By ARKAR MOE
East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta and the Burma Lawyers’ Council have announced they are ready to appeal to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to charge Snr-Gen Than Shwe with criminal acts.
The ICC was established in 2002 as a permanent international tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The court’s Pre-Trial Chamber can authorize its Prosecutor’s Office to open an investigation on the basis of information received from outside sources.
Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, said he would appeal to the ICC to investigate Burma’s ruling junta if it fails to free Aung San Suu Kyi, who was arrested last week and is standing trial on what many say are trumped up charges.
The Burma Lawyers’ Council (BLC) said on Saturday it will seek to restore the rule of law to Burma by asking the ICC to launch an investigation into human rights abuses and violations of international law in Burma.
Nan Shan Hpound, a team leader of the BLC Working Team for the International Criminal Court, told The Irrawaddy, "Now we are gathering evidence and collating information on how to prosecute the military generals in the International Criminal Court.”
Ramos-Horta said he will urge the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC to investigate and prosecute Sen-Gen Than Shwe and other responsible leaders of the State Peace and Development Council for crimes committed under their leadership.
The ICC has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes which have been committed or are being committed if a given state’s judicial system is unable or unwilling to investigate and take legal action to ensure justice.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who is now being tried for violation of her house arrest, is being detained under the State Protection Law of 1975. The government is permitted to detain her for five years under that law. Contrary to law, they have already held her in detention for almost six years.
The Women’s League of Burma (WLB) said it also supports a move to appeal to the ICC and called for the international community to join in referring Snr-Gen Than Shwe and others to the ICC.
Lway Aye Nang, the general-secretary of the WLB, told The Irrawaddy, "The time has come to say enough is enough. The United Nations should invoke its responsibility-to-protect mechanism and establish a commission of inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity in Burma. The Burmese military ignores all international laws and uses rape as a weapon of war. Snr-Gen Than Shwe is a real criminal.”
International condemnation against the Burmese military government has increased as a result of its recent arrest and prosecution of Suu Kyi, who faces a five-year prison sentence if she is found guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest. She has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years.
May 20, 2009
Yettaw Isn’t the Only Fool in this Bizarre Affair
By AUNG ZAW
World attention is focused on Rangoon and the trial there of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and a man who appears to be responsible for her appearance in court—the American intruder John W Yettaw.
Exiled Burmese and Suu Kyi’s colleagues accuse Yettaw of recklessness and plain stupidity. Suu Kyi’s lawyer has called the American a fool.
Yettaw is by no means the only fool in this bizarre affair, however. Consider for a moment the question: who is behind the affair, and why did junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe dare to go this far?
Than Shwe, it must be remembered, was implicated in the Depayin massacre in 2003, when Suu Kyi’s motorcade was attacked by pro-regime thugs. In September 2007, he was again implicated in the killing of monks and activists who peacefully took to the streets.
The September crackdown and subsequent arrests could not have occurred without Than Shwe’s approval.
Under Than Shwe’s command, Burmese Army forces have been guilty of countless crimes against ethnic minorities. The reports of forced labor, conscription, extortion, torture and other human rights abuses are endless.
On this record, Than Shwe is the one who should now be standing trial.
Than Shwe commits his crimes with impunity, in the knowledge that previous protests quickly die away. The former psychological warfare officer knows how to manipulate international opinion and is fully aware of the meaning of global hypocrisy.
Perhaps Than Shwe anticipated the short-lived outcry and outrage that greeted his action against Suu Kyi. He was confident he could get away with the preposterous charge that has now been brought against her—knowing that his confidence could be placed in a company of fools and idiots.
They include hypocritical leaders in the West and Asia and officials sitting comfortably in their UN offices in New York. They acted swiftly, trotting out their customary condemnation of the regime—like so many times in the past.
These people—not just Yettaw—should be nailed. The UN “special envoys,” including Ibrahim Gambari, even UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon himself, all those who put their name to statements hailing Burma’s “progress” and calling for a “new page” of national reconciliation to be turned.
When these crackpots take the podium, don’t they consider consequences of what they say?
Nail, too, their “partners in crime,” who insisted all along that the generals were just misunderstood men who were willing to cooperate with the international community. These misguided experts, scholars, diplomats and apologists—where are they hiding now?
Until Suu Kyi’s arraignment in the prison court, they had been loud enough, defending the regime’s human rights record and belittling Suu Kyi and her movement.
The question of Suu Kyi’s relevance in Burmese politics crops up constantly in discussions I participate in. Perhaps Than Shwe has now shown those who doubt Suu Kyi’s relevance that she remains a force to be reckoned with. Ironically, Than Shwe has caused them to lose face, as they can no longer even justify a policy of engagement.
We have no shortage of fools—not only activists but also some diplomats, government officials and self-appointed experts on Burma. They talk nonsense on Burma—a western ambassador recently told me: “You’ll all be going home after the 2010 election.” What naïve rubbish!
Instead of writing an open letter to Suu Kyi, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown would do better to address large oil companies like US-based Chevron, French Total, Malaysia’s Petronas and South Korea's Daewoo International Corp, which do so much to prop up Than Shwe and his regime.
US President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy could offer moral support by wiring letters to the leaders of China, India, Russia and Thailand, countries which are among the principal backers of the regime.
The truth is that Than Shwe is still in the driver’s seat. Asean, the UN, China, and the rest of the world are again just reacting to Than Shwe’s latest dirty trick. All the statements of support for Suu Kyi and condemnation of her tormentors will soon evaporate into thin air. Global outrage will then turn into global hypocrisy.
World attention is focused on Rangoon and the trial there of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and a man who appears to be responsible for her appearance in court—the American intruder John W Yettaw.
Exiled Burmese and Suu Kyi’s colleagues accuse Yettaw of recklessness and plain stupidity. Suu Kyi’s lawyer has called the American a fool.
Yettaw is by no means the only fool in this bizarre affair, however. Consider for a moment the question: who is behind the affair, and why did junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe dare to go this far?
Than Shwe, it must be remembered, was implicated in the Depayin massacre in 2003, when Suu Kyi’s motorcade was attacked by pro-regime thugs. In September 2007, he was again implicated in the killing of monks and activists who peacefully took to the streets.
The September crackdown and subsequent arrests could not have occurred without Than Shwe’s approval.
