Burma / Myanmar

[Mac-7]

We just need Mr Obumer to keep reminding us that islam is a religion of peace so we can ignore what our lying eyes tell us.

[Cigar]

It must really shuck living in your world

[Mac-7]

It must really shuck living in your world

Ok

you are a loyal obumer apologist.

since the clean articulate black guy/former muslim is too busy yuking it up in south America to worry about terrorism why dont you carry his water here as you always do anyway.

[waltky]

Suu Kyi victim of journalistic ambush...

Suu Kyi ‘angry at being interviewed by Muslim’: writer
Sun, Mar 27, 2016 - ‘ETHNIC CLEANSING’: A new book said that Aung San Suu Kyi complained about a BBC interview in 2013 over the plight of the Rohingya minority

Burmese democracy veteran Aung San Suu Kyi angrily complained about being interviewed by a Muslim BBC presenter who pressed her about violence against Rohingya Muslims, a biographer said on Friday. “No one told me I was going to be interviewed by a Muslim,” the Nobel laureate reportedly said off air after a tense exchange with British-Pakistani news presenter Mishal Husain broadcast in October 2013. The claim was made by Peter Popham, a journalist with the Independent newspaper and author of newly published book The Lady and The Generals — Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma’s Struggle for Freedom.

In the BBC interview, veteran journalist Husain had pressed Aung San Suu Kyi about the plight of the Rohingya minority, who have been hardest hit by deadly bouts of communal violence in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. Aung San Suu Kyi insisted the violence was “not ethnic cleansing,” saying: “Muslims have been targeted, but also Buddhists have been subject to violence. There’s fear on both sides.” Popham wrote about the outburst in an article for the Independent published online on Friday, and said it was relayed to him by a “reliable” source.

A BBC spokeswoman contacted by Agence France-Presse declined to comment. Aung San Suu Kyi has faced international criticism for not taking a stronger stance on the Rohingya’s plight, and for failing to field any Muslim candidates in November’s polls. She is to be foreign minister in Myanmar’s first civilian government for decades, her party said on Tuesday, giving the democracy champion a formal post despite being blocked from the presidency.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worl.../27/2003642563

[donttread]

56 Killed, 2000 Homes Torched In Myanmar...

Myanmar official says 56 dead, almost 2,000 houses torched in latest ethnic violence
October 25, 2012 – At least 56 people were killed and nearly 2,000 homes destroyed in the latest outbreak of ethnic violence in western Myanmar, a government official said Thursday.


See also:

UN Concerned About Outbreak of Violence in Western Burma
October 25, 2012 - The United Nations has expressed concern about the most recent outbreak of communal violence in five townships in Burma's Northern Rakhine region.

Holly $#@!, they've even got the Buddhist in on the killing? What's next a reincarnated Ghandi driving a tank?

[waltky]

Myanmar army chief comes out in favor of country's democracy...

Myanmar army chief advocates democratization
Mon, Mar 28, 2016 - Myanmar’s powerful army chief yesterday vowed to keep the nation “on the path to democracy,” days before Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government takes office after decades of army rule.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing made the remarks at an annual display of military might by Myanmar’s armed forces, a body that long crushed democratic aspirations with an iron fist but has since stewarded the country through a remarkable transition. “I would solemnly impart the fact that the Tatmadaw [army] will cooperate to bring about the prosperity of the union and its citizens,” he said during a speech to troops at the annual Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyidaw. “The two main obstacles to democratization are a failure to abide by the rule of law and regulations and the presence of armed insurgencies. These could lead to chaotic democracy,” he said. “Only if these two obstacles are properly tackled and overcome will there be advancement on the path to democracy.”

Myanmar Armed Forces soldiers march during a military parade in Naypyidaw

Myanmar has undergone a stunning political transformation since 2011, blossoming from isolation under successive juntas to become an increasingly vibrant nation. Its growing political openness was crowned by November last years’ election that saw Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy storm to victory. After a lengthy transition her government is to take over from the outgoing army-backed administration on Wednesday, ending more than five decades of direct and indirect military rule. Aung San Suu Kyi, who is banned by a military-era constitution from becoming president, is to serve as minister of foreign affairs but has vowed to rule through Burmese president-elect Htin Kyaw. Her ability to cooperate with and confront the still powerful military will be a crucial test of her government, which faces a range of challenges including poverty, corruption, years of chronic under-investment and insurgencies by ethnic minority rebels.

