Five jet fighters and two helicopters gunships have launched heavy
attacks against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Lajayang region,
about 11 kilometers from Laiza, where the rebel group makes its
headquarters on the Sino-Burma border, according to local sources.
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Dec 30, 2012
Making Friends with Foes? By KYAW ZWA MOE / THE IRRAWADDY| December 30, 2012 |
Making friends with enemies always entails an element of risk that
the reverse might occur. In politics, that means losing allies and
supporters and perhaps even being deemed a traitor to your cause.
Although indeed risky, this is the current approach undertaken by both
Myanmar’s opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and reformist President
U Thein Sein.
Why should these two former foes—captive and captor—become friends? Various reasons: to rebuild the nation; avoid reversing recent tentative reforms; reconcile the government, opposition and ethnic groups; lift international sanctions; and win the 2015 election.
The motives of each might differ, but the more important question concerns what the people of Myanmar will gain out of this new tactic.
Why should these two former foes—captive and captor—become friends? Various reasons: to rebuild the nation; avoid reversing recent tentative reforms; reconcile the government, opposition and ethnic groups; lift international sanctions; and win the 2015 election.
The motives of each might differ, but the more important question concerns what the people of Myanmar will gain out of this new tactic.
Mar 30, 2012
Kachin State Safe for By-elections: KIO
By LAWI WENG
The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has promised that it will not interrupt Sunday’s by-elections and is even willing to help Burma’s main opposition party ensure security in Kachin State, according a statement released on Wednesday.
The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has promised that it will not interrupt Sunday’s by-elections and is even willing to help Burma’s main opposition party ensure security in Kachin State, according a statement released on Wednesday.
Dec 17, 2010
Suu Kyi’s ‘time has come and gone’: India
By JOSEPH ALLCHIN
In a frank cable, leaked by whistle blower web site wikileaks an Indian diplomat responsible for South East Asia, Mitra Vashista elucidates India’s views on democratisation in Burma with outspoken criticism of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi;
In a frank cable, leaked by whistle blower web site wikileaks an Indian diplomat responsible for South East Asia, Mitra Vashista elucidates India’s views on democratisation in Burma with outspoken criticism of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi;
Dec 8, 2010
Thai and Burmese FM hold secret talks
By RFA
Burma’s foreign minister Nyan Win yesterday travelled to the border town of Tachilek to meet with his Thai counterpart in what observers claim may be an attempt to negotiate the re-opening of a key border crossing further south.
Dec 3, 2010
South Korea to Retaliate If Bombed Again
By Steve Herman | Seoul
A top South Korean presidential security advisor - who could be the country's next defense minister - says Seoul is prepared to bomb North Korea if Pyongyang again hits the South with artillery.
Kim Kwan-jin, the presidential security advisor hoping to be the next defense minister, is talking tough.
Speaking at his confirmation hearing in the national assembly Friday, he firmly stated that if attacked again, South Korea will not hesitate to protect itself.
A top South Korean presidential security advisor - who could be the country's next defense minister - says Seoul is prepared to bomb North Korea if Pyongyang again hits the South with artillery.
Kim Kwan-jin, the presidential security advisor hoping to be the next defense minister, is talking tough.
Speaking at his confirmation hearing in the national assembly Friday, he firmly stated that if attacked again, South Korea will not hesitate to protect itself.
US Continues Military Flexing in Asia
By Steve Herman
As one U.S. joint military exercise ends in Asia, another is about to begin. As was the case with the just-concluded Yellow Sea naval maneuvers, officials are saying the latest war game is not a reaction to North Korea's recent artillery attack. But they say it should further demonstrate the capability of American-led military alliances to deter any potential aggressor.
As one U.S. joint military exercise ends in Asia, another is about to begin. As was the case with the just-concluded Yellow Sea naval maneuvers, officials are saying the latest war game is not a reaction to North Korea's recent artillery attack. But they say it should further demonstrate the capability of American-led military alliances to deter any potential aggressor.
Regime Reinforces Troops, Weapons in Kachin State
By KO HTWE
The Burmese army deploys more troops and weapons near the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) in Laiza and at other locations across Kachin State, according to residents.
Big-Gen Gwan Maw, the deputy commander in chief of the Kachin Independence Association (KIA), told The Irrawaddy on Friday: “What will happen depends on the troops that are serving on the front line. For the time being, there's no fighting because war depends on orders from superiors based on policy.”