Under Than Shwe’s command, Burmese Army forces have been guilty of countless crimes against ethnic minorities. The reports of forced labor, conscription, extortion, torture and other human rights abuses are endless.
On this record, Than Shwe is the one who should now be standing trial.
Than Shwe commits his crimes with impunity, in the knowledge that previous protests quickly die away. The former psychological warfare officer knows how to manipulate international opinion and is fully aware of the meaning of global hypocrisy.
Perhaps Than Shwe anticipated the short-lived outcry and outrage that greeted his action against Suu Kyi. He was confident he could get away with the preposterous charge that has now been brought against her—knowing that his confidence could be placed in a company of fools and idiots.
They include hypocritical leaders in the West and Asia and officials sitting comfortably in their UN offices in New York. They acted swiftly, trotting out their customary condemnation of the regime—like so many times in the past.
These people—not just Yettaw—should be nailed. The UN “special envoys,” including Ibrahim Gambari, even UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon himself, all those who put their name to statements hailing Burma’s “progress” and calling for a “new page” of national reconciliation to be turned.
When these crackpots take the podium, don’t they consider consequences of what they say?
Nail, too, their “partners in crime,” who insisted all along that the generals were just misunderstood men who were willing to cooperate with the international community. These misguided experts, scholars, diplomats and apologists—where are they hiding now?
Until Suu Kyi’s arraignment in the prison court, they had been loud enough, defending the regime’s human rights record and belittling Suu Kyi and her movement.
The question of Suu Kyi’s relevance in Burmese politics crops up constantly in discussions I participate in. Perhaps Than Shwe has now shown those who doubt Suu Kyi’s relevance that she remains a force to be reckoned with. Ironically, Than Shwe has caused them to lose face, as they can no longer even justify a policy of engagement.
We have no shortage of fools—not only activists but also some diplomats, government officials and self-appointed experts on Burma. They talk nonsense on Burma—a western ambassador recently told me: “You’ll all be going home after the 2010 election.” What naïve rubbish!
Instead of writing an open letter to Suu Kyi, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown would do better to address large oil companies like US-based Chevron, French Total, Malaysia’s Petronas and South Korea's Daewoo International Corp, which do so much to prop up Than Shwe and his regime.
US President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy could offer moral support by wiring letters to the leaders of China, India, Russia and Thailand, countries which are among the principal backers of the regime.
The truth is that Than Shwe is still in the driver’s seat. Asean, the UN, China, and the rest of the world are again just reacting to Than Shwe’s latest dirty trick. All the statements of support for Suu Kyi and condemnation of her tormentors will soon evaporate into thin air. Global outrage will then turn into global hypocrisy.
Asean’s Human Rights Dilemma
By WAI MOE
KUALA LUMPUR —Thailand announced a statement as chair of Asean on Tuesday that expressed grave concern over the arrest and trial of Aung San Suu Kyi. As Asean chair, it said that it was ready to play a mediation role in Burma’s “national reconciliation process” and a “peaceful transition to democracy” in the country.
But, the arrest and trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, coupled with the international outrage in the West, has clearly put Asean’s human rights charter in the spotlight, which is now undergoing its first major test. Its response appears to be a carbon copy of its reactions and statements prior to its creation of a human rights charter.
So far only Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand have expressed their concern over Burma’s worsening political situation in recent weeks. Another founding member country, Malaysia, and other four countries including the next Asean chair, Vietnam, have remained silent.
Analysts agree that Burma continues to be an embarrassment for Asean. As a member country, shouldn’t Burma abide by the intent of Asean’s human rights charter, and, if it doesn’t, what should be the consequences?
A Thai member of parliament, Kraisak Choonhavan, told reporters at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand on May 15 that the junta’s current action is totally against the Asean Charter.
Many think the Burmese military regime is in violation of article 14 of the Asean Human Rights Body (AHRB). A draft of the forthcoming AHRB states that one of purposes of the human rights body is to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Asean.
Thitinan Pongsuhirak, the director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, said that Burma’s 2010 election is a violation of the Asean Charter because it is not a free and fair democratic election, but a rigged process to establish the regime as “legitimate.”
Since military-ruled Burma became a member of Asean in 1997, it has been a contentious issue for Asean, which is often forced to equivocate and haul out its oft-mentioned “non-interference policy” in internal matters of member states. The European Union and the United States are strong critics of Burma’s absolute lack of human rights and rule of law.
The Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) had been postponed several times because of Burmese issues and the EU’s common position on the country, which bans EU visas for officials of the Burmese junta and official visits of EU officials to Burma.
On Monday, Suu Kyi’s first day of trial, EU foreign ministers discussed the Burma issue in Brussels. After the meeting, ministers denounced the Suu Kyi trial and called for Burma’s neighbors to push the junta for positive change in the country. It also warned of further sanctions against Burma.
Czech President Václav Klaus will chair the EU-China Summit in Prague on May 20. At the meeting, the EU is expected to bring up Burma with its Chinese counterpart. Recently, China modified its Burma policy to include the principle of stability, development and national reconciliation.
ASEM foreign ministers and Asean foreign ministers will meet in Hanoi on May 22-25 to discuss bilateral issues between the two groupings. EU ministers have said they will raise the Burma issue when they are in Hanoi.
However, Asean, now celebrating its 40th anniversary, will avoid taking a critical stand, citing its core principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member countries.
The principle is enshrined in article 2 of the Asean Charter, which critics say effectively makes the Asian grouping toothless in terms of human rights issues.
By 2015, the Asean goal is full integration of all 10-member nations under an EU- style single market region.
Commenting on Asean integration, Latheefa Koya, a leading human rights advocate, said many Asean countries still lack a democratic civil society and an independent press.
Asean’s integration motto is: “One Vision, one Identity, one Community.” How that will accommodate human rights abuses is anyone’s guess.
Some observers note the motto’s similarity to the Burmese military regime’s motto of “One Blood, one Voice, one Command.”
This story was written under a 2009 Southeast Asian Press Alliance Fellowship.
KUALA LUMPUR —Thailand announced a statement as chair of Asean on Tuesday that expressed grave concern over the arrest and trial of Aung San Suu Kyi. As Asean chair, it said that it was ready to play a mediation role in Burma’s “national reconciliation process” and a “peaceful transition to democracy” in the country.
