Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi Registers Party, Visits Parliament
Posted Friday, December 23rd, 2011 at 9:40 am
Burma's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi formally registered her National League for Democracy as a political party Friday, clearing the way for her to run for a seat in parliament.
Party officials say they will contest a series of coming by-elections once the registration is formally approved, expected within a week. Aung San Suu Kyi has not yet announced the constituency in which she expects to run.
The Nobel peace laureate also visited the parliament for the first time since her release from house arrest late last year. She met with Shwe Mann, a senior figure in the military-backed government and the long-ruling junta that preceded it.
The NLD was stripped of its status as a party last year because it refused to participate in controversial national elections, in which the popular democracy advocate was not permitted to run.
The election produced a new government which, while still dominated by past and present military officers, has implemented a series of reforms including loosened press restrictions and the beginning of dialogue with its critics.
Parliament officials were quoted Friday as saying they welcome Aung San Suu Kyi's return to the political arena.
Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD were overwhelming winners in Burma's 1990 election, but were never permitted to take office. The party leader spent most of the years since then under house arrest.
Tags: Burma, PoliticsParty officials say they will contest a series of coming by-elections once the registration is formally approved, expected within a week. Aung San Suu Kyi has not yet announced the constituency in which she expects to run.
The Nobel peace laureate also visited the parliament for the first time since her release from house arrest late last year. She met with Shwe Mann, a senior figure in the military-backed government and the long-ruling junta that preceded it.
The NLD was stripped of its status as a party last year because it refused to participate in controversial national elections, in which the popular democracy advocate was not permitted to run.
The election produced a new government which, while still dominated by past and present military officers, has implemented a series of reforms including loosened press restrictions and the beginning of dialogue with its critics.
Parliament officials were quoted Friday as saying they welcome Aung San Suu Kyi's return to the political arena.
Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD were overwhelming winners in Burma's 1990 election, but were never permitted to take office. The party leader spent most of the years since then under house arrest.
Posted in East Asia Pacific
Burmese Villagers Flee to Thailand as Rebels Battle Military
Sunday, November 28th, 2010 at 8:50 pm UTC
Thai officials say about 1,000 Burmese villagers have crossed into a Thai border town to escape fighting between Burmese troops and ethnic Karen rebels.
The Burmese villagers fled Sunday to the Thai town of Mae Sot by using boats to cross the Moei river on the Burma-Thailand border. Officials say the villagers left Burma due to fighting that erupted late Saturday between Burmese troops and rebels of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army.
It was the second such exodus of Burmese refugees this month. Karen rebels seized several buildings in the Burmese border town of Myawwady on November 7, triggering two days of battles with the Burmese military that prompted about 20,000 villagers to flee to Thailand.
Many of them returned to their homes several days later as the fighting ended.
Burma is home to multiple armed ethnic groups that have been fighting for autonomy since the country gained independence from Britain in 1948.
The Burmese villagers fled Sunday to the Thai town of Mae Sot by using boats to cross the Moei river on the Burma-Thailand border. Officials say the villagers left Burma due to fighting that erupted late Saturday between Burmese troops and rebels of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army.
It was the second such exodus of Burmese refugees this month. Karen rebels seized several buildings in the Burmese border town of Myawwady on November 7, triggering two days of battles with the Burmese military that prompted about 20,000 villagers to flee to Thailand.
Many of them returned to their homes several days later as the fighting ended.
Burma is home to multiple armed ethnic groups that have been fighting for autonomy since the country gained independence from Britain in 1948.
Some information in this story was provided by Reuters.
UN Urges Burma to Address Concerns on Elections
Sunday, November 28th, 2010 at 2:45 pm UTC
U.N. special envoy to Burma Vijay Nambiar says he has urged the country’s ruling military to address concerns about recent elections, which critics say were rigged against the opposition.
Nambiar said Sunday the Burmese military should resolve election concerns “as transparently as possible” in order to lay the foundation for a credible transition to democratic rule.
He made the statement as he ended a two-day visit to Burma during which he met members of the government, major political parties and civil society groups.
The U.N. envoy says he listened to many parties express their “hopes, expectations and concerns” after the ruling military held Burma’s first general election in 20 years on November 7. Authorities released Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from years of house arrest days later.
Nambiar met the opposition leader Saturday in Rangoon. She described the meeting as “valuable” but said more talks will be needed to resolve the country’s problems.
Nambiar said he urged the Burmese military to free the country’s remaining political prisoners, estimated by human rights groups to number about 2,200.
He said the United Nations will keep talking with all parties to encourage national reconciliation and the establishment of a democratic and civilian government that contributes to Burma’s stability.
Incomplete results from the Burmese election give the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party a large majority in both houses of parliament.
Critics called the election a sham because some opposition politicians were detained or barred from competing while other groups faced electoral rules that made it hard for them to field many candidates.
Nambiar said Sunday the Burmese military should resolve election concerns “as transparently as possible” in order to lay the foundation for a credible transition to democratic rule.
He made the statement as he ended a two-day visit to Burma during which he met members of the government, major political parties and civil society groups.
The U.N. envoy says he listened to many parties express their “hopes, expectations and concerns” after the ruling military held Burma’s first general election in 20 years on November 7. Authorities released Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from years of house arrest days later.
Nambiar met the opposition leader Saturday in Rangoon. She described the meeting as “valuable” but said more talks will be needed to resolve the country’s problems.
Nambiar said he urged the Burmese military to free the country’s remaining political prisoners, estimated by human rights groups to number about 2,200.
He said the United Nations will keep talking with all parties to encourage national reconciliation and the establishment of a democratic and civilian government that contributes to Burma’s stability.
Incomplete results from the Burmese election give the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party a large majority in both houses of parliament.
Critics called the election a sham because some opposition politicians were detained or barred from competing while other groups faced electoral rules that made it hard for them to field many candidates.
Some information in this story was provided by AP.
UN Envoy Meets Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma
Saturday, November 27th, 2010 at 2:00 pm UTC
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is hoping a meeting Saturday with a top United Nations official is the first of many.
Aung San Suu Kyi spoke to reporters Saturday at her lakeside home in Rangoon, and praised the talks with Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The 65-year-old Nobel peace prize laureate has been vocal about pursuing democratic reforms since her release November 13 from more than seven years of house arrest. But she has also been careful not to verbally challenge Burma’s ruling generals.
Nambiar also met Saturday with Burma’s foreign minister.
He also planned to meet with diplomats and recently-elected lawmakers.
Aung San Suu Kyi spoke to reporters Saturday at her lakeside home in Rangoon, and praised the talks with Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The 65-year-old Nobel peace prize laureate has been vocal about pursuing democratic reforms since her release November 13 from more than seven years of house arrest. But she has also been careful not to verbally challenge Burma’s ruling generals.
Nambiar also met Saturday with Burma’s foreign minister.
He also planned to meet with diplomats and recently-elected lawmakers.
UN Envoy Meets Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma
Saturday, November 27th, 2010 at 1:30 pm UTC
Posted 5 days ago
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is hoping a meeting Saturday with a top United Nations official is the first of many.
Aung San Suu Kyi spoke to reporters Saturday at her lakeside home in Rangoon, and praised the talks with Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The 65-year-old Nobel peace prize laureate has been vocal about pursuing democratic reforms since her release November 13 from more than seven years of house arrest. But she has also been careful not to verbally challenge Burma’s ruling generals.
Nambiar also met Saturday with Burma’s foreign minister.
He also planned to meet with diplomats and recently-elected lawmakers. There is no indication that he will be allowed to talk to ruling military officials.
Aung San Suu Kyi spoke to reporters Saturday at her lakeside home in Rangoon, and praised the talks with Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The 65-year-old Nobel peace prize laureate has been vocal about pursuing democratic reforms since her release November 13 from more than seven years of house arrest. But she has also been careful not to verbally challenge Burma’s ruling generals.
Nambiar also met Saturday with Burma’s foreign minister.
He also planned to meet with diplomats and recently-elected lawmakers. There is no indication that he will be allowed to talk to ruling military officials.
U.N. Envoy Meets with Aung San Suu Kyi
Saturday, November 27th, 2010 at 11:35 am UTC
A top United Nations envoy met with Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi Saturday.
Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, also planned to meet with diplomats and recently-elected lawmakers. There is no indication that he will be allowed to talk to ruling military officials.
Aung San Suu Kyi told reporters at her lakeside home in Rangoon that the meeting was worthwhile, and she wanted to have more talks.
Since her release November 13 from more than seven years of house arrest, the 65-year-old Nobel peace laureate has been clear she plans to pursue democratic reforms in Burma, but has been careful not to verbally challenge the ruling generals.
Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, also planned to meet with diplomats and recently-elected lawmakers. There is no indication that he will be allowed to talk to ruling military officials.
Aung San Suu Kyi told reporters at her lakeside home in Rangoon that the meeting was worthwhile, and she wanted to have more talks.
Since her release November 13 from more than seven years of house arrest, the 65-year-old Nobel peace laureate has been clear she plans to pursue democratic reforms in Burma, but has been careful not to verbally challenge the ruling generals.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and Reuters.
Senior UN Official to Visit Burma
Friday, November 26th, 2010 at 2:30 pm UTC
Officials in military-ruled Burma say a senior United Nations official will visit the country to meet military rulers and recently released democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The anonymous officials said Friday that Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will also hold talks with the leader of the army-backed party that has claimed victory in this month’s election.
The officials said Nambiar is due to arrive in the main city of Rangoon on Saturday for a two-day visit.
Since her release November 13, Aung San Suu Kyi has been busy meeting diplomats, U.N. representatives, politicians and international agencies. She has made it clear she plans to pursue her goal of a democratic Burma, but has been careful not to verbally challenge the military.
The anonymous officials said Friday that Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will also hold talks with the leader of the army-backed party that has claimed victory in this month’s election.
The officials said Nambiar is due to arrive in the main city of Rangoon on Saturday for a two-day visit.
Since her release November 13, Aung San Suu Kyi has been busy meeting diplomats, U.N. representatives, politicians and international agencies. She has made it clear she plans to pursue her goal of a democratic Burma, but has been careful not to verbally challenge the military.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
Senior UN Official to Visit Burma
Friday, November 26th, 2010 at 10:15 am UTC
Officials in military-ruled Burma say a senior United Nations official will visit the country to meet military rulers and recently released democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The anonymous officials said Friday that Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will also hold talks with the leader of the army-backed party that has claimed victory in this month’s election.
The officials said Nambiar is due to arrive in the main city of Rangoon on Saturday for a two-day visit.
Since her release November 7, Aung San Suu Kyi has been busy meeting diplomats, U.N. representatives, politicians and international agencies. She has made it clear she plans to pursue her goal of a democratic Burma, but has been careful not to verbally challenge the military.
Tags: Burma, UNThe anonymous officials said Friday that Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will also hold talks with the leader of the army-backed party that has claimed victory in this month’s election.
The officials said Nambiar is due to arrive in the main city of Rangoon on Saturday for a two-day visit.
Since her release November 7, Aung San Suu Kyi has been busy meeting diplomats, U.N. representatives, politicians and international agencies. She has made it clear she plans to pursue her goal of a democratic Burma, but has been careful not to verbally challenge the military.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
Posted in East Asia Pacific
US worried about new WikiLeaks' release
"We are gearing up for the worst-case scenario, that leaked cables will touch on a wide range of issues and countries," Crowley told AFP.
The spokesman added that "we've known all along that WikiLeaks has in its possession State Department cables."
"We are prepared if this upcoming tranche of documents includes State Department cables. We are in touch with our posts around the world. They have begun the process of informing governments that a release of documents is possible in the near future," Crowley said.
He said that diplomatic cables, messages between US posts around the world, "involve discussions that we had with government officials, with private citizens."
"Inherent in this day-to-day action is trust that we can convey our perspectives to other governments in confidence," he said. Breaking that confidence "has a impact."
"These revelations... are going to create tensions on our relationships between our diplomats and our friends around the world," he said.
Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan said that US officials were expecting a possible release of documents "late this week or early next week."
"I'm not going to talk specifics but I would say that even though they are believed to be State Department documents, classified cables, there are some that contain DoD (Department of Defense) related issues.
WikiLeaks has not said what will be contained in its coming release, indicating only that it will be "seven times" the Iraq War logs in which it posted 400,000 secret documents.
A new posting would mark WikiLeaks' third mass release of classified documents after it published 77,000 secret US files on the Afghan conflict in July.
WikiLeaks argues the release of the documents, US-soldier authored incident reports from 2004 to 2009, has shed light on the wars, including allegations of torture by Iraqi forces and reports that suggested 15,000 additional civilian deaths in Iraq.
WikiLeaks' announcement Monday came just days after Sweden issued an international arrest warrant for the website's head, Australian national Julian Assange, wanted for questioning related to rape and sexual molestation accusations.
Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
US security warning on new WikiLeaks release
Dylan Welch
November 25, 2010Register to TICEF event at Bangkok 28 - 30 November , Centara Grand
Elizabeth King, a US assistant defence secretary, has warned of the dangers of the release in an email to the US Senate and House committees on Armed Services.
It will be the third - and largest yet - release of material allegedly given to WikiLeaks by US soldier Bradley Manning.
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Manning, a Middle East-based army intelligence analyst, has since been charged with the release by US authorities.The organisation has already published two massive tranches of secret military reports about the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
It was unclear what the latest material related to until Ms King's email to the Senate and House committees was published yesterday.
Ms King's email revealed that WikiLeaks was in possession of a massive trove - Ms King called it ''several hundred thousand'' although a WikiLeaks Twitter message would suggest it is closer to three million - of classified State Department messages sent between US embassies around the world.
Aung San Suu Kyi, Son Visit Rally Site
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 at 6:50 pm UTC
Freed Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has visited Burma’s holiest shrine, where she rallied political supporters before she was detained for much of the past 20 years.
Aung San Suu Kyi visited Shwedagon Pagoda early Wednesday, accompanied by her visiting son, Kim Aris.
