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Burma Window No. 15

Dec 10th, 2011

December 10 is the International Human Right Day, and on this day in 2011 is also 20th Anniversary of Burmese Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi receiving Nobel Peace Prize. Activists in Rangoon will celebrate the day to honor Burmese Democracy leader at Shwe Nyawa Buddhist monastery. As another sign of releasing control on press media, Burmese government in the first week of December allows more than 50 weekly Journal and Magazines to print without needing to send a propose draft copy to censor board to approve. Those journals and magazines cover and report economic and criminal issues. This is the second time the government makes a big change in Burmese press media. In June this year, the government also allowed all journals and magazines covering issues of Health, Sports, Technology, Art, and Child Literature to publish with no pre requirement of proposing a draft copy to notorious censor board before publishing. Burma has almost 200 weekly Journals and monthly Magazines. The ceremony of locating land to build a new Bangladesh embassy was held on December 6, 2011 in Naypyitaw, making Bangladesh to be the first to move its embassy from Burmas old capital Rangoon to new capital Naypyitaw. The ceremony was made during a state visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Burma. Its also reported that China, India, Saudi Arabia and Russia will move their embassies from old capital Rangoon to new capital Naypyitaw soon. Government source said 120 plots of land are reserved for foreign embassies, each of which measures 500 ft x 500 ft. At the invitation of the Burmese President Thein Sein, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina arrives in Burma on December 5 to stay three days in the country. On December 5, 2011 84th Birthday of Thai King - the main border route for trade between Burma and Thailand, the Mae Sot-Myawaddy Friendship Bridge, reopened at about 8:30 AM. The bridge was closed down on July 17, 2010, by Burmese authorities in reaction to what they first said was Thai incursions into the Moei River, but they later gave a reasons of border

security. Burma minister of commerce, Win Myint, alongwith Zaw Min, the chief minister of Karen State attended the opening ceremony at the Friendship Bridge. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concludes a landmark visit in Burma on December 2, 2011 evening. Arriving Burma new capital on November 30th evening, her trip becomes the first of US Secretary of State visiting the country since 1955. Among the important persons she met during her stay include President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, both of whom described her visit a historic. After a formal meeting with Clinton at her home in Rangoon on Dec 2, Suu Kyi said she is happy with the way the US is engaging with Burma, describing the Western superpower's policy as one that aspires to promote the process of democratization. Speaking at a joint press briefing from the balcony of her Rangoon home with Clinton, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said, We are so happy that Secretary Clinton had a very good meeting in Naypyidaw [with President Thein Sein] and we are happy with the way in which the United States is engaging with us. It is true engagement that we hope will promote the process of democratization. The certain thing is the fact, however, that the visit has virtually brought to an end Burma being considered a pariah state in the world. Addressing reporters after her meeting with Suu Kyi on Dec 2, Clinton said that the US wants to be a partner with Burma. "We want to work with you as you further democratic changes, as you release all political prisoners, as you begin the ... difficult but necessary process of ending ethnic conflicts that have gone on far too long, as you hold elections that are free and fair and credible, Clinton said. "We want to be a partner with you, with the new government, with all people of goodwill who finally want to see the future right there waiting to be realized," she said. Clinton delivered letters from President Barack Obama to Thein Sein and Suu Kyi, in which Obama expressed hopes for better ties. Thein Sein, during a meeting with Clinton on December 1, had outlined his government's plans for reform in a 45-minute presentation in which he acknowledged that Burma lacked a recent tradition of democracy and openness. He asked for US help in making the transition from military to full civilian rule, the Associated Press quoted a senior US official. Thein Sein told Clinton that Burma's experience of democracy is in its infancy, and that the country's leaders have no plan to make a U-turn on the recent reforms efforts. He also said that Burma is working closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency for peaceful use of nuclear energy and will consider signing IAEA Supplemental Protocol, according to the New Light of Myanmar.