The military still holds strong political sway under a charter that reserves a quarter of the Burmese parliament’s seats for unelected soldiers and grants the army chief direct control over three key ministries: Home affairs, border affairs and defense. It also has significant financial clout, with two sprawling military-owned conglomerates owning vast chunks of the economy and decades of wealth accumulated by the military elite over the years. Yesterday’s parade was a vivid reminder of the military’s wealth with polished battle tanks, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles and helicopters all on display. During junta rule, spending on education and healthcare was a fraction of the military’s budget, a daunting legacy which now confronts the incoming civilian government.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worl.../28/2003642634

See also:

Myanmar army reasserts its key political role ahead of transition
Sun Mar 27, 2016 | Myanmar's armed forces commander-in-chief stressed on Sunday the need for the military to remain a political force just days before a democratically elected government is set to take power for the first time in 56 years.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, making an Armed Forces Day speech from a podium dwarfed by a towering statue of Myanmar’s three ancient kings in the capital, Naypyitaw, reasserted the military's belief that it is the country’s sole unifying force and protector of the constitution. Though the military had "cooperated with the government and the people", to hold a historic general election in November, that was won by pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, it was not yet time to step away from the political arena, he said. "The Tatmadaw has to be present as the leading role in national politics with regards to the ways we stand along the history and the critical situations of the country," Min Aung Hlaing said, referring to the armed forces by their Myanmar name.

The military seized power in a 1962 coup and for decades suppressed all opposition. But it stepped back in 2011, paving the way for a semi-civilian government to prepare for November's election. But it retains important powers. More than 10,000 military personnel marched in a parade marking the day in 1945 when a young nationalist leader, General Aung San, and his followers in a fledgling army turned against Japanese forces occupying their country. Hundreds of veterans, foreign defense attaches and politicians gathered before dawn on a big parade field to watch the ceremony.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (L) shakes hands with Aung San Suu Kyi before their meeting in Hlaing's office at Naypyitaw

But conspicuously absent was Aung San's daughter, National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Suu Kyi. She attended the ceremony in 2013 but has not since then. Also absent was president-elect Htin Kyaw, Suu Kyi's hand-picked leader who will take power on Friday. Htin Kyaw, a loyal confidant of the hugely popular Suu Kyi, will take the role only because the Noble laureate is barred from holding the position under a military-drafted constitution, which she has openly criticized.

Min Aung Hlaing defended the charter on Sunday, saying it was drafted by ”coordinated efforts of intellectuals, experts from various fields and national races representatives and was ratified by a nationwide referendum”, and paved the way for the November election. The 2008 constitution enshrines deep political powers for the military. A quarter of the parliament seats are reserved for unelected military officers, giving them an effective veto over constitutional changes, and the commander-in-chief remains in control of three key main ministries.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-my...-idUSKCN0WT05N

[RollingWave]

The western world have been propping up Suu Kyi as some sort of saint is likely to be rather disappointed. The ethnic issues in Burma is very real (and not just on the western end with the Bangals, they bombed freaking China last year because there's a grey area on their border that's a pseudo fiefdom ran by Chinese communities. so far Suu Kyi have shown to be much less than willing to try anything different than what the military Junta had been doing.

[waltky]

Democratically elected Myanmar President sworn in...

Myanmar takes big step toward democracy
March 30, 2016 - New civilian president sworn in, military rule ends

Myanmar’s slow transition to democracy took a momentous step Wednesday as a trusted aide to ruling-party leader Aung San Suu Kyi took over as the country’s president, officially ending more than 50 years of the military’s control over government. In a day full of ceremony and symbolism, Htin Kyaw was sworn in along with his two vice presidents and 18 Cabinet ministers. Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace laureate and face of Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement, takes on a prominent role as the country’s new foreign minister and the head of three other ministries — education, energy and the presidential office. “The Union Parliament has elected me as president, which is a historic moment for this country,” Htin Kyaw, 70, said in a speech after being sworn in. He pledged to work toward national reconciliation, strive for peace with warring ethnic rebels and improve the lives of Myanmar’s 54 million people.

While it was a historic day for the impoverished Southeast Asian country, democracy remains incomplete. The military retains considerable power in the government and parliament, and the president himself will play second fiddle to Suu Kyi. She cannot be president because of a constitutional manipulation engineered by the military, and has repeatedly said she will run the country from behind the scenes. “I am very happy that we have a president who represents people,” said Mar Thin, a 50-year-old street cleaner. She said she used to own 70 acres of land that she and her sister inherited from their father before the military kicked them out and appropriated the land for the defense ministry. “I hope that the new government can solve the land-confiscation problem and let us own our land as farmers. All we want is enough food, and to live without fear. I hope that President Htin Kyaw will do that for us because Daw Suu promised us a lot of things, and we love her, too,” Mar Thin said, using an affectionate term for Suu Kyi.

National League for Democracy party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in blue, second right, takes oaths with other lawmakers as a cabinet minister Wednesday at parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanma. Htin Kyaw, a trusted friend of Suu Kyi, took over as Myanmar's president.

