Words must turn into actions on Burma: activists

by Solomon

New Delhi (Mizzima) - The international community’s calls for the release of Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently being tried in a Rangoon court, needs to turn into action that will force the country’s military rulers to free her as well as other political prisoners.

Following the Burmese junta’s charges and the onset of the trial of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi there has been amounting international condemnation and calls for her release.

David Scott Mathieson, Burma consultant for Human Rights Watch (HRW) in Bangkok, said these calls by governments from around the world should be followed up by actions to force the junta to yield to the calls.

“It is the first step to publicly condemn what’s going on and the next step is governments have to find effective pressure points against the SPDC,” said Mathieson, referring to Burma’s military rulers by their official name – State Peace and Development Council.

“There should be debates in the Security Council about the nature of political reforms and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s place in the political future of Burma,” he said.

Mathieson said it is also crucial for the international community to put pressure on governments including China and Russia, which are supportive towards the Burmese regime.

“Pressure needs to be put on China and Russia and other states that support the SPDC, because they have a lot of influence on the SPDC,” he added.

Detained Burmese democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday was produced at a special court in notorious Insein Prison on charges of violating her house arrest after an American man allegedly visited her lakeside home and stayed for three nights.

The Nobel Peace Laureate along with her two live-in party mates and the American man, John William Yettaw, are being tried.

Over the weekend and on Monday, several governments including the United States, European Union member countries, as well as Asian countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia, called on Burma’s military junta to desist in trying Aung San Suu Kyi.

“We need to actually understand that she is the symbol for a lot of people in the country,” argued Mathieson.

He said the international community should come up with a specific plan of action including the targeting of financial sanctions and an arms embargo.

Countries joining the chorus of condemnation against Burma’s ruling junta include the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, France, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, Philippines, Austria, Germany and Japan.

Nyo Ohn Myint, in-charge of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National League for Democracy-Liberated Area (NLD-LA), said the international community should work in coordination for stronger action in pressuring the Burmese junta.

“The West and the East need to find a common stand on Burma’s political crisis, they should avoid repeating the same mistake, which has not been working,” he prospered.

He said the West, led by the United States, and the East, led by China, should work for more coordination between themselves rather than acting impulsively on their own.

“China is important. They clearly need to do something right now. They need to speak openly at this time because they also do not agree with this trial,” put forth Nyo Ohn Myint.

READ MORE---> Words must turn into actions on Burma: activists...

Thailand urges Burma to achieve political process acceptable to all

(Nation) -Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva talks to CNN on various issues including Thai politics, economy as well as Burma.

On Aung San Suu Kyi:

PM Abhisit : We are concerned. For one thing the state of her health is of concern itself and secondly we have encouraged, you know, asked Asean, Myanmar (Burma), to continue on her roadmap to achieve a political process which is inclusive and therefore be acceptable to everybody, the international community included.

Coren : The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said this is just an excuse to try and keep her in detention for longer. Do you share those views?

PM Abhisit: I won't make any personal assessments. I can say that I am concerned and I would like to see this issue resolved and that Myanmar is able to deliver on her pledge to implement a roadmap.

On Thailand 's Politics:

Coren: Prime Minister,you came to power promising to heal divisions within your country. So far that hasn't happened. You've had protests, you've had violent clashes, Asean summit was cancelled, you had to call a state of emergency…How do you plan to heal these deep divisions within your country?

PM Abhisit: I think everybody, including myself, is realistic enough to know that we couldn't really achieve complete stability, you know, within a few months, but the stance that my government has taken, the vigorous, the way that we are pursuing political solutions I think now provide a channel by which we can make sure that everybody can participate, all voices can be heard and that we can kind find a solution that will be acceptable, if not satisfactory to everybody.

I think the Thai people have also demonstrated that they recognize that the longer this goes on, the more we are hurting ourselves and they have demonstrated that they will want a solution, a peaceful solution, a democratic solution, a political solution to the problems.

Coren: Prime Minister, you weren't elected to power by the people and your critics say that you don't have the mandate.

PM Abhisit: The majority of parliamentarians decided to support me because they believe the country needs change after two governments tried to take the country out of the crisis, and frankly speaking were not able to do so. And now that I've got into power, I am working for everybody and I continue to enjoy the support of majority of parliamentarians. I should add that since I've assumed power, more parliamentarians now support me.

Coren: Some would say to clear up all the confusion you could call national elections. Why won't you do this?

PM Abhisit: I could, but I think there are three preconditions before that. First, I think we need to have a cooling off period. I don't want to see violent election campaigns in Thailand .

I think that would be a big blow to Thai democracy.

Added to that we need to have a rule, a set of rules, that would be acceptable to all. It wouldn't make any sense to have a new set of elections and then some parties complain that they don't like to constitution.

They might not accept the results or they may get involved in election fraud, they get disbanded and we're back to square one. Why would we want to walk around in circles? Why not get a new set of rules in place that will be acceptable to all before elections are called.

Thirdly of course, as a country and as politicians we have responsibility to our people to make sure we have a good economic program in place during these very difficult economic times for our people. You know, people are gonna be unemployed, people are gonna be hit by the crisis. Why have disruptions now?

On Thailand 's Economy:

PM Abhisit : We are launching a second stimulus package now. The first I think has been aimed at protecting the least fortunate, the poorest, so we have a lot of support for farmers, for low-income earners, training for the unemployed and programs such as free education and income support for the elderly, which I think has been able to keep up purchasing power domestically to compensate obviously from the losses of activities following the contraction of exports and tourism, so that's the first phase.

I believe that by the second and third quarter, the rate of contraction in the economy will clearly decline. We're actually seeing signs of that already, but now we want to launch the next phase, which is providing investment for the country to upgrade our infrastructure, to support economic growth in all key sectors of the country and that we will do this with the amount of money of $45 million US dollars over the next three years, roughly around 5 percent of GDP each year.

Coren: So what exactly do you say to investors that are concerned about the political situation?

PM Abhisit : That we are dealing with the problem, that we are realistic about it. I never told them that this was going to be easy, but that we have a clear approach and that we will do our best not to have this affect our economic program. 52:32

Coren: Your tourism industry employs about 2 million people, it accounts for 10 percent of the nation's GDP. Now it's taken a huge hit as a result of the financial crisis, but also as a result of the political instability. What can be done to keep tourism afloat?

PM Abhisit : We are seeing a drop of around maybe 10 to 15 percent on average. A rate I think is probably better or less than the drop in rate of global travel, so that suggests that Thailand continues to be an attractive destination. Obviously people are concerned about the instability in politics.

We are dealing with that through the reconciliation program, but we are also actively implementing a number of policies and measures to make sure that the tourist industry can survive and will thrive in the future.

For short terms measure we waive visa fees, we reduce landing fees, we now provide insurance, support of insurance, and for the longer term we are going to upgrade our tourist attractions. We are also actively pursuing a strategy of national development where the service sector and the tourist sector plays a very significant role.

Coren : You've got falling consumer confidence, your unemployment rate is rising, how will Thailand come out of the global economic crisis?

PM Abhisit: We are protecting and supporting people who are affected, in fact the, despite the fact that the employment rate has gone up from its usual rate of around just over 1 percent to now over 2 percent. It is actually less than people have anticipated and we track the numbers of layoffs very closely.

They seem to be on the decline since February and in some sectors we learned that orders are picking up. As I said, as the elements of our stimulus package get to work we hope that demand will be propped up so that we can cushion this effect and if we can achieve positive growth by the end of the year then I think that things will be looking up.

