Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) robbed Monsur Alam’s house from Litra (Kurkhali) village of Maungdaw north on November 16, at midnight with allegation of checking mobile set inside the house, said a schoolteacher preferring not to be named.
“Three Nasaka personnel with four collaborators from Nasaka area No. 4, forcibly entered the house of Fatema Khatun (25) in the guise of checking mobile set at midnight of November 16 while her husband Monsur Alam was absent from the home to watch his shrimps project as local people pilfered shrimps from the project.”
“The Nasaka personnel checked the house everywhere, but they did not find any mobile set, so, they had broken the iron box of Fatema Khatun and took away Kyat 125,000.”
“Fatema with her mother in law, Roshida Begum (50) were severely beaten for their resistance while the Nasaka personnel were taking money from their home.”
Fetema is none months old pregnant while Nasaka attacked her, said a relative of Monsur Alam.
The next day, the victim with her husband went to the Nasaka Headquaters of Kawar Bill and appraised the incident to the Nasaka duty officer where the officer didn’t take any action. So, they returned home with disappointment, said a local trader quoting Alam.
“The case was again transferred to the Nasaka area number 4 office for interrogation where the area commander Major Kyaw Aung summoned Alam to the office, but he did not appear to the camp for fear of arrest or harassment.”
A businessman from the locality said, “Why does the Nasaka take away the money while they fail to find illegal mobile set?”
A local elder said, “At mid night, why does the Nasaka enter the house while the male is absent from the house under the guise of checking mobile set without village administration officer?”
The four Nasaka collaborators are: - Faizal (22), son of Abul Kalam, Dulaya (23), son of Ali Zuhar, Alam Gir (30), son of Ali Ahmed and Ayub (30), son of Kasim. They all belong to Litra (Kurkhali) village, said a local youth who denied to e named.
Friday, 25 November 2011
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Not able to stay their home in northern Arakan
Maungdaw, Arakan State: Rohingyas from two villages are not able to stay in their home for fear of arrest in northern Arakan State since November 1 and 17 in Burmese border security force (Nasaka) area 8 and 9, said a Rohingya youth from Buthidaung.
Hasson –an active social worker from Thaung Bazar – had been severally stabbed by a dacoit - Mohamed Nur who stay in Aziznagor village under Chittagong Hill tract - on November 17, according to a village elder from Thaung Bazar.
“Mohamed Nur frequently enters to northern Arakan and robbed the Rohingya villages from Buthidaung and Maungdaw. He returned to Bangladesh after robbing the villages and stay with his associated partner from Aziznagor.”
“The villagers of Thaung Bazar lost an active worker who always managed the security of the village, but the Nasaka are harassing to villagers for entering the robber into the village. The authority is not giving advice to protect the village, but thinking how to extort the money from villagers after arresting with this case.”
“Most of the villagers are fleeing their home for fear of arrest and to escape from extortion. The village has now to men in the village while all the men are fleeing from home which is much risked for female to stay home without male at night,” said a village administration office member.
Similarly, the villagers of Done Pite ( Aung Deik Pyin) are not facing more harassment from authority as the villagers not allowed to enter the village or going out. Most of the male villagers are out of village for fear of arrest which occurred on November 1 - two Nasaka personnel were killed by villagers while trying to attempt to rape a girl by Nasaka – in the village, according to a NGO worker.
“The Nasaka surrounded the village where no one can enter or out from village event the foods from outside. The Nasaka arrested more than 15 villagers where one was killed and some were injured seriously in their custody who were admitted in the hospital.”
“The male villagers escape from village on November 1 after accident and some back the day into village were arrested by Nasaka. No Males were back to the village for fear of arrest.”
According to local, “The accident was occurred in Serakparang in Ratheduang under Nasaka area 8, killed 5 villagers and some are admitted in the hospital.”
Hasson –an active social worker from Thaung Bazar – had been severally stabbed by a dacoit - Mohamed Nur who stay in Aziznagor village under Chittagong Hill tract - on November 17, according to a village elder from Thaung Bazar.
“Mohamed Nur frequently enters to northern Arakan and robbed the Rohingya villages from Buthidaung and Maungdaw. He returned to Bangladesh after robbing the villages and stay with his associated partner from Aziznagor.”
“The villagers of Thaung Bazar lost an active worker who always managed the security of the village, but the Nasaka are harassing to villagers for entering the robber into the village. The authority is not giving advice to protect the village, but thinking how to extort the money from villagers after arresting with this case.”
