dejunter burma

source release

Many of the political upheavals that rocked Burma in the past were the result of younger generations, often willing to invest despite the dangers. So at a time when the space opens up and tongues are loosened, the militants hiding anymore. (© AFP Soe Than Win)

Many of the political upheavals that rocked Burma in the past were the result of younger generations, often willing to invest despite the dangers. So at a time when the space opens up and tongues are loosened, the militants hiding plus.Au As the government, which succeeded a junta in March, confirms its commitment to openness and the fear of repression fades, young Burmese taste the pleasure of commitment. With even more fervor than approach the elections on April 1.

This is the case of Thuzar Lwin, 25, a member since 2007 of the National League for Democracy (NLD) of Aung San Suu Kyi. Like many others, she volunteers her time at the headquarters of the NLD, whose executives, nicknamed the "uncles", all have more than 80 years.

"I joined because I wanted to fight for the truth," said the graduate of Zoology updating membership lists with activists held recently amnestied.

"That's good, what's going on. We must continue on this path. "

In 1988, students in Rangoon had launched what was to become the largest uprising in the history of military rule. Repression had up to 3,000 dead and universities were placed under surveillance.

In 2007, the "saffron rebellion" was this time initiated by Buddhist monks. But activists in 1988 had not been praying to join them. And many are only recently out of prison.

But Min Ko Naing, 49, considered the greatest leader in 1988, found that his popularity had not suffered. He was greeted by a cheering crowd to its release in mid-January, and promised his followers to keep fighting.

In this context, the renewal of generations seems obvious. "We, the alumni of the movement of 1988, we are no longer young. So we try to work with the younger generation, "said Myo Nyunt, 46, a spokesman of the NLD Youth.

Many instinctively turn to the League, which spearheaded and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize is presented to the April elections, Sunday and mobilized tens of thousands of people on a trip to the coastal town Dawei (south).

But others seek adventure independently as Generation Wave, an underground movement formed after the revolt Safran and became known through music and poetry.

Bo Bo, a student of English, 23, left the university in 2008 by joining the movement for fear of reprisals.

"I wanted to do for my country," he says. In 2007, the military "attacked the monks peacefully protesting, I was really shocked and I was encouraged to get involved."

With his comrades, he now organizes conferences and campaigns. "We do not want to form a party," he said, while stating "try to work with certain political parties and make suggestions."

Prudent, he wants to wait a bit to see how the country will turn to "decide the direction" that might take.

Meanwhile, the April elections offer a new opportunity to make a political choice. The regime has promised they would be "free and fair" after the election of November 2010, marked by numerous protests and called a "masquerade" by the West.

"This is the second time I vote," gloats Yar Zar Phyo, 21, an engineering student, who did not expect as two years ago, when the election was only known that in 1990, after which the junta had denied his victory in the NLD.

"It changes more than ever right now," he enthuses. "Today, I say that anything is possible in my country."

Power is not even synonymous with fear. "They suspected us all the time. Anymore. Today we are free again. "

source release

After a first speech in the city of Dawei, many cars and motorcycles followed the procession which led from village to village, children in school uniforms cheering on his way, and an even larger crowd was waiting in the riding Aung Soe. (© AFP Soe Than Win)

Tens of thousands of people cheered Sunday Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a trip in the south of the country to support his party before the elections on April 1, seen as a test of the sincerity of the new reforms regime.

"If we're going in the right direction, many venues in our country. We are eager to enter, "said the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize itself legislative candidate for the first time in his career.

"You are our heart," proclaimed banners agitated by his supporters emblazoned with the logo of the hit National League for Democracy (NLD) T-shirts.

The locals were out in droves to see in the flesh the opposition leader released from house arrest in November 2010 and was on in the coastal region of Dawei his first campaign trip outside Rangoon.

"We asked several times (Aung San Suu Kyi) to come to campaign in our region (...) It did not come here for 23 years," said the AFP Aung Soe, NLD candidate that she came to support.

