pdc monthly news commentary - march 2012 (eng)

8/2/2019 PDC Monthly News Commentary - March 2012 (Eng)

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THE ACTIVITIES OF NLD AND DOMESTIC OPPOSITION FORCES

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NLD AND THE USDP GOVERNMENT

Despite of repeated assurances given by USDP government for free and fair by-elections to be held

on April 1, it is found clearly that they are doing suppression and restrictions on NLDs election

campaign tours and other political and social activists. And it is also found that USDP and its

comprador organizations are escalating their campaigns on maligning and disparaging NLD and its

leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by all possible unethical means they can access.

A book under the title Lin Let Kye Sin (shining star), written by someone under the pseudonym

Aung Myat Oo was published in early February, in which the author made personal attacks on DawAung San Suu Kyi and with her portrait on the cover of this book.

Similarly a candidate named U Tin Yi from Peace and Unity Party (PUP) who will contest in the

same Kawhmu constituency sent objection letter dated February 6 to Union Election Commission

(UEC) by making libellous attacks on her and also he distributed copies of his objection letter on

internet. In fact, this PUP party is the proxy and comprador party of USDP and its leaders are former

red flag (communist) party member U Ohn Lwin and former Peoples Democracy Party (PDP)

member U Tun Shwe who have reportedly being funded by the then Information Minister Brigadier

General Kyaw Hsan in the age of SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) government.

Former red flag member U Ohn Lwin is the member of study group called Students of PoliticalEconomy which was constituted in 2003 and he wrote many libellous articles on Daw Aung San Suu

Kyi in state-run daily papers. And then he split from this study group and formed his own New

Generation Students of Political Economy in March 2005 and he continued his libellous attacks on

pro-democracy forces. The then SPDC government granted this group 10 mobile phones and this man

U Ohn Lwin resold these mobile phones at the black market with handsome profit margin. And then

one of the members of this group, U Tin Tun, nephew of red flag communist party leader Thakin Soe,

sent complaint letter dated May 25, 2007 to SPDC government News and Periodical Corporation

Managing Director U Soe Win.

Another leader of PUP, U Tun Shwe, is the editor-in-chief and publisher of East Village newsjournal and he also wrote many pro-government articles under the pseudonym Min Lwin in state-

run daily papers. Moreover he formed swallow informant group for sending information on

activities of NLD and other organizations to World News Analyzing Working Committee led by

Information Minister Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan. Apart from that, he acted as governments tout

at the press conference by asking pre-arranged questions there and attacked the pro-democracy

forces. So the then SPDC Information Minister Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan granted him East

Village news journal publishing license, a housing at Room 1, Building 3, Kway Ma Housing, Ward

No. 22, South Dagon Township and landline phone and mobile phone.

Rangoon South District Election Commission (EC) dismissed the U Tin Yis objection letter on

February 10 but he appealed against this verdict to Rangoon Region EC again and NLD had to face

PDC News Commentary ~ March 2012 Page 1 of14

PDC NEWS COMMENTARYMarch 2012

Compiled and commented by the Political Defiance C ommittee (PDC)National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)


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this trial again on February 27 at this office. Then the Rangoon Region EC passed its final verdict by

dismissing plea and issued the list of candidates in that constituency including the name of Daw Aung

San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar National Congress party which was granted registration by UEC on January 23, 2012

might be the proxy party of USDP. Kaung Myat Thu (policy department) from this party made

libellous attacks on NLD party and 88-Generation student leaders in his articles.

Unidentified persons left the letter maligning Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the doorstep of the residence

of NLD candidate from Sagaing Region, Amrapura constituency Dr. Zaw Myint Maung at the night

of February 18. Similarly a man called Fish Min Swe who has made libellous attacks on Daw Aung

San Suu Kyi and her NLD party in articles appeared in state-run daily papers, distributed similar

letters maligning her and her party in Thonegwa Township, Rangoon Region and then NLD had to

lodge complaint to the department concerned on February 29.

Daw Aung Suu Kyis elder brother U Aung San Oo filed the letter of administration lawsuit against

his younger sister for the premises and house on it inherited from his mother Daw Khin Kyi inpursuant of Burmese Customary Law. Rangoon Region west district court heard this civil case on

February 10.

It is found that USDP party and its government harassed and made restrictions on election campaigns

of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by various possible means. NLD party applied for using Ba Htoo football

stadium as their election campaign venue ground in Mandalay to be held on February 4-5 but USDP

government Sports Minister U Tint San and Myanmar (Burma) Football Federation (MFF) passed the

bucks between them and then they finally rejected the request. And then NLD had to apply for

another venue Maidan ground in Mandalay for their election campaign rally. The authority concerned

also rejected this request so that NLD had to announce on February 4 postponing their rally to peoplein Mandalay.

