Burma Update: Feburary 7, 2008

Highlight

National League for Democracy: Announcement No: 5/02/08 (Unofficial Translation)

... "To achieve equal rights for all ethnic nationalities, the party will strive to find the best solution on the bases of, sincerity, friendship, mutual respect for each other's beliefs, observance of basic human rights, and concurrence with the wish of the ethnic nationalities to promote their literature, culture, and customs. If a special emphasis is placed on the factors mentioned above and a solution is found through cooperation and joint action, the party believes that the objectives of achieving peace in the Union and harmony among the ethnic nationalities will become a reality. We will strive to realize these objectives." ...

US Department of Treasury: Treasury Action Targets Financial Network of Burmese Tycoon and Regime Henchman Tay Za

US Department of Treasury: Tay Za Financial Network [Report]

OHCHR: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar Expresses Dismay over the Continued Arrests, Detentions and Charges against Political and Human Rights Activists


News from Burmese Media

Democratic Voice of Burma: Land Seized for Rubber Plantation
Democratic Voice of Burma: Monastery Warned Not to Accept Visitors
Mizzima News: Blogger Charged with Unlawful Association
Mizzima News: Ethnic Groups Welcome NLD's Invitation for Talks
Narinjara News: Burmese Yaba Continues Flowing Into Bangladesh
Narinjara News: Authorities Hunt Exiled Monks
Khonumthung News: Authorities Collect Money for Last Year's Office Expenditure
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Non-Chinese Getting on the Dragon Bandwagon
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Will Thailand Create a Friendly Burma Policy?
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Indian Foreign Secretary Visits Burma
Irrawaddy News Magazine: UNICEF Chief Says Burmese Newspapers Misstated Facts
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Shan are Silenced, as Burma’s Chinese Celebrate


News from Global Media

International Herald Tribune: Thailand Will Not Interfere in Myanmar's Affairs, New Foreign Minister Says
Asia Times: Thailand Marches Ahead of Myanmar
The Straits Times: S'pore Resident Targeted in US Myanmar Sanctions
The Independent: Why the People of Burma are Risking Jail to Catch a Glimpse of Rambo


Opinion/Other

Mizzima News: Can the Generals Continue to Resist International Pressure? [Commentary] - Myat Soe
Independent Mon News Agency: Civil Society Best Hope for Dignity of Burmese People - Lawiweng
Asian Tribune: Burma: The Golden Alternative, Not Abrupt Regime Change but Negotiated Settlement - Gamanii


Fun

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Blogging for Suu Kyi - Kay Latt

... “Oh barber, you are too out of date to understand! A blog is just a space in the Internet where you can create your own world.”

The barber looks up and nods happily. “I like the sound of that,” he says. “Maybe I’ll create a blog. How much does it cost to do it?”

“Perhaps as much as a long sentence in Insein Prison,” ...