The two prayed, donated flowers, and poured water over statues in Buddhist tradition.
The pagoda was the site of public rallies for independence held in 1946 by Aung San Suu Kyi’s father, General Aung San, as well as by the Nobel laureate herself in 1988. In 2007, Buddhist monks demonstrated at the shrine in what became known as the “Saffron Revolution.”
Aung San Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest on November 13, a few days after Burma’s ruling military government was declared the winner of the first elections held in the country in 20 years.
Her National League for Democracy party won elections in 1990, but was never allowed to take power.
She has spent 15 of the past 21 years in prison or under house arrest.
Aung San Suu Kyi visited Shwedagon Pagoda early Wednesday, accompanied by her visiting son, Kim Aris.
The two prayed, donated flowers, and poured water over statues in Buddhist tradition.
The pagoda was the site of public rallies for independence held in 1946 by Aung San Suu Kyi’s father, General Aung San, as well as by the Nobel laureate herself in 1988. In 2007, Buddhist monks demonstrated at the shrine in what became known as the “Saffron Revolution.”
Aung San Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest on November 13, a few days after Burma’s ruling military government was declared the winner of the first elections held in the country in 20 years.
Her National League for Democracy party won elections in 1990, but was never allowed to take power.
She has spent 15 of the past 21 years in prison or under house arrest.
Aung San Suu Kyi, Son, Reunited after 10 Years Apart
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 at 7:55 pm UTC
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has reunited with her younger son for the first time in 10 years during an emotional scene at Rangoon airport.
The pro-democracy activist was waiting at the airport Tuesday morning when 33-year-old Kim Aris arrived on a flight from Thailand, where he had waited for two weeks for a visa. The two posed arm-in-arm for photographers and Aung San Suu Kyi said she was “very happy.”
Also Tuesday, reports said Burma’s Supreme Court has rejected Aung San Suu Kyi’s attempt to restore the legal status of her political party.
She filed the legal challenge a few days after being released from house arrest earlier this month.
Her party, the National League for Democracy, was disbanded after refusing to register for the November 7 election, Burma’s first election in 20 years. The party was protesting a new law that prevented it from participating as long as Aung San Suu Kyi was a member.
The Nobel Peace laureate, who married and had her two children in Britain, has spent 15 of the last 21 years in prison or under house arrest.
Her older son, Alexander is reportedly living in the United States.
The pro-democracy activist was waiting at the airport Tuesday morning when 33-year-old Kim Aris arrived on a flight from Thailand, where he had waited for two weeks for a visa. The two posed arm-in-arm for photographers and Aung San Suu Kyi said she was “very happy.”
Also Tuesday, reports said Burma’s Supreme Court has rejected Aung San Suu Kyi’s attempt to restore the legal status of her political party.
She filed the legal challenge a few days after being released from house arrest earlier this month.
Her party, the National League for Democracy, was disbanded after refusing to register for the November 7 election, Burma’s first election in 20 years. The party was protesting a new law that prevented it from participating as long as Aung San Suu Kyi was a member.
The Nobel Peace laureate, who married and had her two children in Britain, has spent 15 of the last 21 years in prison or under house arrest.
Her older son, Alexander is reportedly living in the United States.
BURMA SUU KYI SON
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 at 6:55 am UTC
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Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been reunited with her younger son for the first time in 10 years after an emotional scene at Rangoon airport.
The pro-democracy activist was waiting at the airport Tuesday morning when 33-year-old Kim Aris arrived on a flight from Thailand, where he had waited two weeks for a visa. The two posed arm-in-arm for photographers and Aung San Suu Kyi said she was “very happy.”
Aris showed his mother a tattoo on his right arm with the symbols of his mother’s National League for Democracy party.
The Nobel Peace laureate, who married and had her two children in Britain, has been largely cut off from her family since she returned to Burma in 1988. She has spent 15 of the last 21 years in prison or under house arrest.
Aris was repeatedly denied permission to visit Burma during his mother’s latest house arrest, which ended 10 days ago.
Through her lawyer, Aung San Suu Kyi thanked authorities for granting the visa on this occasion.
Aung San Suu Kyi also has an older son, Alexander, who is reportedly living in the United States.
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been reunited with her younger son for the first time in 10 years after an emotional scene at Rangoon airport.
The pro-democracy activist was waiting at the airport Tuesday morning when 33-year-old Kim Aris arrived on a flight from Thailand, where he had waited two weeks for a visa. The two posed arm-in-arm for photographers and Aung San Suu Kyi said she was “very happy.”
Aris showed his mother a tattoo on his right arm with the symbols of his mother’s National League for Democracy party.
The Nobel Peace laureate, who married and had her two children in Britain, has been largely cut off from her family since she returned to Burma in 1988. She has spent 15 of the last 21 years in prison or under house arrest.
Aris was repeatedly denied permission to visit Burma during his mother’s latest house arrest, which ended 10 days ago.
Through her lawyer, Aung San Suu Kyi thanked authorities for granting the visa on this occasion.
Aung San Suu Kyi also has an older son, Alexander, who is reportedly living in the United States.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
BURMA SUU KYI SON
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 at 4:30 am UTC
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been reunited with her younger son for the first time in 10 years after an emotional scene at Rangoon airport.
The pro-democracy activist was waiting at the airport Tuesday morning when 33-year-old Kim Aris arrived on a flight from Thailand, where he had waited two weeks for a visa. The two posed arm-in-arm for photographers and Aung San Suu Kyi said she was “very happy.”
The Nobel Peace laureate, who married and had her two children in Britain, has been largely cut off from her family since she returned to Burma in 1988. She has spent 15 of the last 21 years in prison or under house arrest.
Aris was repeatedly denied permission to visit Burma during his mother’s latest house arrest, which ended 10 days ago.
Through her lawyer, Aung San Suu Kyi thanked authorities for granting the visa on this occasion.
Aung San Suu Kyi also has an older son, Alexander, who is reportedly living in the United States.
The pro-democracy activist was waiting at the airport Tuesday morning when 33-year-old Kim Aris arrived on a flight from Thailand, where he had waited two weeks for a visa. The two posed arm-in-arm for photographers and Aung San Suu Kyi said she was “very happy.”
The Nobel Peace laureate, who married and had her two children in Britain, has been largely cut off from her family since she returned to Burma in 1988. She has spent 15 of the last 21 years in prison or under house arrest.
Aris was repeatedly denied permission to visit Burma during his mother’s latest house arrest, which ended 10 days ago.
Through her lawyer, Aung San Suu Kyi thanked authorities for granting the visa on this occasion.
Aung San Suu Kyi also has an older son, Alexander, who is reportedly living in the United States.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
Burma Suspends Private Magazines
Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at 1:45 pm UTC
Military rulers in Burma have closed nine magazines that gave prominent coverage to the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi two weeks ago.
The privately owned weeklies were told to stop publication for up to two weeks. Authorities did not specify what the magazines did wrong, but all had reported on the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s release and printed her photograph on the front of their latest issues.
Aung San Suu Kyi was released from more than seven years of house arrest on November 13. She is a vocal opponent of Burma’s military rulers.
The privately owned weeklies were told to stop publication for up to two weeks. Authorities did not specify what the magazines did wrong, but all had reported on the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s release and printed her photograph on the front of their latest issues.
Aung San Suu Kyi was released from more than seven years of house arrest on November 13. She is a vocal opponent of Burma’s military rulers.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
Burma Issues Visa to Aung San Suu Kyi’s Son
Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at 11:15 am UTC
Burmese officials say opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will soon be re-united with her youngest son.
Government and party officials said Monday the Burmese military government has granted a visa to Aung San Suu Kyi’s 33-year-old son Kim Aris, who has been waiting in Thailand for the travel documents for two weeks. They said he will travel as soon as he can arrange an air ticket.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent 15 of the last 21 years under some form of detention, has been largely cut off from her family since returning to Burma in 1988.
She has not seen Aris since a 3-week visit 10 years ago. Her husband, Michael Aris, died of prostate cancer in 1999 after having been denied permission to visit her.
Aung San Suu Kyi met the British-born Aris while she was studying at Oxford University.
Government and party officials said Monday the Burmese military government has granted a visa to Aung San Suu Kyi’s 33-year-old son Kim Aris, who has been waiting in Thailand for the travel documents for two weeks. They said he will travel as soon as he can arrange an air ticket.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent 15 of the last 21 years under some form of detention, has been largely cut off from her family since returning to Burma in 1988.
She has not seen Aris since a 3-week visit 10 years ago. Her husband, Michael Aris, died of prostate cancer in 1999 after having been denied permission to visit her.
Aung San Suu Kyi met the British-born Aris while she was studying at Oxford University.
Some information in this story was provided by AFP.
Burma Evicts AIDS Patients after Visit from Aung San Suu Kyi
Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at 9:55 am UTC
Burmese officials have ordered about 80 HIV patients and staff to leave a care home in Rangoon after a visit there by democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The official reason given for the eviction was that the home, a wooden shelter operated by Phyu Phyu Tin, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, was in violation of Burmese law.
The eviction order came a day after Aung San Suu Kyi visited the clinic and called for more medical assistance for the shelter’s residents, which include children. The Nobel laureate visited the clinic four days after she was freed from seven years of house arrest, when she pledged a “peaceful revolution” while seeking dialogue with the ruling generals.
Tags: Aids, BurmaThe official reason given for the eviction was that the home, a wooden shelter operated by Phyu Phyu Tin, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, was in violation of Burmese law.
The eviction order came a day after Aung San Suu Kyi visited the clinic and called for more medical assistance for the shelter’s residents, which include children. The Nobel laureate visited the clinic four days after she was freed from seven years of house arrest, when she pledged a “peaceful revolution” while seeking dialogue with the ruling generals.
Posted in East Asia Pacific
Burma’s Suu Kyi Signals Support For US Engagement
Saturday, November 20th, 2010 at 12:10 am UTC
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi says U.S. engagement with Burma is a good thing but says the United States needs to be practical about it.
In an interview with CNN television aired Friday, Aung San Suu Kyi said she is not opposed to the United States engaging in diplomacy with Burma’s military government. However, she said U.S. officials should not go into talks wearing what she called “rose-colored glasses”
Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest one week ago, after spending 15 of the last 21 years under some kind of detention. Since her release, the Nobel Peace Prize winner has called for reconciliation talks with Burma’s junta leader, Than Shwe.
Also Friday, the U.S. State Department said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a personal letter to Aung San Suu Kyi. A spokesman would not discuss its contents.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the United States places a special responsibility on Burma’s government to guarantee Aung San Suu Kyi’s safety. He said now that Aung San Suu Kyi has been released, she should be able to reconstitute her party as she sees fit.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release came days after political parties backed by the military swept Burma’s first elections in two decades.
Western leaders and human rights activists said the vote was neither fair nor free and an effort by Burma’s military to put a civilian face on its continued rule.
The election results show that the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, won a large majority of the districts.
In an interview with CNN television aired Friday, Aung San Suu Kyi said she is not opposed to the United States engaging in diplomacy with Burma’s military government. However, she said U.S. officials should not go into talks wearing what she called “rose-colored glasses”
Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest one week ago, after spending 15 of the last 21 years under some kind of detention. Since her release, the Nobel Peace Prize winner has called for reconciliation talks with Burma’s junta leader, Than Shwe.
Also Friday, the U.S. State Department said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a personal letter to Aung San Suu Kyi. A spokesman would not discuss its contents.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the United States places a special responsibility on Burma’s government to guarantee Aung San Suu Kyi’s safety. He said now that Aung San Suu Kyi has been released, she should be able to reconstitute her party as she sees fit.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release came days after political parties backed by the military swept Burma’s first elections in two decades.
Western leaders and human rights activists said the vote was neither fair nor free and an effort by Burma’s military to put a civilian face on its continued rule.
The election results show that the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, won a large majority of the districts.
Some information in this story was provided by AFP.
UN Chief, Aung San Suu Kyi Urge Burma to Release Political Prisoners
Friday, November 19th, 2010 at 12:20 am UTC
A United Nations human rights committee has condemned Burma’s recent elections, saying they were not free, fair nor transparent.
The key U.N. committee approved the resolution Thursday by a vote of 96 in favor and 28 against
It also called for Burma’s military government to release all political prisoners.
Earlier Thursday, Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi , who was released from house arrest Saturday, spoke by phone with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The two urged Burma’s military rulers to release all remaining political prisoners.
A U.N. statement says the two called for the release of political prisoners so all Burmese citizens can contribute to national reconciliation and a transition to democracy in Burma. Mr. Ban also told Aung San Suu Kyi he is encouraged by her appeals to Burma’s government for dialogue and compromise.
Separately, Aung San Suu Kyi said her release from house arrest should not be seen as evidence Burma’s military rulers are softening their policies.
In an interview with The Associated Press, she said her freedom came because her term of house arrest had expired and “there were no immediate means of extending it.”
Since her release, the Nobel Peace Prize winner has called for reconciliation talks with the junta leader, Than Shwe. But she told The Associated Press the government has not contacted her.
Aung San Suu Kyi also said she believes her detention was “illegal” but that she has no regrets about standing up to the junta, even though it meant spending 15 of the last 21 years under some kind of detention.
The 65-year-old democracy activist walked out of her lakeside Rangoon home Saturday at the end of her latest term of house arrest. The release came days after political parties backed by the military swept Burma’s first elections in two decades.
Western leaders and human rights activists said last Sunday’s vote was neither fair nor free and an effort by Burma’s military to put a civilian face on its continued rule.
The election results show that the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, won a large majority of the districts.
The key U.N. committee approved the resolution Thursday by a vote of 96 in favor and 28 against
It also called for Burma’s military government to release all political prisoners.
Earlier Thursday, Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi , who was released from house arrest Saturday, spoke by phone with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The two urged Burma’s military rulers to release all remaining political prisoners.
