dejunter the burma

Source: AFP

Rob BRYAN

San Tin, one of the most popular bloggers in Burma, is an optimist and self-proclaimed pioneer: he uses his blog, officially banned by the junta, to push people to vote in two months wittingly.

The thirties, whose name has been changed by the AFP for protection, disseminates information about candidates for the first elections in Burma for 20 years, and will devote its next product to electoral rules.

"Most people in Burma are not accustomed to vote," justifies the blogger who obviously has never voted himself, like all Burmese people under 38 years.

The election on November 7 was strongly criticized by opponents and Western countries that qualify masquerade designed to empower the generals. Some Burmese are supporters of the boycott, many have long since become disillusioned with the process.

But San Tin belongs to a group of optimists madmen who advocate participation and initiate a debate on the internet, despite one of the control systems the most repressive in the world.

"I have a lot of influence on my readers and I therefore hope that they reflect on the information," he says. "As far as I know, most people are not interested in these elections, while aspiring to change. But it is the beginning of a change. This is a first step. "

Yangon, the country's main city and capital until 2005, is full of internet cafes where young people find the country despite slow connections, frequent power cuts and enormous risks in case of activities deemed subversive by the power.

They follow the life of Google South Korean celebrities, read the BBC website, discuss and consult on Google Talk Facebook. All with the help of employees of bars, which help them to bypass the blocking of certain sites, even if they could be jailed for the first, closing the establishment for the latter.

According to Reporters Without Borders, Burma law on the Internet is "one of the most repressive in the world".

But San Tin has about 2,000 "friends" on Facebook and his blog is followed by thousands of readers. It also organizes informal meetings to discuss how to circumvent the restrictions by the junta.

"The political sites are banned but you can still read through example (content aggregator), Google Reader," he says. It also gives recommendations on how to protect private data on social networking sites.

During the "saffron revolt" led by monks in 2007, the Burmese have used the internet to tell what was happening in their country, in text and pictures. The junta had then imposed a total ban on the canvas.

Today, the connections are always slow at certain times, such as August 8, the anniversary of another historical revolt in 1988. And the controls should be strengthened during the elections.

But for now, discuss politics with much eagerness.

Win Oo, 28, an alias too, received a caricature of the junta leader, General Than Shwe, made up as a clown. "If I want to watch this kind of thing, I sit in a corner of the Internet café, not the middle. Because you never know who the other users, "he says.

Possession of such an image, among others, has earned 12 years in prison for a well-known blogger Nay Phone Latt, in 2008.

Source: The Express

Just too many things to see and tell the world!

The Burmese general Than Shwe on Armed Forces Day in the capital Naypyidaw. The Burmese authorities have suspended the issuance of tourist visas for stays from September, two months before parliamentary elections unprecedented for almost twenty years, officials said official sources. (Reuters / Soe Zeya Tun)

The ruling junta has authorized the issuance of tourist visas in May to promote the activity, but the measure was lifted last September 1.

The legislative elections of November 7, the first national consultation in 1991, is widely seen as a tactic to strengthen the power of the army.

"We believe that the real objective of this measure is to prevent foreign journalists and observers from entering the country before the November 7 elections," said the representative of a local tour operator.

Source: France 24

Graffiti on the walls of flowering Burma. It says "Free Burma", "No to elections in 2010. Photo published in 2009 by Generation Wave .

With the approach of parliamentary elections in November, the opposition to the military junta prepares its defenses. A young Burmese explains that these elections are a farce tells us about her battle with strokes song and graffiti, for a change of regime in his country.

Twenty years after the last parliamentary elections won by the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese are invited to go to the polls Nov. 7. Without waiting for the results, the international community has denounced the lack of credibility of these elections.

According to election laws, one quarter of the seats of national and regional parliaments will be distributed among the military. In addition, nearly 70 senior officers have recently left the army in order to stand for election. The candidates of opposition parties, their number has decreased due to pressures of all kinds and exorbitant fees charged by the electoral commission.

