USDA woos Muslims in Kachin state ahead of elections

By Phanida

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) is out to woo the Muslim community living in Myitkyina since early this month for the forthcoming 2010 general elections.

Though the 2010 Electoral Law is yet to be enacted and promulgated by the junta, some political parties and organizations including USDA have been allowed to start campaign.

A delegation led by Khin Maung Latt, elder brother of Burma’s Postal and Telecommunication Minister Brig. Gen. Thein Zaw, who is a candidate in the elections in Kahcin State, where a majority are Christians, is organizing Muslims at mosques in Myitkyina.

“He told the Muslim community that peace and religious equality has been achieved during military rule so they should vote for Brig. Gen. Thein Zaw representing the USDA and nominated by the junta,” an attendee at one of the mosques told Mizzima.
(JEG's: Is it because of peace and religious equality under the junta that the Rohingya are stateless?)

The campaign team comprised Myitkyina native Khin Maung Latt, BSPP party member and former Township (administrative) Council Secretary, Kachin State USDA Executive Committee member Dr. Khin Maung Tun, retired Maj. Myint Swe, and retired Lt. Col. Myo Swe, who is mobilizing minority Muslims in Myitkyina.

They concluded the poll campaign in three mosques of the officially permitted seven in seven Wards of Myitkyina. There are over 700 Muslim devotees at these mosques, it is learnt.

The team rounded off their election campaign in Aung Nan Ward on January 1, in Kyun Pin Thar Ward on January 8, in Khay Mar Thiri on January 15 respectively. A Muslim community member from Min Yat Ward said that campaign in this ward today had to be cancelled.

Brig. Gen. Thein Zaw is running the ‘Setana Pyee Phyo’ and ‘Parami’ free clinics for people in 18 wards and villages in Myitkyina including Sitapu, Dukathaung, Naung Nan, Shwe Set, Sha Daung, a local resident said. (JEG's: will the clinics run free after elections???)

The Kachin State Progressive Party (KSPP) is also planning to contest the elections. They have already conducted election campaign in 18 townships in Kachin State.

According to government statistics, there are 46 million Buddhists, three million Christians, two million Muslims and three million Hindus in Burma.


Burma Newscasts - USDA woos Muslims in Kachin state ahead of elections -
Friday, 22 January 2010 21:36
http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/3422-usda-woos-muslims-in-kachin-state-ahead-of-elections.html

READ MORE---> USDA woos Muslims in Kachin state ahead of elections...

Military training continues in another guise

By Hseng Khio Fah

(Shanland) -Burma Army’s recruiting campaign and military training are still going on in northern Shan State’s Muse Township on the Sino-Burma border, according to local source.

In early this month, local police officials have forcibly recruited over a hundred of youths from the town and rural areas saying they would be employed in the fire brigade. However, those recruited people actually being given a month long military training.

Each town quarter was ordered to provide at least 10 to 30 people and each village surrounding Muse at least 3 people.

“No excuse for the service. Parents are also afraid to refuse for fear of punishment,” a resident said.

The recruits are being trained at Muse’s football field since 11 August, he added.

Each trainee is provided Kyat 500 ($0.45) each day.

Since early 2009, the Burma Army has been forcing villagers in several townships in Shan State to join militia units and have been conducting many military trainings.

In May, hundreds of villagers in Shan State East’ Tachilek township, opposite Maesai and people in Namkham, northern Shan State were similarly ordered to sever either in the fire brigade or in the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), but all were forced to undergo militia training, according to report by SHAN in May.

READ MORE---> Military training continues in another guise...

USDA Card More Useful Than National ID When Traveling

Maungdaw (Narinjara): An USDA card is more useful than national ID cards when traveling around Arakan State, and many youths in Arakan State have joined the USDA in order to get a membership card, said one student from Maungdaw.

"In Maungdaw Township, to get a national ID card is very difficult for township people. More than 10,000 kyat has to be payed out as bribes for a national ID card, but it is no guarantee that you'll get the ID card in time. So many youths and students join the USDA for the organization's member card," she said.

In Arakan State, authorities do not allow a person to travel without a national ID card. Every traveler needs to show their identification to authorities when buying ferries and bus tickets.

There are also many checkpoints stationed along major roads around Arakan State and people can be arrested if they are unable to show their national ID cards whenever requested by the authorities.

"The national ID card is very useful in our country, but now the card is not as powerful as the USDA membership cards. In our state, anyone can travel anywhere with a USDA card," the student added.

Buthidaung and Maungdaw Township are more restrictive of travel than other places in Arakan, and most people are traveling with USDA cards.

A teacher from Maungdaw said, "If anyone has a USDA card, they can more easily get a national ID card. The immigration department issues the national ID cards to those people who are members of the USDA. Without the USDA card, a person can not apply for government jobs in Burma."

Many students at the Maungdaw government high school have joined the USDA for these benefits rather than for political reasons. However, the government still prohibits Muslim students from joining the USDA.

The USDA, or Union Solidarity and Development Association, is an organization backed by the Burmese military government and is intended to be transformed into a political party whenever the government needs it.

According to the organization, there are over twenty four million members in the USDA throughout Burma.

READ MORE---> USDA Card More Useful Than National ID When Traveling...

Informers make life difficult for Rohingya community

Maungdaw, Arakan State (Kaladan): Informers from various departments of Maungdaw are making life very difficult for the local people, according to an elderly person from Maungdaw Town.

The informers are providing wrong information to their concerned departments, to earn various favours as well as money. Therefore it becomes very difficult for the poor local people to survive along with their families, he said.

