I still keep one eye on what gets reported in Burma’s official media. It can be a useful barometer of what’s going on, and what can be said (and left unsaid). For a while now I have been curious that since the start of 2012 there has been basically no reporting in The New Light of Myanmar on events in the Kachin State. In fact, I can’t find a single 2012 article about the Kachin State until the past week.
So, in this context, what has been reported since 8 April 2012 is notable. There has been a surge of reporting from Kachin State, somewhat mirrowing what I earlier described as the “internationalisation” of reporting about the Kachin State.
For posterity’s sake I include the seven recent articles from Burma’s domestic media in full. They cover a range of topics not mentioned by the international press.
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Sabagyi Library put into service in Momauk Township
MOMAUK, 14 April-With the aim of broadening horizon of the local people and developing human resources, a ceremony to open Sabagyi Library was held in conjunction with the publications and cash donation at the pavilion near the library in Myohaung Village of Momauk Township of Bhamo District in Kachin State on 28 March.
The library was built at a cost of K 1 million contributed by the State and K 2,194,400 by the rural people. At the ceremony, Township Administrator U Nyan Hlaing made a speech. Head of Township Information and Public Relations Department Daw Lun Nan Htwe explained the purpose of opening the library and important role for durability of the facility. After that, departmental personnel, members of social organizations and wellwishers donated books and furniture to the library through officials. Chairman of the library committee U San Haung spoke words of thanks.Later, Township Administrator U Nyan Hlaing, Head of Township Information and Public Relations Department Daw Nun Nan Htwe, Minkyan Village-tract administrator U Soe Maung and Library Committee Chairman U San Haung cut the ribbon to open the library. It is 24 feet long, 16 feet wide and 15 feet high building.-Township IPRD
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Kachin State Maha Thingyan Festival opened
NAY PYI TAW, 13 April-Kachin State Chief Minister U La John Ngan Hsai announced the opening of Maha Thingyan Festival of Kachin State at Central Pandal in Myitkyina yesterday evening. Members of region level organizations formally opened the festival.
The Chief Minister and wife sprinkled scented water on choral dancers and those present at the ceremony which was also attended by members of region level organizations, Hluttaw representatives, departmental personnel and local people.
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Kachin State Chief Minister tees off golf tourney, inspects water throwing pandals in Myitkyina
NAY PYI TAW, 12 April – A golf tournament was held to mark Myanmar Traditional Cultural Maha Thingyan Festival for 1374 ME, at Northern Star Golf Club in Myitkyina in Kachin State yesterday.
Chief Minister of Kachin State U La John Ngan Hsai teed off to open the tournament.
Afterwards, the Chief Minister visited water throwing pandals of ministries and companies.
At 7 pm, the Chief Minister attended a presentation ceremony for the tournament and dinner hosted to mark the tournament at the City Hall in Myitkyina.-MNA
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Rural Library opened in Machanbaw Township
NAY PYI TAW, 12 April- A ceremony to open new building of Sheinhti Library was held in Deinchet Village in Ingadeinchet Village-tract in Machanbaw Township of Putao District in Kachin State on 29 March morning.
At the ceremony, Head of Township Information and Public Relations Department U Nan Zae Phon Hsan and Village administrator U Nan Sho Htin cut the ribbon to open the building.
At first, the village administrator made a speech.
The head of Township Information and Public Relations Department explained durability of the library.
After that, the chairman of the Library Committee accepted the documentary video on Ayaykyonyin Kyemon Shide donate by Myanmar Libraries Foundation and 200 books and publications by Township Information and Public Relations Department.- Township IPRD
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New roads commissioned into service in Shwegu
SHWEGU, 9 April-A ceremony to inaugurate U Pon Nya Road and Nga Htin Nge Road as Sanpya Road Section-3, built by Shwegu Township Development Affairs Committee for 2011-2012 fiscal year, were held in Shwegu of Kachin State on 28 March morning.
Township Administrator U Nyi Nyi, Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Win Naing and Executive Officer U Khin Aung Ni of Township Development Affairs Committee formally opened the road.
