What you can do to hlep Burma on April 9 in San Francisco? Please sign up!

Sing up for April 9th actions:
http://www.badasf.org/2008/event-sign-up.htm

Sign petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stand-by-the-people-of-burma---no-olympics-torch

Make donations:
www.badasf.org

Dear All,

The eyes of the world will be on the streets of San Francisco when the Beijing Olympic Torch arrives on April 9 – the only visit to North America. Chinese government really wants to make the street of San Francisco looks like the Streets of Beijing -- filled only with cheering crowds. But, we are working with many groups to highlight China's irresponsibly causing and committing Human Rights abuses around the world (Visit ExposeBeijing. org).

As much as Olympic is precious to all of us, we must not let Chinese government hide its atrocious image under the cover of Olympic -- prolong brutal dictatorship and causing continued great pain and suffering to 50 millions people in Burma due to China's great military, economic and diplomatic support to the dictators to exploit Burma's oil and gas, her market, and her roads to India Ocean for its military; in short --- China's gain, Burma's pain.

Please do something on April 9 to give voice to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her 50 millions people. It will be the great and rare opportunity to expose Burma and her cause at the world stage again -- after last year protests in Burma.

Why Burma needs you to come out on April 9:

1. Chinese government is pressuring the San Francisco Mayor really hard that he is behaving like China's representative rather than our Mayor. He previously stated that we can not protest along the torch route, but only at the staged free-speech zones -- major insult to the city and the people in the area.

2. Due to great local push back, he is now backing off, but he still scares us that the protesters will be outnumbered 1 to 10 by the cheering crowd. Given that large Chinese Community lives in San Francisco that is not an overstatement at all.

3. We have also learned that other communities are rallying their supporters and thousands are coming to San Francisco from all over the United States on April 9 to highlight their causes.

4. As for Burma, the events in Rangoon has already passed six months, and much of our emotion has died down and therefore it does not look like very many of us will be on the streets for her that day -- at least not yet unless each and every one of us steps up.

5. The reality is that nothing has changed in Burma, and we must not forget her. We must restore our feeling, emotion, and outrage that we had on or around September 24, 25, 26 of 2007 during the saffron events in Burma. Let's fill the streets with Burma supporters on April 9. Therefore we need you to come out on April 9 for Burma.

What you can do:

Please motivate people around you. Tell them to give April 9 to Burma and do something. Forward this message; call or speak in person and explain why he or she should do something. Outreach to Collagues, high schools, religious schools, churches, monasteries, community groups and centers. Any little effort counts.

Sing up for actions here: http://www.badasf. org/2008/ event-sign- up.htm to attend, participate, help organized the Burma related actions on April 9. Make sure, you check back this page for updated actions as the city has not released the torch route.

Make signs and hold them along the torch routes; State any messages that you are comfortable with: Free Burma; Free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; China's Gain, Burma's Pain; China's Policies, Burma's Misery; Burma's Blood on China's Hands; Free Burma, Shame on China; No Genocide Torch; Boycott Olympic; And make sure to put images that highlight the suffering of our people.

We are flying an air plane to tow a "Free Burma" billboard. Other groups have put up billboards in the city and also flying like us and they are even relaying their torches around the world in parallel with Beijing torch. But we will do what we can for Burma even though the flight will cost us nearly $ 3000 for 3 hours. We are also making signs, banners, posters, scarfs, buttons, cloths and many items. So the cost is exceeding our resources and need your help.

To help us, please donate here online at www.badasf.org. Also solicit donations from your neighborhood stores, shops and groups. Your donation will be used only for all April 9 Burma related actions. Any amount counts.

Attend Civil Disobedience training on Saturday April 5 at 12pm-3pm prompt time! at Amnesty International Office; 1663 Mission Street Suite 694 (near corner of Van Ness); San Francisco; exit Civic Center Bart Station; Please RSVP to Margaret Howe at margaret@bpf. org or 707-360-8452.

Also attend the ACLU's training to be held at the same Amnesty International Office on April 7th at 12 noon. Please RSVP Anil at anilverma7@gmail.com or Call (510)485-3751.(Space is limited)

Pelosi Statement on 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing

Press Release
For Immediate Release
03/28/2008

Washington, D.C.

- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing:

"The Olympic Charter states that the Olympics should seek to foster 'respect for universal and fundamental ethical principles.' Sadly, the Chinese government has not lived up to its commitments to improve the human rights situation in China and Tibet . I believe the International Olympic Committee made a mistake in awarding the 2008 Summer games to China , and I sponsored a Congressional resolution expressing that view at the time.

“However, I believe a boycott of the Beijing Olympics would unfairly harm our athletes who have worked so hard to prepare for the competition.

"The Olympics should provide for more opportunity for free expression, not less. When the Olympic torch passes through San Francisco next month, I support the rights of individuals and groups to make their views known about the actions of the Chinese government.

"As I said in India last week where I met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, if freedom-loving people throughout the world do not speak out against China 's oppression in Tibet , we have lost our moral authority to speak out on behalf of human rights anywhere in the world."

Seattle Burma Roundtable Meeting

Friends,

The next meeting of the Seattle Burma Roundtable is as follows:
- Next Tuesday, April 1st
- From 6:30-8pm
- At the Greenwood Branch of the Seattle Public Library,
- 8016 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle

see http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=branch_open&branchID=12 for directions. April Fool's jokes and suggested agenda items are welcome.

March 28 Protest, 2pm, San Francisco City Hall

Dear All,

Please join Burma activists, supporters and youth at the protest at the San Francisco Hall to support the forty six year long struggle of the people of Burma against the dictatorship and to show our continued outrage against China's great support to Burma's brutal dictators by urging the Mayor (of San Francisco) to not welcome the Beijing Olympic Torch scheduled to visit on April 9, 2008.

