Message to the Reader
Shan Diary April 2015
CHINA WANTS NO WAR ON ITS BORDER!
BANDUNG CONFERENCE 1955 REMEMVERED!
POLITICAL PRISONERS ON THE INCREASE!
Economic
WA TO HOLD HISTORIC 12 PARTY CONFERENCE!
CRONY REMOVED FROM US BLACKLIST!
Ethnic Affairs
International Relations
Inside Burma
Message to the Reader
Dear Reader:
The word ‘compromise’ has more and more become a buzz-word following reform and peace talks
announcements made by Naypyitaw in 2011.
It has been, and always will be, an evil word for some on both sides of the fence. To them, compromise
means both parties are getting what neither of them wants: One’s victory and the other’s defeat.
To others, compromise means “to live and let live”. It is sharing and conciliatory, loving and kind. Instead
of defeating each other, we find ways to live together —or separately —in peace.
Of course, the first group doesn’t see the other in a friendly way. To it, the other is a defeatist. Some
members of the second group may also see the first group as one who is in the way of resolution of
issues in a peaceful manner.
But, in actuality, the two may be complementing each other toward the same goal. Because we have
hawks, it makes it imperative for doves to reach agreements as quickly as possible. Which may not
happen, if we have only doves, with no hawks to help push up the prices.
I therefore hope that groups like the Karen National Union (KNU) which comprises both hawkish and
dovish elements are able to preserve their unity on the principle of Common Goal and Diverse
Actions in their quest for Karen.
Then we may be able to bring peace and prosperity to this land and people in our lifetime.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mysoong Kha! (All the best!)
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SHAN DIARY APRIL 2015
Shan Diary, April 2015
Cartoon
Tips for 22 April Earth Day: A think piece
Think Piece
China, unlike in 2009, 2012 and 2013 has reacted quickly to the influx of more than 30,000
refugees. It sets up refugee camps and bolsters PLA presence along the border. This signals to
the Tatmadaw that Beijing is taking the issue seriously.
The Diplomat, 22 April 2015
Will there be another Cold War?
Last century’s Cold War was based on three necessary conditions: mutual nuclear deterrence
and ideological conflicts were the main contradictions, while proxy war was the main means of
competition. Now we have mutual nuclear deterrence, contradictions over international norms
and scientific and technological innovation as well as pursuit of friendly ties as the means of
competition.
Yan Xuetong, Tsinghua University, Beijing, Bangkok Post, 25 April 2015
Whereas there are no Mon or Kayin political parties in Thailand, though Mon and Kayin live in
Thailand, they persist in Myanmar.
Professor Robert H. Taylor, Mizzima, 28 April 2015
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The World
13 April
Internet security company FireEye says a cyber
espionage group likely sponsored by China has
been snooping on governments and businesses
in Southeast Asia and India undetected for the
last ten years. (AFP)
25 April 2015
9. Myanmar
10. Cuba
(Statement)
27 April 2015
World’s 20 top military spenders, with burdens
of 4% or more of GDPs:
Oman
Algeria
Russia
Saudi Arabia Israel
Lebanon
South Sudan Angola
Myanmar
Chad
UAE
Armenia
Libya
Azerbaijan
Iraq
Republic of Congo
Namibia
Bahrain
Yemen
Syria
(DVB)
International
Relations
Times of India reports anti-talks faction of United
Liberation Front of Assam, National Socialist
Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), National
Democratic Front of Bodo land (Songbijit) and
Meitei groups of Manipur have formed a new
platform called United Liberation Front of West
Southeast Asia.
(Mizzima)
25 April 2015
Magnitude 7.8 quake strikes Nepal killing
estimately more than 10,000 and affecting some
8 million people.
