North Korean ship headed to Burma

A North Korean ship being tracked by the US navy over suspicions that it is carrying arms in breach of new UN sanctions on the country is likely to be heading towards Burma, according to South Korean news sources.

The United States has been tracking the Kang Nam freighter ship since it left a North Korean port on Wednesday.

Under revamped UN sanctions on North Korea, which include a complete ban on arms imports and exports, ships suspected of carrying arms can be stopped and a request for a search made.

Yesterday a South Korean news agency, YTN, quoted unidentified intelligence sources as saying the ship was headed towards Burma, which is also subject to a US-enforced ban on arms imports.

According to journalist Bertil Lintner, if the YTN reports are true, this would be the second time the Kang Nam has been to Burma, following its docking at Rangoon’s Thilawar port in May 2007, allegedly to seek shelter from storm.

“It offloaded some heavy equipment, it’s not clear what it was, but the Kang Nam specifically is known to be carrying what the Americans usually describe as ‘material of proliferation concern’”, said Lintner.

The latest news follows the emergence of photographs earlier this month that allegedly show North Korean foreign advisors in Burma consulting with government officials on the construction of a tunnel network, likely as emergency shelters in the event of an attack.

Lintner, who revealed the North Korean tunnel project in the Yale Global, says that this is a sign that ties between the two countries are strengthening.

“Even China is reluctant to sell certain types of equipment to Burma but North Korea will be willing to sell anything they want,” he said, adding that “Burma has absolutely no interest in supporting an arms embargo”.

Given the arms embargo on Burma, it is unlikely the government there would comply with a UN resolution to allow the US to search ships docking at their ports.

North Korea, whose defense has been bolstered by the successful nuclear test, has said that interceptions of any of its ships would be considered an “act of war” and would react accordingly.

Burmese women’s groups pressured to cancel protest

by Nem Davies


New Delhi (Mizzima) - Two Burmese women’s organizations in the Indo-Burmese border town of Moreh were forced to cancel a planned protest rally to be held on Friday after authorities pressured the officer who had issued permission for the rally to cancel the authorization.

The Kuki Women’s Human Rights Organisation (KWHRO) and the Women’s League of Burma (WLB) sought permission from the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Tengnoupal Subdivision of Moreh in India’s northeastern state of Manipur, bordering Burma, to hold a protest rally demanding the release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on her 64th birthday on June 19.

Though the ADC gave permission, the women’s leaders said they were later persuaded by the ADC to cancel the plan.

“We already received permission on June 16. But this morning we were requested to cancel the plan,” Ngangai Haokip, a presidium board member of WLB told Mizzima.

She said the reasons for the request to cancel the plan were not officially declared, though the ADC had been pressured by his superiors to rescind the permission.

“The ADC was also pressured to ensure that we publish the cancellation of the program in the newspaper,” Ngangai added.

Earlier, the KWHRO, an ethnic Kuki women’s group working to promote the rights of women in Burma, and WLB, an umbrella Burmese women’s organization, planned to march through Moreh in protest against the continued detention of Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the current trial against her.

The program was planned as part of the global action for commemoration of the detained Burmese pro-democracy leader’s 64th birthday, on June 19. On Friday, Burmese activists and supporters across the world are set to hold prayer meetings, protest rallies, solidarity concerts and speeches in honor and solidarity with the Burmese democracy icon.

But Ngangai said the program in Moreh had been rescheduled to a simple and small cake-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion

Pressure from the ADC on the women’s groups to cancel their program came after the Imphal-based online Hueiyen News Service published a critical article on June 17 questioning the authority of the ADC to grant permission to protest to foreign organizations.

The article, entitled “How can an ADC permit foreigners to hold protest rally at Moreh?”, points out that allowing Burmese activists to protest in Moreh could provoke Burma’s military junta and eventually jeopardize diplomatic ties between India and Burma.

“With Moreh, being a town bordering Myanmar [Burma], any activity such as an open protest rally held there aimed at criticizing the ruling junta in Myanmar [Burma] is bound to certainly provoke the junta,” the article argued.

While it is still unknown who pressured the ADC to alter the original ruling, Ngangai speculated, “Now the ADC is worrying for his life and position after having originally given permission.”

Meanwhile, observers in Moreh conjectured pressure by Manipuri militants on the behest of the Burmese military could be behind the reversal of fortunes, as several Manipuri armed groups, including the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), reportedly benefit from close relationships with the Burmese military, even maintaining bases on Burmese soil.

