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December 2010

Compiled and commented by the Political Defiance Committee (PDC) National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)
The activities of NLD and domestic opposition forces The relationship between NLD and the military junta
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The SPDC intimidated some NLD members who were briefing the people about the right to refrain from voting in the General Elections sponsored by the military regime, and also committed physical assaults upon them. On November 1, police and Power Mongers hold up about 150 NLD Youths campaigning in Rangoon Division South Dagon Township. Power Mongers wearing red armbands also obstructed campaigning youths in North Oakkala ward 2. SPDC authorities cordoned off NLD Youths distributing election boycott flyers in South Dagon ward 71 on November 3, dragging them off No. 39 line bus and seized Ko Aye Thwin's camera. USDP Organizer U Saw Mya Thaung physically assaulted private tuition teacher U Aung Pe who was handing out flyers in Twantay Township Kunchan ward on November 6. SPDC authorities and USDP members also threatened NLD Youths campaigning for no vote in twenty townships of Mandalay Division such as Meikhtila, Wundwin, Thazi, Yamethin, Kyaukbadaung, etc. On November 12, SPDC Supreme Court turned down Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest appeal but the regime freed her next day in the evening. She commented on the 18th that her release from seven-year's detention was not a sign of regime's moderation. At a rally attended by more than a hundred thousand people to greet her in front of the NLD HQ on the 14 th, SPDC authorities planted Power Mongers or thugs among the people to provoke riot. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi personally went to Rangoon Divisional Court on the 16 th to put her signature on the oath to prosecute the SPDC about NLD's legal right to exist. NLD attorneys testified at the Central Court in Naypyidaw on the 18th about the case but the case was rejected on the 23rd. Mandalay Divisional Court also rejected an appeal by Arakan State Taungup Township NLD member Ko Min Aung who is being detained for reporting army's forced labor to the ILO. SPDC Press Scrutiny Board instructed all publications to use the word 'disbanded NLD' instead of NLD. After Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visited a safe house run by NLD leader Ma Phyu Phyu Thinn for HIV/AIDS victims in South Dagon to give encouragement, SPDC authorities put various sorts of pressure to close the safe house by citing poor hygienic conditions. NLD Youth member Ko Yazar refuted allegations by regime's daily Kyemon newspaper, proclaiming that they could not drive out the patients. Although the NLD was not participating in but boycotting the SPDC-sponsored elections, it would set up an enquiry commission to investigate election frauds and present the findings,

PDC News Commentary ~ December 2010 (Eng)

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Central Executive Committee member U Win Tin said on the 8th. Popular leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said on November 15 that her chief objective was to bring about a peaceful change in Burma and that she wished to see Burma Army as an honorable armed force, adding that she could work with SPDC or USDP for Burma's democracy issue. While Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD was offering olive branch to the SPDC with soft approaches, SPDC generals did not make any official responses but rather carrying out all sorts of attacks and vilifications through the media under their control.
The relationship between ethnic groups and the military junta