We will be submitting the Petition (below) to the Mayor office while others protest/rally outside. If you have not singed, please sing here at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stand-by-the-people-of-burma---no-olympics-torch

Date:
Friday March 28, 2007

Time:
2 pm - 4 pm

Location:
Platform between the City Hall and the Civic Center Plaza
(Near Polk Street & McAllister street)

Contact:
(415)420-1504; (415)264-9053

Thanks.

Vote "NO" to Burma's So Called Referendum

Dear all Friends and Comrades:

I would like to express views on "NO Vote or Vote NO".
We should be aware of the SPDC's technicality or trick or trap.

(1) We don't know yet how voting system will be conducted, not even the sample of ballot.

(2) We don't know how the percentage of voters be counted. 50+% registered voters be declered legitimacy of Referendum, and hence 50+% YES or NO Vote decide the fate of proposed Constitution. We don't know yet.

(3) How valid or invalid votes be decided? Transparency is not guranteed yet.

We should be aware that:

(1) It's not like in 1990 Election where every party reps can present at the poll stations. There will only be the SPDC under watched, since SPDC denied UN or international access to the poll stations. Fairness is totally denied.

(2) SPDC will not allow NGO's at poll stations so far, neither NLD reps nor other parties.

(3) Military families shall not be allowed to casted NO vote for sure. It's not like in 1990.

(4) Registered voters count and list is not publisized yet. It also is not released to the public till today.

(5) The list of registered voters is neither handed to any political parties nor to UN & NGOs. In 1990, every parties had the list of registered voters in town.

(6) Today; We are lost in statistics. We all don't have access yet.

Referendum is not only a political issue but also the "Game of Statistics" as well. ie. "Statistic Game" that SPDC has already played for months. I would remind you to focus on digging Statistics in any possible ways.

THEN!! "NO Vote or Vote NO" be decided by the People of Burma. I have total faith in People of Burma.

All the Best
8888 Organizer

"8888 LA Organizer" Group Announcement

Dear "8888 LA Organizers" Group Members and Friends,

We have two issues that need your support and attention:

(1) Protest in San Francisco against Chinese Olympic Torch Relay
- On April 9, 2008 (Wednesday)
- Meet at Vista Point (Marin side) at 9:30 am and
- then walk at 10 am arranged by BADA and USCB.
- SF is the only North American city to host the Relay.
- Whoever want to join this protest please contact us at 714-260-2960 ASAP so that we can arrange for transportation.

(2) Website for "8888 LA Organizer Group"
- We have been communicating with all the members via Yahoo Group.
- It has been pretty efficient.
- However, to reach out more people with our activities, we are planning to create a stand-alone web site.
- We do need a domain name for the site which should include but not limited to such as Burma, Burmese, Democracy, Freedom, movement, action, LA etc. etc.
- The last one we have is "LA Burma Action".
- Please post your favorite domain name at our yahoo group.
- We will go over all the submitted names and pick the best one.

Thank you.

March for Burma (At the Golden Gate Bridge) - Organized by USCB

Date:
- Wednesday, April 9, 2008 (the day the Olympic Torch goes through San Francisco)

Time:
- Gather at 9:30am, Vista Point (Marin side)
- Walk at 10am (rain or shine)

Who:
- Led by Burmese monks and Buddhist clergy, including Jack Kornfield & other senior teachers.

What:
We will walk in peace to support the democracy movement in Burma.
We call on China to reflect the peaceful values of the Olympics by:
-immediately halting arms supplies to Burma
-demonstrating support for a comprehensive UN Security Council arms embargo on Burma.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Why April 9?
- This is the day that San Francisco hosts the Olympic Torch Relay, which is making its way to Beijing to start the Summer Games. San Francisco is the only North American city to host the Relay.

Why China and the Olympics?
- The August 2008 Beijing Olympics are a key opportunity to draw attention to China's role in the suffering of the Burmese people. China is a major supporter of and trading partner with Burma, not only in oil and natural gas but they are the largest single supplier of military goods to Burma. Further, China vetoed a resolution at the United Nations which called for dialogue, national reconciliation and the release of all political prisoners.

Why Burma?
- The monks of Burma are engaged in one of the most visible, potent non-violent revolutions in our time. As concerned people of the (more) free world, we can support this ongoing movement through our actions here. The people of Burma take great strength from our actions and knowing that the international community supports their struggle for basic human rights and democracy.

Details:
This is a permitted walk. Parking is limited in bridge areas and we will have shuttles running from the SF side to Vista Point so that people will only have to walk one way. Wear red! The Bridge has strict rules. All signs must be hand held by one person. No sticks. Signs must be 3 feet by 2 feet at most. No musical instruments, banners, or flags. We can have these things before and after just not while on bridge.

Schedule Details:
8:30
- Park at Battery Park gravel (free) parking lot on southeast side of bridge at Lincoln St. directions below).
- Shuttles will be running across the bridge until 9:15am.

9:30
- We will gather at Vista Point on the Marin side of bridge in front of the flagpole.

9:50
- Move towards the Bridge

10am
- Begin walking.

Sponsored by:
- US Campaign for Burma (USCB),
- Buddhist Peace Fellowship,
- Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA),
- International Burmese Monks Organization Inc. (Sasana Moli),
- Burmese Youth Assoc., & Global Exchange.

Call 707-360-8452 or 510-220-1323 for more information or go to www.bpf.org

Directions to Battery Parking lot:
- This is on east side of Bridge.
- Take Hwy 1 North to the "last SF exit" going towards Marin.
- Pass by paved bridge lot.
- Turn right at stop sign.
- Then left at next stop sign on to Lincoln St. going towards Crissy Field.
- Parking lot is the gravel lot immediately on your left.
- Shuttles will run continuously until 9:30.
- You can also park on the Southwest side of bridge and walk through tunnel to east side.

Public transport:
- 29 & 28 MUNI stop near toll plaza.
- 29 MUNI stops right in front on parking lot.
- All Golden Gate Transit buses going north and south stop at Toll Plaza.