“Most of the villagers are fleeing their home for fear of arrest and to escape from extortion. The village has now to men in the village while all the men are fleeing from home which is much risked for female to stay home without male at night,” said a village administration office member.
Similarly, the villagers of Done Pite ( Aung Deik Pyin) are not facing more harassment from authority as the villagers not allowed to enter the village or going out. Most of the male villagers are out of village for fear of arrest which occurred on November 1 - two Nasaka personnel were killed by villagers while trying to attempt to rape a girl by Nasaka – in the village, according to a NGO worker.
“The Nasaka surrounded the village where no one can enter or out from village event the foods from outside. The Nasaka arrested more than 15 villagers where one was killed and some were injured seriously in their custody who were admitted in the hospital.”
“The male villagers escape from village on November 1 after accident and some back the day into village were arrested by Nasaka. No Males were back to the village for fear of arrest.”
According to local, “The accident was occurred in Serakparang in Ratheduang under Nasaka area 8, killed 5 villagers and some are admitted in the hospital.”
BGB arrests 16 boat- people, 33 pushed back to Burma
Teknaf, Bangladesh: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested 16 boat-people while going to Malaysia with rickety engine boat from Shapuri Dip and another 33 Rohingyas - arrested from Whaikong BGB check-post - were pushed back to Burma on November 19, according to BGB official statement.
“Among the arrested 16 boat-people are seven Rohingya and nine Bangladeshi. BGB of Shapuri Dip, outpost camp seized a boat with suspected from the Shapuri Dip jetty which was boarding some people who were coming from Burma and waiting some people who will come from Cox’s Bazar and local Shapuri Dip to join the trip at noon.”
The owner of the boat is Ismail, son of Haji Salay, hailed from Barmaya Para of Shapuri Dip, said a fisherman from shapuri Dip.
Most of the engine-boats were going to Malaysia after getting understanding among Dalals (agents), local BGB members and Coast Guards, otherwise, the boat-people will be arrested, said a local elder from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.
“The well-known agents from Shapuri Dip are:- Dolu Hussain, Mozi Bullah, Monna, Shaker, Amin, Shobbir, Kana Jaffar, Kobira, Jaffar, Rejaul Karim, Nurul Alam, Rahim Ullah Younous, Nazir Ahmed Bulu, Amin.”
Besides, on November 18, at night, three agents were arrested including Nurul Islam and Belal by police from Nonna Sara of Cox’s Bazar while preparing to board on some boat- people into an engine trawler. But, nearly 40 persons were fled after sensing the presence of police and coast-guard. It is learnt that it will go to Shapuri Dip for boarding boat-people after boarding people from Cox’s Bazar. Most of the people are Rohingya refugees, said SI of Cox’s Bazar police station.
Abdullah (36) – a refugee - son of Abdul Amin from D-2 Block of Kutupalong camp was arrested with suspicion and released after interrogation for not involving in the human trafficking, said Zahirul Islam, an officer of Coast Guard.
Police super (Model cycle) of Cox’s Bazar Sayed Tofayel Ahmed confirmed the incident.
It is a suitable time for the boat-people as the sea is calm in winter, so that boat-people can go easily to Malaysia by sea route, said a trader from Shapuri Dip.
“Among the arrested 16 boat-people are seven Rohingya and nine Bangladeshi. BGB of Shapuri Dip, outpost camp seized a boat with suspected from the Shapuri Dip jetty which was boarding some people who were coming from Burma and waiting some people who will come from Cox’s Bazar and local Shapuri Dip to join the trip at noon.”
The owner of the boat is Ismail, son of Haji Salay, hailed from Barmaya Para of Shapuri Dip, said a fisherman from shapuri Dip.
Most of the engine-boats were going to Malaysia after getting understanding among Dalals (agents), local BGB members and Coast Guards, otherwise, the boat-people will be arrested, said a local elder from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.
“The well-known agents from Shapuri Dip are:- Dolu Hussain, Mozi Bullah, Monna, Shaker, Amin, Shobbir, Kana Jaffar, Kobira, Jaffar, Rejaul Karim, Nurul Alam, Rahim Ullah Younous, Nazir Ahmed Bulu, Amin.”
