Burma And Freedom

Arrest Yourself for Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma

2010-03-25T23:23:00.000-07:00

On June 19, 2010, Aung San Suu Kyi will be spending her 65th birthday under house arrest. She has been locked up for 15 of the past 21 years because of her pivotal role in one of the world's most inspiring freedom struggles.

Every year for Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday, we ask our supporters to give up 24 hours in solidarity with her and the people of Burma. We call this event: Arrest Yourself, honoring Aung San Suu Kyi's unparalleled courage and determination.

Now more than ever, Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burma movement need your help putting Burma at the top of the international agenda. The pending sham elections, mounting government tension with cease fire groups, and growing international concerns over human rights violations make this year an especially critical one in Burma's history.

In the international community, there is growing momentum toward ending Burma's war crimes. Earlier this month, the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women in Burma called on the United Nations to hold the military junta accountable for its commission of rape and torture as weapons of war. A few weeks ago, the UN Special Rapporteur to Burma, Mr. Quintana, joined this call by urging the UN to initiate a Commission of Inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma.

In the coming months we must move quickly to capitalize on the energy generated by these recent developments. With this year's Arrest Yourself, we will inspire more people to get involved in this growing movement as well as raise critical funds for advocacy.

Aung San Suu Kyi once said, "Sometimes, 24 hours can bring a total revolutionary change." And that's all it takes to Arrest Yourself and make your mark on Burma's freedom movement.

Waste no time. Sign up now to Arrest Yourself in solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma!

Watch our video to learn more about how to Arrest Yourself.

Annual Burma Human Rights Day Event 2010 in San Francisco Bay Area

2010-03-12T19:00:00.000-08:00

The San Francisco-based non-profit organization, Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) is holding its tenth annual event to commemorate the struggle for democracy in Burma on Saturday March 13, 2010 at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Hall in Berkeley from 6 pm to 10 pm.

Ever since Ko Phone Maw, a Rangoon Institute Technology student, was brutally killed by the military junta on 13th March 1988, the day has been marked by activists all across the world.

The evening will start with Burmese food, films and talks by notable guest speakers. Dr. Sein Win, Prime Minister of National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) will talk about the current situation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her party. Toe Lwin, a former political prisoner, who was with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi when she escaped from an assassination attempt coordinated by the junta in 2003 will talk about his life in Burma as an activist and his personal experience from the De-peyin Massacre and inside the Khantee prison.

“We need to raise the awareness about the brutal dictatorship and the suffering of the people of Burma, BADA continues to hold Burma Human Rights Day event each year in honor of brave men and women who have lost their lives or given up so much fighting for democracy in Burma, ” said Nyunt Than, President of BADA.

Place: the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Hall, 1924 Cedar in Berkeley
$15 Suggested Donation (dinner included) to benefit BADA

For more information, visit http://wwww. badasf.org

Urgent action for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma

2009-12-03T12:56:00.000-08:00

Urgent action for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma

For many years the United Nations has ignored widespread and systematic crimes committed by Burma’s military junta, including the destruction of more than 3,300 villages in eastern Burma, widespread use of rape as a weapon of war against ethnic minorities, the forced displacement of over 1 million refugees and internally displaced people, tens of thousands of child soldiers, and millions used as slave labour.

Despite these appalling crimes, no government is speaking out on this issue. The British Government should urge the United Nations to establish a Commission of Inquiry, which would investigate these crimes and could lead to prosecutions. So far the British Government has remained silent.

Please write to your MP and ask them to support the call for the United Nations to investigate crimes against humanity in Burma.

Take action here:
http://www.burmacam paign.org. uk/index. php/campaigns/ crimes-against- humanity/ 13/132

Or you can post a letter to your MP. Below are suggested points for you to include in your letter:

* State your concern about crimes against humanity in Burma. There is well documented evidence including from UN General Assembly and Commission on Human Rights resolutions over many years of widespread torture, forced displacement, sexual violence, extra-judicial killings and forced labour and that civilians are deliberately targeted.

* For many years, the United Nations has ignored widespread and systematic human rights violations and war crimes committed by the military regime.

* Ask your MP to sign Early Day Motion 238, which calls upon the British Government to urge the United Nations to establish a Commission of Inquiry into these crimes and to support the International Labour Organization referring the dictatorship’s use of forced labour to the International Court of Justice.

You can send your letter to your MP at:
House of Commons
London, SW1A 0AA

Campaign Update

Our campaign for a global arms embargo is working!

Thanks to your emails, momentum for a global arms embargo against Burma is growing as Timor-Leste becomes the 32nd country, and the first Asian country, to back an arms embargo.

Switzerland also announced its support for a global arms embargo against Burma in October and in August, Australia announced its support for a global arms embargo for the first time.

We need to build a global consensus on a UN arms embargo against Burma, in order to help overcome expected opposition at the Security Council by Russia and China. We are targeting 10 countries at time, asking them to support a global arms embargo. Please take action here:
www.burmacampaign. org.uk/arms- embargo

Aung San Suu Kyi update

In recent weeks, Aung San Suu Kyi has managed to use sanctions as leverage to persuade the Generals to resume dialogue. She met the regime’s Liaison Minister twice in October and she also met the UK Ambassador and the deputy heads of the Australian and US missions in Burma. However, so far it has only been low level officials talking about talks.
Meanwhile, the number of political prisoners is rising. There are currently more than 2,100 political prisoners and at least 128 political prisoners are in poor health due to the harsh prison conditions, transfers to remote prisons where there are no doctors, and the denial of proper medical care. The dictatorship has also increased arrests and harassment of democracy activists, and is escalating attacks against ethnic civilians.

Want monthly news updates on Burma?

Sign up to our free monthly newsletter Last Month in Burma. To subscribe, simply send a blank email to lastmonth-subscribe @lists.burmacamp aign.org. uk

Previous editions are available here:
http://www.burmacam paign.org. uk/lastmonth

Many thanks for your support.
-Burma Campaign, U.K.-

Urgent action at the SF Golden Gate Park for Daw ASSK

2009-05-17T03:20:00.000-07:00

Here is what you can do to help free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi! For more information or to download flyers, please visit www.badasf.org.

1. May 17, Sunday: Awareness action at Annual San Francisco Bay to Breaker Run to the 60 K participants. (http://www.baytobre akers.com/). 9:00 am -- 10:30 am at the the Golden Gate Park entrance at the corner Stanan and Fell/Oak, San Francisco. Bring Free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Signs/posters. Ware Daw Aung San Suu Kyi T Shirts.

2. May 18, Monday, Free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Protest : Place: United Nations Plaza, Civic Center, San Francisco. Market St @ 7th St; Time: 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Date: Monday, May 18, 2009. Flyer

3. May 24. Commemoration of the 19th Anniversary of 1990 Election Victory, Date : May 24th, 2009 (Sunday)
Time : 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m; Place : Jefferson Union High School, 699 Serramonte Blvd, Daly City, CA 94015 Flyer

4. May 27, protest at the Chevron Share Holders Meeting on WED, MAY 27, 2009, 7am to 10:30am More info Flyer

5. June 20, A Celebration of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Birthday & Burma’s Women’s Day
DATE: Saturday, June20, 2009; TIME: 10 AM to 2:00 PM; LOCATION: Metta Nanda Vihara (Central)
4619 Central Ave. Fremont, Ca 94536

THE 3rd ANNUAL MIGHTY MIC HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS CONCERT: Benefit for Burma

2009-04-20T23:08:00.000-07:00

April 21, 2009
6:00 - 10:00 PM
(Doors open at 5:45)
Ackerman Grand Ballroom, UCLA campus

Los Angeles, CA (April 7, 2009) - On Tuesday, April 21, thousands of students and community members will come together to make history at the 3rd Annual Mighty Mic Human Rights Awareness Concert at UCLA, Benefit for Burma. This student-run non-profit concert attracts about 2,000 attendees annually and is fast becoming a beloved UCLA tradition. Last year, Mighty Mic raised over $20,000 for the refugees of the genocide in Darfur. This year, Mighty Mic will highlight the struggle for human rights in Burma, a country that has been under the rule of an all-oppressive military junta for 43 years, making it the 4th least free country in the world. Learn more about the human rights violations, including the abuse of ethnic minorities, mass rape of women, recruitment of child soldiers, aforced labor, mandatory relocations, and child soldiers. Benefit For Burma's multi-media showcase will feature an eclectic mix of artists from many genres such as rock, indie, and hip-hop while incorporating informative educational content through speakers and videos that will entertain, inform, and inspire attendees.

ARTISTS
Blackalicious
Daphne Loves Derby
Audible Mainframe
Jarell Perry
Brandon Contreras

SPEAKERS
Edith Mirante
Min Zin
The All-Burma Monks Alliance
(U Pyinya Zawta, U Gawasita, U Agga Nya)

The concert will also include an on-site art gallery featuring Burmese artist Maung Maung Tinn as well as UCLA students artists, interactive educational activities, and booth space for non-profits, sponsors, and student-organizatio ns. Although the concert is free, donations are highly encouraged as all proceeds will go towards Doctors Without Borders, USA and US Campaign for Burma. For more information, ticketing, press passes, vendor and sponsorship opportunities visit www.mightymic. org

Not a UCLA student? That's ok. Email Connie at connie@mightymic. org with "USCB Concert Attendee" in the subject line. If you do not have a chance to contact Connie, just specify at the concert that you heard about the event from USCB.

2009-03-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Annual Burma Human Rights Day Benefit

(A public outreach and awareness activity in support of Burma's people!)
Saturday, March 14, 2009; 6:00pm-10:00pm
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Hall,
1924 Cedar (at Bonita),
Berkeley, CA 94709-2022, USA

The event will feature a Burmese style dinner and a Burma documentary film along with two outstanding Speakers on Burma: Min Zin and Zoya Phan. Join Us!

Each year, the people from Burma around the world commemorate March 13 as the Burma Human Rights Day to make the death of the engineering student Ko Phone Maw as he was murdered by the Burma's military in his school campus. The killing set off the historic 1988 nation-wide pro-democracy uprising in Burma after 26 years of oppression. However, the regime brutally cracked down the peaceful protests and continued hold on to power for decades.

In September, 2007, yet another historic and massive, but peaceful protests for democracy led by the students and monks took place; but, as always, the regime brutally murdered the innocent protesters and monks. The Peoples' endless and painful struggle for freedom, for over four decades, continues to this day.
The world has yet again witnessed the brutality of the regime when the Cyclone Nargis devastated the lower delta region of Burma on May 2nd, 2008. Hundreds of thousands left for dead by starvations denying much needed urgent help despite international appeals and pressure.

To continue to raise the awareness about the brutal dictatorship and the people's suffering in Burma, and to discuss planning actions, this year again, BADA will hold its ninth Annual Burma Human Rights Day event on Saturday March 14, 2009 at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists hall, 1924 Cedar (@Bonita) in Berkeley from 6 pm to 10 pm.

SPEAKERS:
Min Zin: He was 14 years old high school student when he participated in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising and had to spend nine years in hiding before fleeing Burma. He is now a leading Journalist on Burma in Exile and a teaching fellow at UC Berkeley's School of Journalism. Though he has never finished high school due to his struggle under the regime, the UC Berkeley has accepted him as a graduate student for a masters degree in Southeast Asian studies -- for the first time in its history. Five professors at the university has endorsed his application citing his intensive journalism work on Burma. He has also worked for Washington-based Radio Free Asia (RFA) in the Burmese Department and for the Irrawaddy Magazine based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Zoya Phan: At 14, Zoya become a refugee after fleeing a military attack on her Karen village. She is currently the International Coordinator of Burma Campaign (UK) and has met with political leaders and government around the globe to advocate for human rights in Burma. She works tirelessly and has been credited for generating increased pressure from the European Countries on the military regime in Burma. She is the director Phan Foundation that aims to fight poverty and provide education for Karen people from Burma, who have suffered decades of oppression. Zoya and three other children co-founded the Phan foundation in honor of their beloved father, Padoh Mahn Sha, the General Secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU), who was assassinated by agents of Burma’s military dictatorship on Feb 14, 2008.
$15 Suggested Donation (dinner included) to benefit BADA
Draft Program: Dinner (6-7 pm), Speakers (7-9 pm), Film (9:00-9:30), Q&A (9:30-10:00)

Dinner is vegetarian friendly; Talks will be in English; Contents are OK for children
Organized by Burmese American Democratic Alliance; Co-sponsored by Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Social Justice Committee and Global Exchange (GX).
Contact: Anil Verma: 510 485 3751; Kyaw Sit Naing: 415 680 5555
Email: info@badasf. org; Website: www.badasf.org

This Valentine's Day, Take Action for Burma

2009-02-13T20:20:00.000-08:00

This Valentine's Day, Take Action for Burma

This Valentine's Day or soon thereafter, show your love and support for the people of Burma by secret shopping for Burmese "Blood Rubies." Click here to take action.