Burma (Arakan State): 1600 Sign Letter Against Government's Harassment of Labour Right Activists

Pic: Forced Labor in Burma

Mar 18, 2008 (DVB)

–About 1600 signatures have been collected from the people of Arakan state for a complaint letter to the International Labour Organization about the government’s increased harassment of labour right activists.

The letter, addressed to the ILO (International Labor Organization) headquarters in Geneva, details the rising number of labour right activists who have been arrested and imprisoned by the military junta, one of the campaign leaders said.

The letter also calls for ILO action against the military government for breaching the agreement recently signed between the regime and the ILO to extend its cooperation on tackling forced labour.

In January this year, residents of Taunggok township in Arakan state collected signatures for a petition to be sent to the ILO to draw attention to forced guard duties imposed on them by local authorities.

Olympic Torch Visit Sparks Controversy in San Fran

The Olympic torch is one of the most recognizable symbols of international unity, but when it passes through San Francisco on the way to Beijing next month, it might spark more controversy than global goodwill.

City leaders organizing the event are keeping secret even the most basic details, including its route and the time it starts, because of fears that protesters critical of the Chinese government will disrupt or stop it.

The city known worldwide for its spirit of protest and dissent has denied permits for demonstrators and plans to restrict them to "free-speech zones." People critical of China's human-rights record and spurred by the recent uprising and subsequent crackdown in Tibet are organizing alternative torch run events and rallies and, despite the restrictions, plan to line the route.

And today, the city's Board of Supervisors will consider a resolution critical of China's human rights record. The resolution urges the public official who represents the city during the ceremonies to "make publicly known that the 2008 Summer Games Torch is received with alarm and protest."

Supervisor Chris Daly, who introduced the resolution, said the magnitude of attention paid to the Olympic Games and the torch relay makes the event the appropriate platform to discuss human rights.

"If someone can look you in the face and tell you the Olympics are limited to the individual competitions that take place, well, that's a good poker player," Daly said.

In the days leading up to the Olympic torch event on April 9 in San Francisco, a Tibetan Freedom Torch and a Human Rights Torch that are traveling around the world will make stops for relays in San Francisco. Organizers expect thousands of people at those events.

Because of the controversy generated by China hosting the Olympics, city officials coordinating the main torch relay event plan to designate areas for people to protest the Chinese government or other issues. The designated "free-speech zones" have been used at large events in other cities but have not had a significant presence in San Francisco.

Daly is critical of those zones and says he might amend his resolution to condemn their use.

"I don't see why we should break from our pattern of how we handle mass protests or demonstrations for China," he said.

Mayor Gavin Newsom said he has "very serious concerns" about the situation in Tibet but said that the city is "privileged" to be the torch's only stop in North America and that the event should rise above political concerns.

"I separate the issue of Tibet ... and the Olympic Games," said Newsom, who added that the Games should be a time "to focus on the things that unite us and not divide us."

A spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee said he could not remember any instances in which protests accompanied the torch as it passed through U.S. cities.

"We absolutely anticipated that (in San Francisco), but that freedom of expression is something we very much stand for as a country," said Darryl Seibel, spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee.

The USOC recommended San Francisco as the city to host the torch because of the city's "wonderful Olympic tradition," many Olympians having lived and trained in the Bay Area, Seibel said. He also noted the city's cultural connections to China and the city's interactions with the committee in previous bids to host the Games.

Protests and alternate events are being strongly condemned by the Chinese Consulate in the city.

Defa Tong, the consulate's spokesman, said in a written statement, "The so-called Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay and Global Human Rights Torch Relay are manipulated by anti-China forces whose motive is to use the human rights and Tibet issues to attack China and disrupt the Beijing Olympic Games."

He called the events "attempts to politicize" the Games and said they violate the Olympic spirit.

Organizers of those events, who have come together and call themselves the "Expose Beijing Coalition," called the argument about politicizing the Olympics "disingenuous."

"Every Olympics has been political," said Giovanni Vassallo, president of the Committee of 100 for Tibet, an international group that believes China is illegally occupying Tibet. The Tibetan Freedom Torch event will be held the day before the Olympic event, and Vassallo said many people plan to protest the Olympic torch outside of the designated zones.

"I'm scratching my head on how the mayor can expect people to only be at the beginning and the end of route and voluntarily go into these zones," said Vassallo, who said actor Richard Gere, a member of the Committee of 100 for Tibet, has committed to attending their event.

Maria Daly, who is coordinating Human Rights Torch events in San Francisco and San Jose, said it is important to put pressure on the Chinese government through protests.

"This is a chance for the city of San Francisco, a city that upholds human rights and is internationally known as a city that upholds human rights ... to stand up and say something," Maria Daly said.

Clampdown: Police in China quell dissent in far-flung towns and villages as protests spread from Tibet to neighboring

The Olympic protests
The major concerns of groups protesting the Olympic torch include:
-- China's presence in Tibet and the recent crackdown on dissenters there;
-- The suppression of the Falun Gong spiritual movement in China;
-- China's policies related to Burma and the Darfur region of Sudan;
-- China's policies toward Taiwan;
-- General lack of freedoms in China, such as expression, assembly and the press.

For more information on the alternative torch runs, which are planned in the days leading up to the April 9 Olympic event, go to www.tibetanfreedomtorch.org and www.humanrightstorch.org

For information on the Olympic torch visit in San Francisco, go to www.sustainablejourney.org

Wyatt Buchanan,
Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle, Page A-1, Wednesday, March 19, 2008
E-mail Wyatt Buchanan at: wbuchanan@sfchronicle.com

Announcement from International Burmese Monks Organization

International Burmese Monks Organization published an announcement to boycott the Burma Military Government's referendum internationally on April 26th 2008 (Saturday). There will also be a meeting/boycott on that day from 1pm to 6pm, at 777 United Nations Plaza in New-York.

