BURMA New Report:Women and Child Rights Project (WCRP) Report Children and Armed Conflict-Coercion, Cruelty and Collateral Damage

On January 17, 2012 By Burma Myanmar newsIn BurmaLeave a comment

Burma army continues killing unarmed civilians in Hpakant

On January 17, 2012 By Burma Myanmar newsIn BurmaLeave a comment

People are collecting jadestones at a jade mine in Hpakant, western Kachin State.

Troops from Burma’s armed forces are continuing to kill unarmed civilians in the Hpakant (or Hpakan) jade mining area of Kachin State, according to eyewitnesses on the ground. Continue reading “Burma army continues killing unarmed civilians in Hpakant” →

Thailand : Emergency Message to U.S. Citizens: Possible Terrorist Threat

On January 17, 2012 By Burma Myanmar newsIn AseanLeave a comment

This message alerts U.S. citizens in Thailand that foreign terrorists may be currently looking to conduct attacks against tourist areas in Bangkok in the near future. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution when visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in Bangkok.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain a heightened awareness when out in public; be alert for unattended packages/bags in public/crowded places and report any suspicious behavior to the nearest law enforcement personnel. We also encourage you to keep a low profile in public areas, particularly areas frequented by foreign tourists.

The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok, and can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049, or by e-mailing acsbkk@state.gov. The Embassy’s after-hours emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000. The U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai is located at 387 Wichayanond Road in Chiang Mai. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Consulate General can be reached by calling 66-53-107-777 and by e-mail at acschn@state.gov. The after-hours emergency telephone number is 66-81-881-1878.
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(Photo -Internet)

For the latest security information, you should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website, where current Worldwide Cautions, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings and health-information resources can be found. You can also obtain up-to-date information on security by calling 1-888-407-4747 (toll free) in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas, by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

We encourage you notify us of your presence in Thailand by enrolling in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollmen

Sent at 2:31 AM on Monday

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/011312emergencymessage.html

FBR REPORT: Ceasefire Talks and Ongoing Conflict Update from the Field-16.January 2012

On January 17, 2012 By Burma Myanmar newsIn BurmaLeave a comment

FBR REPORT: Ceasefire Talks and Ongoing Conflict Update from the Field

Karen State, Burma

16 January, 2012

Dear friends,

We are relaying this update out from where we are on relief missions in Karen State, Burma. In spite of positive changes in Burma; such as release of many political prisoners, easing of restrictions on the press, and beginning of ceasefire talks with Shan, Chin, and Karen groups, the Burma Army continues its attacks in some ethnic areas and resupplying in all areas.

Here in Karen State there is no ceasefire yet in spite of talks between the Burma Army and the pro-democracy Karen resistance- Karen National Union (KNU). In Northern Burma over 40,000 Kachin villagers have been displaced by ongoing attacks in an offensive by over 100 Burma Army battalions. Tonight, Karen, Karenni, Mon and Shan team members here all expressed concern that the attacks against the Kachin, while ceasefire talks were being held with other groups, was a continuation of the government’s divide and rule strategy. They asked, “While the army offers talks with us and then attacks the Kachin, how can we believe they are sincere?”