2008

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Shan rebel council holds annual meet

The 8th annual meeting of Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the political arm of the Shan State Army (SSA), was held at Loi Tai Leng on the Thai-Burma border, according to rebel source.

Shan meet vows to protect non-Shan rights

A three-day conference of Shans, the largest non-Burman ethnic group in strife-torn Burma, that ended yesterday at an undisclosed location on the Thai-Burma border has promised to work closely with non-Shans in Shan State and protect their rights.

Shans gather for brighter future of all different Shan nationalities

A Shan conference was held at an undisclosed location on Thai-Burma border and 60 representatives from different parts of Shan State participated in the conference from 19-21 of January 2008.

Ailing Wa leader heals, back in the saddle

Bao Youxiang, the leader of Wa who had been ill for the past few years, has now recovered and has taken back all of his former duties including military and finance, according to a close friend who is now in Yunnan.

The Moon Princess: Another exercise in piecing the Burma jigsaw together

At last, I have read it. And I have to congratulate Sao Sanda Simms, the eldest daughter of Prince Sao Shwe Thaike (1896-1962) of Yawnghwe who was the first President of Burma (1948-1952), for giving us such a reading pleasure.

Activists to celebrate ‘bad day’ of Junta leader

The 75th birthday of Burma Senior General Than Shwe will fall on the 2nd February 2008 and the celebration is being organized by Lanna Action for Burma (LAB) on the 1st of February, 2008 to wish him an ‘Un-happy Bad Day’, from 10:30 to 11:30 at Chiang Mai University’s Social Science Building 4.

Activists wish "Unhappy Bad day" to Than Shwe

On 1 February 2008 at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Lanna Action for Burma (LAB) organized General Than Shwe's "bad day" event at Chiang Mai University, Social Science building 4, over his human right abuses on the peoples of Burma for over 20 years. Foreigners, Thai people and some Burmese people participated in the "World's 10 worst Dictators" third place winner's pre-birthday "celebration".

Non-ceasefire Wa elects new leadership

The Wa National Organization, a non-ceasefire Wa group based on the Thai-Burma border, opposite Maehongson, has elected a new leadership to fill up the vacuum left by Maha Hsang, who died last October.

No Shan State, no union, says Shan leader

The 61st National Day of Shan State celebration ceremony was held yesterday in Loi Tai Leng , the headquarters of Shan State Army –South (SSA-S), opposite Mae Hong Son in Northern Thailand.

Karen rep given surprise welcome by Madrid

The Karen National Union’s European representative, who was in Madrid late last month on a special mission, suddenly found a warm reception awaiting him at the country’s foreign ministry.

PaO leader: Resolution of Shan affairs is Burma affairs 50% resolved

Addressing a gathering of more than a hundred Kachin, Lahu, Lisu, PaO and Shan youths at an undisclosed location near the Thai-Burma border on 7 February, the leader of the PaO People’s Liberation Organization (PPLO) stressed the importance of Shan State in resolving Burma’s current problems.

SSA-S denies recruiting child soldiers

Shan State Army (SSA) South recently denied a UN special report by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon accusing it of recruiting child soldiers.

Karen leadership takes junta to task for killing

Saying 22-more of the top and mid level leaders are on the list of the assassins, the beleaguered Karen National Union (KNU) has pointed an accusing finger at the country’s ruling junta for the Valentine’s Day assassination of its secretary general.

Enemy is close to us, says Chin leader

On 20 February, on a 60th Anniversary of Chin National Day a Chin leader Dr. Pu Victor Biak Lian warned other ethnic and opposition leaders to be united and alert to the enemy.

Opinions vary on exiled government expansion

Burma MPs in exile agreed in principle on expansion of its government, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) at a 5 days congress which ended 2 days ago.

Junta seeks recourse to softer approaches for election

For many decades, Burmese military junta have been trying numerous attempts to pressure the ceasefire groups to disarm or surrender and now as it is approaching to National election time, they are changing to a new tactic by using softer approaches and persuading the groups to form political parties.

Security tightened prior to referendum

Local authorities have ordered people to make or renew their ID cards. They are also checking the guest registers every night in Tachilek Township on the Thai-Burma border, according local sources.

Four PaO groups join up

On 25 February, three PaO civilian organizations have joined with the PaO National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the armed organization to expand its central committee.