(Agencies)
27 April 2015
Ten most censored countries
1. Eritrea
2. North Korea
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Ethiopia
5. Azerbaijan
6. Vietnam
7. Iran
8. China
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8 April 2015
US embassy speaks on 2008 constitution:
It should be amended to allow civilian
control of the military
Failure to amend will raise questions
about the credibility of reforms (but
does not go so far as to say it would
undermine the legitimacy of elections)
Legitimacy of the elections will be
determined by the people of Burma
(Reuters)
16 April 2015
Naypyitaw hires Podesta Group by signing a $
840,000 contract to promote the country’s
rapprochement with US.
(Irrawaddy)
SHAN DIARY APRIL 2015
21-24 April 2015
President Thein Sein heads for Jakarta to attend
the 2015 Asian- African Conference (AAC) and
celebrate the 60 year anniversary of the 1955
Bandung Declaration on Peaceful Coexistence.
(Agencies)
8 April 2015
Lower House approves amendments to the
National Education Law passed last year.
(Irrawaddy)
8 April 2015
27 April 2015
Xi Jinping meets Shwe Mann, chairman of Union
Solidarity and Development Party in Beijing,
calls on both sides to maintain border peace,
among others.
(ECNS)
28 April 2015
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei tells daily
news briefing China has “lodged stern
representations” with Burma over shelling from
the Burma Army that have fallen into China
causing damage to property. He doesn’t give
exact date of the said incident. (Reuters)
Thai-Burma Relations
29 April 2015
Township Border Committee (TBC) assists in
transit of ethnic representatives bound for
Panghsang Conference, 1-3 May.
(SHAN)
President meets 41 key political figures to
discuss 3 key points: the peace process, general
elections and political stability before the
elections. This is the second time since 12
January that key figures meet. (Xinhua)
Absentees include: Hkun Htun Oo and Gen Min
Aung Hlaing. (RFA)
10 April 2015
6 party talks in Naypyitaw focuses on
constitutional amendments.
(Agencies)
Ethnic Affairs
3 April 2015
Election Commission calls on Mon National Party
to explain why it issued joint statement last
month with New Mon State Party.
(Irrawaddy)
Inside Burma
6 April 2015
6 April 2015
Invitation by organizers from UWSA,NDAA and
KIO for 12 EAOs to attend consultation on 1-3
May in Panghsang. There are 16 groups
recognized by the government. (SHAN)
AAPP says 172 political prisoners are now
serving time while 296 others are awaiting trial.
(Irrawaddy)
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7 April 2015
UNFC issues statement saying the NCA could be
signed only after agreement by EAOs and
“necessary implementation.” (Statement)
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9 April 2015
Police have issued warrant for MNDAA
spokesman Tun Lwin aka Tun Myat Lin aka Peng
Ah Ti aka Tung Khaichang for defamation, says
police source. He is a resident of Maymyo Pyin
Oo Lwin.
(7 Day, Mizzima)
•
No clear provision or procedure written
in order to amend the 2008 constitution
(Karen News)
Shans/Shan State
13-17 April 2015
3 April 2015
U Aung Min and his delegation visits Japan to
meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and hold public
talks. (DVB) Japan will join Joint Monitoring
Committee as observer, he says. (Mizzima)
21-22 April 2015
US ambassador Derek Mitchell visits Hakha and
meets leaders including those from CNF.
(Chinland Guardian)
22 April 2015
Chinese president Xi Jinping tells his Burmese
counterpart on the sidelines of the AAC in
Jakarta that China supports to find a political
solution to “northern Myanmar issue” via peace
negotiations. He “hopes to see new dynamics
of the peace process in Burma at an early date.”
(Xinhua)
23 April 2015
NCA draft still needs to be discussed and
amended, according to KNU deputy president
Zipporah Sein:
• Does not include a ceasefire Code of
Conduct (COC)
• Transition period not included
• CBO call for mega economic projects to
be stopped is not also included
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China demarcates some 150 acres of Shan lands
in Namkham for a planned bridge linking two
countries.
(Irrawaddy)
6 April 2015
Mass demonstrations in support of peace
process held in Taunggyi, Lashio, Loilem,
Kyaukme, Muse and Kengtung. They were, also
held in Mon State. Participants say they were
ordered by local authorities, who in turn refer
to higher authorities, to stage said
demonstrations.
