Day: July 23, 2009
Support Runners for Burma at this Sunday San Francisco Marathon (July 26)
Funds are to support Internally displaced refugees in Burma
20,000 runners will be participating in the San Francisco Marathon (26 miles) this Sunday and many of them are to promote various causes.
Organized by Burma Humanitarian Mission (BHM), 29 people are going to run representing Run For Burma awareness and fundraiser for internally displaced Refugees in Burma. Nine of that 29 runners will be representing BADA (We are joining in with BHM) that day. Some are running full marathon (26 miles) and some are doing half marathon (13 miles; mostly fist half through Golden Gate Bridge).
1. Here is how you can see/cheer the runners on the course: http://www.runsfm.com/volunteers/spectators.html (They run early and the fist half will finish starting at 7:30 am).
2. Come visit and meet with the runners for Burma at the Burma booth at the finish line — near Embarcadero and Mission St. (Just north of Bay Bridge). The Burma booth will be open from 7:30 am until 1:00 pm that Sunday. So, come by as your schedule permits.
Here is the main website: http://www.runsfm.com/ (You can still register as few spots are still open)
Here is the full Marathon map: http://www.runsfm.com/maps/map_full.pdf
Here is the first half map: http://www.runsfm.com/maps/map_1sthalf.pdf
BHM website: http://www.burmamission.org/run_for_burma.php
BADA website: http://www.badasf.org
It is said that Supremo Than Shwe keeps 4 billion USD in cash in the bunker below his mansion in Naypyidaw. The attached photos support that information
It is said that Supremo Than Shwe keeps 4 billion USD in cash in the bunker below his mansion in Naypyidaw. The attached photos support that information. Cash is everything for them since only hard cash in US dollar has exchange value at black markets worldwide for fire arms to stolen sports cars. Whether Tayza is merely a portfolio manager for Than Shwe or a real businessman with some clout remain unclear. With this accumulation of wealth their greatest fear must be mass protests since they saw what happened to some luxury homes of BSPP chairpersons in provincial areas during 1988 uprising.
With no evidence of ‘trickling-down effect’ of their wealth, targeted sanctions against SPDC business cronies are fully justified. But other sanctions against economic engagement that can promote social economy and small enterprises, such as tourism, trade and investment, that will provide better opportunities for life to the Burmese populace must be removed as soon as possible.
အီးေမလး္မွတဆင့္ ျပန္လညေ္ဖာ္ျပျခငး္သာျဖစ္ပါသည္။
by Myanmarnews
Surin dismissed suggestions that the funding problems were due to the Myanmar junta’s poor human rights record and suppression of democracy. He attributed the lack of funds to the global financial crisis and competing humanitarian disasters around the world.
Cyclone recovery aid needed
PHUKET – THE head of a regional grouping of Southeast Asian nations called om Thursday for governments to do more to help rebuild areas hit by last year’s deadly cyclone in Myanmar, saying only a third of the US$300 million (S$432 million) needed has been raised.
Surin Pitsuwan, secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, said Myanmar’s neighbors need to take the lead in financing new schools, homes and other infrastructure projects.
‘The Asean member states themselves pledged they would come forward to help and contribute,’ Mr Surin said at the end of an Asean conference in Thailand.
‘Some have allocated funds and budgets but have not released it.
Now is the time,’ he said. ‘With Asean taking the lead, there will be more international support coming through.’
He dismissed suggestions that the funding problems were due to the Myanmar junta’s poor human rights record and suppression of democracy. He attributed the lack of funds to the global financial crisis and competing humanitarian disasters around the world.
The May 2008 cyclone crashed into Myanmar’s southwestern coast, sweeping away entire farming villages. Some 140,000 were killed or left missing.
A study released this month in the journal Nature Geoscience described it as one of the deadliest storms to hit the Bay of Bengal, producing waves of 16 feet (5 meters) high and a storm surge that reached 30 miles (50 kilometers) inland.
The study found that in the hardest-hit areas, up to 80 per cent of villagers were killed. All survivors interviewed in the Irrawaddy Delta for the study said they ignored warnings about the impending storm due to a lack of awareness about cyclones and evacuation plans.
More than a year after the disaster, survivors are still struggling to rebuild their lives. — AP
Two Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) soldiers were seized by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) yesterday between Three Pagoda Pass (TPP) and Maketa forest. During the arrest sources claim one of the DKBA soldiers was killed.
Two soldiers of DKBA arrested, one left standing
Thu 23 Jul 2009, IMNA,
Two Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) soldiers were seized by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) yesterday between Three Pagoda Pass (TPP) and Maketa forest. During the arrest sources claim one of the DKBA soldiers was killed.
According to sources from Three Pagoda Pass (TPP), forces from KNLA Bridge No.6, battalion No. 16, at the Kyun-chaung checkpoint, arrested two DKBA soldiers who were traveling from Chaung Wa, where they lived, to TPP, by boat. The soldiers, who were regular infantry of a low rank, were traveling together with no other support, and it is unclear how they were recognized as DKBA, and subsequently arrested.
“DKBA Captin Saw Aye One called his soldiers to go to TPP, and while traveling they were arrested and one of them was killed by the KNLA. The other DKBA soldier is still being detained by the KNLA,” said a source from the Karen Peace Force. “The KNU have not retaliated after a recent combined attack from the DKBA and Burmese army against the KNU on July 8th.”
