Burma Update: March 29, 2008

Highlight

Human Rights Council: Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar (Resolution)

Human Rights Council: Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of
human rights in Myanmar

Human Rights Council: Human Rights Council Extends Mandates on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Racism and Racial Discrimination, Somila and Myanmar


News from Burmese Media

Kachin News Group: KIO and Burmese Army Officials Meet at Laiza Hotel
Mizzima News: NLD Spokesman Myint Thein Dies


News from Regional/International Media

Asian Tribune: Burma: UK Government Backs Universal Arms Embargo
Bangkok Post: Samak Wants Rohingya Put on An Island
South Idaho Press: Myanmar Trekkers Pass Through Mini-Cassia on Their Way to UN
Asahi Shimbun: Weekend Beat: Burmese Refugees in Japan Wait and Hope
The Frederick News: Immigrants Speak Out at Community Workshop


Opinion/Other

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Than Shwe’s Worthless Promises [Commentary] - Yeni
Ohmy News: Monks as Agents of Change - Ahmad Qisai


Report/Briefer

Shan Herald Agency for News: Weekly Diary, No. 294 (21–28 March 2008)

- Does Thailand's Quite Diplomacy Include Dealing with the Opposion!
- Junta Mission Two Crucial Tri-Annual Meeting!
- Yawdserk Says No!
- Both Junta, Opposition Unhappy with Gambari!

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Weekly Business Roundup (March 29, 2008)

- Burma Considers Return of Transit Trade Role
- Burma’s IT ‘Master Plan’ Under Fire
- Thailand’s Burma Business Boom


Special Feature

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Drinking to the Revolution [Beyond 1988 - Reflection XI] - Aung Naing Oo

"April 1989: Many students in the camp drank. It was a problem as they got into fights or made unbearable noise, sometimes late into the night. The camp’s small, rickety wooden jail often entertained inebriated overnight guests who had painted the camp red.

Camp residents had no regular income. Money was always in short supply. We student revolutionaries made charcoal to sell to Thais across the border. We were not starving but the charcoal money let us buy meat or fish to supplement our nutritional shortfall from the regular ration of rice, lentils and fish paste. Yet the drinkers reserved a little cash for homemade “jungle juice” or rice moonshine, supplied by the few Karen families living near the camp..."