Relations between military regime and ethnic ceasefire forces were getting tenser with each passing day, tending to erupt into a full-fledged civil war again. As the SPDC increased troop deployment in Myawaddy by strengthening IBs 335, 275 and 24, confrontations arose with DKBA Brigade 5 which was refusing to transform into a Border Guard Force (BGF). On November 7, Election Day, DKBA Battalion 902 led by Maj. Kyaw Thet under the command of Brigade 5 took over Myawaddy-Maesot Friendship Bridge, MAS office, Communications office and police post, resulting in firefights. Battles continued in the morning of 8th, leading to deaths of five civilians and some SPDC soldiers with about twenty wounded. On that day the DKBA detained MOC 8 Tactical Command 3 G-3 Capt. Thet Naing who came to talk to the DKBA, but released him on the 12th. Battles also broke out between DKBA forces and SPDC troops in Three Pagodas Pass region on the same day. DKBA Battalion 907 led by Maj. Nortaya and KNU Brigade 6 troops led by Capt. Saw Htenay joined hands to attack SPDC IB 283 and LIR 405 outposts on Maekatha highway in Three Pagodas Pass ward 4 and took hold of Three Pagodas Pass town. They overran and burned down SPDC offices. On that day SPDC IBs 283, 284 and 31 shelled Karen villages around Kyainn-Seikkyi town without pretext, killing a 13-year old girl and wounding one boy. On the 9th, SPDC troops assisted by 120mm mortar fire, occupied Wallay Myaing Base where DKBA Brigade 5's HQ was based. SPDC IBs 270 and 284 also attacked Three Pagodas Pass on November 13 with artillery support, resulting in heavy fighting. On the 16 th, SPDC forces captured DKBA Battalion 906's Rubber Plantation (Ava checkpoint) post. As DKBA and KNU troops continued guerrilla warfare in Wallay, Three Pagodas Pass and Kawkareik Township's Hteetapalei regions, battles raged daily with casualties on both sides. At a confrontation near Kyaukkwe village, Three Pagodas Pass Township, on November 11 between KNU Brigade 6 Battalion 16 and SPDC IBs 284, 207, about twenty SPDC men perished. When attacking DKBA Brigade 5 and KNU forces, the SPDC was exploiting BGFs transformed from DKBA thereby systematically dividing Karen nationalities. Instability was arising among Karen ceasefire groups transformed into BGFs. On the 22 nd, Lt. Htu Lui Eiur of DKBA-turned-BGF 1018 based in Myawaddy Township Shwe Kokko village was shot to death by one of his men. Many troopers from Karen BGFs were continually defecting to KNU and DKBA Brigade 5. Three Pagodas Pass-based Battalion 3 headed by Lt. Col. Saw Lay War from another Karen ceasefire group known as the Hawngthayaw group or KPF was forced to surrender due to SPDC regime's pressure. SPDC pressures prompted Maesot-based No. 4 Regional Control Force to raid and search the homes of six KNU leaders in Maesot on the night of November 2. Tensions continued in KIO territory where the KIO was refusing to convert into a BGF. The SPDC ordered closure of all KIO liaison offices in towns by the end of November and also

PDC News Commentary ~ December 2010 (Eng)

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cut off some routes leading to KIO HQ. In the second week of November, the SPDC sent five battalions to KIO- and SSA (North)-controlled territories to reinforce MOC 3 and its ten battalions already deployed there. SPDC troops deployed in SSA (North) Brigade 1 territory before the elections were not withdrawn. The Brigade 1 was refusing to become a Home Guard Force. The UWSA issued a four-point statement on November 5 rejecting SPDC elections. It started airing TV programs of the DVB through Wa State Information Dept. since November 10. The SPDC shut off Ta-ping frontier gate at Namlway Bridge connecting Kengtung and Eastern Shan State Mongla Special Region 4 (NDAA-ESS) on November 24. Since the first week of November, the SPDC was conducting military operations in KNPP-active areas of Kayah State with LIRs 512, 511 and 517 under the command of LID 55. SPDC troops have apparently increased their strength in New Mon State Party areas including the HQ area. Ethnic armed forces, KNU, KNPP, NMSP, KIA, SSA (North) and CNF, met at Thai-Burma border in Mae Hong Son Province on November 2 to form a Federal Union Formation Committee. A Federal Parliament comprising delegates from armed ethnic groups and elected representatives of 1990 election was established on the 6th with Khoo Rimond Htoo of KNPP and U Thein Oo of NLD-LA elected respectively as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Battles broke out between SSA (South) troops led by Lt. Gen. Sao Yawd Serk and SPDC forces since early November. On November 4th, two skirmishes in Eastern Shan State Mongyawng region caused the death of seven SPDC men with nine wounded. On the 11th, SSA (South) forces laid an ambush against Artillery Battalion 361 in Wan Sawt region, resulting in four dead including one colonel on SPDC side. Next day SSA (North) Central Security Force waged an hour-long battle with IB 33 in Want Hai region. On 23rd, a two-hour long battle in Ponpakyin Township caused two SPDC dead and two wounded. Ethnic armed groups issued proclamations denouncing SPDC elections. They also welcomed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release and urged her to initiate efforts toward national reconciliation. Six ethnic groups which have formed a military alliance were found to have started coordinated military actions in the form of guerrilla warfare along respective territories. As SPDC considered the whole country to be its enemy with its troops opening military fronts all over the country and not differentiating between frontline and rear, we assume that they could only wage a limited offensive.
The activities of NLD and domestic opposition forces