The junta does not release its grip on the country, three years after the Saffron Revolution of 2007, during which hundreds of thousands of people marched. Despite the risk of arrest, opponents of the regime have joined underground movements like Generation Wave. It consists of a quarantine of Burmese from 15-25 years multiply actions across the country. It displays an unwavering support for Aung San Suu Kyi, although it is defined as a non-political movement.

"One day the police came to my parents to try to stop me"

Bo Bo is 22. He is a member of the clandestine group Generation Wave.

I had to flee my country two years ago, because my political views did not please the military intelligence. I used to talk to my friends and family of the current situation, that is to say how the Burmese junta threatens constantly, how it violates human rights. But in Burma, it is dangerous to express his political views. One day the police came to my parents to try to stop. I then had to flee with other activists of Generation Wave and I entered Thailand illegally.

"The young Burmese who attend our training sessions illegally cross the border in groups of five or ten"

Since we are trying to organize the youth of Burma in a house near the border with Burma. It's a secret place where we hold regular training sessions for young people, because most of them do not know their rights, do not know what democracy is, what are the rights of man . Only when they are informed of what's happening in their country, they will commit to a regime change. These young Burmese who attend the sessions illegally cross the border in groups of five or ten. This is very dangerous for them, they can be arrested at any time.

The logo of the group added in large format.Photo published in 2009 by Generation Wave .

"We write songs to educate people involved"

We also use music and poetry to effect change in our country. The students, students are naturally attracted to rap, hip hop. We therefore compose songs that denounce, inform people about Burma. We have a studio in Thailand where we store bits of rap or hip hop. We then CDs that we sell illegally in Burma. This is income that allow editing of new CDs.

The graffiti or stickers are another way to inform the Burmese. Most members of Generation Wave are in Burma. They are organized for tagging walls, day or night, depending on the level of security. Sometimes I cross the border to help them in their actions.

Graffiti on the walls bloom Burmese. Here you can read "Free Aung San Suu Kyi." Photo published in 2009 by Generation Wave .

Here you can read "No Fear" and GW, the signature of Generation Wave.Photo published in 2009 by Generation Wave .

"22 members of our movement are in prison"

As an activist, I have no future. I do not have no passport, no papers. It is very difficult especially since I can not move me, because I have to stay hidden. I sometimes talk with my family on the phone, but I have to be careful because we're being watched. 22 members of our movement are in prison now.

But I think one day this nation will get rid of military dictatorship, we will overthrow the regime. As we approach the 2010 elections, we hope to mobilize the street like in 2007. We do not know if this will happen, but we hope the demonstrations. We are ready for other non-violent actions. We explain to people that these elections are not free and fair, we encourage them not to vote. "

Poster pasted into stairwells or public toilets in Burma. It says "I affirm that Than Shwe [general in power since 1992] has committed crimes. He is the chief criminal cause economic problems, problems of public health and education in the country. Therefore, Than Shwe is wanted by Generation Wave. "Photo published in 2009 by Generation Wave .

Posters distributed in bus.Photo published in 2009 by Generation Wave .

Another slogan of Generation Wave found on the walls of foreign embassies. It says "Change, New Government." Photo published in 2009 by Generation Wave .

Banner hung from a bridge where it says "Change, New Government." Photo published in 2009 by Generation Wave .

Source: Le Figaro

After a thousand conflicting information .... hoping .... in every way, this does not change much!

General Than Shwe, Burma's strongman since 1992, today sent a message through the official press, ending speculation that he had resigned from his military duties while remaining head of state .

"General Than Shwe sends message of congratulations to King of Malaysia," wrote The New Light of Myanma r, official newspaper of the Burmese junta. The article speaks of Than Shwe as the boss of the State Council for Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the official name of the junta.

The retired military chief, against which the opponent detained Aung San Suu Kyi fight tirelessly for nearly two decades, has been conflicting information late last week. For Thailand, the website Irrawaddy Burmese exiles, based on "military sources" had said that Than Shwe, age 77, had abandoned their uniforms in anticipation of legislative elections scheduled Nov. 7.