YMA Day was celebrated all over India

YMA Day was celebrated all over Mizoram on June 15, 2009. Mizos in other parts of the country also celebrated the Day. The highlight of the programmes included help rendered to the needy persons, cleanliness drive, plantation of trees, sports, entertainments and encouragement of the people and the youth in particular to revive the culture and good ethos of the Mizos. Functions were held by the YMA Branches in their respective localities and villages. Social gathering were also organized in many localities in which the speakers underlined the need to revive the traditional respect to elders, courage, honesty and truthfulness in life. In Aizawl many branches organized social work in the morning and cleaned the street and the drains. Sports and entertainment programmed were also organized in the day time. In Durtlang Leitan, the Branch YMA members constructed a house for Pu Lianzuala by donating money and building materials. About 450 members constructed a new Assam type house measuring 18 into 12 feet. In Tuikhuahtlang, 43 YMA members donated blood for the patients in Presbyterian Hospital in Durtlang and their blood was drawn by the blood bank official in the Branch YMA hall. In Armed Veng, a function was held to honor winners of the first prize in YMA Athletic meet 2009. Addressing the function, Central YMA Vice President, Mr. Lalchungnunga stressed the need to revive good ethos and manners of the Mizos. He also asked the people particularly the youth to start reformation in their respective families.

In Saiha, the Day was celebrated by organizing sports in Saiha District Playground. Undertaking tour to the rural areas, the Group YMA leaders also attended function in the villages. In Tuipang V, the Branch YMA constructed a house for Pi Lalramliani by collecting donations from kind hearted persons. In Lunglei, World Blood Donation Day was also observed the Day along with celebration of YMA Day. In a blood donation camp organized jointly by Association for Blood Donation, Mizoram State Aids Control Society and the Presbyterian Church of Venglai, a number of youths donated blood for patients in Lunglei Civil Hospital. Two selected record makers in blood donation were also honored in this function. In Kolasib, the YMA constructed a house for Pi Thuami of Venglai by donating building materials and money. A large number of volunteers participated in the house construction. Some Branches also organized exhibition by collecting old and tradition tools and implements which have become rare in Mizo society. In Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Champhai and Mamit the Day was celebrated to benefit the society and the poor people

Suu Kyi trial adjourned till Jun 26

A young supporter of Myanmar's Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Photo Courtesy: AP.

The trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was adjourned on Friday for two weeks so defence lawyers can call an additional witness who will testify that the case is politically motivated, a lawyer said.

The District Court trying Suu Kyi told lawyers of the postponement until June 26 during a brief hearing on Friday at Insein Prison, where the trial is taking place, said Nyan Win, one of Suu Kyi's attorneys.

Suu Kyi is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest when an uninvited American man swam secretly to her closely guarded lakeside home last month and stayed two days.

The hearing has drawn outrage from the international community and Suu Kyi's local supporters, who say the military government is using the bizarre incident as an excuse to keep the pro-democracy leader detained through next year's elections.

If convicted, the 63-year-old Nobel Peace laureate faces up to five years in prison. She has been detained under house arrest for more than 13 of the last 19 years.

It is widely expected that Suu Kyi will be found guilty because courts in Myanmar are known for handing out harsh sentences to political dissidents. No new date was immediately set for closing arguments, which were originally scheduled for June 1.

Friday's postponement was expected after Suu Kyi's lawyers won an appeal earlier this week to reinstate one defence witness - Khin Moe Moe, a lawyer and member of her National League for Democracy party.

"Daw Khin Moe Moe knows all the charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi are political and she would testify based on these facts," Nyan Win said. "Daw" is a term of respect.

Suu Kyi's lawyers have filed a second appeal with the High Court to bring back two other witnesses - both senior members of her opposition party.

The District Court trying Suu Kyi had initially rejected the three defence witnesses - leaving Suu Kyi with a sole witness.

All three would argue that Suu Kyi is not a threat to the "peace and tranquility of the state," said Nyan Win, citing the provision of the 1975 law authorities had used for her continued detention.

Suu Kyi told her lawyers she believes the case against her is "politically motivated" but that it wouldn't stop her from continuing her fight for democracy, Nyan Win said Thursday.

"She said she is engaged in politics due to her political belief and commitment," Nyan Win said. "She would not be doing politics if she were afraid of the consequences."

Suu Kyi's party won the country's last elections in 1990 but was not allowed to take power by the military, which has run the country since 1962.

Malaysia transit point for asylum seekers

Malaysia has become a transit point for illegal migrants seeking refugee status in Australia.

Malaysian government sources say enforcements agencies are currently in talks with their Australian counterparts to find ways of reducing people trafficking.

Asylum seekers from Pakistan and Afghanistan are paying large sums of money to Malaysian traffickers to smuggle them into Australia.

Presenter: Desmond Ang Speakers:

Dr Amanullah Jayhoon, Afghanistan Ambassador to Australia; Kay Shan from Amnesty International

Listen: Windows Media

ANG: The road to asylum in Australia is, apparently, paved through Malaysia. Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs say since the start of the year, Pakistani and Afghan asylum seekers have travelled to Malaysia - to find illegal human traffickers who can smuggle them into Australia.

JAYHOON: It's a difficult situation. They were brought to Malaysia and Indonesia and they were stuck there. They would say that when they get to Australia or some other places they would be in a better position.