At the ceremonies, the Township Administrator and the Pyithu Hluttaw representative made speeches.
The executive officer of the Township Development Affairs Committee explained matters related to the new asphalt road.
The newly-opened asphalt road is 12 feet wide and 1595 feet long built at a cost of K 16,540,000.
*****
Training courses conclude at Vocational Training School
PUTAO, 7 April-The basic domestic science course No. 21 and the advanced tailoring course No. 15 concluded at Women’s Vocational Training School in Putao of Putao District in Kachin State on 23 March morning.
At the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner U Hlaing Tun of District General Administration Department made a speech.
Afterwards, Deputy Commissioner U Hlaing Tun presented prize to an outstanding trainee in the advanced tailoring course.
Next, Township Administrator U Lin Thu Maung of Putao Township gave prizes to the trainees in the basic domestic science course.
Chairperson of Putao Township Women’s Affairs Organization Daw Myat Mon The presented disciplinary award to the trainee; and Principal of the training school Daw Khin Mar Yin gave completion certificates to the trainees.
*****
Prevention against animal disease talked
HOPIN, 7 April-A talk on bio-security and prevention against animal diseases was given in Tatwin Village of Hopin Sub- Township of Mohnyin District in Kachin State on 25 March afternoon.
The talk was attended by livestock breeding entrepreneurs of the state.
Head of Hopin Sub- Township Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department Dr Zaw Myint Naing explained biosecurity and animal diseases.-Myanma Alin
A Kachin I speak to every now and then has told me that there have been clashes almost every day, with the tatmadaw usually getting the worst of it.
When I asked if any foreign volunteers were assisting the Kachin, he replied that the only foreigners he had seen were Chinese.
Interesting.
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The news excerpts from Myanmar government well explained itself why Kachins are still fighting for.
- Almost all names mentioned in the news are Burmese names (except U La John Ngan Hsai who is a Buddhist and Myanmar government handpicked him because of his belief; while more than 98% of Kachins are Christians.) in a state called Kachin State.
- It shows that how Burmans colonized indigenous Kachinland by appointing all officials Burmese.
- No mentioned about Internally displaced persons (one can actually go and see with his own eyes rather than reading articles)
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Kachin Hillman,
Unfortunately you are absolutely right.
Since Khin Nyunt’s time ( or may be well before that), the Burmese military has been extremely good at calculated news dropping and doping the masses and these selected articles are master class in “How to give false impression professionally” on a par with the WMD’s which was a concerted effort by all so-called reputable news outlets under the guidance of few “Media Moguls” knowing that they were false but wrote them to lie to the gullible public for an excuse to kill off the Iraqi to get the oil which today’s Americans enjoy everyday as if drinking the dead Iraqi’s blood every time they switch on their car ignition.
Yet even sadder story is- at least seemingly- total disregard of the sufferings of their brethren by the low land citizens of Burma and their Leader Aung San Suu Kyi whose total national unity effort seems to be simply multiple jacket displays as in a pantomime.
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If Thingyan and Putao coverage is all they’ve got, then they’d be better off following the earlier policy of not reporting anything.
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Charles F.
“When I asked if any foreign volunteers were assisting the Kachin,”
http://www.mizzima.com/gallery/photo-essay/6949-pictures-of-the-un-convoy-to-kachin-state.html
Wrong kind of foreign volunteers?
Slip showing.
Foreigners like yourself has made eastern Myanmar what it is. Trying to start one in the west now?
How about becoming a good foreigner that favor negotiation ?
@#2
Myanmar will always be a predominantly Buddhist country.
Kachin state must always be a part of Myanmar.
This conflict is mainly over exploiting the resources in Kacin State.
Negotiation has fallen by the wayside due to the West useless careless policy.
Let us neither bring religion nor ethnic differences.
Such divisions play right into the hands of this military government as well as those who do not care over all anything what-so-ever about the rest of the Citizenry of Myanmar well being.
@#3
The unspeakable suffering among the Citizenry within Myanmar is universal 2º to this present government policy with assist from the West under DASSK name.