Out of 70 senior officers

Several other sources have reported conflicting rumors on the subject. But the only confirmed information was finally referred to the departure of 70 senior officers, including the current number three in the junta, General Thura Shwe Mann, the most important military reshuffle in the country for two decades.
Irrawaddy that Than Shwe had said and his number two, Maung Aye, who were part of this extensive redesign but they retained functions, respectively number one and number two in the state.

Both "remain at their posts, had been assured by following a Burmese government source. "Others who have retired from the army will join the USDP (Solidarity Party and the Union's development, pro-junta) and participate in elections." Some sources have indicated that the departure of the army of Than Shwe made after the elections, before he runs for office of president soon established.

The parties had until yesterday to submit their list of candidates for the ballot. The two largest opposition National Democratic Force and the Democratic Party, however, have confessed to have been able to find 200 candidates between them, for some 1,200 seats. The National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi for her part, decided to boycott the poll and was dissolved.

Source: The Express

Calls for a boycott, and electoral rules draconian resignation of several prominent opposition figures: the ruling junta in Burma seems assured of winning the elections on November 7.

The Burmese political opposition seems more disoriented than ever to two months of an election widely seen as an attempt to assert more authority to the army, which has no intention of giving up power it has held since 48.

The head of the National Democratic Force (FDN), Muang Khin Swe, said Thursday he would not stand for election. Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace in 1991, on Tuesday called on members of his former party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), to boycott the poll.

These decisions came as political parties face electoral rules and draconian measures to intimidate the army, and obviously lack of time and money to recruit candidates.

Under rules issued last week, the parties will take a week in advance for permission to hold a demonstration. Speeches and articles critical of the army are strictly prohibited and the authorities may prohibit demonstrators "to wave flags and shouting slogans."

"This is exactly what the regime wants and what he had calculated from the beginning," said Aung Naing Oo, a Burmese academic living in Thailand. "The head of the junta, Than Shwe, has the sole strategy of divide and reign, a weakened opposition is exactly what he needs."

OPPOSITION DIVIDED

Most experts believe that the opposition and the army has formed his own party, the Union Solidarity and Development (PUSD) to ensure winning the most seats in a parliament that it appoints members.

The PUSD is unpopular in the eyes of the Burmese who voted massively for the party of Suu Kyi in the 1990 elections whose results were not taken into account.

But the victory of PUSD nevertheless seems inescapable face of a moribund opposition who can not afford to campaign freely and lack of funds to field candidates in every constituency.

The opposition also just to take a stand against ballot. The Democratic Union reported last week that it would boycott the election if it believed that the election will be neither free nor fair. Her manager, Phyo Min Thein, has resigned from office Aug. 15 ruling impossible to hold fair elections.

A position that does not share Thu Wai, president of the Democratic Party and former political prisoner who believes that a boycott would play into the military junta and offer him legitimacy. Election laws are so strict, he said, the PUSD did not even need to cheat to win.

The opposition parties "are divided on the question of stopgap," says Christopher Roberts, an expert on Burma at the University of Canberra in Australia. "Should they endorse a process of lesser evil or adopt a posture of principle and advocating a boycott for a better model of democracy? In one case as in the other, the opposition should not give trouble to the generals and their supporters. "

Source: lexpress.fr

The ballot will be marked by the exclusion of the opponent and Nobel Peace Aung San Suu Kyi, 65, who spent most of the past 20 years in prison or under house arrest and whose party - National League for Democracy (NLD) - was dissolved in May for having decided to boycott the elections.

The last legislative elections in Burma was in 1990. The party of Ms. Suu Kyi, founded in 1988 after an uprising against the junta at the time, had largely won these elections but the results were never recognized by the military.

This time, analysts say, one quarter of parliamentary seats are reserved for the military, which should avoid the current junta Senior General Than Shwe risk of major setbacks.

"The military regime has learned the lesson, so it uses all possible means for his party (and cronies) won the elections," said Naing Aung, member of the Forum for Democracy in Burma based in Thailand.

Of the forty courses registered for the November elections is the party of the Union Solidarity and Development (USDP) created by Prime Minister Thein Sein and several ministers who have recently left the army.

