Day: May 25, 2009
Villagers flee from DKBA troops out to recruit
by Ko Wild
Monday, 25 May 2009 21:28
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Villagers of Kawkereik district, Karen State are fleeing from troops of the ‘Democratic Karen Buddhist Army’ (DKBA) who come to their villages to forcibly recruit soldiers for its army.
DKBA’s 999th Brigade mainly recruits villagers under the age of 30 in Kyonebai, Chaungphyaar, Kawkabaung, Ohntabin villages in Kyonedoe Township in this district through the village chairmen. They are forcibly recruiting even villagers in the 40 to 50 age group if their preferred age group is not available. The villagers in these villages have to flee from the clutches of DKBA to avoid going to the frontline.
“They recruited 25 people from Kyonebai and 10 men from Chaungphyar, Ohntabin and Kawkathaung. No one dares to go with them. All have had to flee from their homes. But they have to give soldiers to them anyhow. The youth might think of going with the DKBA if they are not meant to do combat duty. But now they have to go to the frontline in Karenni and Kachin State for combat duty,” a local villager told Mizzima on condition of anonymity.
The DKBA issued orders which said those who do not wish to serve in their army must pay hundreds of thousands of Kyats for hiring a person instead of them. All these substitutes must have passed at least the 8th grade. The parents of these youths are in trouble and miserable. Continue reading “Villagers flee from DKBA troops out to recruit”
Asia has abdicated responsibility over Burma, says Anwar Ibrahim
The leader of the Malaysian opposition, give a very smooth and spirited performance at a lunch organised by Singapore’s Foreign Correspondents Association.
While he answered a series of tough questions about Malaysian politics with wit and guile, he seemed particularly exorcised about Burma and the junta’s treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The normally supine Association of Southeast Asian Nations has spoken out for once against the latest sham trial of Burma’s leading democracy campaigner. But Anwar was extremely critical about the failure of Asian nations to do more.
There has been an “utter abdication of responsibility in the region,” he said, adding that the policy of constructive engagement in Asia (as compared to the sanctions imposed by the US, Europe and Australia) has “become a mockery”.
“There’s more construction than constructive engagement,” he joked, referring to the eagerness with which Asian companies have rushed to help the Burmese generals build their new capital at Naypyidaw and other projects designed to cement their grip on power and augment their luxuriant lifestyles. continue
Nyan Win, one of Suu Kyi’s lawyers, said today her defence team was unhappy that it was not given sufficient time to consult with their client about her planned testimony
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will testify tomorrow at her trial for violating the terms of her house arrest.
Nyan Win, one of Suu Kyi’s lawyers, said today her defence team was unhappy that it was not given sufficient time to consult with their client about her planned testimony.
Suu Kyi is widely expected to be found guilty for allegedly harbouring an American who swam across a lake to her residence. She faces up to five years in prison.
Suu Kyi pleaded not guilty on Friday but Burma’s courts operate under the influence of the ruling military, and almost always deal harshly with political dissidents.
Two women assistants who live with her, and the foreign intruder, also pleaded not guilty to the same charge.
Asked today if he thought the court is rushing through the trial, Nyan Win said: “It is very certain.”
Already bombarded by criticism from Western nations, the junta turned on neighbouring Thailand, a partner in the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), accusing its neighbour of violating the bloc’s principle by interfering in Burma’s internal affairs.
Thailand, the grouping’s current chairman, expressed “grave concern” over the trial last week, saying “the honour and the credibility of the (Burmese government) are at stake.”
A statement from Burma responded today: “It is sadly noted that (Thailand) failed to preserve the dignity of ASEAN, the dignity of Myanmar (Burma) and the dignity of Thailand.” Continue reading “Nyan Win, one of Suu Kyi’s lawyers, said today her defence team was unhappy that it was not given sufficient time to consult with their client about her planned testimony”
bomb wrapped up in green tape was planted in the roof of the lavatory of upper-class carriage No (5) of Nay Pyi Taw-Yangon down train No. (32) at platform (1) in Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana Station at about 3.50 am today,
Border based pro-democracy opposition forces have rubbished the junta’s allegation that it had planted a bomb found in Pyinmana railway station near the new capital city, Naypyitaw.
“Today they accused our student’s army of being a terrorist organization. They accused us of planning bomb blasts in urban areas to instill fear among the people. Our student’s army strongly objects to these allegations reported in the junta’s daily newspaper,” the ‘All Burma Students’ Democratic Front’ (ABSDF) Chairman Than Ke said.
The SPDC’s (junta) allegation is wrong and they are not using violent means on the people, Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB) General Secretary Dr. Naing Aung said.
“Since the inception of our organization, our objective is to help and support the people’s movement by peaceful and non-violent means. We are into non-violent people’s movement and are pushing the people in non-violent way only. There is no violence in our movement,” Dr. Naing Aung said. Continue reading “bomb wrapped up in green tape was planted in the roof of the lavatory of upper-class carriage No (5) of Nay Pyi Taw-Yangon down train No. (32) at platform (1) in Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmana Station at about 3.50 am today,”
The generals are now angry not only with Burma’s pro-democracy leader but also with neighboring Thailand
Even during her trial, Aung San Suu Kyi has the ability to make her captors—the powerful ruling generals—angrier and more rancorous than ever.
The generals are now angry not only with Burma’s pro-democracy leader but also with neighboring Thailand which, as current alternate chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), issued a fairly critical statement against Suu Kyi’s trial and imprisonment.
During a meeting with three diplomats from Singapore, Thailand and Russia last week in the Insein Prison compound, Suu Kyi told the Thai diplomat that she looked forward to working with Asean one day.
How did Burma’s ruling generals interpret her remark?
To work with the regional grouping, Suu Kyi would have to be a leader or high-ranking official of the Burmese government. To the generals—who are hypersensitive about power-sharing—her words were clearly defiant, a challenge to their authority.
They probably thought, “How dare you? You’re a criminal who violated our law. And you are standing trial!”
Allowing thirty Rangoon-based diplomats to attend Suu Kyi’s trial for one day last week backfired. The junta wanted to give an appearance of openness, of conducting a legally correct judicial proceeding. Continue reading “The generals are now angry not only with Burma’s pro-democracy leader but also with neighboring Thailand”
Ethnic Leaders Condemn Suu Kyi Trial
Ethnic leaders inside and outside Burma on Monday condemned the Burmese regime’s trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, now entering its sixth day.
A prominent Rangoon-based Arakanese politician, Aye Thar Aung, who is secretary of the Arakan League for Democracy, said, “The current regime doesn’t care about national reconciliation and totally ignores the future of the country.”
The regime is pushing ahead with its “seven-step roadmap,” he said, determined to silence all political opposition, citing the case of the imprisoned political detainees of the 88 Generation Students, including leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi. Continue reading “Ethnic Leaders Condemn Suu Kyi Trial”
democracy for burma 
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