Pathein University authorities made abrupt announcement which says the students will be examined

on February 7 as the pretests, the same date Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would hold her campaign rally in

this city. Sport Minister U Tin San also banned Daw Aung San Suu Kyis campaign rally to be held

on February 15 at the Hlegu football ground but UEC overruled his ban and finally granted this

ground later to NLD for her campaign rally. Moreover Mogaung Township EC issued order on

February 19 banning scheduled campaign rally to be held on February 23-24 at Namti village tract on

security ground. NLD held press conference on February 20, protested against banning of their

campaign rallies scheduled to be held at football grounds by Sports Ministry. After this pressconference, Mandalay mayor U Phone Zaw Han granted a venue in Mandalay for NLD campaign

rally by issuing his order on February 19.

During Daw Aung San Suu Kyis campaign tour to Kachin State, the authorities from state capital

Myitkyina ordered to close all internet caf in this city on February 24, the date of her arrival to the

city so that foreign and domestic journalists accompanying her faced a lot of troubles in reporting

their news. NLD Zabuthiri constituency candidate Daw Sandar Min held her campaign meeting at

Aung Chan Thar village on February 21 and then the village electrification committee noted down the

names of about 100 villagers who attended this meeting and then these names were deleted from their

electricity supply application list. Then the candidate Daw Sandar Min visited village electrification

committee on February 23 to lodge her complaint against this action. The committee retorted her as



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saying, You can lodge your complaint anywhere. We did it under the order given by our higher

authority. Electrification project is being implemented in this village by our party (USDP) and we

cannot provide electricity to those who gave their support to our rival party NLD. So you can lodge

your complaint anywhere. And then Daw Sandar Min told media that she lodged her complaint to

township administrative committee and Naypyitaw election commission.

Unidentified persons destroyed NLD party signboard erected in front of the party office at OttarathiriTownship by knife on February 24. NLD party candidate U Min Thu will contest from this

constituency. Similarly the party signboard at Seiknanphoen village in Pobbathiri Township

constituency was destroyed by unidentified persons in the morning on February 25, party candidate

Daw Sandar Min who would contest in this constituency said. Township Administrative Officer from

Pobbathiri Township rejected the application of NLD for using a paddy field in this township for Daw

Aung San Suu Kyis campaign rally during her campaign tour in Naypyitaw by giving excuse of no

open space available, NLD party candidate Zeya Thaw who would contest in this constituency said

on February 29.

USDP party general secretary U Htay Oo said on February 2 that they would heartily welcome DawAung San Suu Kyi if she won in upcoming April 1 by-election. But at its secret election campaign

meeting, USDP party high command instructed its party offices and cadres to do in their utmost

efforts for winning all 48 vacant seats in these by-elections, to help their candidates by pouring all

resources of finance and manpower available, to gather information on weak points and drawbacks of

their contenders from NLD party and disseminate this information to the voters by clever manner,

giving 5 million kyat as campaign expenses to each constituency and ready to give additional grant as

and when necessary, and decided to protect the country from being the slaves of two masters, the

meeting minute leaked outside says.

It is learned that Irrawaddy Region, Myaungmya Township administrative officer threatened hissubordinate wards and village tracts administrators at the departmental meeting held at Myashwewah

Hall, No. 4 Ward, Myaungmya on February 16 that they would be fired from their jobs if their USDP

candidate lost in this constituency.

Under pressure from township administrative officer, the abbot from Ywatanshe village, Myaing

Township, Magwe Region requested NLD to cancel their scheduled fund raising fun fair to be held in

this village. Similarly Mandalay Chanayetharzan Township No. 6 Police Station questioned the

promoters and organizers of Pwint Thit Lwin art exhibition to be held for NLD fund raising. In the

meantime Myanmar Radio and TV Director General U Thein Aung warned the staffs at the special

meeting held on February 24 not to greet and welcome Daw Aung San Suu Kyi when she comes toNaypyitaw for recording and shooting her televised election campaign address. Military Affairs

Security (MAS) and Police Special Branch (SB) have not yet harassed openly the election campaign

tours of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi but they are closely watching and monitoring these tours.

USDP party general secretary U Htay Oo said that since they took much time in drafting 2008

constitution, it had not many points to be amended but Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said to Tomas

Quintana on February 3 that she believed some of the chapters and articles in this constitution were

not beneficial to the people so that they must be amended. After meeting with EU delegation she also

said at the press conference held on February 29 that EU should not be in hurry for lifting sanctions

imposed on Burma and they should wait until the completion of upcoming by-elections.



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It is learned that NLD hired 3 private security staffs for security of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as they

are facing increased threats on her life during these election campaign tours.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ETHNIC GROUPS AND THE USDPGOVERNMENT

In February, USDP government met New Mon State Party (NMSP), Pa-O National Liberation

Organization (PNLO), Karenni Nationality Progressive Party (KNPP), KNU/KNLA Peace Council,All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB),

Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS), and National League for Democracy (Liberated Area)

NLD(LA), and they also met with some exile political leaders who wished to go back Burma.

Out of 11 member organizations of United Nationality Federal Council (UNFC), negotiations and

meeting between USDP government and nine member organizations are underway and the remaining

two organizations, National Unity Party of Arakan (NUPA) and Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), had

got contact with them and they believed they would reach ceasefire agreements with all of the

organizations within 3 months, USDP government union level peace negotiation team member and

Railway Minister U Aung Min said on February 15.