"If there was a free and fair process, we believe 100% that the parties backed by the military would not win," said Naing Aung.

In March, the laws governing elections strictly prohibits parties from among their members while maintaining a political prisoner.

The NLD had to choose between returning to waive or exclude Suu Kyi who is currently serving a sentence for yet another arrest. The party has finally decided to boycott the elections and was dissolved by the government.

Some of its officers, disagreed with this strategy, created the NDF (National Democratic Force).

The elections "can not be free and fair," said Nyan Win told AFP, long spokesman of the NLD. "We do not always enjoy the freedom of expression or information," he lamented, adding that there is no indication that Ms Suu Kyi regain their freedom by voting.

Without their charismatic leader, an icon of peaceful resistance to the military, while the NDF and other opposition parties are unlikely to repeat the triumph of the NLD in 1990.

Some pro-democracy parties have already expressed reservations about the preparation of elections.

Thu Wai, president of the Democratic Party, said Tuesday of intimidation, carried out by police, suffered by some of its members.

Another candidate, Phyo Min Thein, a former political prisoner, resigned last week from the chairmanship of the Democratic Union Party and said he would not participate in an election "neither free nor fair".

Last month, the United States have reiterated their concern about a "flawed electoral process" in a country ruled by generals since 1962 and subjected to Western sanctions because of repeated violations of human rights.

The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions in part a protest against the continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Sanctions were tightened after the bloody crackdown in 2007 a popular protest movement led by Buddhist monks.

source : JDD

on pouvait toujours espérer, n'est-ce pas ? mais quand même la junte ne cache pas son jeu (ou presque) , alors qu'espérer d'elle si ce n'est tromperie et  manipulation…

Le président de l'une des principales formations de l'opposition birmane, le Parti démocratique de l'Union (UDP), a démissionné jeudi pour dénoncer les conditions d'organisation des élections prévues cette année en Birmanie, apprend l'agence de presse Reuters. La junte militaire au pouvoir a promis de prendre toutes les mesures pour que le scrutin soit libre et honnête mais Phyo Min Thein, le dirigeant de l'UDP, a déclaré à Reuters que la loi électorale était conçue pour assurer la victoire du parti pro-gouvernemental USDP (Parti de la solidarité et du développement de l'Union). “J'espérais que le peuple birman pourrait dire son mot dans la politique et j'attendais la libération des prisonniers d'opinion, la liberté de la presse et la liberté de faire campagne “, at-il exposé. “ Rien de tout cela ne s'est passé et j'ai donc décidé de me retirer de la politique et des élections “, at-il ainsi confié.

Source: RFI

With our correspondent in Burma

The official logo of "Generation Wave, an organization fighting against the Burmese military junta.

Our car stopped in front of a gray, in a Thai town on the border of Burma. It is here that many activists living in exile, Generation Wave, one of the few underground groups still active in Burma. All fled when crackdowns against their community. "Twenty-two of our members are currently in prison. We were able to flee and settle here, "says Min Yan Naing, 30 years. The activist has lived for five months in this house of refuge, located in an undisclosed location to escape the Burmese authorities. It is here that young people of Generation Wave plan their next actions in Burma. The logo of the collective, one-inch red on a white rose was added in large format on one wall extérieurs.Le underground movement was born in the bosom of the popular uprising of 2007, initiated by Buddhist monks and suppressed in blood by the military in power. Four students decide to continue the fight in an underground way. With their own savings, they launched Generation Wave. "We want to encourage people, especially youth, to rise again when it is the right time," says Min Yan Naing. To convince students and students in the interest of revolt, the collective use of targeted processes: SMS, graffiti on the walls of Rangoon, broadcasting anti-junta pamphlets or CD of hip-hop lyrics to activists . "This song, for example, was written in honor of Aung San Suu Kyi, says the activist. Our record has been released under the mantle in the Burmese universities. Some local artists have given us a helping hand without saying so publicly. "

The CD cover of the group "Generation Wave.