A U.N. statement says the two called for the release of political prisoners so all Burmese citizens can contribute to national reconciliation and a transition to democracy in Burma. Mr. Ban also told Aung San Suu Kyi he is encouraged by her appeals to Burma’s government for dialogue and compromise.
Separately, Aung San Suu Kyi said her release from house arrest should not be seen as evidence Burma’s military rulers are softening their policies.
In an interview with The Associated Press, she said her freedom came because her term of house arrest had expired and “there were no immediate means of extending it.”
Since her release, the Nobel Peace Prize winner has called for reconciliation talks with the junta leader, Than Shwe. But she told The Associated Press the government has not contacted her.
Aung San Suu Kyi also said she believes her detention was “illegal” but that she has no regrets about standing up to the junta, even though it meant spending 15 of the last 21 years under some kind of detention.
The 65-year-old democracy activist walked out of her lakeside Rangoon home Saturday at the end of her latest term of house arrest. The release came days after political parties backed by the military swept Burma’s first elections in two decades.
Western leaders and human rights activists said last Sunday’s vote was neither fair nor free and an effort by Burma’s military to put a civilian face on its continued rule.
The election results show that the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, won a large majority of the districts.
UN Chief, Aung San Suu Kyi Urge Burma to Release Political Prisoners
Thursday, November 18th, 2010 at 10:15 pm UTC
The United Nations human rights committee has condemned Burma’s recent elections, saying they were not free, fair nor transparent.
The key U.N. committee approved the resolution Thursday by a vote of 96 in favor and 28 against
It also called for Burma’s military government to release all political prisoners.
Earlier Thursday, Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi , who was released from house arrest Saturday, spoke by phone with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The two urged Burma’s military rulers to release all remaining political prisoners.
A U.N. statement says the two called for the release of political prisoners so all Burmese citizens can contribute to national reconciliation and a transition to democracy in Burma. Mr. Ban also told Aung San Suu Kyi he is encouraged by her appeals to Burma’s government for dialogue and compromise.
Separately, Aung San Suu Kyi said her release from house arrest should not be seen as evidence Burma’s military rulers are softening their policies.
In an interview with The Associated Press, she said her freedom came because her term of house arrest had expired and “there were no immediate means of extending it.”
Since her release, the Nobel Peace Prize winner has called for reconciliation talks with the junta leader, Than Shwe. But she told The Associated Press the government has not contacted her.
Aung San Suu Kyi also said she believes her detention was “illegal” but that she has no regrets about standing up to the junta, even though it meant spending 15 of the last 21 years under some kind of detention.
The 65-year-old democracy activist walked out of her lakeside Rangoon home Saturday at the end of her latest term of house arrest. The release came days after political parties backed by the military swept Burma’s first elections in two decades.
Western leaders and human rights activists said last Sunday’s vote was neither fair nor free and an effort by Burma’s military to put a civilian face on its continued rule.
The election results show that the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, won a large majority of the districts.
The key U.N. committee approved the resolution Thursday by a vote of 96 in favor and 28 against
It also called for Burma’s military government to release all political prisoners.
Earlier Thursday, Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi , who was released from house arrest Saturday, spoke by phone with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The two urged Burma’s military rulers to release all remaining political prisoners.
A U.N. statement says the two called for the release of political prisoners so all Burmese citizens can contribute to national reconciliation and a transition to democracy in Burma. Mr. Ban also told Aung San Suu Kyi he is encouraged by her appeals to Burma’s government for dialogue and compromise.
Separately, Aung San Suu Kyi said her release from house arrest should not be seen as evidence Burma’s military rulers are softening their policies.
In an interview with The Associated Press, she said her freedom came because her term of house arrest had expired and “there were no immediate means of extending it.”
Since her release, the Nobel Peace Prize winner has called for reconciliation talks with the junta leader, Than Shwe. But she told The Associated Press the government has not contacted her.
Aung San Suu Kyi also said she believes her detention was “illegal” but that she has no regrets about standing up to the junta, even though it meant spending 15 of the last 21 years under some kind of detention.
The 65-year-old democracy activist walked out of her lakeside Rangoon home Saturday at the end of her latest term of house arrest. The release came days after political parties backed by the military swept Burma’s first elections in two decades.
Western leaders and human rights activists said last Sunday’s vote was neither fair nor free and an effort by Burma’s military to put a civilian face on its continued rule.
The election results show that the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, won a large majority of the districts.
Some information in this story was provided by AFP and Reuters.
UN Chief, Aung San Suu Kyi Urge Burma to Release Political Prisoners
Thursday, November 18th, 2010 at 3:45 pm UTC
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi are urging Burma’s military rulers to release all remaining political prisoners.
Mr. Ban and Aung San Suu Kyi spoke by phone Thursday, as the U.N. chief greeted her following her release from house arrest Saturday.
A U.N. statement says the two called for the release of political prisoners so all Burmese citizens can contribute to national reconciliation and a transition to democracy in Burma. Mr. Ban also told Aung San Suu Kyi he was encouraged by her appeals to Burma’s government for dialogue and compromise.
Separately, Aung San Suu Kyi said her release from house arrest should not be seen as evidence Burma’s military rulers are softening their policies.
In an interview with The Associated Press, she said her freedom came because her term of house arrest had expired and “there were no immediate means of extending it.”
Since her release, the Nobel Peace Prize winner has called for reconciliation talks with the junta leader, Than Shwe. But she told The Associated Press the government has not contacted her.
Aung San Suu Kyi also said she believes her detention was “illegal” but that she has no regrets about standing up to the junta, even though it meant spending 15 of the last 21 years under some kind of detention.
The 65-year-old democracy activist walked out of her lakeside Rangoon home Saturday at the end of her latest term of house arrest. The release came days after political parties backed by the military swept Burma’s first elections in two decades.
Mr. Ban and Aung San Suu Kyi spoke by phone Thursday, as the U.N. chief greeted her following her release from house arrest Saturday.
A U.N. statement says the two called for the release of political prisoners so all Burmese citizens can contribute to national reconciliation and a transition to democracy in Burma. Mr. Ban also told Aung San Suu Kyi he was encouraged by her appeals to Burma’s government for dialogue and compromise.
Separately, Aung San Suu Kyi said her release from house arrest should not be seen as evidence Burma’s military rulers are softening their policies.
In an interview with The Associated Press, she said her freedom came because her term of house arrest had expired and “there were no immediate means of extending it.”
Since her release, the Nobel Peace Prize winner has called for reconciliation talks with the junta leader, Than Shwe. But she told The Associated Press the government has not contacted her.
Aung San Suu Kyi also said she believes her detention was “illegal” but that she has no regrets about standing up to the junta, even though it meant spending 15 of the last 21 years under some kind of detention.
The 65-year-old democracy activist walked out of her lakeside Rangoon home Saturday at the end of her latest term of house arrest. The release came days after political parties backed by the military swept Burma’s first elections in two decades.
Some information in this story was provided by AFP.
Aung San Suu Kyi Says Military Junta Has Not Changed
Thursday, November 18th, 2010 at 10:30 am UTC
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi says her release from house arrest should not be seen as evidence that the country’s military rulers are softening their policies.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Aung Suu Kyi said her freedom came only because her term of house arrest had expired and “there were no immediate means of extending it.”
Since her release, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has called for reconciliation talks with the junta leader, Than Shwe. But she said in the interview that the government has not contacted her.
Aung San Suu Kyi also said she believes her detention was “illegal” but that she has no regrets about standing up to the junta, even though it meant spending 15 of the last 21 years under some kind of detention.
She also expressed appreciation for the support of her family.
The 65-year-old democracy activist walked out of her lakeside Rangoon home Saturday at the end of her latest term of house arrest. The release came days after political parties backed by the military swept Burma’s first elections in two decades.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Aung Suu Kyi said her freedom came only because her term of house arrest had expired and “there were no immediate means of extending it.”
Since her release, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has called for reconciliation talks with the junta leader, Than Shwe. But she said in the interview that the government has not contacted her.
Aung San Suu Kyi also said she believes her detention was “illegal” but that she has no regrets about standing up to the junta, even though it meant spending 15 of the last 21 years under some kind of detention.
She also expressed appreciation for the support of her family.
The 65-year-old democracy activist walked out of her lakeside Rangoon home Saturday at the end of her latest term of house arrest. The release came days after political parties backed by the military swept Burma’s first elections in two decades.
Some information in this story was provided by AP.
Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi Visits HIV/AIDS Patients
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010 at 2:45 pm UTC
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has visited HIV/AIDS patients in Rangoon several days after her release from more than seven years of house arrest.
Aung San Suu Kyi handed flowers to the patients Wednesday at a Rangoon hospice opened by a member of her banned political party, the National League for Democracy. She promised to try to secure more medicine for the patients.
The World Health Organization says HIV/AIDS is one of the leading health problems afflicting Burma, one of the least developed countries in the region.
The French news agency quotes Aung San Suu Kyi as saying Burma needs a lot of money to get antiretroviral drugs to fight the virus.
Aung San Suu Kyi handed flowers to the patients Wednesday at a Rangoon hospice opened by a member of her banned political party, the National League for Democracy. She promised to try to secure more medicine for the patients.
The World Health Organization says HIV/AIDS is one of the leading health problems afflicting Burma, one of the least developed countries in the region.
The French news agency quotes Aung San Suu Kyi as saying Burma needs a lot of money to get antiretroviral drugs to fight the virus.
Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
Humanitarian Crisis Looming for Western Burma in Wake of Deadly Cyclone
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010 at 12:30 pm UTC
United Nations officials say people in western Burma are facing a humanitarian crisis following a deadly cyclone last month.
The U.N.’s Food and Agricultural Organization says Cyclone Giri wiped out more than 97,000 hectares of farmland, or almost half the rice fields in Rakhine State, where rice is the staple food.
The world agency’s humanitarian affairs office estimates 260,000 people will face food shortages, with 200,000 in need of food assistance for the next three months in the four most severely affected townships in Rakhine.
Meanwhile, the U.N.’s humanitarian office says aid workers are worried about possible contamination in scores of communal ponds, which are a main source of fresh water through much of rural Burma.
The British government says it will provide emergency aid to more than 100,000 people affected by Cyclone Giri. The secretary of state for international development says London will deliver enough food for at least 28,000 people, as well as clean water, sanitation, and healthcare equipment for about 80,000 people.
The cyclone killed 45 people and left 81,000 homeless after battering western Burma on October 22.
The U.N.’s Food and Agricultural Organization says Cyclone Giri wiped out more than 97,000 hectares of farmland, or almost half the rice fields in Rakhine State, where rice is the staple food.
The world agency’s humanitarian affairs office estimates 260,000 people will face food shortages, with 200,000 in need of food assistance for the next three months in the four most severely affected townships in Rakhine.
Meanwhile, the U.N.’s humanitarian office says aid workers are worried about possible contamination in scores of communal ponds, which are a main source of fresh water through much of rural Burma.
The British government says it will provide emergency aid to more than 100,000 people affected by Cyclone Giri. The secretary of state for international development says London will deliver enough food for at least 28,000 people, as well as clean water, sanitation, and healthcare equipment for about 80,000 people.
The cyclone killed 45 people and left 81,000 homeless after battering western Burma on October 22.
Aung San Suu Kyi Visits Court, Files Affidavit
Tuesday, November 16th, 2010 at 11:35 am UTC
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in Burma’s High Court Tuesday to file an affidavit seeking the legal re-instatement of her political party.
It was the pro-democracy figure’s first trip to downtown Rangoon since her release Saturday after seven years of house arrest.
Since then she has appeared daily at the headquarters of her National League for Democracy, which was officially dissolved after deciding to boycott this month’s national elections, in which she was barred from being a candidate.
In a speech on Sunday, she said she wants to work with all democratic forces in seeking change in Burma, but that it has to be accomplished through discussions with military leaders.
The United States and Britain said Monday that her release must be followed by freedom for more than 2,000 other political prisoners in the country.
U.S. State Department spokesman J.P. Crowley told reporters that Washington plans to “engage Burma” and see what it plans to do with other political prisoners and in relation to the country’s ethnic groups.
British Prime Minister David Cameron conveyed a similar message to the lower house of his country’s Parliament Monday after speaking with Aung San Suu Kyi on the phone earlier in the day.
Aung San Suu Kyi spent almost 15 of the past 21 years in some form of detention until her release Saturday.
The NLD won the 1990 elections by a landslide, but military leaders blocked it from assuming power.
Tags: Aung, Burma, Kyi, San, SuuIt was the pro-democracy figure’s first trip to downtown Rangoon since her release Saturday after seven years of house arrest.
Since then she has appeared daily at the headquarters of her National League for Democracy, which was officially dissolved after deciding to boycott this month’s national elections, in which she was barred from being a candidate.
In a speech on Sunday, she said she wants to work with all democratic forces in seeking change in Burma, but that it has to be accomplished through discussions with military leaders.
The United States and Britain said Monday that her release must be followed by freedom for more than 2,000 other political prisoners in the country.
U.S. State Department spokesman J.P. Crowley told reporters that Washington plans to “engage Burma” and see what it plans to do with other political prisoners and in relation to the country’s ethnic groups.
British Prime Minister David Cameron conveyed a similar message to the lower house of his country’s Parliament Monday after speaking with Aung San Suu Kyi on the phone earlier in the day.
Aung San Suu Kyi spent almost 15 of the past 21 years in some form of detention until her release Saturday.
The NLD won the 1990 elections by a landslide, but military leaders blocked it from assuming power.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
Posted in East Asia Pacific
US, Britain to Press Burma to Release All Political prisoners
Tuesday, November 16th, 2010 at 12:50 am UTC
The United States and Britain say the release of Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi must be followed by freedom for more than 2,000 other political prisoners in the country.
U.S. State Department spokesman J.P. Crowley told reporters Monday that Washington plans to “engage Burma” and see what it plans to do with other political prisoners and in relation to the country’s ethnic groups.