ANG: Afghanistan Ambassador to Australia Dr Amanullah Jayhoon says in some situations, refugees were deceived by traffickers.

JAYHOON: Some of the smugglers have vanished and some of them have been brought to Malaysia for the hope of sending them to Europe and that they were stuck in Malaysia.

ANG: The Home Ministry says refugees arrive in Malaysia on tourist visas, then enter Indonesia illegally, from where they are then smuggled into Australia. But their journey is perilous aboard vessels ill-equipped for the choppy waters. Malaysian maritime authorities estimate at least 12 people have drowned in the past 2 months in Malaysia's waters.

JAYHOON: When we see the tragedies, boat which was exploded, boats in Malaysia where Afghans have been drowned, causing a lot of tragedies and therefore we need a lot of cooperation in arresting these culprits and bring them into justice.

ANG: Malaysian officials say Indonesians, Afghan and Pakistani refugees form the bulk of immigrants caught trying to cross the border into Indonesia. The illegal immigrants are believed to have paid human traffickers in their home countries, who then arrange tourist visas for them. Kay Shan from Amnesty International.

SHAN: Definitely this makes the situation worse in terms of migrant refugee's rights because they're fleeing for their safety against a particular abuser or prosecution from their country and then they come to a third country and then again they're subjected to another form of torture or even exploitation. I think then again right from the beginning to the end they continue to suffer human rights violation, this is another form of human rights violation that the government should be prepared to look into.

ANG: NGOs in Malaysia know very little about these human trafficking scams, but Kay Shan feels this could be due to Malaysia's foreign policy.

SHAN: We believe theres a lot of cases out there where people are leaving voluntarily, secretly from Malaysia to Indonesia because the neighbouring country's close and definitely to other countries like Australia. I think it exists because when they come into Malaysia they come into a vacuum where they lose their rights and their freedom to move and protection, that's why they have to find a way out .

ANG: Mr Shan says Malaysia does not recognise refugees.

He says anyone caught entering Malaysia illegally is deported or placed in a detention centre. Malaysia has stepped up patrols along its coast recently - deploying helicopters, boats and an aircraft in response to the increase in illegal immigrants.

SM Goh to visit Myanmar

By Goh Chin Lian

SENIOR Minister Goh Chok Tong will make an official visit to Myanmar from Monday

Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein will host him to lunch during his four-day trip.

SM Goh will use the visit to update himself on developments in Myanmar. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

(ST) -He will also call on the country's top leader, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.

His visit is at the invitation of General Thein Sein, the Prime Minister's Office here said in a statement on Sunday.

General Thein Sein had extended the invitation during his introductory visit to Singapore in March this year, the PMO added.

Mr Goh, who last visited Myanmar in 1998, will use the visit to update himself on developments in the country, said the statment.

He will visit the administrative capital of Nay Pyi Taw, as well as the cities of Yangon, Mandalay and Taunggyi, to better understand developments in other parts of Myanmar, it added.

He will also open a hospital in Kayin Chaung village, two hours' away from Yangon. The hospital was recently completed with Singapore's help as part of its post-Cyclone Nargis recovery aid to Myanmar.

The cyclone hit Myanmar in May last year and killed about 140,000 people across the country.

Mr Goh will be accompanied by Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, Mr Michael Palmer, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as senior officials.

Burmese Army extorts money from vehicle owner

June 5 : The Burmese Army has been extorting money from vehicle owners in Falam town and other parts of the township including Tibil village. This has come in the way of villagers selling their chilies in Mizoram.

Vehicle owners are reluctant to operate their service, affecting the sale of the local produce - chilies.

According to sources the authorities of the Burmese Army’s LIB 268 based in Tibual collect between Kyat 30,000 to 50,000 per service vehicle plying between Falam town, Chin state to the Tibil border area of Mizoram state in India. Vehicle owners are reluctant to operate their service, affecting the sale of the local produce -- chilies.

"Traders hire a vehicle for Kyat 4 lakhs a trip. And the army collects Kyat 50,000 per vehicle.  The vehicle driver has to pay Kyat 30,000 and the handyman has to pay Kyat 10,500. Besides the owners have expenses like vehicle tax, vehicle maintenance and diesel. We cannot make much profit so we do not want to ply our vehicles," said a vehicle owner.

Most people in these 50 villages grow chili as their source of income and they sell it to Mizoram state, India during summer. They can produce 5 lakhs tins of chili annually.

"With the rainy season approaching we can't hire any vehicle. Our chilies are getting moist. It is our source of income and we are totally dependent on it. After selling chilies we buy rice and can pay children's school fees," said a local.

Similarly, the LIB 266 based in Vuangtu and Lungler also collect Kyat 500 per tin of chili produced in Than Tlang township, Chin state.

"We have been carrying chilies to Mizoram on horseback. The military collects Kyat 500 per tin of chili on the way. We do not get permission to go without paying what they demand," said a local farmer.