Opposition ethnic armed forces, unarmed organizations and some individual political leaders see the

opportunity to meet with USDP government as the signs of recognition by the government. It is

learned that they approached peace brokers and facilitators for getting opportunity to meet with

USDP government. The government offered two ethnic armed organizations operating on Indo-

Burma-Bangladesh border for peace talk with them but the government had not yet extended such

offer to them, Zomi Reunification Organization (ZRO) Information Department In-charge Min Thang

said on February 2.

NMSP peace talk delegate Nai Soe Myint said that they could reach five-point preliminary agreement

with government delegation led by Rail Minister U Aung Min at the state level peace talk held inMawlamyine on February 1.NMSP held its emergency central committee meeting on February 18 to

discuss matters on ceasefire with the government troops. On February 25, NMSP delegation led by

Vice-chairman met government delegation led by U Aung Min in Mawlamyine again and they signed

ceasefire agreement there. Under this agreement, they agreed to begin their political dialogue within

45 days. It is learned that NMSP liaison office in Mawlamyine was reopened on February 26 after

that.

USDP government delegation led by U Aung Min met with DPNS and PNLO delegations in Chiang

Mai on February 5 separately and held the informal meetings with them. It also learned that the

government delegation FDB which is comprised of 7-member 88-generation political outfit, KNPP,and NLD-(LA) in Chiang Mai separately on February 6 and U Aung Min urged them to come back

Burma and joined hands with them for the country, and in return, the political opposition groups

suggested the government delegation on what they should do in priority.

KNU/KNLA Peace Council led by Brig. Gen. Htein Maung signed preliminary ceasefire agreement

on February 7. Similarly, with the facilitations provided by peace brokers, 1988 uprising student

leader Moe Thee Zun met U Aung Min in Bangkok on February 8 and discussed on matters relating

to going back Burma, he disclosed to BBC. On February 9, the government delegation led by U Saw

Khin Soe met with ABSDF delegation for preliminary talk in Mae Sot, Thailand.



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The ethnic Karen armed groups DKBA, KPF and KUN/KNLA Peace Council met with KNU

6thBrigade on February 3 in Sonesimyaing village, Myawady Township and discussed on

reconciliation among them and to prevent from being sowed dissension by the government, it is

learnt. It is learned that since there are differences among KNU troops on ceasefire agreement with

government, a mass rally was held for three days starting from February 8 in a place in Phapon

Township to take public opinion on peace talk and ceasefire agreement.

Despite of reaching ceasefire agreement between KNU and USDP government, the fighting

continued in Hlinebwe, Karen State and Belin, Mon State on February 8 and 9 in which 3

government army officers were killed. It is learned that KNU central committee member Pado Mahn

Nyein Maung has not yet been released and even he was produced before the Insein court for further

cases on February 9. During 45-day period after signing the ceasefire agreement, the government

troop have not yet withdrawn from their outposts from KNU 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5thand 6thBrigades

controlled areas and they even made reinforcements and dumping arms, rations and ammunitions to

their troops so that the next round of talk with government was still uncertain, KNU general secretary

Naw Si Phora Sein said on February 15.

KNU signed preliminary ceasefire agreement but they would renegotiate in further talks to be held in

March to consolidate the current ceasefire situations to make them better than before, KNU joint

secretary (1) Maj. Saw Hla Ngwe said at the press conference held on February 22. KNU vice-

chairman Pado David Thar Kapaw criticized the current separate peace talks with ethnic armed

groups on February 28 as saying planned non-inclusive political talk agenda of government is only

for driving wedge among these groups and to divide and rule among them only.

USDP government signed ceasefire agreement with DKBA led by Brig. Gen. Saw La Bwe but

starting from February 19, the renewed fighting erupted again with government controlled BorderGuard Force (BGF) Battalion 1011 and the relations between them strained. In early February,

platoon commander Lt. Nyunt Tin and eight soldiers from Myawady Township, Shwe Kokko village

based BGF 1019 battalion came and joined with DKBA Kalobuhtaw military command with their

arms and then the combined forces of BGF 1011 and 1019 made surprised attack on Kalobuhtaw

military command in the early morning of February 19 and seized over 30 arms.

On the same day, DKBA forces retaliated to this incident by firing on BGF 1011 troops traveling in a

car in Myaing Gyi Ngu area which killed 3 soldiers and wounded Capt. Aye Win Min and a private.

On February 20, sniper from BGF 1011 fired on DKBA staff officer Maj. Win Maung with rifle

which gave injuries in his hand. The peace building group of government intervened to settle thisincident but BGF Commandant Brig. Gen. Maung Maung Ohn refused on February 22 to return the

arms seized by his troops and then two DKBA battalions led by Maj. Maung Lay and Maj. Ye Chit

Oo, stationed at Myaing Gyi Ngu were under siege by combined forces of about 700 personnel from

BGF battalions 1011, 1012 and 1019.

Then DKBA announced that their 3-month long ceasefire agreement with government had been void.

And then the union level peace building team intervened in this incident and President U Thein Sein

reportedly instructed BGF Directorate Director on February 23 to return all seized arms to DKBA.