Defectors re-defect

8 members of the Karen resistance movement that had defected to the Burma Army last year have returned to the fold since yesterday, according to a Karen high official.

Authorities collecting names for referendum

The local authorities are collecting the names of those who are over 18 for constitutional referendum at Tachilek Township, on the Thai-Burma border, according to local sources.

Yawdserk: Hope Samak continues Thaksin policy on non-Burmans

As reports of the newly elected Thai prime minister’s impending visit to Burma emerge, Shan State Army (SSA) leader says he hopes Samak Sundaravej will continue to advocate his deposed predecessor’s policy on Burma especially for non-Burmans.

Local authorities renew ID cards to the people

Local authorities are collection names of those over 18 for the renewal of their ID cards at Kehsi Township, according to S.H.A.N reporter in Southern Shan State.

Yawdserk: Junta stirring up bad blood between Wa and SSA South

Shan State Army (SSA) South leader Col Yawdserk has accused the Burma Army of inciting a resumption of hostilities between his organization and the United Wa State Army (UWSA).

Non-ceasefire Wa spurns surrender offer

The Wa National Organization (WNO), a non-ceasefire Wa group, will never surrender until its call for democracy, human rights and ethnic rights has been satisfactorily answered, according to its leadership in response to a recent written demand.

Junta authorities coax, threaten civilians to support charter

In an attempt to get public approval of the draft constitution, authorities of State and Peace Development Council (SPDC) are pushing for and threatening civilians to vote ‘Yes’ during the constitutional referendum in coming May, according to the sources from Eastern Shan State.

Tick ’em up or else, say referendum organizers

The May constitution referendum is still some two months away but dry runs to initiate the public into its procedure has already started in northern Shan State, reports Shan Herald reporter Hawkeye, better known as U Sein Kyi:

Yawdserk spurns surrender-to-stand-for-elections advice

Suggestions from ‘friends’ in Thailand not to oppose the draft charter drawn by Burma’s ruling junta but surrender and fight it out in the planned 2010 elections have been turned down by the leader of the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA) South during an interview by the Shan Herald yesterday.

People threatened to support the draft constitution

Local authorities are ordering the people to support the new constitutional referendum in May, with threats on those who might say no to the draft, according to residents of Namkham Township, on the Sino-Burma border.

Junta banned by Wa, Mongla from issuing ID cards

Officials visiting Mongla and Wa areas in eastern Shan State last month to issue temporary ID cards to the local people were detained by the ceasefire groups, according to local sources.

Leaders in exile blasts junta draft constitution

Leaders in exile have criticized the junta draft constitution concerning ethnic rights, at the Media Inputs for May Referendum meeting, held on April 4-6 on the Thai-Burma border.

No way for voters in Tachilek to "express his wish secretly"

On 6 April, officials providing referendum training people in Kengtung, Mongyawng, Mongphyak and Tachilek, taught them only to tick in favor of the junta-drafted charter, according to local sources.

Border town chieftain shot dead

A notorious township chairman was assassinated by two unidentified hit-men last night at Panghsai, opposite China’s Wanding, according to a report from northern Shan State.

Many townships forced to support the draft constitution

Many townships in Shan State have been ordered to support the draft military's constitution in the referendum in May with threats on those who might say no to the draft with arrests by the military, according to local sources.

Prisoners will be allowed to vote

Prisoners whose cases are still pending will be allowed to vote on the understanding that they will cast their ballots in favor of the junta-drafted constitution in return for acquittal of their cases or reduced sentences, according to a reliable source from northern Shan State.

Youth group doles out Vote No leaflets

At midnight, on 16 April, leaflets urging people to vote against the junta draft constitution on 10 May referendum were seen along the streets in Namkham, northern Shan State, according to sources.

Voters’ worry: Will officials be able to track us down?

As 10 May draws near, one of the growing concerns among eligible voters in northern Shan State is that the polling officials will discover who they are if they vote No, according to sources on the Sino-Burma border.

Junta says no democracy without support for draft charter

Since March, the junta has been extensively campaigning for the people of Shan State to support the junta drafted constitution in the upcoming referendum in May, according to sources from Southern Shan State.

Junta issues ID cards to Chinese citizens

Junta authorities have provided temporary ID card to Chinese citizens presumably to get more support for the junta drafted constitution in the coming May referendum, according to sources from northern and eastern Shan State.