In his presentation, Thein Sein vowed that Burma would uphold its UN obligations with respect to North Korea, according to the senior US official. This visit is the first in five decades. Your visit is historic and will be a new chapter in relations. I appreciate the atmosphere you have created for friendly relations," Thein Sein told Clinton in the meeting, according to the AFP report. In a press briefing after her meeting with Thein Sein, Clinton said the US is ready to improve relations with Burma's quasi-civilian government if it keeps walking on the path of democratization. Clinton announced that the United States would no longer block cooperation between Burma and the International Monetary Fund, would support intensified UN health, microfinance and counternarcotics programs and allow Burma's participation in the Friends of the Lower Mekonga US-initiated grouping that aims to strengthen ties with Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. According to Burma state-run newspapers, the US will also consider to increase its diplomatic relationship with Burma. The US has not had an ambassador in Burma since the early 1990s and is represented now by a charge d'affaires. I told the leadership that we will certainly consider the easing and elimination of sanctions as we go forward in this process together, she said. "I came to assess whether the time is right for a new chapter in our shared history," Clinton said, adding that the US was ready to further improve relations with the civilian government but only if it stays on a path of democratization. She also called for the release of political prisoners and the peaceful resolution of ethnic conflicts in Burmathe US preconditions before considering lifting its economic sanctions against the country. Clinton rejected the idea that the US outreach to Burma was partially a response to the growing regional influence of China. "We are not viewing this in light of any competition with China," she said. "We are viewing it as an opportunity for us to re-engage here." We welcome positive and constructive relations between China and her neighbors. We think that it is in China's interests as well as the neighborhood's interests. We think that being friends with one doesn't mean not being friends with others. Clinton has promised during her trip that the US has offered Burma US $1.2 million in aid to support micro-finance, health care and assistance for the victims of landmines, and would also support US university and foundations to increase academic exchange collaboration in health, governance and other matters. The increased US interaction with Burma comes after the Burmese government recently made a series of overtures to the pro-democracy opposition, including a meeting between Suu Kyi and President Thein Sein, the release of some political prisoners, the suspension of an unpopular

Chinese-backed hydropower dam and, most recently, moves to change the Political Parties Registration Law. President Barack Obama described these steps as flickers of progress in Burma and decided to send Clinton to the country to explore opportunities to strengthen the reform process. Hillary Clintons Visit Schedule in Burma Date November 30 Arrived in Burmese Capital Naypyitaw with her own airplane December 1 A meeting with Burmese FM Wunna Mg Lwin at the Foreign Ministry Office A meeting with Burmese President Thein Sein at the President Office Lunch with President Thein Sein and his family at the President Office Separate meetings with Peoples Parliament Chairman Thura Shwe Mann and National Parliament Chairman Khin Aung Myint Then, Left for Rangoon, Burmas Old Capital Arriving at Rangoon Airport Then immediately visit to Burmas Landmark Shwedagon Pagoda Having Dinner with Burmese Democracy Leader Aung San Suu Kyi at the House of U.S Head Diplomat in Rangoon December 2 A meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi at her House A meeting with NLD Central Executive and CRPP leaders at Daw Suu House A meeting with NGOs and former political prisoners at U.S Embassy A meeting with minority ethnic both from political parties and NGOs at one Rangoon Art Gallery Concludes her Burma Visit Time 3:30 PM 9 AM 10 AM Noon After Lunch

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Meanwhile, during Clintons visit in Burma, the Chinese Foreign Ministry on December 1 issued a statement welcoming the improved relations between the US and Burma. At the invitation of Aung San Suu Kyi, about 100 Burmese famous film directors, actors and actress on December 3, came to her house to meet her to discuss film-making of Burma Independence Hero Gen. Aung San. Gen. Aung San is a father of Burmese Army as well as Aung San Suu Kyi. This is the first time numerous Burmese celebrities work together with opposition in Burma. On December 2, the Burmese Shan State government signed a ceasefire agreement with the Shan State Army-South (SSA-South), one of the major ethnic militias in Burma's edgy border regions. The ceremony was taken place in Shan State Capital Taunggyi, attended by Shan State government officials led by Col Aung Thu, the minister of Border Affairs and Security, Shan State Chief of Justice Maung Maung, and General Staff Officer (Grade-1) of Triangle Regional Command Lt-Col Zaw Tun Myint, and SSA-South representatives led by Brig-Gen Sai Lu.

