pdc monthly news commentary - may 2012 (eng)

7/31/2019 PDC Monthly News Commentary - May 2012 (Eng)

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T H E A C T I V I T I E S O F N L D A ND D O M E S T I C O P P O S I T I O N F O R C E ST HE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NLD AND THE USDP GOVERNMENT

During this period, disputes and filing suits against each other between National League for Democracy (NLD) party and Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) on issue of text of taking oath and malpractices in recent by-elections held on April 1 were found.

Election campaign committees and NLD candidates made criticisms and lodged complaints againsterrors found in electoral rolls, unlawful campaigns conducted by USDP, violating of electoral laws intaking absentee votes, waxing the ballot papers and electoral malpractices committed by some polling

stations officials.

NLD campaign manager U Nyan Win said on April 2 that unprecedented number of cases of electoralfrauds was found in by-elections. The preliminary report prepared by Rangoon Political Instituteelection monitoring group also said that errors were found in 95% of electoral rolls announced in

polling stations but Rangoon Region election commission denied this claim and said that there wasno one who lost franchise in the Rangoon Region because of errors in electoral rolls.

At the press conference held on April 6, Rangoon Region USDP in-charge and former Brigadier General U Aung Thein Lin and Kawhmu constituency USDP party candidate and former medical

officer Lt. Col. Dr. Soe Min accused NLD party of committing electoral malpractices in recent by-elections and they said that they had already launched complaints against them to the electioncommission. Dr. Soe Min also said on alleged provocations against USDP party in KawhmuTownship by NLD party members and some of its sympathizers and supporters.

USDP party and some USDP government officials put pressure on voters who voted for NLD party inrevenge tactics after the by-elections. It is learned that voters were banned from using three wells in avillage called Chai with about 2,000 houses in Dekhinathiri Township, Naypyitaw after the voters inthis village voted for NLD candidate Ko Naing Ngan Lin instead of their candidate USDP partycentral executive committee member U Maung Shein.

Similarly after NLD candidate Daw Tin Tin Yi was elected in Kyunsu constituency in TanintharyiRegion, the USDP party officials took back the cement bags given for development works in AhHnyin village in this constituency and refused to give 1.5 million kyat development fund promised bythe party and these USDP party officials even said to the villagers to ask this money of developmentfund from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

It is also learned that some musicians and singers who performed in NLDs election campaigns were banned from performing in their scheduled concerts during recent water festival. Singers Htoo Ei Linand Mee Mee Khe were banned from performing in ACE pavilion in Naypyitaw on April 12 and

singer Lin Lin was also banned from performing in Mandalay, it is learnt. But the chief minister UMyint Swe of Rangoon Region government clarified on these issues on April 11 by saying that they

PDC News Commen ta ry ~ May 2012 Page 1 of 14

PDC NEWS COMMENTARY

May 2012Compiled and commented by the Political Defiance Committee (PDC)

National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)


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have nothing to do with the bans on these singers and it concerned only with the companies whichhired them for the performances in their pavilions in recent water festival.

President U Thein Sein said at ASEAN summit held in Phnom Penh on April 3 that they welcomedthe election victory won by NLD and they would join hand with NLD for the country. SimilarlyUSDP general secretary U Htay Oo said on the same day that they accepted the electoral verdict

given by the people. But the disputes appeared on wording in taking oath to be administered by newlyelected MPs in parliament.

When NLD party decided to reregister the party, USDP government agreed to amend the PoliticalParties Registration Law by replacing original text in section 6 sub-section (c) protecting andsafeguarding the constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar with respect and abide theconstitution of the Republic of Union of Myanmar. But Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (joint session of

parliament) dominated by USDP MPs refused to amend the Form of Oath or Affirmation appeared inSchedule 4 of said 2008 constitution which stipulates I will uphold and abide by the constitution of the Union. And then the disputes on wording of oath to be taken by MPs prevailed.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visited Naypyitaw on April 11 in the morning and met with President UThein Sein for about one and half hour and then had lunch together with the Presidents family. Bothsided did not disclose on the contents of this meeting but we assume that they had discussion andcoordination on cooperation between them. Similarly NLD sent its request letter to Naypyitaw onApril 14 for amending wording in oath of office.

On April 19, constitutional court invited NLD central executive committee member U Nyan Win to Naypyitaw and explained him that the wording in the text of oath of office did not need to beamended. Then NLD sent again its request and clarification to Presidents office and constitutional

court on April 21 by fax. In the meantime, President Thein Sein who was on official visit to Japansaid to reporters that they welcomed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi being elected as MP but she herself must decide on whether they would attend parliament or not.

Because of dilemma on Schedule 4 Form of Oath or Affirmation, most of NLD members except Dr.Myat Nyarna Soe who defected to NLD from NDF could not attend parliament which wasreconvened on April 23. Dr. Myat Nyarna Soe attend reconvened parliament with the approval made

by NLD CEC. MPs from 16 political parties presented their position to USDP party vice-chairmanand speaker of house of people (lower house) on April 25 to lead the amending works as requested by

NLD party in amending the wording in oath of office but it is learned that most of the USDP MPsincluding party general secretary U Htay Oo did not accept the request and refused to amend thewording in oath of office.