Prior to elections, NLD members stepped up 'no vote' campaigns all over the country. To welcome Daw Aung San Suu Kyi whose arrest term would be fulfilled on November 13, nearly one hundred State and Division NLD leaders came to Rangoon to wait for her release since the 11th. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's office room in the NLD HQ also got a renovation. Before her time was up, masses of people were lining up since Friday the 12th at the corner of University Avenue on which her house was situated, well into the night. On November 13th at 5:15 pm, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was finally freed and greeted by thousands of supporters waiting for her in front of her house. She has been tirelessly carrying out political activities since her release from house arrest. On November 14 in the afternoon she addressed more than 100,000 supporters waiting for her speech in front of the NLD HQ at Shwegondaing. She pledged to continue working for national reconciliation together with all democratic forces and also said that she wished to hear people's voices directly. After the public address, she held a press conference at the NLD
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office where domestic and foreign reporters turned up extensively. She spoke about the need to set up a network covering both home and abroad by utilizing modern technology so as to speed up Burma's pro-democracy movement. In response to reporters' question about her security, she said that her security depended upon authorities just like any other citizen's, adding that she has never considered her security since her release. Beginning on the 15th, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi started coming to office daily and conducted party work and mass organizing works. On the first morning she met with the NLD Legal Assistance Team and talked about the conditions facing the NLD and legal matters. She also called and separately met with NLD members Ko Naychi Min, Ko Naingan Lin and Ko Nyan Win Aung who were doing social assistance works on their own out of disagreements with NLD leaders. On the 17th, she visited HIV/AIDS victims looked after by the NLD Social Assistance Team in Rangoon Division South Dagon Township, and gave encouragement as well as enquiring about the conditions there. Thousands of local people greeted her on the way. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also met with CRPP members cum ethnic leaders. At the homagepaying ceremony for senior patriotic personages held on the 20th, ethnic leaders assigned her the duty to lead the convening of 21st century Panglong Conference and carry out the ethnic nationality issue. On the 22nd, she met with more than 100 NLD Youth leaders from various States and Divisions, and told them above all to raise their political consciousness, to set up effective communications networks among the youth and to work for the achievement of continued support of the people. She commented that the people and youths have become bolder in political matters. On the 23rd, she met with the NLD Central Women's Assistance Team and women leaders from States and Divisions. She led a discussion on political, economic and social issues which included relief of Arakan State's Cyclone Giri victims, human trafficking matters and Tuesday Prayer Team's activity for release of political prisoners. She also met separately with Arakan State NLD Organizing Committee members and donated Kyat 3.9 million for Cyclone Giri relief. She went to Rangoon Airport to receive her younger son Ko Htein Lin alias Kim Eris arriving on that day. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also met with leaders of political parties and Independent candidates that have contested in SPDC's 2010 elections. On the morning of 23 rd, she met with the Democratic Party (Myanmar) led by U Thu Wai, and on the 25 th, she met with the Peace and Diversity Party. The meetings resulted in decisions to cooperate on common programs. On the 26th, she met with twelve CRPP members to discuss convening of the second Panglong Conference. She visited and gave encouragement to about seventy family members of political prisoners on the 29th. When she went shopping at Bogyoke Aung San market on the 30th, thousands of people cheered her warmly. She also talked about national reconciliation matters with UN Secretary-General and some heads of state who called her on phone. She talked to British Prime Minister David Cameron on November 15, Mr. Ban Ki Moon on the 18 th, Greece Prime Minister George Papandreou on the 19th and Philippine President Benigno Aquino on the 22nd. She also received UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Burma Mr. Vijay Nambia on the 27th at her home. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi took questions asked by foreign-based Burmese media and international news agencies. She told CNN TV that she welcomed US government's engagement policy toward the SPDC military regime but suggested it to be a pragmatic relation. She told Indian Express newspaper that she was saddened over India's negligence of

