Myanmar continues assault on Kachin rebels

Military attacks near ethnic group's stronghold threaten to deliver a setback to its independence movement.

Ethnic Kachin rebels in northern Myanmar say the government is keeping up air and ground attacks against them despite international calls for restraint.
An exclusive video obtained by Al Jazeera on Tuesday reportedly shows government air raids on an area controlled by Kachin fighters.
Pointing to the latest skirmish near the northern city of Laiza, Al Jazeera's Wayne Hay says that "there is no sign that this fighting is slowing down anytime soon.
"There is some feeling that perhaps the Myanmar military is launching an attempt to take that town, which of course would be a severe blow to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)".
Laiza, which is near the border with China, and a government base are close to each other, and access to both is by the same road.

Myanmar military admits airstrikes against Kachin

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's military acknowledged launching airstrikes against ethnic Kachin rebels in the north and said it captured a hilltop post from where the insurgents had attacked government supply convoys.
The statement broadcast on state television Wednesday contradicted government claims two days earlier that the military was not carrying out offensive air attacks on the Kachin, raising questions about how much control the elected government of reformist President Thein Sein has over the army.
The United States said Wednesday the use of air power in Kachin state was "extremely troubling." In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland urged the government and the Kachin rebel group to cease their conflict and begin a real dialogue for peace.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Myanmar's authorities "to desist from any action that could endanger the lives of civilians living in the area or further intensify the conflict in the region," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said. Ban called on the government and rebels to work toward political reconciliation.

Burmese Democracy Icon’s Sweater Sells for $49,000

A sweater hand-knit by democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi sold for $49,000 Thursday night at a fundraising auction in Burma’s commercial capital Rangoon.
The red, green and blue V-neck, whose initial bidding price was $6,000,was sold at an event organized by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party. A Burmese radio station won the bidding war for the sweater, the Associated Press reported.
(PHOTOS: Aung San Suu Kyi’s Path to Victory, by James Nachtwey)
Forty-nine thousand dollars is a lot of money in one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia; it’s equivalent to about 23 years of income for a local taxi driver (although he probably wouldn’t need the sweater in a city where temperatures rarely drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit). The money will be used to pay for the education of children in need, the organizers said.

Jason Mraz becomes first international star in decades to perform in Burma

Jason Mraz, the American singer, became the first major international entertainer in decades to perform in Burma, with a concert to raise awareness of human trafficking.

Jason Mraz (C) performs during the MTV EXIT Live show, a free concert aimed at raising awareness of human trafficking, in Yangon, Myanmar Photo: EPA

Mraz's 2008 hit "I'm Yours" was the finale for the night-time concert before a crowd of about 50,000 people at the base of the famous hilltop Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon, the country's biggest city.

Local artists, including a hip-hop singer, also played at the event organised by MTV in co-operation with US and Australian government aid agencies and the anti-slavery organisation Walk Free.

Burma breaks reform promise by opening new offensive in Kachin frontline

By Zin Linn Dec 16, 2012

Asian Correspondent 

 

Burma Army strategic warfare against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) near the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)’s HQ Liaza this time seems to be a decisive military operation.

A Kachin soldier mans a frontline position, facing off against Burma government troops about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the KIO headquarters in Laiza, as of Feb. 13, 2012. (AP Photo)

There are fresh reports from Kachin battle-frontline across the Internet as well as social media and the on-line newspapers constantly.  Besides, people throughout the country including non-governmental organizations feel shock that this battle will cause another humanitarian disaster following 100,000 people fled their homes for safety shelter in remote forest during 18-month old war.

According to media reports, there are more than 30,000 IDPs in Burmese government controlled areas and over 60,000 IDPs are currently taking refuge in KIO controlled areas. Several hundreds of civilians continue escaping their native places because they are scared of bullets, bombs, forced labors, rape, torture and other forms of violence.

Banking Reform Is Central to Burma’s Economic Progress

From VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report in Special English.

Burma's financial industry has suffered from years of mismanagement under military rule. But more recently, the government has pushed through economic reforms. Those measures are changing the nation’s banks and reenergizing businesses. There are even hopes that Burma could become one of Asia’s fast growing economies: an Asian Tiger.

Burma had the one of the best-performing economies in Southeast Asia before the military seized power in 1962. Many years of state control over the economy followed. Widespread corruption and international sanctions left it one of the poorest countries in the area.

Western Union to operate in Myanmar

Bangkok Post 

 

Western Union has signed a deal to conduct person-to-person money transfers through Co-operative Bank of Myanmar, one of the last nations on Earth which restricted the US money-transfer company.