After a first speech in the city of Dawei, many cars and motorcycles followed the procession which led from village to village, children in school uniforms cheering on his way, and an even larger crowd was waiting in the riding Aung Soe.

Scenes unimaginable even a year ago, when the "Lady" from Rangoon hated by General Than Shwe, leader of the former junta now retired, was marginalized after spending most of the previous twenty years of private freedom.

But since the junta for nearly half a century dissolved itself in March 2011 and transferred its powers to a new "civilian" government, although controlled by former military.

This new team has stepped dramatic reforms, releasing hundreds of political prisoners and allowing the return of Suu Kyi at the heart of politics.

NLD dissolved in May 2010 to have decided to boycott the elections next November, and was allowed to re-register and present candidates for 48 seats compete in national and regional meetings on April 1.

These elections to fill vacancies appointed by elected ministers will not threaten the overwhelming majority of the party of power.

Still, "people will see if they are free and fair. There should be no vote buying or threats to get votes, "insisted Suu Kyi.

Conditions on which also emphasize the Western capitals. After the 2010 elections denounced by the West as a sham, how to run it will be key to Washington and Brussels to decide whether to lift the sanctions.

The NLD won a landslide victory in 1990 elections but the junta never recognized the results.

The move would also lead Sunday Suu Kyi at the scene of the controversial project to build an industrial complex and a deep-water port, which threatens some uncontrolled influx of dirty industries in violation of the rights of local populations .

Another sign of change in regime, the authorities are yet to cancel the construction of a coal plant on the site, citing "environmental problems".

Suu Kyi, who has made only rare visits outside Rangoon since her release has been difficult in the past trips.

In 2003, she and her team were attacked in an ambush apparently it orchestrated by the ruling junta, who had a hundred deaths in the NLD, four under the plan. The attack led to his house arrest for seven years.

source: lemonde.fr

If proof were needed that Burma becomes a fréquentable country is this: for the first time, an official Burmese delegation was invited this year's World Economic Forum in Davos. And it came.

This is U Soe Thane , Minister of Industry, who directs. His message, delivered in English sometimes hesitant but always with a smile , is clear: Burma opens its arms to foreign investors. And they do not pray . "They rush, he assures us, amused, and not just in the Forum. There is not a free hotel room currently in Rangoon. " About hotels, tourism is also an area full of future Burma, confirms the Minister. At Davos, CEOs groups Starwood and Marriott have also expressed interest.

For host , Burma, including the new President Thein Sein says want out of fifty years of relentless dictatorship prepares a favorable foreign investment laws, including tax exemption for eight years for interested companies, renewable exemption if the investment is profitable for Burma, announced the Minister. At his side, the vice minister of railways, U Thaung Lwin , leader of one of the three newly created special economic zones, said that this legislation will be adopted "before the end of February."

THE SAME CONDITIONS FOR ALL

Japanese consultants were hired to "we make more attractive for investments in neighboring countries. " China, a strong presence in Burma, she will receive preferential treatment? "Anyone can ask to invest , meets U Soe Thane. conditions will be the same for all, and the process will be transparent. "

The country is growing at 6% of GDP in 2012 and would especially open to investment sectors "employing much labor, particularly agriculture." "But we also have two coasts, ports, fishing, gas, pipeline, and a young English-speaking population ... "That strangers make no mistake, however: if the Burmese government has decided to open the country is not under pressure from Western sanctions which will be gradually lifted. It is only, say the two ministers, "for the good of our people."

Aung San Suu Kyi has also been invited to Davos. In a video message, the Nobel Prize for Peace, which prepares for elections on April 1, said that if she could not come , "it is for reasons closely related to the theme of the Forum 'large transformations - develop new models. " We have not yet reached the point of great transformation, she said, but we have a rare and invaluable opportunity to achieve it. " For her, the fact that the Minister U Soe Thane is there reflected, moreover, "these positive changes."