But, the arrest and trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, coupled with the international outrage in the West, has clearly put Asean’s human rights charter in the spotlight, which is now undergoing its first major test. Its response appears to be a carbon copy of its reactions and statements prior to its creation of a human rights charter.
So far only Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand have expressed their concern over Burma’s worsening political situation in recent weeks. Another founding member country, Malaysia, and other four countries including the next Asean chair, Vietnam, have remained silent.
Analysts agree that Burma continues to be an embarrassment for Asean. As a member country, shouldn’t Burma abide by the intent of Asean’s human rights charter, and, if it doesn’t, what should be the consequences?
A Thai member of parliament, Kraisak Choonhavan, told reporters at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand on May 15 that the junta’s current action is totally against the Asean Charter.
Many think the Burmese military regime is in violation of article 14 of the Asean Human Rights Body (AHRB). A draft of the forthcoming AHRB states that one of purposes of the human rights body is to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Asean.
Thitinan Pongsuhirak, the director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, said that Burma’s 2010 election is a violation of the Asean Charter because it is not a free and fair democratic election, but a rigged process to establish the regime as “legitimate.”
Since military-ruled Burma became a member of Asean in 1997, it has been a contentious issue for Asean, which is often forced to equivocate and haul out its oft-mentioned “non-interference policy” in internal matters of member states. The European Union and the United States are strong critics of Burma’s absolute lack of human rights and rule of law.
The Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) had been postponed several times because of Burmese issues and the EU’s common position on the country, which bans EU visas for officials of the Burmese junta and official visits of EU officials to Burma.
On Monday, Suu Kyi’s first day of trial, EU foreign ministers discussed the Burma issue in Brussels. After the meeting, ministers denounced the Suu Kyi trial and called for Burma’s neighbors to push the junta for positive change in the country. It also warned of further sanctions against Burma.
Czech President Václav Klaus will chair the EU-China Summit in Prague on May 20. At the meeting, the EU is expected to bring up Burma with its Chinese counterpart. Recently, China modified its Burma policy to include the principle of stability, development and national reconciliation.
ASEM foreign ministers and Asean foreign ministers will meet in Hanoi on May 22-25 to discuss bilateral issues between the two groupings. EU ministers have said they will raise the Burma issue when they are in Hanoi.
However, Asean, now celebrating its 40th anniversary, will avoid taking a critical stand, citing its core principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member countries.
The principle is enshrined in article 2 of the Asean Charter, which critics say effectively makes the Asian grouping toothless in terms of human rights issues.
By 2015, the Asean goal is full integration of all 10-member nations under an EU- style single market region.
Commenting on Asean integration, Latheefa Koya, a leading human rights advocate, said many Asean countries still lack a democratic civil society and an independent press.
Asean’s integration motto is: “One Vision, one Identity, one Community.” How that will accommodate human rights abuses is anyone’s guess.
Some observers note the motto’s similarity to the Burmese military regime’s motto of “One Blood, one Voice, one Command.”
This story was written under a 2009 Southeast Asian Press Alliance Fellowship.
Lawyer: Burma Possibly Rushing Suu Kyi's Trial
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RANGOON — Burma's military regime appeared to be rushing through the trial of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Suu Kyi, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years, is accused of violating the terms of her house arrest by allowing a visitor to stay at her home without official permission. The offense is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.
She is standing trial with two female members of her party who live with her, and John W. Yettaw, the American man who triggered the charges by swimming to Suu Kyi's property under the cover of darkness earlier this month and sneaking uninvited into her home.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years under house arrest. The charges against her are widely seen as a pretext for her to stay in detention during polls scheduled for next year—the culmination of the junta's "roadmap to democracy," which has been criticized as a fig leaf for continued military rule.
Burma has been under military rule since 1962. It last held an election in 1990, but the junta refused to honor the results after a landslide victory by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party.
Nyan Win, a party spokesman and one of her four lawyers, said five of the prosecution's 22 scheduled witnesses testified Tuesday.
"Now it is very clear that they are trying to speed up the trial," he told reporters at party headquarters. "If it goes on at this rate, it could even be over by next week."
Asked what the motive might be for speeding up the trial, he said "They must have their plans, though I don't know." Nyan Win had speculated Monday that the trial could last up to three months.
Suu Kyi's arrest last week reignited criticism of Burma's military rulers and led to renewed calls by world leaders for her immediate release.
US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said the charges against Suu Kyi were "unjustified" and called for her unconditional release and that of more than 2,100 other political prisoners.
Suu Kyi's arrest could well derail a "softer" approach that the Obama administration had been searching for to replace sanctions and other get-tough policies that have done nothing to divert the junta's iron-fisted rule.
China, which as Burma's closest ally probably has the most influence with its ruling generals, has shown no signs it will exert pressure on Burmese military government.
"Myanmar's [Burma's] issue should be decided by the Myanmar people," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said at a regular news briefing. "We hope that the relevant parties in Myanmar could realize reconciliation, stability and development through dialogue."
RANGOON — Burma's military regime appeared to be rushing through the trial of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Suu Kyi, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years, is accused of violating the terms of her house arrest by allowing a visitor to stay at her home without official permission. The offense is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.
She is standing trial with two female members of her party who live with her, and John W. Yettaw, the American man who triggered the charges by swimming to Suu Kyi's property under the cover of darkness earlier this month and sneaking uninvited into her home.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years under house arrest. The charges against her are widely seen as a pretext for her to stay in detention during polls scheduled for next year—the culmination of the junta's "roadmap to democracy," which has been criticized as a fig leaf for continued military rule.
Burma has been under military rule since 1962. It last held an election in 1990, but the junta refused to honor the results after a landslide victory by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party.
Nyan Win, a party spokesman and one of her four lawyers, said five of the prosecution's 22 scheduled witnesses testified Tuesday.
"Now it is very clear that they are trying to speed up the trial," he told reporters at party headquarters. "If it goes on at this rate, it could even be over by next week."
Asked what the motive might be for speeding up the trial, he said "They must have their plans, though I don't know." Nyan Win had speculated Monday that the trial could last up to three months.
Suu Kyi's arrest last week reignited criticism of Burma's military rulers and led to renewed calls by world leaders for her immediate release.