Currently, activists are focused on the elections to be held before the end of the year. Thousands of stickers with the sign in 2010 marked with a red cross were printed. "This election is based on a constitution imposed by the military, it will be unfair," insists the secretary general of the collective. Secretly met in a cafe on the outskirts of Rangoon, the young man of 24 years is presented simply as code name: TOC. This is one of the few activists Generation Wave still live in Burma. "I'm wanted by the police. Then last year, I left my house, my friends. I fled to Thailand a few months, but I quickly returned to Burma as it is here that I can be helpful, "he slips, regularly throwing nervous glances around him. TOC lives, since, with false identity papers and never stays long in the same city. He communicates with his group only by Internet. "It is safer, our phones are monitored," says Will il.Peu by little, residents of Rangoon are beginning to recognize the mark of Generation Wave. "I saw one of their tag on the wall of a school. But it was quickly erased by the municipality, "said Min Thu, a student at Rangoon. But even if the network begins to organize, the group recognizes that with only forty activists, half in prison, his chances of overthrowing the regime are very slim. In 2008, Generation Wave attempted to launch new events, without success. "We can not organize revolt yet. Our goal is just to stimulate young people to educate them until the right moment for an uprising, "says Min Yan Naing. The last weekend, Generation Wave shot a new video clip "activist" in Thailand, with the help of a group of Danish musicians. It will soon be distributed in Burma, all underground.

Giles Hewitt (AFP)

NEW DELHI - India has rolled out the red carpet Tuesday to Burmese junta leader, General Than Shwe, to an official state visit severely criticized by human rights organizations of human rights who see a tacit acceptance regime.

Than Shwe has been received with honors at a ceremony at the presidential palace in New Delhi.

The Generalissimo, who suppressed an iron hand the pro-democracy demonstrations led by monks in 2007, then laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi, father of Indian nation and apostle of nonviolence.

The Burmese regime's strong man, aged 77, met with Foreign Minister SM Krishna and was to meet later in the day with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"India and Burma enjoy very good relations. The aim of the visit is to enhance existing relationships and economic cooperation, "said Minister for Economic Development of Burma, U. Soe Tha.

"We want to encourage Indian private sector to work with us," he said before a delegation of Indian businessmen.

Previously strong supporter of the Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, India has begun to move closer to the junta in the mid 90's, when energy and strategic priorities have prevailed over the concerns of democracy and respect for Human Rights.

India, concerned by the oil and gas fields in Burma, trying to compete in the region's main economic rival, China, key trading partner and investor for the junta.

Last month, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Burma to sign a flurry of trade agreements, financial, energy, science and technology.

L'Inde est le quatrième partenaire commercial de la Birmanie, derrière la Thaïlande, la Chine et Singapour. Le pays est notamment présent dans l'énergie: deux entreprises publiques font partie d'un consortium travaillant à l'extraction de gaz naturel au large de l'Etat d'Arakan, dans l'ouest du pays.

Les organisations de défense des droits de l'Homme ont sévèrement critiqué la décision de l'Inde d'accorder la légitimité d'une visite d'Etat officielle à celui qui est considéré comme un paria dans de nombreux pays occidentaux.

“M. Singh devrait exprimer publiquement une critique de principe sur le truquage des lois électorales en Birmanie et sur les restrictions persistantes des libertés fondamentales”, a déclaré Elaine Pearson, directrice pour l'Asie de l'organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW).

La junte, au pouvoir depuis près de cinquante ans, a prévu des élections législatives cette année. Mais la communauté internationale dénonce depuis des mois un processus qui exclut la prix Nobel de la Paix Aung San Suu Kyi.

Dans une lettre ouverte à Manmohan Singh, la Fédération internationale des droits de l'Homme, qui représente 164 organisations dans le monde, a estimé que des rencontres de haut niveau entre l'Inde et la Birmanie “servent à perpétuer la dictature militaire en Birmanie”.

Lundi, une centaine de manifestants se sont rassemblés dans la capitale indienne pour protester contre la venue du chef de la junte, décrit sur des banderoles comme un dictateur militaire et un “meurtrier d'innocents”.

La Birmanie est soumise à des sanctions économiques de la part des Etats-Unis et de l'Union européenne, qui lui reprochent ses violations des droits de l'Homme et le maintien en détention d'Aung San Suu Kyi.