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Burma's pro-democracy efforts, recommending the Indian government to work as well with organizations striving for Democracy in Burma as with the SPDC regime. She told The New York Times that she has not talked about prosecuting SPDC military chiefs at the International Criminal Court (NLD spokesperson U Nyan Win, however, refuted the that report, claiming that the newspaper has made a mistake). Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urged the Japanese government to assist Burma's transition from military dictatorship to democratic administration. NLD members and political activists reported on electoral fraud and illegitimate acts perpetrated by the SPDC Election Commission and the USDP on November 7, Election Day. On November 30, NLD Youths made blood donations at Insein Hospital and Mingladon Defense Services Hospital in dedication to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday and to national reconciliation (However Mingladon Defense Services Hospital refused to accept the blood donation). Most of the opposition parties and Independent candidates contesting in the SPDC-sponsored elections encountered all sorts of illegitimate and prejudiced persecution by regime authorities, election commissions and USDP even before the election, prompting the former to complain to the commissions and authorities or to file cases at police stations. On the Election Day, election commissions and polling booth officials committed vote cheatings and used unlawfully collected advance votes to help USDP candidates win the polling. Opposition candidates documented all these frauds complete with hard evidence and witnesses. Losing candidates also refused to put their signatures acknowledging defeat. To expose regime's frauds, these candidates hold press conferences, contacted foreign news media, informed the voters, issued reports, filed cases at relevant police stations, complained in writing to SPDC chiefs and explained to UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Burma Mr. Vijay Nambia. Because of SPDC Election Commission law stipulating deposit of Kyat one million to file formal objection, there were very few cases of formal objection filed at the Election Commission. Due to SPDC's poll cheatings and irregularities, even parties like the NUP and U Aye Lwin's Union of Myanmar National Politics Federation which were considered to be close to the military regime got frustrated and made formal objections. U Aye Lwin remarked, "Only when hit on the back did I realize it as dacoit." U Nay Myo Wai of the Peace and Diversity Party also said, "I did not listen to NLD's call for boycott of SPDC elections because I have not expected such injustice. NLD's decision is absolutely correct." Democratic Party (Myanmar) Chairman U Thu Wai who has regarded SPDC's election as "military dictators' withdrawal" told the press conference on November 19 that the military junta has conducted the election tactfully and that his party would continue extraparliamentary activities. Its Secretary-1 Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein also asserted that her party would not accept the election result but would object to it together with other prodemocracy parties. Dr. Than Nyein and U Khin Maung Swe who broke away from the antielection NLD to form the NDF party and contest in the elections also said that they could not recognize the election result as the SPDC's election was not fair and that they would ask the Election Commission to re-assess the results. With the exception of the USDP and the NUP, all other political parties contesting in the elections welcomed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release while some parties pledged to work together on common points. Differences arose among some political parties running for elections. The NDF party expelled its No. 2 leader U Thein Nyunt (Kawkareik), who was elected from Thingangyun Constituency, on allegations of failure to observe party duty and making irresponsible talk

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about internal party matters. Union Democracy Party Chairman U Thein Htay resigned from his party after the election and asserted that he would follow Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's leadership and carry out services to the people. On the 9th, All Burma Monks Alliance, '88 Generation Students and All Burma Federation of Students' Unions urged the Burmese people and the international community not to recognize the SPDC election. We assume that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD were using the tactics of winning over internal and external forces including ethnic nationalities to pressure the SPDC to get onto the dialogue route.
The military junta and domestic situation The situation of the activities of the military junta

