Burma Update: March 17, 2008

Highlight

Burma Partnership Weekly Briefer: Burma in 2nd Week of March

"...The 2nd week of March saw the third visit of the UN Special Envoy Mr. Gambari to Burma. Many conclude this latest visit brings no progress and he went back out with “empty-handed”. Before he reached Burma, the UN Secretary-General sent a letter to Senior General Than Shwe with five-point cooperation requests on February 11 as an antecedent to the visit to find a tangible result and concession. However, the regime dumped all five-point requests from the UN and instead gave terrible gesture and treatment to the visiting envoy. Moreover, Information Minister Kyaw Hsan shrugged off the SG’s calls for a more inclusiveness for the constitution drafting process..."


News from Burmese Media

Democratic Voice of Burma: Two ABFSU Leaders Arrested
Democratic Voice of Burma: Rangoon Remains under Heavy Security
Democratic Voice of Burma: Arakan NLD Urges Action against Referendum
Mizzima News: Activists to Mark 'Don't Forget Burma' Day in Canada
Mizzima News: Than Shwe's Daughter Pleads for Furniture at Fair
Mizzima News: News of Burmese Singer May Sweet's Death False: Family
Mizzima News: Junta Reneges on Visa; International Community Split
Mizzima News: Soldiers Surround Rangoon's Kaba Aye Pagoda
Mizzima News: Kyaing Kyaing's Health Deteriorates not Than Shwe's
Narinjara News: High Authority Investigates Sexual Abuse Charges Against Maungdaw Chairman
Independent Mon News Agency: Mon Youth Actively Aware of Current Affairs
Shan Herald Agency for News: Increased Clashes Precede Referendum
Kachin News Group: The Junta Orders Census in More KIO Controlled Areas
Kaladan Press Network: Authorities Fine Farmers Failing to Grow Beans
Kaladan Press Network: Bangladesh to Import 20,000 MT Rice from Burma
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Thai Leaders’ Burma Comments Draw More Criticism
Irrawaddy News Magazine: ‘Vote Yes’ Junta Tells Civil Servants
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burmese Censorship Board Threatens Two Weeklies
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burmese Monks Condemn Crackdown on Tibetan Monks


News from Regional/International Media

International Herald Tribune: Imprisoned North Korean Commando Hospitalized in Myanmar
Kuwait News Agency: Security Tightened along India-Myanmar Border Following Rebel Attack
Borneo Bulletin: Thailand Renews Plans to Build Dam in Myanmar
Bangkok Post: Loxley Eyes Convenience Stores in Burma
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: P.E.I. Man Seeks to Smuggle Daughter Out of Burma


Opinion/Other

Mizzima News: Bullets Cannot Kill Freedom in the Heart - May Ng
Independent Mon News Agency: Prospects for Burma's New Constitution [Commentary] - Ashley South
Shan Herald Agency for News: The True Colours of the SPDC Generals - S. N. Oo
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Samak’s Flashback Visit to Burma [Commentary] - Aung Zaw
Bangkok Post: Uneasy Riders [Perspective] - Erika Fry


Fun

Cartoon: Than Shwe and Samak - A Meeting of Minds
Source: Irrawaddy News Magazine