At the meeting between USDP government delegation led by U Aung Thaung and KIO delegation

held in Ruli, China, both sides agreed to refrain from escalating military operations and to negotiateon deployment of both sides for avoiding unnecessary problems in confidence building process but



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renewed fighting were reported in Sinbo and Waimaw in Kachin State and Kutkai in northern Shan

State. KIO secretary general Dr. Laja said on February 29 that all government troops operating and

stationed in KIO controlled areas must withdraw from their positions and outposts first for signing

ceasefire agreement with them. UEC reportedly allowed former KIO leader Dr. Tuja to contest in

election as independent candidate from Mogoung constituency in Kachin State. His partys

application for registration was denied by UEC in 2010 general election.

It is learned that similar renewed fighting between government troops and ceasefire armed group

Reunification Council of Shan State/ Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) were reported in six townships

under command of Kentung military command in February. These renewed fighting erupted when the

government troops put pressure on them to withdraw to the designated HQ for RCSS/SSA at Mone

Taw, Mone Htar in eastern Shan State near Thai-Burma border, it is learnt.

THE ACTIVITIES OF NLD AN D DOMESTIC OPPOSITION FORCES

Tens of thousands of local people lauded to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with heartily welcome when she

visited Rangoon and Irrawaddy Regions and Kachin State in February for her NLD election

campaigns.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who would contest from Kawhmu constituency in Rangoon Region made her

household registration at a small Karen village called Wathinkha on February 4. She made her

election campaign tours to Pathein and Myaungmya cities in Irrawaddy Region on February 7. In her

speeches delivered at these mass rallies, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that she would do her utmost

efforts for rule of law, internal peace and health, education and employment for the people.

She made similar campaign tours to Kawhmu, Rangoon Region on February 11, Hlegu and

Mayangon Townships in Rangoon Region on February 15 respectively. She said in her speeches on

rising commodity prices, unemployment issue, marching to democracy goal by joining hands with

Tatmadaw (armed forces).

She made election campaign tour to Pyapon, Irrawaddy Region on February 17. She said in her

campaign speeches on right to sell their farm produce freely by farmers and uplifting education sector

for the development of the country. She visited Kawhmu constituency on February 21 for the second

time and made similar campaign tours to Namti and Myitkyina in Kachin State on February 23 and

24 respectively and she delivered her address to the people in these mass rallies. In these campaign

trips, she said on restoring internal peace and emergence of federal union. She delivered her address

to local people in Thonegwa Township in Rangoon Region on February 26 too.

At the same time, she received visiting foreign dignitaries, bosses of international organizations and

foreign missions in Burma. She received UN special rapporteur for human rights in Burma Mr.

Tomas Ojea Quintana on February 3 and discussed on human right situations in Burma, and

businessmen from Asean Business Club (ABC) and discussed on economic investment matters.

Executive Director Mr. Ryuhei Hosoya from UNESCO Director Generals office came and met with

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on February 10 and conferred Madanjeet Singh award for 2012 to her.

She received Germany Economic Cooperation and Development Minister Mr. Dirk Niebel on

February 14 and discussed on policy matters adopted by EU for upcoming by-elections in Burma.

She also met former Thai PM from Democratic Party Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva and ASEAN secretary

general Mr. Surin Pitsuwan on February 18 and 22 respectively and discussed on the role of Thai andASEAN in democratization process of Burma. She received International Trade Union Confederation



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(ITUC) delegation on February 18 and discussed on labour rights and forming free trade unions in

Burma. She also received EU parliament delegation for ASEAN affairs on February 29.

At the same time, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi received foreign and domestic journalists too. In her

interview with China Guandong based Southern Peoples Weekly she told them that China should not

see Burma only as the market for Chinese companies. She also met visiting RFA Burmese Service

chief Daw Nyein Shwe on February 21.

NLD party leaders are also trying hard in their organizational works in both inside and outside of the

party. They have target to recruit up to one million party members in reorganization of their party.

They have already sold over 500,000 copies of party membership applications during this period of

over one month and they had already received over 50,000 applications by the end of February. NLD

party Information Department In-charge U Ohn Kyaing said on February 27 that the party instructed

all of its party branches across the country to send these applications back to party HQ at the earliest

possible date. In scrutinizing the applications of former party members, the party had accepted the

application submitted by Dr. Myat Nyarna Soe, upper house MP of National Democratic Force

(NDF), as the new party member in reorganized NLD party, the official announcement made at pressconference held on February 19 says. Democratic Party (Myanmar) (DPM) general secretary Daw

Nay Yi Ba Swe (daughter of late PM U Ba Swe) who contested in 2010 general election had

reportedly submitted her party membership application to NLD party.

NLD party branch offices across the country are being reopened and these reopening ceremonies

were attended by party patrons and central executive committee members. Even under her heavy

workload and tight schedules, party president Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended Bogyoke Aung San

epic film shooting office opening ceremony, reunion with former student political prisoners,

65thAnniversary Union Day, and Myanmar Childrens Day ceremony which falls on 97thBogyoke

Aung Sans birthday.

