PDC NEWS COMMENTARY

January 2012
Compiled and commented by the Political Defiance Committee (PDC) National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)

T H E A C T I V I T I E S O F NLD A N D D O M E S T I C O P P O S I T I O N F O R C E S T HE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NLD AND THE USDP GOVERNMENT

Though the top leaders of USDP government are saying that they support and welcome reregistration of NLD party and planning to contest in election, at the same time, attempts to restrict the movements of this party are being found. Information Ministry Minister Kyaw Hsan said to Al Jazeera news agency on December 1 that they welcome entry of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi into parliament through election. Similarly Pyidaungsu Parliament speaker U Khin Aung Myint invited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to his residence in Rangoon and discussed on December 11. Union Election Commission (UEC) informed NLD on December 12 that NLD had been allowed to register with election committee. And UEC Chairman U Tin Aye said at a press conference held in Naypyitaw on December 16 that they welcomed contesting election by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. On their visit to Naypyitaw on December 23 for re-registration with election committee, partys first leader U Tin Oo and second leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met not only UEC Chairman U Tin Aye, but upon the request made by Daw Aung San Suu Ky, House of People (lower house) speaker Thura Shwe Mahn and House of Nationalities (upper house) speaker Khin Aung Myint received her team separately and discussed on various issues, U Shwe Mahn disclosed at the press conference held after these discussions. U Khin Aung Myint said that they would be encouraged when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi joined parliament. UEC Chairman U Tin Aye promised that upcoming elections would be freer and fairer. Despite of cordial relationship with NLD party by USDP government top leaders in public, local special branch (SB) of police force and personnel from Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI) were checking background history of NLD party leaders who would lead the party in reorganization, one of these leaders Daw Khin Saw Htay from Magwe Division NLD party branch said. And also the authorities first refused to allow fund raising concert and funfair for Union Ethnic Nationalities Education Charity Fund, organized by NLD and to be held in Thuwunna stadium and then they reluctantly and inevitably allowed this concert and funfair to be held at Myanmar Convention Centre (MCC) instead. USDP party CEC member U Aung Thein Lin (former Rangoon Mayor) invited leaders of 10-member Friends of Democracy Parties which contested in 2010 general election to a restaurant in Inya Myakyuntha in Rangoon on December 4 and told them that they concerned over the dominance and influence by foreign countries on Burma because of NLD party which was under the influence of these countries. USDP government has not yet harassed and oppressed the activities of NLD party explicitly but it is found that they are harassing and oppressing other activists and those related with this party. Rangoon Kyimyindine Township, Thadu Pariyatti monastery abbot Shwe Nya Wah Ashin Pyinnya Thiha who usually receives celebrations and ceremonies of NLD party was ordered to be evicted from this monastery by Sangha Maha Nayaka (the highest authority of monk organization) on December 12 for
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his meeting with US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton and preaching sermon at Mandalay Region NLD office on World Democracy Day. It is learned that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi concerned over this issue and assigned U Tin Oo to resolve this issue peacefully. Lawyer U Myint Thwin from Mandalay who usually helps political activists, political prisoners and farmers by giving them legal aids and another lawyer were revoked their license for 3 years for alleged charge of breach of professional conduct. USDP party might contest in upcoming by-elections in free and fair manner but we assume that they will use every possible means available in winning the 2015 general election.