US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said the charges against Suu Kyi were "unjustified" and called for her unconditional release and that of more than 2,100 other political prisoners.
Suu Kyi's arrest could well derail a "softer" approach that the Obama administration had been searching for to replace sanctions and other get-tough policies that have done nothing to divert the junta's iron-fisted rule.
China, which as Burma's closest ally probably has the most influence with its ruling generals, has shown no signs it will exert pressure on Burmese military government.
"Myanmar's [Burma's] issue should be decided by the Myanmar people," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said at a regular news briefing. "We hope that the relevant parties in Myanmar could realize reconciliation, stability and development through dialogue."
Prices Rise in Burma during Suu Kyi Trial
By THE IRRAWADDY
The price of basic commodities, fuel and gold has risen in Rangoon following the arrest and trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, according to local residents.
According to a gold shop owner in downtown Rangoon, the price of gold in Burma reached 528,000 kyat (US $493) per tical (6.4 grams) on Tuesday, rising from 515,000 kyat ($481).
“Buyers are still increasing, especially buyers from the countryside,” said a gold shop owner. “The price of gold will go up in the coming days.”
The price of gold on the global market is currently $925 per ounce; diesel oil is $2.231 per gallon (3.8 liters); and gasoline is $2.30 per gallon. A black market fuel trader in Rangoon said that one gallon of diesel currently costs 2,200 kyat ($2.05) and a gallon of gasoline is 3,000 kyat ($2.8o).
Burma has a quota system for the allocation of fuel to car owners, allowing them to receive up to 60 gallons of fuel each month at a cost of 3,000 kyat ($2.8o) a gallon for diesel and 2,500 kyat ($2.3o) for gasoline.
The ongoing instability of Burmese politics contributes to the cost increases in basic commodities, because people tend to stock up on goods in troubled times, said a Rangoon business man.
A Rangoon foreign currency dealer said that Burmese currency prices have decreased in recent days because people tend to buy more foreign currencies, mainly the dollar.
A dollar is now at 1,070 kyat, depreciating from 1,050 on Friday. A Foreign Exchange Currency (FEC) is equal to 1,015 kyat, according to the currency exchange market in Rangoon.
According to a trader at the Bayint Naung Wholesale Market in Rangoon, standard-quality rice is currently priced at 26,000 kyat ($24) for one basket (approximately 20 kilograms per basket) and low-quality rice is 15,000 kyat ($14).
The price of basic commodities, fuel and gold has risen in Rangoon following the arrest and trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, according to local residents.
According to a gold shop owner in downtown Rangoon, the price of gold in Burma reached 528,000 kyat (US $493) per tical (6.4 grams) on Tuesday, rising from 515,000 kyat ($481).
“Buyers are still increasing, especially buyers from the countryside,” said a gold shop owner. “The price of gold will go up in the coming days.”
The price of gold on the global market is currently $925 per ounce; diesel oil is $2.231 per gallon (3.8 liters); and gasoline is $2.30 per gallon. A black market fuel trader in Rangoon said that one gallon of diesel currently costs 2,200 kyat ($2.05) and a gallon of gasoline is 3,000 kyat ($2.8o).
Burma has a quota system for the allocation of fuel to car owners, allowing them to receive up to 60 gallons of fuel each month at a cost of 3,000 kyat ($2.8o) a gallon for diesel and 2,500 kyat ($2.3o) for gasoline.
The ongoing instability of Burmese politics contributes to the cost increases in basic commodities, because people tend to stock up on goods in troubled times, said a Rangoon business man.
A Rangoon foreign currency dealer said that Burmese currency prices have decreased in recent days because people tend to buy more foreign currencies, mainly the dollar.
A dollar is now at 1,070 kyat, depreciating from 1,050 on Friday. A Foreign Exchange Currency (FEC) is equal to 1,015 kyat, according to the currency exchange market in Rangoon.
According to a trader at the Bayint Naung Wholesale Market in Rangoon, standard-quality rice is currently priced at 26,000 kyat ($24) for one basket (approximately 20 kilograms per basket) and low-quality rice is 15,000 kyat ($14).
Asian Property May Keep Sliding, Analysts Say
By ALEX KENNEDY / AP WRITER
SINGAPORE — Asian property values may keep sliding this year as the global credit crisis and economic slowdown undermine investor confidence, investors and analysts said.
"It's going to be another year of pain," Stuart Labrooy, chief executive at real estate investment trust Axis-REIT in Kuala Lumpur, said Tuesday at an industry conference in Singapore. "Asia is in for a fairly lean spell."
Markets such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore have already seen large price drops since last year after years of cheap credit lured a flood of foreign money into the region's real estate, especially high-end residential and office space.
As credit conditions tightened last year and the global appetite for risk waned, speculative money fled the region's stock and property markets.
Investors who chased hot markets last year have absorbed big losses, and new buyers now shouldn't expect to make a quick profit, said Blake Olafson, head of the Asia real estate group for Bahrain-based investment firm Arcapita.
"Those who made investments last year have had significant writedowns," Olafson said. "You can't have a trading mentality, but rather a five- to seven-year view."
Markets that soared the most during the years leading up to 2008 have subsequently plunged and may not have bottomed yet, analysts said.
Singapore, for example, has seen private residential property prices fall about 20 percent from their peak in the second quarter last year after jumping 31 percent in 2007.
Along with the broader global downturn, each Asian market may face its own particular challenges.
In Thailand, the prospect of renewed violent anti-government street protests paired with overbuilding in Bangkok could send property prices lower, said John Evens, managing director of Bangkok-based consultancy Tractus Asia.
"I expect to see a considerable drop in the value of residential prices," Evens said. "Thailand hasn't yet fully realized the impact of the global economic crisis or political instability."
In Singapore, the city-state's growing status as a regional finance and wealth management hub left it vulnerable as banks and investment firms shed workers amid the credit crisis. Offices here that rented for $3,000 a square foot last year are now available for $1,800, Olafson said.
Asian property values will probably bottom by the end of this year but may not start to rise again until the economies of U.S. and Europe have consistent growth and boost investor confidence, Labrooy said.
"In Japan, the real estate industry depended on foreign money coming in to sustain growth," Labrooy said. "A lot of that money is gone and won't return for a long time. We all have to get back to reality."
