UN's BAN PLEDGE AND REGIME SAYS TO AMNESTY PRISONERS BEFORE ELECTION

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday warned Myanmar's military rulers that they must deliver on their pledge to ensure " inclusive, free and fair" elections next year.

"The [Myanmar] government needs to deliver on the promise to make the 2010 elections inclusive, free and fair and to take the necessary steps on my specific proposals in the very near future," he said as he briefed the U.N. Security Council on his visit to Myanmar early this month.

"The choice for Myanmar's leaders in the coming days and weeks will be between meeting that responsibility in the interest of all concerned, or failing their own people and each one of you," Ban said.

"The world is now watching closely whether they will choose to act in the best interest of their country or ignore our concerns and expectations and the needs of their people," he added.

Ban also described as "not only a deep disappointment but also a major lost opportunity for Myanmar" the refusal by junta head Senior General Myanmar Than Shwe to allow him to see jailed democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his visit.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who faces an internationally condemned trial for violating her house arrest rules, has been either jailed or under house arrest for 13 of the last 19 years since the junta refused to recognize her National League for Democracy'S victory in Myanmar's last elections, in 1990.

She faces up to five years in jail if convicted of violating her house arrest rules, after an American man swam uninvited to her lakeside home in May.

She has spent 13 of the past 19 years in detention since the regime refused to recognize the NLD's landslide victory in the country's last elections, in 1990.

During his visit, Ban pressed Than Shwe to free political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and called for elections scheduled for 2010 to be free and fair.

*************************************************************************************
REGIME SAYS TO AMNESTRY PRISONERS BEFORE ELECTION
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Myanmar is planning to amnesty prisoners to enable them to take part in national elections next year, at the request of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the country's U.N. envoy said on Monday.

But, addressing the U.N. Security Council, Ambassador Than Swe did not say how many prisoners would be released, or when, or whether they would include key figures like opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

During a July 3-4 visit to Myanmar, Ban pressed the ruling Myanmar junta to free all political prisoners, including Suu Kyi, who is currently on trial. Rights groups say there are more than 2,000 political prisoners in Myanmar.

"At the request of the Secretary-General, the Myanmar government is processing to grant amnesty to prisoners on humanitarian ground and with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 general elections," Than Swe said, speaking in English.

He said the Myanmar government "intends to implement all appropriate recommendations that (the) Secretary-General had proposed." But during Ban's visit the junta refused to allow him to meet Suu Kyi, saying this could influence her trial.

The Myanmar government has amnestied prisoners before. It freed 19 political detainees in February as part of a release of 6,000 prisoners after a visit by a U.N. human rights rapporteur.

Critics say next year's elections, the final part of a seven-step "road map" to democracy, will be a sham designed to give legitimacy to the current authorities and entrench nearly half a century of army rule in the former Burma.

Child killer shot dead as crowd cheers in Yeman

PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

CRIMMINAL justice under sharia law in Yeman is harsh, public and takes no prisons.

Yehya Hussein al-Raghwah, a barber found guilty of raping and murdering an 11-year-old boy was marched through the streets of his home town before being shot dead by an executioner as hundreds of onlookers – including the dead boy’s family – jeered and shouted abuse at him.

The boy, Hamdi al-Kabas, had reportedly come into his shop for a haircut last December.

After attacking him, the barber cut his body into pieces and dumped them outside Yeman’s capital Sana'a.

Al-Raghwah was given the death penalty by a Yemeni court which adheres to sharia law a month later after he apparently admitted to his crime.

Shocking images of his final moments were released following the execution yesterday.

Read more of the story here

DAW KHIN MOE MOE SUBMMITS APPEALS ONTO INSEIN PRISON SOURT

PLEASE ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE



The news comes from http://demowaiyen.blogspot.com/

A VICTORY FOR UN SANCTIONS

Editorial
Bangkok Post
July 10, 2009


The long slow voyage of the North Korean tramp steamer Kang Nam 1 has ended right where it began. In a Pacific trip of more than two weeks, the North Korean vessel made no port calls as it sailed from Wimpo to the waters of our region, and back. Ship and crew never touched land, dock or offshore berth. Pyongyang officials have not commented, but for most of the rest of the world, this oceanic "dry run" should be rated as one of the most successful delivery trips ever. United Nations sanctions and the US diplomatic strategy of President Barack Obama deserve the credit.

The trip of the Kang Nam was the first test of new and stronger prohibitions slapped on the North Korean regime. In a rare, unanimous vote, the UN Security Council took note of an underground nuclear test by North Korea last month, and ballistic missile firings in April. The stronger sanctions specifically authorised all UN members to follow any North Korean transport suspected of carrying arms, weapons parts or banned technology. They do not permit boarding of vessels on the high seas - an act of war - but that played into Mr Obama's hands.

When satellites indicated the Kang Nam was loading weapons bound for its fellow rogue regime in Burma, a US destroyer waited for the vessel in international waters. As the Kang Nam sailed, the Americans followed, usually staying within sight and reminding the North Koreans of surveillance. The original voyage was to take the ship to Singapore for refuelling, and then on to Burma. Mr Obama's administration contacted countries along the voyage path, winning agreement from each that customs officials would conduct a thorough search if the Kang Nam stopped in their waters.

With no way to hide and nowhere to run, the Kang Nam headed back to North Korea. On a one-time basis, that made the sanctions a success. But Pyongyang, if anything, has become more recalcitrant. While its cargo ship sailed to nowhere, the regime fired seven more ballistic missiles. It also promised a nuclear test for July 4, the US national day, although that turned out to be mere bluster. It will probably try to ship its cargo by land to Burma, and China must be prepared to intercept any contraband.

In fact, UN members now must put even more effort into enforcing the sanctions on North Korea. At the same time, they must remind Kim Jong-Il how to get out of its isolation through talks. The six-party commission on North Korea is ready to meet. And the Koreans should join the Asean-sponsored talks in Phuket, where many other members of the Regional Forum will tell them to stop their senseless nuclear weapons armament.

While the Obama administration has helped to elevate the overall North Korean intransigence from unilateral threats of violence to international diplomacy, there is a more urgent concern in this region. North Korea and the unfriendly regime in Burma are up to something, and are trying to hide it. North Korean advisers have been photographed at the sites of massive construction work in Burma. There are fears that Pyongyang is building a nuclear site in secret, or even mining uranium.

This unholy alliance of Burma and North Korea is a regional threat because of its secrecy. If Rangoon is buying major weapons systems from Pyongyang, as the Kang Nam incident indicated, Asean must be told. North Korea certainly has no right to draw this part of the world into its nuclear trafficking. The UN must continue efforts to thwart such divisive secrecy.