T HE R ELATIONSHIP BETWEEN E THNIC G ROUPS AND T HE USDP G OVERNMENT

For peace talks with ethnic armed groups, the USDP government formed Union Level Peace Building Committee in third week of December with USDP secretariat member and lower house MP U Aung Thaung as first leader, USDP party secretariat member and lower house MP U Thein Zaw and Railway Minister U Aung Min as second leaders, Cooperatives and Livestock ministries Union Minister U Ohn Myint, Industrial ministry Union Minister U Soe Thein, Environment and Forest ministry Union Minister U Win Tun, No.2 Electric Power Ministry Union Minister U Khin Maung Soe, Energy ministry Union Minister U Than Htay, Border Affairs ministry Deputy Union Minister Major General Zaw Win and Col. Kyaw Soe Win from C-in-C office as members totaling 10 members. Shan State Army (South) SSA-RCSS representative Brig. Gen. Sai Lu and Railway Minister U Aung Min signed ceasefire agreement on December 2. SSA-S spokesman Col. Sai Lao Sai disclosed on December 10 that USDP delegation promised them to convene more inclusive and widespread Panglong Conference after reaching ceasefire agreement with all ethnic armed groups. Delegations from both sides met again in Tachileik on December 17 and agreed to meet again in January 2012 for further talks on peace. DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist Army) Kalo Htoo Phau faction led by Brig. Gen. Saw La Bwe and USDP delegation signed a preliminary peace agreement which includes not to secede Karen State from Union in Pa-an on December 10. Kachin State government Chief Minister officially announced that President U Thein Sein issued his directive to C-in-C of Armed Forces on December 10 to stop all offensives against Kachin Independence Army (KIA) for resuming peace talks with Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) but it is found that fighting continued in elsewhere Kachin State until the end of December 2011. Total 68 clashes took place during the period of December 10-29 after issuing Presidential order to stop all offensives and KIA had to abandon their 8thBattalion HQ under the command of 4thBrigade on December 28 after suffering massive attacks by government troops. It is learned that after the fighting broke out in June 2011, KIA had to abandon their 3 outposts under command of 4thBrigade and other 3 outposts under command of 3rdBrigade. Union Level Peace Making Committee leader U Aung Thaung held a press conference at a hotel at 8thmile junction on December 16 and said that Burma was unimpressive by international community for its notorious over 60-year long armed conflicts which are continuing until today. USDP
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government offered KIO for union level peace talks with them on December 18 and then KIO central committee was preparing to form its delegation for this talk, spokesman U La Nan said on December 20. It is also learned that Chin National Front (CNF) has formed its peace talk 10-member delegation led by joint secretary general Dr. Sui Khar for talks with USDP government. USDP government delegation led by Railway Minister U Aung Min and KNU delegation led by Pado David Tharkapaw met in Mae Sot on December 21for preliminary talks and they reportedly agreed to hold official and formal peace talk to be held on January 12, 2012. The government delegation led by U Aung Min met with New Mon State Party (NMSP) in Sankhlaburi Thailand on December 22 for the first time and they also met Pa-O National Liberation Front (PNLO) Chairman U Khun Okkar informally on December 23 and they reportedly agreed to meet again for preliminary talks. U Aung Min also met Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB) General Secretary Dr. Naing Aung in Mae Sot on December 21 for informal talks, according to statement issued by Dr. Naing Aung. The government delegation led by U Aung Min and U Thein Zaw met United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Pansang on December 26 and signed a 6-point agreement. Same USDP delegation met National Democracy Alliance Army (NDAA) in Kentung on December 27 and signed a union level peace agreement. The USDP government is holding peace talks and on the other hand they are continuing their offensives against ethnic armed groups so that the fighting are continued in Kachin State, Shan State, Karen State, Chin State, Rakhine State and Tanintharyi Region and it is found that series of bomb blasts are encountered elsewhere in Burma including Rangoon.
T HE A CTIVITIES OF NLD AND D OMESTIC O PPOSITION F ORCES

