In a bid to explore a political strategy, the National League for Democracy (NLD), is currently reviewing the finer points expressed in its Special Announcement (18/09/08).

NLD reviews finer points of Special Announcement No. 18
by Ko Wild
Wednesday, 08 April 2009 21:47

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – In a bid to explore a political strategy, the National League for Democracy (NLD), is currently reviewing the finer points expressed in its Special Announcement (18/09/08).

The NLD has said that convening Parliament, as mentioned in this statement does not imply seizing power, but amendment and approval of the Constitution.

For this process to be successful, dialogue between the two top leaders, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Snr. Gen. Than Shwe should be initiated, without any preconditions, NLD CEC member, U Khin Maung Swe told Mizzima.

“If Daw Suu and Snr. Gen. Than Shwe accept the amendment of the Constitution, everything will be fine. Then we can consider other options rather than forming a committee in Parliament. In the last stage, there must be a Parliament, as we must recognize the results of the 1990 general elections. After reaching an agreement, there will be the option of forming a committee, amending the Constitution and getting it approved by the Parliament. It depends on mutual trust,” he said.

In the Special Announcement No. 18, the NLD says that the 2008 Constitution was forcibly approved by the SPDC, against the will of the people. And it also urges the junta to convene Parliament at the earliest with the elected MPs, in accordance with Section 3 of the 1990 General Election Law.

‘Reporters Sans Frontier’ (RSF), an international media freedom group, today demanded the release of two Burmese bloggers Ko Thura a.k.a. Ko Zargana and Nay Phone Latt because they were punished unfairly.

RSF demands release of two bloggers

by Nem Davies
Wednesday, 08 April 2009 22:29

New Delhi (Mizzima) – ‘Reporters Sans Frontier’ (RSF), an international media freedom group, today demanded the release of two Burmese bloggers Ko Thura a.k.a. Ko Zargana and Nay Phone Latt because they were punished unfairly.

‘Reporters Sans Frontier’ (RSF) based in France demanded that the junta release the two bloggers because the long term jail sentences awarded to them was unfair. They were arrested for possession of video CDs allegedly attacking the junta and wrote their views and opinions on their blogs.

“They do not deserve such long terms in prison so they must be released,” the RSF statement issued today said.

The lawyer representing the two bloggers said that his clients should not have been given such long prison terms for just using the internet.

“Usually such cases are not awarded long prison terms because it was just use of the internet,” he said.

The RSF statement also urged the special envoy of the United Nations Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, to focus on what is going on in Burma during his forthcoming visit to the country as the junta interferes with the judiciary by directly ordering the special tribunals which hear these cases.

Statement on SPDC Violation (06April2009) Scribd Burmese

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14066655/Statement-on-SPDC-Violation-06April2009

KALEMYO USDA HITS ELECTION CAMPAIGN TRAIL

8 April 2009: The Union Solidarity and Development Association of Kalemyo has been campaigning for the forthcoming general elections scheduled for 2010, from the end of March, in some villages of Kalemyo Township, Sagaing Division of northwestern Burma.

According to a report, the social activist group might change into a political party for the proposed elections, as it has already been helping the SPDC government, by persuading the citizens of Burma to vote. Currently, the USDA is campaigning for the ruling party.

During the last week of March 2009, some leaders of USDA went to the Natchaung tracks – Ngapha village, 17 miles from Kalemyo and they asked one person from each house not to vote for the other political parties, a villager said.

Besides, two leaders of USDA along with the village council members have been campaigning in Sakhankyi village of Kalemyo, from 28 March, 2009.

In fact, the USDA members are divided into groups of two or three members each, and they have been going around 20 villages of Kalemyo, for election campaigns.

The USDA was established in 1993, by SPDC leader General Than Shwe. Although the group has been viewed as a social activist group by the people, yet currently it is aspiring to become a political party, in order to participate in the proposed 2010 general elections. – Khonumthung News

Ludu Daw Ah Mar Scribd ,Pictures,memories..

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14071631/Ludu-Daw-Ah-Mar

Thanks to Ko Latt

Ludu Daw Ah Mar,you will always be in our heart

MEDIA-THAILAND: Blogger Gets 10 Years for Insulting Thai Monarchy

By Marwaan Macan-Markar

BANGKOK, Apr 8 (IPS) – Suwicha Thakhor’s nightmare in a Thai jail is set to continue after a court delivered a harsh verdict this week that contained a unequivocal message – the Internet in this country is being policed with the aim of limiting free expression.

On Apr. 3, the criminal court sentenced the 34-year-old father of three children to 10 years in jail for posting an image on the Internet that was deemed to have insulted the Thai royal family. Suwicha’s sentence – initially for the maximum of 20 years but reduced to half – has pushed this South-east Asian nation to join the ranks of countries where bloggers can be imprisoned for expressing their views, such as Thailand’s western neighbour, military-ruled Burma.

The verdict also saw the three judges who presided over this groundbreaking case take measures that went against the grain of an open trial, which is often the case in other criminal cases. Reporters present in the wooden panelled chamber were ordered not to take notes of the proceedings. The court also did not say how the defamatory photos were doctored.

