Burma Update: February 19, 2008

Highlight

The Council of the European Union: Council Conclusions on Burma/Myanmar, February 18

"...1. The European Union remains deeply concerned by the situation in Burma/Myanmar and urges the authorities to take rapid steps to transition to a democratically elected government. The Council notes the authorities' announcement on 9 February of a referendum on a new Constitution in May 2008 and multi-party elections in 2010. It underlines that only a process that involves the full participation of the opposition and ethnic groups will lead to national reconciliation and stability. To this end the EU reiterates its call for the release of all political detainees, including Aung San Suu Kyi, the start of a substantial time-bound dialogue with all political stakeholders, and full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms..."

Burma Partnership: Burma in Second Week of February


News from Burmese Media

Democratic Voice of Burma: Locals Coerced into Joining USDA
Democratic Voice of Burma: Private Tutor Released after Three Years
Democratic Voice of Burma: Gas Explosion in Tharkayta Township
Mizzima News: Distribution of 'Myanmar Nation' Halted
Mizzima News: Family Members Visit Nay Phone Latt
Mizzima News: EU Reiterates Calls for Reform in Burma
Mizzima News: SPDC Likely Masterminded Assassination: KNU
Mizzima News: Activists Call for Economic Boycott
Narinjara News: ALP Man Injured in Gunfight with Bangladesh Soldiers
Independent Mon News Agency: Ethnic Ceasefire Group Condemns Junta's Constitutional Process
Independent Mon News Agency: Mon State Authorities Prohibit Students from Celebrating National Day
Independent Mon News Agency: Dismissed Employees Told to Bribe to Get Back Jobs
Shan Herald Agency for News: Junta Collects Taxes on Home Entertainment
Shan Herald Agency for News: 4 Bombs Explode on the Border
Kachin News Group: Being Refugees in Malaysia Increasingly Unsafe
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Kachins Suspect Russian Company Drilling Uranium
Irrawaddy News Magazine: ‘Rambo is Hilarious’: Military Mouthpiece
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Tay Za Takes Over Village for Its Jade
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Gambari Says Burma Constitution Move Significant


News from Global Media

VOA: UN Envoy Expects to Return to Burma Soon
Associated Press: Myanmar Says Constitution Draft Is Ready
Mathaba.Net: Thailand to Raise Myanmar Issue at ASEAN Retreat
The Earth Times: UN Envoy Calls on China to Send 'Right Signals' to Myanmar Junta
Xinhua Online: Myanmar Private Airline Overruns Runway, Some injured
The Times of India: MMTC to Import 22,000 Tons Pulses from Myanmar, Australia
Xinhua Online: Chinese Foreign Minister Vows to Support UN Mediation Efforts in Myanmar
The Earth Times: Myanmar-Japan Trade Up 33 Percent Last Year


Opinion/Other

Shan Herald Agency for News: Robbed by the SPDC - Antonio Graceffo
Shan Herald Agency for News: The Memory of Great Leaders will Remain Fresh - Mu Byan Binn
Shan Herald Agency for News: Like Father, Like Son: Some Aspects of a Disabled Refugee - Hseng Khio Fah
Irrawaddy News Magazine: A New Definition of Politics [Commentary] - Kyaw Zwa Moe
BBC: Burma: Sandwiched Between Giants


Report/Briefer

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