Dil Mohammed, son of Kalu and Rashid, son of Bawdu from Shewza Village are informers working for the Nasaka’s outpost number 14. They have close connections with Captain Khin Maung Myint (now Captain Aung Htoo). They have been providing wrong information to the Nasaka, like possession of Bangladeshi mobiles, border crossing, trafficking and money laundering. Due to these wrong allegations, many people are facing arrest and have had to pay bribes to avoid being arrested, a school teacher from the village said.

Besides, these informers are also involved in drug trafficking, due to an understanding with the concerned officer in their village and township and also with the help of , Way Tha Maung the brother-in-law of U Shew, who is the Secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) of Maungdaw. He was released from jail last year, he added.

The two informers are working with the help of USDA. They are also involved in smuggling activities from Shewza village, where they have paid money to the officer in charge of Nasaka outpost 14. If someone tries to take action about this, they use the power of the USDA and take the help of other influential people from the administration to dissolve the matter and counter attack them, he added.

A village officer, who tried to support the villagers regarding this matter, had to face many false cases filed against him, by the concerned authorities, a victim of these allegations said.

Due to the wrong information provided by the informers, some Rohingya people lost their houses and lands, as three houses were seized by the authorities last month.

The Rohingya people, who lost their houses, were Goolitta, Zakhair and Dil Mohamed. They hailed from Shawza village of Maungdaw, currently, facing a lot of trouble to survive during the monsoon season, he added.

On the other hand, the informers of the police are causing trouble for the shopkeepers in Maungdaw, accusing them of selling drugs in their shops and asking them for money to avoid arrest, a shopkeeper from Maungdaw said.

This is a master plan of the police and the informers jointly, to keep Yaba tablets in their shops through informers after which the police would raid the shops. Then the police would demand money for the release of the shopkeepers, said the shopkeeper.

“If there were no informers, maybe we could stay peacefully in our town and no one would get into trouble with the authorities,” a student from Maungdaw said.

READ MORE---> Informers make life difficult for Rohingya community...

Villagers refuse government money for new schools

By Kon Hadae, IMNA

Villagers from Mudon Township in Mon State have refused government money for the building of schools.

90 million kyat was donated by former Mudon residents now living and working in Singapore, but it hasn’t ended up being enough for the construction.

In September, the family inquired about making repairs to a school in Set -thawe village. Officials at the Mudon Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC), however, asked the family to allow the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA) to coordinate the repairs.

The USDA is a government-backed civilian organization founded with the support of Senior General Than Shwe in 1993.

The USDA announced plans to build schools in five villages: kolort-tort, Doe-mar, Set-thawe, Kwan hlar village. They finished building the schools in Set-thawe and Kyaik-ywe village, and began Doe-mar’s in March, which the USDA estimated would cost 15 million kyat.

The USDA leaders informed villagers that their organization would not be willing to cover 8 million themselves. Initially Mudon villagers agreed with the USDA offer, but then noted the low quality materials bought for the school.

Now villagers told IMNA they thought the USDA would also misuse the remaining 8 million kyat.

“They just bought bad quality materials for the school, and wanted to keep the extra money. So we villagers are concerned that they are going to misuse our money. For that reason we refused to let the USDA organize the building of the school in our village. We told them [the USDA] we would organize the building of this school with our own money.”

The school in Doe-mar village is now 50 percent complete. School construction has been halted since last month because the villagers had no money. In order to continue building the school, the village headman has asked for money from the Mon State ministry of education.

According to a Doe-mar villager, thus far no answer has been received from the Mon state ministry of education.

READ MORE---> Villagers refuse government money for new schools...

Micro Credit in USDA’s Election Plan

By WAI MOE
The Irrawaddy News

The Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), a mass organization backed by the Burmese military junta, has expanded its micro credit projects across the country ahead of the 2010 elections.

Sources close to the USDA said that the organization has increased funding for micro loans for farmer in rural areas of Rangoon Division and other parts of the country.

“In the Eastern District of Rangoon Division, the USDA have loaned Kyat 50,000 (about US $ 50) per acre to farmers. The project started at the beginning of this monsoon season,” a source said. He added the loan project is a part of the plan by the military backed political party to win people’s hearts and minds in the coming elections.

Although micro credit has been given to farmers in some areas for the first time this season, the USDA has been making loans in other parts of Burma for at least two years.

“In Taikkyi Township, Rangoon Division, small loans have been given to farmers for two years. The farmers got Kyat 50,000 for per acre of rice field in the first year, but got more the second year,” said a USDA member in the township.

The micro credit project has given more public relations space to the junta-backed USDA. The pro-junta organization has had a bad name since their participation in the 2003 Depayin Massacre, which brutally ambushed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s motorcade, and the September 2007 crackdown on demonstrators.

The military junta is allowing the USDA to become involved in rural social development projects ahead of the elections scheduled for 2010. Such projects include road building roads, plant propagation, provision of educational and medical facilities upcountry, performing relief work in the Irrawaddy delta after Cyclone Nargis, as well as providing micro credit.

Though the USDA is not the official ruling party in Burma, USDA leaders often meet with foreign delegations on a party to party basis.

In early June, Htay Oo, general secretary of the USDA, attended a North Korean film event in Rangoon, which marked the 45th anniversary of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Il’s seat on the central committee of the ruling Worker’s Party of Korea.

Though the junta has yet to announce the election date officially, the leaders of the USDA have been campaigning across the country.

The junta’s mouthpiece, The New Light of Myanmar reported on Monday that an executive leader of the USDA, Burmese Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, met more than 23,000 people in Saw Township, Magway Division in central Burma last week—observers believe this kind of trip is a part of the election campaign.

READ MORE---> Micro Credit in USDA’s Election Plan...