ALL ACTIVISTS HOLDING UTC(NY)CONFERENCE DONE

Suu Kyi Denied Access to News (IRRAWADDY WEB NEWS)
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is denied access to a radio during her time in Rangoon’s Insein Prison, according to her lawyer, Nyan Win.

Suu Kyi was able to keep in touch with world events by listening to the radio during her house detention, but that possibility has been denied her since she was removed to Insein Prison, where she is on trial for transgressing the terms of her house arrest.

Nyan Win said Suu Kyi was allowed to read the state-controlled press, but was denied the possibility of receiving “uncensored information via foreign broadcasting.”

Nyan Win met Suu Kyi on Wednesday, and said afterwards that she was in a good mood and healthy.

The meeting was to allow Nyan Win to prepare for Suu Kyi’s next appearance in court, scheduled for Friday. He said he didn’t know if a verdict could be expected then. She faces a sentence of up to five years imprisonment if convicted of allowing an American intruder to stay at her home.

A scheduled session of the trial last Friday was postponed because of the visit to Burma by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The UN chief asked for a meeting with Suu Kyi, but his request was rejected by junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe.

“I believe the government of Myanmar [Burma] has lost a unique opportunity to show its commitment to a new era of political openness,” Ban commented.

“Allowing a visit to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would have been an important symbol of the government’s willingness to embark on the kind of meaningful engagement that will be essential if the elections in 2010 are to be seen as credible,” he said.

Ban is expected to brief the UN Security Council shortly on his Burma visit.

Analysts say the Burma issue is sure to be raised before the Security Council in August, when the UK has the chair, and in September, when the US takes over the position.

Burma has been able in the past to rely on the vetoes of two permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia, to block unfavorable resolutions. But diplomatic sources say China is disappointed by the Burmese regime’s treatment of Ban.

THE WORLD IS RUNNING OUT OF OPTION ON BURMA(MYANMAR)

BANGKOK, July 8 — The international community has few options left for Myanmar after the UN secretary-general's failure last week to engage the recalcitrant military regime.

Having risked his reputation by accepting an invitation to visit the isolated southeast Asia state, analysts believe Ban Ki-moon left with nothing to show for his efforts.

Denying Ban even a meeting with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the junta, more than ever, seemed impervious to criticism and comfortable in its isolation.

"The UN secretary-general card has (now) been played, Ban has lost and we're not very surprised," said Derek Tonkin, a former British ambassador to Thailand, now a Myanmar analyst.

"I don't know where the international community can go from here."

The situation is likely to be discussed at the regional forum of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN ) in Phuket, Thailand, later this month, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in attendance.

But even if they have recently broken with tradition and ventured criticism, the smaller neighbours of Myanmar, the former Burma, are unlikely to achieve much and ASEAN's strategy of granting the generals membership as a way of getting them to accept regional norms on democracy will once again be shown up as a failure.

A statement reiterating demands for the release of Suu Kyi and other political prisoners is expected, but is likely to fall on deaf ears.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said at the weekend that the world was preparing to "respond robustly" to the junta, but Myanmar's snub of Ban and previous UN special envoys suggests diplomacy is futile and a tougher approach is needed.

DEALING WITH GENERALS, NOT DIPLOMATS

"Everyone has tried diplomacy, but these are army generals we're dealing with, not diplomats," said Mark Farmaner of the Burma Campaign UK.

"The generals are impervious to criticism, but not to pressure. They're scared of real pressure and it's a myth they think they're invulnerable."

Although not yet on the table, a UN Security Council resolution is an option, but risks opposition from China — the closest Myanmar has to a major ally — and Russia, who are among the five veto-wielding permanent members able to block action.

Some analysts suggest the UN should test the regime by threatening legal action over its poor human rights record, by way of an International Commission of Enquiry or referral to the International Court of Justice.

Increasingly, China could hold the key.

It has shown more diplomatic flexibility of late and supported two resolutions on sanctions against neighbouring North Korea for its nuclear weapons programme.

As in North Korea, Beijing is concerned about instability in Myanmar and might be willing to act to forestall that, lest it interfere with its considerable commercial interests.

"The generals feel they can get away with anything because China will give them blanket protection, but that may not be the case," said Debbie Stothard from the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma.

"It's time for a UN resolution and time for Ban to take off the kid gloves regarding Burma. The regime is afraid of the Security Council, but if it doesn't act, the generals will continue to do whatever they like," she said. — Reuters

“Welcome to the Dictators’ Disneyland.”

A green and yellow sign greeted us in English and Burmese with the words: “Welcome to Naypyitaw”. Someone in our bus quipped that it should have read: “Welcome to the Dictators’ Disneyland.”

Burma’s remote new capital, Naypyidaw, looks more like a seaside resort-in-progress than a city. But it is too far from the sea to make it a proper resort.

In fact, Naypyidaw is a virtual fortress where the reclusive military rulers of Burma have isolated themselves, some 320 km away from the mass demonstrations that occasionally erupt in the country’s largest city, Rangoon.

I was one of a small group of journalists who had the rare privilege of spending the night in Naypyidaw, where foreigners are banned unless they are invited there on official business.

As members of a UN delegation travelling with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon we got special treatment—we could use satellite telephones, which are illegal in Myanmar, to contact the outside world.

We also had access to the Internet to file stories and send emails about Ban’s second trip to the new capital, established in 2005.

During his two-day visit, Ban tried unsuccessfully to persuade Senior General Than Shwe, the junta leader, to let him meet main opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently trial for breaching the terms of her house arrest.

One of the first things I noticed about Naypyidaw was the lack of people and cars, which gave the city the eerie atmosphere of a ghost town.

As we sped along the pristine but empty highway towards our hotel, the only people we saw were military police, security officials, and a few labourers working in the fields or on construction sites. The preferred architecture for ministry buildings and government mansions is white and beige stone with coloured roofs surrounded by carefully manicured lawns, palm trees, shrubbery and stone walls.

Some of the buildings have cheerful-looking signs identifying which ministries they belong to.

One of the officials in the delegation told us privately that there have been some recent additions to Naypyidaw—it now has a shopping mall and its own zoo, complete with penguins and lions to keep the rulers and people forced to relocate there entertained.

There is also a golf course, since the generals and many of their official guests enjoy taking in an occasional round of golf.

Underneath the city, UN officials explained, is an extensive network of tunnels designed by engineers from North Korea, a country with a communist government that rivals Burma in its secrecy.

The most impressive building we saw was the junta’s new palatial reception hall. Named after an 18th century king, Bayint Naung Yeiktha, it is where Ban met with Than Shwe and other leaders of the junta.

Surrounded by rolling hills and jungle vegetation, the building is circumscribed by a high-security fence that would not be easy to climb. Inside the hall, there was an ornate waterfall fountain in which massive goldfish rise up and spout water against a mountainside.