For more information, please call:
- (917) 686-1738
- (347) 665-5323
- (716) 512-3801
- (917) 617-7597

Congressman Tom Lantos Memorial Invitation

This is to let you all know about the memorial service on Wednesday evening, March 26th in South San Francisco for Congressman Tom Lantos. Please see the flyer attached above.

Please pass the words to your friends in your organizations who you think might want to attend the memorial for Congressman Lantos, perhaps in relation to human rights and humanitarian causes he supported during his 27 years in the House of Representatives.

Mrs. Annette Lantos, who worked fulltime without pay throughout the years Congressman Lantos was in Congress, helping him develop the work of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, will be present and will be receiving guests after the memorial.

Last but not least, Mr. Lantos was also a very active advocate for our Burma Human Right and Democracy issues.

May he rest in peace.....

Burmese Military Intelligence Arrested Kyaw Ko Ko, Leader of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions

Tue, 2008-03-18 15:26
Bangkok, 18 March, Asiantribune:

Burmese Military Inteligence Unit arrested on 17 March Kyaw Ko Ko, the leader of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions, taken away from his hiding place. Earlier, with the help of supporters, Kyaw Ko Ko twice had escaped arrest. Nyan Linn Aung, another ABFSU leader, was also arrested together with Kyaw Ko Ko. It is not known where they were taken.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has expressed concern over the arrest of Kyaw Ko Ko and Nyan Lin Aung. Military authorities are notorious for torturing political prisoners, and often the most severe treatment occurs during the interrogation stage following the arrest.

Background:
Kyaw Ko Ko is a student who is attending in Economic University from Yangon for a master degree. He is 25 years old and a son of U Kyaw Gyi. He is a leader of All Burma Federation of Student Unions which was reestablished on 28 August 2007. Burma’s first student union, the Rangoon University Students’ Union, was founded in 1931 by national independence hero Gen Aung San and his friends.

The group was renamed the All Burma Students’ Union in 1936 before switching to the ABFSU in 1951.Following Gen Ne Win’s military coup in 1962, the office of the ABFSU in Rangoon was demolished and hundreds of students were killed by the army.

During the nationwide pro-democracy 8888 uprising, the ABFSU resurfaced under the leadership of Min Ko Naing and other prominent student leaders on 28 August 1988.
During th Suffaron Revolution.

“Today we reestablish the ABFSU to take on the shifting roles of former students in a new generation to fight for freedom, justice and the building of a democratic country,” Kyaw Ko Ko said on 28 August 2007 when the fighting peacock flag was raised again.

“I hereby encourage all students across the country to accept the shifting responsibilities on behalf of our former brothers and sisters,” he added. The influential All Burma Federation of Student Unions has resumed its struggle against the country’s military government .

“Student unions must exist for the students in Burma,” said Kyaw Ko Ko.

- Asian Tribune -
http://www.asiantribune.com

China's Brutal Crackdowns in Tibet

Dear Burma Supporters,

If you are outraged by the news and images of ongoing brutal crackdowns against monk protesters in Tibet (the same thing you witness last Sept/Oct in Burma), you can help by following the actions outlined below.

Tibet, Burma, Darfur and Funlung Gong activists are jointly pushing for a resolution that will put a major blow to China and its Olympic torch visit to San Francisco on April 9th. We can't let China get away with hosting the world's precious Olympic at the same time committing/causing broad human rights violations in Tibet, China, Burma, Darfur and around the world.

The city has already approved the Burma resolution last October and thanks for all your help then. Now, this will be an important resolution to get passed, and your actions are greatly requested.

Stand up for the powerless and give voice to them.
BADA (Burmese-American Democratic Alliance)
------------ -----

Expose Beijing Coalition Supports SF Board Resolution on Human Rights and The Olympics

Five steps you can take now! Before Thursday!

(1) Below and attached is a Board resolution commending the Tibetan Freedom Torch, Global Human Rights Torch Relay, and generally calling attention to China's role in human rights issues. It has been referred to an unfriendly committee where two of the three members must vote it out to the full Board for their action: Carmen Chu, Jake McGoldrick, and Sean Elsbernd are the three members who must be called now. Those who live or work in their three Districts (see details by control clicking on their names below) will carry greater weight, but all should call on them.

(2) SF residents, please, before March 20th, contact your Supervisor now asking that they support passage of Chris Daly's Resolution Commending Tibetan Freedom Torch and Global Human Rights Torch Relay. Not sure which Supe is yours? Control click on their name and see District definition information

Aaron Peskin*
District 3
* Board President
(415) 554-7450 - voice
(415) 554-7454 - fax
Aaron.Peskin@sfgov.org

Jake McGoldrick
District 1
415) 554-7410 - voice
(415) 554-7415 - fax
Jake.McGoldrick@sfgov.org

Michela Alioto-Pier
District 2
(415) 554-7752 - voice
(415) 554-7843 - fax
Michela.Alioto-Pier@sfgov.org

Carmen Chu
District 4
415) 554-7460 - voice
(415) 554-7432 - fax
Carmen.Chu@sfgov.org

Ross Mirkarimi
District 5
(415) 554-7630 - voice
(415) 554-7634 - fax
Ross.Mirkarimi@sfgov.org

Chris Daly
District 6
chris.daly@sfgov.org or
call our City Hall office 415-554-7970.