Where Pariah States Meet

By WAI MOE
The Irrawaddy News

It is arguable whether democratic countries are currently working together in a spirit of cooperation to protect global human rights; however it is quite clear that two of the world’s pariah states are united in protecting each other’s interests.

A case in point was the announcement on Wednesday in North Korea’s state-run mouthpiece, the Korean Central News Agency, which proclaimed that “a meeting, film show and photo exhibition were held in Myanmar and a news briefing and film show in Russia from June 1 to 3 ...”

The article went on to say that both countries were hosting the events to mark the 45th anniversary of the date when leader Kim Jong Il joined the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).

Despite the obscurity of the occasion, Htay Oo, the secretary-general of the Burmese junta’s loyal organization, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), addressed the assembled audience at the Burmese event, effusing: “One of the feats performed by Kim Jong Il in leading the Party and revolution to a shining victory, shouldering upon himself the destiny of the country and nation is that he has strengthened and developed the WPK into a guiding force of the Songun revolution,” according to the North Korean media.

“Songun” is North Korea's "Military First" policy that grants the Korean People's Army a leading role in the affairs of state and allocates national resources to the army before civilians.

Apart from the slavish compliments bestowed on the Korean premier by the USDA leader, the other notable point about the announcement was that it was published one week late by the state press in North Korea, indicating that, perhaps, it had been held back to coincide with the date the United Nations Security Council announced it had agreed on more tightened sanctions against Pyongyang due to the country’s recent nuclear and missile testing.

The draft of the resolution on North Korea also included calls on all UN member states to carry out inspections of North Korean ships that may be carrying equipment related to weapons of mass destruction and toincrease vigilance over financial dealings with Pyongyang.

In the case of Burma’s military authorities, directives from the UN generally fall on deaf ears.

The North Korean press was reminding the world that it still had one friend—even it was only basket-case Burma.

Official diplomatic relations between Burma and North Korea were restored in April 2007 after a political row some 14 years before when Burma cut diplomatic ties with Pyongyang following the assassination on Burmese soil of four members of a South Korean delegation, including the deputy prime minister, under the government of President Chun Doo Hwan.

Although the two countries shook hands in 2007, Burma experts say the junta has enjoyed military relations with the North Korean regime since the early 2000s when the Koreans provided the junta bunker and tunnel technology, as well as truck-mounted, multiple rocket launchers and surface-to-air missiles.

“North Korean technicians have helped them [the Burmese junta] construct underground facilities where they can survive any threats from their own people as well as the outside world,” wrote Bertil Lintner, a Swedish journalist who has written on Burma for many years, adding that an extensive network of underground installation was built near the Burmese junta’s remote capital, Naypyidaw.

“It is not known if the tunnels are linked to Burma’s efforts to develop nuclear technology—in which the North Koreans allegedly are active as well,” he noted.

Kavi Chongkittavorn of Thailand’s The Nation newspaper has also said that the Burmese military regime were developing bunker and tunnel warfare and that the materials were provided by the North Koreans.

According to Burmese military sources, the ruling generals have stated at meetings with senior officials that, in reference to the Pyongyang model, if Burma had nuclear weapons, then powerful countries could not threaten them.

On Sunday, the press in North Korea scrambled to bring home the headlines that Kim Jong Il is likely to elect his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, to succeed him as the next head of the communist state.

Two days later, the Burmese state-run-media published a news report about the Burmese leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe’s favorite grandson opening a school canteen in Rangoon.

The word in the street in both Burma and North Korea is that the leaders want their rule to become a dynasty.

READ MORE---> Where Pariah States Meet...

State newspaper underreports pagoda deaths

(DVB)–Burma's leading state-run newspaper has allegedly under-reported the death toll from a collapsed pagoda, whilst authorities have threatened those who pass information on the incident to news agencies.

The New Light of Myanmar newspaper, which acts as the state mouthpiece, yesterday claimed that only two civilians were killed when the 50-meter high Danok pagoda collapse during renovation work last week.

But locals in Dala township have said that at least five civilians died, while a Dala resident said that the bodies of eight soldiers were recovered from the site yesterday alone.

Security around the pagoda has been tight and people have been stopped from entering the area, he said.

Moreover, the houses of those injured and killed have been watched closely so that people cannot enter and leave.

"[The military] have issued orders to their family members that if they tell someone about it and the news comes out, they will be imprisoned for at least five years,” said the man.

“That's why they dare not tell anyone, and intelligence personnel, USDA [Union Solidarity and Development Association], Swan Arr Shin [militia] and local authority members are watching them constantly."

Monks living in eight monasteries around the pagoda are neither allowed to collect alms nor be fed by local acolytes. Local authority members have been arranging meals for the monks and taking them to the monasteries.

The pagoda was re-consecrated by Senior General Than Shwe and his wife, Kyaing Kyaing, on Kason full moon day on 28 May. It collapsed two days later.

The newspaper claims that incident was due to the burden of innovation work and the drive to finish the work before monsoon begins. Locals have, however, voiced concerns that the collapse is a bad omen.

Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet

READ MORE---> State newspaper underreports pagoda deaths...

USDA Latter Day Saints a pro democracy conversion

Yettaw is a Latter Day Saint member in his native town. Coincidentally the Church of The Latter Day Saints is following a missionary program in cooperation with USDA.

Address: The Latter Day Saints Church at Yattaw in Yangon:
No: 146 (A),Pyi Road, 8 1/2 miles, Mayangon Township,Yangon,Myanmar.
(In front of Aung Myay Bon San, Shan monastery, near A1 Film Compound)

Source: Arzarni
Source: Nik

READ MORE---> USDA Latter Day Saints a pro democracy conversion...