The Burmese army deploys more troops and weapons near the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) in Laiza and at other locations across Kachin State, according to residents.
Big-Gen Gwan Maw, the deputy commander in chief of the Kachin Independence Association (KIA), told The Irrawaddy on Friday: “What will happen depends on the troops that are serving on the front line. For the time being, there's no fighting because war depends on orders from superiors based on policy.”
Nov 23, 2010
Burma army threatens all-out assault
By NAW NOREEN
Five army battalions are ready and waiting in eastern Burma after the ruling junta yesterday set a deadline for a renegade Karen commander to lay down his arms.
The breakaway faction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) has been given until 31 December to either surrender their weapons or transform into a government-controlled border militia.
Five army battalions are ready and waiting in eastern Burma after the ruling junta yesterday set a deadline for a renegade Karen commander to lay down his arms.
The breakaway faction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) has been given until 31 December to either surrender their weapons or transform into a government-controlled border militia.
Military junta orders KIO to shut down all liaison offices
In the midst of growing tension between the two sides, the Burmese military junta ordered the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) to shut down all its branch liaison offices immediately in Northern Burma, KIO sources said.
The liaison offices of the KIO, and its armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), are mainly based in Kachin State and Northern Shan State.
The liaison offices of the KIO, and its armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), are mainly based in Kachin State and Northern Shan State.
Nov 17, 2010
UN Security Council to Discuss Burma Issue
WASHINGTON—For the first time in several months, the United Nations Security Council will hold consultations on Burma on Thursday.
The 15-member body is expected to discuss the current situation in Burma in the aftermath of the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader, and the completion of parliamentary elections, which the world has termed illegitimate.
Britain is the president of the UN Security Council for the month of November.
Meanwhile, the former first lady, Laura Bush, has said that she hoped that the release of Suu Kyi is unconditional, and that she would not be put under house arrest again.
The 15-member body is expected to discuss the current situation in Burma in the aftermath of the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader, and the completion of parliamentary elections, which the world has termed illegitimate.
Britain is the president of the UN Security Council for the month of November.
Meanwhile, the former first lady, Laura Bush, has said that she hoped that the release of Suu Kyi is unconditional, and that she would not be put under house arrest again.
Suu Kyi reignites push for ethnic autonomy
Ethnic leaders have met with released opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi in a bid to reignite a major push for autonomy for Burma’s myriad ethnic groups.
The convening of a second Panglong Conference more than 60 years after the historic 1947 meeting has been made a priority by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party, which until its dissolution earlier this year had been the strongest opposition to the majority Burman junta.
Suu Kyi was accompanied on Monday by senior members of the NLD, including deputy Tin Oo and elder Win Tin, at the party’s Rangoon headquarters, where she met with key figures from various ethnic groups in Burma.
Nov 14, 2010
Aung San Suu Kyi Addresses Supporters at Party Headquarters
Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi urged people to stand up for their rights and seek democracy in military-ruled Burma, in a rare address after gaining her freedom from house arrest.
Thousands of supporters cheered Aung San Suu Kyi Sunday as she spoke at her National League for Democracy party headquarters in Rangoon. She said freedom of speech is the basis of democracy.
Nov 12, 2010
Voting infractions ‘wouldn’t alter result’
BY FRANCIS WADE
Despite breaches of standard election procedures being witnessed at polling booths last week, they were not significant enough to drastically alter the result, a recent report claims.
The report, drawn up on 8 November and titled Preliminary Findings Report, uses surveys from 175 election observers who witnessed proceedings at polling stations last week. The document is anonymous, but bills the authors as an “independent and politically neutral local association” based in Burma.
Despite breaches of standard election procedures being witnessed at polling booths last week, they were not significant enough to drastically alter the result, a recent report claims.
The report, drawn up on 8 November and titled Preliminary Findings Report, uses surveys from 175 election observers who witnessed proceedings at polling stations last week. The document is anonymous, but bills the authors as an “independent and politically neutral local association” based in Burma.
China will not support Kachin Army in civil war with Burmese Military
The Chinese Communist Government will not supply weapons to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), if civil war breaks out between the KIA and Burmese Army, according to Chinese authorities.
