NLD's leader ship

Excerpts from The loss of Myanmar’s Democratic Voice from Asian Times online By Brian McCartan

What recently happened in Yangon and other cities across Myanmar was largely the result of widespread grassroots discontent. However, the opposition group with its finger most on the public pulse and the ability to focus that discontent into large-scale protests was not the NLD, but rather the newer 88 Generation Student Group. . Almost the entire leadership of this group was immediately arrested, leaving the protests leaderless.

The Buddhist clergy, fired up by the beating of monks in a monastery in the town of Pakokku on September 5, took over the protest movement. The monks, however, were largely leaderless, outside of the individual leaders of each protest march. Without a central leader figure, the monks were still able to organize 100,000-strong marches in Yangon and galvanize tens of thousands of protesters in others cities across the country.

With this large-scale movement calling for political change, it would have been logical for the NLD to come to the forefront, but instead the party remained on the sidelines. Individual members participated in certain marches, but nowhere was party senior leadership in evidence leading protests. On September 14, the NLD released a public statement blaming the SPDC for Myanmar's economic deterioration, popular discontent and the upshot protests. In the same statement, the party called for dialogue with the regime, but that was as far as the NLD was willing to stretch itself.

Indeed, the NLD appeared to have been initially caught off-guard by the protests. This may be an indication of how distant in recent years it has become from the grass-roots population. Most of the NLD leadership is in their 70s or 80s and in recent years they have been repeatedly criticized for being too conservative and unwilling to up the ante of their resistance to the regime.

The question remains: can the pro-democracy movement that asserted itself in the streets move forward without effective and experienced leadership to focus, articulate and negotiate its demands? At least so far, the NLD has demonstrated an impotence in serving that crucial role.

Same Old Tune again from Junta.

"Recent protests in the country were created by the loudmouthed bully, using the exiled dissidents and traitors together with communists, internal and external anti-government destructionists," said a commentary Sunday(28 October) in the Myanma Ahlin daily.

I have been heard the above accusation since my childhood(now I am mid 50) when there is antigovernment demonstration. Instead of finding the root cause, the successive Junta blame US and Western allies, communists, and external anti-government destructionists. As they were being trained as soldier, they labeled as traitors who refuse the order. So it is no wonder that those who oppose the government are labeled as destructionist.

Lip Service Singapore.

Singapore Foreign Ministry released strong statement in the first days of the crackdown inside Burma. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew called the junta generals as dump general. We,Burmese living in Singapore, are over enjoyed by that statements, expecting strong measures from Singapore government. However, in his reply to queries from MP in Singapore parliament, according to FM GeorgeYeo, Burma, is another Iraq waiting to happen. “The fact is,” he wrote in a recent opinion piece, “that without the army playing a major role in any future solution, Myanmar cannot hold together. The border regions remain largely unpacified.” Yeo has recently responded to questions about Singaporean arms sales to the SPDC by saying that Singaporean weapons (tanks and SAMs) are not the sort that would be used in the recent crackdown on protesters in Burma’s cities.

Let Mr Yeo be know that it is being used in “pacification” of the ethnic areas in which over 3,000 villages have been destroyed and half a million people displaced.

In Tokyo, Mr Yeo has reaffirmed that its priorities in Burma, in alignment with those of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are stability and policy change, and not the ousting of the military regime.

Policy is adopted by a person or a group of people. If this group of people are stubborn and not incline to change the policy, What will Mg Yeo do?. Going to remove that group from policy making body? What a beautiful diplomatic language Mr Yeo use so that both party(Junta and opposition) and international community like to hear.

Scam meetng

Myanmar newspaper mentioned the meeting between our leader Daw Aung San Su Kyi and Junta liaison officer Aung Kyi in front page and Junta’s radio and television aired the meeting. The appearance of Daw Aung San Su Kyi is not in good mood . Does she show her disappointment of the meeting with Liaison officer? Is that indicate the meeting with liaison officer is in failure?

In reality, Aung Kyi has no power to decide even to make appointment with Junta leader Than Swe. Actually he is just a postman to relay message from DASSK to Junta leader Than Swe.

Those from outside world who is not familiar with Burmese politics can be taken the meeting as positive development(see this page). In reality the meeting is a scam. It is just a show case to release the outsite pressure.

Shame on Junta.