Besides, on November 18, at night, three agents were arrested including Nurul Islam and Belal by police from Nonna Sara of Cox’s Bazar while preparing to board on some boat- people into an engine trawler. But, nearly 40 persons were fled after sensing the presence of police and coast-guard. It is learnt that it will go to Shapuri Dip for boarding boat-people after boarding people from Cox’s Bazar. Most of the people are Rohingya refugees, said SI of Cox’s Bazar police station.
Abdullah (36) – a refugee - son of Abdul Amin from D-2 Block of Kutupalong camp was arrested with suspicion and released after interrogation for not involving in the human trafficking, said Zahirul Islam, an officer of Coast Guard.
Police super (Model cycle) of Cox’s Bazar Sayed Tofayel Ahmed confirmed the incident.
It is a suitable time for the boat-people as the sea is calm in winter, so that boat-people can go easily to Malaysia by sea route, said a trader from Shapuri Dip.
Bangladesh urges UNHCR to take effective steps to repatriate refugees
Chittagong, Bangladesh: Dr Abdur Razzaque, the Food and Disaster Management Minister of Bangladesh urged the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to take effective steps to repatriate the Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh on November 20, according to official statement.
“He made the call when UNHCR assistant high commissioner Janet Lim met him at the Secretariat.”
Razzaque also said that the Rohingyas are an extra burden for densely populated Bangladesh. “Although Bangladesh is a poor country, it has been continuing its assistance to the Rohingyas, considering the humanitarian ground.”
Janet Lim requested the Bangladesh government to take steps to ensure nutrition of Rohingyas who are living in shelter centres in Bangladesh.
Besides, Bangladesh - as a principled position, had never pursued ‘forced repatriation’ of refugees- Dipu Moni the foreign ministry said in a press released.
Bangladesh is cooperating with the UNHCR to support the voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya refugees through diplomatic negotiations with Burma, Dipo Moni said.
The foreign Minister also said that at around 9,000 of the refugees were earlier cleared by the Burma government in 2005.
The repatriation of Rohingya to Burma should remain strictly voluntary, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner Janet Lim stated.
According to a group of refugees, “We will go back to our motherland if the Burmese authorities give us citizenship with Rohingya ethnicity and equal rights as other ethnics groups.”
A politician on condition of anonymity said that if the Burmese authorities do not grant full citizenship with ethnicity and equal rights to the Rohingya refugees, the refugees will never go back to Burma.
The politician also said, “We fled to Bangladesh from Burma because of persecution and human rights abuses by the military regime. We will not jump again into the same persecution and human rights abuses by the military regime. We would rather die in Bangladesh or elsewhere.”
“He made the call when UNHCR assistant high commissioner Janet Lim met him at the Secretariat.”
Razzaque also said that the Rohingyas are an extra burden for densely populated Bangladesh. “Although Bangladesh is a poor country, it has been continuing its assistance to the Rohingyas, considering the humanitarian ground.”
Janet Lim requested the Bangladesh government to take steps to ensure nutrition of Rohingyas who are living in shelter centres in Bangladesh.
Besides, Bangladesh - as a principled position, had never pursued ‘forced repatriation’ of refugees- Dipu Moni the foreign ministry said in a press released.
Bangladesh is cooperating with the UNHCR to support the voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya refugees through diplomatic negotiations with Burma, Dipo Moni said.
The foreign Minister also said that at around 9,000 of the refugees were earlier cleared by the Burma government in 2005.
The repatriation of Rohingya to Burma should remain strictly voluntary, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner Janet Lim stated.
According to a group of refugees, “We will go back to our motherland if the Burmese authorities give us citizenship with Rohingya ethnicity and equal rights as other ethnics groups.”
A politician on condition of anonymity said that if the Burmese authorities do not grant full citizenship with ethnicity and equal rights to the Rohingya refugees, the refugees will never go back to Burma.
The politician also said, “We fled to Bangladesh from Burma because of persecution and human rights abuses by the military regime. We will not jump again into the same persecution and human rights abuses by the military regime. We would rather die in Bangladesh or elsewhere.”
Friday, 18 November 2011
Suu Kyi's party to contest Myanmar by-elections
The party of Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, which boycotted last year's general election, said on Friday it would contest upcoming by-elections, the latest sign of political rapprochement under a new civilian government.
The 106-member Central Executive Committee of the National League for Democracy (NLD) voted unanimously to register the party, which was officially dissolved last year by the then military regime, and contest the by-elections, it said.
