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[NYT] Myanmar Troops Gain on Rebels as Villagers Flee
[For the first time in at least a decade, Myanmar’s central government controls most of its own border with Thailand. By the standards of most countries this might not be considered a major accomplishment. But Myanmar has been fighting ethnic Karen rebels along the mountainous border for nearly as long as it has existed as an independent country.]
BP: Worth reading this article in its entirety.
[WSJ] Sean Turnell: How Myanmar’s Corrupt Junta Robbed Burma
[The drawn-out show trial of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has once again focused attention on Burma and sparked discussion on how to engage the regime. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently suggested development aid as a carrot to coax the generals to talk. But contrary to popular belief, the junta isn’t as poor as it claims to be.]
BP: Interesting op-ed on Burmese regime finances.
[Reuters] Thailand to import gas from Myanmar's M9 late 2013
[It is expected to have petroleum reserves of 1.5 trillion cubic feet per day and needs at least $1 billion for investment, he said.]
BP: Thailand is energy dependent on Burma.
[Bangkok Post] On prickly issues, a gentler tread would help
[Mrs Clinton should understand full well that Asean - of which Burma is a member - wishes to handle any issue regarding its members as an ''internal affair'' for the regional grouping to decide on.
To have aired Washington's position at such a venue could not be interpreted otherwise but as an ill-conceived move bordering on interference in the organisation's internal affairs.]
BP: Was she too harsh on Burma?? This is the first criticism that BP has seen on her being too harsh.
[Washington Post] Clinton Presses Burma to Release Nobel Laureate, Offering Possible Benefits - washingtonpost.com
[Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made an explicit appeal to Burma on Wednesday to release jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, offering the prospect of direct U.S. investment in the repressive Southeast Asian nation.]
[BERNAMA] Thailand Needs Bolder Approach On Myanmar
[Thailand needs a bolder approach in dealing with Myanmar to show that engagement with the country could produce concrete results and not empty promises, said the Human Rights Watch (HRW).]
[AFP] Myanmar ophans flee to uncertain refuge in Thailand
[A sudden offensive against ethnic Karen rebels by Myanmar's military junta has caused what aid groups say is the biggest exodus of refugees from Myanmar since 1997, with some 4,000 people fleeing for safety since the start of June.
Just weeks ago the group of 96 destitute orphans fled their children's home in Myanmar to the sound of mortar shells and crossed into Thailand.]
[Asia Times] Time to Engage the Burmese Generals?
[In the last year, he has been to Burma six times and travelled extensively. He has seen profound changes and traditional barriers falling away. All the more case, Thant says, for a campaign to engage with the generals.
"It was a narrow approach," he said. "We tried to further isolate the country as it was coming out of its own isolations. They built a wall around themselves in the 1960s and 70s, and then we built another wall around that." ]
BP: His grandfather is former UN Sec-Gen U Thant.
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In the last year, he has been to Burma six times and travelled extensively. He
has seen profound changes and traditional barriers falling away. All the more
case, Thant says, for a campaign to engage with the generals.
[CS Monitor] North Korean ship poses challenge for US allies along its route
"The Kang Nam is believed to be carrying conventional small arms. In the past, North Korea has sold artillery and rocket launchers to Burma, says Bertil Lintner, a Thailand-based journalist and author of several books on both countries. In 2007, the same vessel docked in Burma and offloaded some heavy equipment, fueling suspicions of weapon systems transfers."
[IPS] Distrust of Junta Deters Donors
"Burma’s military regime is struggling to attract international aid nearly six months after the powerful Cyclone Nargis tore through the country’s Irrawaddy Delta. The financial shortfall has more to do with distrust of the junta than donor fatigue.
Curr
(3 July) Border Conflict With Burma Brewing? [Jotman]
"Some Thais recently ignited a border dispute with Cambodia over Preah Vihear temple. A new report suggests another longstanding territorial dispute may be heating up on Thailand's Western border"
(12 June) One Million Survivors Not Yet Reached - U.N. [IPS]
Yet, according to the U.N., so far more than one million survivors have not been reached. Cyclone Nargis killed 130,000 to possibly 300,000 people and affected 2.5 million to 5.5 million people.
(6 June) Myanmar | A month of misery | [Economist.com]
"Ignoring protests from aid workers, the regime has begun clearing relief camps and forcing refugees back to the wreckage of their villages, fearing that the tented camps might otherwise become permanent" [BP: Read the whole thing]
(13 May) Burma Accepts More Supplies from the US [ABC]
"The first delivery of US relief supplies has been delivered to Burma, with 14 tonnes of water, blankets and mosquito nets...director of US foreign disaster assistance, Ky Luu, says Burma has given permission for two more flights to land Wednesday"
(13 May) Samak to Burma [Bangkok Post]
"The prime minister is due to visit Burma on Wednesday...The premier will be seeking to serve as the mediator between the Burmese military junta and the international community to allow access to foreign aid workers"
(11 May) Narrow escapes for CNN reporter in Myanmar [AP]
A CNN reporter who left Myanmar Friday was chased by authorities as he reported on the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis but escaped primarily because of the incompetence of the people after him. [BP: Interesting story]
(10 May) Samak Still Considering Going to Burma [Bangkok Post ]
There still are no plans for the premier to fly to Burma. He said he would visit the country on Sunday if he felt there was a chance he could negotiate with the military dictatorship and convince the generals to accept foreign aid and experts.
(7 May) China Red Cross organizing donors, preparing to send relief aid to cyclone-hit Myanmar [Bangkok Post}
"We're watching the developments in Myanmar very closely," said Fan Ling, assistant to the relief division chief at the provincial Red Cross. Yunnan province borders Myanmar." [BP: Article notes the Chinese (government ?) have given US$1million so far]
(7 May) Indonesia To Provide US$1 million to Burma [Bangkok Post]
Indonesia, the country worst hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, said Wednesday it would soon send emergency aid worth US$1 million (⊘640,000) to cyclone-hit Myanmar [BP: Thailand's US$100,000 seems paltry now, when will they up the number?]
(7 May) ADB Money to Burma [Bangkok Post ]
The Asian Development Bank said Wednesday that it was allocating $500 million to tackle skyrocketing food costs in the region.
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