Surrender groups to be transformed as police force

By Hseng Khio Fah

(Shanland) All armed groups in Shan State that had surrendered have been told to become police units by June, just as the ceasefire groups will be transformed as border guard force before the upcoming general 2010 elections.

On 17 May, all the surrender groups were summoned to regional commands in Taunggyi and Lashio.
[Moeng Zeun, Shan State Army’s former 758th Brigade commander]

Moeng Zeun, Shan State Army’s former 758th Brigade commander

The Pa-O National Organization (PNO) led by Aung Kham Hti and Moeng Zeun, Shan State Army’s former 758th Brigade commander, will be reorganized as Special Commando Police forces.

The PNO, formed in 1976, concluded a ceasefire agreement with Rangoon in 1991. Its leader Aung Kham Hti is also a co-chairman of the junta-organized Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) Shan State South branch. Moeng Zeun’s Namhu militia surrendered on 17 July 2006.

However, Moeng Zeun was killed in the attack on 24 May between Namhu and Kholam, Namzang Township, 72 miles east of Taunggyi, by the Shan State Army (SSA-South) patrol.

His funeral services will be concluded today (Friday 29).

On 26 May, there was another clash again between Mongkeung and Laikha at 47th milestone. One Namhu militia member who was on his way to Moeng Zeun’s funeral with his commander Sai Ta was reportedly killed.

According to the SSA spokeman, Maj Lao Hseng, there have been four clashes within this month between the SSA and the Burma Army, during which the rebels had inflicted more than 20 casualties and seized more than 20 assorted weapons.

Since early 2009, the Burma Army has been forcing villages in several townships in Shan State to set up militia units.
It has also been giving military trainings for militias. In addition, villagers over 18 years old are being ordered to join fire brigades or Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA).

READ MORE---> Surrender groups to be transformed as police force...

Cease-fire groups transitioning into “Border Guard Forces” join government patrols following Moulmein bombings

By Kon Hadae and Blai Mon

(Mon News) -Two ethnic Karen cease-fire groups are participating in security patrols at Three Pagodas Pass following bomb blasts in Moulmein earlier this week. The joint patrols are unprecedented and precede the groups’ planned transformations into controversial government “Border Guard Forces” (BGF).

Following three bomb blasts in Moulmein on May 27th, authorities in Three Pagodas Pass, on the Thai-Burma border, began conducting nightly security patrols. Beginning at 7pm on the night of the blasts, trucks of soldiers and police began driving around the border town.

According to local residents, Burma’s State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) army and police typically conduct such patrols in Three Pagodas Town. The recent patrols, however, have featured trucks filled with a mix of soldiers drawn from the SPDC army, police and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Karen Peace Force (KPF).

The DKBA and KPF both operate checkpoints inside Three Pagodas, and joint DKBA-SPDC patrols are common in Karen State, but a combined operation with all three groups, inside the border town, is unusual.

“The day that the bombs exploded in Moulmein, the authorities made night patrols in the town that evening. Not only SPDC soldiers took part in the patrol, but also soldiers from the DKBA and KPF joined with SPDC soldiers,” an eyewitness from Three Pagodas told IMNA. “This is the first time these three groups combined to make a patrol. Before, they had never done this.”

The joint patrols are a likely product of the groups’ planned transformations into BGF battalions. The SPDC is currently pressuring ethnic cease-fire groups across Burma to disarm or transform themselves into BGF battalions, which will feature mandatory training by the SPDC army and command structure joined by SPDC officers.

The push for transformations into BGF battalions is a controversial one, which the majority of Burma’s ethnic cease-fire groups have avoided via protracted negotiation, stalling or – in the case of the United Wa State Party, Burma’s largest armed ceasefire group – outright refusal.

The ethnic Karen groups, which both split from the large Karen National Union (KNU) in the late 1990s, have been less reticent to make the change. The KPF has been officially reported to be transforming into a BGF, with planned training to take place near Waekalee and Yethagon villages in Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State.

Though the DKBA has not officially announced it will be forming BGF battalions, it is widely known to be doing so. In January, the Irrawaddy reported that DKBA Commander Chit Thu of Battalion No. 999 had been saying as much in Independence Day celebrations. And yesterday, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) released a report documenting a new recruiting push by Commander Chit Thu, which a KNU official quoted by HURFOM attributed to DKBA desire to form multiple BGF battalions.

Details on how BGF battalions formed by different groups will interact have not been released, and it is unclear what territory or duties they will command. The Irrawaddy story from January, for instance, predicted that the DKBA would be acting as border guards in the Myawaddy area, north of Three Pagodas Pass.

Increased security following the Moulmein explosions has also been reported by sources in Myawaddy, though IMNA could not confirm participation by the DKBA or KPF. “Soldiers are standing security outside the USDA [Union Solidarity and Development Association, a government-supported civilian organization] office, because they [the soldiers] heard the bomb was detonated near the USDA office in Moulmein,” an eyewitness from Myawaddy told IMNA. “They are guarding it at night time. They have rotating duty for guarding USDA office. For each hour, four soldiers have to guard the office – in rotations for the whole night.”

READ MORE---> Cease-fire groups transitioning into “Border Guard Forces” join government patrols following Moulmein bombings...

Six Years after Depayin, Survivors Recall the Horror

By SAW YAN NAING
The Irrawaddy News

Six years after the Depayin massacre, 31-year-old Kyaw Soe Lin, one of its victims, says he will never forget the horror.

Kyaw Soe Lin was driving the car carrying Aung San Suu Kyi in a convoy that came under attack by pro-regime thugs on May 30, 2003. His quick action in driving away from the mob saved her life.

