Day: November 26, 2009

Reporters Without Borders notes that the authorities have finally arrested Andal Ampatuan Jr, the leading suspect in the 23 November massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao province.

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Number of journalists killed in massacre rises to 29

Published on 26 November 2009

In the same country
23 November 2009 – Twelve journalists killed on Mindanao island in “dark day for press freedom”
21 August 2009 – Harassment by provincial authorities could send newspaper editor back to prison
10 August 2009 – Grenade attack on newspaper columnist’s home, no one hurt
Reporters Without Borders notes that the authorities have finally arrested Andal Ampatuan Jr, the leading suspect in the 23 November massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao province. Local reporters have meanwhile told Reporters Without Borders that the toll of journalists killed in the massacre has risen to 29.
“All the bodies have been located and identification is almost complete,” a reporter based in the nearby city of Koronadal said. “According to the local media’s tally, we lost 29 colleagues in this tragedy.” The local authorities are preparing a funeral service to pay tribute to the victims. And the government has provided financial assistance to families.
http://www.rsf.org/spip.php?page=article&id_article=35090

Burma’s Prime Minister Lt-Gen Thein Sein on Sunday had a word of appreciation for leaders of the pro-junta civilian organization -USDA

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Burmese PM pats USDA on the back
by Mizzima News
Thursday, 26 November 2009 19:03

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Burma’s Prime Minister Lt-Gen Thein Sein on Sunday had a word of appreciation for leaders of the pro-junta civilian organization – the Union Solidarity and Development (USDA) – and encouraged them to continue with their social services for the community.

Thein Sein was speaking at the inauguration of the USDA annual meeting, which was attended by about 700 USDA representatives across the country. It is being held at Lewe Town in central Burma.

Sources in Lewe township USDA office told Mizzima that the organization , during the meeting, re-affirmed its pledge to carry out ‘Orders’ given from ‘Above’, without explaining what the ‘Orders’ were and who the ‘Above’ meant.

The USDA led by the junta’s Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo, will conclude the annual meeting on Friday following a dinner.

“Snr Gen Than Shwe is expected to attend the dinner party on Friday. He has not shown up yet,” the source said.

Though there has been speculation of the USDA being transformed into a political party, the source said, the meeting, attended by township and divisional level secretaries, did not have it on the agenda. Continue reading “Burma’s Prime Minister Lt-Gen Thein Sein on Sunday had a word of appreciation for leaders of the pro-junta civilian organization -USDA” →

Padoh Mahn Sha Laphan:On our part, we demand dialogue. But if they are not going to do that and continue the offensives against us, we have to resist and fight back.

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On our part, we demand dialogue. But if they are not going to do that and continue the offensives against us, we have to resist and fight back. That is our own measure. We are in a position to resist. Today, we are taking part in the revolution and it is just. The public has the right to defend itself. As for the oppressed public, if they are warred upon, they have the rights to defend themselves.’

Padoh Mahn Sha Laphan, General Secretary, Karen National Union, 10/07/06
KNU(Karen National Union) General Secretary(1943-2008).