Until one of these tripartite change their idiocy the Citizenry as a whole must stick together.
Otherwise any one of these 3 parties will exploit to their own advantages without regards for the humanity within.
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plan B,
The Kachin are Christian to a large degree. Your careless useless post indicates that you feel they should be good little Buddhists and go along with the Burmese majority.
Additionally, you feel that the plight of the Burmese people is the fault of DASSK – and your favorite boogie man, the West.
You’re wrong on both counts.
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Charles F.
Be glad the Hebrew Jesus will not be rolling in his grave after seeing this:
“The Kachin are Christian to a large degree. Your careless useless post indicates that you feel they should be good little Buddhists and go along with the Burmese majority.”
the knavish attempt to divide Myanmar Citizenry along religious line.
For the simple obvious reason of EASTER.
SPDC tactics of Buddhist Karen against Cristian Karen.
Please leave your brand of “Crusader Christianity” out of Myanmar. The ongoing shameful and tragic result are still every where from AFrica to the middle East.
ALL religious CBO help Myanmar Citizenry to endure the unspeakable suffering that this government has inflicted with the help of the West useless careless policy.
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Myitkyina and Bamaw (Bhamo) are still Shan Burmese majority cities to this day with a sizable and growing Chinese minority like most towns along the upper Irrawaddy valley such as Shwegu and not a lot of Kachin who remain basically hill dwellers and stick by the headwaters of the Irrawaddy.
Having said that the war is a disgrace to have gone on for as long as it has without ever trying to find a viable political solution, no different in other ethnic homelands. Going through the motions of peace parleys from time to time as a self serving and chauvinistic tactical retreat is not good enough and never going to produce results beneficial to all concerned namely internal peace and genuine development, not a free for all happy hunting ground for Chinese and international Big Business.
Makes you wonder there’s something seriously wrong with the common denominator, doesn’t it? The Burmese term is Nga Pwa Gyi that the regime itself is very fond of in describing the West. Touche.
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plan B,
‘Kachin state must always be a part of Myanmar???’ another tone of a Bamar imperialist!
It is sorry thing that the majority Burmans themselves do not realize they are Myanmar or Bamar colony occupying our land by force.
We Kachin joined the Union voluntarily, why can’t we leave when we want???
The cause of War is not just over resources, but also religious rights, very basic human rights to preserve our own culture, traditions and identity.
No Kachin is so stupid to sacrifice his or her live just over resources!!
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Perhaps Kachin Highlander forgets his people were the newest of successive waves of Mongolian migration into the land that became known as Burma/Myanmar. And why does he think they remain by the headwaters of the Irrawaddy and in the highlands? Who stopped them overrunning the entire upper Irrawaddy valley? Bamar southward migration on the other hand has continued from before and during British colonial rule and to this day now spilling over into Thailand.
Myitkyina and Bamaw (Bhamo) with no significant Kachin presence were part of the deal as a concession when the union was formed. The Kachin were signatories to Panglong (the Karen were not), and no Burmese worth their salt would envisage the breakup of the union.
Your Singpho and Jingpo brethren in India and China have no state of their own, not even recognised as a major ethnic group, unlike the Kachin. Perhaps you entertain aspirations to a Greater Kachinland like the Chin to a Greater Mizoram. An autonomous state within the union has to be the workable goal.
But let us not lose sight of our common goal. The whole point is to rid ourselves of these chauvinist militarist thugs that have devastated the country for half a century keeping all of us down.
ASSK/NLD for all their faults have a leading role to play. When armed resistance has not got us anywhere we want, neither Bamar nor ethnic, this can work in the long run in a meandering sort of way probably and ultimately violent.
Total intransigence in politics can be a dead weight that keeps dragging us down. Both the regime and the opposition have realised it’s time to change tack, and that’s where they have agreed to try and move things forward, each with their own agenda. ASSK is making her moves admirably, cautiously and tactfully from necessity. The bull in the China shop approach did not pay. We could do with a little flexibility and sophistication in this, admittedly with adequate planning and vision toward the winning post and beyond.