Transcript is provided by CNN

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Immigration Authority Makes Arakanese to Burmese on National ID Cards

Ann (Narinjara): The immigration department has issued new national ID cards to Arakanese nationals in Ann Township for the 2010 election, but identified their race on the cards as Burman rather than Arakanese, said a teacher from Ann.

"Our parents are Rahkine [Arakanese], but the immigration department issued the ID cards to us with "Burman nationals" on the cards. We disagreed with such listing of Burman on our national ID cards, but the authority refused to correct the nationality listed on the cards," he said.

Local sources said many Arakanese people in Ann Township have received their ID cards with Burman listed as the race instead of Arakanese, but they have not been given the chance to refuse the incorrect ID cards.

"We requested they correct our nationalities on the ID cards but the officials told us they are very busy with making national ID cards for everyone around the township and they will be able to correct the nationalities after the 2010 election. We have no other choice so we accepted the ID cards despite our nationalities being listed as Burman," he said.

Ann Town is located in central Arakan State and has the largest army cantonment in the state stationed there. Many relatives of Burmese soldiers and officials are now living in the town along with local Arakanese people.

"The immigration department in our township has been issuing new national ID cards to Burmese settlers and local Arakanese in the township since January of this year so they can vote in the 2010 election, but all the ID cards that have been issued have Burman noted as the race," the teacher added.

Some Arakanese people have complained about the new ID cards but the government employees have remained silent on the issue in order to avoid the attention of the high authority.

A clerk from one government department said, "Burmese high officials always explain to us that Arakanese and Burman is the same nationality and the same people, regardless of what is listed on the ID card. Whether Arakanese or Burman, it is not a problem."

Most local people in the township are uneducated and innocent, so they accepted the ID cards with Burman listed as the race without any objection.

A politician from Sittwe said, "It is a Burmanisation policy against our Arakanese people and was done with intent by the authorities. The Burmese military authority wants to see the whole of Ann Township populated with Burman people, not Arakanese, because the town is strategically important to the Burmese army and the authority wants to build the town as an army city in western Burma."

READ MORE---> Immigration Authority Makes Arakanese to Burmese on National ID Cards...

Security Tightened in Sittwe

Sittwe (Narinjara): Security in Sittwe has been tightened by the military authority with police reinforcements being deployed since yesterday in order to prevent any untoward incidents during Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's trial at Insein prison today.

A witness from Sittwe said, "Over 400 police constables were deployed at many key places in Sittwe and it is related to today's trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by the military junta inside Insein prison court,"

The authority deployed the police forces at five key places in Sittwe - the famous Buddhist temple Buri Gri, Vazali field, U Ottama Garden, Lawka Nanda Pagoda, and U Ray Kyaw Thu temple.

A monk from Sittwe said, "The security in our town has been tightened since yesterday and the authority is worried that a demonstration will be staged by Sittwe people against the military government due to the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi without justice."

In Bura Gri temple there are over 50 police constables in the standby position and because of this, the numbers of pilgrims visiting the famous temple have decreased.

An elder from Sittwe confirmed with Narinjara that many police vehicles entered the streets of Sittwe to deploy forces at many strategic locations.

He also said, "The authority in Sittwe knows the condition of Sittwe because the people of Sittwe are awaiting information from Burma proper and at anytime a demonstration could break out. Furthermore, the authority realizes how angry people are about the unjust arrest of Daw Suu."

Anti-government sentiment is spreading among monks and students in Arakan after the military authority arrested Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The monk said, "Most of the monks and students from Sittwe, Mrauk U, Taungup, and Kyauk Pru are more active at present."

According to a source close to the police force, the riot police forces in Sittwe are being placed on standby for deployment in Sittwe at anytime.

The Burmese military authority has imposed stricter security on many major cities in Burma because Daw Suu, two of her female relatives, and US citizen John William Yettaw will be produced in front of a court for trial inside Insein prison today.

READ MORE---> Security Tightened in Sittwe...

Ethnic groups should ‘drive junta out’

(DVB)–An official from Burma’s largest armed ethnic group, who signed a ceasefire deal with the government in the 1990s, has said that the junta is conspiring against Aung San Suu Kyi and should be driven out of office.

Suu Kyi is on trial today for sheltering US citizen John William Yettaw, who intruded onto her compound on 4 May and spent two nights.

The government alleges that she breached rules of her house arrest and, if found guilty, could be sentenced to five years in prison.

An official from the United Wa State Army (UWSA), who control much of Burma’s opium trade and have an army of some 20,000 troops, said that the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) cannot be trusted.

“[The SPDC] is now playing their dodgy tricks to conspire against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is well respected by the international community,” he said.

“I have never heard in any country’s law about a person whose territory was violated being put under charges.

“I think it’s about time we [all ethnic groups] should join hands together and drive these bastards out.”

He added that the government’s request that the UWSA reduce troop numbers and transform themselves into border patrol troops would not be heeded.

“The plan is all about winning from their side,” he said.

“We wouldn’t agree with them having their people…give us directions because it’s senseless.

“Our army should be run only by us, directed by us.”

Reporting by DVB

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Democracy and historical lessons from Burma's colonial past

by Matthew Santos

(Mizzima) -In 2010 Burma will become a sub-standard federal union formed in accordance with the military-influenced Constitution of 2008. As of this writing, debates are raging as to whether or not to contest or boycott elections based on the Constitution.

Dissidents such as National League for Democracy's (NLD) U Win Tin , 88 generation student leaders and Ludu U Sein Win, who believe democratic change is possible only through a mass struggle, cannot accept the provisions in the military’s unilaterally drawn Constitution. In their strategic calculations for change, Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi are factors that can be varied/altered, but genuine democracy as a mission goal is fixed and immutable.

However, the ‘third force’ seems to view the positions of Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as unalterable in the equation of power struggle while treating the goal of democratization as if it were a point on a sliding scale.

And for its part, the great majority of Burmese public view the democratic goal, Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as unchangeable facts of life, having convinced themselves of the utter absence of any resolution to the conflict.

In order for Burma to realize a Federal Political System reflective of the 1947 Constitution, she will likely need to go through different politico-administrative phases not dissimilar to the “Diarchy,” “91 Departments Administration,” and so on. Such colonial era administrative experiments were crafted by the British in order to gradually permit the entry of politically minded elements amongst the native population into politics under British rule. One should not fail to note the fact that the military’s 2008 Constitution, designed to gradually infuse Burmese civilian politicians into official politics closely resembles the diarchy of the bygone colonial era.

In the diarchy model, implemented by the British in January 1923, there were two types of cabinet members who served under the British Governor. The Governor handpicked those cabinet members who would be in charge of the most important portfolios such as home affairs/security, judicial affairs and treasury, while the remaining cabinet departments or portfolios were headed by elected natives who were then appointed by the colonial parliament.

Likewise, according to the military’s 2008 Constitution of the Union of Myanmar, the Burmese military will have exclusive power to select and appoint cabinet members for such vital ministries as defense, home affairs and border area affairs, while filling the remaining and less significant cabinet posts through parliamentary approval.

In his historical critique of the diarchy under the British rule, late Burmese historian Dr. Than Tun argued quite rightly that under diarchy the colonial rulers were simply allowing the natives to manage autonomously their unimportant cabinet portfolios within imposed budgetary restraints, while retaining exclusive control over portfolios deemed vitally important.

A cursory look at the 2010 Constitution reveals that Burma's present military government appears quite fond of the approach to political plurality espoused by the colonial rulers of the 1920s.