Although the military regime's Election Commission has instructed all campaigning to cease by October 30, junta-sponsored USDP blatantly carried out canvassing activities till the Election Day and made illegitimate vote-buying in the whole country. The regime has banned entry visas of foreigners and passed new regulations to discipline domestic and foreign reporters before the election. Citing a cyber-attack against the Yadanarbon Teleport, Internet connections were cut off two weeks before the election. Starting from November 6, one day before the election, the Elections Commission and Information Ministry arranged a tour of polling booths in Rangoon and Mandalay for diplomats of Rangoon-based foreign embassies, reporters from foreign news agencies and reporters from domestic media in two groups. (American and European embassies refused to go on the tour to look at SPDC's sham election.) Although the law said advance vote collection was to start only on November 5, the SPDC gathered advance votes among soldiers and family members, civil servants and family members and in some rural areas two weeks before the election. Authorities as well forced those who were able to go to and vote at the polling booths to cast advance ballots. Also on the Election Day, all sorts of polling frauds and vote cheatings were done, with the USDP defeating rival party candidates by means of advance votes. When the All Mon Region Democratic Party General Secretary Dr. Min Nwe Soe personally witnessed the polling booth in-charge of Mudon Township Nyaungon village polling station no. 2 writing affirmative marks for the USDP on ballot sheets, he complained to relevant officials. The Township Commission informed Dr. Saw Naing, Independent candidate for South Oakkala Constituency for Regional Assembly, on November 8 at 9 pm that he has won the seat and made him sign an acknowledgement paper for his win but on November 10, the SPDC announced on the evening news of Burmese TV that USDP candidate U Aung Kyaw Moe has won. Similarly NDF candidate U Aung Myat Tun contesting from Bahan Constituency was winning by a margin of more than 2000 votes over the USDP candidate at the time of votecounting after the polling booth closure, but the Township Commission informed him on the next day that he has lost to the USDP candidate. Nai Ngwe Thein and Dr. Hla Aung, candidates of the All Mon Region Democracy Party respectively for People's Assembly and National Assembly from Kyaikmaraw Township Constituency have beaten rival USDP candidates at each polling booth but eventually lost due to advance votes which turned up later. Many candidates of Democratic Party (Myanmar), Karen People's Party, Rakhine Nationals Development Party, '88 Generation Students and Youths (Union of Myanmar), Union of
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Myanmar Federation of National Politics, Peace and Diversity Party and NUP were winning by a large margin after vote-counting but were lost by advance votes turning up, various concerned parties reported. According to a source close to the Commission, Senior Gen. Than Shwe has ordered the Election Commission not to let opposition parties win more than 30% of seats and to destroy all evidence after the election. China's Xinhua news agency reported on November 17 that the USDP has won a total of 76.5% in all three assemblies. Out of 1154 seats in three chambers, the USDP won 883, the NUP got 63, the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party 57, the Rakhine Nationals Development Party 35, the All Mon Region Democracy Party 16 and the NDF party got 16 seats, China's People's Daily reported online. The SPDC Election Commission was found modifying the figures for voter numbers and vote counts. Row 37 on supplement page kha of November 13th issue of SPDC newspapers reported that 152614 voters or 100% of eligible voters casted votes in Kyaukbadaung Township; row 187 on page ma of November 15th issue reported that 26065 voters or 104.28% of eligible voters casted votes in Amm Constituency1; row 235 on page la reported that 867956 voters or 8.15% of eligible voters cased votes in South Dagon Myothit Constituency-2. There figures were then corrected in the November 17th issue of SPDC dailies. The Commission also proclaimed USDP candidates to have won in cancelled constituencies. Row 6 on supplement page ta-talincheik of November 17th issue reported USDP candidate Baran Shaung as winner in Ingyanyan Constituency-2 while row 3 on supplement page htawunbe reported USDP candidate Mone Pornor as winner of Sumprabum Constituency-2 but on the next day, announced annulment of those proclamations. As strong objections against voting frauds of SPDC authorities, Election Commission and USDP turned up from both inside and outside the country, the SPDC Election Commission sent threatening letters to the parties on November 16, warning them to act in accordance with laws and by-laws. The Commission reprimanded the parties that their talking to foreignbased radio stations and media were infringing the provisions of Election Law Article 64. As an attempt to defend USDP's poll win and Election Commission's acts, a commentary in the November 20th issue of Kyemon newspaper said that the winners have prevailed by the ballots casted with both head and heart of voters and were thus in accordance with law. The SPDC imposed tighter restrictions upon news media. On November 7, it apprehended the owner of Japanese AFP news agency Mr. Toru Yamaji and kept him for three days till the 12th. The regime also arrested and then deported Australian ABC news agency's documentary cameraman Hugh Piper and producer Helen Barrow both of whom have their visa periods still left, ABC news agency disclosed on the 11th. The SPDC banned some publications which have printed the news of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi illustriously. It suspended First Eleven and Hot News for two weeks, and 7 Days, Venus News, Myanmar Newsweek, Myanmar Post and The Voice journals for one week. Authorities also banned reporters of domestic private media from attending the press conference of US Secretary-General's Special Envoy Mr. Vijay Nambia held at Rangoon Airport before his departure. However the SPDC ordered writer Nga Min Swe, who was always vilifying Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD, to demonstrate in front of the NLD HQ on the 25 th, wearing a T-shirt with the words "Dont cover Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's eyes and ears!" Victorious USDP's top leaders Prime Minister U Thein Sein, Industry-1 Minister U Aung Thaung and Transport and Communications Minister U Thein Swe visited Arakan State on the 24th and met with election-winning Rakhine Nationals Development Party to lure it. The