He said the reaction of Burmese people to Aung San Suu Kyi’s release shows their yearn for an opportunity to participate in the future of their country.
British Prime minister David Cameron conveyed a similar message to the lower house of his country’s parliament Monday after speaking with Aung San Suu Kyi on the phone earlier in the day.
In Rangoon, Aung San Suu Kyi began efforts to re-establish her political party, which was disbanded before the November 7 election, Burma’s first in 20 years.
The NLD won the 1990 elections by a landslide, but military leaders blocked it from assuming power.
Aung San Suu Kyi spent almost 15 years in some form of detention until her release Saturday.
She said in a speech to supporters Sunday that she wants to work with all democratic forces in seeking change in Burma, but that it has to be accomplished through discussions with military leaders.
Mr. Cameron told British lawmakers that he had congratulated the Nobel Peace Prize laureate on behalf of the British people for her release and her “remarkable stand on democracy and human rights.”
U.S. State Department spokesman J.P. Crowley told reporters Monday that Washington plans to “engage Burma” and see what it plans to do with other political prisoners and in relation to the country’s ethnic groups.
He said the reaction of Burmese people to Aung San Suu Kyi’s release shows their yearn for an opportunity to participate in the future of their country.
British Prime minister David Cameron conveyed a similar message to the lower house of his country’s parliament Monday after speaking with Aung San Suu Kyi on the phone earlier in the day.
In Rangoon, Aung San Suu Kyi began efforts to re-establish her political party, which was disbanded before the November 7 election, Burma’s first in 20 years.
The NLD won the 1990 elections by a landslide, but military leaders blocked it from assuming power.
Aung San Suu Kyi spent almost 15 years in some form of detention until her release Saturday.
She said in a speech to supporters Sunday that she wants to work with all democratic forces in seeking change in Burma, but that it has to be accomplished through discussions with military leaders.
Mr. Cameron told British lawmakers that he had congratulated the Nobel Peace Prize laureate on behalf of the British people for her release and her “remarkable stand on democracy and human rights.”
Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
Aung San Suu Kyi Seeks to Revive Party
Monday, November 15th, 2010 at 2:00 pm UTC
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was back at her party headquarters Monday, talking to lawyers and working to get her political party declared legal again.
Her National League for Democracy ceased to exist under a new law after it failed to register for the Nov. 7 elections, the first held in Burma in 20 years.
The NLD won the 1990 elections by a landslide, but military leaders blocked it from assuming power.
The party leadership decided to boycott the latest polls to protest the election laws that would have required it to drop Aung San Suu Kyi as a member because she was under house arrest.
Party spokesman and lawyer Nyan Win said the NLD plans to ask the courts to decide on the legality of the election law.
Aung San Suu Kyi was greeted by thousands of supporters as she emerged from her lakeside home after her release from house arrest Saturday. On Sunday, in a speech at the headquarters of her party, she said freedom of speech is the cornerstone of democracy.
She also said she wants to work with all democratic forces in seeking change in Burma, but that it has to be accomplished through discussions with military leaders.
The Nobel laureate told VOA in a telephone interview that she will work to try to persuade the government that “national reconciliation is in everybody’s interest.”
Her National League for Democracy ceased to exist under a new law after it failed to register for the Nov. 7 elections, the first held in Burma in 20 years.
The NLD won the 1990 elections by a landslide, but military leaders blocked it from assuming power.
The party leadership decided to boycott the latest polls to protest the election laws that would have required it to drop Aung San Suu Kyi as a member because she was under house arrest.
Party spokesman and lawyer Nyan Win said the NLD plans to ask the courts to decide on the legality of the election law.
Aung San Suu Kyi was greeted by thousands of supporters as she emerged from her lakeside home after her release from house arrest Saturday. On Sunday, in a speech at the headquarters of her party, she said freedom of speech is the cornerstone of democracy.
She also said she wants to work with all democratic forces in seeking change in Burma, but that it has to be accomplished through discussions with military leaders.
The Nobel laureate told VOA in a telephone interview that she will work to try to persuade the government that “national reconciliation is in everybody’s interest.”
Some information in this story was provided by AP.
Burma Sanctions Challenged After Aung San Suu Kyi Release
Monday, November 15th, 2010 at 9:50 am UTC
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was back in her party headquarters Monday as pressure began building for a review of international sanctions against her country.
The issue is being pushed by East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta, who like Aung San Suu Kyi is a Nobel Peace Prize winner. He said Monday that with Aung San Suu Kyi free, the United States and Europe should lift their sanctions because they mainly hurt poor people.
The United States says its sanctions are designed to punish only regime leaders, not the ordinary people of Burma. But Aung San Suu Kyi herself said at a news conference on Sunday she would call for the lifting of sanctions if the people of Burma tell her that is what they want.
The Peace Prize-winning democracy activist also told VOA Sunday she was “certainly not bent on clashing” with Burma’s military leaders.
If the sanctions are lifted, Western multinational companies would be eager to invest in Burma, which is rich in energy and minerals.
The United States has attempted a policy of cautious engagement with the government, anxious to see the country does not become a satellite of China.
Aung San Suu Kyi was greeted by thousands of supporters as she emerged from her lakeside home upon her release from house arrest Saturday. On Sunday, in a speech at the headquarters of her National League for Democracy party, she said freedom of speech is the cornerstone of democracy.
She also said she wants to work with all democratic forces in seeking change in Burma, but that it has to be accomplished through discussions with the military leaders.
The Nobel laureate told VOA in a telephone interview that she will work to try to persuade the military government that “national reconciliation is in everybody’s interest.”
The issue is being pushed by East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta, who like Aung San Suu Kyi is a Nobel Peace Prize winner. He said Monday that with Aung San Suu Kyi free, the United States and Europe should lift their sanctions because they mainly hurt poor people.
The United States says its sanctions are designed to punish only regime leaders, not the ordinary people of Burma. But Aung San Suu Kyi herself said at a news conference on Sunday she would call for the lifting of sanctions if the people of Burma tell her that is what they want.
The Peace Prize-winning democracy activist also told VOA Sunday she was “certainly not bent on clashing” with Burma’s military leaders.
If the sanctions are lifted, Western multinational companies would be eager to invest in Burma, which is rich in energy and minerals.
The United States has attempted a policy of cautious engagement with the government, anxious to see the country does not become a satellite of China.
Aung San Suu Kyi was greeted by thousands of supporters as she emerged from her lakeside home upon her release from house arrest Saturday. On Sunday, in a speech at the headquarters of her National League for Democracy party, she said freedom of speech is the cornerstone of democracy.
She also said she wants to work with all democratic forces in seeking change in Burma, but that it has to be accomplished through discussions with the military leaders.
The Nobel laureate told VOA in a telephone interview that she will work to try to persuade the military government that “national reconciliation is in everybody’s interest.”
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
Aung San Suu Kyi Addresses Supporters at Party Headquarters
Sunday, November 14th, 2010 at 6:55 am UTC
Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi urged people to stand up for their rights and seek democracy in military-ruled Burma, in a rare address after gaining her freedom from house arrest.
Thousands of supporters cheered on Aung San Suu Kyi Sunday as she spoke at her National League for Democracy party headquarters in Rangoon. She said freedom of speech is the basis of democracy.
Aung San Suu Kyi walked free outside her lakeside home in Rangoon Saturday to the applause of thousands of her supporters and the acclaim of world leaders who lauded her decades-long fight against Burma’s military rulers.
Speaking briefly in Burmese, she said “If we work in unity, we will achieve our goal.”
Her house arrest of seven years was the latest in a series of detentions that has kept the Nobel Peace Prize laureate confined for 15 of the last 21 years.
Aung San Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy to a landslide victory in Burma’s national election two decades ago, but the military rulers refused to allow it to assume power.
She called for a boycott of last Sunday’s election, balloting widely viewed by Western leaders and human rights activists as rife with fraud and an attempt by the military to put a civilian facade on its continued rule. The military-backed party has already claimed a majority of seats in both houses of Parliament.
As the 65-year-old woman known in Burma simply as “The Lady” was freed, police removed barricades around her home and truckloads of riot police cruising the streets left the area.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release raises immediate questions about how much freedom the military rulers will grant her. Her followers say she will not accept any conditions on her release. Her lawyer says she would resume political activities.
U.S. President Barack Obama was among world leaders to welcome her release, saying that she was “a hero of mine.” He said Aung San Suu Kyi was “a source of inspiration” for everyone fighting for human rights in Burma and around the world.
The Norwegian Nobel committee invited her to come to Oslo to belatedly make an an acceptance speech for her 1991 Peace Prize. But it acknowledged that she might not want to go without assurances from the Burma government that she would be allowed back into the country. She was under another house arrest term when she won the award and her two sons accepted it for her.
Khin Ohmar, the coordinator of the Burma Partnership, a coalition advocating democracy in Burma, says the military government is afraid of Aung San Suu Kyi’s influence. Some analysts think the military might view Aung San Suu Kyi’s release as a way to soften overseas criticism of last Sunday’s election.
The rulers did not allow international observers to enter Burma to watch the voting, but there were reports of punishment being meted out to those who voted against the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Thousands of supporters cheered on Aung San Suu Kyi Sunday as she spoke at her National League for Democracy party headquarters in Rangoon. She said freedom of speech is the basis of democracy.
Aung San Suu Kyi walked free outside her lakeside home in Rangoon Saturday to the applause of thousands of her supporters and the acclaim of world leaders who lauded her decades-long fight against Burma’s military rulers.
Speaking briefly in Burmese, she said “If we work in unity, we will achieve our goal.”
Her house arrest of seven years was the latest in a series of detentions that has kept the Nobel Peace Prize laureate confined for 15 of the last 21 years.
Aung San Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy to a landslide victory in Burma’s national election two decades ago, but the military rulers refused to allow it to assume power.
She called for a boycott of last Sunday’s election, balloting widely viewed by Western leaders and human rights activists as rife with fraud and an attempt by the military to put a civilian facade on its continued rule. The military-backed party has already claimed a majority of seats in both houses of Parliament.
As the 65-year-old woman known in Burma simply as “The Lady” was freed, police removed barricades around her home and truckloads of riot police cruising the streets left the area.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release raises immediate questions about how much freedom the military rulers will grant her. Her followers say she will not accept any conditions on her release. Her lawyer says she would resume political activities.
U.S. President Barack Obama was among world leaders to welcome her release, saying that she was “a hero of mine.” He said Aung San Suu Kyi was “a source of inspiration” for everyone fighting for human rights in Burma and around the world.
The Norwegian Nobel committee invited her to come to Oslo to belatedly make an an acceptance speech for her 1991 Peace Prize. But it acknowledged that she might not want to go without assurances from the Burma government that she would be allowed back into the country. She was under another house arrest term when she won the award and her two sons accepted it for her.
Khin Ohmar, the coordinator of the Burma Partnership, a coalition advocating democracy in Burma, says the military government is afraid of Aung San Suu Kyi’s influence. Some analysts think the military might view Aung San Suu Kyi’s release as a way to soften overseas criticism of last Sunday’s election.
The rulers did not allow international observers to enter Burma to watch the voting, but there were reports of punishment being meted out to those who voted against the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
Aung San Suu Kyi To Address Supporters
Sunday, November 14th, 2010 at 12:40 am UTC
Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is planning to give a rare address Sunday after gaining her freedom from house arrest.
Aung San Suu Kyi walked free Saturday to the cheers of thousands of her supporters and the acclaim of world leaders who lauded her decades-long fight against Burma’s military rulers.
She smiled and waved to the jubilant crowd outside her lakeside home in Rangoon.
Speaking briefly in Burmese, she urged the crowd to come to her political headquarters on Sunday to hear her speak. She said “If we work in unity, we will achieve our goal.”
As the crowd gathered outside her home in anticipation of her freedom Saturday, military officials entered it and read her release order. Her house arrest was the latest in a series of detentions that has kept the Nobel Peace Prize laureate confined for 15 of the last 21 years.
Aung San Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy to a landslide victory in Burma’s national election two decades ago, but the military rulers refused to allow it to assume power.
She called for a boycott of last Sunday’s election, balloting widely viewed by Western leaders and human rights activists as rife with fraud and an attempt by the military to put a civilian facade on its continued rule. The military-backed party has already claimed a majority of seats in both houses of Parliament.
As the 65-year-old woman known in Burma simply as “The Lady” was freed, police removed barricades around her home and truckloads of riot police cruising the streets left the area.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release raises immediate questions about how much freedom the military rulers will grant her. Her followers say she will not accept any conditions on her release. Her lawyer says she would resume political activities.
U.S. President Barack Obama was among world leaders to welcome her release, saying that she was “a hero of mine.” He said Aung San Suu Kyi was “a source of inspiration” for everyone fighting for human rights in Burma and around the world.
The Norwegian Nobel committee invited her to come to Oslo to belatedly make an an acceptance speech for her 1991 Peace Prize. But it acknowledged that she might not want to go without assurances from the Burma government that she would be allowed back into the country. She was under another house arrest term when she won the award and her two sons accepted it for her.
Khin Ohmar, the coordinator of the Burma Partnership, a coalition advocating democracy in Burma, says the military government is afraid of Aung San Suu Kyi’s influence. Some analysts think the military might view Aung San Suu Kyi’s release as a way to soften overseas criticism of last Sunday’s election.
The rulers did not allow international observers to enter Burma to watch the voting, but there were reports of punishment being meted out to those who voted against the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Aung San Suu Kyi walked free Saturday to the cheers of thousands of her supporters and the acclaim of world leaders who lauded her decades-long fight against Burma’s military rulers.
She smiled and waved to the jubilant crowd outside her lakeside home in Rangoon.
Speaking briefly in Burmese, she urged the crowd to come to her political headquarters on Sunday to hear her speak. She said “If we work in unity, we will achieve our goal.”