Out of a total of 103 members in British Burma's diarchy legislature, only 22 legislators and 2 cabinet members (23.3 percent) were appointees of the British Governor, leaving the remaining 79 seats to be filled through a popular electoral process. By contrast, according to the Burmese military’s 2008 Constitution, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces will fill 25 percent of Parliamentary seats with hand-picked military officers. As a matter of fact, there is little difference between the current military’s political set up and that of British colonial rule.

The regime’s current design to grant local states all judicial, legislative and executive powers is not even close to the pre-independence federal arrangement of 1947. Dr. Than Tun additionally wrote of diarchy that with good intentions alone, elected natives would not be able to push the politico-administrative envelop because the British retained exclusive control over the country’s finances.

This comparison between the current military’s 2008 Constitution and its federal arrangement and the diarchy of British colonial rule has not been made for the purpose of instigating a popular boycott of the 2010 election. As was the case in 1937 during the “91 Departments Administration” in colonial Burma, the possibility of a government headed by a genuinely civilian president does exist, especially following the 2015 election.

In spite of some resemblances between diarchy and the 2008 Constitution, there are also differences in the emerging scenario. Although the 'third force' could be likened with the “Party of 21(colonial-era legislators)” they are saying they are not engaged in party politics. In contrast to the British which did not set up their own party, today’s military in Burma will.

With a view towards securing the best possible outcome, some practical advice can be offered to both the NLD and those pro-change elements which are loosely referred to as constituting the ‘third force'. Those Burmese citizens who work under the banner of the ‘third force’ should form a political party while the NLD should maintain a principled stance by not contesting the elections but continuing its public relations campaign to better inform on the principles and position of the party.

There should be little doubt that Senior General Than Shwe will attempt to ensure the post-2010 emergence of a political arrangement whereby a hand-picked President and Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces will run the affairs of the country from Naypyitaw in complete accord with his diktat and will. Whether or not the actual landscape of Than Shwe’s choice emerges post-2010 will be contingent upon how coordinated, tactical and strategic the pro-change social forces conduct themselves.

Lastly, the British instigated a case against General Aung San for a murder during the Japanese era. But in the end, they provided a pardon to General Aung San as they realized he was an essential partner for dialogue in Burma's politics. Let’s see if today's military can act on a similar understanding of political and national necessity.

READ MORE---> Democracy and historical lessons from Burma's colonial past...

Burma government ‘responsible’ for Yettaw incident

(DVB)–A renowned former Burmese political prisoner has pinned the blame for the United States’ citizen who entered Aung San Suu Kyi’s compound on 4 May squarely on the government, and has labelled today’s trial “bogus”.

U Win Tin, a journalist and member of the National League for Democracy’s central committee, was released last October after spending 19 years in prison, including spells at Insein prison where Suu Kyi is being held.

“The government has control over all the security measures in the country and it’s completely up to them to whether or not to give the American a chance to enter her house,” he said.

“So the government is responsible for what happened.”

Suu Kyi, her two caretakers, and the US citizen John William Yettaw, all face trial today at a court hearing inside Insein prison.

Yettaw faces charges related to trespassing and breaching of immigration laws, while Suu Kyi has been accused of breaching conditions of her house arrest by allowing Yettaw to stay at her compound, where she has been held under house arrest for the past six years.

“There are about 250 security personnel around Daw Suu’s house, including three outposts guarding the neighbourhood, the road at the front and Inya lake,” said exiled former Burmese ambassador to the United States, Aung Linn Htut.

“It is no way possible for someone to infiltrate such heavy security.”

Meanwhile, journalist and Burma expert Larry Jagan said that the Burmese junta may not have been prepared for the outcry from the international community over Suu Kyi’s trial.

“I think that the leaders of the Burmese junta must be surprised at the international reactions to what they have done,” he said.

“And I think that the junta are going to realize that if they pursue this avenue they are going to become increasingly isolated not just from the West but also from their Asian neighbours.”

He added that should Suu Kyi be found guilty, people may take to the streets again, as they did in September 2007.

“There's already pent up anger because of the 2007 crackdown on the monks,” he said.

“We've seen local communities invigorated and empowered by their efforts, their own efforts to help people during and in the aftermath of the cyclone.

“This is a different Burma than it was two years ago and I think that the generals have miscalculated and I think the Burmese people, if she is sentenced to five years, will vent their anger on the street.”

Reporting by Htet Aung Kyaw

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Aung San Suu Kyi's trial begins in Burma

Given the junta's record to date, it is highly doubtful justice will be served. __Jared Genser

AAP -The trial of Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has opened at a notorious prison near Rangoon, where she is charged with breaching the terms of her house arrest, a local official says.

The 63-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner was charged last Thursday in connection with a bizarre incident earlier this month in which an American man swam to her lakeside house and stayed there for two days.

"The trial has started," the official told AFP, without giving any more details.

DPA reported that Suu Kyi's lead attorney, Kyi Win, had arrived at Rangoon's Insein Prison, where a special court has been set up to try Suu Kyi; her two house helpers, Khin Khin Win and Win Ma Ma; and American John William Yettaw.

A car from the US embassy was also seen entering the prison compound, witnesses said.

Journalists and the public were not allowed into the compound.

Roads leading to the jail were blocked to traffic and the public on Monday morning to prevent public protests against the trial, which could result in another five-year jail sentence for Suu Kyi, who has spent 13 of the past 19 years in detention.

Suu Kyi would plead not guilty to the charge of breaking the terms of her house detention, which was due to expire May 27, Kyi Win said.

Authorities on Friday rejected a request for another prominent Burma lawyer, Aung Thein, to join Suu Kyi's defence team.

The trial was expected to take several days, if not weeks, because prosecutors have called more than 22 witnesses, sources said.

It was widely expected that Suu Kyi, the recipient of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize, would be found guilty.

"Given the junta's record to date, it is highly doubtful justice will be served," said Jared Genser, an expert on Suu Kyi's case at the US-based Freedom Now, an advocacy group for political prisoners.

Police have accused Suu Kyi and her two live-in servants of breaking the State Protection Act for allowing Yettaw, 53, to swim to Suu Kyi's Rangoon compound on May 3 and stay there until the morning of May 6, when he was arrested while swimming in Inya Lake away from the house.

Prosecutors were expected to argue that Yettaw, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, had first illegally entered Suu Kyi's house on November 30 when he passed the church's Book of Mormon to her servants for Suu Kyi to read.

Although Suu Kyi's doctor informed authorities of Yettaw's uninvited visit last year, no action was taken against the man and he was allowed another tourist visa to re-enter the country this month, sources said.

The junta's critics accused it of using Yettaw as a pretext to keep Suu Kyi in jail during a political sensitive period leading up to a general election planned for next year.

Suu Kyi leads the National League for Democracy, which won the 1990 general election by a landslide but has been blocked from taking power by Burma's ruling military junta for the past 19 years.

If found guilty of the latest charges, she is likely to be kept at a special guesthouse in Insein Prison.

Suu Kyi's trial and pending sentence have ignited widespread protests from the world community, including US President Barack Obama, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the European Union and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in neighbouring Thailand.

"The real question is how the world will react," Freedom Now's Gensar said. "Will it do more than simply condemn the junta's actions?"

There have been calls on the UN Security Council to call an emergency meeting on Burma in light of the new charge against Suu Kyi.

READ MORE---> Aung San Suu Kyi's trial begins in Burma...

