Alleged murder victim daughter of former intelligence deputy

(DVB)–Burma’s leading state-run newspaper has confirmed that the body of a woman found dead in Rangoon last week is that of the daughter of the former deputy military intelligence chief.

Aye Aye Win (also known as Mya Thiri Khin) was found alongside her husband’s body in a flat in Rangoon’s Botataung township on 2 April.

It is widely reported that stab wounds were found on their bodies, although the cause of death has not been reported.

An obituary published yesterday in the Myanmar Alin newspaper confirmed that Aye Aye Win was the daughter of Major General Kyaw Win, the last person to serve as deputy chief of Burma’s military intelligence unit before it was disbanded.

Neighbours reported hearing arguments and scuffles on the night of the incident.

The newspaper obituary said that Kyaw Win is currently living in Shwepyithar township, Rangoon, with his wife Mi Mi Lay.

The military intelligence unit was disbanded in 2004 under corruption charges, although many point to Senior General Than Shwe’s fear of their growing influence over the army.

Kyaw Win is, however, said to be on good terms with Than Shwe.

Reporting by Pascal Khoo-Thwe

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KNU accepts junta’s offer for peace parleys

by Salai Pi Pi

New Delhi (Mizzima) - Burma’s leading ethnic armed resistance group, the Karen National Union has accepted the offer of the Burmese military junta for peace talks through Thailand’s Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Monday.

Saw David Takapaw, Vice-president of the KNU on Wednesday told Mizzima that KNU had reacted positively to Kasit at the informal meeting held in Bangkok for over one hour on Monday regarding the offer of the Burmese regime for peace parleys.

“We told them (Thailand) that we have accepted the offer of the junta on peace talks, as we want to solve political problems by political means,” Takapaw said. “

However, he said the date and venue for the talks are yet to be fixed.

KNU delegates led by Takapaw and General Secretary Naw Ziporah Sein met Kasit, the facilitator for the talks between KNU and the Burmese regime, and other officials from Thailand’s Foreign Ministry in Bangkok.

During the meeting, Takapaw said, Kasit revealed the message of the Burmese Prime Minister General Thein Sein that the junta would like to hold a dialogue with the KNU for national reconciliation.

“They (Thai) informed us that Thein Sein would like to talk to us regarding national reconciliation,” he said. “He (Kasit) said he will act as facilitator.”

Last month, Thein Sein sought help from Kasit during his two-day visit to Burma to persuade the KNU to contest the ensuing 2010 election.

“If the regime is willing to solve problems peacefully, we are ready to talk,” said Takapaw, adding that the KNU will insist the regime first convene a tripartite dialogue and amend the constitution.

Meanwhile, Takapaw alleged, the Burmese Army is supporting the KNU splinter group, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) in launching fresh offensives against its armed wing the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Kawkreit district in Karen state close to the Thai-Burma border. KNLA battalions have been retaliating using guerrilla tactics.

“Recently, the Burmese Army backed up the DKBA which was attacking us in Kawkreit district. We also retaliated in guerrilla warfare style,” he said.

“We (KNU and the junta) attack each other while we also talk to each other,” he added.

The KNU has held talks with the Burmese regime on five occasions previously since launching their campaign for self-determination in 1948.

The two sides were able to reach a verbal ceasefire agreement, commonly known as the “Gentlemen's Agreement," after the last round of formal talks between the KNU’s late leader, General Bo Mya, and former military intelligence chief, General Khin Nyunt, in the former capital Rangoon in 2004. The talks, however, came to a halt after Khin Nyunt was purged from the military hierarchy.

The KNU’s statement on peace efforts issued last month said, “Peace negotiations between the KNU and successive Burmese regimes have consistently failed because of lack of sincerity on the part of the regime in power.”

According to Burma’s state media ‘The New Light of Myanmar’ on April 4, Nay Soe Mya, son of the late KNU leader Gen Saw Bo Mya, led 71 Karen rebels and defected to the junta on March 30.

However, Takapaw said, among the 71 Karen who had defected to the junta, only four are from the KNLA armed group including Nay Soe Mya while the rest are civilians. (JEG's: misleading junta again massaging the figures to impress who?... I wonder who are the believers...)

He went on to say that 71 Karen broke away from KNU as the Burmese regime, particularly Maj. Gen. Saw Htay Maung led DKBA tempted them with money.”

“It is better for KNU that such corrupt people defect” he added.

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‘Non-political’ group to assess sanctions

(DVB)–A self-proclaimed non-partisan group in Burma has announced plans to examine the effects of sanctions on Burmese citizens and present their findings to the United States and European Union.

The group, calling themselves Lifting Sanctions, Internal and External Forces, 2009 Campaign, announcement its intentions in a statement released yesterday at a news conference in Rangoon.

“Economic sanctions are an inhumane policy which delays [Burma's] path to democracy in the transition period,” China Radio International quoted the statement as saying. (JEG's; the sanctions are on the generals' pockets not the people... wake up... not need to examine anything...)

The group claim to be a non-political body, with no ties either to the government or opposition movement.

It remains ambiguous as to whether the group would pass comment on the ruling State Peace and Development Council’s role in the imposition of sanctions.

"For the time being, it is early to say,” said member Aung Khine Win.

“We [have] neither cooperation nor separation with the military government.” (JEG's: then how come were allowed to press release their opinions? oh junta nice try...)

The Burmese government’s sentencing of political prisoners and heavy restrictions on opposition parties has been citied as the main reason for the imposition of sanctions.

Another member, Ko Ko Latt, insisted the group had no affiliation with the pro-government 88 generation students (Union of Myanmar) group, who in the past has called for the lifting of sanctions.

Yesterday, activist group 88 generation students (not to be confused with the above) sent a letter to the SPDC outlining the need for the government to carry out reforms as a precursor to sanctions being lifted.

If the government continued to ignore demands for the release of political prisoners and an amendment to the 2008 constitution, which guarantees a continuation of military rule, then the economic blockade would increase, said member Nay Myo.

Reporting by Khin Maung Soe Min

There you are Aung Khine Win tweet... Burma is not affected by the sanctions... announced through the own horse's mouth

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