(SHAN/7 Daily)
Economy/ Business
9 April 2015
Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) reached a
record of $ 8 billion during the 2014-15 fiscal
year, more than doubling last year’s $ 3.5 billion,
according to Myanmar Investment commission.
Singapore
$ 4.2 billion
Hong Kong
$ 850 million
China
$ 516 million
SHAN DIARY APRIL 2015
Many US firms are reportedly resorting to
opening offices in Singapore in order to avoid
potential risks involved in doing business with
blacklisted businessmen, says Aung Naing Oo,
Directorate of Investment and Company
Administration (DICA).
(Irrawaddy)
19 April 2015
Act. “Democratic life is still a fantasy in
Myanmar,” it says.
(Statement)
22 April 2015
Complaint filed by villagers of Kong Kon, Tawng
Nao tract, Loilem distract, rejected by district
administrative office. The case is about the
alleged rape by Corporal Myint Thein of LIB513
based in Loilem of a 14-year old girl from the
village on 17 April.
(SHAN)
Environment
6 April 2015
Tin prices have gone down due to flood of supply
from Burma, according to London Metal
Exchange, to $ 14,850 per ton.
(Dow Jones)
23 April 2015
World Bank announces new funding package
worth $ 1.6 billion in credit as well as $ 1 billion
from its private investment arm for Burma. This
is the first full framework for the country since
1984, 31 years ago. (DVB)
Locals of Mongton, meeting the Snowy
Mountain Engineering Corporation (SME) of
23 April 2015
Australia, leave the meeting hall to
Win Aung, president of Burma’s main business demonstrate displeasure over dam construction
association and his companies, removed from on the Salween.
US treasury’s sanctions list.
(SHAN)
(AP)
8 April 2015
Haze pollution discussion at Chulalongkorn
University hears Bio Thai Foundation director
Witoon Lianchamroon putting the blame
21 April 2015
squarely on commercial maize planters than
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) traditional highland tribe people. He shows a
condemning misuse of Peaceful Assembly and graph that demonstrates close relationship
Peaceful Procession Act by the government, and between maize prices and the number of forest
the judicial system still under control of fires. Maize operators include CP that has
administrative and executive authorities, calls contracts also in Burma and Laos.
for the passing of regulations in terms of the said (Bangkok Post)
Human Rights
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Drugs
29 April 2015
The Burma Army, while attacking an MNDAA
stronghold northeast of Laogai today, uses
chemical shells, alleged MNDAA spokesman
Tun Myat Lin.
According to him:
• The shells emit different colors of
smoke: red, yellow, blue and even
bright white
• Sharply sweet smelling
• Fighters vomit while eating or drinking
and feel weak afterward
(VOA)
Obituary
Safe Mekong joint Operation meeting in
Chiangmai agrees to extend drug crackdown,
11 May-11 September.
(Bangkok Post)
21 April 2015
War
18 April 2015
Second clash between AA’s Brigade 5 and LIB
539 in Kyauktaw. One AA fighter killed. The
first clash in Arakan was on 29 March.
(Irrawaddy)
19 April 2015
Government issues statement on Kokang
offensive:
Clashes 253
government killed 126
wounded 359
Kokang killed
74
Arms confiscated
226
Kokang surrender
22
(DVB/Irrawaddy)
23 April 2015
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Burma marks the first anniversary of respected
journalist U Win Tin’s death by wearing blue
shirts. He had worn his blue prison shirt every
day after release from prison in 2008 “until there
are no political prisoners.”
(Mizzima/Agenies)
SHAN DIARY APRIL 2015
S.H.A.N. P.O.Box 15, Nong Hoi P.O., Chiangmai 50007, Thailand
Email: [email protected]
www.english.panglong.org, www.shan.panglong.org,
www.burmese.panglong.org and www.khonkhurtai.org
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