Recently, Congress decided to ban the import of Burmese "Blood Rubies" in response to Burma's military regime's atrocities against ethnic minorities and the violent suppression of peaceful Monks and democracy activists. "This bill hits the Burmese leaders where it hurts - in the wallet. It's our hope that these sanctions will push other countries to examine their own financial dealings with Burma," said Representative Berman, a Democrat from California.

Regardless of their aesthetic value, buying rubies that could fuel oppression in Burma is immoral.

We are asking you to become a secret shopper. Please go to your local jewelery store and inquire if they sell rubies from Burma.

The recently enacted "Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act" now makes it illegal for jewelers and their suppliers to import rubies from Burma. This was a huge victory in the movement for a free and democratic Burma. However, it is possible that in anticipation of this new law, jewelers and their suppliers may have stockpiled rubies from Burma because it is not illegal to sell rubies that were imported prior to the enactment of the JADE Act.

Once you identify a jeweler(s) selling Burmese rubies, you should inform us. We will write to the jewelers to inform them of the situation in Burma, the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, and why it is important not to sell Burmese rubies. We will ask them to do the ethical thing and stop selling all Burmese rubies. If the jewelers do not stop selling Burmese rubies, we will take further action, including a possible consumer boycott of that company.

Thank you for your continued support,

Mike Haack
Campaigns Coordinator
U.S. Campaign for Burma
mike@uscampaignforburma.org
(202)234-8022

Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma:

Will you Arrest Yourself to help the people of Burma?

2009-02-04T15:50:00.000-08:00

Even though January is over, there is still time to make a new year's resolution for human rights in Burma.

Will you "arrest yourself" to help the people of Burma?

Every year, we ask people around the world to stay at home for 24 hours in solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi, the world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who is currently under house arrest in Burma. We'll send you all the materials you'll need to host a gathering in your home while you "arrest yourself", including DVDs, recipes for traditional Burmese food, sample invitations and petitions that your guests can sign so that we create a ripple effect of people around the world who are concerned with helping Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma.

You can "arrest yourself" and host your event anytime between now and Aung San Suu Kyi's 64th birthday on June 19th, 2009.

Click here for more information or sign up now to make your resolution for human rights in Burma.

Sincerely,

Mike Haack
Campaigns Coordinator, USCB
Mike@uscampaignforburma.org
(202) 234-8022

Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma:

Hasina wants release of Suu Kyi

2009-01-01T01:28:00.000-08:00

Hasina wants release of Suu Kyi

Awami League Chief and leader of the grand combine Sheikh Hasina said Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest since May, 2003, should be released.

She told a questioner at her first press conference after her alliance's grand victory at Bangladesh-China Friendship International Conference Center that her party always in favour of democracy.

When a foreign journalist asked her to explain her stand on detained Myanmar leader Suu Kyi, Sheikh Hasina said, "We want immediate release of Suu Kyi".
" Burma is a close neighbuoring country of Bangladesh and as such we want good neighbourly relations with Yangon ", Sheikh Hasina said.

"Friendship with all and malice to none" is our cardinal foreign policy she said adding that she wants a peaceful and democratic South Asian region.

Show To Support Burma's Democracy Movements

2008-12-27T14:42:00.000-08:00

Date: Feburary 1st 2009 (Sunday)
Time: 11am to 1pm -> Food
1pm to 5pm -> Performance
Place: Chabot College, Performing Arts Center
25555, Hespeian Blvd, Hayward, California 94545
Tickets: $50, $30, $20
Contact: Ph (415) 577-6505
Email: t4tsanfrancisco@gmail.com

Saffron Revolution A Year Later: It's NOT Over!

2008-09-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

Article Written by ALTSEAN.

8888 - "Burma Day"

2008-08-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

61st Anniversary of Burma's Martyr Day (19th, July 2008)

2008-07-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

July 19th 2008.
Burma's Martyr Day.
The Day that All the Burmese People Should Never Forget.

Canadian Senior gives $110K donation to Burma Victims

2008-07-03T13:40:00.001-07:00

The Canadian Press
Fri Jun. 27 2008

TORONTO — A Toronto senior has offered up what's thought to be the largest private Canadian donation to date to help survivors of Burma's cyclone.

Joseph Lariviere donated $110,000 to the Burmese Buddhist Association of Ontario earlier this week for its relief program for Burma.

The abbot of the Toronto temple where Lariviere offered his donation says at first he didn't believe it.

He says the association is touched by the generosity of seniors but is checking to make sure they'll have enough money left to live on.

The association has raised about $300,000 to date to help survivors of the May 2 storm in Burma.

Canadians have donated about $8 million to cyclone relief for Burma.

WaSo-Robe Offering, July 6th Sunday, Fremont CA

2008-06-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Birthday Invitation, June 22nd Los Angeles

2008-06-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

June 15 Event Invitation

2008-06-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

Penang Sayadaw Damma Talk

2008-05-28T08:50:00.000-07:00

Join the Meditative March and Protest Regarding Burma's Cyclone

2008-05-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

When:
May 23, 2008 11:30am - 1:30pm

Where/What:
11:30-11:50 Meet at Justin Herman Plaza and set up for meditation march
11:50-12:10 March to Singapore Consulate, 595 Market Street, San
Francisco, CA, 94105
12:10-1:30 Meditation in front of Singapore Consulate

Contact:
510 593 4388

Why:
Singapore is the chair of ASEAN and a great enabler of Burma's brutal regime. Most ASEAN members, such as Thailand and Singapore,enjoy Burma's resources at cut-rate prices while millions suffer greatly under the junta.

After the deadly Nargis hit Burma's delta region, there was great outcry from much of the world as we witnessed the regime's cruel and dispassionate neglect of the massive destruction and deaths. As usual, member nations of ASEAN kept quiet until they saw western navy ships perched to act in the best interest of the cyclone victims.

These are the same forces from the US, UK and France who effectively aided tsunami victims in the same region when members of ASEAN did not have sufficient resources or expertise to help their own.

In an emergency meeting held on May 19, 10 members of ASEAN said they will make sure aid from all over the world will flow into Burma without any explanation or details as to how this aid will actually make it to the areas of greatest need. They also said they will hold a donor conference -- which France denounced as it ignores the real and immediate need of aid delivery to the Irrawaddy delta area.

It is obvious that ASEAN's move is politically motivated. They should have acted much earlier rather than stalling to protect the Burmese regime's ineptitude. Had the welfare of the cyclone victims been their true priority, they would have had this meeting within days of the cyclone instead of waiting until there seems to be imminent humanitarian intervention by western countries.

The insufficient and superficial aid operations of ASEAN, still tightly controlled by
Burma's military, will inevitably result in hundreds of thousands of more deaths in the coming weeks and the potential of 2.5 million people dying of starvation, dehydration, disease and/or exposure.

We will, therefore, inform the Singapore consulate, the current chair of ASEAN, that it will be responsible for any future deaths if massive aid operations as called for by the US, UK and France are not implemented. Singapore has a responsibility to ensure that the 2.5 million lives receive the best care possible in this dire situation.

It must continue to pressure the junta to accept as much aid as is needed in Burma, whether it be in supplies or personnel, and no matter which country is providing such aid.

The question to all ASEAN member nations should answer is: Is this the plan you would want for your country in the next tsunami?

Ref: BADA

Fund-Raising Event for Burma's Cyclone Victims

2008-05-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

Please Donate to Cyclone Victims in Burma

2008-05-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

Burma's Junta Adopts Dubious Means to Win Support for Constitution

2008-05-01T16:58:00.000-07:00

Mungpi
Mizzima News
April 26, 2008
New Delhi -

Notwithstanding the Burmese military junta's claim that it will hold the May 10 referendum in a free and fair environment, its activities on the ground and information leaked by insiders suggest that the junta is desperately resorting to various means, not all of it ethical, to win support.

The junta desperate to garner supporting votes is creating a fear psychosis by intimidating and coercing the people as it vigorously carries on with its campaign.

Intimidation and an environment of fear

In a campaign meeting held in Rangoon, a junta official who is the chairman of a township, told participants that for the convenience of voters, every vote is being registered with code numbers.

This coding system would help authorities trace the voters and the votes cast, thereby creating an environment of fear.

"In every ward, for everyone, votes are registered with code numbers against the name. It is for your convenience," the official said.

The official while explaining this method provided an example saying, "For instance, you are staying in a ward and you work for the whole day and you can come to the station only after your work. It would be tiring and difficult to find a card for you where your name is registered with a code. For this, we suggest you cast your vote in advance so as to avoid inconvenience."

Besides, the official said that policemen are to cast their votes in advance as they would be taking charge of security during the actual polling and that they will have no time to come to their respective booths to vote.

This clearly reveals that the junta has already planned polling in advance for its civil servants, which is against the universal norm of voting.

Win Min, a Burmese military analyst based in Thailand, shoring up this information said, "a reliable source of mine very close to the military said they [the junta] is planning to force civil servants, including university lecturers and school teachers, and possibly other USDA members to go for advance voting in front of senior military authorities' eyes."

"This is clear intimidation to vote 'Yes'. It's unacceptable since it violates the basic right to secret voting. It also shows that the authorities are worried that these civil servants are likely to vote 'No' if they're free to do so," added Win Min.

Vote rigging

An official in Burma's second largest city of Mandalay, who has been appointed secretary of one of the polling booths told Mizzima that while the counting of votes will be conducted after the voting, the results will not be announced but sent to higher authorities.

"It now seems that the results will be declared only from Naypyitaw, though counting will be held in the polling booths," said the official, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Sources in the military establishment said, Maj. Gen. Myint Swe, member of the ruling military council, communicated this information to a meeting of 600 people that included senior government officials and senior NGO representatives in Naypyitaw on April 9.

Misleading campaign

Sources said the junta in a bid to lure people to vote 'Yes' is also twisting its campaign slogans to mislead people.

Van Lian, chairman of Burma's largest opposition party – the National League for Democracy in Chin state's capital Hakha town, said authorities are explaining to villagers that 'Democracy could only prevail if they vote in favour of the draft constitution.'

"They [authorities] told villagers that 'if you don't like the military you should vote 'Yes' because approving the draft constitution will end military rule," Van Lian told Mizzima.

Van Lian said, In Chin state, northwestern Burma, most people do not like the military and therefore authorities are adopting this tactic to win supporting votes.

In one of the secret campaign meetings in Rangoon, the township chairman told participants that if the draft constitution cannot be approved in the referendum, the military will prolong its rule merely by saying that a fresh constitution needs to be drafted.

"We know the public does not like being governed by the military. If you don't like being governed by the military, you should vote 'Yes' in the referendum."

"But if you say 'No', the military will say they will re-draft the constitution and stay in power as long as it likes. So you should vote 'Yes' to prevent it from staying in power longer," added the official.

Memorial Service for Buma's Fallen Stars

2008-04-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

Why:
Fallen stars of Burma
Ludu (people) Daw Ah Mar
(November 29, 1915 - April 7, 2008)
A respected leading dissident writer and journalist in Burma

Kyae Mone U Thaung
(Oct 4, 1926 - April 3, 2008)
A legendary journalist and famous dissident writer

You are cordially invited to following Swan Offering event:
Ludu (people) Daw Ah Mar (92 years old) has passed away in April 7, 2008 in Mandalay , Burma. She kept saying “You have left your work to keep Burmese to be united to reclaim the freedom, and dignity, and rights that has been robbed away by Military Junta.”