Count yourself lucky that Khin Nyunt’s ceasefire did provide you with a lengthy window of opportunity to build up your own resources and power base. That was a necessary and wise move at the time on your leaders’ part ,and the Karen as in Panglong became isolated and weak once again. Laiza and Panghsang are both thriving modern cities nowadays. Why do you think the KIO is willing to talk and their sincerity unlike their adversary’s is never in doubt?
You won’t argue that we in Burma are all as nationalist as the next man. Let’s fight the common fight against those who reneged on Panglong. There is strength in numbers and in unity. UNITE and PREPARE!
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Kachin Highlander.
Too right.
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“The cause of War is not just over resources, but also religious rights, very basic human rights to preserve our own culture, traditions and identity.
No Kachin is so stupid to sacrifice his or her live just over resources!!”
Kachin Highlander
Concerning religious freedom:
Myanmar similar to Thailand, a country of Buddhist majority has traditionally allow the existence of other religion without any prosecution as long as no politics are involved.
The proof is the functioning thriving besides various monasteries, churches, Mosque and their respective CBO within. Some even enjoy the assist of present government.
Armed conflicts between any 2 parties always result in the violation of the weaker basic freedom more.
Religion of Karen Christian and now Kachin is but the latest.
Let us not use the obvious casualty of this ongoing conflict and others as the next reason to continue these senseless acts.
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Mr. Moe Aung,
If an English man lectured you, “Perhaps you entertain aspirations to a Greater Burma from your own Burma Proper. An autonomous state within the British Commonwealth has to be the workable goal.”
How would you reply??
Perhaps Moe Aung forgets “Mae Zar Taung Che” was the end of Burmese Kings’ territory where Bamars convicts were deported to.
And perhaps He wants to intentionally ignore or alter the history by saying that “Myitkyina and Bamaw (Bhamo) with no significant Kachin presence were part of the deal as a concession when the union was formed. ”
Please read report of frontier enquiry 1947 which says
(a) Bhamo District.
Area 4,148 sq.mls.
Total Population 129,000
Part I Population 52,000
Part II Population 77,000
Population by Races:-
Kachin 49,794 or 38.6%
Shan 36,765 or 28.5%
Burma Group 33,540 or 26.0%
Indian, Chinese and Others 8,901 or 6.9%
(b) Myitkyina District.
Area 19,762 sq.mls. (excluding the Triangle not measured).
Total Population 298,000
Part I Population 189,000
Part II Population 109,000
Population by Races:-
Kachin 157,642 or 53.2%
Shan, Lolo Moso 76,586 or 26.0%
Burma Group 40,230 or 13.7%
Indian, Chinese and Others 23,542 or 7.1%
http://www.shanland.org/oldversion/index-3143.htm
Most Kachins do not want to live by noisy, dusty downtown in Bhamo and Myitkyina but all suburb areas and surrounding hills were full of Kachin.
But it is changing as successive Burmese governments prepared to use both bullets and ballots in Kachinland by transporting large numbers of lowland people.
Mr. Plan B,
Perhaps all information you’ve got is from Myanma Alin, Kye Mon, and Burmese exiled media that you conclude there is religious freedom in Burma.
There are still lots of Church buildings refused to be built, crosses ordered to be removed just because its location is higher than a pagoda in NSS, religious services were often disrupted by authorities in villages, and just recently mosque building was halted in Hpakant.
Mr. Nicholas,
If internationalisation of reporting Kachin means “you guy make it a big issue or exaggerate it”, then I would says what international media is saying is just a small portion of what they see in China-Burma border. It is still under-reported. A lot more need to be reported considering the abuses going on daily and the sufferings for half a century.
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Perhaps Kachin Highlander forgets that Burma Proper was a colonial administrative term imposed upon the country for convenience and not least to divide and rule. They may call their own country Great Britain, we call ours Burma and never felt the need to call it Great or Greater Burma. Burma was never a maritime power with overseas colonies either. The reply to membership of the Commonwealth (member countries are independent albeit former colonies and not autonomous states BTW), or Churchill’s assertion that the Burmese were not ready to govern themselves, was a matter of historical record as were the boundaries of Burma (no boundary stone at Meza).