Fifty of Suu Kyi’s supporters are estimated to have died in the unprovoked attack, carried out by armed members of the pro-regime Union Solidarity and Development Association and the paramilitary Swan Ah Ashin militia.

The mob ambushed Suu Kyi’s convoy in Kyee village, on the outskirts of Depayin Township in Sagaing Division, central Burma. Barbed wire was strung across the road, which was bathed in flood lights hung in trees.

When the mob attacked his car, Kyaw Soe Lin’s first reaction was to hit back. “They started to hit people who were guarding our car. Then, they hit our car. I was very angry and I thought at first to hit them back. But then I drove the car away and escaped.”

His action undoubtedly saved Suu Kyi from serious injury or even death.

On Friday to mark the sixth anniversary of Depayin, several members of Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), gathered at its headquarters in Rangoon.

Toe Lwin, who was guarding Suu Kyi’s vehicle and now lives in exile, told The Irrawaddy in an interview. “The attackers moved toward Daw Suu’s car, and soon about 30 of them surrounded us. I told them it was Daw Suu’s car and asked them not to attack. I told them to stop beating people and asked them to go back.

“But they blocked our vehicles. They tore clothing off women and then beat them. They hit elderly people. I saw them collapse in front of me. I will never forget it.”

“Suddenly, they started to hit Daw Suu’s car. First I tried to protect it. Then they started to beat me. They hit my head three times and I collapsed. Daw Suu’s driver finally sped away and escaped.”

Police arrived on the scene when the attack was over. They detained the survivors and witnesses claimed some of the women were raped.

Suu Kyi was also detained and placed under house arrest, under Article 10 (b) of the 1975 State Protection Act Law. The law allows a person to be detained without charge for a maximum of five years. Suu Kyi has now been under house arrest for six years.

The Thailand-based Burma Lawyers’ Council released a statement on Friday saying the Depayin massacre constituted a crime against humanity and the perpetrators—who had not yet been apprehended—should be brought before the International Criminal Court.

The statement said that only then could the rule of law “be restored; a genuine national reconciliation will be achieved; and people will enjoy peace, stability and development.”

READ MORE---> Six Years after Depayin, Survivors Recall the Horror...

Suu Kyi Protester Arrested - Zaw Nyut

By MIN LWIN
The Irrawaddy News

A solo demonstrator was arrested at about 1:20 p.m. On Thursday for protesting outside the prison where pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is being tried for violating the terms of her house arrest, according to witnesses.

Win Tin, a central executive committee member of Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), confirmed reports that a man in his early fifties, identified as Zaw Nyut, was arrested outside Rangoon’s infamous Insein Prison.

“He came from Aung Thukha Street to Insein Road, and demonstrated on the road,” said Win Tin. “He was holding a poster with the words, ‘We must save Amay Suu right now,’ written on it,” he added.

Amay Suu (“Mother Suu”) is how many Burmese refer to Suu Kyi.

“He also shouted slogans demanding the release of Daw Suu,” said Win Tin. “He was arrested by security forces and members of the USDA after taking just four or five steps,” he added, referring to the Union Solidarity and Development Association, a junta-backed organization.

According to witnesses at the scene of the arrest, Zaw Nyut had been coming to the area every day since last Monday, when legal proceedings against Suu Kyi began at a special court inside the prison.

Hundreds of people, including members of the NLD, have gathered outside Insein Prison since the trial started.

READ MORE---> Suu Kyi Protester Arrested - Zaw Nyut...

Pro-junta people do not want KIA transformed

Written by KNG

Local members of the Burmese military junta backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) do not favour the idea of transforming the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) into a battalion of the "Border Security Force" of the regime, said local sources.

The regime's Telecommunication Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw was greeted by USDA members in Kachin State in 2008.

The regime's Telecommunication Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw was greeted by USDA members in Kachin State in 2008.
While local Kachin people, who are members of USDA and the junta's administrators of quarters and villages in Myitkyina Township did not publicly release any statement or made an announcement but the fact is that they abhor the idea of transforming the KIA, the biggest Kachin ceasefire group in the country, said local USDA sources.

The first reason is that the junta and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the political wing of the KIA did not have any political dialogue since the KIO/A signed a ceasefire agreement with the regime on February 24, 1994.

The second reason being that they want rulers of Kachin State to be Kachins and the state should be self-determined which is impossible with the junta-centric country's new constitution.

On the other hand, Kachin church leaders have also rejected the regime's proposal to change KIA to a Border Security Force battalion before the political problems are resolved, according to local church sources in Myitkyina.

Meanwhile, the KIO’s central committee is receiving more and more letters from the Kachin people in the country and abroad suggesting that it reject the junta’s proposal, said KIO central committee's sources.

On the issue of KIA’s transformation, leaders of the KIO and the regime met twice at the regime's Northern Command HQ based in Myitkyina on April 28 and May 21. However the KIO leaders did not give a clear answer in black or white to the junta on the proposal. They want a negotiation on it, said KIO leaders.

Meanwhile, the regime withdrew the house arrest of Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on May 26 but continues to detain her in Insein Prison in Rangoon. She has been charged in connection with an American John William Yettaw’s arrest two weeks ago for allegedly swimming across Innya Lake and entering Suu Kyi's home and staying there for two days.

According to KIO leaders, the regime will reject any outside pressure on it regarding the current arrest and trial of Suu Kyi before they conclude the 2010 election in the country. This is a strong commitment of the regime.

READ MORE---> Pro-junta people do not want KIA transformed...

