Burma Update: January 31, 2008

Highlight

International Crisis Group: Burma/Myanmar: After the Crackdown [Report]

"The violent crushing of protests led by Buddhist monks in Burma/Myanmar in late 2007 has caused even allies of the military government to recognise that change is desperately needed. China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have thrown their support behind the efforts by the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy to re-open talks on national reconciliation, while the U.S. and others have stepped up their sanctions. But neither incomplete punitive measures nor intermittent talks are likely to bring about major reforms. Myanmar’s neighbours and the West must press together for a sustainable process of national reconciliation. This will require a long-term effort by all who can make a difference, combining robust diplomacy with serious efforts to address the deep-seated structural obstacles to peace, democracy and development..."

UN Secretary-General: Children and Armed Conflict [Report]


News from Burmese Media

Democratic Voice of Burma: Detained Poet Denied Visits and Parcels
Democratic Voice of Burma: NLD Member Beaten During Interrogation
Democratic Voice of Burma: Bomb Kills KNU Defector’s Son-In-Law
Democratic Voice of Burma: Skin Disease Causes School Closures in Mae Sai
Mizzima News: Burma Still Using Child Soldiers: HREIB
Kachin News Group: Junta Makes White Colour ID Cards for Sumprabum Residents
Shan Herald Agency for News: Border Opening a One-Sided Love Affair
Shan Herald Agency for News: Activists to Celebrate ‘Bad Day’ of Junta Leader
New Light of Myanmar: Relations Minister meets Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Big Rise in Number of Burma’s Political Prisoners
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Unimportant Topics Take Up All the Time, Says Suu Kyi
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burmese People “Must Prepare for the Worst”
Irrawaddy News Magazine: US Demands “Time-bound Dialogue” in Burma
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Migrant Workers in Thailand to Register for Two-year Extension


News from Global Media

The Straits Times: Myanmar Nationals Remember Demo Victims with 'Rambo' Screening
Reuters: B'desh Imports 180,000 Tonnes of Rice from Myanmar
AFP: Analysts Dismiss Myanmar Talks With Suu Kyi As A Sham
Hindustan Times: Myanmar Junta Steps Up Policing of Internet
Monsters and Critics: Think Tank Urges Indonesian Initiative on Myanmar
The Straits Times: UN Chief should Visit Myanmar to Push for Diplomacy: Think Tank
Al Jazeera: Myanmar Resources Offer Few Riches
UN News Centre: Some 250,000 Children Worldwide Recruited to Fight in Wars – UN Official


Multimedia

Irrawaddy News Magazine: The Railway Bazaar - Yeni


Opinion/Other

Mizzima News: Of Hope and Moral Politics [Opinion] - Christopher Smith
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Prepare for the Worst, Not the Best [Editorial]


Statement/Press Release

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma): Number of Political Prisoners Increases in 2007; Crackdown in Burma Continues
International Crisis Group: Burma/Myanmar: After the Crackdown


Report/Briefer

ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus: Myanmar/Burma News Update 76