Burma Update: May 3, 2008

Highlight

Burma Partnership Weekly Briefer: May 10 Referendum is A Sham

" ... As the date to the referendum approaches, the regime tactics to get all “Yes” votes become desperate, dirty, tricky and blatant. The regime uses all means available to them whether it is violence or luring people with incentives. People in the civil services, in particular those who are given responsible to work at the polling stations around the country, are made to vote “Yes” for the referendum in pre-arrangement voting... "

UN Security Council: Security Council Notes Myanmar’s Announcement on May Referendum, Elections in 2010; Underlines Need for Inclusive Process, Participation of All Political Actors

News from Burmese Media

Kachin News Group: Suu Kyi to Fight Burma with Foreign Forces: Regional Commander
Khonumthung News: Nay Pyi Daw to Include Parts of Chin State into Sagaing Division
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Commodity Prices Rise in Devastated Rangoon
Irrawaddy News Magazine: UNSC Issues Presidential Statement on Burma
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Arakan State to Vote ‘No’: Irrawaddy Survey
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Category 3 Cyclone Hammers Rangoon
Mizzima News: State of Emergency Declared in Parts of Burma
Mizzima News: Rangoon Airport Shut Down

News from Regional/International Media

Reuters: U.N. Security Council Urges Credible Vote in Myanmar
Perth Now: Australia Agrees with United States
The Straits Times: Myanmar Community Here Gets Bigger
The Straits Times: Myanmar Charter 'Risks Perpetuating Internal Conflict'

Opinion/Other

Irrawaddy News Magazine: World Press Freedom Day—But Not for Burmese [News Analysis] - Wai Moe
Irrawaddy News Magazine: A ‘Yes’ Vote Will Be No Surprise [Commentary] - Yeni
Mizzima News: Disaster Diplomacy – of Tsunamis and Cyclones, Burma after Cyclone Nargis [Commentary] - Christopher Smith
The Boston Globe: Burma's Bogus Constitution [Editorial]
The New York Times: Trying to Put a Name to the Face of Evil - Alex Williams

Report/Briefer

Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma: April 2008 Bulletin

• SPDC constitutional referendum
• Atmosphere of oppression
• Detention conditions
• Migrant workers die in Thailand
• EU sanctions
• Thai PM backs SPDC
• Other Burma news
• List of Reports
• Much more...

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Weekly Business Roundup (May 03, 2008) - William Boot

• Call to Target Junta’s Gas Exports Business
• Burma Turns to Yuan to Help Beat Financial Sanctions
• Burma’s Fish Exports Rise but Stocks Fall
• Burma to Compete for ASEAN Environment Awards
  

Fun

Cartoon: The Junta Votes "No" to International Media - Harn Lay
Source: Irrawaddy News Magazine