 2, and issued an open letter to the regime demanding ownership of land.
Daw Bauk Ja from Hpakant advocating for farmers whose lands were confiscated in Kachin

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State filed a complaint to the ILO branch office on the 21 st about authorities' harassment on
her. Seventeen farmers from Magwe Division Aunglan Township Ywama Htoen village tract
filed a complaint to the ILO branch office in the last week of March about local garrison's
confiscation of their farmlands. However, on March 21st night, an unknown group of men
assaulted the farmers who have sued military-owned UMEH and Htoo companies for
confiscation of their farmlands to jointly build a caustic factory. The companies also filed a
report at the police station, resulting in arrest of the farmers.
When former political prisoner U Tun Lwin of Bassein city distributed ILO educational flyers
on March 8 concerning eradication of forced labor, police detained him and prohibited him
from further circulation. On the same day, nearly 3000 workers from Taiyi Footwear main
factory and a subordinate plant on U Shwe Ohn St., Hlaing Thayar Industrial Zone-3,
Rangoon, staged a strike, out of displeasure over wage cuts and overtime work. Workers from
New Way footwear factory in Hlaing Thayar Industrial Zone-4, Rangoon, also strike on
March 22 to get full labor rights. Due to strikes for higher pay by Burmese wage workers and
demands for land seizure reparations in Dawei Deep Sea Port Project, the Italian-Thai
Company has suspended its construction works for about one month. On March 25, the
Workers and Farmers Solidarity League of Burma issued a statement demanding fixation of
minimum wages in accordance with times. Movie community also demanded on the 31 st to
ease tight censorship policies.
Over fifty students from Moulmein University drove to Ngantay Power Generator Plant and
Township Electrical Engineer Office by motorcycles and stoned the buildings on March 8
after blackouts during the exam days. In the morning of March 13, the 23 rd anniversary of
Rangoon Institute of Technology students Ko Phone Maw and Ko Soe Naing's deaths, '88
Generation Students held a memorial merit-making service while ABFSU students carried
out a black color campaign. The Just Do It group which was carrying out dissident activities
through Facebook social networks has its strength grown to about 2000 members within one
month. Burma Rivers Network demanded the military regime on March 14, the International
Rivers Day, to stop dam projects on Irrawaddy River. All Burma Monks Alliance, '88
Generation Students and ABFSU also demanded on the 23rd to withdraw the sanctions
imposed upon the people by the military regime first if the latter wished the international
community to remove economic sanctions upon the regime. The '88 Generation Students also
demanded the civilian-veiled government headed by U Thein Sein on March 31 to initiate
dialogue for peace of the country.
There were activities of poster pasting and flyer distribution in Rangoon and Arakan State.
On March 22, posters supporting the 21st century Panglong Conference were put up in Arakan
State capital, Akyab. Similar posters were posted in Arakan State Taungup city's Padaunn
Road, Municipal junction, jetty and Thaintaung State High School on the 27 th night. A group
called Rangoon Division Pro-Democracy Activists Force handed out flyers at busy places of
Rangoon calling for soldiers to join hands with the people on 24 th and 25th.
As NLD's activities steadily gathered steam, the military junta is found to be getting nervous.
Since the regime is planning to infiltrate and split the unity, the NLD ought to be particularly
weary of disunity brought about by the regime.

The military junta and domestic situation

The situation of the activities of the military junta
The military regime continued the sessions of National Assembly, People's Assembly and
State/Division Assemblies, and formed respective governments, organs of power and