As the crowd gathered outside her home in anticipation of her freedom Saturday, military officials entered it and read her release order. Her house arrest was the latest in a series of detentions that has kept the Nobel Peace Prize laureate confined for 15 of the last 21 years.
Aung San Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy to a landslide victory in Burma’s national election two decades ago, but the military rulers refused to allow it to assume power.
She called for a boycott of last Sunday’s election, balloting widely viewed by Western leaders and human rights activists as rife with fraud and an attempt by the military to put a civilian facade on its continued rule. The military-backed party has already claimed a majority of seats in both houses of Parliament.
As the 65-year-old woman known in Burma simply as “The Lady” was freed, police removed barricades around her home and truckloads of riot police cruising the streets left the area.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release raises immediate questions about how much freedom the military rulers will grant her. Her followers say she will not accept any conditions on her release. Her lawyer says she would resume political activities.
U.S. President Barack Obama was among world leaders to welcome her release, saying that she was “a hero of mine.” He said Aung San Suu Kyi was “a source of inspiration” for everyone fighting for human rights in Burma and around the world.
The Norwegian Nobel committee invited her to come to Oslo to belatedly make an an acceptance speech for her 1991 Peace Prize. But it acknowledged that she might not want to go without assurances from the Burma government that she would be allowed back into the country. She was under another house arrest term when she won the award and her two sons accepted it for her.
Khin Ohmar, the coordinator of the Burma Partnership, a coalition advocating democracy in Burma, says the military government is afraid of Aung San Suu Kyi’s influence. Some analysts think the military might view Aung San Suu Kyi’s release as a way to soften overseas criticism of last Sunday’s election.
The rulers did not allow international observers to enter Burma to watch the voting, but there were reports of punishment being meted out to those who voted against the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
For Aung San Suu Kyi, a Life of Dissent in Confinement
Saturday, November 13th, 2010 at 5:40 pm UTC
Newly freed Burmese democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi has been protesting the country’s military dictatorship for more than two decades and just as long the military government has been arresting her for her efforts.
After studying in India and England, marrying an Oxford University academic and giving birth to two sons, she returned to Burma in 1988 to care for her ailing mother, who soon died.
On the streets at the time, pro-democracy protests against the military rulers were erupting. Security forces opened fire, killing hundreds. Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of assassinated Burmese independence leader Aung San, soon followed in his steps in the pursuit of a changed Burma.
She helped found the opposition party, the National League for Democracy. Aung San Suu Kyi was an outspoken critic of the military rulers who placed her under house arrest in mid-1989. Even as she was detained, her popularity soared and her party won 80 percent of the seats in parliament in the 1990 national election called by the military. But the rulers refused to let her party take control.
Her world renown only grew as she won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her peaceful struggle against the military regime.
But she was not released from house arrest until 1995, after six years of confinement. She stayed in Burma, fearing that if she left, the military would not let her back into the country. That fate befell her husband, Michael Aris, and he died of cancer in England in 1999.
A year later, the military again arrested her, after she attempted to leave Rangoon on party business in defiance of a government order. This time, she was held for nearly two years before being released. But her freedom was short-lived. In May 2003, a convoy she was traveling in with NLD members in northern Burma was ambushed by a government mob and she was detained for a third time.
She was due to be freed last year, but instead the government put her on trial after a bizarre incident in which an American swam uninvited to her lakeside home. The government said she had violated the terms of her house arrest.
That 18-month extension of her house arrest ended Saturday. She has now been held for 15 of the last 21 years.
A free woman yet again, Aung San Suu Kyi smiled and waved to cheering throngs as she emerged from her home.
After studying in India and England, marrying an Oxford University academic and giving birth to two sons, she returned to Burma in 1988 to care for her ailing mother, who soon died.
On the streets at the time, pro-democracy protests against the military rulers were erupting. Security forces opened fire, killing hundreds. Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of assassinated Burmese independence leader Aung San, soon followed in his steps in the pursuit of a changed Burma.
She helped found the opposition party, the National League for Democracy. Aung San Suu Kyi was an outspoken critic of the military rulers who placed her under house arrest in mid-1989. Even as she was detained, her popularity soared and her party won 80 percent of the seats in parliament in the 1990 national election called by the military. But the rulers refused to let her party take control.
Her world renown only grew as she won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her peaceful struggle against the military regime.
But she was not released from house arrest until 1995, after six years of confinement. She stayed in Burma, fearing that if she left, the military would not let her back into the country. That fate befell her husband, Michael Aris, and he died of cancer in England in 1999.
A year later, the military again arrested her, after she attempted to leave Rangoon on party business in defiance of a government order. This time, she was held for nearly two years before being released. But her freedom was short-lived. In May 2003, a convoy she was traveling in with NLD members in northern Burma was ambushed by a government mob and she was detained for a third time.
She was due to be freed last year, but instead the government put her on trial after a bizarre incident in which an American swam uninvited to her lakeside home. The government said she had violated the terms of her house arrest.
That 18-month extension of her house arrest ended Saturday. She has now been held for 15 of the last 21 years.
A free woman yet again, Aung San Suu Kyi smiled and waved to cheering throngs as she emerged from her home.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
World Leaders Laud Aung San Suu Kyi’s Freedom
Saturday, November 13th, 2010 at 3:20 pm UTC
World leaders are lauding the new-found freedom for Burmese democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released Saturday from house arrest in Rangoon.
U.S. President Barack Obama called her “a hero of mine” and said the 65-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate is an inspiration for human rights activists in Burma and throughout the world. He said the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, confined by Burma’s military rulers for 15 of the last 21 years, was “long overdue” and called on the Burmese government to release all of its 2,200 political prisoners.
The Elders, a group of retired world leaders, welcomed her freedom as well. The leader of the group, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, said she is “a global symbol of moral courage.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron called Aung San Suu Kyi “an inspiration for all of us who believe in freedom of speech, democracy and human rights.”
While praising her release, other leaders warned that they would be watching to see the extent of her freedom granted by the military rulers and how they deal with Burma’s remaining political prisoners.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that any restriction on her freedom “would constitute a new, unacceptable denial of her rights.”
Former Irish President Mary Robinson said that Aung San Suu Kyi’s long detention had silenced “the will of the people” who had overwhelmingly supported her National League for Democracy in the country’s 1990 election, only to see the military refuse to let the party assume power. With political dissidents still imprisoned, she said “little seems to have changed.”
China had no immediate reaction to Aug San Suu Kyi’s release. Chinese officials have repeatedly denounced the Nobel committee for awarding this year’s peace prize to Chinese human rights and democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo, now serving an 11-year sentence for subversion against the Chinese government.
U.S. President Barack Obama called her “a hero of mine” and said the 65-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate is an inspiration for human rights activists in Burma and throughout the world. He said the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, confined by Burma’s military rulers for 15 of the last 21 years, was “long overdue” and called on the Burmese government to release all of its 2,200 political prisoners.
The Elders, a group of retired world leaders, welcomed her freedom as well. The leader of the group, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, said she is “a global symbol of moral courage.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron called Aung San Suu Kyi “an inspiration for all of us who believe in freedom of speech, democracy and human rights.”
While praising her release, other leaders warned that they would be watching to see the extent of her freedom granted by the military rulers and how they deal with Burma’s remaining political prisoners.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that any restriction on her freedom “would constitute a new, unacceptable denial of her rights.”
Former Irish President Mary Robinson said that Aung San Suu Kyi’s long detention had silenced “the will of the people” who had overwhelmingly supported her National League for Democracy in the country’s 1990 election, only to see the military refuse to let the party assume power. With political dissidents still imprisoned, she said “little seems to have changed.”
China had no immediate reaction to Aug San Suu Kyi’s release. Chinese officials have repeatedly denounced the Nobel committee for awarding this year’s peace prize to Chinese human rights and democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo, now serving an 11-year sentence for subversion against the Chinese government.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
Aung San Suu Kyi Is Freed in Burma
Saturday, November 13th, 2010 at 2:40 pm UTC
Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi walked free on Saturday to the cheers of thousands of her supporters and the acclaim of world leaders who lauded her decades-long fight against the country’s military rulers.
She smiled and waved to the jubilant crowd outside her lakeside home in Rangoon. Many of her cheering supporters wore T-shirts emblazoned with her picture and the inscription, “We Stand with Aung San Suu Kyi.”
Speaking briefly in Burmese, she told the well-wishers, “If we work in unity, we will achieve our goal.” She urged the crowd to come to her political headquarters on Sunday to hear her speak.
U.S. President Barack Obama was among world leaders to welcome her release, saying that she was “a hero of mine.” He said Aung San Suu Kyi was “a source of inspiration” for everyone fighting for human rights in Burma and around the world.
As the crowd gathered outside her home in anticipation of her freedom, military officials entered it and read her release order, ending her house arrest. It was the latest in a series of detentions that has kept the Nobel Peace Prize laureate confined for 15 of the last 21 years. She led her National League for Democracy to a landslide victory in Burma’s national election two decades ago, but the military rulers refused to allow it to assume power.
She called for a boycott of last Sunday’s election, balloting widely viewed by Western leaders and human rights activists as rife with fraud and an attempt by the military to put a civilian facade on its continued rule. The military-backed party has already claimed a majority of seats in both houses of Parliament.
As the 65-year-old woman known in Burma simply as “The Lady” was freed, police removed barricades around her home and truckloads of riot police cruising the streets left the area.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release raises immediate questions about how much freedom the military rulers will grant her. Her followers say she will not accept any conditions on her release. Her lawyer says she would resume political activities.
Khin Ohmar, the coordinator of the Burma Partnership, a coalition advocating democracy in Burma, says the military government is afraid of Aung San Suu Kyi’s influence. Some analysts think the military might view Aung San Suu Kyi’s release as a way to soften overseas criticism of last Sunday’s election.
The rulers did not allow international observers to enter Burma to watch the voting, but there were reports of punishment being meted out to those who voted against the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
She smiled and waved to the jubilant crowd outside her lakeside home in Rangoon. Many of her cheering supporters wore T-shirts emblazoned with her picture and the inscription, “We Stand with Aung San Suu Kyi.”
Speaking briefly in Burmese, she told the well-wishers, “If we work in unity, we will achieve our goal.” She urged the crowd to come to her political headquarters on Sunday to hear her speak.
U.S. President Barack Obama was among world leaders to welcome her release, saying that she was “a hero of mine.” He said Aung San Suu Kyi was “a source of inspiration” for everyone fighting for human rights in Burma and around the world.
As the crowd gathered outside her home in anticipation of her freedom, military officials entered it and read her release order, ending her house arrest. It was the latest in a series of detentions that has kept the Nobel Peace Prize laureate confined for 15 of the last 21 years. She led her National League for Democracy to a landslide victory in Burma’s national election two decades ago, but the military rulers refused to allow it to assume power.
She called for a boycott of last Sunday’s election, balloting widely viewed by Western leaders and human rights activists as rife with fraud and an attempt by the military to put a civilian facade on its continued rule. The military-backed party has already claimed a majority of seats in both houses of Parliament.
As the 65-year-old woman known in Burma simply as “The Lady” was freed, police removed barricades around her home and truckloads of riot police cruising the streets left the area.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release raises immediate questions about how much freedom the military rulers will grant her. Her followers say she will not accept any conditions on her release. Her lawyer says she would resume political activities.
Khin Ohmar, the coordinator of the Burma Partnership, a coalition advocating democracy in Burma, says the military government is afraid of Aung San Suu Kyi’s influence. Some analysts think the military might view Aung San Suu Kyi’s release as a way to soften overseas criticism of last Sunday’s election.
The rulers did not allow international observers to enter Burma to watch the voting, but there were reports of punishment being meted out to those who voted against the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
Aung San Suu Kyi Appears Outside House After Release
Saturday, November 13th, 2010 at 11:45 am UTC
Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi emerged from her lakeside home Saturday to the cheers of hundreds of supporters, journalists and diplomats, after police removed barricades and military officials entered the house to read her an official release order.
Truckloads of riot police cruising the streets left the area after the release.
The Nobel Peace laureate stood at the gates of her home, smiling and waving to the crowd, seven years after Burma’s military government detained her. She told the cheering crowd, “We must work together in unison to achieve our goal,” before going back inside.
Aung San Suu Kyi has spent 15 of the last 21 years under some sort of detention.
Her release came six days after Burma’s first election in two decades.
The military’s political party already has claimed a majority of seats in both houses of parliament, in voting that Western leaders and human rights activists say was fraudulent and aimed at ensuring continued military rule with a civilian face.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release raises immediate questions about how much freedom the military rulers will grant her. Her followers say she will not accept any conditions on release. Her lawyer says she would resume political activities.
Her party won a landslide victory in the last Burmese election in 1990, but the military rulers refused to let it take power. Now, some analysts think the military might view Aung San Suu Kyi’s release as a way to soften overseas criticism of last Sunday’s election.
The rulers did not allow international observers to enter Burma to watch the voting, but there were reports of punishment being meted out to those who voted against the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Truckloads of riot police cruising the streets left the area after the release.
The Nobel Peace laureate stood at the gates of her home, smiling and waving to the crowd, seven years after Burma’s military government detained her. She told the cheering crowd, “We must work together in unison to achieve our goal,” before going back inside.
Aung San Suu Kyi has spent 15 of the last 21 years under some sort of detention.
Her release came six days after Burma’s first election in two decades.
The military’s political party already has claimed a majority of seats in both houses of parliament, in voting that Western leaders and human rights activists say was fraudulent and aimed at ensuring continued military rule with a civilian face.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release raises immediate questions about how much freedom the military rulers will grant her. Her followers say she will not accept any conditions on release. Her lawyer says she would resume political activities.
Her party won a landslide victory in the last Burmese election in 1990, but the military rulers refused to let it take power. Now, some analysts think the military might view Aung San Suu Kyi’s release as a way to soften overseas criticism of last Sunday’s election.