After taking decision to reregister and contest in elections, NLD party has escalated their works on reorganization, international relations and organizing people. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met visiting US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton on December 1 at the residence of US Charge d affaires in Rangoon. Ms. Hillary gave letter written by US President Mr. Barack Obama to her which says he pays respects and proud of Burmese democratic struggle being waged by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and he would continue giving support to her cause. On December 2, Ms. Hillary Clinton met Committee Representing Peoples Parliament (CRPP) leaders for half an hour at the residence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that she was pleased and satisfied for relations with US. She also said that Burma badly needed capacity building and technical assistance but the most important matters in Burma are rule of law and ceasing civil war. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said to Myanmar Times journal on the same day that she would maintain friendly relation with neighbouring country China while she was conducting closer engagements with US. She invited noted film directors and actors to her home on December 3 and discussed on shooting an epic film based on biography of her father Bogyoke (General) Aung San and his independence struggle. On December 5, Senior Director Brian Joseph of US based National Endowment for Democracy (NED) visited Burma and met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her central executive committee members. On the same day, she had video conference with students from US Virginia Tech on the subjects of democracy struggle and democracy in Burma. Special envoy of Pope in Vatican Palace, Archbishop Martino, met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on December 8 and conveyed Pope Benedicts message regarding current religious and political
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situations in Burma. At the 20thanniversary celebration held in honour of winning Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urged people to do their utmost efforts for achieving internal peace by grasping all available opportunities. Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (joint sitting of parliament) speaker U Khin Aung Myint invited Daw Aung San Suu Khi to his residence on December 11 and discussed on various issues. On December 15, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi received Mr. Robert Cooper, the adviser of EU Foreign Affairs and Security Chief and discussed on monetary and releasing political prisoners affairs. Chinese ambassador to Burma Li Junhua met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for the first time on December 15. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Weimin said on December 16 that the purpose of this visit by Chinese ambassador to Burma was to ascertain the opinions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. On December 20, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met visiting Thai PM Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra and discussed on bilateral issues friendly and frankly. On the same day, she met Bogyoke Aung San epic film production committee and she met 88Generation student leaders on December 21 respectively. She visited Naypyitaw on December 23 for re-registration of her NLD party and met UEC chairman U Tin Aye, house of people speaker Thura Shwe Mahn and house of nationalities speaker U Khin Aung Myint separately. Japanese foreign minister Koichiro Gemba met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the evening of December 26 and briefed her on lifting ban on providing ODA assistance and their plan to reinvesting in Burma. She told visiting Japanese FM to provide equal assistance to ethnic people also. On December 28, Indonesian FM Marty Natalegawa met Daw Aung Suu Kyi at her residence and explained her on what ASEAN is doing for democratization in Burma and exchanged their views on these matters. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi donated 30 million kyats for war refugees in Kachin State and offered alms to monks at her residence on 23rddeath anniversary of her mother Daw Khin Kyi. She and U Tin Oo visited fire victims of Rangoon Mingala Taungnyunt Township Setsan Ward on December 30 and consoled them and donated relief supplies to them. She and U Tin Oo attended Ethnic Nationalities Education Charity fund funfair and fund raising concert held on the same evening and delivered her inaugural address. She also attended Art for Freedom film festival held in Rangoon Taw Win centre on December 31 and delivered inaugural address. NLD party is preparing to form organizing committees in each township and opening branch offices elsewhere in the country and the party will be reorganized as soon as UEC granted them for registration. Party Information Department In-charge U Ohn Kyaing told on December 4 that Burmese nationals in exile could apply for party membership on internet. Election victory committees were formed in Taungoo and Myeik districts on December 10 and similar committees were reportedly being formed in other states and regions. Partys election symbol has been changed to fighting peacock and white star from previous bamboo hat symbol, the official announcement appeared on daily papers on December 10 say. As a part of the programme of uplifting knowledge and experience among the party members, 8 NLD youth members visited Poland at the invitation of Polish Foreign Ministry to study the transition works being undertaken there for a week. It is found that NLD party is doing for selecting candidates to be fielded in all 48 vacant seats in upcoming by-elections. Party top leader 85-year old Thura U Tin Oo said that he would not contest in this by-election but Daw Aung San Suu Kyis office administrator and former army captain U Win Htein said that he would contest in his native Meiktila constituency as his duty given by Daw Aung
