Burma Update: April 29, 2008

Highlight

Burma Partnership Weekly Briefer: Burma in Last Week of April


News from Burmese Media

Shan Herald Agency for News: People Tricked into Supporting Draft Constitution
Shan Herald Agency for News: SSA Guarantees Visiting PM’s Safety
Mizzima News: 70 Activists Arrested in 3 Days: AAPP
Mizzima News: Imprisoned Burmese Activist Paralyzed
Kaladan Press Network: Monks in Bangladesh Urge to Cast "No" Vote in Referendum
Kaladan Press Network: Abundance of Hair Sized En Route to Burma
Kachin News Group: Junta Forcibly Sets Up Polling Stations
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burmese PM Arrives in Thailand to Strengthen Business Ties
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burmese Visa Formalities Tightened as May 10 Approaches
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Ceasefire Groups Asked to Provide Referendum Security
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Vote ‘No’ Landslide, Based on Irrawaddy Survey
Democratic Voice of Burma: ABFSU Calls on Students to Monitor Referendum
Independent Mon News Agency: New Mon Grammar Book Drafted
Khonumthung News: Burma Army Stops Forced Labour and Use as Porters in Chin State
Kachin News Group: KIO Receives Junta's Vote Commission Training


News from Regional/International Media

The Nation: Samak to Cook for Visiting Burmese PM
The Nation: Burmese Nationals Have Three-Day Extension to Vote on Constitution
Monsters and Critics: Ethnic Karen in Myanmar Fight for Survival
Bussiness Day: Iran and Myanmar Earn First Rowing Places
Reuters: Watchdog Group Says Chevron Complicit in Myanmar
Xinhua Online: Myanmar Airlines Suspend Some International Flights Again
The New Zealand Herald: Would-be Burmese Voters Start to Despair of Getting An Invitation
UPI Asia Online: River Project to Boost India-Myanmar Ties


Multimedia

International Trade Union Confederation: Repression in Burma [Video]


Opinion/Other

UPI Asia Online: Bully Tactics in Burma Ahead of Referendum - Khin Ohmar
Irrawaddy News Magazine: A ‘No’ Vote Means ‘Let’s Have a Dialogue’ [Commentary] - Kyaw Zwa Moe
Bangkok Post: Saffron Revolution Renewed - Larry Jagan
The Korea Times: Writer of Conviction and Courage - Myint Zan
Bangkok Post: Helping Those Who Can't Help Themselves [Outlook]


Statement/Press Release

The Burma Campaign UK: European Parliament Calls for Global Arms Embargo Against Burma
International Trade Union Confederation: European Union Position on Burma Just Not Good Enough


Interview

International Trade Union Confederation: Spotlight Interview with Maung Maung (FTUB –Burma)


Report/Briefer

International Trade Union Confederation: “Rich Pickings: How Trade and Investment Keep the Burmese Junta Alive and Kicking”
Earthrights International: The Human Cost of Energy: Chevron’s Continuing Role in Financing Oppression and Profiting from Human Rights Abuses in Military-Ruled Burma (Myanmar)


Special Feature

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Carnival of the Animals - Kay Latt

"The barber’s shop is open again after the thingyan festival, and one of its first customers is a grumbling Ko Paing.

“Here we are, scarcely able to put food on the table and Than Shwe is setting birds and fish free. I know it’s a New Year’s tradition, but he could have done it less ostentatiously. Just look at the publicity he got. We’re supposed to read this over an empty dinner table.”

And Ko Paing shakes a copy of The New Light of Myanmar under the barber’s nose... "