Sean Elsbernd
District 7
(415) 554-6516 - voice
(415) 554-6546 - fax
Sean.Elsbernd@sfgov.org

Bevan Dufty
District 8
(415) 554-6968 - voice
(415) 554-6909 - fax
Bevan.Dufty@sfgov.org

Tom Ammiano
District 9
(415) 554-5144 - voice
(415) 554-6255 - fax
Tom.Ammiano@sfgov.org

Sophie Maxwell
District 10
415) 554-7670 - voice
(415) 554-7674 - fax
Sophie.Maxwell@sfgov.org

Gerardo Sandoval
District 11
Gerardo.Sandoval@sfgov.org
(415) 554-6975
Fax: (415) 554-6979

(3) Offer very brief statement around 1 p.m. (we can't guarantee the time) on Thursday, March 20th in the Board Chambers of City Hall before the Board's City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee hearing on the resolution. State your District residency or organizational tie;

(4) Attend the press conference at noon with Chris Daly on the steps of City Hall (opposite Civic Center on One Goodlet Place); and

(5) Visit our web site for further actions on April 5th (Union Square), April 8th (Civic Center and Chinese Consulate), and April 9th (tbd).

Burma's Famous Writer, LuDu Sein Win's Speech

(Translation of Ludu U Sein Win’s Speech given on March 9th, 2008)

"Dear friends:

In the history of the World, there’s never been a despot who willingly relinquished the power within his clutch. Hitler had to be overpowered. By the same token, the Philippines’ Marcos and Indonesia’s Suharto had to be forced out.

Nor has there ever been a country that was successfully rescued by the United Nations. So please don’t fantasize—don’t waste time dealing with the Security Council or brokering dialogues.

The Country is hurting; the people are suffering. We’ve endured this regime for nearly half a century. [Our struggle] ought to be brought to a swift end. We already have the power necessary to defeat the regime. It’s People Power. Nothing is more powerful than that.

Last September, during the Saffron Revolution, we showed you the courage of our monks, students, and the public. The voices of those who claimed the people could no longer stir or rise up; those who, based on this notion, advocated dialogues and negotiation in the hope of securing positions and favor for themselves—these voices have been silenced forever.

Friends, this is the critical moment when the tide can turn. The Saffron Revolution made this possible. Its momentum reached worldwide. We must make the most of this chance.

Believe in the Burmese people’s heroism. Believe in People Power. Defeat the Despot with People Power."

Ludu Sein Win (Burma's Famous Writer)
March 3, 2008

UN Human Rights Expert Pinheiro Asks Human Rights Council to Act on Burma

BBC Burmese, 03-14-08

Mr Pinheiro hopes the Human Rights Council will take action on the lack of cooperation of the military government.

Mr Pinheiro said that the lack of information concernig the investigation of the events of September 2007 is a compelling example of the challenges to the promotion and protection of human rights in Burma.

This reflects the lack of significant steps by the Burmese government to implement the requirements set out in Human Rights Council resolution. He said that he hopes the Human Rights Council will take action on the lack of cooperation of the military government.

Mr Pinherio was allowed to visit Burma in November 2007, but he said it was not fully fledged investigation. Since then he has not been granted access to the country for a follow-up mission.

"I don't know. I can't read the thoughts of the government. The only thing that they did is that they have not invited me as the council has proposed. I think that the council must act on this issue", Mr Pihneiro said to the BBC Burmese Service.

The Council should take up the matter and if the Burmese Government does not follow the decision.

8888LAOrganizers: An Honor to Burma's Human Right Day - March 16

This is to invite all of you that my Organization, "8888-LA-Organizers" is organizing a special event to honor Burm's Human Right Day.

It is tomorrow, March 16 2008 (Sunday) at Dhammajoti Meditation Center in Baldwin Park, CA. Here is the detail Info:

What:
Burma's Human Right Day Memorial

Date:
March 16, 2008 (Sunday)

Where:
Dhammajoti Meditation Center
4436, Walnut Street, Baldwin Park, CA 91706

When:
10am - 3pm

Organizers:
8888-LA-Organizers Group

Everybody(Burmese/Non-Burmese) is invited.
Please join us in our special event for the unforgettable memories of Burma.
Thank you.

Famous Burmese Singer (Sai Htee Saing) Memorial Service

Together with Shan Nationalities residing in Los Angeles, Music Admirers and friends are planning to have Memory Night for our famous singer "Sai-Htee-Saing" scheduled as Below-

Date: March 30- 2008 (Sunday)
Time: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location:
Golden Coast Buffet
2223 W. Commonwealth Ave
Alhambra, CA 91803

Direction: Freemont Ave Exit from (10) Freeway. Turn Right on Commonwealth Ave.

ENTRY Fees:
- Adult-$17.00,
- Children $8.30 (Height 4'6" or less)
(The price You paid included Buffet food, Tax & Tips PLUS Room Fee ONLY.)
- Walk In and First Come First Serve.
- Official Entrance Fee collection will be conducted by assigned Shan Nationalities and Restaurent employees.

SHOWs
- Video Documentary by Dr. Sai Htwe Maung - A friend of Sai Htee Saing and a classmate of Dr. Sai Kham Leit at Mandalay Institute of Medicine.

- Burmese Radio Station's (BBC, VOA, RFA, DVB) Announcement Collection with family members voices and famous Burmese singers comment. (by Admirer Team)

- Redezvous Band, Karaoke (Please bring your own VCD)- Sai Htee Saing's Songs ONLY in honor to him. Please keep in mind for time saving and for NO Hassle.

- Recorded Materials shall be sent to Sai Htee Saing's remaining family in Rangoon. (PS: you shall bring some photos with Sai Htee Saing when he was in USA).

On behalf of facilitating members-

Contacts:
626-378-6950 (Cell)
626-448-8019 (Home)
626-258-8913 (Cell) or 626-241-3319

UN Envoy Fails to Meet Burma Head

BBC, 03-10-08

Mr Gambari met Aung San Suu Kyi twice during his visit
The UN special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, has ended his latest visit to the country without meeting military leader Than Shwe.

He did meet detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but requests for talks with top generals were denied. Mr Gambari has been pressing Burma's authorities for political reforms, but with little apparent progress.

Burma has rejected his call for independent observers to monitor a referendum on the new constitution. It also refused to consider changing the constitution to allow Aung San Suu Kyi to take part in proposed elections.