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San Suu Kyi. Former MP-elect in 1990 general election Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint said that she would contest in vacant seat if the party assigns her to do so. Party leader U Tin Oo said at the meeting with Youth Network meeting held on December 23 at Naypyitaw Thabyaygone market that the party needed to do their utmost efforts for winning the four vacant seats in USDP hardcore constituencies in Naypyitaw. Some former NLD party members who resigned from the party and those from breakaway faction which formed new party are planning to rejoin the mother NLD party, National Democratic Force (NDF) leader U Khin Maung Swe said on December 2 and then five of his party members including Pyawbwe Organizing Committee chairman and secretary tendered their resignation letters to NDF party to rejoin NLD party. Similarly NDF party MPs elected in 2010 general election U Kyi Myint and Dr. Myat Nyarna Soe said that they would resign from NDF and rejoin NLD party. The party leaders from NDF party and its breakaway party New National Democracy Party (NNDP) party said that they would not contest in constituencies where NLD would contest. NDF party chairman Dr. Than Nyein said that they were ready to accept Daw Aung San Suu Kyis decision. NLD party spokesman U Nyan Win said on December 22 that the party would scrutiny and accept former party members who resigned from party for various reasons when they apply for party membership. During this period, the movements of ethnic political parties, former political prisoners, students, workers, farmers and class and mass movements are also found. At the meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton by ethnic political parties, former political prisoners and leaders of social organizations on December 2, they presented the current situation of ongoing wars in ethnic inhabited areas, rights of ethnic people and current political, economic and social situations to the visiting US Secretary of State. As a movement of students, 88-Generation students issued their statement on December 5 which says they would not contest in elections as long as political prisoners are in prisons but some of the students from this group who agreed to support and rally around Daw Suu would stand for election, one of the student leaders of this 88-Generation group, Phyo Min Thein, said on December 6. 2007 All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) and All Burma Monks Alliance (ABML) issued their joint statement on December 9 which expresses their support to statement issued by 88Generation group. ABFSU 2007 group organized 73rdanniversary of Bo Aung Kyaw Day on December 20 for the first time at Thamaing Myoma Pariyatti monastery in Rangoon. About 50 students from 88-Generation Student group visited houses of imprisoned 88-Gen students on December 29 and they encouraged and consoled their families. About 100 former political prisoners held a get-together at Rangoon Shwenyawah monastery on December 1 for the purpose of working for releasing all political prisoners. They issued statement dated December 23 which condemned and protested against the bomb blast at public toilet near busy Hledan junction. Former political prisoners and families of political prisoners condemned the statement issued by USDP governments National Human Rights Commission Secretary U Sitt Myaing as saying this is just the sheer lies and impractical on December 29. They opened a fund raising shop at the fund raising concert and funfair for Union Ethnic Education Charity Fund. During this period, labour movements were found too. The authorities rejected their application for forming trade union at Bago textile mill and leather factory as per the new Labour Organizations Law, this trade union organizing committee spokesman U San Maung said on December 7. Workers who were fired from their jobs staged a protest demonstration at the Woodwork industry in Rangoon South Dagon industrial zone but instead of mediation and arbitration in this protest, Township Labour Department forbade their protest, the protesters said on December 14. When the
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Parami taxi drivers planned to stage protest against strict regulation in their works, the authorities held emergency meeting and negotiated with them. This taxi company is owned by military Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. As a farmers movement, about 3,000 farmers from states and regions signed their protest letter and sent it to President U Thein Sein which urged him not to sign and give his assent to 2011 Farmland Bill tabled by USDP party in house of people (lower house) as it will not beneficial to the land owners and farmers. As a human right movement, Human Right Defenders and Promoters (HRDP) held a 63rdInternational Human Right Day on December 10 in Bogale, Irrawaddy Region. One of the founders of this group, U Maung Maung Lay, said on this occasion that the new civilian government inherited the human rights violations from the previous military regime. As the class and mass movements, series of demonstration demanding round the clock electricity supply took place elsewhere in Rakhine State. Villagers from 19 villages which have to be relocated from Dawei deep sea port project held a press conference in Rangoon on December 15 and briefed their grievances and plight to the reporters. The artistes from music and film industries and literature circle enthusiastically helped and worked for Union Ethnic Education Charity Fund funfair and fund raising concert and Art for Freedom film festival organized by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The people donated cash enthusiastically too at these funfair and fund raising concert. Over 200 shops opened and sold their goods and products at this Union Ethnic Education Charity Fund funfair and fund raising concert and over 10,000 people visited there. It is learned that the organizers got over 30 million kyat from these events. Heavy Machinery Volvo Company owner Daw Marlar Thein alone bid a red T-shirt bearing portrait of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the signatures of artistes participated in this festival and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the price of 12.5 million kyat as her donation to this funfair and festival. Despite of growing networks and their movements rallying around Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, we assume that they should put more emphasis on organizing new party members, selection of party leadership and candidates for by-elections by fielding right man at the right place. We also ponder that its more important to build strong party by drawing lessons from their experiences in old party.

