U.N. to commemorate former Secretary General U Thant

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The United Nation’s Postal Administration (UNPA) will early next year release three postal stamps in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of former U.N. Secretary General, and Burmese national, U Thant.

In February, 2009, the UNPA will issue three commemorative postal stamps in denominations of US$ 0.94, CHF 1.30 and EUR 1.15 in conjunction with the theme, “100th anniversary U Thant”. continue
http://mizzima.com/news/world/1444-un-to-commemorate-former-secretary-general-u-thant.html

pic from http://www.moemaka.com one of best burmese journal

following letter, written in the first week of December 2008 and sent out at great risk by a prisoner in Buthidaung prison in Burma’s Rhakine state, is to present the appalling conditions in the prison to Minister of Home Affairs Maung Oo,

in order to effect improvements and to request the authorities to grant prisoners their rights, as promised. As the prisoner who sent this letter wrote: “It is very difficult to send a letter like this out, but it is very important for us all, so we are attempting this and encouraging everyone to receive it openly.”]

The SPDC [Burmese military government] said they will work toward a democratic process and make positive changes in human rights. But the head of the Burma Human Rights Committee and Home Affairs Minister, Maung Oo, should know that the situation in prisons is much worse now than it was before. The director general of prisons said that he has made changes to the prison situation, but this has only happened in Insein prison in Rangoon, whereas more remote prisons are still operating like they were in the 1989-90 period. Nothing has changed, it is in fact worse.
http://mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/1443-a-postcard-from-prison-.html

Thailand’s new PM likely to be more ‘pro-Active’ on Burma: Activist

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Thailand’s opposition leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has been elected as the country’s new Prime Minister after winning a special vote in Parliament on Monday.

Abhisit, on Monday, won 235 votes, edging out Pracha Promnok who received 198 votes, to become Thailand’s 27th Prime Minister. continue
http://mizzima.com/news/regional/1445-thailands-new-pm-likely-to-be-more-pro-active-on-burma-activist.html

Activists urge Canada to assign special envoy to Burma

At least 10 Burmese organisations in Canada and their supporters including the Parliamentary Friends of Burma (PFB), Burma Watch International (BWI), and Canadian Friends of Burma (CFB) in a joint letter on Friday urged the Canadian Prime Minister to appoint an envoy to Burma.continue http://mizzima.com/news/world/1446-activists-urge-canada-to-assign-special-envoy-to-burma.html
thx to Canada Exiles

Asean Charter Comes into Force

JAKARTA — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations moved to forge an EU-style community Monday, signing a charter that makes the bloc a legal entity for the first time and could pave the way for creating a single market within seven years.

Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said the new charter, ratified by foreign ministers, allows the regional grouping to sue and be sued and establishes enforceable financial, trade and environmental rules. Now, the 10-nation organization is little more than a talk shop, which forges agreements through consensus and steers away from confrontation among members. continue http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14794

Ethnic Chin group rejects junta’s 2010 election plans

Monday, 15 December 2008 19:39

Aizawl (Mizzima) – The ethnic rebel group Chin National Front announced today they will not accept the junta’s planned general election scheduled for 2010.

The CNF passed the resolution during their Fourth Congress held on the Indo-Burma border from the 8th to the 13th of this month, according to the organization. continue
http://mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/1442-ethnic-chin-group-rejects-juntas-2010-election-plans.html

UN chief visit would help Myanmar: EU envoy

The European Union’s special envoy on Myanmar said Monday a visit by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to the military-ruled nation would have a positive impact and trigger dialogue with the opposition.
continue http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iOuETwx47o64lt6T24FJTQWO2i1w

7 Myanmar migrant workers, Thai driver die in road crash

KANCHANABURI, Dec 15 (TNA) – Seven Myanmar illegal migrant workers were killed in a car accident in the Thai-Myanmar border province of Kanchanaburi while being smuggled to Thailand on Monday, police said.

According to the preliminary investigation, a pick-up truck carrying 15 illegal Myanmar workers tried to break
through a police checkpoint at high speed and elude the authorities.
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=7714

Seven Burmese migrants killed in truck accident
A police officer at the Sai Yokl town police station said the light-truck, transporting 15 illegal Burmese migrants, dashed against a road-side tree on Monday morning at about 6 a.m. (local time). Eight other Burmese migrants, who sustained injuries, are reportedly being held at the Sai Yokl police station.

The local police had been tailing the truck, as it was ferrying illegal migrants. The truck verreed off the road and hit a tree as it was speeding to evade the police in pursuit. continue
http://mizzima.com/news/regional/1441-seven-burmese-migrants-killed-in-truck-accident.html pic Niknayman

Analyst Aung Kyaw Zaw, who is based on the China-Burma border, said it was a longstanding Chinese policy to establish businesses and gain land in Burma.

Dec 15, 2008 (DVB)�Kachin villagers destroyed a Chinese-owned rubber plantation near Washawng and Nam Wa villages on 7 December because they were angry that it had been built on land confiscated from locals. continue http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=2015

Farmers from Natmauk township, Magwe division, have been banned by the army from working on their land

after filing a report with the International Labour Organisation about land confiscation.

A local resident said the ban was imposed in October when five farmers were arrested for complaining to the ILO. continue http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=2013