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parliamentary committees. National Assembly and People's Assembly meetings on March 1
set up a 15-member Bills Committee. Dr. Aye Maung of Rakhine Nationalities Development
Party (RNDP) and SPDC Immigration Deputy Minister U Win Sein were respectively elected
chairmen of National Assembly Affairs Committee and People's Assembly Affairs
Committee. State/Division Assemblies also set up parliamentary affairs committees.
Prior to the formation of new cabinet, SPDC ministers answered relevant queries and motions
by MPs in National and People's assemblies. However clarifications were not clear enough
while some motions were prohibited from putting on the agenda. Motions not withdrawn
were put on and voted down in the parliament by majority USDP MPs. Speaker of People's
Assembly Thura U Shwe Mann warned the Parliament on March 15 to submit motions suited
to country's situation. Some motions were rejected because they were leaked to foreign
media, alleged National Assembly Speaker U Khin Aung Myint in the session of March 23.
On March 15 and 21, SPDC Finance/Revenue Minister U Hla Tun replied to queries that
there were no plan yet to increase salaries and pensions of civil servants and that tariffs and
custom duties on imports and exports could not be cut. U Shwe Mann also replied on the 21 st
that cessation of civil war and building of internal peace could be done only inside the
framework of 2008 Constitution. SPDC Home Minister U Maung Oo also replied on March
22 that total amnesty for political prisoners would depend on the new president. Out of
seventeen motions submitted to the People's Assembly, only two were sanctioned to be put on
debate. These two were USDP MP Agriculture/Irrigation Minister U Htay Oo's proposal for
the parliament to formally object to international sanctions upon Burma and a USDP MP's
social welfare bill.
SPDC newspapers did not report democratic MPs' talks or questions in full but posted them
after censoring. Some MPs have talked in the parliament without knowing the issue well. A
motion for free middle school education proposed by National Democratic Force (NDF)
Alone Township MP U Khaing Maung Yee was objected to by same party's Latha Township
MP U Kyi Myint.
When MP screening committee found out that two USDP MPs Daw Cho Nwe Oo and U Ant
Gyi were alien residents, it sacked them from the parliament on March 4. The 2010 Election
Commission also announced on March 21 that seventy-five candidates who failed to submit
election expenses in time have been debarred from next election. By-elections for vacant
parliamentary seats might be held in October or November after the monsoon, said Election
Commission Chairman U Thein Soe on March 14. In forming an MP screening committee in
the second meeting of first People's Assembly session, eighteen out of twenty-two committee
members were from the USDP.
At the Union Assembly session on March 29, Speaker U Khin Aung Myint read out messages
of felicitations to civilian-veiled president and vice-presidents from some countries and
organizations such as China, North Korea, Palestine, Indonesia, Belarus, Sri Lanka, Saudi
Arabia, Iran, UN and ASEAN Parliamentary Union. During the meeting of the day, USDP
General Secretary U Htay Oo thanked the SPDC military council which was going to hand
over power to the civilian-veiled government.
On March 30, Union of the Republic of Myanmar Presidential Office issued Statements
1/2011, 2/2011 and 3/2011 signed by new President U Thein Sein forming a 35-member
Union Cabinet, a 21-member Finance Commission and a 7-member Union Supreme Court.
On that day, President U Thein Sein and Vice Presidents U Tin Aung Myint Oo and Sai
Mawk Kham took the oath. Chief Ministers and Ministers of State and Divisions also took
the oath on that day. After the oath-taking ceremony, Speaker of the Assembly read out SPDC

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notifications 7/2011 and 8/2011 signed by Senior Gen. Than Shwe. The Speaker also
announced that new commander-in-chief and vice commander-in-chief have been appointed
but failed to mention the names.
SPDC Notification 7/2011 stated that Peace and Development Councils at district, township
and village levels now in self-administered zones have been abolished and legislative and
executive powers handed over to leading bodies of self-administered zones after the latter has
taken the oath. Notification 8/2011 stated that Peace and Development Councils at district,
township and village levels in States and Divisions have been abolished and legislative and
executive powers handed over to district, township and ward/village governors.
After taking the oath, new President U Thein Sein gave an address on future program and
policy that would be implemented by his civilian-veiled government. He talked about
national reconciliation, defense, economy, peasant rights, labor rights, education, health,
human rights, ecology, domestic policy, legislation, foreign affairs, transition, governance and
political parties. The overview of his address was found to be populist and superficial,
claiming that they would carry on with the three main national tasks; strive for more powerful
politics, economy and military; work for good governance and clean governance; provide
labor rights, peasant rights and human rights in accordance with the constitution; modify
pension rates in a suitable time; rectify some out-dated journalism laws; allow amendment of
the constitution in accordance with law if desired to revise.
News came out in early March that Joint Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Min Aung Hlaing (DSA-19 th
intake) has been appointed as the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) and promoted to the rank of
General while news of BSO-6 Chief Lt. Gen. Soe Win's (DSA-22) appointment as Vice
Commander-in-Chief came out in late March. However there were all kinds of speculations
over failure to specify their names when the Union Assembly Speaker announced
appointment of new C-in-C and Vice C-in-C in the Parliament on March 30, and over lack of
announcement on two Senior Generals' official retirement from army. The line-up reported in
SPDC news media for the rice donation ceremony in Naypyidaw on March 18 showed Senior
Gen. Than Shwe, Vice-Senior Gen. Maung Aye, ex-Generals Thura U Shwe Mann, U Thein
Sein and Thiha Thura U Tin Aung Myint Oo, ex-Lt.-Gen. U Tin Aye and Gen. Min Aung
Hlaing, giving rise to guesswork about their status as Supreme Councilors.
In the third week of March, the SPDC apprehended about 100 Rohingyas suspected as
Taliban terrorists in Maungdaw Township on Bangladesh border, and thereby tried to patch
up relations with the US and Western countries. We think this action could be related to
America's suspension on security grounds of about 750 UNHCR refugees in Malaysia
planning to resettle in the US. Most of them were Rohingyas.

The socio-economic situation of the people

The SPDC military regime nabbed a record US 2.8 billion dollar sale at the 48th Burmese
Gems Emporium in Naypyidaw but the majority of Burmese people are still facing all sorts
of poverty and hardships. Starting from March 1, the SPDC banned rice exports in order to
curb rise in consumer prices as fuel oil prices soared with political instability in Middle East.
On the same day, the Road Transport Directorate officially announced that vehicles carrying
over-tonnage on highways would be appropriated by the state. As Thai products continued to
enter Burma through Myawaddy route, the SPDC imposed another blockade on the 9 th.
Ministry of Energy issued special fuel oil ration books on the 19 th to allow a maximum sale of
six gallons of gasoline a day to each car and to prevent a black market on fuel oil using fake
oil ration books.

