Asia-Europe Meeting:
» Chair's Statement of the Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting
“… Leaders exchanged views on developments in Myanmar. They expressed their unanimous support for the good offices role of the UN Secretary General. The Leaders acknowledged the progress achieved in assisting the post-Nargis relief work by the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) comprising Myanmar, the UN and ASEAN, and the assistance provided by the international community to those in need. They expressed the support to the United Nations to continue to play a constructive role and to the ASEAN-led mechanism to continue its good performance in coordinating the ongoing relief and recovery efforts in Myanmar. The Leaders took note of the briefing by Myanmar on the recent developments and prospects. They noted the recent visit to Myanmar last August by the UN Secretary-General Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari and supported the UN to continue its good offices efforts, and they encouraged the Myanmar Government to conduct closer cooperation with the UN. They also encouraged the Myanmar government to engage all stakeholders in an inclusive political process in order to achieve national reconciliation and economic and social development. In this regard, they called for the lifting of restrictions placed on political parties and early further release of those under detention …”
Click HERE to read Chair’s Statement.
» National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma: Credibility on the Line: Burma's opposition calls for firmer commitments to democracy
“… For instance, we have these statements coming from ASEM, but at the same time governments in China, India and Thailand, attendees at ASEM, are actively trading with the military, investing in infrastructure to aid the survival of the junta and ignoring the rights and suffering of ordinary Burmese. Either such engagement must be done more prudently and sustainably, or it should be stopped. It is a clear contradiction of the spirit of ASEM's pro-democracy statements …”
» Burma Campaign UK: East and West Unite For First Time Demanding Burma Prisoner Release – ASEM Summit
“… ASEM, the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, ASEAN, the EU and USA have all called for the release of prisoners and for genuine dialogue. We have had 37 UN envoys visit Burma and not a single political reform to show for it. Ban Ki-moon’s visit will be a make or break moment. If this does not work then it will be clear dialogue with this regime doesn’t work, and that discussions on a Security Council resolution should begin again …”
Burma, N. Korea Relations:
» The first official visit by a foreign minister from military-ruled Burma to North Korea in 25 years was made on October 27 after the world's most repressive governments resumed diplomatic ties more than a year ago. Burma severed relations with North Korea in 1983 following a bombing in Burma's largest city, Rangoon, by North Korean secret agents targeting South Korea's then President Chun Doo-hwan. He was unhurt, but 21 people were killed, including four South Korean Cabinet ministers … Details »»»
Click HERE to read analysis on the two countries’ foreign policy paths.
Cyclone Nargis:
» Six months after Cyclone Nargis struck Burma, key partners in the country's recovery process gathered in Bangkok to assess how to best strengthen their joint efforts to support inclusive and sustainable recovery there … Details »»»
» The UN refugee agency has helped some 200,000 people with essential plastic sheets and mosquito nets in the six months since Cyclone Nargis hit Burma’s Irrawaddy Delta, but remains concerned about the welfare of many widows and orphans … Details »»»
» Save the Children UK has warned that thousands of families are still at risk, suffering from a lack of water and with no means to make a living … Details »»»
» UNICEF said on October 31 that relief efforts were on track but support was still required to bring medium to long-term solutions to children and their families … Details »»»
» So far, 53.3% of the Revised Flash Appeal of USD 484 million for 2.4 million cyclone affected people in Irrawaddy and Rangoon Divisions has been raised … Details »»»
Trial of Democracy Activists:
» Nine prominent members of the 88 Generation Students Group, who have been detained for more than a year, received six-month prison sentences on October 29 after they were found guilty of contempt of court under Section 228 of Burma’s Penal Code. They are Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Mya Aye, Pyone Cho (aka) Htay Win Aung, Aung Thu, Htay Kywe, Nyan Lin, Myo Aung Naing, and Hla Myo Naung … Details »»»
On October 31, they were transferred from Insein prison in Rangoon to Ma U Pin prison in Irrawaddy Division.
Click HERE to read background information on the arrests and charges of the nine activists.
» The US Campaign for Burma (USCB) has compiled an abbreviated version of report on current trials of democracy activists in Burma. Click HERE to read the report.
Report:
» Women's League of Burma: In the Shadow of the Junta [CEDAW Shadow Report by Women of Burma]
“The Women’s League of Burma, together with other community-based organizations around Burma’s borders, has compiled extensive data in the report on how the regime’s failed policies have impacted women and girls, particularly in the areas of education, health, rural development, and violence against women. The findings strongly contradict the claims in the country report by the ruling military regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), that women in Burma “enjoy their rights even before they are born.”
» Crisis Management Initiative: Burma: Mapping the Challenges and Opportunities for Dialogue and Reconciliation
“CMI has published a report which deals with the current situation in Burma/Myanmar. The report was written during the spring of 2008 and it is part of a project initiated by the Commission of the European Union.”
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