Meiktila constituency independent candidate Daw Myint Myint Aye who defied partys decision in

selecting candidate for this constituency conducted her election campaign by using NLD logo and

then party Meiktila Township branch office organizing committee is planning to sue her, it is learnt.

88-Generation student leaders, former political prisoners, All Burma Federation of Student Unions

(ABFSU), Generation Wave, Myanmar Youth Association, Myanmar Development Committee

(MDC), Best Manure, etc and political activists are found rallying around NLD and Daw Aung San

Suu Kyi and doing public awareness activities actively.

Best Manure group announced on February 2 at the former political prisoners get together function

held in North Okkalapa that they would do political and social works for the people overtly.

Myanmar Youth Association organized and sponsored paper reading session and symposium on

freedom from fear by new generation students in Rangoon on February 5. Former political prisoners

group organized and led the discussion meeting of academics and scholars on Union Budget

Appropriation in Rangoon on February 7. The first get together meeting of student leaders in different

ages was held in South Okkalapa on February 8. New Generation Youths Association, Best Manure,

and ABFSU issued a joint statement entitled Let flowers bloom rather than bullets, our beloved

Burma and distributed these statements along with roses at busy junctions and crowded places.

Organizing committee for official emergence of ABFSU (Upper Burma), information department in-charge Ko Aung Kyaw Moe said on February 1 that they had started their mission for forming

ABFSU. Rangoon south district student union was formed in the third week of February. About 10



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organizations of students and youths conducted fun fair for war victims in Kachin State at Shwedagon

taboung pagoda festival under the title white hands in hands. Ethnic Chin students of various

universities from Kalay Myo issued a statement on Chin National Day which falls on February 20

which says that they would work for forming Chin Student Union based on existing Chin Literature

and Cultural Committee.

88-Generation student leaders visited cities in States and Regions and they held Discussion meetingon introductory to open society with local social organizations and youth organizations. They

conducted such meetings in Hinthada on February 20, Myitkyina on February 23-24, Mandalay and

Pyinoolwin on February 25, Yamethin and Myingyan on February 26 respectively. They held their

press conference on January 21 to explain their opinions and views to the people and they published

their press briefings at this press conference as a book for publicizing their opinions and views and

then the book releasing ceremony of this book was held on February 21.

Labour movements were seen during this period too. About 1,800 workers from Tai Yi footwear

factory owned by Chinese national started their strike on February 6 outside their factory in protest of

cutting 10,000 kyat each from their wages. They demanded to increase their wage and remove somerepressive regulation imposed on them. The officials from government Labour Department

intervened to settle the dispute but the employer refused to fully give overtime pay and full

attendance bonus as demanded by the strikers. Then over 1,200 workers continued their strike and

remaining about 600 workers accepted the offer given by employer. The workers who reported to

work formed Trade Union (Tai Yi footwear factory) on February 28 and striking workers reportedly

sent their petition to trade dispute arbitration court to settle their 17-point demand.

It is learned that over 1,600 workers from nearby New Way footwear factory also staged sit-in strike

on February 9 to make their demands.

In peasants movements, paddy and bean farmers from Khayan Township, Rangoon Region applied

to Township Police Force officer for holding peaceful demonstration against falling prices of their

farm produce and unable to repay their agricultural loans. It is learned that their application was

rejected. 49 farmers signed their petition and sent it to Khayan and Thanlyin city development

committees (municipal committees) on February 15 in protest of building road connecting Peinkan

village in Khayan Township and Pagantaung village in Thanlyin Township as it could damage a lot of

paddy fields along this road.

Ten farmers whose farmlands of 50 acres were seized for cement factory project of Zaykabar

Company to be built at the place near Hnitone village, Kyaikmaraw Township, Mon State lodgedtheir complaint to village headman but the headman didnt take any action on their complaint and

then they had to lodge their complaint directly to President again, it is learnt. Eight farmers from

Mengwi village, Namkham Township, northern Shan State refused to accept compensation given for

laying gas pipeline on their fields and then it is learnt that the officials concerned summoned and

threatened them on February 13. Diversity and Peace Party had to cancel their farmland and

development talk show which was planned to be held in Mingaladon after the township authorities

refused to give them permission.

In the meantime, the anti-price rise movements took place too during this period. Sixteen local people

from Pathein staged protest demonstration at butcher licensee bidding held at Irrawaddy Region

Pathein city development committee (municipal committee) on February 2 in protest of rising meat



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prices of pork, beef, mutton etc. Of these demonstrators, 14 were arrested and they were released on

bail later. Rangoon based MDC demanded to sell mobile phone SIM cards at cheaper price of 5,000

kyat each on February 20 and then they distributed leaflets on this issue at Meegwet market in

Hlinetharyar, Nandawon market in South Okkalapa and North Okkalapa in Rangoon Region and then

about 20 leaflet distributors were temporarily arrested at South Dagon Township, No. 70 Ward

administrative office, it is learned.

Protest movement against Shwe Gas project in Rakhine State took place too. Rakhine youths staged

protest against this project by wearing T-shirts bearing words of Stop Rakhine Shwe Gas Project,

Provide round the clock electricity to Rakhine people with Rakhine gas on February 3 at All Sittwe

city traditional tug-of-war festival. The police force restricted and banned their movement then.