At a meeting to decide whether to re-register, Suu Kyi told members she was in favour of the party contesting the house seats, but she did not say whether she herself was interested in becoming a member of parliament.
"In my opinion, I would like the party to re-register and to run in the by-elections in all the 48 constituencies," she told the meeting, which was attended by reporters.
No date has been announced for the by-elections but they are expected by the end of the year.
The NLD, Myanmar's biggest opposition force, won a 1990 election by a landslide but the country's military refused to cede power and for the following two decade suppressed the party's activities, putting many of its members in prison.
The party boycotted the next election, held on November 7 last year, because of strict laws that prevented many of its members from taking part. As a result, the authorities officially dissolved it but it has continued to function and enjoys strong support from the public.
Myanmar recently amended a political party law removing a clause barring anyone convicted of a crime from joining a party or taking part in an election, paving the way for those who had served a prison term, including Suu Kyi, to contest the polls.
Suu Kyi, the daughter of late independence hero Aung San and a staunch opponent of the military dictators, spent 15 of the previous 21 years in detention before her release from house arrest a year ago.
CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate commands considerable influence over the party and the unanimous vote supporting her viewpoint was widely expected.
NLD insiders said the party was split on contesting last year's election but voted unanimously to boycott the polls after Suu Kyi said she "would not dream" of taking part.
The decision to amend the party laws was widely seen as a move to bring the NLD into Myanmar's new legislative apparatus, which has operated more freely than expected and allowed the kind of public debate that was forbidden under the military.
But even if it wins in all the by-elections, it would still be a minority voice in a parliament dominated by soldiers and proxies of the military, which ruled Myanmar for five decade before the civilian government took office in March.
Ko Ko Hlaing, a senior advisor to President Thein Sein, said on the sidelines of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Bali that the NLD's decision was a "significant step."
"(Suu Kyi's) party will be a formidable opposition force in the parliament. That is a very good formula for the democratic system," he told Reuters on Friday.
"So there are no political forces outside the constitutional framework. So we can work together ... (in a) truly democratic system."
The presence of Suu Kyi's party in parliament would be another sign of openness that could give more legitimacy to the retired generals in charge of the country, who are eager to be accepted by the public at home and the international community.
For that same reason, Myanmar lobbied hard for a chance to chair the 10-member ASEAN in 2014, two years ahead of schedule.
Under the leadership of Thein Sein, the government has started a dialogue with Suu Kyi, moves welcomed by the West, which has imposed sanctions on the country because of its poor human rights record.
The government recently released more than 230 political prisoners, eased media censorship and sought guidance from international financial institutions.
Many analysts believe Suu Kyi will not run for a parliamentary seat herself so she can focus on reconciliation and engagement with the government and international community.
 |
Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi shakes hands with people outside the National League for Democracy (NLD) head office after a meeting in Yangon November 18, 2011. |
At a meeting to decide whether to re-register, Suu Kyi told members she was in favour of the party contesting the house seats, but she did not say whether she herself was interested in becoming a member of parliament.
"In my opinion, I would like the party to re-register and to run in the by-elections in all the 48 constituencies," she told the meeting, which was attended by reporters.
No date has been announced for the by-elections but they are expected by the end of the year.
The NLD, Myanmar's biggest opposition force, won a 1990 election by a landslide but the country's military refused to cede power and for the following two decade suppressed the party's activities, putting many of its members in prison.
The party boycotted the next election, held on November 7 last year, because of strict laws that prevented many of its members from taking part. As a result, the authorities officially dissolved it but it has continued to function and enjoys strong support from the public.
Myanmar recently amended a political party law removing a clause barring anyone convicted of a crime from joining a party or taking part in an election, paving the way for those who had served a prison term, including Suu Kyi, to contest the polls.
Suu Kyi, the daughter of late independence hero Aung San and a staunch opponent of the military dictators, spent 15 of the previous 21 years in detention before her release from house arrest a year ago.
CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate commands considerable influence over the party and the unanimous vote supporting her viewpoint was widely expected.
NLD insiders said the party was split on contesting last year's election but voted unanimously to boycott the polls after Suu Kyi said she "would not dream" of taking part.
The decision to amend the party laws was widely seen as a move to bring the NLD into Myanmar's new legislative apparatus, which has operated more freely than expected and allowed the kind of public debate that was forbidden under the military.