Famous journalist Kyae Mone U Thaung (Aung Ba La) (82 year old) has passed away on April 3, 2008 in the United States . U Thaung is a founder of the Mirror Daily (Kyae Mone News paper) and authored 26 books and support of human rights and democracy in his motherland, Burma

What:
Swan Offering (Potluck)
Pay last respect to both fallen stars Daw Ah Mar and Kyae Mone U Thaung

When:
10 A.M., Saturday May 3, 2008

Where:
Matta Nada Monastery 4619 Central Ave , Fremont , CA 94536
Phone: (510) 795-0405

Who:
Burmese community & friends of Burma
(San Francisco Bay Area)

May Fallen Stars of Burma , Daw Ah Mar and U Thaung Souls Rest in Peace.

UC Berkeley Talk about Burma

2008-04-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

The Center for Southeast Asia Studies, UC Berkeley
presents a talk in its SPECIAL BURMA SERIES

Topic: “Politics, Anti-Politics & the 2007 Monks' Protest in Burma”
Speaker: Ingrid Jordt
Position: Assistant Professor, Anthropology
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2008
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Place: IEAS Conference Room, 6th floor
Address: 2223 Fulton St. (at Kittredge), Berkeley CA

"Turning over the alms bowl" is a form of non-violent Buddhist protest with deep historical roots in Burma. This talk will discuss the religious boycott as a soft power movement that negotiates the careful divide between religious moral sanction and outright political action.

Prof. Jordt is a special authority on Burmese Buddhism having spent several years in Burma as an ordained nun in the 1980s. She received her Ph.D. from Harvard University where she studied with Prof. Stanley Tambiah, and has emerged as a leading expert in recent months in providing context on the popular protests that erupted in Burma in 2007. Her most recent book is "Burma’s Mass Lay Meditation Movement: Buddhism and the Cultural Construction of Power" (Ohio, 2007).

Co-Sponsored by UC Berkeley’s Center for Buddhist Studies

Free and open to the public. This lecture is made possible through the generous support of an external grant made to UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.

_______________________________
The Center for Southeast Asia Studies
International & Area Studies
University of California at Berkeley
2223 Fulton Street, #617
Berkeley, CA 94720-2318
Phone: (510) 642-3609
Fax: (510) 643-7062
http://ias.berkeley.edu/cseas/

Announcement from OBP (Singapore)

2008-04-19T12:31:00.000-07:00

UN Rapporteur Warns Burma on Vote

2008-04-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

BBC, 15 April 2008

Mr Pinheiro said there were no signs of political change in Burma.

Burma's referendum next month will be a "ritual without real content" unless international monitors are allowed in, a top United Nations official has said.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the Special Rapporteur on Burma, also accused military rulers of a clampdown on people campaigning for a "no" vote.

The referendum, set for 10 May, is on whether to adopt a new constitution.
Leaders say it will pave the way for elections by 2010, but critics say it is aimed at entrenching military rule.

The charter was drafted by the generals without input from the pro-democracy opposition.

It allocates a quarter of seats in parliament to the military and bans anyone who has been married to a foreign national from holding office - ruling out detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Her National League for Democracy has called on people to vote against the referendum.

'No transition'

Speaking in Brussels, Mr Pinheiro said that the referendum would not have any credibility if opponents were prevented from speaking out.

Burmese troops used force to end anti-government protests in September "How can you have a referendum without any of the basic freedoms?" he was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.

"It would be important to have international observers to validate the referendum, because if not it would be just a ritual without real content."

In a separate interview with Reuters news agency, he accused the Burmese government of detaining "no" campaigners, and said that he saw no signs of political change there.

"If you say a real political transition process is taking place in Myanmar (Burma), this would be almost offensive to countries in Asia like the Philippines and Indonesia or Thailand that passed through a transition process to democracy," he said.

Mr Pinheiro last visited Burma in November 2007, weeks after a military crackdown on anti-government protests left at least 31 people dead.

The Burmese government has since then refused to allow him back in.

The full text of the constitution went on sale in government bookshops on 9 April.

Burmese in Singapore now can Vote for Referendum

2008-04-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

Myanmar Warns Embassies ahead of Referendum

2008-04-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

Thu Apr 10
YANGON (AFP)

- Myanmar's military government Thursday warned foreign embassies not to support Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party, as the nation gears up for a referendum on a constitution opposed by her supporters.

ADVERTISEMENT

The warning carried in the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper came the morning after the regime announced that the referendum would be held on May 10.

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party is urging voters to reject the constitution, saying it will not bring democracy to the country which has been ruled by the military since 1962.

"Certain foreign powers, with the intention of interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar, are now ... aiding and abetting some local political parties to destabilise the country," the paper said.

"Some diplomats of certain foreign embassies in Yangon regularly visit NLD (headquarters), hold talks and give directives to harm the interests of the nation and the people," the paper said.

"The embassies should stop such activities," the government mouthpiece said.

The ruling junta says the new constitution will help create a "discipline-flourishing democracy," with multiparty elections set for 2010.

But critics say the constitution will give the generals a dominant role in government, even after the polls.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the NLD to a landslide victory in elections in 1990, would be barred from running in new polls.

The military never recognised NLD's election win, and has silenced the Nobel Peace Prize winner by keeping her under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years.

One quarter of the seats in parliament would be reserved for soldiers, appointed by the commander-in-chief. The military would also have broad powers to declare a state of emergency and take direct control of the government.

Amending the constitution would be almost impossible without the military's consent. Three-quarters of parliament must approve any changes, which then must go to voters in a referendum.

Although the NLD and other pro-democracy groups are calling for a "No" vote, they have little ability to campaign effectively because the regime has outlawed speeches and leaflets about the referendum.

In a statement released Thursday, the NLD accused the junta of suppressing free speech and physically intimidating and arresting their supporters.

"An intimidating atmosphere for the people is created by physically assaulting some of the members of (the) NLD," it said in a statement.

"For these reasons, it is now obvious that the forthcoming referendum cannot be free and fair."

Copies of the constitution were only released to the public on Wednesday, when they were put on sale in government bookstores for nearly one dollar -- a price far beyond the means of most people in this impoverished country.

Thailand-based Myanmar analyst Win Min said that by placing the date for the referendum only one month away, the regime left voters with little time to understand the 194-page document.

"They are worried that if they make it longer, the movement for holding a 'No' vote will get some momentum, and people will be more likely to vote 'No,'" Win Min told AFP in Bangkok.

"They are giving little chance to the opposition to organise," he said.

The regime may also have sought to avoid scheduling the referendum too close to the symbolically important date of May 27, which will be the 18th anniversary of the 1990 elections won by the NLD, he said.

That is also the date when the military is due to renew Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest.

In Washington, President George W. Bush said he was disappointed with the pace of democratic reforms in Myanmar.

The United States and the European Union have tightened sanctions on Myanmar since a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks in September.

At least 31 people were killed while 74 went missing, according to the United Nations. More than 700 people are still behind bars over the protests, Amnesty International has said.

Town Hall Meeting with ABSDF Leaders in LA (April 20, 2008)

2008-04-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

San Fran Olympic Torch Relay Protest was a Great Success

2008-04-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

On April 9, hundreds of you -- some as far away as from Chicago, Los Angels and Santa Cruz, Fresno, joined the Peace Walk for Burma across the San Francisco Golden Gate bridge and other actions despite being on work day and uneasy commute. You do care about Burma and stood up for her at a time when she needed you most. Thank you all.

Amid beautiful weather, clear sky, and kinder wind, bearing peaceful mind and kind heart, the Free Burma supporters gathered and marched peacefully across Golden Gate Bridge to relive the memories of last September saffron peaceful marchers in Burma. Even a Wheelchair-bound women (who worked for Mayor) joined the walk to show her support for Monks, nuns and the people of Burma. What a way to open an important day, and in fact, with this great walk completed successful, we the Burma supporters had already had our day even before the torch relay began.

After the walk, many of us did proceed to protest at the torch relay closing designated location. While most of us are walking on the Bridge, some of us were at the locations near McCovey Cove to protest for Burma. Both groups met and protested near the Justin Herman plaza. Our day ended with a march to the City Hall along Market street chanting slogans; and then a rally and protest at the City Hall steps. We really had a long day then.

Due to your support and hard work and good team work by the organizers, we have noticed the significant progress in mentioning Burma-China connection in the Olympic torch protest news. Pased below please find the coverage for April 9 Burma actions. And here are some highlights:

A couple of local stations aired the peace walks; and national networks also carried it

Among others, CNN photographer was on site taking pictures and there of those made it into the collection

Radio Free Asia allowed us to broadcast live of the Peace Walk into Burma as it was happening.

Voice Of America also cover the events in detailed

A reporter from Salon.com trailed the Burma protesters and produced a featured cover story about our protests

Saw significant progress in mentioning Burma explicitly by high-profile news agencies including AP, USA Today, BBC, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal and others in their coverage about Olympic protests.

Bush, Pelosi, other leaders are now consistently mentioning Burma along with Tibetan and Darfur as issues China has been heavily citied

Photos and videos are on Flicker and many other news reports including CNN.

Videos Burma Peace Walk are posted on YouTube (believed to be taken from the air probably from Helicopter that we saw)

However, In their call for Bush to to boycott the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic games, Senator Clinton and Obama and McCain did not mention Burma at all. Therefore we need to do a lot of work in highlighting China's support to Burma's dictator and the suffering of 50 millions due to Chinese arms, trade and veto at the UNSC).

Nothing has changed in Burma and she still needs you to help free her from the brutal dictatorship.

Thanks.

BADA
Photo: BADA flickr Album
------------ ------

Local TV Stations News Video of Burma Peace Walk:
(National NetWork also aired theses)
ABC& Local Network Coverage; Monks march through Golden Gate
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=6070807

KRON 4 NEWS Video: Burmese Monks and Supporters Walk Across Golden Gate Bridge
http://www.brightc ve.tv/title.jsp?title=1496480847&channel=1274168794

Burma April 9 Torch Protest Featured Coverage:

Salon.com spent a day with Burma protesters and made this feature front page story:
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/04/10/torch/

Press Democrat: On day of chaos, quiet march speaks loudly
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080410/NEWS/804100357

YouTube Video of Peace Walk taken from the Air

San Francisco: Peace Walk begin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-ro6eSs0SE

Peace Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-ro6eSs0SE

Peace Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4wCF_b7_c4

CNN.com Photo Collection:

CNN: There photos from Bridge Walk made it to this collection of 14 photos by
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/09/sf.protests.ireport/index.html

The Province: Bridge Walk Photo is used in this Canada Article:
B.C. residents join anti-China demo
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=ac65862f-f072-42ba-b23f-a824f50848b0

Other coverage where Burma was mentioned:

Americans take dim view of relay
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23518784-2703,00.html

Olympic Torch Takes Unexpected Route Through SF
http://www.cityonahillpress.com/article.php?id=1137

CBC Canada on the Bridge Walk Coverage:
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/080410/w041015A.html

USA Today: Olympic torch run out of sight for most:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-04-09-torch_N.htm

BBC: Confusion strikes US torch relay:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7339380.stm

The Guardian: San Francisco is braced to greet Olympic torch - and thousands of protesters
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/09/olympicgames2008.usa

AP: Torch concludes bumpy tour of Bay Area:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/olympics/2090ap_oly_olympic_torch.html

Some of the coverage before April 9 :

NBC11 Video: Burmese Activists To SF: Drop Torch Run completely
http://www.nbc11.com/newsarchive/15734804/detail.html

Video: Burmese activists protest SF torch run
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lfvXVbPjtc

Video: Burmese activists protest SF torch run
ABC7 News:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=6048985

April 9 Action List

2008-04-09T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Beijing Olympic Torch arrives in San Francisco on April 9 as part of the world wide torch relay. This will be the only visit to the whole North America (US & Canada).