Two Union Ministers, Aung Min of Ministry of Railways and Khin Maung Soe, the Ministry of Electric Power-2, attended the meeting and signed the Shan State peace agreement as a witness. SSA-S is one of the few ethnic armed groups never reach peace agreement with Burmese government. The Chinese and Burmese army chiefs signed an agreement on defense cooperation in Beijing on November 29. The visiting Burmese Gen Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Burmese armed forces, signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation with his Chinese counterpart from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Gen Chen Bingde, to continued friendly relations between the two armies, according to the Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency. China has been a major ally of Burma since 1988, when the US-led Western coalition shunned Burma both diplomatically and economically following the military government's crackdown on democracy protests that year. Min Aung Hlaing kicks off China trip on November 27. Meanwhile, in accordance with a decision of Central Executive Committee, National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi on November 28, formed a central level election campaign committee of the party with 11 members. On November 25, two leading members of the NLD, Nyan Win and Win Myint, submitted their registration application at the Union Election Commission (UEC) in Naypyidaw with a list of 21 founding members. On the same day, Aung San Suu Kyi met 50 Burmese musicians in Rangoon as a part of her preparations for the election campaign. On the same day, party official said NLD will accept One Million members for the first recruit as a new party. Burmese state-run newspapers Myanma Alin and The Mirror reported on November 24 that Snr-Gen Than Shwe (retired) and Daw Kyaing Kyaing's family donated US $1,300, 11 rubies, a pearl and a golden ring with 61 diamonds, which is valued at kyat 488,000, toward the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic from China. This is the first time Burmese military strongman has been referred to as retired by the state media following the current President Thein Sein-led civilian government took office on March 30, 2011. Also, on November 18, Than Shwe, 77, reportedly made an uncommon trip outside of his home to visit the Uppatasanti Pagoda to pay homage to a Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic from China in Naypyidaw. According to some government sources and relatives, Than Shwe now mostly lives quietly in the remote capital of Naypyidaw, although sometimes he travels to Rangoon to visit his children. In the meantime, on November 18, The National League for Democracy (NLD) collectively decides to re-register as a political party and run in upcoming by-elections. The party Central

Committee meeting, attended by 106 committee members across the nation, makes the historic decision at party HQs office in Rangoon. Frankly, I supported party re-registration. For the elections, I want to compete in all vacant seats rather than just three seats, for the sake of people, Burmese democracy icon and party general secretary Aung San Suu Kyi said shortly after party representatives from 14 states and regions reached their decision. In a speech delivered at the opening of the meeting, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate said she encouraged party members to decide the party's future democratically and urged members to accept the majority decision. Democracy means we have to follow and respect the majoritys decision, whether we like it or not, she told Central Committee members of the NLD. In the democratic process, sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. We have to accept it. I dont want the way party members to decide based on my decision, she added. Looking ahead, we must work to amend the Constitution, she said. We must do this not only for the sake of the NLD, but for the whole country and the whole union. We must amend any laws that are not for the benefit of the country. Aung San Suu Kyi also said that it was acceptable to register the party under the current circumstances because the government has recognized the result of the 1990 elections. A day earlier, on November 17, US president Barack Obama made a phone call to Burma democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from his air force 1 while he was travelling from Australia to Indonesia to attend 19th ASEAN Summit. On November 17, the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), meeting at the 19th Asean Summit in Bali, Indonesia, announced that the group members had unanimously agreed to give Burma the chairmanship of the regional bloc in 2014. Its not about the past, its about the future, what leaders are doing now, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told reporters. Were trying to ensure the process of change continues. Indonesia is the current chairman of the grouping. The issue of granting Burma the 2014 chairmanship was one of the top agendas at the Asean Summit. Under routine system, Burma is scheduled to take the chairmanship in 2016. In 2006, Burma did not take the groups chair in order to avoid western pressure. In mid November, Burmese media based in foreign countries had reported that a grandson of Burma's former military dictator, Snr-Gen Than Shwe, reportedly traveled to Europe late last month after being granted a visa by the French Embassy in Rangoon.