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team also continued their trip to Kachin State and met with winning ethnic parties there to win them over. Information Minister U Kyaw Hsan and Religion Minister Thura U Myint Maung also went to Karen State to win over the Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party via Taungalay Abbot U Pyinnya Thami to the USDP side. On November 26, Senior Gen. Than Shwe issued a signed directive aimed at successful opposition representatives who were clamoring for revision of the 2008 Constitution, democratic rights and ethnic rights to be won in the parliament. The directive specified twoyear's imprisonment for anyone speaking against state security, the three main national causes or the 2008 Constitution, inside the parliament. A video clip showing Police Director General Brig. Khin Yee, Police Brig. Myint Thein and Penal Dept. Director General (Retd.) Col. Zaw Win taking former SPDC Secretary-1 cum former Defense Intelligence Chief ex-Gen. Khin Nyunt, who was under house arrest on a suspended sentence of 44 years, and wife Dr. Daw Khin Win Shwe from their house to a new location surfaced on Facebook and Internet on November 26. It was not known who leaked the audio-lacking video file for what intent but various speculations arose since it coincided with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest and with tensions coming up between ceasefire groups and SPDC. The clip showed Brig. Khin Yee and U Khin Nyunt conversing, the latter going upstairs and coming down with a bag, hugging and kissing farewell to apparent grandchildren and settling in the new place. The time of filming was not known but we assume that the film was about U Khin Nyunt and wife being transferred to a more secure place for some security reason. We assume that some discreet internal change has appeared inside the SPDC military junta.
The socio-economic situation of the people

With the election approaching, Internet connections have become extremely slower so that cybercafs in cities have to close down while communications of hotels, airlines and news agencies were hurt. US dollar exchange rate dropped down continually after the election, and rice, beans and sesame export businesses sank by half. Storm victims in many Cyclone Giri-hit areas of Arakan State were in dire need of food, potable water and shelter, social associations carrying out relief work said. About 18,000 children in said areas were malnourished, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA) reported on November 16. On the 19th, the military regime signed a memo agreeing to Global Fund's provision of $105.2 million to combat HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria in next five years. The US Embassy initially donated $100,000 for Giri relief but later on increased its assistance to $300,000, U Aye Thar Aung reported on the 23rd. Due to fighting between SPDC and DKBA which started on November 7 and 8 in Myawaddy and Three Pagodas Pass townships, some people got wounded and some killed while tens of thousands fled into Thailand. Local populace who were forced to return to homeland because of Thai government's pressure, have to flee again because of consecutive fighting and then deported again. Burma's economic situation was complicated while common people have to struggle very hard to make their ends meet, and the conditions were worsening with time, economist Alison Vicary, Australia's Macquarie University commented on November 22.