Paramilitary Forces Beef Up Insein Prison Security

Aung San Suu Kyi's supporters brave the rain as they wait in front
of a police barricade near Insein prison in Rangoon
on May 22. (Photo: Getty Images)

By KYI WAI
The Irrawaddy News

RANGOON — About 500 members of the paramilitary group Swan Arr Shin and the government-affiliated Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) are reportedly being paid to strengthen security around Insein Prison, where Aung San Suu Kyi stands trial.

Crowds of members of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy and other activists gather daily near the prison to show solidarity with her, and the deployment of pro-regime forces is seen as an attempt to intimidate them.

The hired irregulars, who helped police break up price-rise protests in August 2007, are paid 2,000 kyat (US $2) a day and provided with lunch, according to a ward official from Insein Township’s West Ywa Ma quarter. The daily fee would rise to as much as 20,000 kyat ($20) if they were called upon to deal with any outbreak of trouble, the official said.

"They are from the outskirts of Rangoon, such as Daw Pon, Shwe Pyi Thar and Hlaing Thar Yar Townships, although some are also from Insein Township,” he said.

The hired force includes several women. "I came here because I will get 2,000 kyat and a free lunch,” said one 28-year-old woman from Shwe Lin Ban village in Hlaing Thar Yar Township. She was assigned by Swan Arr Shin to join other women in patrolling the Insein market area and watch for any outbreak of trouble there.

Other Swan Arr Shin groups are reportedly deployed at the NLD headquarters and places frequented by NLD members.

"The authorities usually deploy double the number of NLD members [at any gathering],” said a resident of Insein Township’s Pein Ne-Kone ward. “If the NLD assembles 200 activists, the authorities posts 400 of their own people, believing they can intimidate the NLD with sheer numbers.”

READ MORE---> Paramilitary Forces Beef Up Insein Prison Security...

Mizzima UPDATES Day 4 - 21 May 2009

Mizzima News D4

Court fixes next hearing on May 22
Thursday, 21 May 2009 19:47

The special court in Insein prison has fixed the next hearing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s case on May 22, the fifth continuous day since the trial began on Monday.

Nyan Win, one of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's defense lawyer, said, Thursday’s court hearing was longer than usual as the court showed the video clip produced by the witness, which was found in the possession of John William Yettaw.

In the video, Yettaw was heard explaining that he had arrived in Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house, but she had refused to allow him to take her picture and that he wants to go back to Thailand, Nyan Win told Mizzima.

All together, four witnesses were produced on Thursday.

..............................................................................................

Interview with Ral Hnin, General Secretary of Chin National Council
Thursday, 21 May 2009 19:31

“The trial is a ploy to detain Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, because they are making up the case from nothing. It is not a legal law suit. They are making it up because they don’t want to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by the end of this month. In my personal view, I think they will not release her.”

“In my opinion, I believe Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is really important for the unity of all ethnic nationalities in Burma.”

..............................................................................................

Interview with Hkun Markoban (chairman of United Nationalities League for Democracy – Liberated Area), Member of Parliament elect- Phekon Township, Kayah state
Thursday, 21 May 2009 18:34

“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is like her father. She takes the issues of democracy and ethnicity seriously. And in return she is well respected by all ethnic nationalities and recognised as a true leader.”

“As ethnics, we call for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners, and advocate dialogue and amendments of the junta-drafted constitution.”

“So, we want to call on our mother organisation inside Burma to oppose the junta’s constitution and the 2010 elections.”

..............................................................................................

NLD youths demand an open court for Aung San Suu Kyi trial
Thursday, 21 May 2009 18:34

Members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Youth wing on Thursday called on the government to conduct the trial of party leader Aung San Suu Kyi in an open court, where the public can have access.

The NLD Youth (working group) made the demand in a statement, which also called on the government to allow international legal experts to observe the trial.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement released by the Humanitarian group of the Rangoon division NLD along with the Rangoon division NLD youths, said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is honourable and a person who is essential who cannot be excluded out of the process of national reconciliation and transition to democracy.

..............................................................................................

Court adjourns for the day
Thursday, 21 May 2009 17:18

Defence counsels of Aung San Suu Kyi at about 4:30 p.m. (local time) came out of Insein prison, where the Nobel Peace Laureate is being tried in a special court.

..............................................................................................

Israel concerned over charges against Aung San Suu Kyi
Thursday, 21 May 2009 17:16

Israel on Wednesday said it is “deeply concerned” over the new charges against Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her transfer to Insein prison.

The Foreign Ministry of Israel, in a statement on May 20, called on the Burmese government to “release Aung San Suu Kyi immediately” and expressed hopes for the restoration of the democratic and national reconciliation process in the country.

..............................................................................................

Testimonies of witnesses on Wednesday’s hearing
Thursday, 21 May 2009 17:12

The state-run newspaper, New Light of Myanmar, on Thursday carried a report detailing the testimonies of witnesses during Wednesday’s court hearing in Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial.

On Wednesday morning Police Captain Sa Kyaw Win of the Special Investigation Department (Foreign Affairs Division) was the first witness to testify in court, the paper said.

According to his testimony, he had conducted an investigation at the Beauty Land Hotel (2), where the American John William Yettaw had stayed, on May 6 at 1:5 a.m. (local time) and found a rucksack containing 61 items.

But after Yettaw told them that he had left three currency notes of USD 100 in the telephone directory in the room, he along with witnesses searched the hotel room for the second time and found three currency notes of USD 100, the newspaper said.

On Wednesday afternoon, witness Police Captain Tin Zaw Tun, head of Bahan Township Police Force was examined. He testified that together with Nga-htet-kyi Ward (West) PDC of Bahan Township Zaw Tin and Kyaikkasan Ward PDC Khin Nyunt went to the residence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at 54/56 on University Avenue of Shwedaunggya Ward, Bahan Township at 7.20 am on May 7, with a search warrant issued by the judge of Bahan Township court, the newspaper said.

