Burma Update: February 23, 2008

News from Burmese Media

Independent Mon News Agency: Mon Leaders Release Birds as a Symbol of Peace during the 61st Mon National Day Celebration
Shan Herald Agency for News: Opinions Vary on Exiled Government Expansion
Kaladan Press Network: Harassment by Police, Nasaka and Sarapa in Northern Arakan



News from Global Media

Al Jazeera: Myanmar's Karen Mourn Leader
BBC: Burma: Sandwiched between Giants
FT.com: Suu Kyi Tops UN Envoy’s Agenda



Opinion/Other

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Will Mahn Sha’s Killers Ever Be Brought to Justice? [Commentary] - Aung Zaw



Report/Briefer

Shan Herald Agency for News: Weekly Diary, No. 289 (16–21 February 2008)

- Cuban Leader Gone After 49 Years in Power!
- Draft Constitution Finished!
- Bombs on the Golden Triangle!

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Weekly Business Roundup - William Boot

- Japan to Shift China Manufacturing to Burma
- Gold Prospectors Linked to Moscow, Singapore
- India’s Essar Takes Up Old Gas Option



Special Feature

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Nom De Guerre [Beyond 1988 - Reflections VII] - Aung Naing Oo

"1988: We began trekking from Moe Wah, the first camp in the Karen rebel-held area, to the Thai border the next day, the name of our precise destination unknown. We had been told the journey would take three days.

The Karen officials told us to just follow the road, heading east. They said it was safe and not to worry about our security. They instructed us to seek out Karen officials in charge of a checkpoint or village each evening; they would provide us with food and shelter for the night..."