United Nations ranks Burma among the 20 poorest in the world following decades of mismanagement under successive military Junta. In 2000, the World Health Organization ranked Burma's overall health care system as the world's second worst, above war-ravaged Sierra Leone.

About 105 per 1,000 children die before age 5 in Burma, compared with 19 per 1,000 in nearby Vietnam and 7 per 1,000 in the United States, according to UNICEF. At least 360 of every 100,000 women die in childbirth, compared with 130 in Vietnam and 17 in the U.S.

U.N. World Food Program's regional director, visited our motherland this month and estimated at least 5 million people were going hungry.

The Junta spend only about 3 percent on health annually, compared with 40 percent on the military, according to a report published this year by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and Johns Hopkins University.

Smarter Sanction

How supportive the Asian countries will be in imposing financial sanctions regarding on financial sanction imposed by US, Singapore respond as follows
"Each country must respond according to its own interests and its own value system," Mr. Yeo told Singapore 's Parliament. "For their own domestic politics, the U.S. and Europe have got to take the positions that they are taking. That's fine. We cannot take the U.S. position.". (George Yeo in Singapore Parliament)
Mr Yeo you expressed "revulsion" at the crackdown on Saffron revolution. What Singapore can do if Singapore has sympathy on us? I have listed the following actions Singapore can do for limited sanction on those who allied with Junta.

1. Do not permit to attend University and polytecnic to those children from the military personal
2. Do not allow to operate Tayza companies, Aung Thaung son’s companies in Singapore.
3. Visa ban on Junta generals and families except medical treatment visit.
4. Shut down banking access of Junta families and his cronies business in Singapore.

Burmese Way to Fascism

I believe that Bertil Lintner know Burma more than the other academic around the world. He reside in Thailand and his wife is Shan. The following excerpt appeared in October 20.

If Karl Marx was right that history repeats itself first as tragedy and then as farce, Burma is still stuck in the tragedy phase. The protests and crackdown in Rangoon in recent days are reprising the doomed democracy movement of 1988. As time passes and the security forces succeed in cowing the population, the world’s outrage gives way to ineffectual responses and then resignation.
Rangoon is no “ordinary” military dictatorship, and it cannot be compared with Thailand , Indonesia , Bangladesh , Pakistan or other countries in the region which also have had spells of military rule.
They live in secluded, subsidized housing and shop for goods that are not available in ordinary stores. An army pass assures the holder of a seat on a train or an airplane, and a policeman would never dare to report him or her for violating traffic rules.
The bitter reality is that nothing is going to change as long as the military remains united and willing to gun down its own people. A younger generation of army officers, who see the need to negotiate with the pro-democracy movement, is probably the only hope. But for now, no one is aware of any “young Turks” lurking in the wings, and there are no signs of serious cracks within the ranks. But if change does come to Burma , it will in any event be because of action taken by such younger army officers, not demonstrations led by monks. The protests can, at the most, influence sections of the army to realize that there is no future in supporting the present regime. But only time will tell if that is going to happen.

Time for Asean, China to act on Myanmar

MICHAEL VATIKIOTIS

22 October
Michael Vatikiotis is regional director for Asia of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, based in Singapore

Unanimity of purpose across the region, argues MICHAEL VATIKIOTIS, is the best way forward towards the future of Myanmar THE announcement of a Constitutional Drafting Committee in Myanmar may look like another step along the military junta's seven-step road map, but in fact it is more bad news for the international community's determined effort to encourage a peaceful political transition to democracy in the country.

The appointment of the 54-member committee appears to close off the possibility of making the process more inclusive, and denies the fledgling dialogue process between the junta and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi of a major area of compromise.

The junta appears to be doing just what everyone feared; closing ranks and resisting pressure to make concessions to the domestic opposition and concerned members of the international community. This makes it all the more important for Myanmar's neighbours, big and small, to agree on a strategy involving political and economic aid and assistance.

The military regime may now be talking to UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari, but the absence of regional accord on the way forward ensures that Myanmar's generals can play divide and rule, however loud the calls for change, however strong the threat of sanctions.

There have been calls for Myanmar's powerful neighbours, China and India, to take the lead, but a paucity of constructive advice about how to change the status quo. One idea gaining currency is a core group based on the Permanent Five members of the United Nations Security Council, plus Norway, Japan and Singapore as Asean standing chairman.