The crimes Suwicha had committed included violating the 2007 computer crime law, which came into force when Thailand was under the grip of a junta that staged a coup in September 2006, the country’s 18th putsch. This law, criticised for being a crackdown on the freedoms of the country’s cyber community, threatens violators with maximum five-year jail term.

He was also tried for breaking the draconian lèse majesté law, which has been in the penal code for the past 100 years to prosecute anyone who expresses a view that tarnishes the image of the revered royal family. Violators face a maximum of 15 years in jail.

”This is the longest sentence in recent times for a lèse majesté-related offence,” says David Streckfuss, a U.S. academic who has written extensively on the Thai law aimed at insulating the monarchy from criticism.

”This is the first case of an Internet user convicted under the computer crime act related to national security or lèse majesté,” adds Supinya Klangnarong, a media rights campaigner who head the Thai Netizens Network, a group lobbying for the rights of Internet users. ”The sentence came as a shock. It means that this could happen to any Internet user in Thailand.”

Wa Army to Celebrate 20th Anniversary-NEWS ANALYSIS

By WAI MOE Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The largest armed cease-fire group, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), will hold what it calls its 20th Anniversary of “peace building” on April 17.

As an indication of what might be meant by “peace building,” since late 2008, the UWSA has begun using the term “government” in many of its communications. For instance, in the invitations sent out for its 20th anniversary, the Wa refer to themselves as the “Wa State Government, Burma’s Special Region 2.”
In the 2008 Constitution, endorsed by the Burmese junta, certain UWSA controlled areas were given the status of an autonomous region.
However, observers note that the UWSA has not yet declared its position in the 2010 election. When high-ranking Burmese officials visit the Wa region to discuss the election, Wa leaders reportedly call for a review of the constitution, according to sources.

Ahead of the 2010 election, like other ethnic ceasefire groups, the UWSA has been under pressure by the junta to join the election under the new constitution which calls for the disarmament of ceasefire groups following the election.

The UWSA has an estimated 20,000 troops based in northern and southern Shan State led by Bao You-Xiang, the former commander of the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) 683 Brigade. The Wa army is largest armed group among ethnic non-ceasefire and ceasefire groups.

The UWSA was a part of the CPB forces before it split from the Burmese Communists Party in April 1989. The UWSA and its political wing, the United Wa State Party, were officially formed in November 1989.

One month later, Kokang troops separated from the CPB on March 11 1989. Wa troops overthrew the CPB, which was dominated by Burmans, on April 17, 1989.

KNU Says Ceasefire Agreements Essential for Peaceful Burma

The Burmese regime should sign ceasefire agreements with all ethnic armed groups, including the Karen National Union (KNU), if it wants peace for the country, said KNU leaders after talks in Thailand with Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

KNU General-Secretary Zipporah Sein said her organization was happy to talk to the regime if the junta really wanted a constructive dialogue.

Kasit, who visited Naypyidaw last month, told Zipporah Sein and other KNU leaders at a meeting in Bangkok on Monday that Burmese Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein wanted to meet the KNU and discuss its stand.

Five Thai officials were also present at the meeting with the KNU leaders.

During his two-day visit to the Burmese capital, Kasit had talks with Thein Sein and Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win. Kasit said he had been asked to help in efforts to encourage ethnic rebels to involve themselves in the junta’s seven-step roadmap.

Shinawatra family left Thailand

By: BangkokPost.com
Published: 8/04/2009 at 02:29 PM
Close family members of fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra quietly left Thailand on a series of flights on Tuesday, PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said on Wednesday.

Thaksin’s former wife Khunying Potjaman Damapong and their daughter Paethongtan flew to Hong Kong. Another daughter Pinthongtha departed to England. Their son Panthongtae headed for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Thaksin’s brother-in-law and former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat also left the country, he said.

At the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship rally in front of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda’s residence on Wednesday, UDD leader Nattawut said Thaksin had phoned him to voice his support for the red-shirt movement.

The deposed premier hoped that the country would achieve true democracy, Mr Nattawut said.

The 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will be held from 10 – 12 April 2009 in Pattaya, Thailand. These Summits will bring together leaders from ASEAN, Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea (ROK) and New Zealand.

Happening this Week: The 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Pattaya, Thailand
ASEAN Secretariat, 7 April 2009

The 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will be held from 10 – 12 April 2009 in Pattaya, Thailand. These Summits will bring together leaders from ASEAN, Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea (ROK) and New Zealand.

The Related Summits taking place are: ASEAN Plus One Summits with China, India, Japan and ROK; ASEAN Plus Three Summit; and East Asia Summit.

Among the agreements that will signed at the Summits include the ASEAN-China Investment Agreement. The Statements that will be issued are: ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation on Food Security and Bio-Energy Development and East Asia Summit Disaster Management.

ASEAN leader also will meet with Ban Ki Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations at the 3rd ASEAN-UN Summit.

On the last day of the Related Summits, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the ASEAN Secretariat are co-hosting an event called “ASEAN Global Dialogue” in Bangkok. The event will feature distinguished panel speakers from key international organisations. Moderated by Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN, they will discuss the pertinent challenges that the world is facing with now and how the region can contribute to the search for solutions to these challenges.

For more information about the Related Summits, please visit http://www.14thaseansummit.org.