Wa playing ball with referendum exercise

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) has agreed to set up polling stations in the main towns under its control, according to a Wa official speaking in anonymity.

Junta offers eye treatment for free

Authorities in northern Shan State are giving eye check and treatment for free in exchange for their support for the charter in the upcoming referendum, according to residents of Namkham, on the Sino-Burma border.

Burmese monks denounce referendum

The International Burmese Monks Organisation (Australia) calls for a Global Day of condemnation for Burmese military’s 10 May referendum.

People tricked into supporting draft constitution

Local authorities at Muse Township on the Sino-Burma border had held a mock polling session with the people, after which the mock result for support was sent to the new capital Naypyidaw as the real result, according to Muse sources.

Aussie FM says it is a flawed referendum

Australian Foreign Minister Mr Stephen Smith has called on the Burmese regime to engage in a genuine process of political reform and national reconciliation, not a sham ‘roadmap to democracy’.

The Tripartite Struggle: An Analogy to Romance of the Three Kingdoms

 

Junta officials say Shan leaders participated in the charter drafting

As part of the effort to persuade the Shans to support the draft constitution, a junta township chief had recently told a meeting in northern Shan State that Shan leaders had participated in the drafting of the charter.

Local USDA secretary assassinated

A secretary of junta-backed Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) in northern Shan state along with two other officials were shot by unknown gunmen after returning from a campaign to encourage people for support of junta charter, according to sources.

Vote "No" posters displayed in Shan State

Vote "No" posters to the junta drafted charter were stuck up at public places in Taunggyi, Panglong and Keng Tung, according to sources.

Junta in for an easy ride tomorrow

Despite somewhat unduly concern shown by local military authorities to win votes from the people in each of their constituencies, the ruling generals have already given themselves as much leeway as possible to come out on top again in tomorrow’s constitutional referendum, according to an informed source returning from Shan State South.

Junta fights to win in Shan State

Junta authorities have been putting pressure on the villagers in northern Shan State to vote in favor of their draft charter, according to reliable sources.

The art of boxing with a bound opponent

It seemingly started as a clean campaign with clear cut guidelines for polling booth officials to make it a free and fair vote taking, but by all accounts no holds were barred for the junta authorities in their relentless quest to win yesterday’s nationwide constitutional referendum.

Outskirts coerced, downtown free to cast "No"

On the day of constitutional referendum, while urban people in Tachilek, eastern Shan State, were free to vote as they wished, people in the surrounding areas were forced by the authorities to support the junta charter, according to local sources.

Shan party dismisses “rigged” referendum

Widespread juggling of votes has been reported throughout Shan State, the biggest state in the Union of Burma, leaving it with no option but to reject the sanctity of the nationwide referendum held on 10 May, according to the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), the party that won the 1990 elections in the state.

Villager arrested for possession of anti-referendum leaflets

The authorities in Namkham, northern Shan State, found anti-referendum leaflets at the home of a former village headman while looking for heroin users and arrested him, according to local sources.

Wa told to give back their temporary cards

Junta authorities in Mongton township, opposite Chiangmai, have demanded that Wa residents along the Thai-Burma border return their newly issued White cards, according to a confirmed report.

Civilians shed tears at referendum results

Some civilians in Muse, northern Shan State, had wept upon hearing results on the junta drafted charter referendum which was held on 10 May, according to local sources.

Referendum results slammed by ceasefire groups

“Impossible” was the word used by a senior member of the National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS) in response to the claim made by Burma’s rulers yesterday of the overwhelming public support given to the military-drawn draft constitution on May 10.

A quiet celebration for this year’s Shan Resistance Day

The 50th anniversary of the Shan Resistance Day, which falls on 21 May, will be more of a day for reflection than a grandiose affair as expected earlier, according to the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA) South.

PM Thein Sein wrong man for handling disasters?

Gen Thein Sein, who was appointed prime minister last year, is facing his first crucial test as a leader and so far is faring badly just as he did when he was the regional commander in Kengtung, eastern Shan State, from 1996-2001, according to his critics there.

Two clashes on referendum day

On 10 May, when the nationwide referendum was held, clashes between Shan State Army (SSA) and Burma Army took place in Shan State, according to rebel sources.

Mobiles seized, buses stopped for regional commander's visit

Local authorities in Mongton township, eastern Shan State, last week seized Thai mobile phones belonging to villagers and stopped all buses during Triangle Region commander's visit, according to sources from the border.