After winning sweeping victory by NLD party in by-elections, USDP party and some of the partiesunder its influence submitted their objection letter to election commissions against some NLDcandidates who won in the by-elections. USDP party sent their objection letter against NLDcandidates namely Daw Phyu Phyu Thin, U Phyo Min Thein, Daw Tin Tin Yee and U Khin MaungThein by depositing 1 million kyat in each case. Similarly Daw Phyu Phyu Thin reportedly submittedher objection letter against her contender from USDP party Daw Le Le Aye for her allegedcampaigning by using religion as election issue.

Despite of stubbornly refusal by USDP party and constitutional court to amend the wording in oath or



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affirmation for MPs mentioned in schedule 4 of 2008 constitution, NLD finally decided to attend thereconvened parliament by taking in consideration of requests made by ethnic MPs in parliament.Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said on April 26 at the press conference held after meeting with visitingItalian Foreign Minister Mr. Giuliomaria Derzi Di Sant Agata that oath of office wording is just the

procedural issue and not to exaggerate it as political issue, she would continue her cooperation withPresident U Thein Sein as she believed in his sincere efforts in these reform works, saw this

parliament dominated by military as platform for cooperation with military rather than confrontation platform and her party was flexible but would not never kneel down before anyone else.

T HE R ELATIONSHIP BETWEEN E THNIC G ROUPS AND T HE USDP G OVERNMENT

In April, USDP government could sign ceasefire agreements with Arakan Liberation Party (ALP),Karen National Union (KNU) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) Khaplangfaction.

ALP peace delegation led by vice-chairman U Khai Soe Naing Aung met government peace

delegation led by Rakhine State Chief Minister U Hla Maung Tin in Sittwe on April 5 and they signed5-point agreement including observing ceasefire and opening liaison offices.

21-member KNU peace delegation led by Chief of Staff Gen. Saw Mutu Se Pho, Vice-chairman PadoDavid Tharkapaw and general secretary Naw Si Phora Sein met government peace delegation led byU Zaw Min from Karen State government in Pa-an, Karen State and union level peace-makingcommittee led by U Aung Min in Rangoon for the second time and then they signed 6-point ceasefireagreement.

At the invitation of President U Thein Sein, KNU delegation visited Naypyitaw and met him on April

7. And then on April 8, they visited Daw Aung San Suu Kyis residence and discussed on peace issueswith her. They also had an opportunity to meet visiting US senator Mr. Jim Webb in Bago on April 11and they had discussion with US senator for about half an hour. Some members of this KNUdelegation visited Kyaukgyi in east Bago Region, Dawei in Tanintharyi Region and met regionalcommand commanders to discuss on opening liaison offices in these areas.

The peace delegation of Sagaing Region government met NSCN-Khaplang peace delegation atgarrison hall in Khamti on April 9 and signed 5-point initial ceasefire agreement.

New Mon State Party (NMSP) peace delegation met government union level peace delegation led by

U Aung Min again at Mon State government Chief Ministers office in Mawlamyine on April 11and NMSP asked government for announcing nationwide ceasefire and releasing ethnic Mon political prisoners. In giving in to their demands, government released NMSP members Nai Yekkha and NaiMyo Thway who were serving life imprisonment on April 30 and handed over them to NMSP.

Another ceasefire ethnic armed group DKBA led by Maj. Gen. Saw Larbwe held a mass rally inSonesimyaing village in Myawady Township on April 1-2 and then they formed a political groupcalled Kalohtoobaw Karen Organization (KKO). This organization will be led by Mahn Robert Zanand will uphold the four principles that were laid down by Saw Ba Oo Gyi. Its statement also saysthey will recognize and deal with KNU as their parent organization. Myainggyingu abbot U Thuzana

and Maj. Gen. Saw Larbwe will act as patron in this new organization, it is learnt. And also the name



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of Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) was rechristened as Democratic of Karen BenevolentArmy (DKBA) at this meeting.

Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) had informal meeting with USDP government peacedelegation led by U Aung Min in Mae Hong Song, Thailand for the second time and discussed on thedemands presented by KNPP when they signed ceasefire agreement in Loikaw in early March, 2012.

At least 14 clashes were fought between government troops and SSA South or Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) which signed ceasefire agreement in last December. Theyhad three clashes in April too, it is learnt. Similarly the government imposed restrictions on another ethnic ceasefire group Shan State Army-North or Shan State Progressive Party (SSA/SSPP) by

barring operating in Sein Kyaut area and ordered them to stay only in their Wang Hai headquarters by Northeast command Colonel GS Col. Win Thein on April 24.

KIO had already had union level peace talks with USDP government three times but the fighting between them was escalated rather than easing and stopping. Now the government troops could pose

threat to their Laiza headquarters. During the traditional water festival in mid-April, the governmenttroops sent reinforcements to Tarlawgyi, Gandawyan and Narphaw areas and prepared to launchthree-pronged attack against Laiza headquarters and then fierce engagements were fought betweenthem.