T H E USDP G O V E R N M E N T A N D D O M E S T I C S I T U AT I O N T HE S ITUATION OF T HE USDP G OVERNMENT

It is found that the USDP government was trying hard to build better relationship with international community including meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton in December. US Secretary of State visited Burma for the first time in past 50 years on December 1 by landing at Naypyitaw airport and she was received by President U Thein Sein, house of people speaker Thura U Shwe Mahn and house of nationalities speaker U Khin Aung Myint separately. At these meetings, US Secretary of State told her hosts that US would consider for easing sanctions imposed on Burma if the reforms in Burma became concrete and firm, she said at press conference held in Naypyitaw on the same day. At the meeting with her, Thura U Shwe Mahn promised her that the remaining political prisoners would be released and they would sever military ties with North Korea too. US Secretary of State invited President U Thein Sein to visit US in early 2012 for further bilateral talks when she met with him. Despite of the demise of North Korean leader Kim Jung-il, the normal relationship with
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North Korea would be maintained as before, Presidential political adviser Dr. Nay Zin Latt said on December 20, 2012. U Shwe Mahn said on December 8 that despite of better relationship with US, the normal relationship with traditional friend China would not be affected. World grade Naypyitaw international airport built by Asia World Co, with Chinese loan was opened on December 19 by China Council of State member Dai Bingguo. President U Thein Sein received Belarus goodwill delegation led by PM Mikhail Myasnikovich on December 2 and Bangladeshi goodwill delegation led by PM Sheik Hasina on December 5 and discussed on bilateral issues and signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for trade. High level military delegation led by Chief of Staff (Navy) Lt. Gen. Nyan Tun paid 4-day official visit to Bangladesh on December 12 and they discussed bilateral naval cooperation with his Bangladesh counterpart Chief of Staff (Navy) Zahir Uddin Ahmed. India Home Ministry secretary R.K.Singh said on December 4 that Col. Paresh Baruah from United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and a reporter from Guwahati Daily Newspaper were arrested by Burmese government on tip-off given by India. Burmese delegation led by house of people speaker Thura U Shwe Mahn paid 4-day official visit to India on December 11 and this delegation studied the functions and proceedings of India parliaments. The USDP government tried to promote relations with regional countries including ASEAN during this period. The Burmese government hosted 4thGreater Mekong sub-region Summit in Naypyitaw on December 20. At the opening day of this meeting attended by China, Myanmar, Laos, Thai, Cambodia and Vietnam, President U Thein Sein said that Burma would cooperate with international community for the development of the country and to get the role and place in world political arena which deserved to the country. And then they signed an agreement on 10-year project which includes poverty alleviation. He discussed with new Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra who attended this meeting for bilateral issues separately too. Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra confirmed the news which says he visited Napyitaw on December 15 in advance of his sisters visit to Burma and had a secret meeting with Senior General Than Shwe and U Thein Sein for facilitating her visit and for the interests of Thailand. Bangkok Post reported this news on December 20 but his sister Thai PM denied this news on December 21 as saying her brothers visit to Burma for facilitating meeting and smooth relation between her and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was not true. President U Thein Sein received Japanese FM Koichiro Gemba on December 26 and he asked Japanese FM for providing economic aids and reinvesting in Burma. The USDP government is found during this period trying hard in doing cosmetic changes in the country to attract interest at home and international community. Government Social Welfare department and UNICEF (Myanmar) jointly organized a workshop for the first time at Rangoon Sedona Hotel on December 8-9 for reviewing Myanmar Juvenile Laws and their rules to make them compatible with the international standard. Myanmar National Human Right Commission formed by USDP government issued statements to defend the government as saying allegations made by Amnesty International (AI) of political prisoners being tortured in Insein prison for their hunger strike was not true and the prison condition is good as wards, kitchens and toilets are clean and personal hygiene of these prisoners are found good during their inspection visit to Insein prison on December 27. Moreover the commission also
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said that they mediated between KIO and government and facilitate for realizing peace talks between them, demanded not to use landmines in the battles and to stop all fighting in Kachin State and also they provided relief assistance to war refugees who fled from their homes and taking refuge in 59 refugee camps opened in Kachin State. To ease international pressure and domestic pressure put on them for releasing political prisoners, house of people speaker Thura U Shwe Mahn said on December 9 that they would release prisoners who would do politics with keen interest in priority without debating on controversial words of either political prisoners or prisoners of conscience. Similarly Union Level Peace Making Group leader and Railway Minister U Aung Min said on December 21 at the meeting with KNU that the prisoners would be released again on Independence Day which falls on January 4, 2012 and Union Day which falls on February 12, 2012. Despite of giving these promises for releasing political prisoners, 88-Generation student leader Ma Mee Mee a.k.a. Ma Thin Thin Aye was abruptly transferred from Katha prison to Shwebo prison on the same night on December 27 so that skepticisms appeared on their hollow promises. The analysts assume that if these prisoners are to be released soon, they need not to be transferred from their prisons. USDP party, which won 2010 general election by rampant electoral fraud and vote rigging, Rangoon Region Organization Department In-charge and former Rangoon Mayor U Aung Thein Lin said on December 4 at the meeting invited by him and held at Rangoon Inya Lake Myakyuntha restaurant with leaders from 10-member Friends of Democracy Parties which contested in 2010 general election that their party sees NLD party which reregistered for contesting in by-elections as formidable rival party. He befriended with these parties and he reportedly invited these party leaders to meet with their party GS U Htay Oo in Naypyitaw. The Voice weekly journal reported on December 10 that eight of these ten parties reached preliminary agreement with USDP party for cooperation in common agenda. USDP party Mandalay Region branch invited political parties in Mandalay to their office on December 14 and had the informal talks with them. They would meet these parties occasionally in future too, USDP party Mandalay Region branch Secretary U Win Maung told Myanmar Times journal. The Mandalay Region USDP government lent over 4 billion kyat at the low interest rate of 2.5% p.a. to poor people and farmers in their region in their election campaign. Similarly Rangoon Region USDP party was conducting election campaign by promising providing land lease grants to the people, the local people in Mayangon Township said. At the same time, U Thein Seins government is doing cosmetic changes in Burma. He gave his assent on December 2 by signing on the bill passed by both houses which grants the fundamental rights of the people for freedom of assembly and marching in procession as provided by article 354(b) of 2008 Constitution unless they will endanger the rule of law and public tranquility but the local authorities were found still rejecting the applications presented to them for such demonstration and rally. U Win Cho and six people submitted their application for peaceful demonstration on December 5 but the local authority rejected their application by giving reason of necessary notification, directive, rule, regulation and procedures in this regard were not yet issued by Home Ministry, U Win Cho explained on December 6. Democratic Party (Myanmar) also planned to march in procession peacefully to Independence monument pillar erected at Rangoon Mahabandoola square on Independence Day which falls on January 4 but their application for peaceful assembly and marching was also rejected by the authority, party leader Daw Than Than Nu said on December 23.