Join us and help shed the light on continued great pain and suffering of the 50 million people of Burma under a 46 year long brutal dictatorship due to China's great military, economic and diplomatic support. China is exploiting Burma's market and her bountiful resources (especially oil and gas) to support its burgeoning economy while people in Burma struggle to live hand to mouth under the world's worst oppression imposed upon them.

Action List

9:30 am – 11:30 am- (You may arrive early to San Francisco side of the bridge to catch shuttle or buses to the other side)
- Vista Point (Marin Side) Golden Gate Bridge
- Peace Walk for Burma across Golden Gate
-(Contact: 707 362 8452; 510 220 1323; 415-939-2084)

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
- (Arrive between 12:00 -12:30 before we start moving to protest locations)
- Aquatic Park, 900 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109
- Protest at the torch route near Aquatic Park area
-(Contact: 415 531 1946; 510 220 1323; 707 362 8452)

11:00 am to 1:30 pm
-(Arrive between 11:00 -11:30 before we start moving to protest locations)
- Near Train Station; 4th and King Streets, San Francisco, CA 94107
-Protest at the opening near McCovey Cove
-(Contact: 415 577 6505; 415 595 4591, 415 335 2145)

2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
-(We will have some organizers present even before 2:30 here)
-Washington St & Drumm St, San Francisco, CA 94111
- Protest at the closing near Justin Harman Plaza
-(Contact: 510 485 3751; 415 577 6505)

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
-(Our final action of the day will close with a rally and songs)
- Civic Center Plaza, Polk St & McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Rally In front of City Hall
-(Contact: 510 220 1323; 707 362 8452; 415-939-2084, 415 203 0541)

Co-sponsoring organizations:
- Buddhist Peace Fellowship (BPF),
- Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA),
- International Burmese Monks Organization Inc. (Sasana Moli),
- Burmese American Women's Alliance (BAWA),
- US Campaign for Burma (USCB),
- 8888 Generation Students (Exile),
- Burmese Youth Association (BYA),
- 8-8-08 for Burma,
- 8888 LA Organizers Group (Los Angelse)
- BFUU Social Justice Committee and Global Exchange (GX).

Democracy in Burma back on UN agenda

2008-04-09T00:02:00.000-07:00

FT, April 8 2008

With the United Nations under fire from Burma’s opposition for failing to hasten the end of military rule more than six months after the violent suppression of anti-regime protests, western states will this week seek to push the issue back on to the international agenda.

The US, Britain and France intend to press fellow members of the UN Security Council to adopt a new statement calling for the early establishment of democracy.

But Burmese dissidents said they doubted words would be enough to dent the intransigence of the ruling junta as it prepares for a constitutional referendum whose purpose they claim is to entrench its authority.

The situation of the Burmese, whose plight dominated headlines as world leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly’s annual session last autumn, has since fallen victim to the current dynamics of the 15-member Security Council in which China and Russia baulk at action they construe as interference in member states’ internal affairs.

Last autumn’s crackdown, in which hundreds of Buddhist monks and other protesters were rounded up, prompted unanimous condemnation from the council in October to which even China, Burma’s closest ally, put its name.

But since then public pressure has subsided and three visits by Ibrahim Gambari, UN special envoy, have failed to win concessions from the military regime.

The Nigerian diplomat’s decision to take the regime’s word on its commitment to reform, in spite of the lack of concrete results, has angered opposition leaders and has even been questioned by diplomats in New York.

Mr Gambari told the council last month that the regime was proceeding with a “road map” to democracy it had itself established by setting dates for a constitutional referendum in May and elections in 2010.

He also appeared to rule out international sanctions on the regime which are in effect closed to the Security Council because of the near-certainty of a Chinese veto.

Opposition figures accused him and the UN of betraying the Burmese people. Aung Din, head of the US Campaign for Burma, and one of his chief accusers, said at the weekend: “He’s still acting as if he can do something. He persuaded the opposition he could deliver and he hasn’t.”

Although this week’s draft statement expresses appreciation for Mr Gambari’s work, a western envoy acknowledged privately: “We feel he needs to be clearer in areas where the regime is failing and not always put a positive gloss on the regime.”

The western drafters want the council to demand the early release of all political prisoners and detainees and to engage in an inclusive dialogue with all opposition figures, including Aung San Suu Kyi, who would be barred from seeking election under the terms of the regime’s new constitution. They also call for guarantees of freedom of expression and assembly ahead of next month’s referendum as well as international monitoring of the vote.

That is not enough to satisfy the Burmese opposition and may be too much for some members of the Security Council to accept.

---------

Announcement from Butterfly3 Organization

2008-04-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

Please Sign Up - Burma Needs You On April 9th

2008-04-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Please sing up online here: http://www.badasf.org/2008/event-sign-up.htm

Give voice to 50 millions people of Burma suffering under China-backed brutal regimes for 46 years.

Sign up for actions on April 9th; Please check back at www.badasf.org for updates on actions.

Details:

- 10 am to 12 pm, Peace Walk for Burma Across Golden Gate Bridge

- 1 pm Rally / Protest at Opening near AT&T Park

- 3 pm (Est.) Rally / Protest at Closing (Ferry Building in front of Justin Herman Plaza)

Myanmar's draft constitution bars Suu Kyi, cements military role in parliament

2008-04-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

AP
Posted: 2008-03-31

YANGON, Myanmar (AP)

- Myanmar's draft constitution, which goes before voters in a May referendum, perpetuates military domination of politics and protects junta members from prosecution for past actions.

The text of the proposed constitution has not yet been made public. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the 457-article, 194-page document Monday.

It draws on guidelines that a national convention completed last year after 14 years of on-and-off meetings.

It contains several new points not in the guidelines, however, in an apparent effort to stave off challenges to the military's authority.

The ruling military junta announced the referendum in February and said it would be followed by a long-awaited general election in 2010. The junta calls the process its "roadmap to democracy."

Critics have denounced the process as a sham designed to perpetuate military rule. The drafting process did not include Aung San Suu Kyi or members of her opposition National League for Democracy.

One of the draft's most contentious clauses follows the guidelines in barring anyone who enjoyed the rights and privileges of a foreign citizen from holding public office. This would keep Suu Kyi out of government because her late husband, Michael Aris, was a Briton and their two sons are British.

The draft charter allots 25 percent of seats in both houses of parliament to the military. It empowers the president to transfer legislative, executive and judicial powers to the military's commander in chief for a year if a state of emergency arises.

It also stipulates that no amendments to the charter can be made without the consent of more than 75 percent of lawmakers - making proposed changes unlikely unless supported by military representatives in parliament.

A clause in the charter draft, but not covered in the guidelines, protects members of the junta in power since 1988 from legal prosecution for any acts carried out as part of their official duties.

The junta has been accused of gross human rights violations in suppressing Myanmar's pro-democracy movement and in its counterinsurgency operations against restive ethnic minorities.

Neighboring Thailand last year adopted a similar clause in its own military-backed constitution, effectively protecting from prosecution leaders of the military and their allies who carried out a September 2006 coup d'etat and administered the country for more than a year of interim rule.

In a significant change from the guidelines, Myanmar's draft charter delays when the new constitution would take effect.

Instead of becoming law after voters accept it in the May referendum, it would do so only after parliament's first session - which could not happen until at least 2010. Parliament will convene within 90 days of the election.

Other proposed changes include a new name and national flag. The draft proposes to rename the country, which was called Burma until 1989, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. It is now called the Union of Myanmar.

The new constitution is supposed to replace the one scrapped when the current junta took power in 1988.

After the last election was held in 1990 the military refused to hand power to the winner, Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party. Suu Kyi has been in prison or under house arrest for more than 12 of the past 18 years.

Myanmar has been in a political deadlock since 1990 with hundreds of Suu Kyi's supporters thrown in jail.

The junta has faced international pressure to make democratic reforms, especially since it crushed peaceful protests in September. The U.N. estimates at least 31 people were killed and thousands more were detained in the crackdown.

UN Must Reject Burma's False Constitution!

2008-04-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

TAKE ACTION!!

Tell Your Political Representitive:
UN Must Reject Burma's False Constitution!

Please go to:
http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/2008-tell-your-rep-un-must-reject-burmas-false-constitution.html
and follow the prompts to take this important step.

Thank you all.

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

2008-03-31T22:42:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-29T22:49:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-28T11:29:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-23T00:58:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-18T13:58:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

(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

2008-03-16T20:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-15T16:27:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-12T21:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-11T22:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-08T21:43:00.000-08:00

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

2008-03-07T00:20:00.001-08:00

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

2008-03-06T22:44:00.001-08:00

Seattle Burma Roundtable Meeting

2008-03-05T22:13:00.000-08:00

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

2008-03-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

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

2008-03-03T23:42:00.001-08:00

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

2008-03-02T20:20:00.001-08:00

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

Burma Event in Hollywood Invitation

2008-02-29T09:38:00.001-08:00

This is the Invitation for the Burma Event in Hollywood.

POLITICS-BURMA: Mobile Phones, Radios Keep Resistance Alive

2008-02-28T08:58:00.001-08:00

By Marwaan Macan-Markar
BANGKOK, Feb 28 (IPS)

Somewhere in the dilapidated city of Rangoon is a man on the run since August last year. He has sheltered in over 10 homes so far. But he expects to continue avoiding arrest by Burma’s dreaded military or intelligence forces.

When Tun Myint Aung shifts from one safehouse to another, he goes armed with two items that have become indispensable. They are a mobile phone and a portable, Chinese-made radio, to listen to such anti-junta stations like the Democratic Voice of Burma, based in Oslo, Norway.

‘’The phone and the radio are very important now. I always take them wherever I go. They are next to me when I sleep,’’ says Tun Myint Aung, in a voice with a hint of excitement, during a recent telephone interview with IPS from his current safehouse in the former Burmese capital. ‘’Through them I stay in touch with people outside, my friends, and follow the news about events in the country.’’

But his Tecsum shortwave radio has taken on added value in military-ruled Burma’s current oppressive climate. ‘’The radio has become a social weapon for me and for our movement,’’ adds Tun Myint Aung over the phone, an act that could get him jailed. ‘’It is how the messages against the military regime are broadcast by us and others against them.’’

The ‘’us’’ he refers to is the ’88 Generation Students’, a highly respected group of former university graduates who have been at the vanguard of peaceful protests against Burma’s repressive military leaders. The group gets its name from leading a pro-democracy popular movement in 1988, which was brutally crushed by the military, leaving some 3,000 protestors dead.

Till August 2007, Tun Myint Aung worked in the shadows of ’88 Generation’ leaders like Min Ko Naing, who to many Burmese is the most respected person in the country for his democracy crusade after Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader and Nobel Peace laureate. But that month, the junta arrested Min Ko Naing and other prominent leaders of the group to curb the protests they called for after the regime raised the price of oil by 500 percent without warning.

Tun Myint Aung, who will be turning 40 this year, had to flee his home to avoid arrest. It was an escape, forcing him to ‘’run and run,’’ sometimes having to spend nights on the streets with no place to hide, that has consequently propelled him to be a new leader of the ’88 Generation’. With him at the helm are two other activists of the same group, also on the run, Nilar Thein and Soe Htun.

His first month as a leader was overshadowed by the rage against the junta that poured on the streets of Rangoon and other cities in September. Tens of thousands of people, led by the countries maroon-robed Buddhist monks, staged peaceful protests. They raised a cry against the unbearable economic woes, the arrest of the ’88 Generation’ leaders, and the continued imprisonment of political activists, including Suu Kyi. But the junta responded with force, killing scores of demonstrators, including monks, and jailing hundreds.

The events, since then, have proved as formidable: the junta recently announced plans to conduct a referendum in May to seek approval for a controversial new constitution. And mounting a political campaign against that plebiscite from underground is a challenge.

‘’There are 11 organisations we are working with to inform the public that the new constitution was not drafted by the people’s representatives. We are also warning that the referendum will not be free and fair,’’ says Tun Myint Aung. ‘’But if people want to vote, we are urging them to vote ‘No’. They have to oppose the military’s plan to get its political life extended legally.’’

