The United States said Thursday it would take the matter seriously if there are any indications of North Korea selling rocket launchers to Burma, though the US State Department could not confirm the report that appeared in the Japanese media on Wednesday.
“We've seen those reports, but we don't have any information that would be able to substantiate them,” State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters in Washington.
“Certainly, though, we would take seriously any indications that there have been violations of the various sanctions that were imposed on North Korea after its nuclear test the previous year,” Casey said.
The Japanese NHK public broadcast reported Wednesday that North Korea has been selling rocket launchers to Burma in violation of UN sanctions imposed against North Korea after it conducted nuclear tests in 2006.
Quoting the NHK report, news agencies reported the sale of rocket launchers was being handled by an unnamed Singapore trading country. No other immediate details were available however.
Htay Aung, a Burmese military researcher based in Thailand, told The Irrawaddy on Friday the Burmese military junta is seeking arms and other military equipment anywhere in the world to upgrade its Tatmadaw (armed forces).
“North Korea is one country among them,” he said. “But what we see is that Naypyidaw’s military upgrading seems to aim at external threats rather than internal ones, because the generals don’t need these kind of rockets to attack guerrilla groups. It is not useful for guerrilla warfare.”
Htay Aung added he heard that the Burmese army had set up new artillery, such as howitzers and rocket-launchers, along Burma’s eastern border. “Of course, the Royal Thai Army is scanning every footstep of the Burmese army,” Htay Aung added. “It means there is an ongoing arms race between Thailand and Burma in silence.”
Burmese-North Korean military ties are said to have been reestablished in 1999 when members of the Burmese junta paid a low-profile visit to the rogue state. The junta sent a delegation to North Korea secretly again in November 2000 for a meeting with high-ranking officials of North Korea’s the People’s Armed Forces. A North Korean delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Park Kil-yon met with his counterpart, Khin Maung Win, in June 2001.
Military analysts say the North Korean regime has provided weapons, military technology transfers and expertise in underground tunneling used for concealing secret military installations and, since 2002, dozens of North Korean technicians have worked for the Tatmadaw.
Burma and North Korea restored diplomatic ties last year ending a diplomatic crisis after North Korean special agents assassinated 18 South Korean officials, including four cabinet ministers, who were on a delegation to Burma in 1983.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
NLD banned from visiting prisoners
An assistance programme run by the National League for Democracy providing food and other necessities to inmates of Insein prison has been stopped by new regulations, an NLD member said.
The NLD had been visiting about 50 people held at the prison, including around 30 monks who were arrested after the September 2007 demonstrations, to provide them with packages containing food and other items.
The NLD member said most of the monks were from the well-known Ngway Kyar Yan, Shwe Taung and Maggin monasteries and the detained laypeople were from Arakan State, Shan state and Magwe division and so their own families found it difficult to visit them.
But now prison authorities have banned non-family members from visiting the detainees or giving parcels.
“We have been doing this to give assistance to monks and detainees from areas outside Rangoon as it was impossible for their families to come visit them regularly,” the NLD member said.
“On Tuesday, the Insein prison authorities set out a new regulation concerning prison visits, which says that only family members are now allowed to visit the detainees.”
The NLD had been visiting about 50 people held at the prison, including around 30 monks who were arrested after the September 2007 demonstrations, to provide them with packages containing food and other items.
The NLD member said most of the monks were from the well-known Ngway Kyar Yan, Shwe Taung and Maggin monasteries and the detained laypeople were from Arakan State, Shan state and Magwe division and so their own families found it difficult to visit them.
But now prison authorities have banned non-family members from visiting the detainees or giving parcels.
“We have been doing this to give assistance to monks and detainees from areas outside Rangoon as it was impossible for their families to come visit them regularly,” the NLD member said.
“On Tuesday, the Insein prison authorities set out a new regulation concerning prison visits, which says that only family members are now allowed to visit the detainees.”
The US government has paved the way for tens of thousands of ethnic Karen refugees to apply to resettle in the United States.