Mizzima's Updates 12:35pm

Roads blocked in Insein ahead of pro-democracy leader's trial
by Mizzima News

Foreign diplomats shows support to Aung San Suu Kyi

Monday, 18 May 2009 12:35

An European diplomat, who along with Ambassadors from the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Australia tried to enter Insein prison, told Mizzima that they wanted to show support and solidarity for Aung San Suu Kyi but were barred from entering.

“I wanted to show my support to Aung San Suu Kyi and her lawyers and the ambassadors wanted to do so as well. I don’t think they would have allowed us inside the prison but we wanted to be outside the prison,” the diplomat, who wished not to be named, told Mizzima.

The diplomat said, “The general feeling is that we are disturbed about what is happening and what the consequences of the trial might be,” the diplomat said.

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Activists protest in Jakarta
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:34


Jakarta – At least 15 Indonesian activists on Monday staged a demonstration in front of the Burmese embassy in Jakarta, calling on the Burmese junta to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi, currently facing trial in Rangoon’s Insein prison court.

“We urge the Burmese regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma,” a protestor called Swan Paru, who is a member of the Indonesian Civil Society for solidarity for Burma, told Mizzima.

Demonstrators began protesting at 11 a.m (local time) and held aloft posters reading ‘Free Aung San Suu Kyi and Free Burma’. Paru said they called on the international community to take immediate action against the junta to release the Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Activists around the world have dubbed Monday the “Global Day of Action’ for Burma and are set to hold protests in front of Burmese embassies across the world condemning the junta for the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Reporting by John Moe in Jakarta

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Youth distributing ribbons arrested
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:04


A youth member of the National League for Democracy (NLD) from Shwe Pyithar Township, who was distributing black ribbons near Insein bazaar was arrested by police on Monday morning.

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Foreign envoys barred from entering Insein prison
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:02


Ambassadors and diplomats from the Rangoon-based British, French, German, Italian and Australian embassies have been barred from entering Insein prison, where a special court will conduct a trial against Burmese democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, reports said.

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Telephone lines cut-off
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:00


Rangoon-based journalists said several telephone lines have been cut-off since Sunday night, and outgoing calls can be made only from a few mobiles phones.

As roads to Insein prison remain closed, vehicles coming to Insein township are forced to make a detour from the Minglardon-Pyi Road.

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Belgium condemns Burmese junta
Monday, 18 May 2009 11:58


The Foreign Minister of Belgium Karel De Gucht has condemned Burma’s ruling military junta for putting pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on trial, joining the chorus from the international community in castigating the junta.

“Everything makes me think that the regime is looking for a reason to keep her in detention, and far from any elections process,” Mr De Gucht said in a statement on Friday.

“It is a compulsory condition to establish a process of National Reconciliation, which is necessary before the elections planned for 2010” the Minister said.

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Youths versus pro-junta group members
Monday, 18 May 2009 11:11


Despite road blockades several people gathered near the notorious Insein prison and about 30 youths were able to reach near the jail.

But about 50 members of the pro-junta civilian group, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), lay in wait for the youths. Reportedly internet connection in Rangoon was cut earlier this morning.

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Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers enter Insein prison
Monday, 18 May 2009 10:51


Aung San Suu Kyi’s defence counsels Kyi Win, Khin Htay Kywe and Hla Myo Myint were seen entering Insein prison at 8:30 a.m (local time).

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Yettaw should be sent to “mental hospital” : KNU
Monday, 18 May 2009 10:44


Instead of sending John William Yettaw, who intruded into Aung San Suu Kyi’s residence, to a mental hospital, the ruling junta is using him in its machinations to continue detaining the pro-democracy, an armed rebel group said.

In a statement on Sunday, the Karen National Union, an ethnic armed group, said the junta must understand that the action of Yettaw, who allegedly swam across Innya lake and broke into Suu Kyi’s home, clearly proves that he is insane and needs medical care. The regime shoul step up security around Aung San Suu Kyi’s house.

But the junta’s act of charging the pro-democracy leader and putting her on trial proves that the regime with vengeful and hate-ridden motives is plotting to further extend her detention beyond the 2010 elections that they are preparing to hold, the KNU said.

This also proves that the ruling junta “has no desire yet for national reconciliation, peace and justice,” the KNU said.

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Roads blocked in Insein ahead of pro-democracy leader's trial
Monday, 18 May 2009 10:34


Burmese military junta authorities have put in place tight security along the roads in Rangoon with armed soldiers blocking roads with barricades in a move not to allow crowds to gather ahead of the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's trial on Monday.

Burmese military junta authorities have put in place tight security along the roads in Rangoon with armed soldiers blocking roads with barricades in a move not to allow crowds to gather ahead of the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's trial on Monday.

Eyewitnesses said, red-ribboned special security forces are swarming everywhere on the main road in front of the notorious Insein jail and lanes nearby.

Besides, members of the pro-junta civilian groups – Swan Arrshin – are also seen standing by in light-trucks, ready to act at the slightest indication that may indicate that people are gathering.
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READ MORE---> Mizzima's Updates 12:35pm...

Aung San Suu Kyi trial update: 12.55pm

DVB *UPDATES ARE IN BURMESE TIME*

12.55pm: Diplomats from Britain, Australia, France, Germany and Italy have been denied entry to Insein prison.

Spectators gathered on bridge near to Insein prison.

NLD members attempting to enter Insein prison, and were rejected. Numbers of reporters also denied entry to the prison.

Two people arrested near Insein prison around 8.30am today. Unconfirmed reports say they have been released.

12pm: A United States consul was sent to Insein prison this morning to observe the court hearing of US citizen John William Yettaw, who is being tried on trespassing charges for intruding on Aung San Suu Kyi's compound.

"He was able to enter the compound for observation," said Drake Weisert, deputy Public Affairs spokesperson at the American Embassy in Rangoon.

"We haven't got a word back yet of what he observed inside there."

12.20pm: Journalists outside of Burma have reported difficulties in contacted mobile phones on the ground inside Burma, while reporters in Rangoon say that many phone lines have been cut since Sunday.

11.50pm: All the roads surrounding Insein prison have been blocked with barbed wire and there is a heavy armed police presence.

Militia group Swan Arr Shin and the Union Solidarity and Development Association are also in the area, according to eye witnesses.

Witnesses say that nearby Insein township market was also ordered to close down at 11am this morning by the police and municipal authorities.

Stores and tea shops near the prison have been closed since yesterday.

Armed police members have been deployed inside compounds of nearby monasteries and pagodas while about 20 riot police trucks were seen in the area surrounding the prison.

National League for Democracy (NLD) members who are in the area closely watching the situation said a United States' embassy vehicle was seen entering the prison compounds, and has now left. Suu Kyi's lawyers have also entered the prison.

Family members of inmates inside the prison say no family visits are allowed today.

NLD members said there were around 300 spectators near the prison.

READ MORE---> Aung San Suu Kyi trial update: 12.55pm...

72 Former Presidents, Prime Ministers Write to UN

By LALIT K JHA
The Irrawaddy News

WASHINGTON — The Club of Madrid has sent a letter, signed by 72 former presidents and prime ministers, to the United Nations urging Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to go to Burma to seek the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Condemning the recent arrest of Suu Kyi, the Club of Madrid, in a letter dated May 15, said: “We urge you to make use of every possible means, including considering to travel to Burma on behalf of the United Nations, to press for her immediate release.”

The letter released to the media on Sunday was signed by Ricardo Lagos, president of the Club of Madrid and former president of Chile; Mary Robinson, vice-president of the Club of Madrid and former president of Ireland, and Kjell Magne Bondevik, a member of the board of directors of the Club of Madrid and former prime minister of Norway.