Little progress

This was Mr Gambari's third visit to Burma since September's brutally suppressed pro-democracy marches. He met Aung San Suu Kyi twice, as well as the information minister, Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan, and several junior ministers.

There has been no word as yet on the content of the talks, but analysts say there is likely to have been no significant breakthrough - especially as Mr Gambari was not granted an audience with Than Shwe or other senior officials.

During his trip, Mr Gambari had hoped to discuss the junta's recent announcement that it would hold a referendum in May on its plans to move towards democracy. The process is due to lead to democratic elections in 2010, although opposition groups have cast doubt on whether the government will stick to its pledges.

Pro-democracy activists say the proposals will leave the military largely in power. A quarter of seats in parliament would be reserved for the armed forces under the plans.

After leaving Burma, Mr Gambari flew to Singapore, en route to meeting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Africa to report on his mission.

Burma Generals Reject UN’s Reform Plans

By Amy Kazmin in Bangkok
Financial TImes-Published:
March 10 2008 16:14 |

Ibrahim Gambari, the UN’s special envoy to Burma, left the military-ruled country empty-handed on Monday after the generals rebuffed his proposals for political reform and offers of help for a forthcoming constitutional referendum.
The evident failure of Mr Gambari’s mission – the envoy was not even granted a meeting with the junta’s top leader – leaves the international effort to engage Burma’s generals, and nudge them towards dialogue with opposition forces, in disarray.

“It’s almost a dead end now,” Win Min, a lecturer on Burmese politics at Thailand’s Payap University, said of a UN process that gained urgency after the junta’s bloody crackdown on mass anti-government protests in September.

“The generals were not serious about this UN process from the very beginning,” he said. “They just accepted it because of the pressure from China. It’s becoming more and more clear it was just for public relations.”

During Mr Gambari’s visit – his third since September – Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, the information minister, publicly accused the envoy of “bias” and of exceeding his mandate by conspiring with Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained democracy ­advocate.

Mr Gambari was dispatched to Burma after the crackdown to foster dialogue among the generals, Ms Suu Kyi and ethnic minorities. But the few subsequent meetings between Ms Suu Kyi and a junta “liaison officer” never touched on substantive matters, prompting the Nobel laureate to express her “dissatisfaction” to party colleagues permitted a rare visit in January.

Then last month the regime announced plans for a national referendum in May on a controversial new constitution – which critics say would in effect legalise military rule – followed by general elections in 2010. The generals have made it a crime, punishable by up to three years in prison, to ­criticise the referendum ­publicly.

Mr Gambari proposed that the regime consider amending the draft charter to ensure the interests of the opposition were protected, but Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan ruled out any changes. He also rejected a UN offer of technical advice for the referendum, and the idea of international election observers to monitor the process.

“It appears that the military is not inclined to listen to any of the suggestions from the good offices of the UN to make its process more credible and gain more international legitimacy,” said Shari Villarosa, the US charge d’affairs in Rangoon. “They seem to be rebuffing the good offices of the UN.”

Mark Farmaner, an activist with the Burma Campaign UK, said the failure of Mr Gambari’s mission, the 35th visit to Burma by a UN envoy in years, should persuade the international community to get tougher with the generals. “It’s about time that the UN worked out that this softly-softly approach isn’t working,” he said.

The Financial Times Limited 2008
http://www.ft.com

Burmese Army Regime Attacks Ethnic Minority Villages While UN Envoy Enters Burma

2008-03-09 02:56
Scorched-Earth Terror Campaign Against Civilians Continues
Washington, DC, 09 March, (Asiantribune. com):

The US Campaign for Burma condemned two attacks on ethnic nationality villages carried out by Burma's military regime just two days before the UN Secretary-General' s Special Envoy to Burma Ibrahim Gambari entered the country. The attacks took place on March 4th, 2008 in the jungles of eastern Burma.

Since 1996, Burma's regime has destroyed 3,200 villages in eastern Burma and forced 1.5 million civilians to flee their homes as internal and external refugees. For context purposes, the number of civilian villages destroyed in eastern Burma is nearly twice the number destroyed in Darfur, Sudan.

"It is awful that as the United Nations envoy to Burma prepared to enter Burma for talks about human rights and democracy the regime carried out attacks on civilians, but even more shameful that the UN has barely lifted a finger to stop the attacks in the first place," said Aung Din, executive director of the US Campaign for Burma. "Because of China's veto and the UN Secretariat' s silence, the UN Security Council has remained paralyzed and the UN makes the same mistakes the world made on Rwanda, yet again."

"We urge the UN Security Council to immediately demand an end to attacks on civilians by Burma's military regime, something it has never once done," added Aung Din.

The most recent attacks took place in Northern Papun district in eastern Burma, in the general vicinity of Maw Pu. According to the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian group that provides food and medicine for refugees, over 1,700 villagers fled after being fired upon by mortars launched by soldiers of the military regime.

In a separate attack, 9 houses were burned while 85 people fled their homes. It is suspected that an additional 400 fled the area as well, who already internal refugees were hiding from the military regime. In total, it is estimated that over 2,200 people were forced to flee.

Since 1996, Burma's military regime has carried out a massive, scorched-earth campaign against civilians in eastern Burma in an attempt to subjugate the area to regime control. The area had been controlled by ethnic nationalities attempting to hold onto their ancestral homelands, but slowly the regime is carrying out a campaign of ethnic cleansing and asserting control over the resource rich land.

As in Darfur, the regime is targeting food supplies, rice fields, cooking utensils, medical facilities, and schools for attacks so that civilians either die or are forced to flee. The regime also uses rape as a weapon of war against ethnic minority women, and has recruited up to 70,000 child soldiers to carry out attacks, more than any other country in the world.

