Burma Update: January 25, 2008

Breaking News: At least two protests took place in Rangoon today - one near Sule pagoda and the other in front of Insein prison. Protesters distributed poems and posters joking Sr. Gen. Than Shwe and his cronies.


Highlight

APPPB Update: Burma in January 3rd Week

"...From now on we will be providing you with a week by week summary of news, update, and activities inside and outside of Burma, while we will still try to give you immediate update on any situation that may arise in the country following the September uprising led by Buddhist monks as the people continue to struggle for freedom and justice.

Recently on January 17 amazing it was that around 200 people including Buddhist monks tried to gather around the market area in Taunggot, Arakan State, despite extreme and bloody brutal crackdown by the regime during last September uprising..."

Foreign and Common Wealth Office: JOINT STATEMENT ON BURMA BY THE UK, US AND FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTERS AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN DAVOS

"...One such priority is the urgent need for progress towards a transition to democracy and improved human rights in Burma. The fact that we have chosen to write about this issue, with so many competing priorities, should underline the strength of our governments' determination to support the people of Burma in their pursuit of a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future. We have repeatedly made clear that the situation in Burma cannot continue, and that we remain committed to helping the people of Burma.

It is now more than four months since the world was horrified by the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations in Burma. The dramatic pictures seen around the world of the brutality directed against peaceful protestors, including monks and nuns, were truly shocking. We cannot afford to forget. We must convince the Burmese regime to meet the demands of the international community and respect the basic rights of Burma's people..."


News from Burmese Media

Democratric Voice of Burma: Travellers Face Delays and Extortion at Checkpoints
Democratric Voice of Burma: Lack of Facilities Hampers Computer Students
Democratric Voice of Burma: Landmine Explosion Kills Three DKBA Soldiers
Mizzima News: Junta Continues to Arrest Activists Despite Counterclaims
Mizzima News: China Hedges Its Position on Burma
Shan Herald Agency for News: Ceasefire Group Defies Junta over Land Grab
Kachin News Group: KIO/A May Oppose Chibwe Hydropower Project
Khonumthung News: Burma Army's Recruitment does not Spare Students
Irrawaddy Magazine: Detained Activists Charged under Printing and Publishing Act
Irrawaddy Magazine: Asian Gays Call For Equality
Irrawaddy Magazine: Rambo’s Burma Mission Fails to Impress One LA Film Reviewer
Irrawaddy Magazine: Message to Davos Elite: World Can’t Forget the Burmese People
Irrawaddy Magazine: Burmese Art Features in US Smuggling Probe


News from Global Meida

Bangkok Post: Burmese Breaks nto Airport, Hides on Plane
VOA News: Burma Serves as Backdrop for New 'Rambo' Movie Sequel
UN News Centre: Avian Flu Remains Global Threat, Cautions UN
The Straits Times: Myanmar Military Arrests over 100 Political Activists, Rights Group Says


Opinion/Other

Democratric Voice of Burma: Can ASEAN Fly With a New Face? [Commentary] - Naing Ko Ko
Irrawaddy Magazine: After “Rambo,” the “Lady”—Hollywood Discovers Burma [Commentary] - Ye Ni
The Times: Lawyers Can no Longer be Quiet about Burma - Timothy Dutton


Report/Briefer

Shan Herald Agency for News: Weekly Diary, No. 285 (18– 24 January 2008)
Shan Herald Agency for News: SHRF Monthly Report - January 2008