A mass movement against the referendum is also being discussed. ‘’We want a nation-wide silent movement against the military. We have been contacting people in our network, through the phone and other ways, to get this message out,’’ he reveals. ‘’Our actions are to get as many people to lead this silent protest. That is how we have always worked. It is never been based on only one person.’’

The anger that the new leaders of the ’88 Generation’ have towards the regime was displayed in mid-February, when they released a statement saying that the planned May referendum is a ‘’declaration of war by the military regime against the Burmese people.’’ Another has followed since, denouncing the Chinese government for ‘’bankrolling’’ the junta and calling for a boycott of this year’s summer olympics in Beijing.

Despite the odds, Tun Myint Aung relishes his new role to lead the Burmese opposition from within the country. ‘’It is a very heavy task that we have, but it is exciting,’’ he says. ‘’I am not depressed; I am eager to try as many actions as we can against the military. This is the way to help our people and to help my brothers, our comrades, in jail.’’

Even the solitary hours that he sometimes has to endure to avoid arrest barely gets him down. For he has experienced worse: he was arrested in 1990 and jailed at the notorious Insein Prison in Rangoon for three years. At the time, he was studying geography at Rangoon University. His ‘’crime’’ was to be a protest leader in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising. Then, in 1998, he was arrested again and jailed till 2005. Once again, it was for his political activism.

‘’I have not talked to my parents for many months; I cannot contact them, because our home in Rangoon is under watch by the intelligence,’’ he admits, after a pause. ‘’I miss that. I miss talking to my nieces and nephews. But they are used to not seeing me home’’

At times, however, the strain of struggling to remain free from the junta’s grip leads to restless nights. ‘’If I hear strange sounds on the road, too many dogs barking at night, I wake up,’’ he says. ‘’What is it?’’

And visits to a hospital or clinics are out of the question for him: ‘’I cannot get sick. It is too risky to go to a clinic. I am always taking care of my health now.’’

Yet there is a reason that weighs in his favour if he had to call on a doctor. His face remains a mystery to the junta; it had not been in the glare during the dissidents’ public campaign. ‘’It is fortunate. I avoided having my photos taken during the protests last year,’’ says Tun Myint Aung.

But that spell of anonymity may not last long, he concedes. ‘’The junta wants to arrest all our leaders. I cannot foretell my future: if I go to jail or not.’’

Ref: http://www.ipsnews.net

March 2 Event Invitation

2008-02-27T16:13:00.001-08:00

Burma Advocacy Group to Hold Dinner

2008-02-24T09:41:00.001-08:00

www.TheCabin.net

The Burma Advocacy Group of Conway is holding a dinner and art auction starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 1 to benefit Burmese refugees forced to flee into internal exile or to leave their homeland by two decades of human rights abuses and bloody fighting inside Burma.

"A Voice for Burma." a semiformal dinner and art auction will be held at Little Rock's Embassy Suites hotel. Tickets are $35 and are available at Sonshine Academy in Conway. Free childcare will be provided.

About 200 people attended a similar event in Conway last year in and raised more than $10,000 by auctioning off artwork donated by more than 30 local artists. The funds went directly to assist with the physical needs of the internally displaced people in Burmese jungles.

http://www.thecabin.net

US Senate bill honours Burma's Suu Kyi

2008-02-21T11:50:00.001-08:00

ABC Radio
Last Updated 14/02/2008, 20:43:23

Senators in the United States have introduced legislation to give the Congressional Gold Medal, America's top civilian honor, to detained Burmese democracy politician, Aung San Suu Kyi.

The bill was put forward by US Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein and Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who are both long-time critics of Burma's military government.

They had the bipartisan support of 73 other senators.

Senator Feinstein says Nobel Peace laureate Ms Suu Kyi 'a woman of unrivaled courage and commitment' who offers hope and democracy to Burma.

She went on to say that the 'Congressional Gold Medal will not only honor the life and legacy' of Ms Suu Kyi, but it will also demonstrate to the world that her cause is our cause - a free and democratic Burma.'

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au

Prayer Ceremony for Assassinated KNU General Secretary

2008-02-19T14:50:00.000-08:00

Dear Fellow Activists,

We would like to invite you and your colleagues (friends) to join the (swan offering) and prayer ceremony for General Secretary of KNU and a secretary member of NCUB (National Council of Union of Burma), Mahn Sha Lar Phan, who was assassinated at his home in the Thai border town of Mae Sot on Thursday 02-14 -2008. The celebration will be condolence and meritorious deed for Mahn Sha Lar Phan, at the Buddhist temple Metta Nanda Dhama Vihara in Freemont.

The swan offering and prayer ceremony of condolence and meritorious deed for Mahn Sha Lar Phan will be as follows.

When: Saturday, Feb 23th 2008
Time: 10:00 -2:00 pm
Where: At the temple of Metta Nanda Dhama Vihara
4619, Central Ave,
Fremont, CA-94536

8888 Organizers Meeting Invitation

2008-02-16T12:06:00.001-08:00

Dear members and friends,

We would like to hold a meeting and invite all of members of LA organizer, activists and friends. Meeting agendas are:

8888 20th anniversary
Thee Lay Thee update
Upcoming Sasana moli's sermon
Others...

Date:February 24, 2008(Sunday)
Time: 2 – 4 pm
Place: Baldwin Park Temple
4436 Walnut Street, Baldwin Park, CA 91706

Note: After the meeting we encourage all attendances to go and visit to Chin National Day event.

Sincerely,

8888 LA Organizers team
Together we succeed

Burma Rebel Leader Assassinated

2008-02-15T08:16:00.001-08:00

ABC News
Last Updated 15/02/2008, 07:29:18

The secretary general of Burma's largest rebel group, the Karen National Union (KNU), has been assassinated in Thailand.

Police say Pado Mahn Shar was gunned down at his home in the border town of Mae Sot.

In an interview with Reuters news agency on Monday, he had predicted a possible increase in violence ahead of a constitutional referendum in Burma in May.

The KNU and its military wing, the Karen National Liberation Army, have spent nearly 60 years fighting the Burmese government.

But in more recent times, the group has been split by deadly internal feuds and defections to the government.

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news

PANEL DISCUSSION ON "THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA"

2008-02-14T06:58:00.000-08:00

Event Information: PANEL DISCUSSION ON "THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA" WITH KISHORE MAHBUBANI, LARRY DIAMOND, DOUG BEREUTER, AND DON EMMERSON

Thursday, February 21, 2008
5:30 pm Reception/Book Signings
6:00-7:30 pm Program

Julia Morgan Ballroom
The Asia Foundation
465 California Street, 15th Floor
San Francisco, CA

$10 Asia Society /Co-sponsor Members/Students
$15 Non-members

This program, which opens the new Asia Society program series The Future of Democracy in Asia, will bring together some of the world's leading experts on Southeast Asia and democracy to consider the critical questions that hang over the region.

Has the American model of democracy become tarnished in Asia, and is the Chinese model of authoritarian capitalism of growing appeal and significance? What are the dimensions and implications of ongoing Islamization for Southeast Asia? What are the prospects for cleaning up notoriously corrupt party politics?

Will the military ever be driven out of politics in Burma, Thailand, the Philippines, and elsewhere? Is the American-led "war on terror" helping to stabilize politics in the region, or is it exacerbating already serious problems? What do these developments mean for U.S. foreign policy and American influence in Asia?

Speakers:

Kishore Mahbubani, one of Asia's leading public intellectuals, is the author of the forthcoming book The New Asian Hemisphere: the Irresistible Shift of Global Power to the East, Can Asians Think? as well as Beyond the Age of Innocence: Rebuilding Trust Between America and the World, and numerous other publications.

Now the Dean and Professor of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, he served for 33 years as a diplomat for Singapore.

Larry Diamond is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and is the author or editor of more than twenty books, including Squandered Victory: The American Occupation and the Bungled Effort to Bring Democracy to Iraq, and the newly released The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World.

Donald K. Emmerson has written or edited more than a dozen books and monographs on Southeast Asian politics, including the forthcoming Hard Choices: Security, Democracy, and Regionalism in Southeast Asia, and Indonesia beyond Suharto. His latest article is "Challenging ASEAN" (Jan. 2008). He is a senior fellow at Stanford University, where he also heads the Southeast Asia Forum.

Douglas Bereuter (moderator) is president of The Asia Foundation. He assumed his current position after resigning from the U.S. Congress after 26 years of service, where he was one of that body's leading authorities on Asian affairs and international relations.

Co-sponsored by:
The Asia Foundation,
Business Executives for National Security,
East-West Center Alumni Association of Northern California,
the South Asian Journalists Association, Stacey's Books,
Stanford University Southeast Asia Forum,
U.C. Berkeley Center for Southeast Asian Studies,
USF Center for the Pacific Rim, and
the World Affairs Council of Northern California

USCB Announcement over Burma Junta's New Constitution

2008-02-12T23:38:00.000-08:00

United States Campaign for Burma (Burma)
Press Release
February 11 2008

United States Campaign for Burma (USCB) released a press release today condemning Burma's military junta for their announcement to legalize the new constitution. This new constitution is a ploy to formally legalize the military's hold on power. Some may see the military's announcement for a referendum and then elections as progress, but it is actually a gross step backwards.

"The promised vote continues the military regime's process of consolidating its grip on power. It is not a real referendum, it is a charade," said Aung Din, executive director of the US Campaign for Burma.

The announcement by the regime comes one week after the leader of Burma's democracy movement, imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi, said that democracy activists should "prepare for the worst." The regime's move also comes four months after a massive crackdown on Buddhist monks, student activists, and members of Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, the National League for Democracy.

"How can the regime hold a vote when the entire opposition is locked up behind bars?" added Aung Din, who was imprisoned for four years as a political activist in Burma.

Burma's regime also announced it would hold a multi-party election in 2010 to follow this year's planned referendum. The new constitution would grant supreme power to the commander in chief of the Burmese military, effectively forestalling any progress toward democracy. The underground coalition of Buddhist monks and students that organized nationwide demonstrations in September 2007 have already criticized the plan, calling it an effort to legalize military rule and sideline the legitimately elected leaders of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy. The NLD won 82% of the seats in parliament in Burma's last election, a landslide victory that the regime has blocked from governing. Human rights activists see the upcoming votes as a way for the regime to erase the NLD's electoral victory while cementing its own grip on power.

The referendum process stands in stark contrast to a call by the United Nations Security Council on October 11th, 2007 for the regime to participate in meaningful negotiations with Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD and the ethnic representatives. Additionally, 29 consecutive resolutions by the United Nations General Assembly, Commission on Human Rights, and Human Rights Council have called for "tri-partite" talks between the regime, NLD, and Burma's ethnic minorities. Instead of heeding the UN, the regime appears to be taking a one-sided approach and refusing to participate in genuine talks.

Observers expect the military will mobilize the "Union Solidarity and Development Association" and "Swan Arr Shin" to force the people to vote for its constitution. The two organizations have led brutal attacks on Aung San Suu Kyi, members of the NLD, and Buddhist monks that have left hundreds of activists dead and thousands imprisoned.

Burma's regime is among the worlds most brutal. The regime has locked up over 2,000 political prisoners including hundreds of students, Buddhist monks, and the world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi. The regime has also recruited up to 70,000 child soldiers, more than any other country in the world, and destroyed 3,200 villages in eastern Burma, forcing 1.5 million people to flee their homes as refugees.

UNPO Declaration - International Day of Action

2008-02-11T08:31:00.001-08:00

DECLARATION
UNPO International Day of Action

11 February 2008

On the occasion of the second UNPO International Day of Action, declared by the UNPO VIII General Assembly General Resolution to be marked annually on 11 February, the date of UNPO’s founding;

UNPO declares 11 February 2008 as a Day of Action, and the beginning of a year-long focus, on issues relating to ongoing repression and human rights abuses within the Union of Myanmar.

UNPO calls upon its Members to act in solidarity with their fellow representatives in supporting, publicizing, and promoting not only the plight of the Chin, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Karenni, Mon, and Shan, but also those other peoples and nations who remain subjugated and unrepresented within the borders of the Union of Myanmar as a result of the official and unofficial policies and actions of the unelected military junta.