Ellen Sauerbrey, US assistant secretary of state for population, refugees and migrations, said an anti-terrorism law that had barred many ethnic Karen refugees had been waived on Tuesday.
We look forward to welcoming thousands of refugees
Ellen Sauerbrey
Under stringent anti-terrorism laws passed after the September 11 attacks, people who provide "material support" to terrorist organizations are not eligible to resettle in the United States.
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Mr Kenneth Roth request to South Africa
SOUTH Africa was urged yesterday to help end human rights crises in Somalia and other countries, like Sudan and Myanmar, by putting to use its experience in ending apartheid.
South Africa’s UN Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, who assumed leadership of the 15-nation Security Council for the month of April on Tuesday, has spoken against UN inaction in places where the civilian population suffer from abusive regimes.
He had been calling for UN peacekeeping troops to end the conflicts in Somalia, but other council members fear conditions are not yet suitable for UN troops.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a letter to South Africa’s minister of foreign affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, that the council presidency should lead to significant progress on human rights crises in those countries.
“The Security Council should be signalling hope to civilians in crisis, but so far it has failed the people of Darfur, Burma and Somalia,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch.
“South Africa should lead the Security Council in a major new international effort to end horrible abuses in these places and save lives.”
The group urged South Africa to set up an international commission to investigate war crimes in Somalia and for an increased international human rights monitoring presence in the country.
“South Africa has a strong record of speaking out on the need for Security Council action on the appalling human rights situation in Somalia,” Roth said.
Separately yesterday, non-governmental organisations that are dedicated to relief assistance for Somalia called for a political framework to be decided by the council to end the conflicts there.
British Ambassador John Sawers, who met with the NGOs, said the political framework should include national reconciliation and measures aimed at ending impunity in a nation torn by decades of internal fighting.
South Africa’s UN Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, who assumed leadership of the 15-nation Security Council for the month of April on Tuesday, has spoken against UN inaction in places where the civilian population suffer from abusive regimes.
He had been calling for UN peacekeeping troops to end the conflicts in Somalia, but other council members fear conditions are not yet suitable for UN troops.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a letter to South Africa’s minister of foreign affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, that the council presidency should lead to significant progress on human rights crises in those countries.
“The Security Council should be signalling hope to civilians in crisis, but so far it has failed the people of Darfur, Burma and Somalia,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch.
“South Africa should lead the Security Council in a major new international effort to end horrible abuses in these places and save lives.”
The group urged South Africa to set up an international commission to investigate war crimes in Somalia and for an increased international human rights monitoring presence in the country.
“South Africa has a strong record of speaking out on the need for Security Council action on the appalling human rights situation in Somalia,” Roth said.
Separately yesterday, non-governmental organisations that are dedicated to relief assistance for Somalia called for a political framework to be decided by the council to end the conflicts there.
British Ambassador John Sawers, who met with the NGOs, said the political framework should include national reconciliation and measures aimed at ending impunity in a nation torn by decades of internal fighting.
NLD urges constitution no vote
Burma's opposition National League for Democracy has called on voters to reject the new constitution backed by the military government in a referendum next month.
A statement from the party said the draft constitution had been drawn-up one-sidedly by people chosen by the country's military rulers.
It said voters should clearly and bravely vote no.
The proposed constitution is the result of a lengthy process which the authorities say will lead to elections in 2010.
But the constitution bars the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi from standing for president.
Burma's opposition National League for Democracy has called on voters to reject the new constitution backed by the military government in a referendum next month.
A statement from the party said the draft constitution had been drawn-up one-sidedly by people chosen by the country's military rulers.
It said voters should clearly and bravely vote no.
The proposed constitution is the result of a lengthy process which the authorities say will lead to elections in 2010.
But the constitution bars the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi from standing for president.
NLD youth coordinator arrested
Ko Aung Htun, youth coordinator for the National League for Democracy in Thingangyun township, Rangoon, was arrested yesterday evening and is being held in an unknown location, his wife said.