The letter cited the October 11, 2007, presidential statement of the UN Security Council calling on the Burmese junta to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

“In defiance of the United Nations Security Council, the Burmese junta has not only almost doubled the number of political prisoners, but now also imprisoned and charged Aung San Suu Kyi with breaching the terms of her house arrest. Hearing of the court will start on 18 May, 2009. The charges carry a maximum jail term of five years,” it said.

Meanwhile, in advance of the trial of Suu Kyi more than 40 global celebrities on Sunday urged the countries of the world and the UN to speak in one voice and to demand that the Burmese democracy leader be freed immediately.

“We must not stand by as she is silenced once again. Now is the time for the United Nations and the entire international community to speak clearly and with one voice: Free Aung San Suu Kyi,” global celebrities said in a statement on Sunday.

Prominent signers included David Beckham, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Anderson Cooper, Madonna, John McCain, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Salman Rushdie, Meg Ryan and Steven Spielberg.

“Nineteen years ago, the Burmese people chose Aung San Suu Kyi to be their next leader. And for most of those 19 years she has been kept under house arrest by the military junta that now runs the country. She is the world’s only incarcerated Nobel Peace Prize laureate,” the statement said. “Last week Suu Kyi was taken to Burma’s Insein Prison to face criminal charges as part of a concerted plan to deny her freedom.”

Among other signatories to the “Free Aung San Suu Kyi” statement were George Clooney, Madeleine Albright, Wes Anderson, Drew Barrymore, Matthew Broderick, Sandra Bullock, James Carville, Michael Chabon, Daniel Craig, John Cusack, Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Dave Eggers, Jake Gyllenhaal, Václav Havel, Helen Hunt, Anjelica Huston, Scarlett Johansson, Nicole Kidman, Ashton Kutcher, Norman Lear, Mary Matalin, Cindy McCain, Rose McGowan, Orhan Pamuk, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Robert Rodriguez, Meg Ryan, Liev Schreiber, George Soros, Meryl Streep, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Naomi Watts, Prof Elie Wiesel and Owen Wilson.

READ MORE---> 72 Former Presidents, Prime Ministers Write to UN...

Hundreds Gather as Suu Kyi Trial Starts

By SAW YAN NAING
The Irrawaddy News

Hundreds of people, including members of Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) gathered outside Rangoon’s Insein Prison on Monday morning as the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi got under way in a special court.

The ambassadors of four European countries were refused entry to the prison to attend the trial, reported the AFP news agency, quoting an unnamed diplomat.

A Police car near Insein Prison on Monday (Photo: The Irrawaddy)

Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Kyi Win, said he planned to ask for the trial to be held in public. Suu Kyi is also being represented by lawyers Khin Htay Kywe and Nyan Win.

Kyi Win said 22 prosecution witnesses, including police officers, would be called. He said Suu Kyi’s family doctor, Tin Myo Win, who was arrested by Burmese authorities the day after the discovery that an American intruder had entered her house, would not be called to give evidence.

Tin Myo Win was freed by Burmese authorities on Saturday, a member of his family reported.

The American intruder also reportedly went on trial on Monday, but no details were officially disclosed.

Suu Kyi faces a sentence of up to five years imprisonment if found guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest by allegedly harboring the American.

Rangoon sources reported that security had been stepped up around Insein Prison and on roads leading to the area. Shopkeepers in the immediate area had also been ordered by the authorities to close their premises. Phone lines were cut, the sources said.

NLD member Kyin Toe said security forces had been deployed around the homes of opposition members, including his own. Some NLD members reported their movements were being followed by security agents.

READ MORE---> Hundreds Gather as Suu Kyi Trial Starts...

Two lawyers representing Suu Kyi dismissed

(DVB)–Two lawyers due to represent Aung San Suu Kyi at her trial today have had their licenses revoked by the Burmese junta for alleged past violations of lawyer ethics.

Central court lawyers Aung Thein and Khin Maung Shein had been preparing to represent Suu Kyi, who today begins her trial for breaching conditions of house arrest following the intrusion of US citizen John William Yettaw into her compound where she has been in detention for the past six years.

Aung Thein said he had received an order notification from the capital Naypyidaw, dated 15 May.

“We [him and Khin Maung Shein] were trying to provide assistance to Daw Suu on her trial but were refused entry into the court on May 14,” said Aung Thein.

“On May 15 at 8:15pm, I received the order notification signed by director general U Than Myaing of Naypyidaw main court which stated I was dismissed from my lawyer status.

Aung Thein said Khin Maung Shein also received a similar notification from Naypyidaw.

“Recently the lawyers’ council in central court has mentioned us two should be dismissed as lawyers as we recently spent four months in prison under charges for violating lawyer ethnics,” he said.

“But there are judges and lawyers in the country who were imprisoned for corruption charges and we see they were allowed to continue with their career after being released from the prison.”

Reporting by Yee May Aung

READ MORE---> Two lawyers representing Suu Kyi dismissed...

The impact of the junta's latest gambit

by Swe Win
Mizzima News

The decision of the Burmese military junta to jail Aung San Suu Kyi on trumped-up charges is a clear indication that it will never loosen its absolute grip on power, dashing the faint hopes of those who want to break the political deadlock by participating in the planned 2010 election. The move has not only revealed the uncompromising stance of the junta’s chief, Senior General Than Shwe, but also further radicalized Burmese politics.

It is nothing uncustomary for the regime to jail political dissidents on charges shamelessly concocted out of non-political and trivial issues. A leading member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party – National League for Democracy (NLD) – U Khin Maung Swe, who was released from imprisonment last year, spent 14 years behind bars on charges of distributing false news to the foreign media.

A fellow NLD member was jailed for allegedly possessing a fake national identity card while another was jailed for complicity in the illegal production of a [politically sensitive] music album. On every occasion, the regime paints the picture that its dissidents are punished not for their political activities, but rather under other irrelevant criminal codes--a ploy to support its claim that there are no political prisoners, only criminals.

Now it seems an American citizen, John Yettaw, who sneaked into Aung San Suu Kyi’s house by swimming across Inya Lake, has given Than Shwe a rare chance to use a similar tactic against Burma’s leader of the democratic movement.

Than Shwe’s latest gambit belittles the debates that have been raging among individuals and groups inside and outside Burma over the 2010 election. The strongest argument of those who favor the election is that instead of continuing fruitless confrontation with the regime, opposition forces should use the election as a chance to gain a certain political space which can be gradually expanded for further democratic changes.

The argument comes from a diverse group of people: some who are genuinely frustrated with the unending political deadlock and the ageing NLD leadership and thus welcome the election as “better than nothing”; some simply resentful of the political dominance Aung San Suu Kyi and her party have long occupied in Burma; and some mere opportunists who are eager to make a personal profit out of the election.

However, the mischievous act to incarcerate Aung San Suu Kyi has almost magically muted the voices of such arguments. It is now easier for Burmese people and the international community to discern that the military regime has no intention at all to budge even a bit further towards political transition and that the 2010 election will not change the political landscape of Burma.

This situation has also brought to an end the awkward political crisis facing the NLD over the election: participation means compliance with unjust provisions of the junta’s 2008 Constitution and being accused of lack of political maneuvering while non-participation can bring charges against party leaders for being recalcitrant with a disregard for the misery of Burmese people. Were it not for the latest incident, the regime’s refusal to accept the demands in NLD’s April 29th "Shwegonedaing Declaration", which calls for the release of all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi and a review of the controversial provisions of the 2008 Constitution, would still not have made it less challenging for the party to boycott the upcoming election.