UNPO urges its Members to support international efforts to investigate the crushing of pro-democracy protests in September 2007. In addition, UNPO calls for the release of the hundreds of Burmese who remain detained and at the risk of physical abuse from the Myanmar state authorities.

Furthermore, UNPO exhorts the Myanmar authorities to demonstrate a commitment to protecting its citizens’ rights by ratifying all outstanding international conventions intended to guarantee the human rights of all nations and peoples from abuse.

Members are also urged to help the democratically elected National League for Democracy to return Burma to democracy with representation assured for all Burma ’s nations and peoples.

UNPO calls on the international community to support any action and activity that favors the establishment of a democratically elected government in Burma .
www.unpo.org/article.php?id=7562

NCGUB Rejects ‘So-called State Constitution’ , Military Proposed Referendum

2008-02-10T09:31:00.000-08:00

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB)
Press Release
February 10, 2008

Dr Sein Win, prime minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, said, “We do not endorse the state constitution in its present form and the people will never ratify it. But, the Burmese generals are probably already taking steps to ensure that they get the results they want from the referendum”.

The headlong decision by the military regime to hold a national referendum in May is a knee-jerk reaction to the growing problems the Burmese generals are facing.

The regime, as the Burmese would say, is “a mad man surrounded by fire” and since it is plagued by economic woes, increasing international pressure, and widening public discontent at home, it has impulsively decided to convene a national referendum to overcome the problems.

In fact, the so-called state constitution, which the people are supposed to endorse at the national convention, is yet to be seen by public until now. But, judging from reports carried by the state-run press during different sessions of the military-organized National Convention which compiled the so-called “objectives” and “principles” to be taken into consideration during the drafting process, the new constitution will do nothing for democracy and will merely legitimize the current rule of the Burmese generals.

Dr Sein Win, prime minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, said, “We do not endorse the state constitution in its present form and the people will never ratify it. But, the Burmese generals are probably already taking steps to ensure that they get the results they want from the referendum”.

The NCGUB believes that it is imperative for the international community to oppose the military-sponsored constitution and the regime’s referendum plan. It must continue to strive to bring about an inclusive process which will determine the political future of the country and which also include all political parties, including the National League for Democracy and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, and other ethnic nationality forces.

It is also time for the international community to give through the UN Security Council a stronger mandate to the UN Secretary-General’ s Office and enable it to play an effective mediatory role in bringing about an equitable solution to the political deadlock in Burma.

Invitation to "Chin National Day" Event

2008-02-09T21:31:00.001-08:00

Dear all:

You all are cordially invited to:---

- 60th Anniversary of "Chin National Day" - will be held, for the first time in LA, on February 24-2008 (Sunday) from 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm.- Location: 629 (B) E. Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91755. (Near Yoma Restaurent & Behind East-West Dental Office)

- Paul Lahpai (Live Band), Rendezvous Band and Melody Band will perform after Chin Traditional programs.
- Chin Families in Southern California will provide refreshments (Dinner).
- Fund Raising items from ABSDF: 2008 Calendar and Books will also available.

Articles on Burma on the New York Book Review

2008-02-08T16:07:00.001-08:00

________________________________________

[1]VOLUME 55, NUMBER 2 • FEBRUARY 14, 2008
- The Revolt of the Monks
- By Pankaj Mishra

[2] Crackdown: Repression of the 2007 Popular Protests in Burma
- a Report by Human Rights Watch
- 131 pp., December 2007

[3] Making Enemies: War and State Building in Burma
- By Mary P. Callahan
- Cornell University Press, 296 pp., $21.95 (paper)

[4] The River of Lost Footsteps: A Personal History of Burma
- By Thant Myint-U
- Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 400 pp., $15.00 (paper)

[5] "Burma/Myanmar: The Role of the Military in the Economy"
- By David I. Steinberg
- Burma Economic Watch, Vol. 1 (2005)

Others:
- See "Burmese Maze," The Economist, December 19, 2007.

- See Christopher Bayly and Tim Harper, Forgotten Armies: The Fall of British Asia, 1941–1945 (Belknap Press/Harvard University Press, 2005) (For an authoritative account of the traumatic remaking of Burma during the war)

- See Forgotten Wars: Freedom and Revolution in Southeast Asia (Belknap Press/Harvard University Press, 2007).

- See Martin Smith, Burma: Insurgency and the Politics of Ethnicity (Zed Books, 1999).

- See "My Gun Was as Tall as Me": Child Soldiers in Burma (Human Rights Watch, October 2002).

- See Amy Kazmin, "Burma's Outlook 'Poor' as Inflation Soars," Financial Times, December 7, 2007.

- See The Gathering Storm: Infectious Diseases and Human Rights in Burma, a report by Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley, July 2007.

- See "Myanmar: Misery Piled Upon Misery," The Economist, October 4, 2007.

- See "What to Do About Burma?" London Review of Books, February 8, 2007.

- See Joshua Kurlantzick, "Burma's Buddy: India's Craven Appeasement in Burma," The New Republic, October 2, 2007.

- See Glenn Kessler, "India's Halt to Burma Arms Sales May Pressure Junta," The Washington Post, December 30, 2007.

- See the report by the International Crisis Group, "Myanmar: Sanctions, Engagement or Another Way Forward?," April 26, 2004;

- See "The List: Burma's Economic Lifelines," Foreign Policy Web site, October 2007;

- See "Myan-mar: How to Save It," The Economist, July 21, 2005;

- See Michael Green and Derek Mitchell, "Asia's Forgotten Crisis: A New Approach to Burma," Foreign Affairs, November/December 2007.

- See "Myanmar: Investing in a Misruled Land," The Economist, April 10, 2003.
________________________________________

United States Campaign for Burma (USCB) National Meeting

2008-02-07T08:58:00.000-08:00

Please Join Us at our National Planning and Training Meeting

The Saffron Revolution in late 2007 pressed the situation in Burma into the hearts and minds of people all over the world; however, we need to ensure that the people of Burma and their call for freedom are not forgotten now that thousands of monks and activists inside Burma have been arrested and the media is focusing its attention elsewhere.

Together in 2008 we will:

- Push for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners
- Garner global attention to end the mass atrocities and ethnic cleansing in eastern Burma
- Create a strong campaign around the Beijing Olympics, and 8.8.08, the 20th anniversary of the massacre of democracy activists in Burma.
The world should not forget the cries for freedom from the people of Burma, the world needs to act and we are going to ensure they do.

When: March 7-8th
Where:
Washington DC - American University Campus

Who:
Community and Student leaders and anyone who wants to participate and help lead this movement

Why:
Provide us all the opportunity to meet with our fellow leaders, activists, and others who are interested in Burma face to face and provide participants with solid trainings and tools to prepare for this upcoming year's campaigns and actions.

Hope to see you there, please email us if you have more questions - thelma@uscampaignforburma.org

We have limited space so Register Today!
Register Online Here
www.uscampaignforburma.org

University of San Francisco - A Conversation with former Chief of Mission for Burma

2008-02-06T09:46:00.001-08:00

USF Center for the Pacific Rim presents:

"Burma's Buddhist Crucible: Myanmar's Murdered Monks"
A Conversation with Priscilla A. Clapp, Chief of Mission,
U.S. Embassy Burma (1999-2002)

Priscilla Clapp is a retired Minister-Counselor in the U.S. Foreign Service. As a diplomat she has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Refugee Programs and Chief of Political-Military Affairs in the U.S. Embassy in Japan.

Her first book was published by Harvard University Press, and she has worked at MIT and the Brookings Insitution where she authored a chapter on Burma in The Worst of the Worst (Brookings 2007).

Patrick Lloyd Hatcher, Ph.D., a Kiriyama Distinguished Fellow at the USF Center for the Pacific Rim, will moderate.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 5:45 p.m.
USF Main Campus, Fromm Hall
(Enter from Parker Street between Golden Gate & Fulton)

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Reservations recommended. Please call (415) 422-6828.

Cosponsored by the Asia Society Northern California, the Mechanics' Insitute, USF's Asian Studies Program, the USF Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good, and the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning. Funded by the Kiriyama Chair for Pacific Rim Studies at USF

_______________________________
The Center for Southeast Asia Studies
International & Area Studies
University of California at Berkeley
2223 Fulton Street, #617
Berkeley, CA 94720-2318
Phone: (510) 642-3609
Fax: (510) 643-7062
http://ias.berkeley.edu/cseas/

Internal Announcement from BAWA (Burmese American Women Alliance)

2008-02-05T21:09:00.001-08:00

Dear all BAWA members,

Freedom of Speech, Equality and Transparency plays a
vital role in any democracy.

We have decided to serve our Burmese community voluntarily by way of our organization "Burmese American Women's Alliance(BAWA) ".

Our job is to fulfill our primary responsibility, to carry out our objectives and purposes(Charitable )and to listen, respond and deliver to that which is demanded by our people and by our members.

We have a shared responsibility to make sure that "Transparency, Accountability, and Access to Information" about our organization become public knowledge in order to seek participation from our community particularly from the younger generation.

"Leadership Development" is critical to the success of our organization.

We must encourage and promote democratic values by introducing parliamentary procedure.

http://www.robertsrules.org/
http://www.robertsrules.com/
http://www.robertasrulesoforder.com/

We can use "Roberta's rules" if you prefer, as long as there is some sort of procedure where we can be sure of equal participation and most importantly, to avoid
any misunderstanding.

http://www.parliamentaryprocedure.org/certification/index.html

I wish to convey this message to everyone to invite them to join us regardless of their Race, ethnic group, National Origin, Ancestry, Religion, Sex, Sexual orientation, Age, Disability, Political affiliation or belief and Marital status, and to become a stake holder in this community based grass root organization BAWA.

Sincerely,

Burmese American Women Alliance (BAWA)

March 1st - Hollywood Event for Burma

2008-02-04T22:16:00.001-08:00

My Friend in Burma Got Arrested Just for Web Blogging

2008-02-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

I just got to learn a shocking news from DVB (Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway) and other News Stations that my friend "Nay Phone Latt" in Burma was arrested in Yangon on January 29th just for web-blogging. He was arrested in an Internet Cafe in Thin-Gan-Gyun Township, Yangon.

The Government officials have denied to comment anything about his arrest. His parents got to learn that he had been arrested only after the group of soldiers raided their house and his Grandfather's house. His parents and grandparents heard the officer on the phone (apparently to Nay Phone Latt who was in detention) saying; "Ok. You lied to us. You will pay for this. I will slap you and beat you up when I come back there!!!".

Where he has been detained is not known, and his parents are worried about his health and safety.

He is one of the Web-Bloggers like me, who has a website on www.blogger.com, and his website name is: www.nayphonelatt.blogspot.com

Web-Blogging has become popular among youngsters in Burma and the Government has been trying every possible way to halt the information flow coming in and out the country via internet. The Government has banned www.blogger.com and all its hosting websites.

Right after his arrest, other web-bloggers in Burma are also learned to be on a run to escape from being arrested.

Italian Director to Make Film about Burma's Suu Kyi

2008-02-01T08:37:00.001-08:00

By ADAM DAWTREY
Italian News
Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is the subject of biopic "The Lady."

Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore is planning to make his first English-language movie about the Burmese democracy icon and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.
Tornatore is developing the script for "The Lady" with Japanese producer Naofumi Okamoto, with production to begin later this year.

Okamoto is producing the $30 million project alongside Avi Arad and Steven Paul and Benedict Carver of L.A.-based Crystal Sky Pictures. Crystal Sky is financing the pic.

Okamoto is one of only a handful of foreigners to have met with Suu Kyi since her arrest 17 years ago by Burma's military junta. He overcame her initial reluctance and secured her permission to develop a movie based on her life.

He asked Tornatore to direct because of the Italian helmer's empathy with female characters.

Okamoto said, "We want to use the politics as the background to a story about a woman who chose to be the mother to a nation rather than the mother of a family."