State-run daily papers reported on April 16 that 35 KIA troops led by Cpl. Kyaw San from 5 thBrigadesurrendered to government troops with 23 assorted arms and ammunitions at IB 37 outpost stationedat Tarlawgyi, Myitkyina Township. The USDP government offered again on April 17 to KIO to have

peace talk again in Myitkyina but KIO replied the government that it was unfortunate and impossibleto hold peace talk as the fighting was continuing. Since April 26, the government troops hadapproached to their positions just 4-5 miles away from Laiza HQ and fired it with heavy weapons of 105 mm howitzers and 120 mm mortars. And then the fierce fighting broke out again in this area.KIA troops encircled the No. 1001 Border Guard Force (BGF) battalion led by Sakhon Tin Ying andthen government troops provided fire support to this BGF battalion with 2 helicopter gunships byusing rockets.

At the same time, the government troops fired on hardcore outposts of KIA 3 rdBrigade in Waimaw,Kampaiti townships and Sadone sub-township by using 6 helicopter gunships, it is learnt. KIO jointsecretary and spokesman U La Nan said on April 30 that they proposed for another round of peacetalk to be held at Paran Ngan village in Lweje sub-township, Kachin State by sending letter to unionlevel peace-making group led by U Aung Thaung. Another government peace-making group leader U

Aung Min assured KIO that they had no plan to overrun Laiza HQ but the government troops hadalready reached very close to this HQ and in within range of artillery fire so that KIO had issued itsorder to shoot on sight the government troops anywhere anytime, a KIO officer said.

In the meantime, series of bomb blasts took place in northern Shan State and Kachin State. A bombexploded in Muse in the early morning on April 4. Another bomb exploded on rail track near Myitkyina in the night of April 14 which made little damage to the rail line. In the early morning of April 20, a bomb exploded at border trade checkpoint at 105-mile post near Muse which killedImmigration Officer U Kyi Tun. In the morning of April 25, another bomb exploded near hospital andKachin State legislative assembly in Myitkyina which injured two people. A motorcycle borne

bomber tried to hurl grenade on patrolling police vehicle in Muse in the evening of April 28 whichkilled bomber himself, it is learnt. A bomb exploded on Mandalay-Myitkyina No. 33-Up sleeper train



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at about 1 a.m. on April 29 while it was travelling in Monyin Township, Kachin State and whichinjured two passengers and derailed some coaches. State-run daily papers accused KIO of executing

bomb blasts and other terrorist acts that took place in Kachin and northern Shan State including bomb blast attack on Mandalay-Myikyina passenger train on April 29 which killed and injured innocentcivilians with some photographs as evidences but KIO officials denied all these allegations.

Among the ceasefire armed groups, the strongest ceasefire armed group United Wa State Army(UWSA) held its 23 rdfounding day anniversary at parade ground in Mai Pauk on April 17 and it was

attended by about 3,000 troops from 648 thBrigade and UWSA chairman Pauk Yu Chan took salute.Vice Chief of Staff Kyauk Kyong Tan delivered address at this ceremony on behalf of the chairmanwhich said they had enough force to protect their people and territory.

In the meantime, United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) held their press conference on April19 and demanded government to sign the National Accord in a convention attended by all ethnicgroups in accordance with their unanimous resolution. After the official visit paid by President U

Thein Sein, at the invitation of Japanese government, UNFC leaders namely KIO general secretaryDr. La Ja, KNU Vice-chairman Saw David Tharkabaw and Pa-O Peoples Liberation Organization(PPLO) chairman Khun Okkar visited Japan and discussed with Japanese officials on ethnic issues onApril 25.

Thai governments Office of the Narcotic Control Board (ONCB) issued their wanted list of 25 druglords including Sai Naw Kham in golden triangle, Tachileik Peoples Militia group leader U Yi Sayand DKBA chief of staff Saw Labwe among others with prize money carried on the heads of each of them. Thai government demanded Burmese government to hand over these criminals to them.Though the Burmese government did not say anything on their position on this wanted list

announcement made by Thai government, Laos government announced within few days that theycould had arrested Sai Naw Kham and some of his followers in their raids against these criminals.

T HE A CTIVITIES OF NLD AN D D OMESTIC O PPOSITION F ORCES

After winning sweeping victory in by-elections held on April 1, NLD was pre-occupied with debateson entering parliament or not and other party building measures and consolidating their party inrebuilding. The political activists became more active after victory of this mass movement.

After knowing the initial poll results on April 1, NLD was certain to win in almost all contesting seatsand then NLD issued a statement on the same day in which Daw Aung San Suu Kyi appealed to partyworkers refraining from insulting the contenders of losing parties and to celebrate their victory withdignified manner. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said to the people gathered in front of the party head officeon April 2 that the poll result was the victory of all people and the victory of democracy and she alsocalled this victory as the beginning of new era.

According to the official poll results announce by election commission on April 3, NLD won 43 outof 44 contesting seats. There were total 45 vacant seats in these by-elections. NLD candidate lost inLashio constituency to Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP) or White Tiger party with lowmargin. NLD candidate from Sagaing No. 7 constituency for house of nationalities (upper house) wasdisqualified by EC and USDP candidate U Tin Mya won from this constituency. NLD won total 37lower house seats, 4 upper house seats and 2 regional legislative assemblies seats. It means they hold6.4% of total seats in lower house.