PDC News Commentary ~ January 2012

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President U Thein Sein signed on Private School Registration Law which would cover from primary to secondary level education on December 2. Myawady-Mae Sot Friendship Bridge which was closed for over one and half year was reopened on December 5. Information Minister U Kyaw Hsan said on December 10 that his ministry eased censorship rule on print media and celluloid media by allowing over 50 business and crime journals publishing without submitting draft copies to censor board and cancelled six out of total ten restrictions imposed on film and video. The constitutional court gave its verdict on December 14 by judging that Ethnic Nationality Minister should be given equal status and privileges being enjoyed by ministers in local governments in states and regions in accordance with the provisions in 2008 constitution. Economics and Commerce Ministry Minister U Win Myint said on December 14 that the complaints lodged on their staffs for their wrongdoings can be made by addressing to Minister and Deputy Minister and if these complaints are made on minister and deputy minister, they can be addressed to President. UEC Chairman U Tin Aye said on December 16 at the press conference held in Naypyitaw that the political parties would be allowed for free canvassing in upcoming by-elections. The USDP government issued a notification dated December 21 which exempts income tax payable by Burmese nationals working in foreign countries. As a monetary reform, House of People Banks and Monetary Development Committee Chairman U Aung Thaung said on December 23 that the exchange rate was fixed at 800 kyat against US$ for the ministries which spent in US$ in the State Budget. Eleven banks of private and joint venture banks of private and government were allowed to conduct banking business on foreign banking. Similarly some private banks namely Cooperatives Bank, Kanbawza Bank, Irrawaddy Bank and Asia Green Bank were allowed to conduct remittance banking business for Burmese workers working in foreign countries. Central Bank reduced its interest rate to 10% from 12% and announced on December 29 that they would issue government treasury bonds with 2-3-5-year maturity, starting from January 1, 2012. By judging the differences in what they talked and what they did actually, it seems that there are differences among the top echelons of military and this government especially in the powerful National Defence and Security Council which seems to be dominated by hardliners. We assume that we should closely monitor the leverage and activities of secretariat of USDP party which is not the member of this powerful Defence and Security Council but fully controls the USDP party.
T HE S OCIO - ECONOMIC S ITUATION OF T HE P EOPLE