Suu Kyi is the leader of the pro-democracy movement in Burma and an advocate of nonviolent resistance.

The daughter of the general who negotiated Burmese independence from Britain after WWII, she was educated at Oxford U. and married an English scholar before returning to her homeland in 1988. Her party won elections in 1990, but she was prevented from taking power by the country's ruling junta.

She has spent much of the past 17 years under house arrest and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1991.

When her husband was diagnosed with cancer in 1997, the Burmese government denied him an entry visa to visit his wife. Suu Kyi was told she could leave to see him, but only on condition that she never return. She chose to stay in Burma and never saw her husband again before his death in 1999.

She also remains separated from her two sons, who live in England.

For Arad, best known for movies based on Marvel Comics superheroes such as Spider-Man and X-Men, the project represents something of a departure.

"At first I thought it wasn't my kind of movie, but then I realized it was. To me, Suu Kyi was like a character from 'X-Men,' except she's a real hero, not an imaginary one -- she didn't need to do what she did, and she gave up a lot to do it."

Arad is determined that "The Lady" be a movie for the broadest possible audience. "There's a real commercial opportunity to tell this story. I don't want to do a biopic like HBO or the BBC would do. We have to find a way of making it bigger than that. It's a love story and a political thriller. If it's not commercially successful, we will have missed the mark," he said.

"The Lady" will span the time from Suu Kyi's return to Burma in 1988, when she was 43, to the present day. The movie will be in English -- the language in which Suu Kyi was educated and which she speaks at home. No cast is yet attached.

The producers will have to negotiate the delicate political sensitivities of Burma's neighboring countries if they want to shoot in the region with local talent. Although Burma, or Myanmar as it is styled by the ruling junta, is a pariah state, it retains powerful links with China, India and Thailand.

Tornatore, best known outside Italy for his 1988 movie "Cinema Paradiso," most recently directed "The Unknown Woman," set for U.S. release in March, and the comedy "Baaria," which will open in Italy later this year.

Fund-Raising For Burma: US$68307.76 Raised in 2007

2008-01-31T00:09:00.000-08:00

I just received the Yearly update from the fund-raising group that I have been involving in. The purpose of the group is to raise funds for people in Burma and for their Democracy movements. The program is called "Burmese Helping Burmese", organized by MoeMaKa News Group from San Fracisco.

We always calculate our funds monthly and send out the monthly notice to all the organizers, fund-raisers and donars around the world.

This fund-raising movement has started in August of 2007, around the time when our brave heros in Burma walked out of the streets to protest.

As of January 26, 2008, we have our Yearly statement out for last year, 2007. The total amount of fund that we raised in 2007 (from August to Dec 2007) is US$ 68,307.76.

I would like to sincerely thank all the organizers, fund-raisers, volunteers and donars and hope that you would also continue supporting us in 2008.

A Poet Arrested in Burma for Composing a Poem

2008-01-30T08:12:00.001-08:00

– AP
YANGON:

A Myanmar poet has been arrested in Yangon after penning a Valentine’s Day poem (right)that carried a hidden message criticising the leader of the country’s military junta, colleagues said yesterday.

The poet, Mr Saw Wai, was arrested on Tuesday, a day after his poem “February 14” as published in the weekly Love Journal, according to friends and colleagues. The journal, which is seen as close to the information ministry, published the poem in its latest issue, under a picture of heart-shaped balloons reading “I Love You”.

The eight-line poem in Burmese is about a man brokenhearted after falling for a fashion model, whom he thanks for having taught him the meaning of love. But if read vertically, the first word of each line forms the phrase: “Power crazy Senior General Than Shwe.”

US Campaign For Burma: National Planning and Training Meeting

2008-01-29T15:08:00.001-08:00

Announcement
United State Campaign for Burma (USCB)

The Saffron Revolution in late 2007 pressed the situation in Burma into the hearts and minds of people all over the world; however, we need to ensure that the people of Burma and their call for freedom are not forgotten now that thousands of monks and activists inside Burma have been arrested and the media is focusing its attention elsewhere.

Together in 2008 we will:

- Push for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners
- Garner global attention to end the mass atrocities and ethnic cleansing in eastern Burma
- Create a strong campaign around the Beijing Olympics, and 8.8.08, the 20th anniversary of the massacre of democracy activists in Burma.
The world should not forget the cries for freedom from the people of Burma, the world needs to act and we are going to ensure they do.

Register Online Here: www.uscampaignforburma.org

When: March 7-8th
Where: Washington DC - American University Campus
Who: Community and Student leaders and anyone who wants to participate and help lead this movement
Why: Provide us all the opportunity to meet with our fellow leaders, activists, and others who are interested in Burma face to face and provide participants with solid trainings and tools to prepare for this upcoming year's campaigns and actions.

Hope to see you there, please contact the following email address if you have more questions - thelma@uscampaignforburma.org

We have limited space so Register Today!

New Rambo Movie Highlights Deadly Crisis in Burma

2008-01-28T22:03:00.000-08:00

By VOA News
25 January 2008

Movie fans in the United States are expected to flock to their neighborhood theaters Friday, to see the fourth installment of the Rambo series, which portrays Burmese government forces as the main villain.

The series, starring veteran actor Sylvester Stallone, revolves around a U.S. veteran of the Vietnam War who engages in extreme acts of violence against an equally brutal enemy.

This latest installment finds Rambo living in exile in Thailand when he is recruited to take a group of American missionaries seeking to help a group of ethnic Burmese villages caught in the middle of a civil war. He later joins a team of mercenaries to return to the village after the people there are attacked and slaughtered by Burmese government forces.

Reports of Arrest and Torture Continue in Burma

2008-01-27T19:45:00.000-08:00

Scoop-Sunday, 27 January 2008,
Press Release: Terry Evans

Reports of arrest and torture continue in Burma long after the initial crackdown on protesting Buddhist monks last September. A recent report by Amnesty International has highlighted the arrests of ninety-six activists since the last visit of the UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari in November. The ongoing arrests are taking place in spite of the junta's pledge to the UN that the crackdown would stop.

The ruling generals have been particularly aggressive in targeting those who have provided the outside world with evidence of their brutal treatment of Buddhists monks and pro-democracy activists.

For decades the military regime had maintained a tight control on media in Burma; however, technically savvy young Burmese bloggers have outwitted the ageing military rulers, and now the junta is exacting a heavy price.

The continuing arrests “clearly show that the government’s chief priority is to silence its citizens who would hold them to account”, Amnesty said.

China continues to supply Burma with military equipment

2008-01-26T09:17:00.000-08:00

The Observers-28/01/2008 > CHINA/ BURMA

A blog by Burmese exiles in Thailand (Vimutti) has published photos of new military vehicles delivered to Burma from China on 15 January. The vans are the same model that was used to transport soldiers and prisoners during September's crackdown. However, Chinese diplomats insist they are working hard to get the Junta to negotiate with the opposition and to make efforts in terms of human rights.

China's been supplying the Junta with military equipment since 1988. They even gave them a million-dollar loan to be able to buy the stuff, which is mainly heavy artillery and military vehicles.

The Chinese authorities have reason to want a calm Junta. They don't want any trouble because the Olympic Games are on their way, and also because they want to avoid an influx of refugees.

That's why they openly criticised the crackdown in September. That was a first. But at the same time, they want to maintain their trade links, particularly to sustain sales of military material.

However, competition has recently increased, especially with India, who actually succeeded in selling fighter-planes to Burma last year. The trucks that come through the Sino-Burmese border - the FAW models - have been used by the army for the past 20 years.

According to the blog that published these photos, they were giving a ‘present' to the junta, probably in exchange for jade, teak or farming produce."

European Union's Burma Envoy to Visit Thailand

2008-01-25T07:10:00.001-08:00

ABC Radio Australia
01-24-2008

The European Union's special envoy to Burma makes a three-day visit to Thailand next week to discuss efforts to press Burma's ruling junta on promised reforms.

Special envoy Piero Fassino is expected to meet with the Thai foreign minister, Nitya Pibulsonggram, and United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations.

Mr Fassino last week called for the UN's mediator, Ibrahim Gambari, to return to Burma and seek the release of democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Dr Gambari has reportedly asked to return to Burma this month, but has been told that April would be more convenient.

He has visited the country twice since last September's bloody military crackdown on protests led by Buddhist monks.

Burma Has Second-Worst Child Mortality Rate in Asia

2008-01-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

ASSOCIATED PRESS
January 23, 2008

YANGON, Myanmar – Hundreds of children under age 5 die from preventable diseases each day in military-ruled Myanmar, the second-worst mortality rate for children in Asia after Afghanistan, U.N. officials said Wednesday.

Dr. Osamu Kunii, the nutrition expert in Myanmar for the U.N. Children's Fund, said there were 100,000 to 150,000 child deaths per year in the country – or between 274 and 411 daily.

He was speaking at a briefing by UNICEF for its annual report on "The State of the World's Children," released Tuesday. The under-5 mortality rate is a critical indicator of the well-being of children.

About 21 percent of child deaths in Myanmar are caused by acute respiratory infection, followed by pneumonia, diarrhea and septicemia.

The report rated Myanmar as having the 40th highest child mortality rate in the world, surpassed in Asia only by Afghanistan , which has the third-worst record after Sierra Leone and Angola.

It said, however, the death rate for young children in Myanmar had been reduced by 1.6 percent between 1990 and 2006.

In 2000, the World Health Organization ranked Myanmar 's overall health care system as the world's second worst after war-ravaged Sierra Leone. Tens of thousands of people in Myanmar die each year from malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS, dysentery, diarrhea and other illnesses.

Most of Myanmar's health care is funded by international sources, with the government spending only about 3 percent on health annually, compared with 40 percent on the military, according to a report published this year by researchers from the University of California , Berkeley and Johns Hopkins University.

San Francisco Shouldn't Welcome Tainted Olympic Torch

2008-01-23T11:26:00.000-08:00

By Bridget Johnson, Columnist
www.insidesocal.com/friendlyfire
Article Last Updated: 11/19/2007 China is an egregious violator of human rights.

It seems by this point in history this should be common knowledge, and proponents of free speech, media and religion shouldn't have to keep justifying opposition to the regime by offering the examples that repeat from day to day.

China 's track record is grim: Labor and re-education camps full of political prisoners. More executions than anywhere else in the world. More journalists and cyber-dissidents caught and punished by a massive crew of censorship police. China's propping up the brutal regime of Myanmar that kills democracy protesters in cold blood - and blocking U.N. Security Council action by maintaining it's just business as usual in a sovereign state.

So why in the world would a progressive city like San Francisco welcome the torch of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics?

"The torch should not be permitted to be used as a propaganda vehicle for the communist dictatorship in China," said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., who in August co-sponsored resolutions calling for the United States to boycott the Olympics over China's role in Darfur and its human-rights violations at home.

Yet the City by the Bay is the sole U.S. stop on the global torch relay, with the flame set to pass through on April 9. One grass-roots group of human-rights- minded residents isn't so willing to let that happen, but so far the San Francisco Team Tibet Coalition can't even get an audience with Mayor Gavin Newsom to ask him to cancel the torch relay through the city.

"Your welcoming of the Olympic torch would suggest ... that you are ready to turn your back on a unique opportunity to promote legitimate international concerns and... take a stand for justice in Tibet and China," stated the Aug. 8 letter to Newsom. According to Giovanni Vassallo, president of coalition member the Committee of 100 for Tibet, the mayor's office has not responded.

Repeated attempts to obtain comment from Newsom's office were unsuccessful.

The "Journey of Harmony" torch relay hasn't just stirred the waters in the Bay Area: Beijing included Taipei on the relay route, only to have Taiwan - which is not allowed to use its flag, seal or anthem at the Games - declare the torch unwelcome, calling it "a brazen attempt to downgrade Taiwan to a part of China." China has also instituted strict background checks on foreign climbers on the Tibetan side of Mt. Everest in an effort to thwart protesters on the torch route.

Shannon Service, a Students for a Free Tibet member who was detained by Chinese authorities in April for protesting at Mount Everest, is part of the coalition setting its sights on San Francisco.

