Burma Update: February 20, 2008

News from Burmese Media

Democratic Voice of Burma: Water Project Destroys Farmlands
Democratic Voice of Burma: PNLO Strikes on Military Targets
Democratic Voice of Burma: U Gambira Faces New Charges
Mizzima News: Chin People will Oppose Referendum with All Its Might
Mizzima News: No to Referendum and Election: NMSP
Mizzima News: Completed Constitution Should be Open for Revision: NLD
Shan Herald Agency for News: Karen Leadership Takes Junta to Task for Killing
Kachin News Group: Air Bagan's ATR Aircraft Crashes in Putao; No Casualties
Khonumthung News: Burmese Regime Bans Chin Historical Day
Independent Mon News Agency: Tractor-Trailer Owners Forced to Buy Sand for Golf-Field
Kaladan Press Network: Rayaka Clerk and USDA Member Collects Taxes from Shopkeepers
Kaladan Press Network: ALP Member Arrested, Poppy Crops Destroyed by Bangladeshi Army
New Light of Myanmar: Commission Approves the Draft of the State Constitution
Irrawaddy News Magazine: DKBA Members Killed Mahn Sha: Karen Sources
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Pro-Democracy Groups Criticize Junta Constitution Plan
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burmese Exiles to Petition Congress on Chevron



News from Global Media

The New York Times: Myanmar: Suu Kyi Barred from Elections Under New Charter
International Herald Tribune: ASEAN Says Using Constitution to Bar Suu Kyi from Elections is 'Odd'
VOA: US Calls Proposed Burma Constitution a Failure
The Yomiuri Shimbun: Surge Seen of 'Stateless' Myanmar Minority
BBC: Burma Attacked over Constitution
Channel News Asia: Analysts Say Ban on Suu Kyi Shatters Hopes for Myanmar Polls
Xinhua Online: Indian Company to Explore Gas in Myanmar Inland Block
Scoop: UN Envoy: Myanmar Visit will be Brought Forward
The Straits Times: Nobel Laureates Call for Arms Embargo Against Myanmar



Opinion/Other

Democratic Voice of Burma: Junta Deserves A Universal Arms Embargo [Commentary] - Naing Ko Ko
Mizzima News: An Elephant in a Glass Palace [Commentary] - Christopher Smith
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Gambari’s Mission is Dead in the Water [Commentary] - Aung Zaw
Asia Times: Smart Sanctions Target Myanmar Tycoon - Brian McCartan
The Nation: Burmese Junta's Win-Win Formula [Editorial]
Asian Tribune: Burma's Media Completely under Military Dictatorship - Zin Linn



Report/Briefer

ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus: Myanmar News Update No. 78