Rakhine Nationality Development Party (RNDP) held the paper reading session under the title

Achieving round the clock electricity supply in Rakhine with Rakhine natural resources Shwe gas

on February 26 at Rangoon Shwegondaing Doe Yoe Yar restaurant.

The artistes performed at fund raising concert for HIV/AIDS patients in Rangoon on February 2 in

collaboration with Aye Metta Health Care Foundation. Song writer and singer Saung Oo Hlaingperformed at his solo concert under the title Heart Offering Night and all the proceeds from this

concert were donated to charity of Free Funeral Service Society (FFSS) (Rangoon) and Social Works

fund of 88-Generation students.

In religious movements, all-faith prayer meeting was planned to be held on February 12 at wedding

hall of Zaygyo Hotel in Mandalay and deposit had been paid to the hotel but it had to be cancelled

after the ban of Mayor and it was held in modest ceremony at the roadside instead. Peaceful prayer

meeting for releasing all political prisoners was held in Sittwe city, Rakhine State on February 25 and

it was attended by about 150 persons.

State Sangha Maha Nayaka (Ma Ha Na or the highest monk body in Burma) lifted its one-year ban

order on Shwenyawah abbot U Pyin Nyar Thiha and allowed him again to preach sermon on

February 6 but government ministry of religion refused to lift the ban order so that the abbot had to

cancel all scheduled sermon preaching ceremonies. Before leaving his monastery, Shwenyawah abbot

begged alms food in Kyimyindine Township for 3 days starting from February 15 along with nuns

and fellow monks. The devotees bid him farewell emotionally by crying. And then he donated all

offertories he received to Hlinetharyar fire victims.

In fear of erupting popular uprising, a minister of Rangoon Region government, district

administrative officer and one layman were sent to this abbot on February 16 to warn him not toletting himself being used by the politicians. On February 19, abbot left his Kyimyindine Sadu

monastery and moved to a compound near Hmawbi town along with his about 100 student monks.

Similarly police special branch arrested and questioned abbot U Gambira on February 10 who was

released from prison recently and released him next day for unlocking sealed monastery without

permission, criticizing Ma Ha Na and defying summon order issued by Ma Ha Na three times. His

Maggin monastery was resealed again and unsealed in the afternoon of February 10. The news

appeared in state-run daily papers on February 19 threatened that the government would take serious

action against Ashin Gambira by law.

Mandalay Masoeyein monastery abbot U Wiseitta Thara Bi Wuntha aka U Wirathu said on February

24 that he must advance his struggle to next stage for releasing all remaining political prisoners who



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are still behind bars across the country as his current campaign of writing and sending letters to

authorities demanding the release of these prisoners bore no fruits. Former political prisoner and

teaching abbot from Leikpyakan monastery, Ngahtatgyi pagoda, Rangoon U Gawthita defied the

eviction order issued by Ma Ha Na and he said on February 29 that he would continually sojourn in

this monastery. In the meantime, Shweparami abbot Ashin Sandar Dika donated 12.8 million kyat on

February 27 for production of Bogyoke Aung San epic film.

As the movements of ethnic political parties, five ethnic parties met UN special rapporteur for human

rights in Burma Mr. Tomas Ojea Quintana on February 3 and discussed with him. Friends of

Democracy political parties organized 65thAnniversary Union Day. On this occasion, six brethren

ethnic parties called for joining hands for the emergence of peaceful, equal and genuine union. The

representatives sent by 17 political parties which will contest in upcoming by-elections met UEC on

February 14 and asked for letting international observers to monitor the by-elections. Similarly

opposition parties in parliament deliberated in Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (joint sitting of both houses) on

reducing role of military domination in the parliament, stopping civil war and rebuilding armed

forces as lean and modern lethal force and its mission should be only for the defending the country

from foreign military intervention.

Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) said that they would reregister their party only after

monitoring the freedom and fairness of by-elections but Arakan League for Democracy (ALD)

reportedly reregistered their party with UEC on February 26.

THE USDP GOVERNMENT AND DOMESTIC S ITUATION

THE S ITUATION OF THE USDP GOVERNMENT

Power struggle and heated debates between parliament and government were found in parliament

sessions convened in February.

At the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw session convened on February 7, the parliament bills committee proposed

to give the government employees with the new increased pay scale based on 1959-60 pay scales.

The deliberation was led by lower house speaker Thura U Shwe Mahn and it was passed unanimously

without any objection but governments finance minister objected this motion on February 16 in the

parliament as saying increasing pay scale to this level would increase budget deficit to 6.6 trillion

kyat from current 2.517 trillion kyat in 2012-13 financial year so that it would be impossible yet for

implementation and they could increase the salary and benefits of over 30,000 government staffs

serving in remote and far-flung areas only instead.

Home Minister Lt. Gen. Ko Ko also said that the government would take action against the corrupt

government officials with Prevention of Corruption and Controlling of ill-gotten wealth and assets

Law.