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Dr. Myat Nyarna Soe, Dr. Than Win, U Khin Maung Win and U Kyi Win who contested and won in2010 general election as National Democratic Force (NDF) candidates resigned from NDF andreapplied to NLD for party membership. Dr. Myat Nyarna Soe submitted his application to NLD inDecember 2011 and NLD had accepted his application and other applications are still under

processing, it is learnt. The voters agreed and accepted the reapplying of NLD party membership by

Dr. Than Win and U Khin Maung Win but some voters from Latha constituency objected against their MP U Kyi Myint for reapplying to NLD party.

International heads of states and diplomats sent their congratulatory messages to Daw Aung San SuuKyi. She received charge d affaires of US, ambassadors of Britain, France and Australia at her residence on April 4. US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton called Daw Aung San Suu Kyi andtold her that she would soon stand as politician in parliament, being changed from her previous

position as popular leader so that the path lies ahead would not be easy task and also compromisingand negotiation in seeking solution is the essence of democracy and they were not the vulgar words.It is learned that US Senator Jim Webb planned to meet NLD patron Thura U Tin Oo on April 10 but

he could not meet NLD leader as he had tight schedule on that day.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi received visiting British PM David Cameron at her residence on April 13.British PM reportedly briefed her on EUs position of lifting and suspending sanctions imposed onBurma. At the press conference held after this meeting, he said that Britain would suspend most of the sanctions other than arms embargo. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also said at that press conference thatBritains decision recognized the democratic struggle and activists of Burma.

She also received and met visiting Italian FM at her residence in the morning of April 26 which lastedfor over an hour. On April 28, EU Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

and opened the new EU office in Rangoon. On April 30 too, German FM Guido Westerwelle metwith Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The meeting between NLD patrons and winning candidates of NLD in by-elections was held at partyhead office on April 7. Starting from April 19, legal training for amending constitution for newlyelected MPs was held at Shwegondine party head office and it was attended by Daw Aung San SuuKyi and they reportedly discussed on 12 undemocratic provisions in this constitution. Similarly, at theMandalay Region branch office of NLD, held an election victory celebration in Oriental House inMandalay on April 24 in honour of party supporters and sympathizers who helped party in their election campaigns.

Despite of her tight schedule, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended traditional water festival and NewYear celebration held with offertories. On April 17, the Burmese New Year Day, she visited her constituency Kawhmu and paid homage to elders and donated 30 million kyat for the developmentalworks in 3 villages in this township by lucky draw. In the afternoon of April 18, she offered

provisions and cash of 10,000 kyat each to about 30 elder leaders of NLD and veteran politicians inBurmese tradition.

She also donated 10 million kyat to Win Kone village, Yinmarbin Township, Sagaing Region on April2. The fire broke out in this village in March while the villagers were greeting her during her electioncampaign there. On April 15, she appealed to people avoiding religious riots and ruckus which took

place in Phakant, Kachin State and Kamma Magwe Region on April 15. She also attended re-



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ordination ceremony for Shwenyawa abbot held at Thadu monastery in Kyimyindine Township onApril 24. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, NLD CEC members and 88-Generation student leaders attendedthe ceremony of ordination and novitiate of the 88-Gen leaders and novices.

Amid her heavy load of works preoccupied with politics, NLD Chairperson Daw Aung San Suu Kyivisited Neurology Ward of Rangoon General Hospital to see 12-year old girl Ei Pa Pa hailing from

Sar Phyu Suu village, Myanaung Township, Irrawaddy Region. She met this girl during her electioncampaign tour and promised her to take responsibility for her treatment. She also greeted her parentsand hospital staffs there friendly.

As an activity of ethnic political parties, U Khun Tun Oo, U Sai Leik, U Aye Thar Aung, U Oo HlaSaw, U Samsan, Dr. Saw Simon Thar and U Thar Aye visited British embassy in Rangoon and metvisiting British PM and his entourage. After repeated discussion on merging the two parties, Mon

National Democracy Party and All Mon Region Democratic Party agreed at last to merge their partiesand they signed 4-point agreement in this regard on April 23. The name of Mon National DemocracyParty was changed to Mon Democracy Party and they reapplied for registration with Election

Commission. Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) party which was dissolved by government in1991 was allowed to form and reregister with EC as a legal party on April 6.

As the peasants movement, the forum for peasants in upper Burma was held on April 3 in PyigyiTagon Township, Mandalay and it was attended by over 80 farmers from Naungcho in Shan State,Salingyi, Kanbalu, Kanni from Sagaing Region, Tadu-U, Sintgaing, Pyinoolwin, Madaya, Myitthafrom Mandalay Region and they discussed on their grievances out of forcible seizure of their farmlands and decided to lodge their complaints to ILO and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Similarly 7 farmers from Mongyai in northern Shan State lodged their complaint to White Tiger party

for seizing forcibly their 30 acres of paddy field and fish ponds by LIB 325 in 1995. Rangoon Regiongovernment Chief Minister U Myint Swe said on April 25 that his government would not seize the

plots in east Dagon Myothit Township. And also over 60 farmers from Hlinetharyar, Mingaladon,Seikkyi Kanaungto and Thingangyun Townships in Rangoon Region assembled in front of HousingDepartment head office on Bogyoke Aung San Street on April 26.