L'efficacité de ces mesures est cependant très atténuée par les investissements réguliers des voisins de la Birmanie.

source : Agora Vox

Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, leader de l'opposition démocratique à la junte militaire birmane, “pourra se présenter aux élections dès qu'elle sera libérée de la résidence forcée à son domicile de Rangoon » a déclaré, selon l'agence japonaise Jiji Press, Nyan Win, le ministre des affaires étrangères birman qui assistait cette semaine au « forum régional de l'ASEAN » réuni à Hanoi (Vietnam).

Il a affirmé que la constitution de son pays n'interdisait à Aung San Suu Kyi de participer en qualité de candidate aux élections.

Cette déclaration spectaculaire qui pourrait faire croire que la dictature militaire birmane se démocratise, est surtout due, peut-on estimer, au fait que le ministre de la junte a été soumis a de sévères critiques de la part des leaders et chefs de gouvernement des États du Sud Est asiatique.

En effet cette affirmation est en contradiction avec la loi électorale, récemment publiée, selon laquelle des prisonniers en cours de peine ainsi que des citoyens birmans conjoints d'Étrangers ne peuvent en aucun cas être élus et remplir des fonctions officielles.

Or cette loi paraît avoir été élaborée pour éliminer Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi de toute activité politique. D'autant plus que cette dernière a été – une nouvelle fois condamnée en Août, l'an dernier, à 18 mois de « résidence forcée » pour « avoir avait prétendu les juges de la junte, abrité un citoyen américain, John Yettaw, qui avait traversé l'Inya lake de Rangoon à la nage pour aller lui rendre visite dans sa maison constuite au bord de l'autre rive. Elle ne devait pas étire libérée avant novembre prochain

Par ailleurs, le président de l'Association des Nations du Sud Est asiatique, Surn Pitsuwan, a souligné lundi dernier lors d'une conférence de presse, que le ministre birman avait entendu ses collègues présents au Forum d'Hanoi, insister sur le fait que les élections prévues en Birmanie devaient être « libres et loyales ». Or on constate actuellement que la junte militaire n'a pas encore fixé de date pour cette consultation générale populaire en se bornant à déclaré qu'elles auraient lieu dans la seconde moitié de 2010. Il d'autre part dissous récemment – par précaution - le parti démocratique dont le leader est Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi.. De telle sorte que même si l'on ne devait pas douter des affirmations du ministre des affaires étrangères, il serait vraisemblable de penser que la Junte estime candidate officiellement sans parti politique et sans troupe elle ne menacerait pas, même élue, les intérêts publics et privés d'une junte fondée , il ya quarante-huit ans - en mars 1962, après le coup d'Etat durant lequel le général Ne Win et son état-major ont abrogé le régime parlementaire présidé par U Nu.

Pour faire bonne figure le ministre birman avait ensuite donné l'assurance à son collègue japonais Katsuya Okada, que le programme nucléaire Nord Coréen est « inacceptable ». Nouvelle preuve du double langage de ministre birman qui se trouvait sous le feu des 27 membres de l'ARF qui avaient été rejoints par Mrs Hillary Clinton. Cette dernière avait confirmé cette assemblée des détails l'évolution des programmes nucléaire de la junte militaire et sur sa collaboration avec la Corée du Nord qui effectue également d'importantes livraisons d'armements à la dictature militaire birmane..

L'ARF est le forum de sécuriré le plus important de l'Asie orientale. Il comprend les dix membres de l'ASEAN ainsi que 17 autres nations parmi lesquelles se trouvent le Etats-Unis, la Chine et la Corée du Nord.

Les États du Sud est Asiatique soupçonnent également, selon la « Voie Démocratique de Birmanie » en exil, que la Corée du Nord assiste la junte militaire dans le développement d'un vaste réseau souterrain de bunkers. Tout un réseau de systèmes lance-missiles nord – coréens a été également été décelé le mois dernier dans le Nord de la Birmanie.

© Bertrand C. Bellaigue juillet 2010