“Western Union has just signed an agreement with CB Bank for money transfers to begin (Friday) Dec 14,” Phey Myint, CB Bank’s Managing Director told Mizzima.
Using Western Union’s bureau in Singapore as a conduit for all international transfers, money can now be transferred from Myanmar to foreign countries, and vice versa, he said.

In September, Western Union signed a contract with Myanmar Oriental Bank to allow remittances through its Myanmar branches, but only payments coming into Myanmar were agreed at that time.

Burma caught using Swedish weapons in war against rebels

Inquiry launched into how anti-tank rifles were found on soldiers in breach of EU sanctions

 The authorities in Stockholm have launched an investigation into how new Swedish-made
weapons made their way to Burma in breach of EU sanctions where they were used
by troops in military operations against ethnic rebels.

The Swedish Agency for Non-Proliferation and Export Controls (ISP) confirmed that an investigation had been launched after it was handed details about several high-performance M-3 Carl Gustav anti-tank weapons that were recovered by Kachin rebels who had been battling Burmese troops in bloody and ongoing clashes.

“We have the serial numbers for these weapons and with this you can know the where, when and what – the detailed information,” said an ISP spokeswoman. “We hope we will be able to trace how they got there.”
While the EU and the US has suspended most sanctions against Burma in recognition of reforms that have been introduced by the nominally-civilian government of President Thein Sein, bans on the sale of weapons remain in place. In any sale to a foreign country, US or European arms manufacturers are obliged to enforce an end user agreement that stipulates the arms cannot be sold on to restricted nations such as Burma.

MDR's Myanmar move an added plus

Myanmar's government wants to increase mobile subscription rate to 75 per cent by March 2016. This means adding 40 million subscribers in under four years. The government is poised to grant up to four telecommunication operating licences - two to Myanmar companies and two to foreign companies - with 4G services targeted as early as 2013. If it succeeds, this country - like neighbouring Laos - could have more mobile phone subscribers than fixed line subscribers - PHOTO: AP

By Ven Sreenivasan

IS MDR finally getting the attention it deserves? The stock of the mobile phone company has been active after it recently announced a joint venture to enter the mobile phone market in Myanmar.
Under a deal inked with Be-Well (Myanmar) Company Ltd, Be-Well Corporation Pte Ltd and Avitar Enterprises Pte Ltd, MDR will hold a 51 per cent stake in the joint venture, temporarily called JVC.

JVC will "tap into the potential growth of the telecommunication industry in Myanmar" and provide after-sales services of telecommunication devices to consumers, the announcement said. More importantly, it will also be involved in the lucrative mobile devices and accessories distribution and retail businesses via exclusive retail franchisee procurement services to Myanmar-based Golden Myanmar Sea Co Ltd (GMS).
There is good reason why this piece of news should spur interest in MDR.

Original Link

Scomi wins job in Myanmar

The Star online 

PETALING JAYA: Scomi Group Bhd has been awarded a drilling fluids and drilling waste management contract in Myanmar worth about RM93.6mil.

Wan Ruzlan: ‘We are excited about the prospects of this contract.’

Scomi's oilfield services business under Scomi Oiltools Bermuda Ltd will provide PTTEP International Ltd (PTTEPI) drilling fluids and drilling waste management equipment and related engineering services for three blocks in Myanmar.

The company said in a statement the contract was commencing in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Since 2003, Scomi Oiltools has been servicing major clients in Myanmar including PTTEPI and Daewoo.
Scomi said Scomi Oiltools had embarked on various initiatives to strengthen its support services in anticipation of the growth prospects in the region, establishing a drilling fluids laboratory with trained laboratory engineers in Thailand.

Additionally, Scomi Oiltools' Thai operations will act as the second regional centre for its drilling waste management services and provide training and workshop services to support regional operations, with the other being in Dubai.
“We are excited about the prospects of this contract.

Global think tank honors Thein Sein, ignores Kachin state war crimes allegations

KNG

In recognition of President Thein Sein's “bold and visionary reform initiatives” the International Crisis Group (ICG), dubbed the world's largest think tank, will bestow the ex-general turned civilian politician with its annual Pursuit of Peace Award next April.
The ICG has chosen to celebrate General Than Shwe's hand-picked successor in spite of the fact that the army ostensibly under Thein Sein's control has committed what human rights groups describe as war crimes against civilians in Kachin state. The ICG however has opted to overlook this serious blemish on Thein Sein's record focusing instead on his much heralded peace initiative.