SINGAPORE — Asian property values may keep sliding this year as the global credit crisis and economic slowdown undermine investor confidence, investors and analysts said.
"It's going to be another year of pain," Stuart Labrooy, chief executive at real estate investment trust Axis-REIT in Kuala Lumpur, said Tuesday at an industry conference in Singapore. "Asia is in for a fairly lean spell."
Markets such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore have already seen large price drops since last year after years of cheap credit lured a flood of foreign money into the region's real estate, especially high-end residential and office space.
As credit conditions tightened last year and the global appetite for risk waned, speculative money fled the region's stock and property markets.
Investors who chased hot markets last year have absorbed big losses, and new buyers now shouldn't expect to make a quick profit, said Blake Olafson, head of the Asia real estate group for Bahrain-based investment firm Arcapita.
"Those who made investments last year have had significant writedowns," Olafson said. "You can't have a trading mentality, but rather a five- to seven-year view."
Markets that soared the most during the years leading up to 2008 have subsequently plunged and may not have bottomed yet, analysts said.
Singapore, for example, has seen private residential property prices fall about 20 percent from their peak in the second quarter last year after jumping 31 percent in 2007.
Along with the broader global downturn, each Asian market may face its own particular challenges.
In Thailand, the prospect of renewed violent anti-government street protests paired with overbuilding in Bangkok could send property prices lower, said John Evens, managing director of Bangkok-based consultancy Tractus Asia.
"I expect to see a considerable drop in the value of residential prices," Evens said. "Thailand hasn't yet fully realized the impact of the global economic crisis or political instability."
In Singapore, the city-state's growing status as a regional finance and wealth management hub left it vulnerable as banks and investment firms shed workers amid the credit crisis. Offices here that rented for $3,000 a square foot last year are now available for $1,800, Olafson said.
Asian property values will probably bottom by the end of this year but may not start to rise again until the economies of U.S. and Europe have consistent growth and boost investor confidence, Labrooy said.
"In Japan, the real estate industry depended on foreign money coming in to sustain growth," Labrooy said. "A lot of that money is gone and won't return for a long time. We all have to get back to reality."
Journalists Attend Suu Kyi Trial
By SAW YAN NAING
Ten journalists were allowed inside the courtroom on Wednesday to cover the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said journalists in Rangoon.
Five journalists working for foreign news media were chosen by lot. Three were Japanese journalists and two work for Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
The remaining five were chosen by Burmese authorities. Sources believe they represent state-backed newspapers and publications associated with the regime.
A journalist who was chosen to report on the trial said it was not clear whether the authorities will allow the journalists to bring recorders and cameras into the courtroom. In the past, he said, journalists have not been able to use recorders or cameras when covering sensitive events.
A Burmese journalist in Rangoon confirmed that one journalist from the Myanmar Times was chosen to cover the trial.
Associated Press writers, who participated in the draw, lost out to the luck of the draw, sources said.
Wednesday is day three of the trial of Suu Kyi, who has been charged with violating the terms of her house arrest by allowing a US citizen, John William Yettaw, to stay overnight at her compound on Inya Lake. If convicted, she could be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison.
Yettaw, 53, who allegedly swam across the lake to the compound, which is under 24-hour guard, is also on trial for violating Burmese security laws and immigration laws, along with two housekeepers who live with Suu Kyi.
Ten journalists were allowed inside the courtroom on Wednesday to cover the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said journalists in Rangoon.
Five journalists working for foreign news media were chosen by lot. Three were Japanese journalists and two work for Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
The remaining five were chosen by Burmese authorities. Sources believe they represent state-backed newspapers and publications associated with the regime.
A journalist who was chosen to report on the trial said it was not clear whether the authorities will allow the journalists to bring recorders and cameras into the courtroom. In the past, he said, journalists have not been able to use recorders or cameras when covering sensitive events.
A Burmese journalist in Rangoon confirmed that one journalist from the Myanmar Times was chosen to cover the trial.
Associated Press writers, who participated in the draw, lost out to the luck of the draw, sources said.
Wednesday is day three of the trial of Suu Kyi, who has been charged with violating the terms of her house arrest by allowing a US citizen, John William Yettaw, to stay overnight at her compound on Inya Lake. If convicted, she could be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison.
Yettaw, 53, who allegedly swam across the lake to the compound, which is under 24-hour guard, is also on trial for violating Burmese security laws and immigration laws, along with two housekeepers who live with Suu Kyi.
Security Council Members Hold Informal Discussions on Burma
By LALIT K JHA
WASHINGTON — Members of the UN Security Council have informally begun discussions on the possibility of issuing a statement on the current situation in Burma, especially the ongoing trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, following an initiative by the United States, France and Britain.
Members of the Security Council and UN secretary-general have been under pressure during the past one week following a global outcry against the detention and trial of Aung San Suu Kyi by the Burmese military government.
The Burmese community and its pro-democracy leaders have sought intervention from the Security Council, along with 72 former prime ministers and presidents, more than 40 global celebrities and 11 Nobel laureates in statements and letters urging the Security Council to take up the matter on an urgent basis.
However, because of resistance by China and Russia—two veto-wielding members—the 15-member UN body is not expected to be able to make much headway. Informed sources at UN headquarters in New York said the other three permanent members of the Council —the US, Britain and France—have made a fresh move on the need to issue either a press statement or a presidential statement by the Security Council.
The Security Council could have a formal meeting on Burma, if an agreement is reached among its 15 members. China is opposed to such a move, saying it would be considered as interference in the internal affairs of a country. Russia and Japan too are believed to have adopted a cautious approach in this regard.
On the other hand, the US, Britain and France argue that the current situation in Burma and the ongoing trial of Aung San Suu Kyi deserves the immediate attention of the Security Council. In a Presidential Statement issued in October 2007, the Security Council called for the release of all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi.
Meanwhile, two Noble laureates—the Dalai Lama and Jose Ramos Horta—joined nine other recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize in writing to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the issue. “We urge you to discuss this matter with the members of the United Nations Security Council and to do so as expeditiously as possible,” the Noble laureates said in a letter dated May 18.
In a related development, the US State Department said that a consular officer from the US Embassy in Rangoon has been permitted to observe the joint legal proceedings against Aung San Suu Kyi and an American national, John W. Yettaw, who was arrested for allegedly staying overnight at the house of the Burmese leader.