While such a configuration may send the right message in terms of global concern, it may be the wrong way to persuade China and India to change their views as it smacks of great power arm-twisting. Myanmar's military rulers will also be able to spout the usual rhetoric of neocolonial conspiracy.

Far more effective would be a core group or mechanism anchored in the region, rather than in New York. China, in particular, needs cover from regional neighbours before breaking with the long and now outdated tradition of non-interference. Therefore, support from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian nations, of which Myanmar is a member, is critical.

If Asean can agree to support a peaceful transition, with appropriate measures of carrots and sticks, there is no question that major powers like India, China and Japan, upon which the Myanmar authorities depend for vital trade and aid, will have to follow.

The question is how. Asean's track record on Myanmar isn't all that consistent. For years since admitting Myanmar as a member in 1997, the regional grouping has made ineffectual attempts to influence the regime, never quite able to confront the repression and isolation that has kept the country one of the poorest in the region, with close to 60 per cent of the population living on an average income of below US$100 (RM350) a year.

The screws started to turn after the latest outburst of protests and the brutal crackdown that followed. Singapore, the current chairman of Asean, wrote to the government expressing the group's "revulsion" at the violent repression of demonstrators. There followed a chorus of disapproving comments from other Asean capitals. But alas, almost a month after the crackdown began, no one can agree on a plan.

Time is running out. If nothing concrete is proposed once Asean heads of government gather in Singapore for a summit towards the end of November, the generals in Myanmar will correctly conclude that they have been given a pass again.

Most Asean leaders have expressed full and unqualified support for Ibrahim Gambari's mediating mission in Myanmar. But they should go further and seek a high-level consultation with China and India. Such a move would indicate an emerging regional consensus for political reconciliation and transition in Myanmar and further strengthen Gambari's hand.

Next, Asean and China should agree on a mechanism to facilitate aid and assistance to Myanmar. For all of its strategic clout, China will not want to take the lead. Such a working group might be composed of Asean's immediate past chairman (the Philippines) , the current chairman (Singapore) and the incoming chair (Thailand) as well as China and possibly India. Indonesia will ask for a role and should be given one in the form of a high-profile convenor or envoy to lead this group, which might be dubbed "Friends of Myanmar".

Once established, the working group could be placed at the disposal of the United Nations and support internal dialogue brokered by Ibrahim Gambari. It is not enough for Asean to simply support Gambari's mission with words; there must be action and a plan to contribute aid, investment and technical assistance to help the Myanmars achieve comparable levels of prosperity in the region.

As usual, however, Asean is divided. Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar sees no need for Asean's active involvement. Thailand is in favour of a working-group mechanism. Indonesia appears to place trust in its own ties to the junta in a vain hope that Myanmar's generals will follow the example of Indonesia's generals a decade ago and go quietly into political retirement.

There is an urgent need for Asean to end its disagreements and dithering, and work as one with China to shape a regional consensus. Myanmar has made it known that it will only speak to Gambari, so Gambari must go with the full backing of the region. Other major powers may want a role, but experience suggests that interventionist diplomacy is best managed within the region.

In the 1980s, Asean broke all its rules and backed a mechanism for bringing the warring Cambodian factions to the table. Cambodia was subjected to more than a decade of interference and intervention; it has emerged a strong, sovereign state. Its democracy may be imperfect, but a robust civil society keeps its strong leadership playing by basic democratic rules.

No one in Asean wants to see Myanmar destabilised, but Asean, in concert with China, must send a strong signal of concern about the road map since it is now becoming clear that there is no willingness to include the opposition in the process and there is no intention to start a real dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi.

Constructive change and stability will only flow from a more inclusive political process; only Myanmar's regional friends and neighbours can effectively deliver this message.

Wanted Death or alive.

Photo from Harold Tribune

This is the first time in my life that I saw police wanted poster in my country. I was wondering why the wanted list poster was on display at "Shwe Dagon Pagoda". It is an absurd to Burmese people as wanted listposter is not fit in pagoda.