Thein Sein “has made vast strides in ending the decades-long conflict affecting Myanmar,” said the ICG in a brief bio which accompanied last month's press release announcing the award. Since Thein Sein came to office “all but one of the ethnic armed groups have signed preliminary ceasefires with the government, and it is hoped that an agreement will also soon be reached with the Kachin Independence Organization,” said the ICG press release.

I will tell the real truth (8)

Published on Monday, 26 November 2012 11:39

Written by Than Htut Aung, Eleven Media Groups

(1)
I have not been writing for sometime. During the past three months, I tried to write something, but torn the paper away, and not a single piece of article is completed. I got some ideas to write when US President Obama visited Myanmar.
Our Myanmar people have been waiting for successive American presidents to visit Myanmar since many years. If we counted back the number of US presidents over the years, we had waited senior Bush for four years, Clinton for eight years, junior Bush for eight years, and Obama for another four years. After the long wait of 24 years, we are now in the international community.
The interest of the United States has now shifted from the Middle East to the Asia and the Pacific Region. Whatever the actual situation may be, I think that the visit of Obama at least indicated that we have escaped and overcome from the status of underdog being bullied and undermined among the neighboring countries. It does not matter what the purpose may be, but finally I am glad that the interest of the United States is here.
When Obama mentioned that the national reconciliation is the key factor to reform, my mind rushed towards Saya Ludu U Sein Win. As Ludu U Sein Win already passed away, I tried to keep away his soul from my mind. However, I think about him when I have to tackle issues, problems and find solutions. Sometimes, I involuntarily dialed his residence phone number 375177.

Burma Business Roundup (Saturday, Dec. 8)

IRRAWADDY

Big Thai Cement Firm Plans Major Factory in Burma
Major Thai cement maker Siam Cement Group (SCG) is to move its main manufacturing base to Burma, according to the International Cement Review newspaper.

The Bangkok-based giant plans to build production facilities in southeastern Burma’s Tenasserim Division, it said, quoting a SCG company manager.
“SCG is planning to manufacture its main products in [Burma] and is willing to open four retail stores in Yangon, Mandalay Naypyidaw and one other major city,” said Soontornpol Veerapravati.
World Cement magazine said SCG also wants to build a hydro dam to provide electricity for the factory or factories.

Industry observers expressed surprise that SCG is not considering Dawei for the location of a factory, given the proposals by other Thai firms to develop an industrial port there.
“If it goes ahead Dawei will have transport infrastructure, at least linking into Thailand,” said an industry source in Bangkok speaking on condition of anonymity. “The siting of production facilities in the deep south of Burma is surprising also when the initial demand for cement is likely to come from the greater Rangoon region.”

UN Official Calls for Help for Myanmar's Displaced

YANGON, Myanmar December 7, 2012 (AP)

The head of humanitarian affairs for the United Nations on Friday described conditions as dire in some camps housing refugees from communal violence in western Myanmar.

AP

U.N. Under Secretary General for Humanitarian...

Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos also called on the government to allow the U.N. to travel to areas in northern Myanmar controlled by ethnic Kachin insurgents who are fighting against the army, in order to provide assistance to civilians affected by the strife.
Her remarks at a news conference at the end of a four-day visit underscored concerns about Myanmar's stability even as the country makes strides toward a democratic society under the reformist government of President Thein Sein after almost five decades of military rule.
"There have been a number of very encouraging political developments this year but also a number of humanitarian challenges that need to be addressed where the United Nations and our partners can help and make a difference," she said.
She called on the government to promote reconciliation in Rakhine state, where antagonism between the Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya communities burst into deadly violence, killing around 200 people on both sides and displacing about 110,000 people, the vast majority of them Muslims.

National reconciliation vital: Suu Kyi

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, delivering her keynote address at the ASEAN 100 Leadership Forum in Yangon, Myanmar. Picture: BT/ Raul Padernal

The Brunei Times

 BASIC human rights, was the foundation in which Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Laureate and chairperson of the National League for Democracy, built her oration on at the annual ASEAN 100 Leadership Forum.

The Nobel Peace Prize recipient, addressed over 180 ASEAN 100 participants and international ambassadors in Myanmar, including Singapore and Australia.

Her topic was "Resilience in Turbulent Times". She said that Myanmar has faced turbulence in the past, and that there still is turbulence in the country now. "When I first entered politics in 1988, I entered as one of those working for democracy and human rights because I believe in the value of human rights and democratic institutions," she said.