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Such acts of regime have pushed up fuel oil prices and transport costs day after day leading to
excessive rise in consumer prices, particularly in upcountry towns. Since the military regime
was auctioning off state-owned buildings and land without need for prospectors to declare
their income source, businessmen wishing to launder their money were rushing to grab them,
offering unheard-of prices, ruining the market and channeling the circulating money to the
regime, resulting in scarcity of cash in the market and economic slump, said the Union of
Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industrialists (UMFCCI) on the 30 th.
Strong gales blowing in the Andaman Sea from March 14 to 16 caused over ten thousand
fishermen at the Pyapon esturary and along Pyapon District coastline to drift away to open
sea and lose boats, barges and fishing nets worth hundred millions of Kyats. Burma Navy
boats, deep sea fishing boats and sea-going ships were able to rescue over eleven thousand
fishermen but more than seven hundred were still missing, said Pyapon Township Tiger net
owners association on March 31. On the 24th, a 6.8 quake hit Eastern Shan State Loi Mwei
town, killing more than 100 people and making about ten thousand five hundred people
homeless, said Rangoon-based World Vision Director Chris Hernik on March 27. Talay Sub-
Township Earthquake Relief Committee asserted on the 27 th that the earthquake could have
damaged Kyat three billion (US$ 3.6 million) worth of property.
On March 24, the World Anti-TB day, the WHO disclosed that Burma was among the twenty-
two countries with highest rate of TB infection. The latest surveys showed that there were
300,000 infected persons but more than 30% of them could not be identified yet. Although
Burma was implementing a five-year plan for eradication of human trafficking, the number of
trafficked Burmese women was rising year after year, an official from Anti-Human
Trafficking Team reported on the 31st. On March 2, Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan, Officer In-
charge of Burma chapter of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), said that
Burma was the only country in the world where landmines were used most both by the
military regime and by insurgents. Since three years ago, Burma has become the third country
in the world suffering from most deaths from landmines. Within the last decade, there was
little success in poverty eradication in the world, UN senior research team reported, adding
that Burma was on the list of fourteen least developed Asian countries or eighteen least
developed world countries.

International Pressure
US White House called a meeting on March 2 to find out ways to set up a UN
Commission of Inquiry on Burma. Next day, President Obama said that Burma was among
three countries that failed to take effective action against drug trafficking in 2010. With
regard to removal of Western countries' economic sanctions upon Burma, Charge d'Affaires
of US Embassy in Rangoon met with representatives from ten political parties which have
entered the election but US State Dept. asserted on the 28 th that it would maintain the
sanctions till Burmese government carried out meaningful political reforms.
After looking firsthand at the situation of Burmese refugees on Thai-Burma border as well as
the conditions on the border, US Ambassador to Thailand Ms. Kristie Kenney met with
health, education, social and gender organizations including the Maetaw Clinic in Maesot on
March 30. State Dept. spokesman Mark Toner said on the 30 th that the civilian-veiled
government that took delivery of power from the military regime was no significant change
because disrobed ex-Generals were dominating. On the 31 st, four US Senators stated their
support to NLD's position paper about economic sanctions on Burma.

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When EU members Denmark and Latvia gave support to the proposal to establish a UN
Commission to investigate Burmese military regime's human rights violations, the number of
countries in support became sixteen. EU Humanitarian Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva
visited refugee camps on Thai-Burma border on March 14 to take a look and talked with Thai
government about Burmese refugees' future. British House of Lords member Baroness Cox
and team also visited Thai-Burma border on excursion and issued a report on ethnic people's
concern over SPDC offensives in their areas. In spite of SPDC's calling an election and
releasing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's human rights conditions have not visibly
progressed, said British Foreign Office's annual report for 2010 on human rights and
democracy.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel who usually refrained from strongly criticizing the
military regime called Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on phone, and urged the civilian-veiled
government on the 31st to release political prisoners and legitimize the NLD. German Foreign
Ministry South-East Asia and Pacific Region Dept. Deputy Chief Theo Kidess and Human
Rights Dept. Chief Dirk Sander invited Europe-based Burmese pro-democracy activists to
discuss the matters of release of political prisoners, second Panglong and maintenance of
economic sanctions.
UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur for Burma Tomas Ojea Quintana reported on March 7
that Burma's human rights conditions were still worse. On the 25 th, UN Human Rights
Council approved without putting to vote the draft resolution on Burma's human rights
situation. The resolution was proposed by the EU which strongly repudiated SPDC's 2010
election and demanded revision of the 2008 Constitution to meet international standard. The
resolution also renewed the tenure of Tomas Ojea Quintana for another one year and strongly
recommended to the Burmese regime to cooperate more with him. UN General Secretary Ban
Ki-Moon also issued a statement on the 30 th demanding U Thein Sein's government to prove
the complete termination of military rule that has been in existence for nearly fifty years in
Burma.
Though the SPDC military regime did not care about economic sanctions, we assume that
effective sanctions continued under the reign of civilian-veiled government could be fruitful.

//End of Report /Sunday, April 10, 2011//

//End of Translation/Tuesday, May 2, 2011//

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