Sagaing Region, Homlin Township authorities allowed small enterprises for gold mining on paddyfields around Wayphalar Lake and then these paddy fields were damaged by the gold mining and thefarmers planned to file suit for damages against township authorities. The villagers from Sede village,Salingyi Township protested against dumping of industrial and chemical waste on their farmlands byChina owned Copper project on April 18 and then the Salingyi police station came and dispersed thecrowd.

As the student movements, 88-Generation student group and leaders of All Burma Federation of Students Union (ABFSU) visited ethnic inhabited areas and discussed with the local people onvarious issues. They visited Kayah State on April 9-10 and discussed with Kayan youths and alsothey attended the Kayan national day function. 17 student leaders of 88-Gen group and ABFSU wereordained and entered monkhood at Kyimyindien Township Thadu monastery during Thingyan (water festival). The student group led by Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi held a prayer meeting at Kabaaye

pagoda on April 17 and released fish in Inya Lake in Rangoon on that day too in praying for therelease of remaining political prisoners.



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Traditional Thangyat (satirical rhythmic verses) were allowed again this year after being banned for almost 20 years. 88-Gen students led by Min Ko Naing entertained the people with their Thangyatwhich were written in prisons in collaboration with Maung Maung So Lay Htee Yoe Shay thangyatgroup during this festival season too. And then they donated money collected from their

performances to Free Funeral Service Society (FFSS) (Rangoon) on April 27. Blood Group (BG)(blood donating charity group) from NLD entertained the people with float in this water festival too.

In Mandalay, the artistes including comedians Pa Pa Lay brothers also performed Thangyat inentertaining the people in this water festival.

The farmers from Laydaungkan and Shwe Natha villages from Mingaladon Township, RangoonRegion asked 88-Gen students for helping them in lodging complaint against land grabbing in their villages committed by Shwe Hein Htet Co. and then they sent an appeal letter to President U TheinSein in this regard, they said on April 27. Kachin university students and youths met at St. Patrick Roman Catholic church in Myitkyina on April 18 and discussed on current political affairs in KachinState and the role of Kachin youths in these affairs, it is learnt.

ABFSU formed a student union in Shwelaung, Wakema Township in Irrawaddy Region on April 25.ABFSU issued an appeal dated April 27 which calls teachers and students for rendering their helpinghands in forming these student unions. 88-Gen student kicked off their week-long tour to southernShan State and visited Taunggyi, Aungban, Pindaya, Lawksawk and Hopong Townships anddiscussed with ethnic civil societies and arranged for providing training to them.

One of the leading monks in 2007 saffron revolution, Ashin Gambira aka Nyi Nyi Lwin returned tolayman by disrobing on April 17, the Burmese New Year Day, as he was no more happy in themonkhood, he himself said. But his mother Daw Ray said that his son got stress and suffered frommental disorder because of torture in prisons and interrogation. All Burma Monks Association issued

a statement dated April 20 which says monks and abbots had nothing to do with damaging of Sai Taomosque in Phakant, Kachin State on April 13 and similar but separate case of damaging mosques andstores in Kamma, Magwe Region. Abbot U Wirathu from Mandalay Masoeyein monastery who wasrecently released from prison accompanied 88-Gen students in their tours across the country for

building open societies in the country. He also provided his lectures in basic Buddhist religioustraining being conducted in States and Regions.

As the mass and class movement, Former Political Prisoners Association issued their statement datedApril 23 which calls for forming State Inquiry Commission for investigating the lawlessness andunlawful violence. They also visit houses of political prisoners who are still behind bar every Sundayin rotation and meet family members and encourage them.

Movement for Democracy Current Force - MDCF led by Ko Htin Kyaw distributed leaflets in Hledanmarket, Thingangyun model market, Theingyi market and Bayintnaung market which called for

providing cheap and affordable mobile phones and full and round the clock electricity supply to the people. The plainclothes security forces did not arrest leaflet distributors but they seized these leafletsdistributed in Hledan market. Hundreds of local people in Sittwe led by Yekkha Ahlindan groupstaged their protest movement against Shwe natural gas project on April 17 by wearing campaign T-shirts.

Some famous singers including Saung Oo Hlaing, She, Yan Yan Chan, Than Thar Win, Ahnegga etcdiscussed in Rangoon on April 5 on current load shedding problem in the city.



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T H E U S D P G O V E R N M E N T A N D D O M E S T I C S ITUATIONT HE S ITUATION OF T HE USDP G OVERNMENT

In April, President U Thein Sein visited Cambodia and Japan. He got more recognition frominternational community for recent poll results of by-elections. He also attended ASEAN summit heldin Phnom Penh starting from April 3 along with his USDP government delegation. At this summit,

President U Thein Sein said that they welcomed election victory won by NLD cordially and theywould join hand with NLD for the country.