The rulers did not allow international observers to enter Burma to watch the voting, but there were reports of punishment being meted out to those who voted against the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Some information in this story was provided by AFP and Reuters.
Aung San Suu Kyi Released from House Arrest
Saturday, November 13th, 2010 at 11:05 am UTC
A Burmese official says democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest has been lifted.
Hundreds of journalists, diplomats and supporters of the Nobel peace laureate rushed her Rangoon home as police removed barricades and military officials entered the house to read an official release order.
The release comes seven years after Burma’s military government detained her. Aung San Suuu Kyi has spent 15 of the last 21 years under some sort of detention.
Adding to the atmosphere in secretive Burma was a sharply increased security presence in Rangoon, with truckloads of riot police cruising the streets.
Her release came six days after Burma’s first election in two decades.
The military’s political party already has claimed a majority of seats in both houses of parliament, in voting that Western leaders and human rights activists say was fraudulent and aimed at ensuring continued military rule with a civilian face.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release raises immediate questions about how much freedom the military rulers will grant her. Her followers say she will not accept any conditions on release. Her lawyer says she would resume political activities.
Her party won a landslide victory in the last Burmese election in 1990, but the military rulers refused to let it take power. Now, some analysts think the military might view Aung San Suu Kyi’s release as a way to soften overseas criticism of last Sunday’s election.
The rulers did not allow international observers to enter Burma to watch the voting, but there were reports of punishment being meted out to those who voted against the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Hundreds of journalists, diplomats and supporters of the Nobel peace laureate rushed her Rangoon home as police removed barricades and military officials entered the house to read an official release order.
The release comes seven years after Burma’s military government detained her. Aung San Suuu Kyi has spent 15 of the last 21 years under some sort of detention.
Adding to the atmosphere in secretive Burma was a sharply increased security presence in Rangoon, with truckloads of riot police cruising the streets.
Her release came six days after Burma’s first election in two decades.
The military’s political party already has claimed a majority of seats in both houses of parliament, in voting that Western leaders and human rights activists say was fraudulent and aimed at ensuring continued military rule with a civilian face.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s release raises immediate questions about how much freedom the military rulers will grant her. Her followers say she will not accept any conditions on release. Her lawyer says she would resume political activities.
Her party won a landslide victory in the last Burmese election in 1990, but the military rulers refused to let it take power. Now, some analysts think the military might view Aung San Suu Kyi’s release as a way to soften overseas criticism of last Sunday’s election.
The rulers did not allow international observers to enter Burma to watch the voting, but there were reports of punishment being meted out to those who voted against the military’s political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
Supporters Prepare for Aung San Suu Kyi’s Release
Friday, November 12th, 2010 at 6:45 am UTC
Supporters of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi are gathering at the headquarters of her political party in Rangoon to prepare for her expected release from house arrest.
The opposition leader’s latest term of house arrest was scheduled to expire on Saturday.
There has been some speculation that she could be freed as early as Friday but her lawyer, Nyan Win, could not confirm this.
Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted last year of violating the terms of an earlier house arrest order when she gave shelter to an American man who swam to her lakeside Rangoon home uninvited.
She was sentenced to three years of hard labor, but regime leader General Than Shwe commuted the sentence to an additional 18 months of house arrest.
Her expected release comes days after political parties allied with Burma’s ruling military junta swept the country’s first parliamentary election in two decades.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won the 1990 election in a landslide, but the military junta refused to accept the results.
The opposition leader’s latest term of house arrest was scheduled to expire on Saturday.
There has been some speculation that she could be freed as early as Friday but her lawyer, Nyan Win, could not confirm this.
Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted last year of violating the terms of an earlier house arrest order when she gave shelter to an American man who swam to her lakeside Rangoon home uninvited.
She was sentenced to three years of hard labor, but regime leader General Than Shwe commuted the sentence to an additional 18 months of house arrest.
Her expected release comes days after political parties allied with Burma’s ruling military junta swept the country’s first parliamentary election in two decades.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won the 1990 election in a landslide, but the military junta refused to accept the results.
Some information in this story was provided by AP.
Refugees start returning to Myanmar
November 9, 2010 -- Updated 0558 GMT (1358 HKT)
A boy carries a bag as Myanmar refugees arrived in a temporary camp set up at a police base on the border town of Mae Sot on Tuesday.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The refugees got word that the fighting they fled has wound dpwn, the Thai military says
- They had fled as a splinter rebel group and Myanmarese government forces clashed
- About 10,000 Myanmarese had fled to Thailand
- The fighting was reportedly tied to last weekend's elections in Myanmar
"The number of refugees should now be less than 10,000 in Mae Sot, since there are many of them who have left Thailand voluntarily this morning, as they learned that the fighting was over in Myawaddy," said Thai 3rd Region Army Commander Lt. General Wannathip Wongwai.
"The Thai authority is now coordinating with the Burmese Myawaddy governor and concerned authorities to open the border bridge to allow those who are willing to go home voluntarily," Wannathip said.
Myanmar also is known as Burma.
About 10,000 Myanmarese had fled to Thailand to escape fighting between Myanmarese government forces and a splinter group of rebels of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, military and border officials said on Monday.
The rebels and Myanmar forces clashed Sunday and Monday over control of the town of Myawaddy, which sits across the Moei River from Mae Sot, Thailand. The Thailand-Burma Friendship bridge connects the two towns.
Wannathip said Myanmarese military officials told him they had retaken control of Myawaddy late Monday afternoon, after bringing in 500 reinforcements to battle the Karen splinter group.
At least five Myanmar refugees and five Thais were injured in the fighting, the officials said. Shells fell on the Thai side of the border, but the Thai military did not return fire, military officials told the Bangkok Post.
According to a report on the website Burma Election Tracker, the clashes began when DKBA militia members who had been employed as government border security troops rebelled because the Myanmar military was forcing people to vote at gunpoint in the past weekend's election.
"In order to win votes in the elections, [the junta] is bullying and forcing people to vote. But the people want to boycott [the vote], so the soldiers are holding them at gunpoint and our troops had to intervene and take sides with the people," the website report quoted Brig. Gen. Na Kham Mwe, head of the breakaway DKBA faction, as saying.
Polls closed Sunday in Myanmar's first election in 20 years, which critics have called a facade of democracy put forth by the ruling military junta.
The military regime has not released election results, but critics say the outcome is all but certain to favor the junta.
Opposition parties were either limited in the candidates they could put on the ballots or boycotted the election altogether. The junta did not allow international monitors.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon denounced the voting conditions in a statement Monday, calling them "insufficiently inclusive, participatory and transparent."
"Myanmar authorities now have a responsibility to turn the conclusion of the first election in 20 years into a new beginning for the country and its people," Ban said. "Consistent with their commitments, the authorities must demonstrate that the ballot is part of a credible transition towards democratic government, national reconciliation and respect for human rights."
The Karen ethnic minority in Myanmar is divided into two main groups, Buddhists who support the ruling junta and Christians who do not. Those behind Monday's clashes have split from the pro-junta group.
Burma’s NLD Reverses 15-Year Tourism Boycott
Thursday, November 4th, 2010 at 5:55 am
Followers of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi are asking foreign tourists to visit the country, ending a 15-year campaign of urging foreigners to stay away.
In its Thursday edition, the Times of London quotes Win Tin, a close friend of Aung San Suu Kyi and co-founder of her National League for Democracy, as saying the party wants outsiders to come and learn about conditions in Burma.
In an interview conducted in Rangoon, he says the invitation is being issued “not to help the junta, but to help the people by understanding the situation: political, economic, moral, everything.”
The NLD first called for a tourist boycott in 1996, which was declared “Visit Burma Year” by the ruling military government.
The opposition party had feared that tourism would serve to strengthen the government, which barred the NLD from taking power after its landslide election victory in 1990.
Burma’s first elections since then are due on Sunday, and Aung San Suu Kyi’s prison term is due to expire later this month. But the party is not contesting the election, which it rejects as a sham intended to legitimize the military’s rule.
Only 230,000 foreign visitors passed through Burma’s main airport at Rangoon last year. That compares to 14 million foreign visitors in neighboring Thailand.
In its Thursday edition, the Times of London quotes Win Tin, a close friend of Aung San Suu Kyi and co-founder of her National League for Democracy, as saying the party wants outsiders to come and learn about conditions in Burma.
In an interview conducted in Rangoon, he says the invitation is being issued “not to help the junta, but to help the people by understanding the situation: political, economic, moral, everything.”
The NLD first called for a tourist boycott in 1996, which was declared “Visit Burma Year” by the ruling military government.
The opposition party had feared that tourism would serve to strengthen the government, which barred the NLD from taking power after its landslide election victory in 1990.
Burma’s first elections since then are due on Sunday, and Aung San Suu Kyi’s prison term is due to expire later this month. But the party is not contesting the election, which it rejects as a sham intended to legitimize the military’s rule.
Only 230,000 foreign visitors passed through Burma’s main airport at Rangoon last year. That compares to 14 million foreign visitors in neighboring Thailand.
Some information in this story was provided by AFP.
Burma Cyclone Death Toll Rises to 45
Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at 11:00 am
U.N. officials say the number of people killed by a cyclone that hit western Burma last month has risen to 45, with another 10 people missing.
Officials speaking in Geneva Tuesday, said Cyclone Giri also injured 49 people and left 81,000 homeless after battering the Burmese state of Rakhine on October 22.
U.N. aid coordination office spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs says 200,000 people affected by the storm will need food aid for the next three months. Giri wiped out 16,000 heactares of rice paddies just weeks before harvest.
Byrs says U.N. agencies and other aid groups are working with Burma’s military rulers to distribute food and other supplies to the region.
She says Burmese authorities have requested tarpaulins to provide shelter to the homeless after the storm destroyed about 15,000 houses.
U.N. officials credited Burma with making better preparations for Giri than for a more powerful cyclone, Nargis, that struck the Irrawaddy delta in 2008. The officials say Burmese authorities learned good lessons from the earlier storm, which left 130,000 people dead or missing.
Officials speaking in Geneva Tuesday, said Cyclone Giri also injured 49 people and left 81,000 homeless after battering the Burmese state of Rakhine on October 22.
U.N. aid coordination office spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs says 200,000 people affected by the storm will need food aid for the next three months. Giri wiped out 16,000 heactares of rice paddies just weeks before harvest.
Byrs says U.N. agencies and other aid groups are working with Burma’s military rulers to distribute food and other supplies to the region.
She says Burmese authorities have requested tarpaulins to provide shelter to the homeless after the storm destroyed about 15,000 houses.
U.N. officials credited Burma with making better preparations for Giri than for a more powerful cyclone, Nargis, that struck the Irrawaddy delta in 2008. The officials say Burmese authorities learned good lessons from the earlier storm, which left 130,000 people dead or missing.
Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
Internet Fails in Burma as Elections Draw Near
Monday, November 1st, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Internet connections in Burma have been disrupted for the past week, slowing communications with the outside world just days before a landmark election.
A local newspaper says Internet cafes have had to close down in the commercial capital, Rangoon, and that hotels, airlines, hospitals and media companies are being affected.
The ruling military has offered no explanation for the failure, unlike during past outages. This has prompted human rights groups to speculate that the connections were deliberately shut down to slow the flow of information out of Burma ahead of the November 7 ballot.
The military also has suspended a visa-on-arrival program and barred outside reporters and diplomats from visiting Burma to observe the election.
The balloting will be the first in 20 years and will give opposition members the potential to have a voice in parliament for the first time in decades. However restrictive rules have guaranteed a victory for a pro-government party, prompting critics to dismiss the vote as a sham intended to legitimize Burma’s military rulers.
A commentary in government-controlled newspapers Monday accused foreign news organizations of colluding with Burmese opposition parties to discourage people from voting. The commentary said that if the election fails, the junta will have to remain in power for “a long time” until new elections can be organized.
British newspaper The Guardian published an article Monday by former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in which he criticized the Burmese vote as a “masquerade.” Mr. Brown said detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is prevented from participating on what he called the “specious grounds” that her late husband was not Burmese. He also noted that her National League for Democracy party was forcibly dissolved.
The NLD overwhelmingly won the last Burmese election in 1990, but the country’s military rulers refused to step down.
Mr. Brown said the world must ensure that there is no reduction in sanctions against the Burmese military leadership. He also called for Aung San Suu Kyi’s immediate release.
A local newspaper says Internet cafes have had to close down in the commercial capital, Rangoon, and that hotels, airlines, hospitals and media companies are being affected.
The ruling military has offered no explanation for the failure, unlike during past outages. This has prompted human rights groups to speculate that the connections were deliberately shut down to slow the flow of information out of Burma ahead of the November 7 ballot.
The military also has suspended a visa-on-arrival program and barred outside reporters and diplomats from visiting Burma to observe the election.
The balloting will be the first in 20 years and will give opposition members the potential to have a voice in parliament for the first time in decades. However restrictive rules have guaranteed a victory for a pro-government party, prompting critics to dismiss the vote as a sham intended to legitimize Burma’s military rulers.
A commentary in government-controlled newspapers Monday accused foreign news organizations of colluding with Burmese opposition parties to discourage people from voting. The commentary said that if the election fails, the junta will have to remain in power for “a long time” until new elections can be organized.
British newspaper The Guardian published an article Monday by former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in which he criticized the Burmese vote as a “masquerade.” Mr. Brown said detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is prevented from participating on what he called the “specious grounds” that her late husband was not Burmese. He also noted that her National League for Democracy party was forcibly dissolved.
The NLD overwhelmingly won the last Burmese election in 1990, but the country’s military rulers refused to step down.
Mr. Brown said the world must ensure that there is no reduction in sanctions against the Burmese military leadership. He also called for Aung San Suu Kyi’s immediate release.
Internet Fails in Burma as Elections Draw Near
Monday, November 1st, 2010 at 3:55 am
Internet connections in Burma have been disrupted for the past week, slowing communications with the outside world just days before a landmark election.