- Asian Tribune -

Aung San Suu Kyi's Message on Burma's Human Rights Day

National League for Democracy
NO (97/B), West Shwegondine Road Bahan,
Rangoon

Tribute from Aung San Suu Kyi ,
General Secretary of the National League for Democracy
on the 13 March (Burma's Human Rights Day)
on production of the NWE-OO OWAY poster

"I wish to remind the people how it came about that the 13th of March (beginning of summer) is now commemorated as Human Rights Day for Burma- the day when Maung Phone Maw, a Rangoon Institute of Technology student was felled down and died.

When the youths and students came together in 1989, the anniversary of Maung Phone Maw's death, they resolved that they would not let revenge or hatred rule their hearts but would focus on the need for human rights in Burma.

NWE-OO OWAY and untimely death of Maung Phone Maw is a reminder of outstanding contribution made by the students and youth in politics and the revolution. This poster not only depicts the deterioration in human rights but the determination and courage of the youth to renew, restore and revive these human rights.

At this time when human rights are being so strenuously violated, when there is great need for courage and loyalty to the nation, I applaud with pride the NWE-OO OWAY poster that the youth wing of the National League for Democracy has successfully produced."
Aung San Suu Kyi

(Translator explanation- "Nwe-Oo" (poetic language) means commencement of summer. " Oway" is the word used in imitation of the sound made by the peacock, which for the students symbolises their struggle for independence and human rights.)

Myanmar Monk Tells Story of Killings

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)

A Myanmar monk called for a global weapons embargo on his country, telling a human rights conference Thursday that the junta's military leaders must not be allowed to use guns against his people again.

U Awbata said he struggles to shake memories of Myanmar soldiers opening fire on fellow monks during street protests last September, stomping on their heads and pummeling them with batons.

"It doesn't matter how many tears I shed," Awbata said at the three-day conference in Indonesia. "I cannot erase these images from my mind."

Awbata is one of several monks who fled Myanmar after the crackdown and have shared tales of alleged torture and other brutality during last September's uprising.

Buddhist monks initially took to the streets in Myanmar's capital Yangon to oppose a state-imposed fuel price hike. Their protests escalated into the biggest anti-government rallies in two decades.

The United Nations estimated at least 31 people were killed and thousands more detained in the military crackdown that followed.

The United States imposed financial sanctions against the country's military rulers, freezing their assets in U.S. banks and barring American citizens from doing business with the junta.

Awbata fled across the border to Thailand after witnessing the attack at the famed Shwedagon pagoda and then headed to Sri Lanka, where he continues to support the struggle to bring change to his homeland.

It is not clear how many died in the Shwedagon pagoda attack. Awbata said he saw three monks killed as they were chanting prayers of love.

"When they fell down, the soldiers used their boots and stamped on the heads of the wounded monks and beat them with batons," he said, fighting back emotion.

UN Special Envoy Heading to Burma

By VOA News
04 March 2008

Ibrahim Gambari, the U.N. special envoy for Burma will leave New York Wednesday on his third trip to the military-ruled country.

Ibrahim Gambari is expected to arrive in Rangoon Thursday to resume mediation between the government and the country's opposition. U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas has said Gambari expects to stay in the country "as long as necessary."

Gambari met last week with leaders in Beijing, Jakarta, Singapore and Tokyo as part of his efforts to promote democratization and national reconciliation in Burma. The U.N. envoy has said that Burma's recent announcement of a timetable for a constitutional referendum and elections was a positive sign.

Burma's military leaders announced in early February, plans to hold the referendum in May and general elections in 2010. The draft constitution would bar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from the elections, a move that has triggered criticism from regional leaders and the United States.

Burmese officials say she is not eligible because she was once married to a foreigner, a British citizen who died of cancer in 1999. Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy won Burma's last general elections in 1990.

The country's ruling generals have refused to recognize the results of those elections and have kept the Nobel laureate under house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years.

http://www.voanews.com

LA Organizers - 20th Anniversary of Burma's Human Rights Day

Seattle Burma Roundtable Meeting

Friends,
The next meeting of the Seattle Burma Roundtable is
Tuesday, March 4, from 6:30-8pm at the Greenwood branch of the Seattle Public Library,
8016 Greenwood Ave N.
See www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=branch_open&branchID=12 for directions and branch info.

Several members have just returned from the Thai-Burma border, and we hope
to hear reports from their trips.

** We'll hear about the March 9 Global Day of Prayer for Burma
(see http://www.prayforburma.org/).
Quest Church (see http://www.seattlequest.org/) will be including recent refugees and info about Burma in their March 9 services.

** We'll hear about the annual "Run for Relief -- Burma" in Gig Harbor on
March 29th, see http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1516822&assetId=39025dde-$ for details and to register.

** We'll discuss our 8th annual raffle to support basic education for
internally displaced children in Burma, which has raised more than $25,000
over the years.

BURMA ACTION GROUP
SAO Box 119, HUB
University of Washington http://students.washington.edu/burma
Seattle, WA 98195

8th Annual Burma Human Rights Day Event

Benefits Proceed to BADA Children Education Fund, actions and Free-Burma campaigns

Saturday, March 8, 2008
6:00pm-10:00pm
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Hall,
1924 Cedar (at Bonita),
Berkeley, CA 94709-2022, USA

Burma, once known as the "Golden Land", is now a land of terror and despair, due to more than four decades of military dictatorship. The Burmese junta has denied human rights of its citizens and has been widely condemned by nations and institutions as one of the most brutal regimes in the world.

Join us to see the featured film and to hear the dynamic speakers focusing on the courage and the suffering of the people of Burma and updates on the latest situation in Burma and how the Saffron Revolution is continuing amid the brutal crackdowns and regime's continued push for its illegal brutal 46 year long rule.

We will also discuss future actions and strategies to free Burma. Your support will help bring attention to the imprisoned democracy activists of Burma, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is again under house arrest in Rangoon.

Come enjoy Burmese style dinner, speakers, film and performances. Also meet Burma activists including those who were on the ground in Rangoon during the last year saffron revolution and those who were just back from the Thai Burma border providing providing relief assistance to hundreds of thousand of refugees.