The State Department said that its Burma policy continues to be under review. As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated during her trip to Asia in February, neither sanctions nor engagement alone have succeeded in bringing about change in Burma, the State Department said in a written response to a question from reporters.
“The goal of our policy is to encourage progress toward democracy and the protection of human rights. We are reviewing all elements of our policy to assure that we are pursuing the most effective means of achieving that goal,” the State Department said.
In another statement, Rep Joe Crowley urged the Burmese military regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi and abandon their campaign of intimidation against her.
“I am also concerned about her current state of health, and the military junta should allow her doctor to examine and provide her with the necessary medical treatment. This is another example of the Burmese dictatorship's attempt to stay in power at all cost— including at the expense of the people of Burma," Crowley said.
WASHINGTON — Members of the UN Security Council have informally begun discussions on the possibility of issuing a statement on the current situation in Burma, especially the ongoing trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, following an initiative by the United States, France and Britain.
Members of the Security Council and UN secretary-general have been under pressure during the past one week following a global outcry against the detention and trial of Aung San Suu Kyi by the Burmese military government.
The Burmese community and its pro-democracy leaders have sought intervention from the Security Council, along with 72 former prime ministers and presidents, more than 40 global celebrities and 11 Nobel laureates in statements and letters urging the Security Council to take up the matter on an urgent basis.
However, because of resistance by China and Russia—two veto-wielding members—the 15-member UN body is not expected to be able to make much headway. Informed sources at UN headquarters in New York said the other three permanent members of the Council —the US, Britain and France—have made a fresh move on the need to issue either a press statement or a presidential statement by the Security Council.
The Security Council could have a formal meeting on Burma, if an agreement is reached among its 15 members. China is opposed to such a move, saying it would be considered as interference in the internal affairs of a country. Russia and Japan too are believed to have adopted a cautious approach in this regard.
On the other hand, the US, Britain and France argue that the current situation in Burma and the ongoing trial of Aung San Suu Kyi deserves the immediate attention of the Security Council. In a Presidential Statement issued in October 2007, the Security Council called for the release of all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi.
Meanwhile, two Noble laureates—the Dalai Lama and Jose Ramos Horta—joined nine other recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize in writing to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the issue. “We urge you to discuss this matter with the members of the United Nations Security Council and to do so as expeditiously as possible,” the Noble laureates said in a letter dated May 18.
In a related development, the US State Department said that a consular officer from the US Embassy in Rangoon has been permitted to observe the joint legal proceedings against Aung San Suu Kyi and an American national, John W. Yettaw, who was arrested for allegedly staying overnight at the house of the Burmese leader.
The State Department said that its Burma policy continues to be under review. As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated during her trip to Asia in February, neither sanctions nor engagement alone have succeeded in bringing about change in Burma, the State Department said in a written response to a question from reporters.
“The goal of our policy is to encourage progress toward democracy and the protection of human rights. We are reviewing all elements of our policy to assure that we are pursuing the most effective means of achieving that goal,” the State Department said.
In another statement, Rep Joe Crowley urged the Burmese military regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi and abandon their campaign of intimidation against her.
“I am also concerned about her current state of health, and the military junta should allow her doctor to examine and provide her with the necessary medical treatment. This is another example of the Burmese dictatorship's attempt to stay in power at all cost— including at the expense of the people of Burma," Crowley said.
Indonesian Plane Crashes, At Least 93 Dead
By NINIEK KARMINI / AP WRITER
JAKARTA — An Indonesian military plane carrying more than 100 people crashed into several homes and burst into flames Wednesday, killing at least 93 people, officials said.
Dozens were injured and more were feared dead, with local television flashing footage of fire engulfing the mangled wreckage. Black smoke billowed in the air, as soldiers carried badly burnt bodies on stretchers to waiting ambulances.
Air force spokesman Bambang Sulistyo said at least 93 people were killed when the C-130 Hercules crashed near a base in East Java province early Wednesday. There were 112 passengers and crew on board.
Military spokesman Sagom Tamboen said the aircraft was transporting troops and their families, including at least 10 children, when it tumbled from the sky near an air force base in East Java province.
It smashed into a row of houses in Geplak village, killing three on the ground, before skidding into a rice field.
The tail of the plane and several large parts of its charred body were scattered in the paddy and nearby bushes.
It was not clear what caused the crash, the latest in a string to hit the air force.
But several witnesses described hearing a large explosion while it was still in the air and then seeing it split apart.
"One of the wings fell off," Agus Yulianto, a villager, was quoted as saying on the Web site of Kompas newspaper. "Then the plane nose-dived into the houses."
The accident occurred 325 miles (520 kilometers) east of the capital, Jakarta.
The country's air force has long complained of being underfunded and handicapped by a recently lifted U.S. ban on weapons sales. It has suffered a series of accidents, including a Fokker 27 plane that crashed into an airport hangar last month, killing all 24 onboard.
A series of commercial airline crashes in recent years has killed more than 120 people in Indonesia.
JAKARTA — An Indonesian military plane carrying more than 100 people crashed into several homes and burst into flames Wednesday, killing at least 93 people, officials said.
Dozens were injured and more were feared dead, with local television flashing footage of fire engulfing the mangled wreckage. Black smoke billowed in the air, as soldiers carried badly burnt bodies on stretchers to waiting ambulances.
Air force spokesman Bambang Sulistyo said at least 93 people were killed when the C-130 Hercules crashed near a base in East Java province early Wednesday. There were 112 passengers and crew on board.
Military spokesman Sagom Tamboen said the aircraft was transporting troops and their families, including at least 10 children, when it tumbled from the sky near an air force base in East Java province.
It smashed into a row of houses in Geplak village, killing three on the ground, before skidding into a rice field.
The tail of the plane and several large parts of its charred body were scattered in the paddy and nearby bushes.
It was not clear what caused the crash, the latest in a string to hit the air force.
But several witnesses described hearing a large explosion while it was still in the air and then seeing it split apart.
"One of the wings fell off," Agus Yulianto, a villager, was quoted as saying on the Web site of Kompas newspaper. "Then the plane nose-dived into the houses."