Its said Nay Shwe Thway Aung, 21, left for Europe on Oct 26 despite a visa ban that prohibits senior Burmese military leaders and their families from traveling in the European Union, Burmese exiled media reported. He was granted a visa, which allows unrestricted travel within 25 European countries, including 22 in the EU. According to Burmese government-controlled media, commander-in-chief of Burmese armed forces Gen Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Vietnam on November 14 for his first international trip as a commander-in-chief. He was accompanied by senior officers of war office including Lt. Gen Thaung Aye, Lt. Gen Sein Win, regional commanders Brig Gen Mya Htun Oo, and Bring Gen Ye Aung. President Thein Sein, on November 4, signed the amendments to the Political Party Registration Law. The amendments of the party law signed by Thein Sein alter three areas of the law. The law previously prohibited anyone who has been convicted of a crime from being a member of a political party. NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi herself had been convicted on a made up charge, and would have had to leave the party she has led. The clause has now been dropped, clearing the way for former political prisoners to engage in politics. Another article was amended to say that registered parties shall "respect and abide" by the constitution rather than "safeguard" it. The third amendment says that any party that registers after the general election must run candidates in at least three constituencies in by-elections to remain legally registered. The original law said a party had to stand at least three candidates in the general election. Meanwhile, on November 3, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Armys (DKBA) Brigade 5 reached a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese government. Brig-Gen Saw Lah Pwe, a leader of the DKBA Brigade 5, who signed the agreement said, I think they really want to make a ceasefire with us at this moment. He also said the DKBA Brigade 5 will reopen its headquarters in Sone Seen Myaing, Myawaddy Township, Karen State. DKBA Brigade 5, which has an estimated 1,500 troops, split from the DKBA, which has an estimated 6,000 troops, and began armed conflict with government troops in 2010 when the former Burmese junta attempted to force the DKBA to become Border Guard Force (BGF). Later, on Nov 7, 2010, DKBA Brigade 5 temporarily took control of several government buildings in the Thai-Burma border town of Myawaddy, and the fighting forced over 20,000 people to flee to Thailand. The whole DKBA signed a ceasefire with former Burmese junta in 1995, soon after it split from Karen National Union (KNU). The DKBA, with the exception of Brigade 5, previously agreed to join the BGF. Brigade 5 is no longer being asked to join Border Guard Force. On November 2, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation concluded a visit, which began on October 19, to Naypyidaw. The mission made a lengthy visit at the request of the Central Bank of Burma to discuss plans to unify the country's multiple exchange rates as well as lifting restrictions on international payments and transfers.

The mission team is led by Ms. Meral Karasulu, deputy division chief of the IMF Asian Pacific Department, and comprised of representatives of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. The team met the Burmese minister of finance, officials from the Central Bank of Burma, the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and private banks. Burmese government may accept the obligations of Article VIII of the IMFs Articles of Agreement which deals with international payments and currency exchange rates. According to a press statement issued by the IMF on November 1, the mission gave an initial diagnostic assessment of the legal framework and actual market practices governing the exchange rate system of Burma. This dealt, in particular, with the country's existing exchange restrictions and multiple currency practices. The IMF team will continue its work from its Tokyo headquarters in cooperation with the Burmese authorities as they formulate their policies towards accepting the obligations of Article VIII. The mission expects to visit Burma for a follow-up early in 2012, the statement said. According to the official line of the Burmese government, part of its economic reform agenda involves seeking the technical assistance of the IMF regarding the country's economic progress, foreign exchange rate, economic and monetary stability plus legal reforms. In early November, at the order of higher authority in Naypyitaw, local authorities in Myawaddy, a Burmese border town with Thailands MaeSot, have taken control No 10 gate of Karen Border Guard Force (former DKBA) at which BGF officials and human traffickers illegally charge Burmese migrant who cross the gate to go back inside Burma. Sources said Burmese migrant workers, who came back from Thailands flooding areas, have to pay 2500 Thai Baht per person at the gate. The gate has been for over a decade notorious for illegally taking money from migrant workers and other several right abuses. Its said the illegal money they got were shared between DKBA, Human Traffickers and Thai officials at the border. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++