House of People (lower house) presented to the parliament on some ongoing and completed river

water pumping projects and reservoir projects which were unbeneficial to the people so that these

projects should be either stopped or turning them into profitable and beneficial to the people. This

motion was voted for division in Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on February 16 and passed by overwhelming

majority votes.

After turning down by government on pay scale increase motion passed by Pyidaungsu Hluttaw,

house of people speaker Thura Shwe Mahn sent his message dated February 21 again to Pyidaungsu



11/14

Hluttaw urging to increase the salaries of the government staffs without failure and he criticized the

current reforms going at a snails pace.

U Thein Seins government proposed to use negotiation and compromise method in selecting the

ward and village tract administrative officer at the grassroots level rather than the secret ballot

method but he parliament bills committee proposed to use secret ballot method. Then this motion was

voted for division in the parliament and secret ballot method proposed by bill committee won by over40 votes.

Highly debated and controversial Additional Budget for 2011-12 Financial Year Bill, Revised Budget

for 2012-13 Financial Year, Union Budget for 2012-13 Financial Year Bill were pushed through

hurriedly in voting process by USDP MPs U Aung Thaung and U Htay Oo in parliament and passed

easily by dominant ruling USDP votes while lower house speaker Thura U Shwe Mahn was on his 5-

day goodwill visit to China. So some MPs in parliament dissatisfied and discontented on it.

Governments Information Department censored lower house speaker Thura Shwe Mahns speeches

delivered at parliament in their radio and TV, Thura Shwe Mahn said on February 27 to reporters.President U Thein Seins government cut its defence spending to 14.39% of budget in 2012-13

financial year but the budget allocation and appropriation to other ministries are vague and unclear so

that the actual defence spending might be more than the figure mentioned in the budget allocation to

defence ministry. The MPs questioned on spending of 14,559.9098 million kyat by two ministries,

border affairs ministry and Myanmar industrial development ministry. The minister replied to that

question that the fund was used in building modern industries and they had successfully

manufactured up to 12 fighter planes. And also Science and Technology Deputy Minister Dr. Ko Ko

Oo replied to parliament on February 6 that their ministry was doing nuclear research works,

prevention of radiation, nuclear waste disposal management research and test flying of unmanned

aerial vehicles.

Similarly over 170,150 million kyat spent by Presidential Office were not mentioned clearly in detail

budget headings, it is learnt. It is also learned that 611 billion kyat earmarked for special projects

under Presidential Office budget appropriation in 2012-13 financial year is not mentioned in detail

primary headings too. It is assumed that some portions of spending under Health Ministry and some

ministries might include spending for armed forces.

In Burma, unlike democratic countries, the government prepared the budget and spent them by

themselves and finally they presented this spent budget to parliament for approving and passing it. In

democratic countries, the budget is prepared by government and then they have to introduce thismoney bill to parliament for passing it. Only after being passed and approved by parliament, the

government can use the money in budget passed by the parliament.

In his presidential address to 65thAnniversary Union Day, he said on the role of the Armed forces that

the people need to join hands with Armed Forces in building the modern and efficient fighting force

otherwise the country may face intervention and jungle law imposed by powerful countries. Defence

Minister Lt. Gen. Hla Min replied to parliament on February 6 that the country did not need yet to

apply the National Service Law though the strength of the armed forces has not yet reached the

number of one million servicemen. C-in-C of Defence Services Min Aung Hlaing who was appointedby Senior Gen. Than Shwe was confirmed in his post by President U Thein Sein upon completion of

his one-year probationary period, the order published in Burma Gazette dated February 3 says.



12/14

The Times of India reported on February 1 that Burma Navy participated in naval exercises with

Indian Navy being conducted in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in Bay of Bengal. Senior Official of

Thai military told Japan Kyodo News on February 7 that Burma was interested in Cobra Gold war

game conducted annually led by US and participated by Thai, Singapore, Japan, South Korea,

Indonesia, Malaysia etc. The New York Times reported on February 8 that at the invitation of

Burmese government, US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Mr. David Petraeus planned to

visit Burma during this year. It is learned that representatives of US Coast Guard came to Burma andinspected the port facilities in Burma from January 6 to 10.

Cabinet reshuffle was made in Mandalay Region government. The portfolios interchanged between

Minister for City Development (municipal) and Mayor U Phone Zaw Han and Finance and Revenue

minister in this region government U Aung Maung, state-run daily papers reported on February 28.

Despite of objections made by MPs in parliament, it is found that Military Appointment General is

continuing transfer of redundant and retired servicemen to civilian ministries. Foreign Minister U

Wunna Maung Lwin signed notification dated February 2 appointing Brig. Gen. Myo Myint Than

(Navy/1248) as ambassador.

In the meantime, senior officials of USDP government received visiting foreign dignitaries including

from UN.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Myo Myint, Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Hla Min, Border Affairs and

Development Minister Lt. Gen. Thein Htay and Home Minister Lt. Gen. Ko Ko received UN special

human rapporteur for Burma Mr. Tomas Ojea Quintana on February 1. President U Thein Sein and

House of People Speaker Thura U Shwe Mahn received EU High Commissioner for Development

Mrs. Andris Piebalgs on February 13 who was in Burma for discussion on providing US$ 200 million

aid.