He attended Mekong Region Cooperation summit held in Japan starting from April 20 and he metJapanese PM Mr. Yoshihiko Noda and he could manage for waiving 3,035 billion Yen (US$ 3.72

billion) loan provided by Japanese government and could persuade to give back ODA grants andfinancial assistances and making reinvestments in Burma again.

At the invitation of US government, the Burmese delegation led by Health Minister Dr. Pe Thet Khinkicked off their 10-day tour to US for discussing health and education issues.

We found more friendly relationship with international community including US and EU by USDPgovernment during this period. As a reform movement, the government allowed ILO to visit conflictzones in border region. This is the first ever permission given to INGO for monitoring human rightsituation in border region. Amyotha Hluttaw (joint session of both houses) passed Foreign Investment

bill on April 25.

On April 9, government ministers led by President U Thein Sein and two speakers met visiting USSenate East Asia and Pacific Affairs Sub-committee chairman Mr. Jim Webb in Naypyitaw anddiscussed on various issues.

President U Thein Sein also received British PM David Cameron during his one-day visit to thecountry in Naypyitaw on April 13 and then visiting British PM told Burmese President that 27countries from EU would suspend the sanctions imposed on Burma. And then they discussed on

bilateral economic cooperation. It is also learned that they agreed on retrieving 20 Spitfire fightersthat were buried in 1945 before withdrawal of British troops from Burma.

President U Thein Sein, house of people speaker Thura Shwe Mahn, house of nationality speaker UKhin Aung Myint received visiting UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon on April 30 in

Naypyitaw separately and discussed on reform process in Burma. And also Mr. Ban Ki-moon wasallowed to deliver his address at the joint session of both houses. Similarly responsible persons fromgovernment and parliament received EU Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton, Italian FM andGerman FM Guido Westerwelle and discussed on various issues.

The USDP government changed exchange rate regime from fixed rate to managed float system onApril 2. Under this new system, the exchange rate was changed from previous Ks. 6 to the US dollar to 818 kyat on that day. Moreover the government allowed travelers to bring up to US$ 10,000without declaration. IMF welcomed this currency exchange rate reform.

In state-run daily papers issued on April 3 mentioned the designation of C-in-C of Defence ServicesGeneral Min Aung Hlaing as Vice Senior General. And also Joint Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hla HtayWin from office of defence services, Chief of Staff Army, Navy, Air Force, Lt. Gen. Soe Win, Lt.



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Gen. Nyan Tun and Lt. Gen. Myat Hein were promoted to General rank too. The state-run daily papers reported Armed Forces Day ceremony held on March 27 in which the designations of thesesenior officers were mentioned as Gen. (Tharaysithu) Min Aung Hlaing, Lt. Gen. (Tharaysithu) HlaHtay Win, Lt. Gen. (Tharaysithu) Soe Win, Lt. Gen. (Tharaysithu) Nyan Tun, Lt. Gen. (Tharaysithu)Myat Hein so that these promotions were probably made between March 28 and April 2. (Tharaysithuis the title awarded by government to senior officers) These promotions were made as per the War-

Establishment of the War Office after completion of their one-year officiating period.

In the 25% seats reserved for military officers sent by C-in-C of Armed forces, 59 appointed MPswere replaced with higher ranks at the parliament sessions reconvened on April 23. There are 8 Brig.Gen. Rank officers, 14 Col. Rank officers and 37 Lt. Col. Rank officers in these newly appointedMPs. In previous appointed MPs, there was only one Brig. Gen. Rank officer and most of them werein Major and Officiating Major (Captain) ranks. Among these newly appointed MPs, Col. Hla MyintSoe (Army/19717) who commanded the field troops in brutal killing and crackdown of saffronrevolution at the foothill of Shwedagon pagoda on October 25 was included.

Discontents and resentments were appeared in armed forces too. Three Air Force officers from Myeik air base who wrote on real life and situations of ranks and files in the armed forces were given heavy

prison terms by military tribunals. Officiating Major (Captain) Nay Lin Htwe (Air/2282) wassentenced to 20 years imprisonment and other two officiating major (captain) were given 7 year

prison term each on April 9 by military tribunal. These officers were arrested on December 15, 2011after being found writing in exile blog on the real situations and real lives of air force personnel.

Interview given by former general and spy chief Khin Nyunt made ramifications among the former SPDC leaders. He said in this interview that he saved Daw Aung Suu Kyi in Depayin massacre thattook place in May 2003. This interview was jointly written by Thai reporter Songpol Kaopatumtip

and U Myint Shwe and appeared in Bangkok Post on April 8 and then these ramifications followed.On April 11, Home Ministry held a press conference on this issue and they denied this report on

behalf of former General Khin Nyunt.

Deputy Commandant of Burma Police Force Special Branch Police Col. Win Naing Tun said at this press conference that he visited U Khin Nyunts house for clarification from him and he was told byformer general that he did not meet any foreign media and the facts written in Bangkok Post were nottrue. Former military intelligence officer and former major Win Maung Maung who arranges mediaevents for former Gen. Khin Nyunt also said that his boss did not meet any reporter on April 1.But Bangkok Post said to Irrawaddy News that U Myint Shwe (Myanmar Thandawsint, Canada) metand interviewed U Khin Nyunt and wrote this interview and the photo was taken U Khin Nyunt andU Myint Shwe sitting together.