Sylvie Kauffmann

source: cnn

Political reforms briskly by Burma sharpen the appetite of foreign investors attracted by a potential rich and untapped, but that will have to accommodate a complicated environment, marked by decades of military management. | Soe Than Win

Reform policies conducted briskly by Burma whet the appetite of foreign investors attracted by a potential rich and untapped, but that will have to accommodate a complicated environment, marked by decades of management military.
As and when the government increases the political, and the West evokes the gradual lifting of economic sanctions, the country of 60 million inhabitants opens to a market economy. Rich in oil, timber and minerals, supported by a very favorable climate for agriculture, Burma also has a huge tourism potential and will have to equip heavy infrastructure.

"The numbers are exploding, we no longer find a place in hotels in high season," comments a foreign businessman in the tourism and real estate.
The authorities have recently given to businessmen well underway in Rangoon "a list? Buildings they want to sell," he said. And the atmosphere is deregulation. "Licences which took weeks to get? S get in the day."
Only groups present before the introduction of sanctions in the late 90s, were able to stay. This is the case of the Total Group. When other companies will be allowed to join them, they will discover a country overwhelmed by half a century of military management.
Parliament has yet to vote on the first investment law. And the courts have no jurisdiction or independence.
The banking system has just recovered from a severe crisis in 2003. And the exchange rate on the black market is almost a hundred times more interesting than the official.
The parallel economy is flourishing, including cross-border trade and illegal migration of workers who repatriate their income as they can.
"The law is obsolete so people working on their own. They do not want to be illegally but they have no choice, "said Toe Naing Mann, son of the powerful president of the lower house, the former General Shwe Mann, who abandoned the business to help his father .
"The new government is trying to open and reduce the restrictions, controls, transaction costs, to create a favorable environment," says his side the researcher Winston Set Aung, co-founder of the Asia Development Research Institute Yangon.
But "foreign investors may well need to understand how the informal economy before it integrates the formal economy."
For very large operators, it will therefore probably have to wait a bit. Before leaving office in March 2011, the junta launched a vast program of privatization, including the port of Rangoon and service stations.
But Toe Naing Mann points out that the country lacks the infrastructure to make it viable fuel distribution. And exclude the hypothesis of the arrival of the global giants.
"Sometimes too we protect our national interests," he admits without admitting directly that businessmen linked to the junta had taken full advantage of privatization.
Japanese Trade Minister has provided to bring a delegation of business leaders and American businessmen prepare an exploratory visit.
But as Vietnam 90s, when the United States had lifted their embargo, it is primarily lawyers and consulting firms who will take storefront.
The oil and gas sector, mining and timber shall seek to license applications, as well as banking and tourism, prognostic Aekapol Chongvilaivan, Institute for Asian Studies Southeast Singapore.
But corruption, mismanagement and "imbalances in macroeconomic policy" remains problematic, he notes, regretting that "reforms in industrial and financial markets are discussed in inadequate infrastructure and uncertain political dismal business climate. "

source release

The European Union is considering whether to ease in February its sanctions against Burma and economic assistance to greet the reforms initiated by the regime, but the process is still under debate, it was learned Wednesday from diplomatic sources . (© AFP Frederic de la Mure)

The European Union is considering whether to ease in February its sanctions against Burma and economic assistance to greet the reforms initiated by the regime, but the process is still under debate, it was learned Wednesday from diplomatic sources . A visit to the head of European diplomacy, Catherine Ashton, to Naypyidaw, the new Burmese capital, is also being considered and could take place "soon" despite an agenda "very busy," he told AFP a spokesman Michael Mann.

"In light of recent developments in the country, we launched a comprehensive review of our policy in Burma," he added.

The topic should be discussed during a meeting of foreign ministers scheduled for Monday in Brussels. A decision on the lifting of some sanctions could follow "during February," according to sources.

A draft declaration opening the door to this possibility is under discussion for a meeting of EU foreign ministers scheduled for Monday in Brussels, they said.