The geopolitical stakes of 'Saffron Revolution'

F William Engdahl(ASIAN TIMES, October 17)

US State Department has recruited and trained key opposition leaders from numerous anti-government organizations in Myanmar. It has poured the relatively huge sum (for Myanmar) of more than $2.5 million annually into NED activities in promoting regime change in Myanmar since at least 2003. The US regime change effort, its Saffron Revolution, is being largely run, according to informed reports, out of the US Consulate General in bordering Chaing Mai, Thailand. There activists are recruited and trained, in some cases directly in the US, before being sent back to organize inside Myanmar. The US's NED admits to funding key opposition media including the New Era Journal, Irrawaddy and the Democratic Voice of Burma radio.
The concert-master of the tactics of Saffron monk-led non-violence regime change is Gene Sharp, founder of the deceptively- named Albert Einstein Institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a group funded by an arm of the NED to foster US-friendly regime change in key spots around the world. Sharp's institute has been active in Myanmar since 1989, just after the regime massacred some 3,000 protestors to silence the opposition. CIA special operative and former US military attache in Rangoon, Col Robert Helvey, an expert in clandestine operations, introduced Sharp to Myanmar in 1989 to train the opposition there in non-violent strategy. Interestingly, Sharp was also in China two weeks before the dramatic events at Tiananmen Square

Why Myanmar now?
A relevant question is why the US government has such a keen interest in fostering regime change in Myanmar at this juncture. We can dismiss rather quickly the idea that it has genuine concern for democracy, justice, human rights for the oppressed population there. Iraq and Afghanistan are sufficient testimony to the fact Washington's paean to democacy is propaganda cover for another agenda
The question is, what would lead to such engagement in such a remote place as Myanmar?

Geopolitical control seems to be the answer - control ultimately of the strategic sea lanes from the Persian Gulf to the South China Sea. The coastline of Myanmar provides naval access in the proximity of one of the world's most strategic water passages, the Strait of Malacca, the narrow ship passage between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Notably, just as the saffron-robed monks of Myanmar took to the streets, the Pentagon opened US-Indian joint naval exercises, "Malabar 07", along with armed forces from Australia, Japan and Singapore. The US showed the awesome muscle of its 7th Fleet, deploying the aircraft carriers USS Nimitz and USS Kitty Hawk, guided missile cruisers USS Cowpens and USS Princeton, and no less than five guided missile destroyers.
US-backed regime change in Myanmar together with Washington's growing military power projection via India and other allies in the region is clearly a factor in Beijing's policy vis-a-vis Myanmar's present military junta. As is often the case these days, from Darfur to Caracas to Yangon, the rallying call of Washington for democracy ought to be taken with a large grain of salt

Singapore FM George Yeo visit to Burmes Temple.

Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo visited the Burmese Buddhist Temple on Saturday(20 October)to express his solidarity with the people of Myanmar.
He said: "The key now is to have a genuine dialogue in Myanmar among all parties - the government, the NLD's Aung San Su Kyi, the minority groups - so that national reconciliation can be achieved. A genuine dialogue, and not just for show.

He explained that while Singapore have limited economic leverage, Singapore have a certain moral influence because Myanmar is part of the ASEAN family, and being a member of the family, the other members do have a certain authority to have a certain say. That's what being a part of the family means."

He called for maximum support for the UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari whom he calls a 'catalyst' to bring together the various parties in Myanmar. -

Blood donation for fallen heros,

Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo visited the Burmese Buddhist Temple at Toapayoh on Saturday(20 October, 2007) while Overseas Burmese Patriots(OBP) are organizing blood donation drive as a symbolic tribute to fallen monks and people in Burma at the Safron revolution recently. OBP planned to bring medical team, in consultation with Red Cross and blood Bank of Singapore, to Toapayoh monastery for blood donation. Singapore Red Cross official have already visited the designated blood donation place at the Toapayoh monastery and had given permission. However, at the last minute, OBP got a call from the monastry committe that they would not allowed OBP to donate blood at the monastery as VIP was comming on Saturday. So we called Singapore Red Cross to cancel the planned blood donation at the monastery, instead we will come to blood bank for donation, but gathering point will be at the monastery as we could not informed all individual donar in time. Red Cross official understand our situation and arranged to two bus trip from the monastery to blood bank. The confirmed donar list is only 50 on friday, however 108 patriot Burmese donated blood on Saturday . OBP offered hamburger and mineral water to donars but food run out shortly as people coming to doante blood are more than expected. . While OVP members are in panic on how to get some more hamburger, two "May Khala" come with more Macdonald Hemburgers. We did not know each other before, they initiated by themself to offer foods to blood donars. I appreciated so much to the two ladies(more than 15 yrs younger than me, but i call her ladies). Then another group come with " Shwe Yin Aye". Oh What a lovely Burmese culture and theer patriotism.