Journalists received rough treatment at the hands of the military police and security officials. They pushed us around constantly until we were out of sight of the 76-year-old Than Shwe.

Back at the Naypyidaw hotel, our hosts had forgotten to arrange for food for the reporters. The eternally polite hotel workers took care of us. They gathered up leftovers from a buffet prepared for some of the security officials—fried noodles and vegetables, spicy sour soup, dried fish and fried rice.

After a delicious dinner, I took the opportunity to update my Facebook status with the words: “Lou Charbonneau is in Naypyidaw, the surreal and brand-spanking-new capital of Myanmar, better known as Burma.” I’d like to think that was a first for Naypyidaw.

Scores killed in China protests

Violence in China's restive western region of Xinjiang has left at least 140 people dead and more than 800 people injured, state media say.

Several hundred people were arrested after a protest, in the city of Urumqi on Sunday, turned violent.

Beijing says Uighurs went on the rampage but one exiled Uighur leader says police fired on students.

The protest was reportedly prompted by a deadly fight between Uighurs and Han Chinese in southern China last month.

The BBC's Chris Hogg in Shanghai says this is one of the most serious clashes between the authorities and demonstrators in China since Tiananmen Square in 1989.

'Dark day'

Eyewitnesses said the violence started on Sunday in Urumqi after a protest of a few hundred people grew to more than 1,000.

Xinhua says the protesters carried knives, bricks and batons, smashed cars and stores, and fought with security forces.

Wu Nong, news director for the Xinjiang government, said more than 260 vehicles were attacked and more than 200 shops and houses damaged.

Most of the violence is reported to have taken place in the city centre, around Renmin (People's) Square, Jiefang and Xinhua South Roads and the Bazaar.


PLESE SEE BBC NEWS.COM FOR MORE NEWS

BURMESE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE STRATEGIC CONFERENCE ISSUES CLEAR STATEMENT ON BAN KI-MOON' TRIP ON BURMA REGIME

The Resolutions of the Burmese Democratic Alliance Strategic Conference
Date: July 4, 2009

1. Burmese democratic forces from various states attended the strategic
conference for Burma and absolutely supported the strong and firm strategy,
which aim is to eliminate the military dictatorship from Burma once and for
all.
2. We all agreed to call an all‐inclusive democratic conference including the
ethnic nationalities for the emergence of the Burmese national congress,
which will transform all the difference strategies into a strong and agreeable
one.
3. We all agreed upon to fight against the military dictatorship by using all
means as our basic principle.
4. Our country belongs to various ethnic nationalities. As a result, we all agreed
that we must establish a democratic genuine federal union based on human
rights and equality for all citizens in Burma.
5. We all agreed that military dictator used “dialogue” and negotiation as its
tactic to buy time. Therefore, we definitely do not believe and reject the
regime’s dialogue option of solving the existing political dead lock in Burma.

TIME TO TAKE ACTION AND N KOREA USES MALAYSIAN BANK

The 15-nation council has been unable to take serious action in the case of the former Burma because China, the nearest Burma has to a major ally, has been opposed.

Like the United States, Britain, France and Russia, China is a permanent veto-wielding member of the council and can block any action.

The last time the council said anything about Burma was in May 2008, when it issued a non-binding statement urging the junta to ensure an upcoming referendum on the country's new constitution would be "an inclusive and credible process."

At the time, critics said the referendum that approved the constitution was a farce. Many U.N. officials and diplomats worry next year's multi-party election will be the same.

China has shown flexibility on North Korea. It has supported two sanctions resolutions against Pyongyang for its nuclear weapons program.

But Beijing has been unwilling to allow the council to impose sanctions on Burma, whose nearly 2,000 km (1,250 mile) coastline provides neighbour China with easy land and sea access to South Asia markets.

One Security Council diplomat said it may be time to try again to press China to use its influence on the secretive military rulers of Burma to reform.

"I think China knows the council will have to look again at Myanmar," the Western diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity after Ban's visit. Other Western diplomats have expressed similar views.

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N Korea Using Malaysian Bank for Burmese Weapons Deals: Yonhap

North Korea sought payment through a bank in Malaysia for a suspected shipment of weapons to Burma being carried on a freighter tracked by the US Navy, according to a source quoted by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

Yonhap reported on Saturday that the source said a US envoy would visit Malaysia this weekend to focus on ways to cut off the payment to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

“Kim will have a hard time collecting his money,” said the high-level source.

The revelation comes as the North Korean freighter Kang Nam 1 is apparently returning home after being tracked by a US Navy destroyer that suspected it of carrying cargo banned under UN Security Council Resolution 1874, which toughened sanctions imposed after North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.

Philip Goldberg, the US coordinator for the implementation of the resolution, which was passed on June 12 to punish North Korea for its May 25 nuclear test, is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday. Goldberg is in China ahead of his visit to Malaysia.

The White House said that US President Barack Obama discussed North Korea and financial regulations with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razakon by phone late last month.

According to another source in Seoul, the Kang Nam 1 is believed to be carrying small Soviet-era arms such as AK-47 rifles and RPG-7 anti-tank launchers manufactured in North Korea.

Adm Gary Roughead, the chief of US Naval operations, told reporters on Saturday that the Kang Nam 1 was being closely watched and is now in the East China Sea.

“I believe we are seeing the effects of the UN Security Council resolution,” he said.

On Friday, South Korean news channel YTN quoted an unidentified diplomatic official as saying that Burma requested that the Kang Nam 1 turn around.

The US State Department announced on Tuesday that it had frozen the US assets of Namchongang Trading Corp and Iran-based Hong Kong Electronics to curtail North Korea’s ability to trade in missiles and nuclear materials. Namchongang Trading Corp is allegedly connected to the Burmese arms industry.

THE WHOLE ACTIVISTS HOLD GLOBAL ASSEMBLIES IN NY

Global Call for
Holding Assemblies against Burmese Military Dictatorship

Subject: : Requesting to hold an assembly in your respective regions.

To
All ethnic brothers, pro-democracy activists, organizations and individuals of Burma,

After struggling over twenty years for peace, justice and freedom for our motherland, it is a time to launch people to people tie power and move forward with clear-cut political stand to overthrow the Burmese military regime.

We are trying to convene a conference in July 3rd and 4th 2009 in Utica, NY, USA based on following three fundamental political objectives:
To against 2010 sham elections
To confront the military regime by all means necessary
To establish a Federal United States of Burma

We humbly request all organizations and individuals, whoever endorses these three fundamental political objectives, to convene an assembly in your respective regions.

As necessary, we must mutually establish global co-operation among our grass-roots.