"The mayor doesn't seem to quite get that when the torch passes through our fair city it will not be hailed as a symbol of international unity and sports," she said. "It's going to raise international protest as a symbol of occupation, torture and genocide."

" San Francisco is known worldwide as a center of progressive consciousness," said Laurel Sutherlin, also arrested on Mount Everest. "We cannot allow the Chinese government to exploit the reputation of our city to advance their nefarious policies on the global stage."

At this point, we unfortunately can't go back and fix what the International Olympic Committee should have never done in the first place: awarding the 2008 Summer Games to Beijing. It takes a truly blind individual to not see the hollowness of the regime's empty promises to reform in return for the games. Conversely, we've seen increased press-freedom crackdowns and, according to Amnesty International, "re-education through labor" and "enforced drug rehabilitation" in order to "clean up" Beijing before the games.

What we can do, though, is take a stand and decide that this tainted Beijing torch does not represent the values of a nation that has pledged to defend the basic dignity and human rights of every individual.

China 's torch should not be welcomed on American soil. The city of San Francisco should take the bold step of canceling the torch relay through its streets, putting humanity before revenue and justice before publicity.

This torch should also light a fire under Americans to reconsider other partnerships with China until its people and the Tibetan people are free.

"After the monks have been mowed down and slaughtered in the streets of Rangoon, ( Myanmar), it has to be more difficult for people to accept that we have the Olympics in Beijing," Rohrabacher said.

Bridget Johnson writes for the Daily News and blogs at www.insidesocal. com/friendlyfire. Write to her by e-mail at bridget.johnson@dailynews.com

Call for Papers - International Burma Studies Conference - October 3-5, 2008

2008-01-22T05:34:00.000-08:00

8th International Burma Studies Conference
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, Illinois, USA
3-5 October 2008

Call for Papers

The Board of Trustees of the Burma Studies Foundation, the Burma Studies Group and the Center for Burma Studies cordially invite you to participate in the 8th International Burma Studies Conference, at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois from October 3-5, 2008.

Established at Northern Illinois University in 1986 by the Burma Studies Group, within the Association for Asian Studies, the Center will also be hosting a series of cultural events in conjunction with the Conference.

We invite papers on all aspects of Burma Studies, including, anthropology, art history, environment, health, history, literature, linguistics, music, political science, popular culture, religions, and area studies. Panels and papers would be devoted primarily to new research, including recent events in Burma.

Interested participants are asked to organize and submit panel proposals with 250-word abstracts by April 15, 2008. Please provide your name and affiliation, your address, a title for your paper, list of equipment that you need for your presentation, time required for presentation of your paper (15-20 minutes) and an email address. Send this information to:

Center for Burma Studies
520 College View Court
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115

Or via email: bsc2008@niu. edu

For further information regarding the conference visit our website:
www.grad.niu.edu/burma

Tel: (815) 753-0512
Fax: (815) 753-1776

Sponsored by the Center for Burma Studies, the Graduate School and the College of Visual and Performing Arts of Northern Illinois University.

Burma's Generals Trying to Halt Information Flow Comming In

2008-01-21T21:09:00.001-08:00

Burma's Generals have been trying every possible way to stop the information flow coming in and going out of Burma.

September 2007, Monks-Led "Saffron Revolution" was world-known mainly due to the Burmese citizen-journalists who used the internet to send out the news or pictures that they took themselves. Sine then, Burma's Military Government has been paranoid about the power of internet and has tried to cut Burma from the outside world with internet black-outs.

Among a few websites that the Government banned, the famous blogging site www.blogger.com is also one of them. It is because Burmese Democracy Activitists inside and outside of Burma was using "blogger.com" to post news about Burma to let the world know how brutal the Government is.

Unless you have a very strong hacking knowledge to hack into the server settings, you may not be able to read my website anymore from Burma. That is a sad thing for all the people inside Burma who have a thirst for knowledge.

Gordon Brown: India has important role to play on Burma

2008-01-20T00:51:00.000-08:00

New Delhi (PTI)
Jan 20th, 2008 (Sunday)

As he prepares to exhort India to do more on Myanmar, visiting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Sunday said New Delhi has an important role to play with regard to the neighbouring country's transition to democracy and end to problems there.

Brown, who will discuss the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow, said international action is necessary to persuade the Myanmarese government that "they got to take seriously all the problems that exist in their country."

He favoured an early visit by UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambhari to be followed by a trip by Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to Myanmar.

"I will ... be raising this issue with Mr Singh as I believe that India as well as China have an important role to play in making sure that the end to violence happens in Burma (Myanmar)," the British Prime Minister told reporters soon after his arrival here on a two-day visit.

"I am pleased to say the Chinese government is working resolutely towards how to persuade (Myanmarese Junta) and we will be looking at how we can persuade the Burmese regime," said Brown, who came here after concluding a trip to Beijing.

He said he wanted to see the Myanmarese government reconciling with the people and having regular discussions with pro-democracy leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi for movement towards democracy.

"I want to see an end to the violence and release of political prisoners in Burma," he said.

Britain says that the process of democratisation in Myanmar did "not seem to be moving forward significantly" and underlines the need for "carrot and stick policy".

BADA Annual General Meeting (January 26, 2008)

2008-01-19T10:54:00.000-08:00

Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA)
*Advocating freedom for the people of Burma*
Annual General Meeting (AGM) - 2008

Dear members, supporters and friends of Burma:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) - 2008 of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) that will be held according to the following program.

Program
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1:30 PM to 4:30 PM,
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Union City Library, 34007 Alvarado-Niles Road,
Union City, California 94587, Telephone (510) 745-1464

You would hear Reports; Bylaw additions and changes; Appointment of vacant Board positions from membership (two positions open; Be there if you like to join), Financial statement, Q&A and discussion. Below is the draft agenda, check our website for updaptes:

Draft Agenda
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* Opening
* Report by The Executive Committee and The Board of Directors
* Bylaw Amendments/Addition s
* Vacant Board Member Appointment (2 positions)
* Interim Executive Committee Appointment
* Financial Statement
* Q&A/Discussion on Actions/Campaigns
* Closing

Note: Attend the AGM to become a Board and EC members. Contact us should you have more information.

Join Us!
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We advocate democracy and freedom for the people of Burma. Join us in helping the people of Burma in their quest for Democracy and Freedom. BADA is a community based 501 (c3) charitable organization and most of us are volunteers. Bring your skill and commitment to help Burma.

If you are not a member yet, become a member by applying online here: http://www.badasf. org/membershipfo rm.htm ; it is quick and easy. More information about BADA can be found at www.badasf.org. Or contact us at 510 485 3751; info@badasf. org.

Note:
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There will be also another events at the same day in the morning - Invitation to all Burmese families at the SF bay to host Poet U Tin Moe 1 year passing with gathering of all Sayadaws from the bay area - Swan & Dhamma Dana.

Mettananda Vihara
4619 Central Avenue, Fremont, CA 94536, U.S.A.
Phone: (510) 795 0405

Joint Statement on Burma by the UK, US and French Foreign Ministers at the World Economic Forum in Davos

2008-01-18T06:06:00.001-08:00

17 January 2008
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (National)

The Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum at Davos is a unique event. No other occasion brings together so many of the world's leaders from all fields. For over three decades now, these meetings have provided a global platform for collaboration and action to address international priorities of concern to us all.

One such priority is the urgent need for progress towards a transition to democracy and improved human rights in Burma. The fact that we have chosen to write about this issue, with so many competing priorities, should underline the strength of our governments' determination to support the people of Burma in their pursuit of a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future. We have repeatedly made clear that the situation in Burma cannot continue, and that we remain committed to helping the people of Burma.

It is now more than four months since the world was horrified by the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations in Burma. The dramatic pictures seen around the world of the brutality directed against peaceful protestors, including monks and nuns, were truly shocking. We cannot afford to forget. We must convince the Burmese regime to meet the demands of the international community and respect the basic rights of Burma's people.

The UN Security Council in October spelled out its expectations and reiterated those expectations on January 17. First, the early release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and the creation of conditions for a genuine dialogue between the Government and the opposition.

Second, full co-operation and constructive engagement with the UN. Third, the need for the regime to address the economic, humanitarian and human rights concerns of the Burmese people. Several months on, however, we find the regime has met none of these demands.

The regime claims to be moving ahead with its roadmap to civilian rule. However the process, already 14 years old, is open-ended, and many key political actors, not least Aung San Suu Kyi, are excluded. There can be little doubt that only genuine and inclusive dialogue can deliver national reconciliation and stability for Burma and its neighbours.

We call on all those attending the World Economic Forum to demonstrate that, while the regime may be indifferent to the suffering of the Burmese people, the world is not.

We ask you to support the return to Burma by UN Special Adviser Gambari as soon as possible, and to urge the regime to cooperate fully with him and the UN. We call on the regime to act on the recommendations of UN Human Rights Envoy Pinheiro; to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi; and to launch a substantive, time-bound dialogue with democratic leaders and ethnic minority representatives, as called for in Aung San Suu Kyi's statement of November 8.

A unified call for genuine and peaceful political reconciliation and reform will be heard in Burma. We would not live up to our values if we ignored Burma's plight.

Fourth Bombing in Burma

2008-01-17T22:32:00.001-08:00

BBC News
Jan 17, 2008

A bus conductor has been killed in a bomb blast in Burma - the fourth bombing incident in the military-ruled nation this year. The blast happened on a bus travelling from Kyaukkyi town to the commercial capital, Rangoon, state media said. It was parked at a roadside eatery when the bomb went off and only the conductor was on board.

State media blamed the attack on "insurgent destructionists" - ethnic groups fighting the junta for autonomy. "Fortunately, all the passengers had got off the bus and gone to have breakfast when the bomb went off," a travel agent told Reuters news agency. "Otherwise, casualties would have been very high."

Ethnic rebels
Three people have now been killed this year in a series of small blasts. Last week, a woman was killed in an explosion in a railway station toilet in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw. Another woman was injured in a blast in a Rangoon railway station.

Another man died, and four people were injured, when a bomb exploded in Pyu, north of Rangoon. The government blamed the incidents on the Karen National Union (KNU), a group fighting for greater autonomy for the ethnic Karen people. The state-run newspaper, the New Light of Myanmar, said in two of the cases it was the bomber who was killed handling the bomb.

There has been no claim of responsibility from the KNU or any other group. Kyaukkyi, where the bus involved in the latest explosion originated, is in Karen state.

Pro-Democracy Political Prisoners in Poor Health Condition

2008-01-16T22:12:00.001-08:00

Irrawaddy
January 16, 2008 At least four detained political prisoners in Burmese prisons are in poor health and need medical attention, according to their family members. The four political prisoners are Hla Myo Naung and Kyaw Soe of the 88 Generation Students group, who are both in Insein Prison in Rangoon; Win Maw, a pro-democracy activist, also in Insein Prison; and Myint Oo, a committee member of the Magwe Division of the National League for Democracy, who is in Mandalay Prison.

Hla Myo Naung has eye problems and is nearly blind in both eyes, according to a family member. He has had eye problems since October 2007, and was arrested while he was enroute to a Rangoon clinic to have an operation on the left side of one eye. After he was arrested, authorities performed an operation on one of his eyes, but it was not successful and an eye nerve was damaged.

Family members of both Win Maw and Kyaw Soe said they received medical treatment in prison after they were tortured by the authorities in an interrogation center. However, Win Maw has now contracted pneumonia. Kyaw Soe suffers from fainting spells. Both men were victims of water torture, according to sources. A family member of Win Maw said they have not been allowed to visit him for nearly three weeks.

Myint Oo, who also suffers from pneumonia, began receiving medical treatment in a Mandalay prison hospital three days ago, according to family members. Tate Naing, the secretary of the exiled-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), said that since August 2007, the military government has arrested more than 7,000 people, including pro-democracy activists. Prisoners are not allowed to receive outside medical treatment.

88 Generation Students leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi also have health problems, say their family members. They were arrested by authorities in August 2007. According to the AAPP, there are more than 1,850 political prisoners in Burmese prisons.