That Saturday blood donation drive would be so much marvelous if one of the monastery committee member did understand the purpose of the visit of Foreign Minister. Even though this committee member was a Burmese lady, now singaporean(before she work in Hongkong and migrated here), she has no political sense at all and I think she might feel nothing at all on the death of monks and people at recent safron revolution.
While people come for blood donation are sitting quietly at the third floor of the temple waiting for a bus to go to Blood bank, she make noise to monks why they are gathering there as VIP visit is coming soon. Two of OBP members and the committee lady had argument and exchanges war of words.
If she allowed us to do blood donation at the monastery, visiting foreign minister can see how our Burmese are contributing to Singapore. As far as I understand it is very rare to get more than 100 donars in single day blood donation drive in Singapore. OH Burmese Boleh lah. Proud to Be Burmese

Does China have a role on Junta

There have been a lot of discussion on whether China have an influence on Junta or not. Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw from Burmese communist party, stated that China may not have power to change the mind set of the Junta. Singapore senior minister Lee Kuan Yew said that he was not sure if Beijing had the power to nudge Myanmar out of its isolation. But EU, and US believe that China can play a bigger role in Burmese politics.
Some says that sanctions does not work. Of course, it does not have much effect because neighbour countries such as China, India, Thailand do not involve in sanction. Border Trade between China and Burma increased tremendously after 1988 . Before 1988, most essential goods came from border trade with Thailand. Now all come from China. India also got benefits to have access for trade with china through india burma china road. It may not need to mention how Thailand got benefit as it got gas supply from Burma offshore oil field.
I understand that we have to work for ourself to achieve democracy. But foreign countries may not gave Junta in financial and moral support. Those countries are not a friend of Burmese People. Thus we may need to do some action to those countries. For china, they are preparing a big show for Olympic next year spending a lot of money and efforts. Boycotting Beiging Olympics may be a big shame for them.

Long awaited UN Security statement.

In January of this year China ,Russia and South Africa vetoed to sanction Burma at the UN, providing that Burma crisis is not threatened to region peace and stability. Of course, it is, but instead of veto, they should abstain from voting on humanitarian ground.
This time around, after understanding the real cruelty of the junta, China agree to condemn Burma.The United States and other countries have pressed for wide international sanctions against Burma, to pressure the junta to allow democratic reforms, but China on Thursday said only a more conciliatory approach would work.

Here are the UN Security Council Staement
The Security Council welcomes the recent mission by the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser to Myanmar Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, reaffirms its strong and unwavering support for the Secretary-General’s good offices mission as mandated by General Assembly Resolution 61/232, and expresses its appreciation for the personal engagement of the Secretary-General.

The Security Council strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar and welcomes Human Rights Council Resolution S-5/1 of 2 October 2007. The Security Council emphasizes the importance of the early release of all political prisoners and remaining detainees. It also calls on the Government of Myanmar and all other parties concerned to work together towards a de-escalation of the situation and a peaceful solution.
The Security Council stresses the need for the Government of Myanmar to create the necessary conditions, for a genuine dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups, in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the direct support of the United Nations. The Security Council encourages the Government of Myanmar to consider seriously Mr. Gambari’s recommendations and proposals. The Security Council also calls on the Government of Myanmar to take all necessary measures to address the political, economic, humanitarian, and human rights issues that are the concern of its people and emphasizes that the future of Myanmar lies in the hands of all of its people.
The Security Council welcomes the Government of Myanmar’s public commitment to work with the United Nations and the appointment of a liaison officer with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The Security Council stresses the importance that such commitments are followed by action. It acknowledges that the Government of Myanmar had invited Mr. Gambari to Myanmar. It underscores its support for his return as early as possible, in order to facilitate concrete actions and tangible results. The Security Council urges the Government of Myanmar and all parties concerned to cooperate fully with Mr. Gambari.
The Security Council welcomes the important role played by the ASEAN countries in urging restraint, calling for a peaceful transition to democracy, and supporting the good offices mission. It notes that the good offices mission is a process, and encourages the sustained support and engagement of the international community in helping Myanmar.
The Security Council remains seized of the matter.

Keep pressure on dumb Generals.