Survey says most Shans accept genuine federal union

An opinion poll conducted by the exiled Shan State Constitution Drafting Commission (SSCDC) in March and April say an overwhelming 86% of Shans are in favor of their state joining a “truly federal union.”

Burma Army still on search-and-destroy mission against Nargis casualties

A month after Cyclone Nargis devastated the Irrawaddy delta, the Prome-based Light Infantry Division (LID) 66’s 8 battalions, later reinforced by another 6 battalions from Inndaing (Rangoon)-based LID 11, are still rummaging through the whole storm-torn area for the remains of the dead and getting on with the unpleasant job of cremating them, according to a source close to the Burma Army.

Cash rewards for referendum commissioners

Local constitutional referendum commissioners in Namkham, northern Shan State, have been given cash rewards by authorities after the result of the referendum on May 10 was announced, according to sources from the Sino-Burma border.

SSA offers to host a Shan State assembly

Following its bi-annual meeting, 2-3 June, at its main base Loi Taileng on the Maehongson-Shan State border, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS, the political arm of the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA), has called for a state-wide meeting to form a state-based council.

Paper worth 20-year prison sentence released

An 8-page policy paper prepared by the Rangoon-based United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) which had cost a Shan leader a 20-year sentence of imprisonment in 2005 was released yesterday.

Burmese exiles call for Suu Kyi’s release on her birthday

Burmese exiles in Thailand yesterday called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners in Burma on her 63rd birthday.

Poll says people rejected the draft charter

According to a month-long exit poll conducted by SHAN, almost 63% of eligible voters had cast No against the draft constitution drawn by the military.

Ceasefire group under pressure to surrender

The National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS), commonly known as the Mongla group, has been urged twice last June to “exchange arms for peace,” a euphemism for surrender, according to a senior Shan officer from Mongla, opposite China’s Daluo.

Mongla sticks to its guns

Bi-annual meeting of the Mongla ceasefire group yesterday resolved to hold on to the present territories that have been under its control since prior to 1989, when it was part of the Beijing-backed Communist Party of Burma (CPB), according to an insider source.

Regional commanders: Ceasefire, non-ceasefire groups must abide by the new constitution

Regional commanders said all ceasefire and non-ceasefire groups must comply with the new constitution approved by Burma’s ruling junta in May, while meeting with people from United Wa State Army and Shan State Army, according to SHAN sources.

SSA-North denies BBC story

The report filed by BBC on 29 July that the ceasefire Shan State Army (SSA) “North” had decided to contest in the 2010 elections was hotly repudiated by a top officer close to the group’s chief of staff.

Activists urge people to boycott Burmese “Blood Jade” in Beijing Olympic

Activists are calling on global consumers to boycott souvenirs and jewelry made of Burmese jade in order to avoid supporting Burma’s abuse-ridden jade mining industry that provides the military regime with one of its largest sources of solid cash, according to a new report released today.

Former ceasefire group to form political party for 2010 election

Shan Nationalities Peoples’ Liberation Organization (SNPLO), a ceasefire group in southern Shan State that recently surrendered on 3 August under the pressure from the Burmese military has decided to form a state-based party to enter the 2010 elections, according to a source from anti-junta PaO National Liberation Organization (PNLO).

Shan ceasefire group meet ends without public statement

The ceasefire Shan State Army (SSA) North’s almost a month long meeting ended last Monday, 4 August, without issuing any public statement, according to sources from northern Shan State.

Harn Yawnghwe: UN efforts deserve support

Current UN operations in Burma, despite varied outcomes, are worth solid support from the people of Burma whose needs are such any assistance, big or small, is a blessing, according to Brussels-based Burma activist Harn Yawnghwe.

ENC: Rigged election results won’t make lawful regime

The legitimacy of the new government that will emerge after the 2010 general elections will not be “bought by coercion, trickery or bribery”, declares the statement of the border-based Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) following its 3-day conference, 26-28 August.

Ceasefire groups pressured to surrender within 2009

Regional commanders said all ceasefire groups including local militias must surrender the arms in 2009, according to SHAN sources.

Pundit: Ethnicity and democratization can go together

Ethnic nationalism can, under the right conditions, work for rather than against democracy’s rise and consolidation, says a professor from Princeton University in the latest issue of Journal of Democracy.