The French and British ministers, Alain Juppe and William Hague want to offer Monday "gradually revise" the sanctions regime, with first steps "in the very short term," said Wednesday Bernard Valero, spokesman of the Quai d'Orsay .

MM. Hague and Juppe, who have both recently traveled to Burma, "also agreed that the EU must remain vigilant," he added.

An EU diplomat said the aim was "to send signs of encouragement" while recognizing that "there is some difference of opinion" between European countries.

Some of them, including France and Germany want to send a strong signal easing some sanctions soon.

Others, particularly the Scandinavian countries and the UK, called for greater caution, stressing the need to meet specific criteria on respect for freedom of expression and the release of political prisoners.

"The debates are about + when + and + how + to lift sanctions. There are different opinions on whether to lift sooner or later, "said a diplomat.

"He differences but we can not say that the EU is divided on Burma," insisted another official.

For Europeans, the by-elections scheduled for April 1 will be a test of the sincerity of the reforms. "The elections will be free and fair," said a diplomat.

Recently returned to the heart of politics, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday launched his campaign to enter Parliament.

The EU has already announced in early January that it will open a representation in Burma.

In April 2011, it had slightly reduced its sanctions against Naypyidaw, suspending gels have and visa bans for a third of the government, including the chief diplomat.

The junta in power for nearly half a century has self-dissolved and transferred its powers in March to a new "civilian" government, although controlled by former military. It recently announced the release of some 300 political prisoners, including leading dissidents.

source release

The Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi filed Wednesday his candidacy for parliamentary by-elections April 1, for the first time in his political career (© AFP Soe Than Win)

The Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi filed Wednesday his candidacy for parliamentary by-elections April 1, for the first time in his political career, found a photographer from AFP.'s Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize is presented to the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the constituency of Kawhmu near Rangoon, for this election regarded by the West as a test for the democratic ambitions of the new Burmese regime.

Suu Kyi was already locked in the 1990 elections, during which the NLD had humiliated the military regime by winning 392 of the 485 seats in competition. Results that the general had refused to honor.

And she was released from house arrest a week after the November 2010 elections, during which the Burmese were asked to describe for the first time in twenty years, national and regional meetings, including 25% of the seats are automatically reserved the active military.

The party specially created by the junta then in power had won a landslide victory, after suspicions of fraud and criticized campaign. An election denounced by the West as a sham.

But since the junta, in power for nearly half a century, dissolved itself and transferred in March its powers to a government says "civilian", although controlled by former military.

This new team led by President Thein Sein has increased in recent months the dramatic reforms, including the return to the heart of the political game of Suu Kyi, who spent most of the last twenty years of private freedom.

NLD party with which the democracy icon has spent his entire political career, which had been dissolved by the junta in May 2010 it announced its boycott of elections next November has been officially re-register.

And decided to present candidates in these elections to fill 48 seats in both houses of parliament and regional assemblies, seats vacated by elected officials have become ministers.

© 2012 AFP

source: Marianne2

Aung San Suu Kyi (cc flikr Globalism Pictures)

Release of political prisoners, legalized trade unions, lifting the censorship on newspapers, re-registration of the National League for Democracy, the political party of Aung San Suu Kyi, the organization of elections. Rarely has a country under the control of a military dictatorship for over 25 years has opened so swiftly. To the point of asking questions about the motivations of this spring in Rangoon called "historical process" by Alain Juppe during his visit to the country this weekend.

The images of the Arab Spring and the unyielding dictators before fleeing their country, for some, be caged and judged? The release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who appears as the first sign of an easing of the Burmese regime was made in November 2010, ie before the first beginnings of the Arab Spring invalidate this hypothesis.

It is more economic criterion that seems to be the origin of this conversion. The country, which is full of natural resources, was subject to economic sanctions for more than two decades and many generals were converted to the idea of ​​taking advantage of this windfall.

source: lenouvelsobs item: Frederic Debomy

source: lefigaro

Alain Juppe, Saturday in Rangoon, with the three opponents released on the eve Photo credits:. FREDERIC THE WALLS / AFP