Granted Burmanisation is a very important issue to the minorities (it’s not like ‘Burma Proper’ is off limits to any of you) , and I wish you all luck in achieving a full measure of autonomy unlike the parlous state of affairs to date. It is evident that Kachin State has a far from homogeneous population, and we can agree that ethnic cleansing is not an option for either side. Rather than tempting the chauvinist militarist regime in that direction, it’s in your best interest to make your struggle a common cause with all the rest of us.
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Myitkyina and Bhamo may be Shan/Burmese majority cities, but there are plenty of Kachins living in them- including Rawangs. In fact, these days there are probably as many Hkahku-ni and Hkahku-ni descendants in Myitkyina as in the Hkahku region (the upper Irrawaddy Valley). Remember, at Panglong the Kachins gave up the right to leave the union like the Shans in exchange for having Myitkyina and Bhamo including in the Kachin State. There were enough Kachins in Myitkina in the early 1960s to derail U Nu’s plan to put up a Buddha statue there by staging mass protests. Also the Kachins in the northern Shan State (and all the Kachins in the adjacent areas of China) have been there for several generations. There wouldn’t have been any Howa and Hpanseng (sp?) Duwas in the Shan States if the Kachins had just hung around the Mali and N-Mai Hka.
It should also be pointed out that Kachins and Shan have been intermarrying for a long time, so it is a pretty good bet that many of the Shans in Bhamo have Kachin relatives and vice versa. The same would be true of the Chinese. I have a Kachin friend who is a pretty ardent KIO supporter whose father is Chinese. I met a Chinese man in a Lisu village in Thailand spent several years in the KIA before he moved to Thailand. There have also been Shan who have served in the KIA. I suspect these days the ethnic boundaries in Myitkyina are not as clear as they used to be.
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Kachin Highlander
Has not the atrocious behavior towards the Buddhist Monks during the ‘Safron revolution’, a shameful testimonial to this regime intolerance for even Buddhist that challenge it rule?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJLr6lPH9mI&feature=related
By the existing # of Churches and Mosques in cities and the respective attendances, your vain attempt to divide a citizenry belong religious line might just play into the hands of some westerners.
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What Kchin Highlander wrote are true. In fact it has been the characteristic of of the “Tribal” people that the British and Americans noticed and valued and exploited to levy for their formidable fighting forces. Yet it is also true character that the urban students on the flee from the Burmese military were welcome and looked after in 1988 by both Karen and Kachin although there crept in suspicions and relationship issues inevitably later.
In one comment in an article in the Irrawaddy someone asked whether there is fault on the people’s side they were stuck with Ne Win. By asking the question and finding it, one has opportunity to correct it if so desired.
For practitioners of Buddhism, there is discernible element of chauvinism and domineering attitude in a lot of Burmese. By and large independent minded, a lot of them have to have blind faith like like cult as well, showing innate insecurity.
Fact is no one is superior or inferior to the other. That is not a social or democratic statement. Simple biological fact.
But there surely are good traits and bad traits in all. And if one can find out about oneself, one has opportunity to correct it if so desired.
The leadership can lead by example. But no one can or should change the personality or conviction of any other by force. Even one’s own child.
What is most important and lacking in Burma now is true and accurate information and investigative mind to find that out. Immediately launching into emotional crusade on rumour tends to destroy life and properties through out the history of Burma. Restraint, finding the facts and thought would have been helpful and they will be in the future.
Whether Kachin should or should not secede or Lisu should then secede from Jinpho etc, are in fact immaterial.
Important thing is not to have coveting or domineering attitude and be truly kind to one another.
Because squabbling makes easy prey.