Top UN official Valerie Amos in Burma Kachin plea

BBC 

 

Kachin state remains a conflict-riddled area with thousands of displaced people

Top UN humanitarian official Valerie Amos has called for urgent access to some 40,000 people in northern Burma who have been displaced by fighting between troops and Kachin rebels.

Ms Amos said it was clear that they were in desperate need of assistance.

The Burmese military has allowed only a handful of aid vehicles into the area in the last 18 months.
Fighting flared up between the two sides in June last year when a long-standing ceasefire broke down.
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by fighting between the Burmese army and the Kachin Independence Army over the last 20 years. There have been many reports of human rights abuses.
The conflict is being seen as one of the biggest tests facing Burma's new civilian government as it attempts to reform the country.

NTT Data eyes ICT potential in Myanmar

By Jamie Yap | December 6, 2012 --ZDNet

Summary: Besides its offshore software development site in Myanmar, Japan's NTT Data also sees opportunities to offer ICT services to build up the country's infrastructure in the near future.

SINGAPORE--NTT Data, the IT services arm of Japan's NTT Group, has pegged its presence and future growth in burgeoning Myanmar to its recently-opened offshore development center, as well as opportunities to provide ICT solutions in the country's "social infrastructure" such as traffic control and monitoring in transportation.

Located in Yangoon, the offshore development center began operations on Nov. 8 and mainly supports software development projects outsourced from Japan. Soon, work from customers in foreign developed economies across Europe and the United States will be added, according to Ryoji Fukaya, Asia-Pacific president and CEO of NTT Data.

Is Reform Stalling In Burma? – Analysis

By Parameswaran Ponnudurai, RFA

Burma’s violent crackdown on protesters against a China-backed copper mine has raised doubts about President Thein Sein’s reform effort as his 21-month-old quasi-civilian administration grapples with a major public backlash over the bloody raid.

The pre-dawn raid last week by security forces aimed at clearing hundreds of peaceful protesters from the mining site in northern Burma has also left some wondering whether the ex-generals at the helm of the administration have actually shed their authoritarian past.

Scores of protesters were injured, including monks campaigning for villagers, who claimed that a joint venture of the Burmese and Chinese militaries had illegally evicted them from farmland to make way for the copper mine blamed for environmental destruction.

Myanmar: A nation rises

 By David Pilling and Gwen Robinson, Financial Times

The impact of the rapid shift to democracy is far-reaching but barriers remain 

A short walk from Yangon’s notorious Insein prison, where Myanmar’s military junta jailed and tortured political prisoners, lies the Eden Centre for Disabled Children. Its little courtyard and few surrounding buildings are among the only facilities in the country for young people with physical and learning difficulties.

On improvised slalom courses made from cushions and wooden benches, those with cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome and muscular dystrophy are taught to improve their motor skills. Teachers provide basic education for those with learning difficulties. They also counsel parents worried about what will happen when their children grow up, given Myanmar’s lack of social security and scant job prospects for disabled people.

“I am trying to learn more about advanced techniques,” says Lilian Gyi, director of the school, whose training in Germany 35 years ago makes her the country’s only expert in special education.
The Eden Centre is a small reminder of how deprived Myanmar’s people have been left by years of military rule and poor economic management. However, it also stands as a symbol of how the shift towards democracy that began 18 months ago could have a profound impact in unexpected areas of national life.
Since the junta led by Than Shwe ceded power to an elected government last March, the country has changed in remarkable and often unanticipated ways. Initially dismissed as a continuation of military government in disguise, the new administration led by President Thein Sein has unleashed a barrage of changes. Political prisoners have been released, press censorship abolished, free by-elections held and progressive laws passed. The president is regularly compared to F. W. de Klerk, the South African leader who helped to dismantle apartheid.

Convoy shooting spree leaves 1 dead, 3 injured in Kachin state

By NANG MYA NADI, DVB

A truck driver was killed and three other people were injured on 3 December when a Burmese Army convoy passing through Shadusoot village in Kachin state’s Hpakant township opened fire on the area after being ambushed by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

According to the chairman of a local charity Win Bo, the Burmese military convoy from Light Infantry Division 88 were transporting supplies from Kachin state’s capital Myitkyina when they were ambushed by the KIA.

The convoy later passed through Shadusoot village around noon on Monday and fired shots hitting and killing 48-year-old truck driver Kun Htet Naw in apparent retaliation for the earlier assault hatched by rebel forces.