However, regrettably, the regime's action has also silenced the voice of the people, including those from within the NLD leadership, who genuinely wish to seek middle ground and prepare to engage with the junta in order to bring some changes to the current stalemate. Now that it seems more prudent to be cynical towards the regime, we will see more hardliners taking control of the Burmese political stage, which is not good for the future of Burma – not to mention that of Than Shwe and his generals too.

Like the nervous pilot of a crashing plan, Than Shwe no longer cares to justify his actions even in the eyes of his military establishment. After killing monks and committing numerous heinous crimes against his own people, it seems he will not take any risks. In the coming weeks his regime will likely condemn Aung San Suu Kyi to a few years of imprisonment for breaking her house arrest terms by accepting the uninvited visit of an American man and will afterwards issue a statement through the state-run press that out of sympathy for her health she will be taken back to her home and placed under house arrest instead of being forced to serve out her sentence in prison.

After a short period in prison, Yettaw will also likely be released with a clause “in consideration of bilateral relations between Burma and the United States."

The military regime will move on with its roadmap, and the year 2010 will see millions of Burmese lifelessly marching to voting stations. But Burma will remain unchanged.

READ MORE---> The impact of the junta's latest gambit...

Police Officer Testifies in Suu Kyi Trial

By SAW YAN NAING
The Irrawaddy News

The first witness called by the prosecution on Monday was a police official, said National League for Democracy (NLD) spokesman Nyan Win, who is also a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s legal team.

The police official testified that Suu Kyi—in flaunting the law governing personal restrictions enforced on her in 2003—had broken the terms of her house arrest, said Nyan Win, although he was unable to provide further details of the police official’s testimony or his position within the police force.

The NLD spokesman confirmed that the defense team had sufficient time to question the witness.

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday afternoon after attending the opening day of the trial of Suu Kyi in Insein Prison, Nyan Win said that proceedings had begun at 10 a.m. and finished at about 2 p.m., before being adjourned until the following day.

Two NLD members, Khin Khin Win and her daughter Win Ma Ma, who have acted as Suu Kyi’s caretakers in recent years, as well as John William Yettaw—an American tourist who allegedly sneaked into Suu Kyi’s lakeside home on May 3—also appeared in court on Monday, said Nyan Win.

There are 22 prosecution witnesses, all of whom will be questioned, said the NLD spokesman.
However, he said that he was worried about the process of the trial as the military court usually takes orders directly from the ruling junta.

“From our experience of the Burmese courts, they usually do what the regime orders,” said Nyan Win. “I’m worried about this situation.”

Suu Kyi faces a maximum of five years imprisonment if she is convicted of violating the terms of her house arrest by harboring the American intruder, who apparently swam two kilometers across Inya Lake to interview the 63-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

It is obvious that the junta is attempting to prevent Suu Kyi from participating in the upcoming election in 2010, said the NLD spokesman.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people—mostly NLD supporters—gathered outside Insein Prison on Monday during Suu Kyi’s trial, said Win Tin, a leading member of the NLD.

However, security forces were able to control the rally and persuaded the crowd not to protest, said Win Tin.

Rangoon sources said that security forces were beefed up on Monday around Insein Prison and on roads leading into the area. Shopkeepers near the prison had earlier been ordered by the authorities to close their premises.

READ MORE---> Police Officer Testifies in Suu Kyi Trial...

Hundreds Gather as Suu Kyi Trial Starts

By SAW YAN NAING
The Irrawaddy News

Hundreds of people, including members of Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) gathered outside Rangoon’s Insein Prison on Monday morning as the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi got under way in a special court.

The ambassadors of four European countries were refused entry to the prison to attend the trial, reported the AFP news agency, quoting an unnamed diplomat.

A Police car near Insein Prison on Monday (Photo: The Irrawaddy)

Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Kyi Win, said he planned to ask for the trial to be held in public. Suu Kyi is also being represented by lawyers Khin Htay Kywe and Nyan Win.

Kyi Win said 22 prosecution witnesses, including police officers, would be called. He said Suu Kyi’s family doctor, Tin Myo Win, who was arrested by Burmese authorities the day after the discovery that an American intruder had entered her house, would not be called to give evidence.

Tin Myo Win was freed by Burmese authorities on Saturday, a member of his family reported.

The American intruder also reportedly went on trial on Monday, but no details were officially disclosed.

Suu Kyi faces a sentence of up to five years imprisonment if found guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest by allegedly harboring the American.

Rangoon sources reported that security had been stepped up around Insein Prison and on roads leading to the area. Shopkeepers in the immediate area had also been ordered by the authorities to close their premises. Phone lines were cut, the sources said.

NLD member Kyin Toe said security forces had been deployed around the homes of opposition members, including his own. Some NLD members reported their movements were being followed by security agents.

READ MORE---> Hundreds Gather as Suu Kyi Trial Starts...

EU Weighs Stepping up Burma Sanctions

By CONSTANT BRAND / AP WRITER
The Irrawaddy News

BRUSSELS — China, India and other Asian countries should press Burma's military leaders to drop charges against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and release her from house arrest, EU foreign ministers said Monday.

The EU ministers meeting in Brussels discussed increasing sanctions against Burma's junta, but also said they would urge Burma's neighbors to do more to help restore democracy in the Southeast Asian country.

"We will have to engage with other countries in the region, those are the ones that have a real possibility to influence" the military junta, Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said.

Suu Kyi, one of Burma's more than 2,100 political prisoners, is on trial in Rangoon for allegedly harboring an American man who swam to her lakeside home where she was under house arrest.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Paris called the trial a "scandalous provocation."
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the EU was "very concerned" over the trial and efforts by the military junta to shove through "sham" constitutional reforms.

"The house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi is bad enough, but for her to be put on a show trial just adds to her pain," he said in Brussels. Suu Kyi has spent more than 13 of the last 19 years under detention.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana led the call for more sanctions, though others questioned whether existing EU punitive measures were working, including a travel ban on Burma's political officials, an arms embargo and a freeze of assets in Europe.

"We have seen the sanctions have not helped. They have not brought anything new," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.

Sweden's Bildt said EU nations would pressure their counterparts from the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Burma, when they meet next week in Hanoi, Vietnam. Past efforts to cajole the Asian group to denounce Burma have failed.

Burma has been ruled by its military since 1962. The current junta came to power in 1988 after crushing a pro-democracy uprising, and has stepped up its campaign against opposition politicians and activists before elections planned for next year.

The EU imposed sanctions in 2006 to protest the junta's crackdown on pro-democracy groups, and added other economic sanctions in 2007, including a ban on imports of timber, gemstones and precious metals.

READ MORE---> EU Weighs Stepping up Burma Sanctions...

Court rejects appeal for public presence at Suu Kyi trial

by Mungpi

New Delhi (Mizzima) - A special court inside Insein Prison on Monday rejected an appeal by the defense counsel of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to conduct the trial in the public's presence and under the glare of the media.

Nyan Win, spokesperson for the National League for Democracy (NLD), after returning from the court on Monday told Mizzima, “We submitted an appeal to conduct the trial in the public's presence. Though they [authorities] could erect security, we requested to allow the public to hear the proceedings.”

“But the court rejected it,” he said.

Nyan Win, Kyi Win, Hla Myo Myint and Daw Khin Htay Kywe are the four defense counsels trying the case of Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been charged under section 22 of the penal code for breaching the rules of her house arrest.

