Burma Update: January 19, 2008

Highlight

UN Security Council: Security Council Press Statement on Myanmar

"The following Security Council press statement was read out today by Council President Giadalla Ettalhi ( Libya):

Council members discussed the situation in Myanmar on 17 January with the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari. They reiterated their full support for his efforts.

Council members affirmed their support for the objectives set out in the Council’s presidential statement of 11 October 2007. They regretted the slow rate of progress so far towards meeting those objectives.

Council members underscored the importance of further progress, noting that an early visit to Myanmar by Mr. Gambari could help facilitate this. They looked forward to continuing contacts with the special envoy and will remain seized of the issue."


News from Burmese Media

Kaladan Press: Eight Bangladeshi Prisoners Released by Burma’s Authority
Kachin News Group: Illegal Chinese Phones Seized on Sino-Burma Border
Khonumthung News: Mizoram Chief Minister Urged for Democracy in Burma


News from Global Media

Voice of America: EU: UN Envoy Should Return to Burma to Seek Aung San Suu Kyi's Freedom
The Australian: Bodies Found in Thai Lake


Opinion/Other

Irrawaddy News Magazine: The China Factor - Min Zin
Dawn: A stable Myanmar to benefit India, China - John Feffer
The New Zealand Herald: The Joke's on Myanmar Now - Chris McGreal
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Time for Kyaw Hsan to Switch Off - Ye Ni
Inter Press Service News Agency: INDIA/CHINA: Eyeing Burma - John Feffer


Report/Briefer

Shan Herald Agency for News: Weekly Diary, No. 284 (12–18 January 2008)
- UNSC Meets on Burma - Again!
- Watch Out for Rambo, Generals, He's Coming!
- No Shortage of Rice, But People are Starving!
- Chinese Engineers Working on Tasang!

Burma Campaign UK
* Last Month in Burma (December 2007): News From and About Burma
* Last Month in Parliament (December 2007): A Summary of Burma-Related Issues in the British Parliament and Europe


Special Feature

* Irrawaddy News Magazine: Island Interlude [Beyond 1988—Reflections II] - Aung Naing Oo

September 1988, the Gulf of Mataban:

"Our hideout, “Aung Naing,” was a tiny island with just three buildings—the monastery that sheltered us, and two farmhouses, all on stilts to raise them above the waters that covered the island at high tide. Apart from the monastery’s few trees, the island was an expanse of rice fields, protected from the salt water by raised dykes and reeds.

Yet even in this quiet, sparsely inhabited place, we were concerned about being seen. We never visited the farmhouses, and remained within the monastery premises. We left the job of enquiring about the availability of boats to the abbot, who offered to find us one..."

* Irrawaddy News Magazine: The Catapult Threat [Beyond 1988—Reflections I] - Aung Naing Oo