U.S. President Barack Obama noted the continuing challenges for Myanmar, also known as Burma, in a statement in which he called Htin Kyaw’s election “a historic milestone in the country’s transition to a democratically elected, civilian-led government.” “Burma will face significant challenges going forward, including achieving broad-based economic development, advancing national reconciliation, and promoting the rights and freedoms of all its people,” Obama said. “The United States looks forward to being a friend and partner of the new government and the people of Burma as they make progress toward building a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future.”

Htin Kyaw’s swearing-in was held in an austere hall of parliament, with lawmakers dressed in traditional costume. A few hours later, outgoing President Thein Sein shook hands with his successor and handed him a letter and a golden sash, officially transferring power. It was Suu Kyi who led her National League for Democracy party to a landslide win in November elections, ushering in Myanmar’s first civilian government after 54 years of direct and indirect military rule. Suu Kyi endured decades of house arrest and harassment by military rulers without ever giving up on her nonviolent campaign to unseat them. The constitutional clause that denied her the presidency excludes anyone from the position who has a foreign spouse or child. Suu Kyi’s two sons are British, as was her late husband. The clause is widely seen as having been written by the military with Suu Kyi in mind.

MORE

See also:

Myanmar swears in first president with no army ties in 54 years
Mar. 30, 2016 - Members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s victorious National League for Democracy (NLD) were in tears on Wednesday as Myanmar swore in its first president with no military ties in more than half a century.

Htin Kyaw, a close friend and confidant of the Nobel peace prize laureate, was hand-picked by her to run Myanmar’s government because a constitution drafted by the former junta bars the democracy champion from the top office. In a short address to the chamber, Htin Kyaw reiterated Suu Kyi’s stance on the importance of changing the 2008 charter, which entrenches the military’s powerful position in politics, and called for national reconciliation.

NLD lawmakers were emotional at the scale of the achievement after decades of struggle, including years when many of them were jailed or, like Suu Kyi herself, put under house arrest. “I couldn’t sleep last night. Our president U Htin Kyaw’s speech is something we have never heard before in the country,” NLD lawmaker Thiri Yadana, 28, said. “He promised that he will work for the country with the respect to our leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It’s such a big step and this has happened because everybody pushed together forward.”

Relations between the armed forces and Suu Kyi will define the success of Myanmar’s most significant break from military rule since the army seized power in 1962. “Our new government will implement national reconciliation, peace in the country, emergence of a constitution that will pave the way to a democratic union, and enhance the living standard of the people,” said Htin Kyaw, sporting the NLD’s traditional burnt orange jacket. “We have the duty to work for the emergence of a constitution that is appropriate for our country and also in accordance with democratic standards.”

Tension had simmered in the run-up to the November election and as the NLD prepared to take power. Suu Kyi wants to demilitarize Myanmar’s politics but effectively needs the support of the military to do so. The armed forces are guaranteed three ministries and control a quarter of parliamentary seats – enough to give them a veto over constitutional amendments and potentially limit the scope of Suu Kyi’s reforms. Suu Kyi is poised to steer the government from within, acting as a super-minister overseeing education, foreign affairs, electric power and energy – and the president’s office.

MORE

[waltky]

Myanmar political prisoners freed...

Big win for human rights in Myanmar, political prisoners, activists freed
Sunday 10th April, 2016 - Authorities in Myanmar have released 69 student activists along with several other political prisoners who were jailed for more than a year without any trial.

Announcing the release, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said that 113 political detainees were freed across the country. The student activists were reportedly imprisoned after protesting against the education policy and demanding new reforms in the academic department on March 2015. Tharrawaddy Township Judge Chit Myat made the announcement of release a day after an amnesty request by the nation’s de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. “In this time of the Burmese New Year, we will release political prisoners and activists and students who are facing charges as soon as possible,” said the nation’s leader a day before the release.

The previous government led by military power or junta in 2011 put Suu Kyi under house arrest and hundreds of her supporters and other critics were jailed. Suu Kyi holds the post of state counselor, a specially created position. She is the de facto head of government as Myanmar’s army drafted constitution does not allow her to be the president as her sons acquires British citizenship. She then declared to run the government by being “above the president” after her party’s approval.

Free at last, free at last - thank God Almighty we's free at last!

The release comes ahead of the Burmese traditional New Year and a step towards human rights in Myanmar and also Suu Kyi’s first official act as the government. The human activists applauded the move pronouncing it as a delightful moment and a giant step towards the human rights in Myanmar. “Today’s release of most of the student protesters is a huge step forward for human rights in Myanmar, and we are delighted that these men and women will walk free. It sends a strong message about the new government’s intention to end the cycle of political arrest and detention in Myanmar,” said Myanmar researcher for human rights group Amnesty International, Laura Haigh.

Amnesty International (AI) had said in March 2015 that Myanmar’s new government has been presented with a historic opportunity to change course on human rights. The same month, the country released 46 underage child recruits from the military as part of a UN joint action plan.

http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/2...ctivists-freed

[Peter1469]

Most Americans couldn't find it on a map.