In Solidarity,


Conference Convening Committee
conferenceusa2009@gmail.com

WATCH "THE PHILANTHORPIST Episode 2 "MYANMAR"

Take a sneak peek of THE PHILANTHROPIST episode 2 "Myanmar" airing this Wednesday, July 1 on NBC (10-11 p.m.) Also watch the most recent episode of THE PHILANTHROPIST here

Episode Synopsis: THE PHILANTHROPIST Episode 2 "Myanmar" - The Maidstone-Rist Company is outed by a human rights organization as having ties to businesses in Myanmar, also known as Burma, where there is oil and gas exploration using forced labor. Teddy (James Purefoy) decides the only way to conclude whether to continue their business activities in the country is to get advice from Daw May Lin Wai, a revered Burmese democratic leader who has been under house arrest in the country for nearly two decades. During his search for Lin Wai, Teddy meets a young girl, desperately in need of a kidney transplant. The girl’s father is a suitable donor but he’s being kept at a forced labor camp and it is feared that he won’t get to his daughter in time to save her life. Back in New York, Philip (Jesse L. Martin) and Olivia (Neve Campbell) desperately try to explain Teddy’s behavior to an irate board of directors. Michael Kenneth Williams also stars.

Show Cast: James Purefoy, Jesse L. Martin, Neve Campbell, Krista Allen, Michael Kenneth Williams, Dominique McElligott, James Albrecht, Lindy Booth, Bonnie Henna http://www.daemonstv.com/2009/06/29/the-philanthropist-episode-2-myanmar/

BAN OVER RISKY TRIP AND US BAN NORTH KOREA AND BURMA

UN chief Ban Ki-moon prepared Thursday for a risky visit to Myanmar amid warnings that the trip will be a "huge failure" if he fails to secure the release of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Ban is set to arrive in the military-ruled nation on Friday for a two-day visit that the UN says will focus on pressing the junta to free all political prisoners, including the Nobel peace laureate, who is currently on trial.

He is due to meet junta leader Senior General Than Shwe and members of opposition parties including Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), but there are no plans yet for him to meet her, officials said.

The 64-year-old was transferred from house arrest to prison in May to face trial on charges of breaching the terms of her detention after an American man swam to her house. She faces up to five years in jail if convicted.

Human Rights Watch said Ban should not accept the return of Aung San Suu Kyi to house arrest, instead of imprisonment, as a sign of a successful visit.

"Time and again, the UN has politely requested Aung San Suu Kyi's release, but her 'release' back to house arrest would be a huge failure," Kenneth Roth, New York-based HRW's executive director, said in a statement.

"Ban Ki-moon has offered Burma's generals a roadmap to ending their international isolation... He should make it clear that the time for stalling and playing games is over and that real change is needed now," he added.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been in detention or under house arrest for most of the time since the junta refused to recognise her party's landslide victory in Myanmar's last elections, in 1990.

Her trial is due to resume on Friday, alongside that of US national John Yettaw, and NLD spokesman Nyan Win said that he would see her later Thursday ahead of Ban's arrival in Myanmar.

"The authorities informed us that five central executive committee members of the NLD are to meet Mr Ban Ki-moon. We don't know details yet," Nyan Win told AFP.

He said the five did not include Aung San Suu Kyi, despite declaring earlier this week that any visit by Ban to Myanmar should include seeing the democracy icon.

Myanmar officials said Ban would meet Than Shwe in the remote administrative capital Naypyidaw on Friday, as well as with members of 10 political parties including the NLD, before flying back to Yangon on Saturday.

The visit is Ban's first to Myanmar since he came to urge the junta to accept international aid in the wake of devastating Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, which killed around 138,000 people.

Ban acknowledged this week that the latest trip was diplomatically risky as it coincides with the internationally condemned trial, but said that finding an appropriate time to come to Myanmar had been a challenge.

Speaking in Tokyo on Tuesday, he urged Myanmar to release all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi and resume dialogue with opposition leaders.

The UN says that there are more than 2,100 political prisoners held in Myanmar. The junta handed out heavy jail terms to dozens of activists last year, many of them involved in protests led by Buddhist monks in 2007.

Critics have accused the junta of using the trial to keep Aung San Suu Kyi locked up for elections that the ruling generals have promised in 2010.

HRW said Ban should not accept "vague statements" from the regime about political reform ahead of the polls.

"There is a real danger that Burma's generals will try to use Ban's visit to legitimise the 2010 elections," said Roth, adding that the UN Security Council and regional blocs had so far "failed the Burmese people".

Myanmar has been ruled by the military since 1962 and was formerly known as Burma.



***************US Ban Related to N Korea-Burma Arms Deal **************

The United States took steps on Tuesday to curtail what it sees as North Korea's ability to trade in missiles and nuclear materials, with the Treasury and State Department announcing actions against two North Korean companies, one of which is allegedly connected to the Burmese arms industry.

The US imposed sanctions and froze the US assets of Namchongang Trading Corp and Iran-based Hong Kong Electronics in an apparent attempt to choke off the firms’ funds.

The two companies are charged with being at the center of Pyongyang's attempts to export its nuclear and long-range missile technologies, according to US officials.

The US sanctions bar any US firms from conducting business with Namchongang and Hong Kong Electronics.

Accordingly to the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, US officials said Namchongang Trading Corp has aided the Burmese arms industry and was importing centrifuge equipment that North Korea is using to develop a uranium enrichment capability. Uranium, when enriched to a weapons grade, can be used to build atomic weapons.

Namchongang is headed by Yun Ho Jin, a former senior North Korean diplomat who served at Pyongyang's mission to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's atomic watchdog. He is also believed to be closely aligned with senior members of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's government.

US officials alleged Hong Kong Electronics was playing a key role in facilitating the weapons trade between North Korea and Iran.

The Wall Street Journal on Thursday reported US Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey as saying, “North Korea uses front companies like Hong Kong Electronics and a range of other deceptive practices to obscure the true nature of its financial dealings.”

Meanwhile, the Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Thursday that the Toko Boeki trading company was linked by Japanese police with attempts to export high-tech equipment with arms applications to Burma, and is suspected of shipping several other devices with potential for making weapons of mass destruction to the junta as well..

Kanagawa prefectural police said North Korean Lee Kyoung Ho, the president of the Toko Boeki firm, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of attempting to ship a magnetic measuring instrument from Yokohama port to Burma via Malaysia on January 23, a device that could potentially be used to produce weapons of mass destruction, said the Yomiuri Shimbun.

The Japanese newspaper said Tokyo-based Toko Boeki has allegedly been exporting instruments that can be used to produce missiles to Burma without government permission since 2006, one year before the two countries resumed diplomatic relations.