He said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi admitted knowing John William Yettaw, when he showed her his photograph and also said Yettaw had arrived in her house on May 4 morning and left on May 5 evening.

The witness also said, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi showed him the things that Yettaw had left one by one and he listed them. Yettaw also left two black chadors usually worn by Muslim women, the newspaper added.

..............................................................................................

Interview with Hkun Okkar (Chairman of Pa-O Peoples Liberation Organisation)
Thursday, 21 May 2009 16:09

“The current trial of Daw Suu is not a legitimate trial. It is like creating a law suit out of nothing. And since the charges against her are not under a genuine law, we cannot say that she is charged under the law. So, she cannot be guilty of committing any crime and since it is not a charge under the law we cannot call it a case. It is clear that this a made-up case, so we demand that the case be immediately withdrawn and closed.”

“When we look at our country, we can see that there are various groups with different strengths. There is the military, which grabbed power in a coup, and also there are the ethnic armed groups, ceasefire armed groups, similarly there are also students, youths, monks, and civilians, who long for democracy.”

“The junta is unable to bring these diverse groups together. And nobody is able to do it. The only person that can bring all these groups together is Daw Suu. The participation of Daw Suu is essential to usher in national reconciliation.

“I think the junta may be coming up with some proposals before coming to a verdict on the case and before setting Daw Suu free. I think they might come up with something like – what will we gain by releasing Daw Suu. Will sanctions be withdrawn? Will 2008 constitution be recognised, and will the 2010 elections be endorsed etc? They might come up with a proposal.”

“And if the opposition continues saying that they reject the 2008 constitution, cannot endorse the 2010 election and will continue demanding sanctions, I think the junta will just continue detaining Daw Suu and go ahead with their plans.”

“So, it is crucial that we know how to deal with the regime in this three to four months time before they come out with a verdict.”

“They might deal with the ethnics, or with the international community, or with opposition groups inside the country. They might also do it with all groups.”

“And it also times with the junta’s offer to the ethnic armed groups on transforming their groups into militias controlled by the regime. The regime has told them to decide by August or September. And at that same time, the trail will reach a verdict. The junta has timed everything together and based on the results of all these, I think they will decide whether to continue detaining Daw Suu or to release her.”
..............................................................................................

Swan Arrshin members hired for 3,000 kyat a day
Thursday, 21 May 2009 14:00

Burmese military junta authorities are reportedly looking for more members of Swan Arrshin, a pro-junta group, and are hiring them for 20,000 kyat (USD 20) per day for security during the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Swan Arrshin members are to be positioned at main junctions in Rangoon and the surroundings of Insein prison. They are reportedly being paid 3,000 kyat (USD 3) per day in a normal situation but have been promised 20,000 kyat per day if there is any anti-government protest, which they will have to suppress.

In some townships and quarters, the number of Swan Arrshin members remained short, forcing the authorities to offer them more.

Though a number of armed uniformed policemen and soldiers are visible in Insein Township, the number is less in other townships of Rangoon.

In most crowded junctions, members of Swan Arrshin, plainclothes policemen and Military Affairs Security personnel are visible.

During the September 2007 monk-led protests, sources said members of Swan Arrshin were hurriedly recruited and were given 3,000 Kyat, with free lunch and a packet of cigarettes as a bonus per person per day to be used in cracking down on protestors.

..............................................................................................

Aung San Suu Kyi late for court session
Thursday, 21 May 2009 14:00

Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday was reportedly brought to the court later than the scheduled time. It is still not clear why she arrived late.

Meanwhile, near the Insein Bazaar, Central Committee member of the National League for Democracy Win Tin and party members gathered to demonstrate their support for party leader Aung San Suu Kyi and in protest against the trial.

In an interview with Mizzima, Win Tin said they are gathering near the Insein bazaar as a demonstration of their solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi and in protest of her trial.

Members of Swan Arrshin, a pro-junta civilian group, have increasingly become emboldened and were seen checking people with cameras and for journalistic identification.

Main roads to Insein prison remained close on Thursday, but a small lane for by-passers and for vehicles was kept opened.

Shops near the Insein prison reportedly saw a drastic drop in customers.

..............................................................................................

Swan Arrshin members used for security in Insein
Thursday, 21 May 2009 13:20

Observers said, security forces have been drastically reduced around Insein prison, but members of the Swan Arrshin – a pro-junta civilian outfit – are seen increasingly around the area. They are being used by the authorities as informers to check on peoples’ movements.

..............................................................................................

Aung San Suu Kyi's trial again behind closed-doors
Thursday, 21 May 2009 11:44

The fourth day of the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi will be again conducted behind closed doors.

Burmese junta authorities on Thursday did not invite any diplomat or journalist to attend the court hearing like it did yesterday.

READ MORE---> Mizzima UPDATES Day 4 - 21 May 2009...

Threats Reported against the NLD’s Win Tin

By ARKAR MOE
The Irrawaddy News

Fears are being expressed within Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) over the safety of its veteran executive committee member Win Tin.

According to Rangoon sources, threats have been made against Win Tin by members of the pro-regime Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and the paramilitary group Swan Arr Shin.

Senior National League for Democracy leader Win Tin (in blue), 80, sits among party members on a pavement in front of a closed shop outside the inner barricade on the main road in front of Insein Central Prison in Rangoon on May 19. (Photo: Reuters)

Aung Thein, a prominent Rangoon lawyer, told The Irrawaddy on Thursday: “I am concerned about the security of Win Tin and all pro-democracy activists. Win Tin is a very important person for the NLD.”

