Day: November 30, 2009
Than Shwe urges USDA to forge ahead
by Mungpi
Monday, 30 November 2009 02:50
New Delhi (Mizzima) – Burma’s military junta supremo Senior General Than Shwe on Friday patted on the back his puppet civilian organization – the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) – for a job well-done for the past 16 years and urged it to carry on with gusto until the junta’s Seven-Step Roadmap is wrapped up.
Than Shwe, in his speech on the last day of the USDA’s Annual General Meeting, expressed his appreciation of the USDA, but urged it to continue to safeguard non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty of the country, according to the state-own New Light of Myanmar newspaper on Saturday.
Burma’s military rulers claim that they are the saviors of the Union, where several groups are struggling to break away, and justify that their rule for the past 20 years have ushered in stability and peace in the country.
“Therefore, you are…. to safeguard non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty with true patriotic spirit,” Than Shwe, patron of the USDA told the meeting, held in Naypyitaw. Continue reading “Than Shwe urges USDA to forge ahead”
Verhagen speaks with Thant Myint-U about Burma
Newsflash | 30 November 2009
In a conversation with Burma analyst Thant Myint-U, Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagen expressed concern about the lack of democratisation in Burma, the oppressive human rights situation, the treatment of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, in particular the extension of her house arrest, and military action against ethnic groups.
Mr Verhagen and Thant Myint-U met to talk about their ideas on how the international community can influence developments in Burma more effectively. Thant Myint-U is a historian and Burma analyst and the grandson of former Secretary-General of the United Nations U Thant. He believes that greater engagement with Burma would increase the likelihood of democratic development taking hold.
Years of sanctions have failed to effect any change, so the Netherlands – like other countries – is exploring other ways of fostering positive political developments in Burma. The new administration in the United States recently announced its intention to begin a direct dialogue with Burmese authorities in the hope of creating more openness and promoting democratic change in the run up to the 2010 general elections in Burma.
There is discussion within the EU about proceeding down the same path. Existing sanctions would be maintained and eased only if the Burmese regime takes steps in the right direction.
http://www.minbuza.nl/en
No Military Reshuffle after Top Brass Meet
Despite expectations that Snr-Gen Than Shwe would reshuffle senior military leaders in preparation for the 2010 election, he transferred no one and ended the quarterly military meeting by playing golf.
The meeting, which ended on Nov. 27, was attended by more than 150 high-ranking military leaders including members of the ruling military council, regional commanders of the army, navy and air force, department chiefs from the War Office and cabinet ministers.
“We expected a major reshuffle in the Tatmadaw [the Burmse military] and cabinet ministers, but nothing happened,” said the personal assistant to a commander of a light infantry division.
Government-run newspapers published no official announcements of the quarterly meeting. Continue reading “No Military Reshuffle after Top Brass Meet”
30 November to 6 December: the Week of Religion and Ethics
BANGKOK, 30 November 2009 (NNT) – Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Satit Wonghnongtaey, presided over the opening ceremony of the ‘Week of Religion and Ethics’ at Century Hotel Bangkok. The week is scheduled to take place on 30 November to 6 December 2009.
The project on the ‘Week of Religion and Ethics’ was first endorsed by the Cabinet on 25 September 1990, followed by another approval on 7 November 2009 to keep on launching the event every year during the first week of December or whenever appropriate. Public sector and other related units were welcome to take part in the event.
This year, the Week of Religion and Ethics is being held under the supervision of the Religion and Ethic Promotion Committee, with an aim to address His Majesty’s guidance in the area of religious beliefs and ethics. The event promotes religious understanding as well as the adaptability of Dhamma principles for the benefit of the country and citizen’s lives.
Both private and public sectors will host various of activities including conference, seminar, lecture, as well as TV and radio broadcasting to instill good moral principle especially the Five Precepts of Buddhism and His Majesty’s four moral principles among the public. Continue reading “30 November to 6 December: the Week of Religion and Ethics”
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