Burma Update: Feburary 14, 2008

Highlight

Burma Partnership: The Burma Partnership Calls on ASEAN and the International Community to Reject the Military Regime’s Referendum on a New Constitution [Statement]

"On February 9 2008, the military regime in Burma announced that it would hold a National Referendum on a new constitution in May this year to be followed by the multi-party general elections in 2010. The Burma Partnership calls on ASEAN and the international community to reject the National Referendum on a draft constitution which legitimizes the current rule of the military junta..."


News from Burmese Media

Democratic Voice of Burma: KNU Leader Assassinated
Democratic Voice of Burma: NLD Member Given Life Sentence for Sedition
Democratic Voice of Burma: Junta Extends U Tin Oo's House Arrest
Democratic Voice of Burma: Activists Commemorate General Aung San’s Birthday
Mizzima News: Proposed Referendum a Hoax: Altsean
Mizzima News: Nine Burmese Journalists Remain Behind Bars
Independent Mon News Agency: Nay Pyi Daw Searches for Thai Cordless Phones in Mon state
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burmese Junta Warns INGOs
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burma Dangerous for Journalists
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Tay Za Buys Ships in Korea
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Than Shwe Still Calling the Shots, as Wife Goes Missing
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Police Arrest 31 Burmese Illegal Migrants
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Rare Sandpipers Found in Burma
Kaladan Press Network: Burma Agrees to Export 3 Lakh Tones to Bangladesh


News from Global Media

International Herald Tribune: China Pledges to Support UN Special Envoy on Myanmar
Xinhua Online: UN Secretary-General Special Advisor to Myanmar to Visit China
Irish Sun: Myanmar to Host Asian Billiards Championships
Xinhua Online: Myanmar, S. Korea Step Up Co-Op in Education, Technical Sectors
The Straits Times: Senators Urge top US honour for Myanmar's Suu Kyi
UN News Centre: Myanmar: Secretary-General Convenes ‘Group of Friends’ Meeting


Opinion/Other

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Make the Most of the Junta’s “Democracy” - Zaw Moe
Irrawaddy News Magazine: An Inconvenient Truth - Adam Selene
Bangkok Post: Elections, Generals and Broken Hearts [Focus] - Kyaw Zwa Moe
BBC: Stakes High for Burma's 'Roadmap' - Andrew Harding


Statement/Press Release

Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma: Referendum is the SPDC’s Latest Con, Regional Human Rights Group Says


Report/Briefer

Free Burma Rangers: Villager Shot and Killed as Burma Army Completes Rotation of Troops [Report]


Fun

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Long Dialogue—Short Hair! - Kay Latt

"...Ko Paing is confused and replies slowly: “I know I’m just 20 years old and don’t know much about politics. I don’t even know what this constitution is that you’re talking about. But I heard that I will be expected to vote and I don’t know what I should do.”

U Toke Kyee takes in a sharp breath and tries to explain: “First, young man, you have to study the constitution. Now we haven’t seen the new constitution yet, so we don’t know what it states. Then you have to decide whether you like it or not. Then you vote either for the constitution or against it. Then we will have elections.”...