Coming back down to earth, Shleby Tucker noted when he walked across from China to India followings Bertil Litner’s footsteps before the fall of CBP, Kachin told him they hated Aung San because of the incident of burning down Karen Christian families in Church in Myaung Mya. Regardless of the degree of truth in that affair and apportioning of blame for it, Kachin literally put out red carpet for Aung San Suu Kyi when she went there before Deparin. There is great deal of good will in both sides already. But it has to be followed up by treating fairly and empathizing with people who are in trouble.
Unlike the Karen who are regarded by the British then and today as subordinates to look after at their pleasure, Kachin has been American Baptist for so long before the levy, people on both sides would have feeling of “family-ness” as opposed to obligation.
They are also not divided between the Christian and Buddhist, a fact irreverently exploited by Khin Nyunt and since been promoted among the ranks of the soldiers. And Kchin are not exposed to the degree of opulence daily unlike Karen crossing the border inciting envy and greed.
So, while it is easy to see why the Karen would take money and forget the federal state, the Kachin struggle is just starting and would have the ability to last to the last man.
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I have two things to present.
The first is about Burmese-nization process that going on for decades in Burma.
According to my experiences, Burmese central government had sent thousands of homeless, begger, prisoner, people who deem trouble maker and others to the states and divisions to set up new villages. Locals were forced to help and built those villages. In long term, the residents of those villages forgotten their past and become bastions for central government which they identified as culture and religious brethrens.
About 20 years or so, there was almost no Burmese in Loi-Kaw, the capital of Kayah (Karenni) State. Few officials from central low land were presented and every new officials even became talks of the town. Nowaday, the present of Burmese and exploitations of every aspects of local lives become common.
Aslo, the majority of Kayah (Karenni) are speaking a branch of Karen dialect and they identify themselve as part of Karen ethnic. This was ignored and Kayahs were promoted in country’s only availible media sources as a seperate entity all along.
The second is about religion, especially the Buddhist.
There has been a simmering religious affairs going on for a period of time, as long as I could remember. We were doctrinated since our childhood that we, Burmese nationals, are living in one of the most culturally, ethnically and religously tolerant society and are proud of this. I accepted these assertions until a certain age when different kinds of literatures were availible to me.
Buddhist religion, while generally peaceful when staying alone by itself, becomes lethal force when combined with nationalism and ignorance. In my opinion, ignorance of Burmese people partly came from lack of interaction with other societies and understanding of others which originated in the absence of higher education and freely availble knowledge.
Most Buddhists in Burma feel proud for Lord Buddha’s syatria cast background and utter the name of king “Asoka” many times in a day but many of them do not have any idea what they are talking about. They are speaking frequently about Indian history, cutlture and other things while a lot of them hate Indians (Kalar). (I’m just trying to give an example out of a complex situation and this might hurts some conservative Buddhists although that’s not my intention).
However, I do not have intention to advocate for the ethnic minorities as a totally right side of history. I just hope that my information will fill a few tiny gaps in Burma’s situation. I might add up few more things later when chances arised.
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Ohn’s casting aspersions on the Karen is rather unhelpful, and besides do we even sense a hint of racial superiority complex here? It’s not like the KIO did not take advantage of their proximity to China (also Hpakant in their domain) and their leaders incorruptible or the KNU not serious about its commitment to a federal union.
Burma’s minorities are unique in that there exist smaller minorities within these minorities, so they are hardly homogeneous themselves. At the risk of having a sense of schadenfreude the KNU suffered from the consequences of its own discriminatory policies gainfully exploited by the govt that led to their loss of Manerplaw and current weakness. So the KIO beware.
There was the short lived Pawng Yawng rebellion led by Naw Seng in the early days of independence and the Kachin struggle actually took off in the 60s, so it has had its ups and downs with plenty of lessons already. To say that the Kachin struggle is just starting and would have the ability to last to the last man sounds rhetorical at best and foolhardy at worst. The superb fighting skills of tribal people especially in their own terrain is common knowledge, but don’t flatter yourselves that your American and British colonial masters chose you lot over the Bamar. Exploitation was the right word, and it was simply because they did not trust the Bamar who remained their principal nationalist adversary in these lands. Besides it was part of their divide and rule strategy including the administrative division between the Hill Tracts or Frontier Areas and Ministerial Burma or Burma Proper.