*** SPEAKERS ***

Ven Dr. Ashin Nayaka,
"Burma's Hidden Dimensions: Symbol of freedom"; Dr. Nayaka is a leading member of the International Burmese Monks Organization (Sassana Moli), and the founder and director of the Buddhist Missionary Society in New York. He wrote various articles on Burma's Saffron Revolution and also testified at the US Congress and Japanese senate on Burma.

He is currently a Visiting Scholar in the Department of History, Columbia University of New York and his research on the role of Buddhism in conflict resolution of contemporary Burma will be a critical contest to address Burma 's compelling dilemma.

Performer/Speaker: Mary Win,
"My life and my music"; Mary Win is an eighteen year old Burmese-American, downtempo rock singer-songwriter from Seattle. She was born in Bangkok, Thailand in 1989 during the time her Burmese parents were fleeing the military dictatorship in neighboring Myanmar (formerly Burma). Shortly after her birth, her parents immigrated to the U.S.A., settling in Seattle, Washington. Visit: www.marywinmusic. com

*** Film ***
Prayer of Peace: Relief & Resistance in Burma's War Zone; 28 Minutes Color

Filmed on relief missions with the Free Burma Rangers, this short film takes you to the frontlines of the conflict deep within Burma. With millions of people displaced due to an ongoing civil war, Burma has been rendered one of the world's poorest countries. As this film shows, the people have not given up, maintaining their dignity and hope for peace despite the odds.


*** Video ***
Saffron Revolution Highlights
15 minutes video of real footage of Monks and people of Burma peacefully marching on the streets of Rangoon and crackdowns highlight


** Q&A/Discussion: **
Future actions and strategies including actioons on Olympic Torch visit to San Francisco on April 9

$15-30 sliding scale donation to benefit BADA
Burmese Traditional Dinner (6-7 pm) (Vegetarian friendly),
Speakers, Performers (7:00- 9:00 pm), Film (9:00-9:30), Q&A (9:30-10:00)

Organized by:
Burmese American Democratic Alliance;
Co-sponsored by Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Social Justice Committee,
Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

Contact: 510 220 1323; 510 485 3751
Email:info@badasf.org
Website: www.badasf.org
__._,_.___

Burma: Blogger Begins Second Month of Detention, Internet Closely Monitored

Redorbid.com
Posted on: Friday, 29 February 2008, 09:00 CST
Text of press release in English by Paris-based media freedom organization Reporters Sans Frontieres on 28 February

Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association today condemned increased government monitoring of the Internet and a deterioration in online connections, as well as the continuing detention of Nay Phone Latt, a blogger and owner of two Rangoon Internet cafs who was arrested on 29 January.

"Nay Phone Latt has been unjustly held for a month," the two organizations said. "He was initially accused of undermining morality under the Emergency Provision Act, a very vague charge that allows the military government to arrest anyone spreading ideas that challenge its policies. He is now alleged to have been in possession of a film it considers contrary to its ideology and faces up to three years in prison. We call for his release."

He was initially charged under section 5 (J) of the 1950 Emergency Provision Act, which punishes anyone who "causes or intends to disrupt the morality or the behaviour of a group of people or the general public, or to disrupt the security or the reconstruction of stability of the union."

But according to his family, a new charge has been brought against him under the Television and Video Law (http://www.blc-burma.org/html/myanmar%20law/lr_e_ml96_08.html) that gives the government control over political content and provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison for offenders.

It appears that Nay Phone Latt has been charged under section 32 b of this law, which punishes "copying, distributing, hiring or exhibiting videotape that has no video censor certificate, " because he had a video of a traditional Burmese play called A-Nyeint performed by the theatre company Thu-Lay-Thi. Its performances are currently banned in Burma.

Meanwhile, in a move to step up control of internet cafes, owners have been required since January to keep the records of their clients' online activity and deliver them each week to a special police unit at the department of information.

At the same time, according to Irrawady (http://www.irrawaddy.org/), a publication produced by Burmese exiles in Thailand, "the Burmese regime's network of informers are now focusing their attention on Internet cafes, which are replacing traditional teashops as places where people can discreetly share their views with others."

Internet connections have also become much slower, possibly to discourage Internet users from downloading large files such as photos and videos. Observed for the past few weeks, this slowness also prevents the use of software designed to circumvent censorship.

Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association also call on the authorities to explain the continuing detention of Myanmar Nation editor Thet Zin and his office manager, Sein Win Maung. Police arrested them during a raid on the magazine's office on 15 February after reportedly finding they had downloaded forbidden documents from internet but no official reason has been given. The office has been closed.

Source: BBC Monitoring Media
http://www.redorbit.com/news

Colloquium about Burma with EarthRights International Group

Energy Security:
Security for Whom?
Hydrocarbons and Human Rights in Military-ruled Burma

Colloquium with Matthew F. Smith and Naing Htoo,
EarthRightsInternational, Southeast Asia
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
10383 Bunche Hall
UCLA Campus
Los Angeles, CA 90095

From the webpage:

"While the energy industry has performed a remarkable feat in delivering energy to a large percentage of humankind in a relatively short period of time, the benefits of resource production often evade the least advantaged actors, who bear the brunt of the negative impacts.

In Burma, also referred to as Myanmar, large-scale natural gas projects have directly and indirectly led to violations of basic human rights through the complicity of multinational corporate actors. These abuses are ongoing.

This paper assesses the past, present, and future human rights impacts of large-scale natural gas extraction in military-ruled Burma, and the implications these impacts have in terms of corporate responsibility.

Specifically, it focuses on the ongoing human rights impacts of the Yadana gas project in Burma operated by Chevron (USA), Total (France), and PTT (Thailand), and the threat of future human rights impacts of the Shwe gas project in Burma led by Daewoo International (South Korea)."

More information at
www.international.ucla.edu/asia/events/showevent.asp?eventid=6512