KIA officials project armed conflict could spread to northern Burma from the current fighting between the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and Burmese Army in Myawaddy and the Three Pagoda Pass, near the Thai border, which started on November 7th, Election Day in Burma.
KIA officials project armed conflict could spread to northern Burma from the current fighting between the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and Burmese Army in Myawaddy and the Three Pagoda Pass, near the Thai border, which started on November 7th, Election Day in Burma.
Supporters Gather to Welcome Suu Kyi
By KO HTWE
As anticipation mounts that National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi will soon be released, dozens of supporters wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “We Stand With Aung San Suu Kyi” had gathered outside the party's headquarters in Rangoon by 12 midday while correspondents from foreign new agencies and Rangoon-based journals waited nearby.
Suu Kyi's period of house arrest is due to expire on Saturday, but rumors have circulated that Snr-Gen Than Shwe had signed an authorization to release the Nobel laureate.
As anticipation mounts that National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi will soon be released, dozens of supporters wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “We Stand With Aung San Suu Kyi” had gathered outside the party's headquarters in Rangoon by 12 midday while correspondents from foreign new agencies and Rangoon-based journals waited nearby.
Suu Kyi's period of house arrest is due to expire on Saturday, but rumors have circulated that Snr-Gen Than Shwe had signed an authorization to release the Nobel laureate.
Election Voices
By IRRAWADDY
The consensus among those who took part in last Sunday's election as independents or candidates of parties not backed by the ruling regime was that it was grossly unfair and marred by blatant vote-rigging that favored the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). While some called on the junta-appointed Election Commission to address numerous reports of irregularities, others expressed doubt that any action would be taken.
Below is a sampling of some of the views expressed by candidates and other observers of Burma's first election in 20 years.
“What people voted for was the Peacock, but the only result was the Lion. Polling station officials themselves brought the ballot boxes to their homes and stole a lot of ballots.”
The consensus among those who took part in last Sunday's election as independents or candidates of parties not backed by the ruling regime was that it was grossly unfair and marred by blatant vote-rigging that favored the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). While some called on the junta-appointed Election Commission to address numerous reports of irregularities, others expressed doubt that any action would be taken.
Below is a sampling of some of the views expressed by candidates and other observers of Burma's first election in 20 years.
“What people voted for was the Peacock, but the only result was the Lion. Polling station officials themselves brought the ballot boxes to their homes and stole a lot of ballots.”
Nov 11, 2010
Burmese army takes DKBA stronghold
By NAW NOREEN
Published: 11 November 2010A key stronghold of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) has been captured by Burmese troops after hours of heavy artillery bombardment.
The Waw Lay base inside Karen state was taken yesterday after government troops peppered buildings with heavy fire. Several houses, including that of renegade DKBA leader Na Kham Mwe, were also razed.
Published: 11 November 2010A key stronghold of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) has been captured by Burmese troops after hours of heavy artillery bombardment.
The Waw Lay base inside Karen state was taken yesterday after government troops peppered buildings with heavy fire. Several houses, including that of renegade DKBA leader Na Kham Mwe, were also razed.
Winners Become Losers One Day after Election
MANDALAY—"I did not vote for the 'Lion,'" the symbol of the junta's proxy political party, she whispered to her friends. Then Tin Thein looked around the poll station to see if anyone was watching her as she put her ballots in the white plastic box. She felt as if she had completed her mission.
Polling Station No.1 was located in a community between Street No. 30, No. 31 and Shwe Mandalay Chanayetharzan Ward Street No. 77, which is well-known for its political background and activism.
Polling Station No.1 was located in a community between Street No. 30, No. 31 and Shwe Mandalay Chanayetharzan Ward Street No. 77, which is well-known for its political background and activism.
Canadian Company Charged with Illegal Exports to Burma
BY IRRAWADDY
The Canada Border Services Agency(CBSA) has charged Kenn Borek Air Ltd and its former general manager, Stephen Penikett, with unlawfully exporting goods to Burma.
A CBSA investigation found that the company exported one de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft and 149 aircraft parts to Burma without valid export permits during Novenber 2007, according to a report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
The Canada Border Services Agency(CBSA) has charged Kenn Borek Air Ltd and its former general manager, Stephen Penikett, with unlawfully exporting goods to Burma.
A CBSA investigation found that the company exported one de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft and 149 aircraft parts to Burma without valid export permits during Novenber 2007, according to a report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
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