But even if it wins in all the by-elections, it would still be a minority voice in a parliament dominated by soldiers and proxies of the military, which ruled Myanmar for five decade before the civilian government took office in March.
Ko Ko Hlaing, a senior advisor to President Thein Sein, said on the sidelines of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Bali that the NLD's decision was a "significant step."
"(Suu Kyi's) party will be a formidable opposition force in the parliament. That is a very good formula for the democratic system," he told Reuters on Friday.
"So there are no political forces outside the constitutional framework. So we can work together ... (in a) truly democratic system."
The presence of Suu Kyi's party in parliament would be another sign of openness that could give more legitimacy to the retired generals in charge of the country, who are eager to be accepted by the public at home and the international community.
For that same reason, Myanmar lobbied hard for a chance to chair the 10-member ASEAN in 2014, two years ahead of schedule.
Under the leadership of Thein Sein, the government has started a dialogue with Suu Kyi, moves welcomed by the West, which has imposed sanctions on the country because of its poor human rights record.
The government recently released more than 230 political prisoners, eased media censorship and sought guidance from international financial institutions.
Many analysts believe Suu Kyi will not run for a parliamentary seat herself so she can focus on reconciliation and engagement with the government and international community.
Analysis - Obama gambles on Myanmar reforms
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama is gambling that the United States can nudge Myanmar further towards true political reform, a bet that could bring major diplomatic and economic benefits for both countries after more than 50 years of estrangement.
Obama's announcement that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Myanmar early next month marks a new stage of engagement with the country's new civilian government, which has enacted a series of reforms since it took over from the military after an election last year..
For the United States, rapprochement with Myanmar could eventually open a promising untapped market at the heart of the world's most economically vibrant region and counterbalance China, which has long been Myanmar's most important political and economic partner.
For Myanmar's civilian leaders the U.S. decision may mean the start of a broader political rehabilitation that could see economic sanctions eased or removed and the impoverished country begin to catch up with its booming neighbours.
But for both, it is a gamble that U.S. pressure and Myanmar's internal reforms will succeed in rolling back decades of entrenched military power and deliver real results rather than a fig-leaf for continued authoritarian control.
"This is the most important progress we have seen since the military took over and destroyed what should have been the wealthiest country in Southeast Asia," said David Steinberg, a Myanmar expert at Georgetown University.
"There has been some real effort at reform by the government, and the U.S. should do everything it can to increase the probability that it will continue."
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Obama signed off on the trip after speaking with veteran Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who told him she favoured more U.S. engagement and a Clinton visit.
Suu Kyi, in a further vote of confidence in the reform process, said she supported her National League for Democracy taking part upcoming by-elections -- a step which could see the party start to emerge as a real opposition in parliament..
Aung Din, a former political prisoner who now heads the U.S. Campaign for Burma advocacy group, said he welcomed Clinton's trip but worried that the reforms announced thus far were fragile and incomplete.
"I hope that the regime will take this seriously and respond positively by releasing all the remaining political prisoners," he told Reuters. "There is some risk that they may not continue to change."
Obama and Clinton have emphasized that Myanmar's leaders -- who this week won their bid to chair the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2014 -- must do more to reform, release more political prisoners and end long-running conflicts in ethnic-minority areas.
Clinton said she would use her visit on December 1 to press home these points.
"One of the reasons that I'm going is to test what the true intentions are and whether there is a commitment to both economic and political reform," she told CNN.
"STAMP OF APPROVAL"
But analysts said Clinton's trip underscored Washington's belief that Myanmar was finally shaking off domination by the military, which took power in a 1962 coup and killed thousands in a crackdown in 1988.
"This is designed to give a very clear stamp of approval," said Priscilla Clapp, a retired diplomat who served as chief of the U.S. mission in Myanmar from 1999 to 2002 and is now a senior advisor at the Asia Society.
"All of the things we have been asking for the last 20 years are now suddenly happening, and the United States had to find a way to respond. They can't remove the sanctions right away, so this was one way to do it."
The Obama administration began cautiously opening to Myanmar in 2009, and the drive has gained steam in recent months as the military-backed civilian government freed a first batch of political prisoners and took other reform steps.
The United States has had broad economic sanctions on Myanmar since 1988, and the European Union, Australia and Canada have also imposed sanctions in an effort to put pressure on the ruling junta..