Normal person will be ashamed and dare not go see the people if he got the following comments from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. If Japanese or Korean got this comment they will commit suicide. As our Burmese generals are not only dumb, but also deaf, they happily govern the country. So we must keep pressure to dumb generals. We need cane as the deaf and dumb could not understand persuasion.

These are rather dumb generals when it comes to the economy. How they can so mismanage the economy and reach this stage when the country has so many natural resources. I do not believe that they can survive indefinitely. General Than Shwe’s daughter wedding video on youtube showed his daughter wearing a collection of diamond encrusted jewellery and extravagant clothing – lit up “like a Christmas tree”.
He was not sure if Beijing had the power to nudge Myanmar out of its isolation.
He sold General Khin Nyunt the idea that the way to get out of uniform and do it like Suharto, form party, Golkar, and then take over as a civilian party. (MM Lee Kuan Yew)

Lost again

Rangoon is now back to normal life, no more demonstration, soldiers can be seen everywhere. We lost again? SPDC thugs lost the dignity( in reality they have no dignity at all) in the world, that is the truth. Is that all we get sacrificing so many lives? Why we still could not topple the Junta? It seem that might is right. We should try to become “might”.
One day they will fall down. That is Universal truth. When will be that one day come?

Two enemy and one considerate person statement.

China "We want the government there to handle this issue with great care, so I think this implies many things.""There (is a) crisis, but this does not constitute (a) threat ... to the region and international peace and security.... this issue does not belong to the Security Council. ... These problems still we believe are basically internal
Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador Konstantin Dolgov echoed China's view saying "it's not for the Security Council to lead on this matter.""We don't think that there is a situation of threat to international peace and security at this point in time, but, of course, regional action is very important to prevent that," he said, strongly backing efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to promote a solution.
Singapore Minister Mentor Mr Lee ,Kuan Yew The region's future is at stake if the situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate.That is why ASEAN, especially Singapore, must try its best to help stabilise Myanmar."Asean leaders know that if the situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate, there must come a breaking point when much more brutal force will again be necessary to put their people down. We must try our best to help stabilise Myanmar. Singapore is at the very heart of Asean. An unstable Myanmar is a time-bomb in the whole region

Give pressure to China

Chinese representaive said at the Security council meeting today that China will not accept internationally imposed solution on Burma.

More pressure are needed for China to change thier view. Try to send the following message to this email ticketsupport@beijing2008.cn every 6 hour with your name.

Dear Sirs/Madams,

I am very interested in purchasing tickets to some of the events at next year's Olympic games. However I cannot, in good conscience, attend the Beijing Olympics unless your government uses its influence to improve the political situation in Burma. China has substantial economic interests in the country, provides large amounts of economic aid, and invests heavily in infrastructure projects there. Additionally, your government provides extensive logistical support to Burma's military government. All this make China uniquely placed to influence it. The people of Burma have, in a very peaceful manner, insisted that their rights be respected. I ask no more of your government than that it cease its support for the current regime, and encourage dialog with the democratically elected representatives of the Burmese nation.I, the Burmese people, and the world would be grateful for your assistance in this matter. Your courage will go a long way towards making the 2008 Olympics a success. With sincere thanks,

(your name)

Junta's Achievement

This may be the world's only national capital without mobile phone service or international flight connections. It certainly doesn't have traffic problems.

Free Burma

Gambari Trip

Gambari arrived on Saturday, but he can see Junta Head only on Tuesday.
I was thinking why Than Swe could not meet Gambari instantly. Is he busy with her wife in consulting astrologer ? Which was more important than seeing Mr Gambari?
Ibrahim Gambari met Junta Head Than Swe before leaving Burma. Meeting took place only few hours. Gambari also met with Daw Su twice, it also took not more than one hour.
The out come of meeting has not yet known. I thought that there will be no progress. Three days stay in Burma, three hour meeting, no press conference indicated that he can deliver only UN General Secretary message “the (Burmese) authorities to cease the repression of peaceful protest, release the detainees and move more credibly and inclusively in the direction of democratic reform, human rights and national reconciliation,”

Do you think that Junta will listen? Noway Mate... Noway,

Quotes of the week for Mr Gambari

The confrontation that is unfolding in Myanmar will have serious implication not just for Myanmar itself, but also for the whole region( Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore)

There is no assurance that the efforts being made to bring the generals to their senses will work. Stupidity can always resist reason for longer than it has right to do so.( Tom Plate UCLA professor in The straight Times).