NLD URGES BAN TO MEET DEMOCRACY ICON

“As he will be coming here on a political matter relating to Burma, he should meet NLD’s General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi. Only after he meets her, can we say his visit has been fruitful,” Nyan Win said.

The UN chief, currently on a tour of Japan, will be on a two-day visit to Burma in an attempt to address the political imbroglio in the country and to free Aung San Suu Kyi, said Michele Montas, Ban Ki-moon’s spokesperson on Monday.

“Ban looks forward to returning to Myanmar [Burma] to address the senior leadership directly on a broad range of issues, including longstanding concerns to the United Nations and to the international community,” said Montas.

She added that Ban during his visit will try to resolve the issues of political prisoners, the resumption of dialogue between the government and the opposition, to achieve national reconciliation, and set the stage for credible elections slated for 2010.

“We also agree that the three objectives of Ban are the most important things to address regarding Burma’s political problems,” Nyan Win said. “But it is impossible to gauge if Ban will be able to solve the problems before he winds up his trip.

The announcement on Ban’s trip came following his special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari’s return from a visit last weekend to Burma’s new jungle capital Naypyitaw, where he met junta’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nyan Win.

Meanwhile, the Burma Campaign UK, a group advocating democracy and human rights in Burma, on Monday urged Ban to use his visit to deliver concrete results whether or not the regime responds positively to diplomatic pressure.

"We have had 20 years of UN envoys going back and forth to Burma and nothing to show for it. We need Ban Ki-moon to personally take the lead, but he must deliver practical results, such as the release of all political prisoners," said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator of Burma Campaign UK.

“Talking to the generals is a means to an end, but so far the UN seems to treat talks alone as a success. Ban Ki-moon must deliver the strongest possible message to Than Shwe that they can no longer defy the Security Council," she added.

The timing of Ban’s visit coincides with Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial which will resume on July 3.

Aung San Suu Kyi is currently on trial for flouting the terms of her house arrest after an uninvited American man, John William Yettaw, swam to her lakeside residence and stayed there for two nights in early May.

Montas added, Ban will also discuss the joint humanitarian effort following his visit to Burma in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis on May 2 and 3, 2008, which left at least 140,000 dead or missing and devastated the lives of more than 2.4 million people rendered homeless with lack of food.

MISSLILE TECH SMUGGLES FROM JAPAN TO BURMA

Japanese police arrested three top businessmen on Monday on suspicion of attempting to export to Burma a measuring instrument that could be used to develop long-range ballistic missile systems, Japanese newspapers reported.

Accordingly to the newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, Japanese police initially believed that the three—all of them presidents of Japanese companies—were trying to export the device to North Korea via Burma.

But then suspicions hardened that the nominal North Korean importer had exported other missile development-related equipment to Burma, leading the police to believe that “North Korea was attempting to promote the transfer of missile technologies, such as its Taepodong system, to Myanmar [Burma].”

The three businessmen, arrested on suspicion of violating the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law, were identified as Lee Kyoung Ho, 41, an ethnic Korean resident and president of the trading firm Toko Boeki; Miaki Katsuki, 75, president of a manufacturing firm; and Yasuhiko Muto, 57, president of an export agency.

According to the police, the three conspired to export the magnetic measuring device to Burma via Malaysia around January 2009 at a price of about 7 million yen (US $73,000), the newspaper report said.

Export of the device is restricted under regulations that prohibit exports of products that could be used for weapons of mass destruction.

The newspaper said that around September 2008, the company had also tried to export the same instrument to Burma’s Ministry for Industry 2, which plays a key supporting role in Burma's nuclear program as the chairman of the Myanmar [Burma] Atomic Energy Committee.

The Japanese newspaper report said both attempts to export the device were aborted immediately before shipment when Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry notified the company that it had failed to submit an export application.

The export attempts were based on an order by the Beijing office of New East International Trading Ltd, based in Hong Kong, in early 2008. The firm is believed to be under the direct control of the Second Economic Committee of the Pyongyang's Workers' Party of Korea. The committee is responsible for the party's military procurement.

North Korea has a record of selling arms and military technology to Burma. It is suspected that this may include secret nuclear technology.

In 2004, a high-ranking US government official said North Korea had proposed the sale of missiles to Burma.

A North Korean cargo ship, Kang Nam 1, left a North Korean port reportedly for Burma on June 17, and is believed to be carrying weapons, missile parts or possibly even nuclear materials. A US Naval ship is shadowing the ship, which is being monitored under UN sanctions.

FREEDOM LOGO FOR BURMA'S FUTURE

These days, every political movement needs a logo, and who better to supply the hip revolutionary imagery than street artist Shepard Fairey, whose poster of Obama ("Hope") became a cultural phenomenon unto itself -- a Warholian meta-event that combined fashion, hipsterism and a political call to action.

Fairey has been bogged down with legal problems in recent weeks, but he's apparently found time to lend his creativity to another cause. Burmese dissident Aung San Suu Kyi is a human rights activist who has fought for years against the repressive regime of dictator Than Shwe. The Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist has been under house arrest for several years now, but that hasn't stopped her from campaigning with her political party, the National League for Democracy. In the last election, her party won a majority of seats in the Myanmar parliament but the ruling party has refused to let the winners take their seats.

The new poster of Suu Kyi was created by Fairey in cooperation with the Human Rights Action Center and the U.S. Campaign for Burma. (The two organizations are planning to stage a concert in Los Angeles in late fall to raise awareness for her democracy movement.) The colorful image depicts a smiling Suu Kyi wearing a dove design and features a sunburst emanating from behind her. The top of the poster reads "Freedom to Lead" in large letters, while at the bottom reads "Support Human Rights" and "Democracy in Burma."

While the Obama poster became a ubiquitous symbol -- featured on T-shirts, mugs, bumper stickers and of course, the Internet -- the new poster will have a tougher time reaching its audience thanks to the totalitarian practices of the Myanmar government. It's tough to say how Fairey's artwork will get past the censors, though as in other authoritarian regimes, the Internet and wireless communications have proven to be a consistent lifeline of communication with the outside. (Speaking of which, Culture Monster wonders if Fairey is working on a poster for slain Iranian protestor Neda Agha-Soltan.)

THE CELEBRATION OF DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI 'S 64 BIRTH DAY ( FORT WAYNE, IN)

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FINAL WITNESS TO COURT IN BURMA

A court at Yangon's Insein prison last month barred two senior members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) from giving evidence, but the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal against the decision.

"We gave our arguments to the Supreme Court for about one hour today. We do not have a date for the decision and must wait for it to be posted on the court's list," NLD spokesman and defence lawyer Nyan Win said.

The two barred witnesses are Win Tin, a journalist who was Myanmar's longest-serving political prisoner until his release in September, and detained deputy NLD leader Tin Oo.