Despite of poverty alleviation works and reform works being done by their government, the people in Burma are still facing abject poverty more and more and also they are yet deprived of their democratic rights. According to the report compiled by Transparency International, Burma stands fourth in the worst corrupt countries among 183 countries in the world. Though the government said that they eased their censorship on media and film, 12 reporters are still behind bars and Burma stands fourth as the worst countries in media freedom, the report compiled and issued on December 6 by Committee to Protect Journalists says. The USDP government is advocating to all countries including US for lifting economic sanctions imposed on them and investing in their country but Burma is still in the status of worst investment environment with 19thposition in the region, the survey conducted by Singapore based Vriens and Partners research group and released for 2011 says. Civil war, poverty and protecting drug kingpins by the authorities cause opium production in the country grows year by year. According to the survey jointly conducted by United Nations Office of
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Drug Control (UNODC) and Burmese government and released on December 15, the opium acreage for this year is estimated at over 107,000 acres and was increased by 14% over previous year, 2010. It is found that Burma is still plagued with the problems of forcibly recruiting child soldiers, human trafficking, forced labour as porters in frontlines, internally displaced persons fleeing from their homes, religious persecution and oppression and forced seizures of farmlands.
I N T E R N AT I O N A L P R E S S U R E

International pressure putting on Burma by international community is decreasing but US and its allies have not lifted their sanctions immediately yet and we found that they are exercising benchmark policy instead by gradually lifting their sanctions one step after another. In the first visit by US Secretary of State to Burma in past 50 years, Ms. Hillary Clinton warned Burmese government including President U Thein Sein by giving clear message to them on US policy on Burma. She reportedly said to them that US would not consider yet for lifting sanctions, though some steps on reforms were seen in Burma but there would be more steps to be taken for realization of real changes and it needs not be reversible to past situation in the country and only after that, US would consider to lift the economic sanctions imposed on Burma. US special envoy for Burma Mr. Derek Mitchell visited South Korea, Japan and China for discussion with these countries for cooperation with regional countries in realization of political developments in Burma. He said to reporters on December 15 in Beijing that China was interested in cooperation with US in tackling challenges being faced by Burma. Former US Secretary of State Madaleine Albright accepted Chatham House Prize 2011 awarded by British Chatham House on behalf of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on December 2. Japanese FM Koichiro Gemba said at press conference held in Washington on December 19 that Japan was closely monitoring the changes and developments in Burma along with US and encourage these changes and he planned to visit and to see these changes in Burma soon. He met with USDP government leaders in Naypyitaw on the morning of December 26 and reportedly agreed for making further negotiations on reaching agreement on investment in Burma. On the evening of the same day, he met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and she reportedly told visiting Japanese FM that Japanese assistance need to be beneficial for democratization in Burma is important for the country. Amnesty International (AI) Japan branch, Japan trade union RENGO and Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB) urged Japanese government to take into account the democratization process and developments in human rights for reissuing of ODA assistance to Burma. UN special rapporteur for human rights in Burma Tomas Ojea Quintana said on December 9 that army should hand off while the civilian government was trying to restore internal peace in Burma. Special envoy of UN Secretary General for Burma, Mr. Vijay Nambia, demanded Burmese government on the same day to provide humanitarian assistance to war refugees fleeing from fighting in Kachin State. UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon said on December 13 that he saw interesting developments in Burma and UN would continue its efforts for further developments. UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Erika Feller said on December 14 after his visit to Burma that he had optimistic view on situations in Burma. Indonesian FM Mr. Marty Natalegawa said on December 28 that Burmese government needed to release political prisoners and to do democratic changes in Burma including restoring internal peace
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after meeting with Burmese government which would take alternate ASEAN chairmanship position in 2014. Norway Ethic Council warned Norwegian government on December 8 to review its investment made in Burma in gas pipeline project being built by Chinese state-owned CNPC Co. Indian Parliamentarians Forum for Democracy in Burma (IPFDB) urged Indian government to put pressure on Burma for progress in human rights situation during the visit of house of people speaker Thura Shwe Mahn. Washington based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) demanded Burma on December 15 to let IAEA inspect its nuclear facilities to clear the suspicion of international community for her alleged attempt to acquire nuclear weapons with the assistance of some rogue countries such as North Korea.

// End of Report // Monday, January 9, 2012 // End of Translation // Sunday, January 15, 2012

PDC News Commentary ~ January 2012

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