The accident occurred 325 miles (520 kilometers) east of the capital, Jakarta.
The country's air force has long complained of being underfunded and handicapped by a recently lifted U.S. ban on weapons sales. It has suffered a series of accidents, including a Fokker 27 plane that crashed into an airport hangar last month, killing all 24 onboard.
A series of commercial airline crashes in recent years has killed more than 120 people in Indonesia.
May 19, 2009
Suu Kyi Court Continues Hearing Prosecution Witnesses
By MIN LWIN
Prosecution witnesses continued to give evidence on the second day of Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial before a special court in Rangoon’s Insein Prison on Tuesday.
Sources within her National League for Democracy (NLD) said Suu Kyi and other defendants were not allowed to testify.
Evidence was heard on Tuesday from five government officials, including police Lt-Col Maung Muang Khin of the Criminal Investigation Department, and immigration officer Myat Twin, according to the NLD sources.
The sources said Suu Kyi was brought into the courtroom by women security officers.
Speaking on Tuesday to The Irrawaddy, one of Suu Kyi’s former lawyers, Aung Thein, who has been barred from defending her, challenged the official account of the circumstances leading to the NLD leader’s arrest and arraignment.
State-run newspapers reported on Tuesday that an American citizen, John William Yettaw, swam twice across Inya Lake to Suu Kyi’s home, in November 2008 and again this month.
On his second visit, Suu Kyi had allowed him to stay for two nights, giving him food and drink, the official reports said.
Aung Thein described the official version of events as “a story.” Suu Kyi’s house was well guarded by security men, who were also posted on the banks of the lake, he said.
Another lawyer, Kyi Win, said Suu Kyi had told Yettaw to leave her house, but he had refused. She did not report him to the authorities because she did not want anybody to get into trouble, Kyi Win said.
Suu Kyi’s doctor, Tin Myo Win, was also arrested last week and accused of knowing about Yettaw’s visit, but he was later released.
“Why didn’t they [the authorities] take action when Dr Tin Myo Win informed them that a US citizen had entered the house?” he asked.
Prosecution witnesses continued to give evidence on the second day of Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial before a special court in Rangoon’s Insein Prison on Tuesday.
Sources within her National League for Democracy (NLD) said Suu Kyi and other defendants were not allowed to testify.
Evidence was heard on Tuesday from five government officials, including police Lt-Col Maung Muang Khin of the Criminal Investigation Department, and immigration officer Myat Twin, according to the NLD sources.
The sources said Suu Kyi was brought into the courtroom by women security officers.
Speaking on Tuesday to The Irrawaddy, one of Suu Kyi’s former lawyers, Aung Thein, who has been barred from defending her, challenged the official account of the circumstances leading to the NLD leader’s arrest and arraignment.
State-run newspapers reported on Tuesday that an American citizen, John William Yettaw, swam twice across Inya Lake to Suu Kyi’s home, in November 2008 and again this month.
On his second visit, Suu Kyi had allowed him to stay for two nights, giving him food and drink, the official reports said.
Aung Thein described the official version of events as “a story.” Suu Kyi’s house was well guarded by security men, who were also posted on the banks of the lake, he said.
Another lawyer, Kyi Win, said Suu Kyi had told Yettaw to leave her house, but he had refused. She did not report him to the authorities because she did not want anybody to get into trouble, Kyi Win said.
Suu Kyi’s doctor, Tin Myo Win, was also arrested last week and accused of knowing about Yettaw’s visit, but he was later released.
“Why didn’t they [the authorities] take action when Dr Tin Myo Win informed them that a US citizen had entered the house?” he asked.
Who is John W. Yettaw?
By SAW YAN NAING
John William Yettaw, 53, spent more than a month at a hotel in Mae Sot in November 2008, after he had traveled to Rangoon and visited Aung San Suu Kyi’s compound for the first time.
While in Mae Sot, people recall him saying that he planned to return to visit Suu Kyi again, which led to his second, fateful encounter with Suu Kyi in May, according to Burmese and Thai sources.
Suu Kyi, Yettaw and two others are now standing trial in Insein Prison in Rangoon on charges that they violated her terms of house arrest. Suu Kyi has entered a plea of innocent, saying she had no control over Yettaw’s visit to her compound, where she has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years.
Burmese security forces provide a 24-hour guard around her compound on Inya Lake.
Press reports suggested that when Yettaw went to Rangoon in November of last year he was forced to lay over in Burma due to the closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, which was seized by Thai protesters led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy.
While in Mae Sot, Yettaw stayed at the Highland Hotel, where he spoke to several people about Burma and made brief comments about Suu Kyi. He openly told people about his first visit to her compound.
He said he was coming back to Mae Sot in April, said a Burmese source.
Sources said that while in Mae Sot, he was frequently accompanied by a Thai woman, and he visited refugee schools where he met children and took notes.
One Burmese source said that few people paid much attention to Yettaw, seeing him as a typical tourist.
Thai security officials are now gathering information on Yettaw, said a Burmese activist who requested anonymity.
According to his family members, Yettaw is still in debt for the expenses he incurred from his first trip to Burma in 2008. Before leaving his home in Falcon, Missouri, Yettaw told his wife, Betty Yettaw, that he planned to visit Asia for a book he is writing, according to an Associated Press story.
Betty Yettaw said she was surprise after hearing that her husband had swam nearly two kilometers across Inya Lake in Rangoon, because he suffers from asthma and diabetes.
Publications and blogs which are closely associated with Burmese authorities of information ministry, such as tharkinwe.com and myanmarnargis.org, posted photos of Yettaw, but there have been no photographs showing the spot where he was arrested by Burmese police.
One conspiracy theory on a Burmese opposition blog, www.niknayman-niknayman.co.cc, contends that Yettaw in fact walked into Suu Kyi’s compound after a taxi driver dropped him in front of Suu Kyi’s home.
The blog alleges that Yettaw walked into the compound after he showed a red card to the guards in front of the democracy leader’s house.
Yettaw, a Mormon, reportedly does not hold strong political views. He receives disability payments from the US Veteran’s Affairs office for Vietnam-related injuries and has pursued studies in psychology.
John William Yettaw, 53, spent more than a month at a hotel in Mae Sot in November 2008, after he had traveled to Rangoon and visited Aung San Suu Kyi’s compound for the first time.