As to win’s assertion that the Buddhist religion, while generally peaceful when staying alone by itself, becomes lethal force when combined with nationalism and ignorance, it is true of any religion even in the so called advanced liberal democracies. What do you think the main argument against religion by agnostics and atheists is? We at least have no crusades or jihads to brag about in our history, even Buddhist missionary zeal has been far below that of Western evangelists. Our friend plan B would call your ‘insight’ ‘self flagellation’ with some justification.
The Karenni (literally Red Karen in Burmese from the start) east of the Salween enjoyed a special status when the colonialists came as separate from the Kingdom of Ava. They have their own Sawbwas like the Shan, and the Karen have entertained aspirations to that special recognition by their British masters, so it wasn’t strictly speaking a devious ploy by successive Burmese govts to divide the Karen. This did not happen until more than a century later with the creation of the DKBA.
Ignorance and isolation have always been reactionary and retrogressive in any society. That’s why ‘Burmanisation’ of the ‘Hill Tracts’ and ‘ethnic influx’ into ‘Burma Proper’ with its attendant intermarriage ought to be a two way street. Most urban folk nowadays are of mixed ancestry including myself. That’s how the United Kingdom remains united, as do the United States for that matter whilst a few would still cling on to the idea of racial purity.
Let us celebrate our wonderful diversity and cultures in this vast, rich and beautiful land we call our home. And we know what to do to that end. Down with the military yoke!
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No race or person truly is superior or inferior to others. And it was not intended to suggest so.
It is common knowledge that many Kachin leaders own properties and businesses in Mandalay and beyond. For whatever reason the razing to the ground destruction and disgracefiul digging for gems with immense irreversible environmental (forests, animals, clean fresh safe water) and social destruction (violence, drugs, prostitution, gangs) in the head waters of the Irrawaddy are at the very least contributed by the armed groups of the Kachin as well as Burmese military even though the lion’s share of the cash benefit goes invariably to the Chinese. Jade Sales Centres are in Hong Kong.
Current battles lines are along the pipelines and the military sites according to the reports are along the pipe which is but simple precursor for further rails and roads, and the dam which incidentally will have devestation effect more on lowland Burma, ecologically, economically, culturally and socially.
It is highly unlikely that this time around people are giving their lives for timber/ jade money. And they are doing it on their own. Any help they get at all is also unlikely to be associated with say- American economic benefit because the Americans as well as Europians and Asians would dearly like to see the Chinese economic engine well supplied even if it is with drips of Burmes blood and Thant Myint-U’s explanation of two oceans for the darling Chinese will be best present every one would like to give.
Some one makes a remark that Padho Mann Shar would not have liked to bargain with the military for anything less than Federal State. There surely are like minded people left. But just as in NLD, where U Win Tin is unceremoniously kicked upstairs, there would be the ascent of smart compromising groups within KNU taking a cue from the currently dominant political atmosphere which is abandoning any principles or as you (Moe Aung) put it, not having political intransigence. There surely was not a “F” word in any report about the delightful and joyous meetings of the KNU delegate. May be Saw Kapi could comment.
Burmese military has been very astute and exploitative of any opportunity to get their way. Kokant was one of their usual textbook plans like in mafia story – go for disgruntled 2IC. These “peace talks” are less about talk (here read business deals) than to sense who is calling the shots. Who turns up and who can make decisions. Everyone has a weak point. And for these purposes it is their good fortune that they found suitable actors for the roles in Thein Sein and Aung Min.
Maung Zarni first mentioned that 500 billion dollar worth of “developement” has already been planned for Burma and it is UNLIKELY that people can refuse that. He was right. We are now seeing the works of money in action. We will see more destructions.
Any bet on whether NLD will counter this onslaught of money-orientated environmental and social destruction?
White flag of NLD is blindingly bright.
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Has ASSK made any public statement regarding the conflict in Kachin and northern Shan States?
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Not directly, explicitly and publicly at least.
