Burma Update: March 18, 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: Water Diversion for Forced Paddy-Growing Threatens Farmlands
Democratic Voice of Burma: Bean Farmers Hit by Poor Harvest and Low Prices
Democratic Voice of Burma: Prome Market Authorities Demand High Taxes from Vendors
Democratic Voice of Burma: U Gambira Held in Solitary Confinement
Democratic Voice of Burma: 1600 Sign Letter Against Harassment of Labour Activists
Mizzima News: Back to Child Recruitments
Narinjara News: Burmese Authorities Limit Visitors to Bangladesh
Independent Mon News Agency: NMSP Must be Ready: Mon Leaders
Kaladan Press Network: MoH Doctor Misbehaves with Burmese Refugee Patient
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Grassroots Members Question NLD’s Stance on Referendum
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Bogus News Distresses Burmese Internet Users
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burmese Monks Call for Exam, Constitution Boycott


News from Regional/International Media

Bangkok Post: PM's Remarks Favourable to Junta Panned
UN News Centre: Assembly President Meets with Myanmar Envoy, Calls for National Reconciliation
Asian Tribune: Burmese Military Intelligence Arrested Kyaw Ko Ko, Leader of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions
Asian Tribune: U.S. Congress Introduces Resolution Rejecting Burmese Junta Made Constitution
Boston Herald: Burma Catalog Makes Case for Indie Pioneer Legacy


Opinion/Other

Irrawaddy News Magazine: The UN Considers its Options on Burma [News Analysis] - Lalit K Jha
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Thai PM Ignored the Other Side of the Coin [Commentary] - Kyaw Zwa Moe


Statement/Press Release

International Burmese Monks Organization: Statement on Tibet















Source: http://ko-htike.blogspot.com