A local newspaper says Internet cafes have had to close down in the commercial capital, Rangoon, and that hotels, airlines, hospitals and media companies are being affected.
The ruling military junta has offered no explanation for the failure, unlike during past outages. That has prompted human rights groups to speculate that the connections were deliberately shut down to slow the flow of information out of Burma ahead of the November 7 ballot.
The junta has already suspended a visa-on-arrival program and barred outside reporters and diplomats from visiting Burma to observe the election.
The balloting will be the first in 20 years and gives opposition members a voice in parliament for the first time in decades. However restrictive rules have guaranteed a victory for a pro-government party, prompting critics to dismiss the vote as a sham intended to legitimize Burma’s military rulers.
A commentary in government-controlled newspapers Monday accused foreign news organizations of colluding with Burmese opposition parties to discourage people from voting. The commentary said that if the election fails, the junta will have to remain in power for “a long time” until new elections can be organized.
A local newspaper says Internet cafes have had to close down in the commercial capital, Rangoon, and that hotels, airlines, hospitals and media companies are being affected.
The ruling military junta has offered no explanation for the failure, unlike during past outages. That has prompted human rights groups to speculate that the connections were deliberately shut down to slow the flow of information out of Burma ahead of the November 7 ballot.
The junta has already suspended a visa-on-arrival program and barred outside reporters and diplomats from visiting Burma to observe the election.
The balloting will be the first in 20 years and gives opposition members a voice in parliament for the first time in decades. However restrictive rules have guaranteed a victory for a pro-government party, prompting critics to dismiss the vote as a sham intended to legitimize Burma’s military rulers.
A commentary in government-controlled newspapers Monday accused foreign news organizations of colluding with Burmese opposition parties to discourage people from voting. The commentary said that if the election fails, the junta will have to remain in power for “a long time” until new elections can be organized.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and Reuters.
Australia Expresses ‘Grave Reservations’ About Burma Elections
Sunday, October 31st, 2010 at 1:45 am
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd says he holds “very grave reservations” about Burma’s upcoming elections, the first in that country in two decades.
In a statement Sunday, Mr. Rudd – Australia’s former prime minister – said the elections are being conducted under patently unfair election laws that place severe restrictions on political parties.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met Saturday with Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein in Vietnam and urged him to ensure transparent and inclusive elections in the military-ruled country.
A statement said the secretary-general also reiterated his call for the release of political prisoners and to lift restrictions on detained pro-Democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win said recently that Aung San Suu Kyi may be freed soon after the November 7 vote.
Burma’s government is refusing to allow foreign election observers or international media into the country for the voting, which has been criticized as a shame election intended to put a civilian face on military rule.
In a statement Sunday, Mr. Rudd – Australia’s former prime minister – said the elections are being conducted under patently unfair election laws that place severe restrictions on political parties.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met Saturday with Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein in Vietnam and urged him to ensure transparent and inclusive elections in the military-ruled country.
A statement said the secretary-general also reiterated his call for the release of political prisoners and to lift restrictions on detained pro-Democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win said recently that Aung San Suu Kyi may be freed soon after the November 7 vote.
Burma’s government is refusing to allow foreign election observers or international media into the country for the voting, which has been criticized as a shame election intended to put a civilian face on military rule.
Some information in this story was provided by AFP and Reuters.
UN Chief Calls On Burma to Release Political Prisoners
Friday, October 29th, 2010 at 5:00 am
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Burma Friday to release political prisoners before its first election in 20 years.
Mr. Ban told reporters in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi that it is not too late for a credible, democratic transition in Burma, which is planning to hold controversial elections on November 7.
Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win tried to deflect criticism about the polls by telling his regional counterparts this week that Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi may be freed soon after the vote.
U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley responded by accusing Burma’s military regime of “craven manipulation” of the polls.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s current term of house arrest expires on November 13, six days after the election. ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said Nyan Win did not give a specific date as to when she would be.
Restrictive rules ensure that most of the seats in Burma’s parliament will go to a pro-government party.
Mr. Ban told reporters in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi that it is not too late for a credible, democratic transition in Burma, which is planning to hold controversial elections on November 7.
Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win tried to deflect criticism about the polls by telling his regional counterparts this week that Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi may be freed soon after the vote.
U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley responded by accusing Burma’s military regime of “craven manipulation” of the polls.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s current term of house arrest expires on November 13, six days after the election. ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said Nyan Win did not give a specific date as to when she would be.
Restrictive rules ensure that most of the seats in Burma’s parliament will go to a pro-government party.
Some information in this story was provided by AFP and Reuters.
US: Burma’s Offer on Aung San Suu Kyi ‘Craven Manipulation’
Thursday, October 28th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
The United States on Thursday used unusually strong language to criticize comments by Burma’s Foreign Minister Nyan Win that pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be released after next month’s elections.
State Department spokesman Philip Crowley accused Burma’s military regime of “craven manipulation” of the polls. Crowley said it is “convenient that Aung San Suu Kyi might be released after the vote that is unlikely to be fair, free or credible.”
ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said Nyan Win spoke Wednesday in Hanoi during a private dinner ahead of the upcoming summit of ASEAN leaders.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s current term of house arrest expires on November 13, six days after the election. ASEAN Secretary General Surin said Nyan Win did not give a specific date as to when the Nobel Peace Prize winner would be freed.
The diplomats say Nyan Win also said Burma’s top leader, Than Shwe, will not be a candidate in the November 7 voting.
It was previously reported that Than Shwe’s name does not appear on the lists of candidates for the election.
The election will be the first in Burma in 20 years. However, restrictive rules ensure that most of the seats in parliament will go to a pro-government party.
State Department spokesman Philip Crowley accused Burma’s military regime of “craven manipulation” of the polls. Crowley said it is “convenient that Aung San Suu Kyi might be released after the vote that is unlikely to be fair, free or credible.”
ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said Nyan Win spoke Wednesday in Hanoi during a private dinner ahead of the upcoming summit of ASEAN leaders.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s current term of house arrest expires on November 13, six days after the election. ASEAN Secretary General Surin said Nyan Win did not give a specific date as to when the Nobel Peace Prize winner would be freed.
The diplomats say Nyan Win also said Burma’s top leader, Than Shwe, will not be a candidate in the November 7 voting.
It was previously reported that Than Shwe’s name does not appear on the lists of candidates for the election.
The election will be the first in Burma in 20 years. However, restrictive rules ensure that most of the seats in parliament will go to a pro-government party.
Some information in this story was provided by AFP.
Burmese Minister Says Aung San Suu Kyi Will Be Freed
Thursday, October 28th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Diplomats say Burma’s foreign minister has told his regional colleagues that pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi will be released after next month’s elections.
ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said Nyan Win made the vow Wednesday in Hanoi during a private dinner ahead of the upcoming summit of ASEAN leaders.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s current term of house arrest expires on November 13, six days after the election. Mr. Surin told reporters Nyan Win did not give a specific date as to when the Nobel Peace Prize winner would be freed.
The diplomats say Nyan Win also told his fellow foreign ministers that Burma’s top leader, Than Shwe, will not be a candidate in the November 7 voting.
It was previously reported that Than Shwe’s name does not appear on the lists of candidates for the election.
However there has been speculation that he will remain in power in some role, such as the unelected office of president.
According to a diplomat quoted by the Associated Press, Nyan Win said Than Shwe “will bow out of the scene” after the election.
The election will be the first in Burma in 20 years. However restrictive rules ensure that most of the seats in parliament will go to a pro-government party.
Tags: Asean, BurmaASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said Nyan Win made the vow Wednesday in Hanoi during a private dinner ahead of the upcoming summit of ASEAN leaders.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s current term of house arrest expires on November 13, six days after the election. Mr. Surin told reporters Nyan Win did not give a specific date as to when the Nobel Peace Prize winner would be freed.
The diplomats say Nyan Win also told his fellow foreign ministers that Burma’s top leader, Than Shwe, will not be a candidate in the November 7 voting.
It was previously reported that Than Shwe’s name does not appear on the lists of candidates for the election.
However there has been speculation that he will remain in power in some role, such as the unelected office of president.
According to a diplomat quoted by the Associated Press, Nyan Win said Than Shwe “will bow out of the scene” after the election.
The election will be the first in Burma in 20 years. However restrictive rules ensure that most of the seats in parliament will go to a pro-government party.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
Posted in East Asia Pacific
Philippines Calls Burma Elections ‘Farce’
Wednesday, October 27th, 2010 at 9:45 am
The Philippines has called Burma’s upcoming elections a democratic “farce.”
Leaders of the Philippines stated their position Wednesday as foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations held talks in Vietnam.
Burma’s poor human rights record and lack of transparency ahead of the November 7 parliamentary elections have caused friction among ASEAN nations, which include Burma, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said in Hanoi Wednesday that Burma’s elections have a “credibility deficit.” But he says it is not too late for nations to work together to ensure that Burma can hold free and fair elections next month.
Human rights groups and some Western countries have called the November 7 parliamentary election a sham aimed at ensuring continued military rule.
The military is guaranteed a quarter of the seats in the new parliament, and strict election laws are preventing several political parties, including Burma’s leading opposition group, from participating in the vote.
The elections are Burma’s first since 1990. The National League for Democracy won a landslide victory then, but was prohibited by the country’s military rulers from taking power.
The party, led by detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was disbanded by the government in May after it failed to register for the November 7 election.
Aung San Suu Kyi has said she will not vote in the election, even though the country’s military rulers have put her name on the list of eligible voters. She is serving an 18-month home detention sentence and is scheduled to be released six days after the election.
Thirty-seven political parties are participating in the election for 1,157 seats, including 494 in Burma’s Union Parliament and the rest in regional parliaments. The National League for Democracy has urged its supporters to boycott the poll.
Leaders of the Philippines stated their position Wednesday as foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations held talks in Vietnam.
Burma’s poor human rights record and lack of transparency ahead of the November 7 parliamentary elections have caused friction among ASEAN nations, which include Burma, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said in Hanoi Wednesday that Burma’s elections have a “credibility deficit.” But he says it is not too late for nations to work together to ensure that Burma can hold free and fair elections next month.
Human rights groups and some Western countries have called the November 7 parliamentary election a sham aimed at ensuring continued military rule.
The military is guaranteed a quarter of the seats in the new parliament, and strict election laws are preventing several political parties, including Burma’s leading opposition group, from participating in the vote.
The elections are Burma’s first since 1990. The National League for Democracy won a landslide victory then, but was prohibited by the country’s military rulers from taking power.
The party, led by detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was disbanded by the government in May after it failed to register for the November 7 election.
Aung San Suu Kyi has said she will not vote in the election, even though the country’s military rulers have put her name on the list of eligible voters. She is serving an 18-month home detention sentence and is scheduled to be released six days after the election.
Thirty-seven political parties are participating in the election for 1,157 seats, including 494 in Burma’s Union Parliament and the rest in regional parliaments. The National League for Democracy has urged its supporters to boycott the poll.
Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
Myanmar says top general will not run in elections
HANOI, Vietnam – Myanmar's top leader Gen. Than Shwe will bow out of national elections next month, but his role in the country's political future remains unclear, a Southeast Asian diplomat said Thursday.
The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity on the sidelines of an Asian summit in Vietnam, said Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win told his counterparts that the longtime leader of the military-run country will not be on the ballot during the country's first elections in two decades on Nov. 7.
"He will bow out of the scene," the diplomat said, citing what the Myanmar official said at an informal dinner Wednesday for delegates attending a summit for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "He will not be a candidate in the upcoming elections."
It was the first time the reclusive government confirmed that Than Shwe would not participate in the national polls. However, it was earlier believed that he would not run because his name did not appear on the candidates' list.
Than Shwe has never spoken about his future and no officials have ever broached the issue of his retirement or whether he would run in elections. He is widely expected to have some new role and title after elections. Many think he could become the next president, which is not an elected position
Reclusive Myanmar put on a fresh face at an Asian conference in Hanoi, unveiling a redesigned flag and new national name less than two weeks before the long-awaited polling. But many fear the makeover is merely a facade to mask an election already being dubbed a sham.
The elections are supposed to be a big step forward in the country's so-called roadmap to democracy following five decades of military rule. But critics say the junta has already taken steps to block transparency and ensure that the military remains in power by repressing the country's main opposition party and limiting campaigning.
Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who's been imprisoned or under house arrest for 15 of the past 21 years, is expected to be up for release on Nov. 13, just six days after the election. But Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said her fate still remains uncertain.
"We all pressed him to release Aung San Suu Kyi, but he was noncommittal," he said, adding that Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win agreed to follow the country's laws.
"I am skeptical about that," Romulo said he told Nyan Win. "She has been sentenced and after that she is re-sentenced again with another, so there's no end to it."
Suu Kyi's party is boycotting the elections as undemocratic after winning a landslide victory in 1990 that was dismissed by the military leaders.
That leaves the key junta-backed party as the only strong contender to win the upcoming contest.
The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity on the sidelines of an Asian summit in Vietnam, said Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win told his counterparts that the longtime leader of the military-run country will not be on the ballot during the country's first elections in two decades on Nov. 7.
"He will bow out of the scene," the diplomat said, citing what the Myanmar official said at an informal dinner Wednesday for delegates attending a summit for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "He will not be a candidate in the upcoming elections."
It was the first time the reclusive government confirmed that Than Shwe would not participate in the national polls. However, it was earlier believed that he would not run because his name did not appear on the candidates' list.
Than Shwe has never spoken about his future and no officials have ever broached the issue of his retirement or whether he would run in elections. He is widely expected to have some new role and title after elections. Many think he could become the next president, which is not an elected position
Reclusive Myanmar put on a fresh face at an Asian conference in Hanoi, unveiling a redesigned flag and new national name less than two weeks before the long-awaited polling. But many fear the makeover is merely a facade to mask an election already being dubbed a sham.