Like a lot of people , usual high school essay of peace is better than war and everyone should strive for it and such and such.
Why do you ask?
And why people do not write Aung San Suu Kyi, as Aung San Suu Kyi ever?
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My own view is that the civil war – and the underlying problems in ethnic areas – run central to Burma’s woes. And it struck me that while ASSK is about to go to Oslo and the UK she has not addressed the war – at least as far as I can gather. And I wondered why that is. I have written before how her cult-like status in the west (of which my work has played a part) was in danger of obscuring more pressing issues. And I interviewed Shan refugees who had no idea who she was, and some who did who openly distrusted her. But that story isn’t one people want to hear so there were few takers. Her ‘no-comment’ approach to the civil war could be a delicate balancing act with the military. But there is a danger that the Shan and Kachin and others may see the progress inside the country as a Burman pact and the minorities concerns are sidelined. But now that ASSK has entered the political arena, perhaps people will look at her more critically (in a constructive way), rather than placing her on a pedestal.
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Delicate balancing act?
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ASSK’s popularity among the Kachins has never been unconditional from my experience, and the war and her silence have pretty much destroyed it. I suspect part of silence on the delay of votes in the three districts in the Kachin State is due to the fact the NLD wouldn’t win.
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The pedestal that ASSK has been placed on is so high, that when she finally topples off of it, it’s going to be a very long drop.
She is admired by many people in the west, but in Burma I don’t think her popularity has reached god-like status. Yet.
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In double tennis without understanding of one another, both players watch the easy balls pass by.
Admired and popular or not , people felt she might do something. And the military’s plans marched on unhindered.
In fact people even interpret her silence as a sign of wisdom as Nic just did. Might very well be true if one accepts that a few hundred killed and a few hundreds of thousands displaced are small matters in this infinite universe.
After a whole year of worsening conditions in the country, any one saying anything bad about her is ostracized, again as Nic alluded.
It is high time, people really start to do things as should be done by themselves.
If the Burmese public feel like killing the Kachins, they should continue as they now are, but if there is some basic human spirit left and feel killing for money like common robber might not be so wonderful an idea, it is high time to state that before Min Aung Hlaing lets the blood-thirstydogs into Laiza as it could be done in a matter of hours.
If people wait for Aung San Suu Kyi what she might do, the message is loud and clear already. NOTHING!
Her action in the last year has been full and unconditional support of ALL the plans by the military – Kachin killings, dropping sanctions, ASEAN chair not that it is anything fabulous, Thein Sein’s Publicist, etc -and full co-operation except for that famous attempt to change 2 or 3 different words, which again is a wise move apparently. Signing ALL the cheques written by the military.
Only that it is not for her to sign. The public has to decide. The REAL public.
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#21
The closest ASSK came was in Mogaung on 23 February … “The lack of peace in Kachin state is a sad condition not only for Kachin but also for the whole country.”
Her speech however was part of the NLD’s by-election campaign. The no-comment a month later when by-elections were cancelled in three Kachin constituencies (including Mogaung) undid much of the goodwill created by the Mogaung speech.
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As this issue is too important for the nation as well as the humanity, the attitude of Aung San Suu Kyi towards Kachin must be regarded as hostile.
Unfortunately a lot of Burmese would be in that category. Still there are more and more of truly enlightened Burmese coming out more and more everyday to speak out against the war.
People do need time to adjust for Aung San Suu Kyi turning into turncoat so abruptly. and started singing for Thein Sein and the military.
But as the Candle light protest shows Burma is MORE than Aung San Suu Kyi. Such a relief.
In coming days, it is likely that Burmese populace will take up the issue of Kachin more and more. After all most of the deaths are Burmese.
Oslo can though shamelessly continue to promote their champion regardless of the lack of regard for the currently killed and the tortured. After all their man is drilling for gas and oil in Burmese water already and they are pulling back their own support for the refugee and started to initiate their own investment projects in Burma. Another of their attempt in Sri Lanka affairs also showed their true colours.
As for UK and the famous business people taking along Cameron for visit as a tourists, there is no need to say.
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