"Regarding today's arguments, the prosecution complained about U Win Tin as he gave interviews to foreign media. We said that that is not related to the law," Nyan Win said. U is a term of respect in the Burmese language.

Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyers earlier this month successfully appealed against a ban on a third witness, while a fourth has already testified.

The prosecution has so far had 14 witnesses, adding to opposition and international claims that the proceedings are a show trial designed to keep the democracy icon locked up ahead of elections scheduled by the regime in 2010.

The UN envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, may visit the country later this week ahead of a possible trip by the world body's chief Ban Ki-moon in early July focusing on the trial, officials and diplomats say.

"We hope to meet Mr Gambari when he comes, as we did on his previous visits," Nyan Win said.

Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday thanked people around the world who sent her birthday wishes and called for her immediate release as she turned 64 in jail last week.

Famous names including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Beatles star Paul McCartney and US actor George Clooney offered support on a special website while events took place in more than 15 cities.

The charges against Aung San Suu Kyi come amid a wide-ranging crackdown on the opposition that has been carried out since the ruling generals crushed protests led by Buddhist monks in 2007.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has been ruled by the military since 1962.

Suu Kyi Says Thanks for Birthday Wishes from the Cell

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Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi thanked supporters around the world who sent her greetings for her 64th birthday last week while she remained in prison.

A spokesman for her political party, Nyan Win, said Monday the Nobel Peace laureate regretted she could not thank everyone individually. He said the well-wishers whose messages he delivered to her included British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Japanese and Australian governments, France's foreign minister, and a US senator.

Suu Kyi is being held in Rangoon's Insein Prison while being tried for violating the terms of her house arrest when an uninvited American man swam secretly to her closely guarded lakeside home last month and stayed two days. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison.

Lawyers met Suu Kyi and two of her companions at the prison Monday for two hours, Nyan Win said, and made preparations for their closing arguments, for which no date has yet been set.

Nyan Win said he delivered 50 packets of Indian-style Biriyani rice, chocolate cake and three bouquets of flowers to the prison for Suu Kyi's birthday last Friday but was not allowed to see her.

"She is very well," he said. "A doctor takes care of her health." Suu Kyi had been suffering from dehydration and low blood pressure just before being charged last month.

She treated her guards and the prison doctor to some of the food, he said.

Suu Kyi's trial has drawn outrage from the international community and local supporters who say the military government is using the affair as an excuse to keep her detained through elections scheduled for next year.

She has spent more than 13 of the past 19 years in detention without trial, mostly under house arrest.

US TRACES NORTH KOREAN NU-SHIP TO BURMA

"This administration - and our military - is fully prepared for any contingencies," Obama said in an interview with CBS when asked about reported North Korean intentions to fire a missile toward Hawaii on or about July 4.

Obama's comments came from a partial transcript of an interview that will air Monday on "The Early Show."

The U.S. suspects the cargo ship Kang Nam is carrying missiles and related parts, said the South Korean news network YTN, citing an intelligence source in the South.

Myanmar's military government, which faces an arms embargo from the United States and the European Union, has reportedly bought weapons from North Korea.

YTN said the U.S. has deployed a destroyer and is using satellites to track the ship, which was expected to travel to Myanmar via Singapore.

The ship is reportedly the first North Korean vessel to be tracked under the new UN sanctions.

Two U.S. officials said Thursday that the U.S. military had begun tracking the ship, which left port Wednesday and was traveling off China.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have spiked since North Korea conducted its second nuclear test explosion May 25.

It later declared it would expand its atomic bomb program and threatened war to protest the UN sanctions imposed in response to its nuclear test.

PRAYERS GO TO JAIL IN BURMA

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YANGON (AFP) – Myanmar has jailed two supporters of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi for one and a half years for insulting religion after they prayed at a pagoda for her release, her party has said.

Chit Pe and Aung Saw Wai, members of the detained Nobel laureate's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, were each sentenced last week, according to lawyer and NLD spokesman Nyan Win.

"They were sentenced... under the act of insulting religion," Nyan Win said.

The pair were arrested at their homes in April after they led a religious ceremony at a pagoda in Twante, about 40 kilometres (30 miles) west of Yangon, at which they offered prayers for their leader's freedom.

In a separate case, three youth members of the NLD were arrested ten days ago and are being held in custody, Nyan Win said.

"We do not know the details about their arrest but they were detained on remand under the Explosives Act," Nyan Win said.

Myanmar's military regime has kept Aung San Suu Kyi in detention for 13 of the past 19 years, after refusing to recognise the NLD's landslide victory in the country's last elections in 1990.

The pro-democracy icon is currently being held in Yangon's notorious Insein prison on charges of breaching her house arrest rules in May, when an American man swam uninvited to her lakeside residence.

Her supporters in the predominantly Buddhist country have traditionally prayed at pagodas for her freedom and for the release of the country's other political prisoners.

Myanmar authorities have frequently enforced the law against insulting religion -- which carries a penalty of up to two years in prison -- since Buddhist monks led protests against the junta in September 2007.

Aung San Suu Kyi turned 64 on Friday and supporters worldwide marked the day with calls for her release -- from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to US actors Julia Roberts and George Clooney.

Myanmar's top court will on Wednesday hear an appeal by her legal team to overturn a ban on two defence witnesses in the trial.

"We are preparing our arguments for the Supreme Court," Nyan Win said.

The main trial, at Insein prison, is set to resume on Friday.

British PM's wife hosts BURMA VJ film on Aung San Suu Kyi 's 64 th birthday anniversary

Sarah Brown hosted the first-ever film screening at the prime minister's Downing Street offices to raise awareness for a campaign calling on Myanmar's military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi before elections next year.

At least one minister and various charity bosses were to attend the showing of "Burma VJ", which a Foreign Office spokesman said "exposes the atrocities and injustices that have been taking place under the military regime."

It is comprised largely of footage filmed over a number of days by an undercover network of video journalists -- VJs -- using concealed cameras. It is due to be released nationwide on July 14.

Brown was in Brussels for a meeting of European Union leaders.

Aung San Suu Kyi has spent 13 of the last 19 years in detention since the junta refused to recognise her National League for Democracy's (NLD) landslide victory elections in 1990.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate is set to spend her birthday on Friday at Yangon's notorious Insein prison, where she is being held on charges of having violated her house arrest after an American man swam to her lakeside house.

The Downing Street screening is in aid of the campaign '64 Words for Aung San Suu Kyi', in which world leaders including Brown and celebrities such as George Clooney and Julia Roberts sent her messages of support.


*********Britain wants more Myanmar sanctions over Suu Kyi*************************


LONDON (Reuters) – Britain wants further targeted international financial sanctions to increase pressure on Myanmar to free opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, a minister said on Thursday.