Detained Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, Khin Win and her daughter – party mates who live with Aung San Suu Kyi and an American man, John William Yettaw, were all charged after Yettaw was arrested on May 6th after allegedly swimming across Inya Lake and entering Aung San Suu Kyi’s tightly guarded lakeside house along Rangoon’s University Avenue.

The trial, which began on Friday, was adjourned on Monday after the prosecution produced a witness, who was subsequently crossed examined by defense counsels, Nyan Win recounted. The next hearing will take place on Tuesday, May 19th.

“I don’t want to comment on the case right now, but what I can say is that the case is proceeding,” Nyan Win said.

Currently, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is being kept in a separate house inside the jail premises. But she remains in good health, Nyan Win remarked.

“She is watched all the time by officials, and I cannot talk to her properly,” he added.

Meanwhile, at least a hundred NLD members along with veteran journalist Win Tin and several civilians waited in front of Insein Prison for news of the proceedings.

Security tightened

Hundreds of riot police and armed soldiers took up position around Insein Prison and have blocked the road leading to the prison with barricades. Additionally, dozens of members of the pro-junta civilian groups Swan Arrshin and Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) were seen taking charge of the roads in other parts of Rangoon, the former capital of Burma.

While the situation remained peaceful, security officials reportedly told the crowd waiting outside Insein Prison to stay calm.

An NLD youth member from Shwe Pyithar Suburban Township, who was distributing black ribbons near Insein bazaar, was arrested by police on Monday morning.

International reaction

As the trial against Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was taking inside Insein Prison, calls and pressure for her immediate release mounted from the international community.

Diplomats from the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Australia on Monday arrived at the Insein Prison gates and requested permission to witness the trial. But security officials barred them from entering.

“I wanted to show my support to Aung San Suu Kyi and her lawyers, and the ambassadors wanted to do so as well. I didn’t think they would allow us inside the prison, but we wanted to be outside the prison anyway,” the diplomat, who wished not to be named, told Mizzima.

The diplomat added, “The general feeling is that we are disturbed about what is happening and what the consequences of the trial might be.”

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministers from the European Union, who are meeting at Brussels, have called for fresh sanctions against Burma’s ruling junta in response to the trial.

The EU in late April had agreed to extend a package of sanctions against some 500 regime figures and their relatives, as well as against some 80 businesses linked to the Burmese regime. But Monday’s meeting indicates that these sanctions could be expanded if Burma refuses to bow to international pressure.

"This is not the moment to lower sanctions, this is the moment to increase them," EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana was quoted as saying by the DPA.

Over the weekend, leaders from the United States, the European Union and a few from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), such as the Philippines, called on the Burmese junta to released Aung San Suu Kyi.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Karel De Gucht, in a statement on Friday said, “Everything makes me think that the regime is looking for a reason to keep her in detention, and far from any election process.”

Widespread protests

Similarly, activists around the world have raised their voices in protest of the junta’s trial against Burma’s democracy icon.

A group of activists, showing solidarity to the Burmese people and Aung San Suu Kyi in Jakarta, on Monday held a protest march in front of the Burmese embassy calling on the junta to stop the charges against Aung San Suu Kyi and to release her.

In Bangkok, Burmese and Thais activists joined hands in a protest march in front of the Burmese embassy.

And in New Delhi, Burmese activists held a protest in front of the Burmese embassy.

Similar demonstrations were held in various cities across the world, including Washington D.C., London, Tokyo and Sydney.

The NLD youth in a statement released on Monday following the court proceedings said the charge and trial of party leader Aung San Suu Kyi is a ploy by the junta to prolong her detention.

Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained for more than 13 of the past 19 years, is scheduled to complete her current term of detention during last week of May.

Mizzima's reporters contributed to the story

READ MORE---> Court rejects appeal for public presence at Suu Kyi trial...

Continued Persecution Of Aung San Suu Kyi

Burmese citizens living in Japan hold portraits of Aung San Suu Kyi during a rally in Tokyo, 14 May 2009.

(VOA) -Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, long a symbol of her country's aspirations for democratic rule, has been under house arrest for much of the past 19 years, and it appears authorities there may be preparing to keep her there for some time to come.

New charges against her are as unfair as those that led to her initial arrest in 1990, and the United States joins with calls in the international community for her immediate release.

The Nobel Prize laureate was taken from her home May 14 and told she would stand trial for an apparent violation of her long-term house arrest. An uninvited visitor sneaked into her guarded residence last week, violating a ban on her meeting with anyone without government permission. He was arrested upon leaving her compound and remains in custody.

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (2008)

The U.S. is seeking more information on the incident and following the situation closely. The unauthorized visitor, John Yettaw, is an American. The U.S. has long pressed for Aung San Suu Kyi's release and that of an estimated 2,100 other political prisoners held by Burma's military rulers.

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won Burma's last elections in 1990, but the results were ignored by the government. New elections are planned next year, in which Aung San Suu Kyi likely could not have a voice if she were still in custody. A disputed constitution approved in a sham referendum last year may bar her from holding office.

Aung San Suu Kyi should be freed immediately. Her detention, already unfair, has lasted too long.

READ MORE---> Continued Persecution Of Aung San Suu Kyi...

China Should Break its Silence on Suu Kyi

The Irrawaddy News

The removal of Aung San Suu Kyi from her home to Rangoon’s infamous Insein Prison and her trial before a secret court have sparked international outrage and condemnation, shared by world leaders, Nobel Prize winners and prominent personalities.

Two governments have remained significantly silent, however—those of Burma’s two giant neighbors, China and India.

The reasons for their silence aren’t difficult to discern.

Both countries exploit Burma’s natural resources and are major trading partners. China, in particular, profits from lively arms sales to the pariah regime.

China makes no secret of its strong ties with Burma. New Delhi, on the other hand, is a pathetic hypocrite, changing its policy from support for Suu Kyi to one of subservience to Burma’s ruling generals. India has descended a long and ignoble decline since presenting Suu Kyi with its coveted Jawaharlal Nehru Award.

It’s sad indeed to see one of the world’s largest democracies—whose commitment to democracy has just been proved in a general election—kowtowing to the bullies of Naypyidaw.

China’s stance on Burma is, by comparison, at least intriguing.

At the time of the September 2007 demonstrations, when monks and other protesters were gunned down in the streets of Rangoon, China told Burma to exercise restraint. Beijing urged the junta to restore order quickly and to address the domestic tensions that caused the unrest.

Although the regime ignored the appeals from Beijing, China remained on friendly terms with Naypidaw and used its UN veto to block a Security Council resolution on Burma in 2007.

Beijing is not blind, however, to Burma’s ongoing problems. Chinese analysts and officials have been meeting exiled Burmese and making assessments on Burma. They have suggested that Beijing is wary of political development in Burma.

China has also told the Burmese regime that it doesn’t share Naypyidaw’s description of Suu Kyi as a tool of the West, and has indicated strongly that it wants to see national reconciliation in Burma.

When Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi visited Burma in December, he urged junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe to respect the UN’s request for an inclusive political process in Burma, and he reportedly mentioned political prisoners, including Suu Kyi.

Informed sources in Naypyidaw suggested that Than Shwe looked unhappy, while briefing his Chinese visitor on the state of the country, including its political and economic development and reconstruction work in the cyclone-hit Irrawaddy delta.

It is sad that Burmese leaders have found in China a convenient shield to hide behind whenever they face international outrage and condemnation. Again, the silence emanating from Beijing only sent a wrong signal to Than Shwe.

