US Sen McConnell and UK FM statements …
“These elections are set to be held under deeply oppressive conditions designed to perpetuate military rule. The Burmese people should have a real chance to vote for change. Instead, the first opportunity in twenty years for Burma’s people to have a more open, stable and prosperous society has been missed.
It is not yet too late for the Burmese authorities to take credible steps to allow the citizens of the country to determine who should run their country. Today, I urge the Burmese military government to allow a free and fair campaign and polling process, to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and to instigate an inclusive dialogue with the full participation of all opposition and ethnic groups. Unless they do so, these elections will not have legitimacy or international credibility.”
Pre-Election Military Operations by SPDC
The villagers in Wawlay areas to the south of Myawaddy town, Doopla Ya district start to flee since a few days ago. Yesterday, on July 25, more than 100 families had gathered near the border, and some families have already crossed into Thailand for refuge, as the combined SPDC and DKBA troops are approaching the area in preparation for offensive. It appears that with its heavy weapon support, the SPDC again is forcing the DKBA units loyal to it to attack, occupy and control the area.
Human Rights Watch India: Press Burmese …
“India’s long democratic tradition should bolster leaders’ ability to insist on a free and fair election in Burma,” said Elaine Pearson, acting Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “New Delhi should use Than Shwe’s visit to send a message loud and clear that Burma’s failure to respect human rights and establish genuine democracy retards Burma’s development and creates political difficulties for India and other states in the region.”
The international call upon Canada to support the Commission of Inquiry on Burma is also getting louder. Burma Campaign UK and US Campaign for Burma recently added their voice in calling on Canada to support it, as their own governments – UK and US – already supported publically, along with Australian, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
In Europe, Burma Campaign UK and other concerned groups are planning to gather at Canadian Embassies on August 25 to repeat their call heard from Ottawa. Thousands of online petitions have been sent to the Minister Office and Ambassadors in respective countries.
‘Bold plan’ for Mekong area rail link approved by Ian Timberlake – Fri Aug 20, 8:22 am ET HANOI (AFP) – A “bold” plan for a railway system connecting more than 300 million people who live around one of the world’s great rivers, the Mekong, was approved Friday, officials said. Ministers from Cambodia, China, Laos, [...]
The Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict reports that the Myanmar Armed Forces have occupied educational facilities for military purposes, recruited teachers and students for forced labour, and planted landmines close to or on the paths to schools. The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has reportedly set fire to schools as part of a policy of burning whole villages to prevent people from returning to them.563 Schools have also reportedly been shelled or destroyed using other methods by both state and non-state forces.564
The reality, however, is that the junta has formed a political party that enables the generals to retain the 75 percent and guarantees them continuing power. The so-called Burma experts are unaware that they have fallen into the trap of the junta’s psycho-warfare operations, unwittingly carrying out the generals’ interests.
Meanwhile, the “333” numerical speculation has come at a time when the election is around the corner and frustration is increasing among the political parties at the junta’s total unfairness in the pre-election process.
The railway cuts strategically between the northern and southern territories of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Burma’s biggest ceasefire group, which has resisted pressure by the junta to surrender their weapons and become a Border Guard Force under the command of the country’s army.
The new line will enable rapid deployment of heavy artillery into this remote mountainous region in the event of an offensive against the UWSA or other ethnic resistance forces, according to the report. UWSA is a 25,000-strong ethnic army that entered a ceasefire agreement with the junta in 1989.
The administration decided last fall to begin to engage with the Burmese regime. It dispatched high-ranking diplomats and held out the prospect of the resumption of some aid. It opened discussions about Burma’s planned upcoming elections in the hope that the regime would allow some measure of democracy. The administration also raised its concerns with Burma about its military relationship with North Korea following reports that Burma was exploring the possibility of a nuclear weapons program.
But Burma has rebuffed the outreach and announced a series of severe restrictions on campaigning ahead of coming elections, prompting the regime’s opposition to all but withdraw.
“Canada calls on the regime to live up to its commitments to hold free and fair elections by unconditionally releasing all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, engaging in genuine dialogue with members of the democratic opposition and different ethnic groups within Burma, and enabling full democratic participation in the process.”
Myanmar’s junta said Friday it would hold its first election in two decades on November 7, about a week before democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s current house arrest is due to expire on November 13.
Barclays agrees to forfeit $298 million to settle sanction violations charges By Spencer S. Hsu Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, August 16, 2010; 10:26 PM Barclays Bank has agreed to forfeit $298 million to U.S. and New York authorities to settle criminal charges brought Monday by federal prosecutors, who allege that the British bank violated [...]
“For the General Assembly to establish a Commission of Inquiry is no great leap,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “The General Assembly has already described possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, and already called for investigations. The twentieth General Assembly Resolution is an opportunity to put words into action. The EU must include wording establishing a Commission of Inquiry in the draft Burma resolution. If they fail to do so, it will send a message to the generals that they can continue to get away with breaking international law, including the use of rape, torture and murder against civilians.”
But the regime felt increasing pressure to respond to international sanctions, which forced Burma into the often uncomfortable investment grasp of China to develop its bounteous natural resources, and the embarrassing demands for political and human rights reform from the junta’s partners in the Association of South East Asian Nations.
From the start, Suu Kyi and the NLD did not believe the generals were sincere in wanting to draw up a new constitution that would bring in genuine multiparty civilian rule.