On July 8th, the DKBA fought against troops from KNLA Bridge No.6 in Maketa from which the DKBA suffered 2 casualties. After the conflict between the DKBA and the KNU, a rumor spread out that the Burmese army and the DKBA combine force would continue to fight against KNU Bridge No.6.
According to a KNU officer from Dooplaya District, their forces didn’t kill or arrest either DKBA soldier, and that their battalion No. 16 didn’t engage in any action yesterday.
The actual circumstances around the event remain unclear. According to a source from TPP close to the KNU, “[The] KNU arrested DKBA soldiers yesterday; 1 solider was killed but I am not sure where the KNU is keeping the other soldier.“
The event has prompted Burmese authorities to tighten security inside and outside TPP town, residents claim, explaining the security increase most likely came as reaction to the arrests as well as an increase fear about the spread of H1N1.
“Tomorrow [Friday] we will request that Suu Kyi is released,” said Kyi Win.
People walk past barricades placed on a road to Insein Prison as the trial of Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi resume at the prison Friday. (Photo: AP)
The legal team of Burma’s detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was permitted access to the 64-year-old pro-democracy leader on Thursday, a day before her trial resumes for final arguments, one of her lawyers said.
Kyi Win, who was one of the defense lawyers who met Suu Kyi, told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that they were allowed to see her for two hours at around noon to discuss her final arguments.“We discussed what we should say and what we should not say,” said Kyi Win. However, he didn’t provide further details of the discussions.
“Tomorrow [Friday] we will request that Suu Kyi is released,” said Kyi Win.
Suu Kyi’s lawyers were denied access to her on Wednesday. However, the junta agreed to allow a visit after the defense team presented a letter.
Suu Kyi is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest by allegedly harboring an uninvited American man who swam secretly to her lakeside home and reportedly stayed for two days. She is being detained at Burma’s notorious Insein Prison. Continue reading ““Tomorrow [Friday] we will request that Suu Kyi is released,” said Kyi Win.”
US Offer Won’t Lead to Suu Kyi’s Freedom: Opposition Leaders
Opposition leaders on Thursday expressed doubt that a US offer of economic investment in Burma in return for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from prison would lead to the pro-democracy leader’s freedom.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday in Phuket, Thailand, that the US would expand relations with Burma if the military government released opposition leader Suu Kyi, who is now on trial.
“If she [Suu Kyi] were released, that would open up opportunities, at least for my country, to expand our relationship with Burma, including investments in Burma. But it is up to the Burmese leadership,” Clinton said while attending a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Burmese political opposition leaders urged the military regime to consider the offer as a way to encourage national reconciliation.
Khin Maung Swe, a spokesperson for Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), said that Clinton’s statement shows how much the international community supports the release of the detained opposition leader, who has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years. Continue reading “US Offer Won’t Lead to Suu Kyi’s Freedom: Opposition Leaders”
Asean expects Burma to respond to Int’l concerns
by Mungpi
Thursday, 23 July 2009 22:06
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their dialogue partners on Thursday concluded the regional security forum, exhorting Burma to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose trial will hear the final argument on Friday.
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, in his press statement as the Chairman of the Asean Ministerial Meeting, Post Ministerial Conferences and ASEAN Regional Forum reminded military-ruled Burma to be responsive to international concerns.
Kasit said the Asean as well as members of the ARF respect the sentiment of friendship and goodwill and would like to assist Burma in its efforts to promote democracy, human rights and the well-being of her people.
“At the same time, it is hoped that Myanmar would also be responsive to the international community’s concerns,” Kasit said.
Delegates from Burma led by Foreign Minister Nyan Win, during the four day conference held in Thailand’s resort island of Phuket faced criticism and strong worded messages from several quarters over the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
On Wednesday evening, US officials met the Burmese delegation and conveyed the importance of Burma implementing the terms of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1874 on North Korea, which imposed sanctions on North Korea over its recent missile and nuclear tests. Continue reading “Asean expects Burma to respond to Int’l concerns”
Kyi Win, a member of the legal team, told Mizzima that he along with three other colleagues – Nyan Win, Hla Myo Myint and Khin Htay Kywe – on Thursday met Aung San Suu Kyi for about two hours. They made a few changes in the draft final argument.
Aung San Suu Kyi meets lawyers to oversee final argument
by Mungpi & Myint Maung
Thursday, 23 July 2009 19:16
New Delhi (Mizzima) – Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday met her legal counsels and discussed the final argument to be submitted in court in Rangoon’s Insein prison on Friday.
Kyi Win, a member of the legal team, told Mizzima that he along with three other colleagues – Nyan Win, Hla Myo Myint and Khin Htay Kywe – on Thursday met Aung San Suu Kyi for about two hours. They made a few changes in the draft final argument.
“Tomorrow [Friday] we will submit the argument and Hla Myo Myint will speak in her defence,” Kyi Win said.
On Wednesday, the defence team was not allowed to meet the detained opposition leader, but since it needed to consult her on the draft final argument, Kyi Win said he had reapplied for permission, which was eventually granted.
“Officials came and informed us on Thursday that we have been granted permission. They took us to the prison at about 2 p.m. (local time). We concluded our meeting at about 4 p.m.” Kyi Win said.
He, however, refused to talk about the contents of the final argument. He only said that the defence will prove Aung San Suu Kyi’s innocence. Continue reading “Kyi Win, a member of the legal team, told Mizzima that he along with three other colleagues – Nyan Win, Hla Myo Myint and Khin Htay Kywe – on Thursday met Aung San Suu Kyi for about two hours. They made a few changes in the draft final argument.”
democracy for burma 
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