While U.S. officials say lesser bans such as travel limits on officials are being relaxed, movement on major U.S. economic sanctions would require action by Congress where many lawmakers remain sceptical about the country's leadership.
Ernest Bower, director of the Southeast Asia program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and former head of the US-ASEAN Business Council, said many U.S. businesses hoped the door may open to the country, which has a population of about 54 million and rich resources including natural gas, minerals and timber.
"This is an incredible opportunity. You just don't find an Asian economy that has been untouched by the developed countries for the last 40 years," Bower said.
RED TAPE
Even if sanctions are eased quickly -- an unlikely prospect -- analysts say it would take time for foreign businesses to move in, citing Myanmar's extensive red tape and lack of treaties on investment or trade protection.
While businesses may have to wait for any payoff, the diplomatic benefits are clear as long as the reform process continues.
For Obama, Myanmar may represent the best hope for success in his policy of engagement with traditional U.S. foes, which has hit a brick wall with Iran, North Korea and Syria.
Strengthening ties with Myanmar also plays into the broader U.S. strategy of countering China's rising influence. Myanmar in September scrapped plans for a huge dam built and financed by Chinese firms, and Washington is eager to see it move further out of Beijing's orbit.
"I don't think anyone strategically wants to see Burma just become a quarry or a mine for China," said Sean Turnell, an expert on Myanmar at Australia's Macquarie University. "The Burma issue is one where Obama can really reassert that the U.S. is back in Asia, and not going to let China dominate.
 |
U.S. President Barack Obama is pictured among participants of the ASEAN-US Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, November 18, 2011. |
For the United States, rapprochement with Myanmar could eventually open a promising untapped market at the heart of the world's most economically vibrant region and counterbalance China, which has long been Myanmar's most important political and economic partner.
For Myanmar's civilian leaders the U.S. decision may mean the start of a broader political rehabilitation that could see economic sanctions eased or removed and the impoverished country begin to catch up with its booming neighbours.
But for both, it is a gamble that U.S. pressure and Myanmar's internal reforms will succeed in rolling back decades of entrenched military power and deliver real results rather than a fig-leaf for continued authoritarian control.
"This is the most important progress we have seen since the military took over and destroyed what should have been the wealthiest country in Southeast Asia," said David Steinberg, a Myanmar expert at Georgetown University.
"There has been some real effort at reform by the government, and the U.S. should do everything it can to increase the probability that it will continue."
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Obama signed off on the trip after speaking with veteran Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who told him she favoured more U.S. engagement and a Clinton visit.
Suu Kyi, in a further vote of confidence in the reform process, said she supported her National League for Democracy taking part upcoming by-elections -- a step which could see the party start to emerge as a real opposition in parliament..
Aung Din, a former political prisoner who now heads the U.S. Campaign for Burma advocacy group, said he welcomed Clinton's trip but worried that the reforms announced thus far were fragile and incomplete.
"I hope that the regime will take this seriously and respond positively by releasing all the remaining political prisoners," he told Reuters. "There is some risk that they may not continue to change."
Obama and Clinton have emphasized that Myanmar's leaders -- who this week won their bid to chair the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2014 -- must do more to reform, release more political prisoners and end long-running conflicts in ethnic-minority areas.
Clinton said she would use her visit on December 1 to press home these points.
"One of the reasons that I'm going is to test what the true intentions are and whether there is a commitment to both economic and political reform," she told CNN.
"STAMP OF APPROVAL"
But analysts said Clinton's trip underscored Washington's belief that Myanmar was finally shaking off domination by the military, which took power in a 1962 coup and killed thousands in a crackdown in 1988.
"This is designed to give a very clear stamp of approval," said Priscilla Clapp, a retired diplomat who served as chief of the U.S. mission in Myanmar from 1999 to 2002 and is now a senior advisor at the Asia Society.
"All of the things we have been asking for the last 20 years are now suddenly happening, and the United States had to find a way to respond. They can't remove the sanctions right away, so this was one way to do it."
The Obama administration began cautiously opening to Myanmar in 2009, and the drive has gained steam in recent months as the military-backed civilian government freed a first batch of political prisoners and took other reform steps.
The United States has had broad economic sanctions on Myanmar since 1988, and the European Union, Australia and Canada have also imposed sanctions in an effort to put pressure on the ruling junta..
While U.S. officials say lesser bans such as travel limits on officials are being relaxed, movement on major U.S. economic sanctions would require action by Congress where many lawmakers remain sceptical about the country's leadership.