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International Pressure

Even before the military regime's election has started, the international community has looked at the regime's oppression and stated that the election could not be free and fair. On November 2, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown labeled SPDC's election a farce. On the same day, British Foreign Office's Junior Minister Jeremy Brown asserted that Britain would not recognize the non-inclusive election called by the SPDC which was still holding political prisoners. British Ambassador to Burma Andrew Heyn also said on the 5th while in Bangkok that SPDC election would not be fair because it did not meet international standards. US President Obama also said at the press conference in Indonesia on the 9th that the SPDC-sponsored election would not be a free election. UN Secretary-General Ban KiMoon who was on a visit to China demanded the Chinese government to help with Burma's progress after the election. ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwon also said that the world would only regard the government coming out of an open and inclusive election to be a legitimate one and deal with it. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ms. Jody Williams spoke during a seminar held in Thailand on Burma affairs about no need to monitor SPDC's elections which were crooked and lacking in fairness right from the start. British Prime Minister David Cameron, US President Barack Obama, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, East Timorese President Ramos Horta, Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, South African International Relations and Cooperation Director General Molobi and other Nobel Peace Prize laureates issued statements welcoming Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release. Nobel Peace Prize laureate de Klerk, former South African Prime Minister, who was on a visit to Japan also welcomed her release and warned world nations not to forget her repeated detentions. At the UN Human Rights Committee meeting on November 18, a draft resolution of Burma issue motioned by US, EU and Western nations was adopted by 96 votes in favor, 28 against and 60 abstaining. China vehemently objected to the resolution and proclaimed nonacknowledgement of it. India also voted against it. On the same day, the UN Security Council under the leadership of alternating chair UK called a closed door meeting on Burma affairs. UN Human Rights Rapporteur on Burma Mr. Quintana demanded Burma on the 16th to promptly release more than 2100 political prisoners. On the 28th, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy Mr. Vijay Nambiar who was visiting Burma urged the SPDC to settle allegations of election fraud, to release all political prisoners and to initiate an inclusive political transition and national reconciliation. World nations repudiated the November 7 election called by the SPDC regime. Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon expressed disappointment on the 8th over SPDC military regime's failure to fulfill its promise of a free and fair election. American congressmen also denounced the election and stated on the 19th that any Burmese government that excluded Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic nationalities would not be legitimate. Czech Republic's parliamentary foreign affairs committee also declared SPDC election illegal and demanded release of all political prisoners. On the 8th, six Nobel Peace Prize laureates said that SPDC's election has ended their hopes. On the 15th, Indonesian Member of Parliament Budyman Sadjameko urged his country which would assume alternating ASEAN chair in 2011 to appraise SPDC's election. At the press conference on the same day, American State Department spokesperson P.J. Crowley asserted that the US government would constantly watch the progress of the military regime and maintain engagement and economic sanctions.

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson told AFP news agency on the 16th that China believed in SPDC's upholding of the seven-step road map but refused to answer questions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's role. Both China and current alternating ASEAN chair Vietnam described SPDC election as an apparent development on the 9th. EU parliamentarians demanded on the 26th for cessation of support to the SPDC by China, India, Russia and ASEAN and for collective pressure upon the regime to bring about positive changes in Burma. In his speech in front of Indian parliamentarians on November 9th, US President Obama criticized India's policy toward Burma. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also said that the Indian government should engage as well with Burmese pro-democracy organizations as with the SPDC regime, prompting Indian Foreign Ministry Secretary Mrs. Nirupama Rao to claim on the 22nd that closeness between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and India was inseparably firm. On the 16th, Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara asserted that the Japanese government was practicing a positive engagement policy for Burma's democracy development. Japan's Tokyo Provincial Assembly speaker also welcomed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's efforts for national reconciliation, on the 24th. We assume that although the international community is disappointed with military regime's deeds, they would recognize and deal with the upcoming USDP government as they did with the present regime if the opposition forces could not work out any effective action. //End of Report /Saturday, December 11, 2010// //End of Translation/Saturday, December 18, 2010//

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