The elections are supposed to be a big step forward in the country's so-called roadmap to democracy following five decades of military rule. But critics say the junta has already taken steps to block transparency and ensure that the military remains in power by repressing the country's main opposition party and limiting campaigning.
Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who's been imprisoned or under house arrest for 15 of the past 21 years, is expected to be up for release on Nov. 13, just six days after the election. But Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said her fate still remains uncertain.
"We all pressed him to release Aung San Suu Kyi, but he was noncommittal," he said, adding that Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win agreed to follow the country's laws.
"I am skeptical about that," Romulo said he told Nyan Win. "She has been sentenced and after that she is re-sentenced again with another, so there's no end to it."
Suu Kyi's party is boycotting the elections as undemocratic after winning a landslide victory in 1990 that was dismissed by the military leaders.
That leaves the key junta-backed party as the only strong contender to win the upcoming contest.
Burma Election Suu Kyi
Wednesday, October 27th, 2010 at 1:45 am
The party of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is warning that elections next month will simply “prolong the military dictatorship” that has ruled since 1962.
In a formal statement Tuesday, the National League for Democracy says the election will also confirm Burma’s constitution, which was approved in a controversial referendum in 2008. The party says the constitution fails to guarantee basic human rights or prepare the way for democracy.
The statement reminds citizens of their right not to vote in the election, the first in 20 years. Aung San Suu Kyi has already said she does not plan to vote herself, and suggests there is little reason for anyone else to do so.
The NLD decided not to contest the election because of rules that prohibit Aung San Suu Kyi from running.
The government responded by officially disbanding the party. Some of its members will run for office, however, under the banner of a new party, the National Democratic Force.
The NLD overwhelmingly won the last Burmese election in 1990, but the military rulers refused to let it take office.
Some opposition members are expected to win seats in the November 7 ballot, gaining a voice in parliament for the first time in decades. But the election rules virtually ensure a victory for allies of the current leadership, and critics dismiss the vote as a ploy to legitimize the military’s rule.
In a formal statement Tuesday, the National League for Democracy says the election will also confirm Burma’s constitution, which was approved in a controversial referendum in 2008. The party says the constitution fails to guarantee basic human rights or prepare the way for democracy.
The statement reminds citizens of their right not to vote in the election, the first in 20 years. Aung San Suu Kyi has already said she does not plan to vote herself, and suggests there is little reason for anyone else to do so.
The NLD decided not to contest the election because of rules that prohibit Aung San Suu Kyi from running.
The government responded by officially disbanding the party. Some of its members will run for office, however, under the banner of a new party, the National Democratic Force.
The NLD overwhelmingly won the last Burmese election in 1990, but the military rulers refused to let it take office.
Some opposition members are expected to win seats in the November 7 ballot, gaining a voice in parliament for the first time in decades. But the election rules virtually ensure a victory for allies of the current leadership, and critics dismiss the vote as a ploy to legitimize the military’s rule.
Some information in this story was provided by AP and AFP.
US Offers Aid to Cyclone-Hit Burma
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 at 11:40 am
The Obama administration is offering aid to Burma to help the military-ruled country recover from a powerful cyclone that battered its western coast last week.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday the U.S. embassy in Rangoon has offered immediate disaster relief assistance to Burmese authorities and will offer more aid as needed. There was no immediate word from Burma’s military about whether it will accept U.S. help.
Cyclone Giri struck Burma’s western state of Rakhine Friday with winds of more than 180 kilometers an hour, killing at least 27 people and leaving 15 others missing. It also destroyed thousands of homes and other buildings. Residents made urgent appeals for food, water and shelter.
Clinton offered condolences to the Burmese people for the loss of life and damage caused by the storm.
The Burmese government drew international criticism for its response to a more powerful cyclone, Nargis, that struck Burma’s Irrawaddy delta in 2008 and killed about 130,000 people. Critics accused the junta of being slow to deliver aid and obstructing relief workers.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday the U.S. embassy in Rangoon has offered immediate disaster relief assistance to Burmese authorities and will offer more aid as needed. There was no immediate word from Burma’s military about whether it will accept U.S. help.
Cyclone Giri struck Burma’s western state of Rakhine Friday with winds of more than 180 kilometers an hour, killing at least 27 people and leaving 15 others missing. It also destroyed thousands of homes and other buildings. Residents made urgent appeals for food, water and shelter.
Clinton offered condolences to the Burmese people for the loss of life and damage caused by the storm.
The Burmese government drew international criticism for its response to a more powerful cyclone, Nargis, that struck Burma’s Irrawaddy delta in 2008 and killed about 130,000 people. Critics accused the junta of being slow to deliver aid and obstructing relief workers.
Myanmar elections a 'farce'
Oct 27, 2010
HANOI (Vietnam) - WORLD leaders are expected to launch a last-ditch plea this week for free and fair elections in military-run Myanmar, but at least one other Southeast Asian country has already dismissed the upcoming polls as a 'farce.'
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and several other dignitaries will join discussions at the annual summit of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which opens Thursday in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi.
Myanmar's much-anticipated Nov 7 elections are supposed to be a move forward in the country's so-called roadmap to democracy following five decades of military rule. But critics say the junta has already taken steps to block transparency and ensure that the military remains in power by repressing the country's main opposition party and limiting campaigning.
'It's a farce,' Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said ahead of the Asean summit.
No foreign journalists or outside observers will be allowed into the country for the election, the first in two decades.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said Asean would continue to pressure Myanmar. 'It's never too late,' he told reporters on the sidelines of meetings Wednesday. 'We are not pessimistic, even at this late stage, that we can all work together to ensure that the elections in Myanmar can be part of a solution rather than be a part of more difficulties ahead.' -- AP
Burma shuts border until after polls
- Published: 26/10/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
MAE SOT : Foreign Ministry officials are expecting Burma to keep its border checkpoint opposite this Tak district closed until at least after its general elections on Nov 7.
The junta closed the border in July in protest against a project by the Public Works Department to build an embankment along the Thai side of the Moei River without informing Burma. Naypyidaw said the embankment could change the flow of the river and cause erosion to the bank on the Burma side.Border trade has slowed dramatically following the closure, causing major problems for local business operators.
Senior officials, including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, have tried to negotiate with Burma to reopen the border.
A Foreign Ministry source said yesterday Thai authorities questioned the junta's reason for closing the border.
The source said the closure was motivated by a military desire to reorganise the command and control structure in the area so authorities fully benefited from the trade in the area, which is worth more than 20 billion baht a year.
The junta is reportedly furious that minority groups operating along the border enjoy a large share of the commerce. Authorities want to break up trade by minority groups before reopening the border, the source said.
Thai and Burmese officials have agreed to let 18 unofficial border checkpoints operate to ease the impact of the closure. Trading is allowed only after sunset and only five light trucks are allowed to transport goods to Burma each night.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said during a visit to Mae Sot on Friday that the two sides were negotiating the issue through a joint border committee
Mr Kasit said it was likely the checkpoint would reopen when Burma's internal security situation improved, which Thai authorities expect would happen after the Nov 7 election.
The Foreign Ministry source said the junta itself was constructing something similar along a one-kilometre stretch of the river even though it had protested against Thailand's construction of an embankment on the Moei River.
The Foreign Ministry plans to protest the Burmese project, which the source said would cause erosion on the Thai side. The Public Works Department resumed building its embankment a few days ago after the Burmese move.
Burmese officials filed a second protest against the project with Thai authorities last Monday.
Burma nuclear plan could speed up: scientist
- Published: 27/10/2010 at 01:59 PM
- Online news: Asia
Burma is carrying out a secret atomic weapons programme that could "really speed up" if the army-ruled country is aided by North Korea, according to a top nuclear scientist.
Burma soldiers take part in a military parade in the capital Naypyidaw in March 2010. Burma is carrying out a secret atomic weapons programme that could "really speed up" if the army-ruled country is aided by North Korea, according to a top nuclear scientist. Robert Kelley, a former director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), inspected the files smuggled out of Burma by Sai Thein Win and said the evidence indicated "a clandestine nuclear programme" was underway.
"This is not a well-developed programme. I don't think it's going very well," he told the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand late Tuesday.
"But if another country steps in and has all of the knowledge, the materials, and maybe the key to some of the things that are plaguing them, including bad management, this programme could really speed up."
Kelley said North Korea was "certainly the country I have in mind".
Burma, which is holding its first elections in two decades on November 7, has dismissed the reports of its nuclear intentions and brushed aside Western concerns about possible cooperation with North Korea.
The DVB documentary gathered thousands of photos and defector testimony, some regarding Burma's network of secret underground bunkers and tunnels, which were allegedly built with the help of North Korean expertise.
The United States has expressed concern about military ties between the two pariah states, and said it was assessing the nuclear allegations against Burma, which would be "tremendously destabilising" to the region.
The Southeast Asian nation has also come under fire for the upcoming polls, which Western governments believe are a sham aimed at entrenching the rule of the army generals behind a civilian guise.
Kelley doubted their nuclear programme would succeed without outside help.
"I think it's safe to say the people of Thailand are safe for the next few years because these people don't know what they're doing. I wouldn't want to give them more than a few more years," he said.
Suu Kyi party says Burma vote will prolong dictatorship
- Published: 26/10/2010 at 11:59 PM
- Online news: Asia
Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party warned Tuesday that next month's elections would only "prolong the military dictatorship", describing the rules as "totally unfair".
A member of various human rights groups with a T-shirt showing detained Burma democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi stands in front of a placard during a protest in front of the United Nations building in Bangkok. Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party warned Tuesday that next month's elections would only "prolong the military dictatorship", describing the rules as "totally unfair". "This election will be held to prolong the military dictatorship and to confirm the 2008 constitution," the NLD said in a statement released to the media.
The charter provides no guarantee for human rights and "cannot build a peaceful new democratic nation", it added.
The constitution was adopted in 2008 after a widely criticised referendum held days after a cyclone laid waste to vast swathes of the country and left 138,000 people dead or missing.
The NLD won a landslide election victory in 1990 but was never allowed to take office. It has been banned from political activities after opting to boycott the November 7 vote, the first in 20 years.
Opponents say the junta, headed by Senior General Than Shwe, is taking no chances this time, reserving a quarter of seats in parliament for the military and crafting rules to make sure that junta-backed parties have the upper hand.
Suu Kyi is under house arrest and as a serving prisoner is barred from standing in the polls.
The election has been widely criticised by Western governments who say the vote cannot be democratic without the participation of Suu Kyi and other opposition figures.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon urged the junta to ensure the election is "inclusive and transparent", renewing his call for the release of political prisoners.
"It is not too late, even now... by releasing political detainees they can make this election more inclusive and participatory," Ban said during a visit to Thailand.
Suu Kyi has said she will refuse to cast a ballot next month and has suggested her supporters consider doing the same, although she has stopped short of an outright call for a boycott by voters.
She reiterated her view that people have the right to make up their own minds whether to vote, her lawyer Nyan Win said after he visited the democracy icon at her lakeside home.
"She also asked the voters to consider why they want to vote, or for what? ... It is nonsense as some people have said they will vote without knowing anything," he said.
Suu Kyi's stance has led to a split within the opposition between those who support her boycott and others who see the vote as the only hope for progress in the autocratic nation.
A group of former NLD members has formed a new party, the National Democratic Force (NDF), to stand in the election -- a move that has put it at odds with Suu Kyi.
The NLD statement said the decision to participate ignored the "unanimous decision" of Suu Kyi's party.
Suu Kyi, who has spent most of the past two decades locked up, had her detention extended by 18 months in August last year over a bizarre incident in which an American man swam uninvited to her lakeside home.
The opposition leader's current term of house arrest is due to expire just days after the November election.
Even if she is released, observers believe she is unlikely to be allowed to freely conduct political activities.
At least 27 dead after cyclone pounds Burma: state media
- Published: 25/10/2010 at 11:59 PM
- Online news: World
At least 27 people were killed and 15 are missing after a powerful cyclone struck western Burma, leaving a trail of destruction in its path, official media reported late Monday.
A man walks in flooded streets as rain pours down in Rangoon in 2009. At least 27 people were killed and 15 are missing after a powerful cyclone struck western Burma, leaving a trail of destruction in its path, official media reported late Monday. The storm slammed into the coastal state of Rakhine on Friday with winds of up to 193 kilometres (119 miles) per hour.
Official media had previously remained tight-lipped about the number of casualties.
Several government ministers inspected damage to buildings and houses in the town of Kyaukpyu in Rakhine state on Sunday, according to a report in the New Light of Burma newspaper, a mouthpiece for the military government
They also distributed clothes, food, bottled water, construction materials and cash to victims at a makeshift camp, the report said.
The coastal town was badly hit, with the power cut off and the sea wall damaged. On Friday the meteorology office predicted sea levels could swell by as much as 3.7 metres (12 feet).
A Red Cross worker in Rangoon estimated Saturday that about 70 percent of Kyaukpyu town was destroyed, with about 60,000 people in the district needing assistance.
Trees were reportedly toppled and power was cut to some areas.
After hitting the coast, the storm headed northeast through the centre of the country, losing strength along the way.
Burma is frequently hit by tropical storms and in 2008 was battered by Cyclone Nargis, which left 138,000 people dead or missing, mostly in the southwest delta region.
Nargis unleashed winds of 240 kilometres an hour and storm surges up to four metres high, sweeping away thousands of homes, flooding rice fields with salt water and ravaging schools and hospitals.
Burma's military government faced international criticism for its response to the disaster. It was accused of blocking emergency aid and initially refusing to grant access to humanitarian workers and supplies.
In a separate incident Sunday, at least 14 people were killed and about 100 more injured after a fire broke out at an oil pipeline in central Burma, a government official.
The blaze appeared to have been ignited accidentally by local villagers who were collecting oil leaking from the pipeline near Pakokku town in the Magway region.
Burma is due to hold its first election in 20 years on November 7 but Western nations have said the vote will not be credible unless detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition figures are freed.