As in September 2007, Beijing should speak out. But this time it should exercise its political influence not only on Burma but also on the region as a whole to press for the release of Suu Kyi and the other political prisoners.

Such a move by China would be warmly welcomed by oppressed Burmese and the exiled community. It shouldn’t be forgotten that they also want to regard China as a friend.

READ MORE---> China Should Break its Silence on Suu Kyi...

China, India and ASEAN silent over Suu Kyi’s trial

by Salai Pi Pi

New Delhi (Mizzima) – In the wake of the charges leveled by the Burmese military junta against the country’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and a trial in Insein prison, there has been mounting international outcry condemning the regime.

But surprisingly, Burma’s neighbours China, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, are conspicuous by their silence.

Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was charged for breaching her detention law after an American, John William Yettaw, allegedly swam across Rangoon’s Innya Lake and entered her house.

Regime authorities on Friday formally announced her trial and on Monday held the first hearing.

The junta’s move, however, sparked outrage among the Burmese as well as the international community ranging from intellectuals, campaigners, activists, writers, artists, human rights group, and world leaders.

The United Nations, United States and European Union (EU) lambasted Burma’s ruling junta and demanded the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. Asian countries including Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore also joined the call.

Foreign Ministers of EU on Monday called for review of fresh sanctions against the junta and urged China and other regional countries to pressurize the Burmese regime to release the opposition leader.

But China, the junta’s closest ally, India and the ASEAN as a group, has so far remained silent over the events unfolding in Burma.

Debbie Stothard, coordinator of Alternative ASEAN network on Burma (Altsean Burma), a group working to promote human rights and democracy in Burma, on Monday said the ASEAN, of which Burma is a member, has the responsibility to pressurize the Burmese regime over its actions as part of enforcing the group’s charter that was ratified last year.

“I am very shocked to see how quite ASEAN’s General Secretary has been, especially since they are supposed to be the main body promoting implementation of the ASEAN charter,” Stothard said.

“We don’t know where he [the Secretary General] is? We don’t hear his voice in this matter,” she added.

Debbie said ASEAN’s silence over the injustice done to Aung San Suu Kyi would encourage the Burmese regime to be more aggressive against her and commit more human rights violations in the country, which will become a threat to regional countries.

“The quieter the ASEAN remains the worse things the SPDC will commit, not just to Aung San Suu Kyi but also to the regional countries,” she said, referring to the junta by its official name – the State Peace and Development Council.

“All these are creating problems for ASEAN,” she added.

Following China is its main rival, India.

India the world’s largest democracy, which is currently busy in the aftermath of the Parliamentary elections, has officially made no statements on Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial.

Tint Swe, Information minister of the Burmese government - National Coalition Government of Union of Burma (NCGUB) in exile - said avoiding criticism of Burma’s military regime is not unusual but has been a tradition for the two regional powers - India and China.

When it comes to human rights and democracy in Burma, both China and India choose to remain silent as they look forward to maintaining a good relationship with the junta, he said.

“It is strange that the two regional powers, India and China, are silent regarding Aung San Suu Kyi but it doesn’t make any difference to us since these two countries have vested interest in Burma,” Tint Swe told Mizzima.

“It has become a tradition for these two countries to keep quite as much as they can when it comes to Burma’s issues,” he added.

Tint Swe said, the recently concluded Parliamentary elections, might be a good excuse for India to remain silent.

“We also don’t expect too much criticism from India of Burma since India has a foreign policy that doesn’t care which government rules Burma. It will try to better relations with it for its own national interest,” Tint Swe added.

India, since 1994 introduced the ‘Look East Policy’ and chose to appease Burma’s military regime rather than condemn its human rights records as it cosies up and looks forward to a warm relationship with the country.

Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Sino-Burma border based observer said, China’s reluctance to criticize the Burmese regime for their injustice against Aung San Suu Kyi could be because of its policy of non-interference in other country’s domestic affairs.

“Simply, they [China] will say Aung San Suu Kyi’s case is Burma’s internal affair,” Aung Kyaw Zaw said.

China is one of the few countries that have maintained friendly relations with Burma’s military rulers. China along with Russia had vetoed a United Nations Security Council Resolution on Burma in January 2007.

Aung Kyaw Zaw said, China’s current interest is to immediately implement the construction of the gas pipeline that will connect Burma’s Arakan state and China’s Yunnan province.

The junta’s move against Aung San Suu Kyi is possibly a kind of amusement for China as it needs a stable regime in power so it can exploit and extract mineral resources from Burma, he added.

READ MORE---> China, India and ASEAN silent over Suu Kyi’s trial...

Activists protest against Suu Kyi’s trial in front of Burmese embassy

by Usa Pichai

Bangkok (Mizzima) - International and Thai activists gathered in front of the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok and urged the Thailand Government as well as ASEAN to take action against Burma.

Members of the Peace for Burma network and Amnesty International, Thailand, gathered in front of the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok, and urged the United Nations Security Council, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to demand the release of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Kotchawan Chaiyabutra, Campaign Coordinator of Amnesty International (Thailand), told Mizzima that the ASEAN countries should prove their strong intentions of improving the human rights situation in the region.

“ASEAN claimed that the setting up of its Human Rights Body would play a significant role in managing regional human rights problems. However, the recent situation in Burma, is a challenge for the association to show their sincerity in solving such problems,” she said.

Angry supporters of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi
on Monday assembled in front of the Burmese embassy in Bangkok and
held protest rallies condemning the ruling junta. Photo – Mizzima

Kyaw Lin Oo from the Burma Democracy Concern added that Thailand had expressed its concern about the case. “However, Thailand should put more pressure on Burma, to make sure that the situation improves, in case they want to conduct the general elections of 2010.”

ASEAN has not yet released an official joint opinion on the case, but Kasit Piromya, the Thai Foreign Minister said in a press conference last Friday that Thailand was concerned about Burma’s recent political confusion and Aung San Suu Kyi’s illness, but would not pressurize Burma regarding the case.

Peace for Burma has released a statement on Monday saying that Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the light of democracy in Burma, has been accused unfairly due to the visit of an “uninvited” American man. Her doctor and two maids have also been accused by the ruling Burmese military junta.

“The international community must condemn the Burmese junta regarding the action taken in this case, which indicates that they want to stop Aung San Suu Kyi from participating in the coming general elections of 2010. We urge them and related parties to join the protest against this unacceptable action of the junta,” the statement said.

Peace for Burma (PFB), is a coalition of the Thai and Burmese civil society organizations, working to promote democracy in Burma and assist those suffering under the Burmese regime. It was formed in response to the peaceful protests of August 2007 and the subsequent crackdown.

Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke to CNN on various issues, including Burma’s political situation. “We are concerned. For one thing the state of her health is of concern itself and secondly we have encouraged, you know, asked ASEAN, Myanmar (Burma), to continue on the roadmap to achieve a political process, which is inclusive and therefore acceptable to everybody, the international community included, according to a report in ‘The Nation’s’ website on Monday.

In addition, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has supported Thailand's stance on Burma, which called for the end of Aung San Suu Kyi's detention, a Thai Foreign Ministry's spokesperson said on Monday.

Clinton telephoned Thai Foreign Minister, Kasit Piromya, on Saturday to praise Thailand’s reaction over the Burmese junta's move to try Burma's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, Secretary to the Minister said.

READ MORE---> Activists protest against Suu Kyi’s trial in front of Burmese embassy...