Aung Htun was arrested at his house at around 11pm yesterday by the ward Peace and Development Council chairman and four other officials.
Ma Nweni Htun, Aung Htun’s wife, said she went to the ward PDC office about 30 minutes later to give her husband some medicine for his gastric problems but found he was no longer there.
Nweni Htun said she was worried about her husband as she does not know where he is being held.
Ko Aung Htun, youth coordinator for the National League for Democracy in Thingangyun township, Rangoon, was arrested yesterday evening and is being held in an unknown location, his wife said.
Aung Htun was arrested at his house at around 11pm yesterday by the ward Peace and Development Council chairman and four other officials.
Ma Nweni Htun, Aung Htun’s wife, said she went to the ward PDC office about 30 minutes later to give her husband some medicine for his gastric problems but found he was no longer there.
Nweni Htun said she was worried about her husband as she does not know where he is being held.
Monday, 31 March 2008
March for burmese muslim in Birghton(UK)
March for burmese muslim in Birghton(UK)
30.03.2007
Tomorrow, over 200 people were walk around the Brighton sea side for burmese muslim
at 12 noon to 2pm. And then MrNurul Islam was speech for Burmese Rohinga People and
Mr Kyaw Zwa was speech for all Burmese Muslim.They said: Muslim should not be able to forgive,forgot and trust the military people in power to create a mutual under-standing. We have fought for half a century without success. We fought for democracy and human rights. Now regime also starts to attack on Buddhist monks who protest peacefully. The protesters were arrested, tortured and killed until now.
NLD members arrested after demonstration
Thingangyun township authorities have arrested six National League for Democracy members in connection with a demonstration in front of the NLD headquarters in Bahan last Thursday.
Ko Khin Soe Oo, Ko Ye Zaw Htike, Ko Tin Oo Maung, Ko Aung Than Htun, Ko Aung Kyaw Oo and Ko Zarni Aung were arrested yesterday.
The demonstration was held on National Armed Forces Day last week to urge people to vote No to the constitution in the national referendum in May.
Around 40 young people attended the demonstration, carrying placards calling for dialogue and the release of political prisoners and denouncing the national referendum.
Ko Khin Soe Oo, Ko Ye Zaw Htike, Ko Tin Oo Maung, Ko Aung Than Htun, Ko Aung Kyaw Oo and Ko Zarni Aung were arrested yesterday.
The demonstration was held on National Armed Forces Day last week to urge people to vote No to the constitution in the national referendum in May.
Around 40 young people attended the demonstration, carrying placards calling for dialogue and the release of political prisoners and denouncing the national referendum.
Friday, 28 March 2008
UN rights body condemns Burma
UN rights body condemns Burma
The United Nations human rights council has strongly condemned Burma's record. In a resolution passed in Geneva, the body speaks of systematic rights violations and calls on Burma's military leaders to free all political prisoners immediately.
It also urges the authorities to open a dialogue with all political forces. But Burma's ruling generals have said there can be no room in the country's political process for the democratic opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
The United Nations human rights council has strongly condemned Burma's record. In a resolution passed in Geneva, the body speaks of systematic rights violations and calls on Burma's military leaders to free all political prisoners immediately.
It also urges the authorities to open a dialogue with all political forces. But Burma's ruling generals have said there can be no room in the country's political process for the democratic opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
Youths stage demonstration in front of NLD headquarter
About 40 young people staged a demonstration in Rangoon on National Armed Forces Day today to urge people to vote No in the upcoming national referendum in May.
The demonstration was held in front of the National League for Democracy headquarters in the former capital.
Witnesses said the youths carried placards bearing messages such as “We don't want the sham national referendum that will drive us to become slaves of the military and China”, “Release all political prisoners” and “Start dialogue now”.
They arrived at the NLD headquarters in Bahan township at around 11am and began their demonstration by chanting political slogans under the close watch of government officials.
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