Ernest Bower, director of the Southeast Asia program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and former head of the US-ASEAN Business Council, said many U.S. businesses hoped the door may open to the country, which has a population of about 54 million and rich resources including natural gas, minerals and timber.
"This is an incredible opportunity. You just don't find an Asian economy that has been untouched by the developed countries for the last 40 years," Bower said.
RED TAPE
Even if sanctions are eased quickly -- an unlikely prospect -- analysts say it would take time for foreign businesses to move in, citing Myanmar's extensive red tape and lack of treaties on investment or trade protection.
While businesses may have to wait for any payoff, the diplomatic benefits are clear as long as the reform process continues.
For Obama, Myanmar may represent the best hope for success in his policy of engagement with traditional U.S. foes, which has hit a brick wall with Iran, North Korea and Syria.
Strengthening ties with Myanmar also plays into the broader U.S. strategy of countering China's rising influence. Myanmar in September scrapped plans for a huge dam built and financed by Chinese firms, and Washington is eager to see it move further out of Beijing's orbit.
"I don't think anyone strategically wants to see Burma just become a quarry or a mine for China," said Sean Turnell, an expert on Myanmar at Australia's Macquarie University. "The Burma issue is one where Obama can really reassert that the U.S. is back in Asia, and not going to let China dominate.
Refugee face shortage of water in Lada camp
Teknaf, Bangladesh: The refugees of Lada unofficial camp have been facing shortage of water since the first week of April 2011, said a refugee leader from the camp who prefers not to be named.
Refugee waiting for water at water supply station in the camp
The Lada Refugee Camp is managed by Muslim Aid UK, including healthcare programs and Solidarity UK is working for the sanitation program in the camp, according to a NGO official from camp.
“The water shortage is facing in the camp while the Solidarity UK and local fighting for employing in the field work since last April, 2011. The local blocked the water way and drainage through their land. Locals are not allowing to supply water from cannel through their land.”
“The Solidarity UK had left their project from camp after cashed with locals and local leaders (Local MP and village members). But, the refugees are facing the shortage of water after clashed.”
Muslim Aid UK - as a managing NGO in the camp - has not solved the water problem and keep aside, said a refugee leader from camp.
“There are more than 12,000 refugees in the camp, but the management only provides eight water stations. We get only two pots per day,” said Sara Khatoon from camp.
At present, the refugees are not able to cook their food; they are even unable to take baths or to wash their clothes. And also the refugees are not allowed to take water from local area by locals, said Amina from the camp.
The local people neighboring the camp disturb the refugee women and girls when they go to the streams to fetch water from nearby a bottom of a mountain.
“Most of the children are facing various skin diseases because of the water crisis and the overall unhygienic situation.”
Now, the refugee children are also suffering from malaria, typhoid and fever because of unhygienic situation. The drains are blocked with dirty water, said a committee member on condition of anonymity.
The Lada Refugee Camp is managed by Muslim Aid UK, including healthcare programs and Solidarity UK is working for the sanitation program in the camp, according to a NGO official from camp.
“The water shortage is facing in the camp while the Solidarity UK and local fighting for employing in the field work since last April, 2011. The local blocked the water way and drainage through their land. Locals are not allowing to supply water from cannel through their land.”
“The Solidarity UK had left their project from camp after cashed with locals and local leaders (Local MP and village members). But, the refugees are facing the shortage of water after clashed.”
Muslim Aid UK - as a managing NGO in the camp - has not solved the water problem and keep aside, said a refugee leader from camp.
“There are more than 12,000 refugees in the camp, but the management only provides eight water stations. We get only two pots per day,” said Sara Khatoon from camp.
At present, the refugees are not able to cook their food; they are even unable to take baths or to wash their clothes. And also the refugees are not allowed to take water from local area by locals, said Amina from the camp.
The local people neighboring the camp disturb the refugee women and girls when they go to the streams to fetch water from nearby a bottom of a mountain.
“Most of the children are facing various skin diseases because of the water crisis and the overall unhygienic situation.”
Now, the refugee children are also suffering from malaria, typhoid and fever because of unhygienic situation. The drains are blocked with dirty water, said a committee member on condition of anonymity.
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About Me
- The Voice Of Rohingya
- Maung daw, Arakan state, Myanmar (Burma)
- I am an independent man who voted to humanitarian aid.