Suu Kyi, who turns 64 on Friday, is on trial for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest.

Her trial, set to resume on June 26, has angered Britain and other Western countries, which say it is aimed at excluding her from elections next year.

Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis said the European Union would consider further sanctions against Myanmar's military government once Suu Kyi's trial was over.

"We (Britain) continue to believe that further targeted financial sanctions would increase pressure on the regime," he told reporters.

In April, the EU extended visa bans and asset freezes on officials and firms linked to Myanmar's rulers for another year, citing human rights and democracy concerns.

Suu Kyi faces three to five years in prison if found guilty of breaking the terms of her house arrest by letting an American intruder stay for two days after he swam to her home in May.

Lewis said Suu Kyi was being tried on "ridiculous and bogus trumped-up charges." Britain wants U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to visit Myanmar soon after the trial is over, Lewis said.

Ban's mission would be to send "very strong messages about what we require of the Burmese (Myanmar) regime if there is to be any prospect in the future of an easing of sanctions and any kind of normalization of international relations."

Britain wants all political prisoners freed and political reforms leading to a civilian, democratic government.

Western diplomats at the United Nations said this week that Myanmar's rulers had invited Ban to visit in early July.

The British ambassador to Myanmar, Mark Canning, speaking by video link from Yangon, said there was no doubt Suu Kyi would be found guilty, and that she would probably be sentenced to a further period of house arrest, rather than sent to jail.

He said the trial has been a disaster for the Myanmar government by raising Suu Kyi's profile.

Countries such as Singapore and Thailand were saying that investment from their countries would not flow to Myanmar until the situation was more stable, he said.

Suu Kyi has been detained for more than 13 of the last 19 years. Myanmar's junta has refused to recognize a 1990 landslide election victory by her National League for Democracy.

(Editing by Kevin Liffey)

U.N.'s Ban urged to help free Myanmar prisoners

The petition calls on Ban and his special envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the democratic opposition in the country formerly known as Burma, and other political prisoners.

Suu Kyi is currently on trial for allegedly violating the terms of her imprisonment.

U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas confirmed on Tuesday that Gambari had received the petition.

"The release of all political prisoners is the first and most important step toward freedom and democracy in Burma," the petition says. "We, the undersigned, call upon U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to make it his personal priority to secure the release of all of Burma's political prisoners."

More than 670,000 signatures were collected in some 220 countries and territories, said the petition organizers, who include former political prisoners and human rights activists.

Among the Burmese activists behind the petition are Khin Ohmar, vice chairwoman of the Burmese Women's Union, and former political prisoners Tate Naing and Aung Din.

Myanmar is holding 2,100 political prisoners and since October more than 350 prisoners have been given jail sentences of up to 104 years, according to a statement issued by the Czech Republic, which has helped publicize the petition.

Among the world figures who signed the petition is former Czech President Vaclav Havel, who spent many years in prison due to his activities as an anti-communist dissident.

The trial of Suu Kyi and of American John Yettaw, whose uninvited visit to her home last month was deemed a breach of her house arrest, is set to resume on June 26. Suu Kyi faces up to five years in prison if found guilty.

Ban is considering a visit to Myanmar next month to personally urge the junta generals to keep their promises to democratize.


*************China Adds ‘Democracy,’ ‘Economic Growth’ to Burma Policy ************

According to a Chinese language news website, www.news.qq.com, Wen said in order to achieve Burma’s national reconciliation, safeguard national stability and economic development, Beijing hoped the military government would promote democracy.

Apart from the political situation in Burma, Wen also spoke of the nearly six decade long diplomatic ties between the neighboring countries as well as sustained bilateral relations.

The Chinese media reported that Maung Aye said during his meeting with Wen on Tuesday that “Paukphaw,” or deep friendship relation between Burma and China, have been deepen even more. He thanked the Chinese government for its aid for economic and social development in Burma.

Maung Aye also said Burma supported the one-China policy when he met with Premier Wen, the Chinese media reported.

Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese analyst based on the Sino-Burmese border, said it was a positive step for Bejing to add democracy, national reconciliation and economic development to its old policy of “stability” in Burma.

“Wen Jiabao’s words of national reconciliation, stability and economic development to Gen Maung Aye reflected China’s current Burma policy,” he said.

However, other Burma observers are still skeptical about China’s policy on Burma, saying Beijing only focuses on its own economic and military interests in regard to Burma.

“I do not expect much out of this visit and certainly not Chinese pressure on Naypyidaw to adopt reforms,” Jeff Kingston, the director of Asian Studies at Temple University’s Japan campus, told The Irrawaddy.

“China wants stability on its border and even if it has some reservations about the SPDC's methods and capabilities, it shows no inclination to gamble on democracy or condemn human rights abuses.”

He noted that Burma’s powerful neighbors, China and India, are its largest trading partners and their dependence on natural resources and desire for a stable Burma trump their interests in a free and democratic Burma.

“The development of Burma is for their own interests,” he said.

During his China visit, Muang Aye was accompanied by ministers and seniors officials of Burma’s Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Energy as well as representatives from Burmese businesses.

According to Aung Kyaw Zaw, www.news.qq.com also recently republished an article by Swedish journalist Bertil Lintner on North Korea’s involvement in tunnel and underground facility construction in Burma.

Observers say Beijing is observing the relationship between Burma and North Korea, and does not want North Korea to help the Burmese generals achieve nuclear or missile capabilities, such as in Iran and Syria.

“Definitely, China will not want two more nuclear power countries on its northeast and southwest border,” Aung Kyaw Zaw said.

In last year, officials of Burma and North Korea exchanged a number of visits. Burmese foreign minister Nyan Win visited North Korea in October 2008. In November 2008, North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Young Il stopped in Burma before he flew to Iran. The junta’s No 3 leader, General Shwe Mann, reportedly visited Pyongyang in April 2008.

During Maung Aye visit to China, Kim Jong Un, 26, the favored youngest son of the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Il, also made a secret trip from Pyongyang to Beijing last week.

“It is interesting that Maung Aye's visit follows that by a delegation from North Korea, two pariah regimes that owe much to Beijing's support—economic, diplomatic and military,” said Kingston.

MOTHER GLORY

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JUNTA IS SEEKINGHELPER FOR FUTURE

On Sunday, the junta’s mouthpiece newspaper reported the visit of Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa to Burma. Rajapaksa was received in Naypyitaw by the Burmese Army Chief Snr. Gen Than Shwe -- a rare gesture by the junta supremo.

Similarly, Singapore’s former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on a four-day visit to Burma last week had meetings with Than Shwe and other junta brass.