Aung Thein said he thought that despite the threats, Win Tin would reject any idea of employing bodyguards.

The 80-year-old former editor was released earlier this year after serving 19 years in Rangoon’s notorious Insein Prison. This week he joined youth members of the NLD who gathered outside the jail during the opening days of Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial.

The USDA, a mass-based governmental organization, and Swan Arr Shin have been involved in several past attacks on democracy activists, particularly during the demonstrations of August and September 2007.

The Burmese Lawyers Council said in a statement in March that the USDA's affiliations with members of the military government and its own comments on transforming into a political party violated the Unlawful Associations Act as set out by the government.

Furthermore, the USDA's documented role in abuses against Burmese citizens, including the 2003 Depayin massacre in which hundreds of opposition party supporters were killed, also contravened Burmese law.

Meanwhile, five jurists of the International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School in the US have urged the UN to open an inquiry into atrocities in Burma.

According to a report issued by the jurists, the Burmese military junta forced the displacement of more than 3,000 villages in eastern Burma, and was also guilty of systematic sexual violence, torture and summary execution of innocent civilians.

The report was written by Judge Richard Goldstone of South Africa, Judge Patricia Wald of the US, Judge Pedro Nikken of Venezuela, Judge Ganzorig Gombosuren of Mongolia and Sir Geoffrey Nice of Great Britain.

READ MORE---> Threats Reported against the NLD’s Win Tin...

SPDC trains for 2010 election with select supporters in Arakan

Kyaukpru, Arakan State (KPN): The Burmese military junta is providing long term training to selected supporters for the 2010 election in Kyaukpru district starting from May 15, said a village authority from Kyaukpru town.

The junta authorities are going to replace the village authority with their supporters from the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and Swan Arr Shin members in Arakan, to win the election, he added.

In the first phase, the authorities started in the district of Kyaukpru and Sandaway, said a school teacher.

The authorities selected their supporters from USDA and Swan Arr Shin and will give them a month’s training about controlling people and how to woo people to support the ruling military junta in the 2010 polls, said a student who is working with USDA.

The authorities selected three persons from USDA or Swan Arr Shin from one village to replace in the village authorities, he added.

The training will be from May 15 to June 15.

The authorities collected from villagers of Kyaukpru, kyat 500 and 30 kg rice per family for the trainee’s lodging and food, said a labourer who works in the market and faces problems paying.

The authorities always pressurize local people to provide their needs, said a school teacher from Kyaukpru town.

READ MORE---> SPDC trains for 2010 election with select supporters in Arakan...

Surveillance stepped up outside Insein

(DVB)–Security outside Insein prison, where Aung San Suu Kyi is facing the second day of court hearings, has increased, with reports that officials are photographing supporters of Suu Kyi waiting outside the gates.

According to an anonymous source outside the prison, members of the government-affiliated Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) have joined police and militia groups to monitor crowds.

“Today, there are more security forces than yesterday including members of the special police branch in plain clothing,” said the source.

“They and some USDA members are taking photographs of every single person who came to gather near the prison gates, who are mainly National League for Democracy members and university students.

More and more people were arriving outside the prison, he said, adding that shops at Insein market, which had been closed yesterday on the first day of the trial, were now open.

Similarly, a roadblock on a bridge near to the prison was now allowing some container trucks leaving Rangoon to pass through.

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw

READ MORE---> Surveillance stepped up outside Insein...

Security Increased around Insein Prison

By MIN LWIN
The Irrawaddy News

Increased security forces, including firefighters, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and Swan Arr Shin, have been stationed around Rangoon’s infamous Insein prison, following the imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday.

An estimated two dozen people gathered at the prison on Friday morning seeking information about Suu Kyi. They were ordered to leave the area by security guards.

“Since yesterday morning, the security troops have deployed heavily in northern Rangoon and Insein Township,” said a source close to Insein Prison.

After the Burmese military government brought Aung San Suu Kyi from her lakeside house to Insein Prison, she was charged with violating the conditions of her house arrest.

A US citizen, John William Yettaw, 53, of Falcon, Missouri, swam across Inya Lake to Aung San Suu Kyi’s lakeside resident where he stayed two nights last week, according to authorities. It is against the law in Burma for nationals to allow foreigners to stay overnight without approval from authorities.

According to sources in Insein Township, located in the northwest outskirts of Rangoon, additional security forces are posted around government buildings and monasteries near the prison, which houses many pro-democracy activists.

“Police, soldiers, firefighters and uniformed Swan-Arr-Shin have been stationed at Eight mile Junction and Thamine Junction and on the outskirts of the city,” said a Rangoon resident said.

“They [USDA and Swan-Arr-Shin] are stationed along the streets in Insein wards,” she said. “They stop taxis, cars and passersby, and they inspect them carefully.”

She said that plainclothes police and USDA members are going around check on the overnight guests’ list in various wards.

Sources in Rangoon said that people are flocking to Internet shops to try to get more news and information about Suu Kyi’s trial from exiled media Web sites. The trial may get underway on Monday, according to sources. Suu Kyi, her doctor, two caretakers and Yettaw are all charged with violating state security laws.

“The government is making people angry, and most people don’t believe that Daw Suu is guilty,” said a Rangoon-based reporter. “The government is manipulating the events again to put her in jail.”

“Many people, even when they go for walk, have a radio and listen for information about Daw Suu,” he said. “I saw trishaw drivers in a circle listening for news.”

Meanwhile, Internet service has been unreliable in Burma recently, with connections going on and off.

“Normally, Internet users go to chat rooms and talk, but now they read quietly about Daw Suu,” said one Internet user in downtown Rangoon.

READ MORE---> Security Increased around Insein Prison...