The responsible officials from Union Peace Commission, Union Election Commission, Social

Welfare and Relief Ministry, Labour Ministry, Border Affairs Ministry and USDP party received UN

secretary generals special envoy for Burma Mr. Vijay Nambia on February 13. These two foreign

dignitaries, Mrs. Andris Piebalgs and Mr. Vijay Nambia attended 3-day Economic Development

Policy Conference held at Myanmar International Convention Centre (MICC) in Naypyitaw. This

conference was funded and supported by Rangoon based UN office and EU. It is learned that this

conference was also attended by Economics Nobel laureate Dr. Joesph Stiglitz, UNDP Assistant

Administrator Dr. Ajay Chhibber, Vahu, and many economists from both foreign and domestic among

others.

President U Thein Sin received ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan who was in Burma on

February 20-21 in person. House of People speaker Thura U Shwe Mahn left Burma on February 21

to pay 5-day goodwill visit to China. The main reason behind leaving the tight schedule of

parliamentary business behind while it was in session is still not yet known until now but it is learned

that he spoke words which will be nice and sweet to the ears of Chinese leaders when he met Chinese

National Peoples Congress (NPC) Chairman (Chinese parliament speaker) Mr. Wu Bangguo such as

supporting Chinas one-China policy by Burma, the approaches made by western countries would not

have any impact on Sino-Burma relations etc.



13/14

THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE PEOPLE

Despite of propaganda made by USDP government on achieving ceasefire agreement with all ethnic

armed forces within three months, renewed fighting were erupted even with the armed group which

had already reached ceasefire agreement with them so that the local people had to suffer the impact of

ongoing fighting. They also suffer the forced recruitment of soldiers and collecting levies by both

sides of armed groups. Those who went to neigbouring countries for seeking greener pastures to be

freed from economic hardships being faced in Burma had to suffer the miseries of illegal migrantworkers and danger of being exploited by human traffickers.

An official from central task force of prevention of human trafficking said on February 8 that they

could expose and cracked 94 China-bound human trafficking cases or 61.9% of total cases in 2010

and most of the victims are Burmese young ladies intended for selling them as brides to Chinese

nationals.

Under the intense pressure of civil war and abject poverty, it is found that drug production and

trafficking are increasing too. Joint task force raided three houses in Pakha village, Lwetawkham

village-tract, Tachileik Township in eastern Shan State, and found and seized over 8.7 ATS tablets andequipments using in producing these ecstasy tablets and four small arms. Similarly joint task forces

arrested former anti-drug force staff U Maung Myint along with 8 Kg of heroin from him while they

were conducting their anti-drug operations in Namkham Township in eastern Shan State as the

number of young drug addicts was increasing. According to the International Narcotics Control Board

2010 Report, Burma ranks at the second largest producer of opium in the world.

The budget allocation for education in 2012-13 financial year is just 4.7% of the total budget so that it

is too low in comparison with other countries which have 14% to 20%. In health sector too,

Medicines Sans Frontier announced on February 23 that medicines for TB and HIV/AIDS patients

were badly needed. UN special rapporteur for human rights in Burma Mr. Quintana also warned that

the human right situation in Burma can return back to the previous situation. Visiting research

academic from Human Right Watch (HRW) David Mathison said on February 24 that he frankly

talked with government officials on human rights violations against over 70,000 people in Kachin

State.

INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi repeatedly warned to international community that the trend of reversing the

current progress by government still existed, see governments activities and functions in neither

optimism nor pessimism, wait until the by-election is over before lifting sanctions imposed on Burma

but the signs of US, EU, Japan etc are competitively trying to provide aids and grants again to USDP

government are seen.

US Secretary of State Mrs. Clinton signed order on February 6 to lift sanction imposed under anti-

human trafficking law of US. Under this exemption given by this order, international financial

institutions can provide technical assistance to Burma again. At the press conference held on

February 2, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Mr. Kurt Campbell said

that the discussions and negotiations were underway between congress and government to lift

economic sanctions on Burma which was first imposed on May 20, 1997. US State Department

Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Affairs Mr. Michael Posnersaid on February 3 that US government urged Burmese government to allow independent electoral

observers at home and abroad to monitor the upcoming by-elections.



14/14

Visiting EU High Commissioner for Development Mrs. Andris Piebalgs said on February 13 that they

would provide more development aids to Burma only after watching and monitoring freedom and

fairness in the results of forthcoming by-election results. EU made an announcement on February 17

which lifted visa ban imposed on total 87 persons of Burmese presidents, MPs and their family

members.

Visiting 11-member EU parliamentarian delegation for ASEAN affairs including its President methouse of nationality (upper house) speaker U Khin Aung Myint and they raised question to him on

the role of Burmese armed forces.

World Bank executive director Juan Jose Davos told ABC news on February 22 that World Bank

could resume providing fresh grants and loans only after Burma had repaid their dues on previous

loans.

// End of Report // Thursday, March 15, 2012// End of Translation // Sunday, March 18, 2012


pdc monthly news commentary - march 2012 (eng)

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