Win Tin said, such visits are indications that the junta is seeking support from regional countries. He said the junta had not anticipated that there would be such a loud outcry from the international community by putting on trial Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“It [junta] seems to have miscalculated on the strong support for Aung San Suu Kyi by the international community,” Win Tin said.

The junta wants to gauge China’s reaction over the mounting pressure and is likely to go ahead and sentence the Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate, if China gives the green signal, he said.

According to Win Tin, the junta is determined to sentence Aung San Suu Kyi to a prison term and put her away before their proposed 2010 general elections. But it had not anticipated such an outburst from the international community.

Sources said Thura Shwe Mann, the third leader in the Burmese military hierarchy, last week visited China without making any official announcement. On Monday, the Chinese News Agency Xinhua reported that Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, number two in the military hierarchy, is visiting China.

Observers believe these visits are aimed at explaining and trying to convince China about the junta’s stand regarding the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi and the regime’s plans ahead.

Win Tin said, “Whatever the circumstances, the junta is likely go ahead with its plan if China approves.”

A HIGH NOBEL BUDDHIST MONK OF TIBET SENDS PRISE TO DAW SUU

LAWYAR MEETS the Nobel Peace Prize winner in jail

The Nobel Peace Prize winner faces up to five years in jail on charges of breaching the conditions of her house arrest after a bizarre incident in which an American man, John Yettaw, swam to her lakeside home in May.

Nyan Win, a spokesman for Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) and a member of her legal team, said before the visit that they would now try to get the remaining two witnesses at the trial.

They are Win Tin, a dissident journalist who was Myanmar's longest serving prisoner until his release in September, and Tin Oo, the detained deputy leader of the NLD.

'We will submit application to the high court tomorrow,' Nyan Win said.

So far only one legal expert, Kyi Win, has testified on behalf of Aung San Suu Kyi. The prosecution has called 14 witnesses, most of them policemen. Her trial is due to resume on Friday for a procedural hearing.

Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyers had initially accused the ruling junta of trying to push through to a widely expected guilty verdict, but diplomats said the regime now wanted to buy time to defuse the storm of protest over the trial.

US President Barack Obama has described the court proceedings as a 'show trial' while Myanmar's usually reticent Asian neighbours have expressed strong concerns. -- AFP

JUNTA DIGS OUT MONEY FROM NATION BY WIRELESS LAW

In the wake of Cyclone Nargis which lashed Burma in May 2008, people rely more on cheap short wave radios which are affordable by common people to get true facts and information relating to Burma. The use of these cheap radios among the people has increased considerably.

“After Nargis, Chinese manufactured radios have been on brisk sale. Now after Daw Suu has been put on trial, the radio is more in demand among people. Radios are selling like hot cakes. A radio can be bought at a mere Kyat 4, 500,” an electric appliances and electronic goods dealer said.

Most of the people are unaware about the need to pay tax for the use of the radio, a postal office staff said.

“It’s unimportant. No one knows about paying tax for listening to the radio,” he said.

Though the reminder was issued to pay radio tax through the state-run media, the postal offices in Burma haven’t yet received any specific instruction regarding the tax or the reminder, he added.

A list of radio users have been compiled this year and articles appeared recently in the state-run media reporting the government’s policy which says satellite receivers and dishes should not be permitted for public use.

Moreover, the Ministry of Communication is selling USD 50 worth one-time-use mobile SIM cards, envelopes and is now introducing three-months-advance bill payment for telephone users.

Though it issued a reminder to pay radio tax, the satellite receiver annual fees are yet to be accepted by the department concerned.

DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI UNDER HOUSE ARREST AGAIN

Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest again
The Burmese military junta is preparing to put pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, currently facing trial in Rangoon’s Insein court, under house arrest again, this time in a military base on the outskirts of Rangoon, sources close to the military said.

The source said, the junta is preparing to put the Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in a house in Ye Mon town, which is also the base of the Light Infantry Division (11), on the outskirts of Rangoon.

Though the trial against the Burmese democracy icon continues to be held in the northern district court in Insein prison, the junta has already decided to put Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest yet again, the source added.
"The rumor sprades around Rangoon and most of the residents in the city are angry", said Tin Aye (a member of NLD Youth).
"Now the finial match is almost done and I do not see any kind of action to rescuse Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from international governments and overseas Burmese activists", Myint Maung(Rangoon Business man) tell 88GSE.
That news flows out from Junta office after Former Singapore prime minister Goh Chok Tong visited Myanmar to amid international pressure on the military regime to halt its trial of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.



***********Junta court grants Suu Kyi 1 more witness and ban on two Suu Kyi witnesses
A Myanmar court ruled Tuesday that pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be allowed to have one more defense witness — not three as requested by her lawyers — at a trial that has sparked global outrage.

The Yangon Divisional Court reversed a decision by the lower court judges presiding over Suu Kyi's trial to disqualify three defense witnesses, leaving her defense team with just one.

The higher court's ruling means that two senior member of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy will still be barred from giving testimony. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate is on trial on charges of breaking the terms of her house arrest.

Suu Kyi's lawyers immediately said they planned to appeal the decision.

"The court has only partly accepted our appeal," said defense attorney Nyan Win, who said Suu Kyi's legal team planned to appeal to the High Court later this week to seek the reinstatement of the other two witnesses.

It was not clear if an appeal would delay closing arguments, which were scheduled to begin on Friday, or if it would be permitted.

The mostly closed-door trial, which started May 18, is taking place inside Insein Prison, home to many of the junta's political prisoners.

Security was tightened outside the Divisional Court ahead of the ruling. Truckloads of riot police were stationed near the court, where a group of pro-junta supporters gathered outside. Anti-government protests are illegal in Myanmar.

Suu Kyi's defense team had argued that Suu Kyi was legally entitled to have more witnesses, particularly in such an important case, Nyan Win said ahead of Tuesday's ruling. He said the decision to bar all but one witness was "not in accord with the law."
The three witnesses rejected by the lower court were all members of the National League for Democracy party, although the two who remained disqualified are more senior. Tuesday's ruling reinstated the lawyer Khin Moe Moe as a witness, but maintained the disqualification of prominent journalist and former political prisoner Win Tin, and the party's vice chairman Tin Oo, currently under house arrest.

Nyan Win said he believed the court did not accept Win Tin and Tin Oo because "These two persons are very senior members of the party and these people can give statements with political essence."

The court had approved 23 prosecution witnesses, of whom 14 took the stand, according to Suu Kyi's lawyers.

The defense has not contested the basic facts of the case but argues that the relevant law has been misapplied by the authorities. They also assert that any intrusion was the responsibility of the security forces guarding the house.

Two women members of Suu Kyi's party who are her sole companions in house arrest and the American, John Yettaw, are being tried with her on the same charge.