On U Myint Shwes facebook, a photo showing U Khin Nyunt and U Myint Shwe sitting together onApril 3 and he said that he met U Khin Nyunt at the latters residence in mid-March 2012. But UKhin Nyunt did not meet him as the foreign media person but as a Burmese. Anyway U Khin Nyuntwas fully aware that he wrote articles in Burmese and English as a freelance reporter and he couldknow that he would write this interview in the media but the audio recording of this interview was notmade by him but by people from his residence. One of them also took photo of them while sittingtogether. At the end of his clarification, he said that the fact Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was saved byhim was not U Khin Nyunts word and this was his word only.



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It is learned that this interview was arranged by Snap Shot news journal editor U Myat Khaing for UMyint Shwe. U Myat Khaing has close rapport with some senior military officers includingInformation Minister U Kyaw Hsan. He is notorious in Burmese media circle as tout of governmentand problem maker always giving trouble to the Burmese journalists. U Myint Shwe himself isnotorious for controversial political articles he wrote in his Myanmar Thandawsint (Burma Herald).In January this year too, he wrote an article under the title If Khin Nyunt cannot be forgiven, Thein

Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi are also unforgivable.

It is so strange to see this press conference was held by Home Ministry rather than InformationMinistry and it was not covered by state-run daily papers and other media under InformationMinistry. Moreover we see remarkable coincidence of visiting U Kyin Nyunts home by SpecialBranch on April 9 in the morning and ordination of U Khin Nyunt, his two sons namely U Zaw NaingOo and U Ye Naing Win to monkhood at Ahlotawpye monastery, Aungmyay Dhama Yeiktha, PinShwe Nyaung Street, Tamawe Lay Ward, Rangoon was on the same day. On that day, 4 grandsonsand 2 granddaughters of U Khin Nyunt were on novitiate as novices and nuns.

Since his release from house arrest, U Khin Nyunt met many media frequently and he cast his vote onApril 1 by-elections at his No. 1-2 polling station in No. 7 Ward of Mayangon Township along withhis family members. When asked by reporters, he replied, he voted for popular party but his sonand former Lt. Col. Zaw Naing Oo replied explicitly that he voted for fighting peacock party, it islearnt. We assume that there would be conspiracy and political machinations behind what U Khin

Nyunt said to the reporters like that. (Fighting peacock party refers to NLD)

In the meantime, disputes between parliament and government emerged. The paper prepared and presented by parliament bills committee was reportedly debated in joint session of both houses onApril 26. In this paper, the bills committee argued against verdict handed down by constitutional

court which says parliament affairs committees do not entitle the status of union level institutions.MPs accused government of avoiding supervision and answerable to these affairs committees bygovernment and its ministries by getting this verdict and interpretation from constitutional court intheir favour.

Hot News journal covered on March 23 interview with Agriculture and Irrigation Minister U MyintHlaing in which he said that MPs were not qualified to be MP and then MPs in parliament in sessionthreatened him with impeaching and parliament privilege motion unless he made apology to the MPsand then he had to make formal apology at joint session of parliament on April 30.

Top leaders of USDP party met in Naypyitaw on April 3 and they made introspections andretrospections on their poll debacle in recent by-elections, party GS U Htay Oo said. According toinner circle sources of the USDP party, the top leaders of the party summed up their poll debacle asdisunity and infighting among top leaders, lack of mass support because of failure in activeorganizing work among the people, unable to use mass media of both domestic and foreign as NLDdid, strong aspiration and will of the people for change were the main reasons behind their polldebacle in by-elections.

According to ADB estimations, Burmas economic growth rate was 4.9% in 2010, 5.5% in 2011 andwill be 6% in this year and will be increased to 6.3% in next year. Over 400,000 foreign travelersvisited Burma last year and this number would be increased twofold this year, Euro News reported onApril 20.



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Foreign debts become the hindrance to the development in Burma and these outstanding loans are393 million US$ to World Bank and 490 million US$ to ADB. World financial institutions such asIMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) could provide fresh loans and grants onlyafter all these outstanding loans have been repaid. Considering of providing fresh loans and grants toBurma was the good sign but hasty reform could give instability in economy, noted economist and

former chief of World Bank Asian Region section Vikram Nehru warned on April 25.

In recognition of reforms being conducted by President U Thein Sein, he was voted as one of the 100most powerful persons in the world for the year 2012 in the poll conducted by Time news magazinewith his rank of 67. And also London based Sasana Siri Vihara monastery abbot U Ottara awarded

peace prize to President U Thein Sein on April 13.

T HE S OCIO - ECONOMIC S ITUATION OF T HE P EOPLE

Because of climate change, the people in Burma suffered the severest heat intensity and drought thismonth and even the former capital city Rangoon could not get round the clock power supply, now itis under the load shedding.

Starting from April 2, load shedding in power distribution was exercised in Rangoon and then the people in Rangoon strongly criticized and expressed their discontent on this issue. After that, USDPgovernment worried over unrest and then they hurriedly held the press conference in the evening of April 6. In this press conference, the authorities said that all residential areas in Rangoon would be

provided power from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. and they would be provided power in the day time by loadshedding in alternate turn by dividing Rangoon into three zones. Rangoon Region governmentElectric Power Minister U Nyan Tun said on April 25 that they were working for repurchasing 100MW of power from China to augment the power demand in Rangoon.

The temperature rose to 44 degree Celsius in middle Burma city Chauk in April and it was the recordhigh maximum temperature in 28 years and some aged people and children died of intense heat. Hotweather and insufficient supply of electric power made series of fire cases across the country. 893shops in Haymawun market, South Okkalapa Township were destroyed by fire which broke out in themorning of April 10.

Due to climate change in 2011, rising costs of fertilizers and lowering prices of grains and cropsmade farmers unable to repay their agricultural loans and they were facing danger of being arrestedfor loan default, farmers from Thanatpin Township said.

International financial institutions such as IMF, World Bank, ADB said that Burma had good potentialfor economic development but according to the Human Development Index (HDI) report prepared byUN and released on April 17, Burma ranks149th out of total 187 countries in the world which meansBurma is slightly lower than even Laos and Cambodia in this regard.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L P R E S S U R E

Leaders of international community congratulated and welcomed the sweeping victory won by NLDin by-elections and they saw President U Thein Seins government as constructive and then many

countries eased and relaxed economic sanctions imposed on Burma and gearing up for giving aidsand investing in Burma competitively among them.



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Exile Tibetan government PM Lobsang Sangay said on April 1 that NLDs victory in by-electionswas the ray of hope for them too.

At the 20 thASEAN summit held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 3, the regional group said thatthe sanctions imposed on Burma should be lifted now.

US government eased visa ban and financial sanctions imposed on Burma and then US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton said on April 4 that remaining sanctions would be lifted step by stepdepending on the reform process being conducted by the Burmese government. Similarly US Senator John McCain said on the same day that the senate would review its sanctions imposed on Burma.At the press conference held at US embassy in Rangoon on April 11, US Senator Jim Webb said thathe would negotiate between US congress and government for changing US policy towards Burmaregarding sanctions. Then US government announced partial lifting of economic sanctions imposedon Burma on April 17. After financial sanctions imposed on education, health and religion has beenlifted American NGOs could work in Burma in relation with financial matters. US State Departmentspokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on April 23 that US urged all stakeholders to compromising andnegotiating on newly elected NLD MPs entering parliament and they would closely monitor thedevelopments in this regard.

Similarly Australia government lifted financial and visa bans imposed on 262 people out of total 392and announced on April 16 that they would restore normal trade relationship with Burma. But it islearned that they would retain those sanctions imposed on some military leaders and human rightsviolators besides arms embargo.

Norwegian FM said on April 16 that they had suspended sanctions imposed on Burma but they could be restored if the reform works were backtracked. At the invitation of Norwegian government,Burmese government union level peace-making group leader and Railway Minister U Aung Minarrived in Oslo on April 16 and he met Norwegian FM Jonas Gahr Store, Development Minister LivSigne Navarsete and discussed on peace process in Burma and war refugees affairs.

Finland Foreign Ministry website posted their position on April 17 that they would give assistance tothe ongoing peace process being conducted between Burmese government and ethnic armed groups.27-member EU also announced on April 19 that they would suspend sanctions imposed on Burma for nearly 20 years and this announcement was formally confirmed at the ministerial meeting of ForeignMinisters held in Luxemburg on April 23.

In the meantime, Canadian Foreign Ministry too announced on April 24 that its government wouldsuspend sanctions imposed on Burma and they would reconsider and review visa bans and freezing of assets owned by government top leaders and their cronies and colleagues.

At the UN Security Council meeting held on April 10, US special envoy for Burma Mr. Vijay Nambia presented reform works being conducted in Burma and 15-member UNSC viewed this reform process as positive and constructive.

Similarly G8 Summit being held in Washington D.C. in US, the member countries saw the by-

elections poll results as constructive and they announced on April 12 that they were considering torelax sanctions imposed on Burma and to provide assistance to Burma for joining global political and



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economic process. International Parliamentary Union (IPU) accepted Burma and South Sudan as the

new members on April 5 as 161 stand 162 ndcountries respectively.

But Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned on April 6 that the reform process in Burma could make U-turn at anytime so that international community should not lift economic sanctions imposed onBurma hurriedly. Burma Campaign UK also pointed out continuation of human rights violations inBurma and weaknesses and flaws in ongoing reform process and finally they said in their statementthat it was not the time to lift these sanctions.

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Mr. Kurt Campbell testified at thehearing in US Congress Foreign Relations Committee on April 25 that US was not yet ready for lifting these sanctions imposed on Burma as there were still the concerns for human rights anddemocracy in the country and existence of military relation with North Korea by the Burmesegovernment so that they got ready to respond when the ongoing reform process stalled or

backtracked.

Chinese government Deputy Foreign Minister warned on April 25 that China was closely monitoringand observing the US-Burma relations and this should not be intended for containing China andundermining Chinas interests in Burma too. // End of Report // Friday, May 18, 2012 // End of Translation // Monday, May 21, 2012


pdc monthly news commentary - may 2012 (eng)

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