While in Mae Sot, people recall him saying that he planned to return to visit Suu Kyi again, which led to his second, fateful encounter with Suu Kyi in May, according to Burmese and Thai sources.
Suu Kyi, Yettaw and two others are now standing trial in Insein Prison in Rangoon on charges that they violated her terms of house arrest. Suu Kyi has entered a plea of innocent, saying she had no control over Yettaw’s visit to her compound, where she has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years.
Burmese security forces provide a 24-hour guard around her compound on Inya Lake.
Press reports suggested that when Yettaw went to Rangoon in November of last year he was forced to lay over in Burma due to the closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, which was seized by Thai protesters led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy.
While in Mae Sot, Yettaw stayed at the Highland Hotel, where he spoke to several people about Burma and made brief comments about Suu Kyi. He openly told people about his first visit to her compound.
He said he was coming back to Mae Sot in April, said a Burmese source.
Sources said that while in Mae Sot, he was frequently accompanied by a Thai woman, and he visited refugee schools where he met children and took notes.
One Burmese source said that few people paid much attention to Yettaw, seeing him as a typical tourist.
Thai security officials are now gathering information on Yettaw, said a Burmese activist who requested anonymity.
According to his family members, Yettaw is still in debt for the expenses he incurred from his first trip to Burma in 2008. Before leaving his home in Falcon, Missouri, Yettaw told his wife, Betty Yettaw, that he planned to visit Asia for a book he is writing, according to an Associated Press story.
Betty Yettaw said she was surprise after hearing that her husband had swam nearly two kilometers across Inya Lake in Rangoon, because he suffers from asthma and diabetes.
Publications and blogs which are closely associated with Burmese authorities of information ministry, such as tharkinwe.com and myanmarnargis.org, posted photos of Yettaw, but there have been no photographs showing the spot where he was arrested by Burmese police.
One conspiracy theory on a Burmese opposition blog, www.niknayman-niknayman.co.cc, contends that Yettaw in fact walked into Suu Kyi’s compound after a taxi driver dropped him in front of Suu Kyi’s home.
The blog alleges that Yettaw walked into the compound after he showed a red card to the guards in front of the democracy leader’s house.
Yettaw, a Mormon, reportedly does not hold strong political views. He receives disability payments from the US Veteran’s Affairs office for Vietnam-related injuries and has pursued studies in psychology.
It’s All Going According to Plan
By AUNG ZAW
Inside sources in Naypyidaw have revealed that Snr-Gen Than Shwe held a meeting with his top brass in the remote capital in March. The meeting was convened for one reason only—to discuss the thorny issue of Burma’s most famous prisoner, Aung San Suu Kyi.
Than Shwe reportedly asked five of his advisers, including Deputy Snr-Gen Maung Aye and Gen Shwe Mann, how they thought the regime should tackle the “kaung ma lay” (little girl).
The answers he received were vague and sycophantic with some generals reportedly advocating that Than Shwe continue ignoring the international pressure to release Suu Kyi and keep her under house arrest indefinitely.
Apparently, Than Shwe was not satisfied with the suggestions from his subordinates. He wanted to create a legal case against her. He saw Suu Kyi as the biggest threat to the junta and took the decision to order the Ministry of Home Affairs to design a case that would nail her.
Of the possible scenarios to frame the democracy leader for breaking the terms of her house arrest, the use of John William Yettaw was perhaps a long shot.
It was known that he had sneaked into Suu Kyi’s compound when he was in Rangoon in November. Suu Kyi’s personal physician Dr Tin Myo Win had informed the police of Yettaw’s intrusion, but authorities decided not to take action against him at that time.
According to former intelligence officers, it is easy to trace foreigners who apply for Burmese visas. If the authorities did not want Yettaw to return to the country, they would simply inform Burmese embassies to put him on the black list. They didn’t.
Yettaw is known to have been in Thailand speaking to Burmese exiles. He had let it slip that he had secretly entered Suu Kyi’s compound and that he wanted to interview Suu Kyi for a book he was writing on heroism and how people react under pressure.
His mother is reported to have said he has mental problems, and was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. His wife described him as a “peace-loving” man.
This misguided individual fitted the profile that Than Shwe needed. If he could be coerced (or permitted) into repeating his act of intrepidness, he would unwittingly be giving the regime the legal loophole they needed to charge Suu Kyi with breaking the law, in this case Section 22 of the “Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts.”
Of course it was not a foolproof plan; perhaps one of several pawns that Than Shwe was maneuvering. But since the morning the police fished Yettaw out of Inya Lake, the authorities have moved with a conviction that strongly suggests they were confident that this pawn sacrifice had swung their game plan into a checkmate position.
Sources in Naypyidaw said that when Than Shwe heard the news of the arrest of an intruder at Inya Lake, he was “elated.”
Although Yettaw’s intrusion can in no rational way be attributed to Suu Kyi—on the contrary, it points to a gaping hole in the junta’s security—it is now being used as the foundation of a legal case against her.
This is not the first time that the regime has tried to find a petty incident to tie up the NLD leader in legal red tape.
In 2001, Burma’s military authorities exploited a family feud between Suu Kyi and her brother, Aung San Oo, who lives in the United States and holds American citizenship. They fast-tracked an opportunity for the disgruntled brother to sue his sister for control of half of the residential compound that has been her home since 1988.
Aung San Oo said that if he won the case, he would donate half of the land to the government, as his late mother Daw Khin Kyi had expressed a desire to open her house as a museum.
In the end, the court dismissed his case on the grounds that, according to Burmese law, foreigners don't have the right to own land in Burma. But Than Shwe’s intentions were clear—to cast doubts over Suu Kyi, to humiliate her and to cause her pain.
In February 2003, Suu Kyi faced a light jail term after refusing to pay a fine handed down by a Rangoon divisional court. Suu Kyi’s cousin, Soe Aung, had reportedly punched her at the lakeside compound where he was also living. Suu Kyi and Soe Aung both filed charges over the incident. Soe Aung filed charges against Suu Kyi for illegally ejecting him from the compound.
The court offered Suu Kyi the choice between a week in jail or a 500 kyat (US $0.50) fine. Suu Kyi refused to pay the fine and said that she would rather go to jail for seven days. The case was subsequently dropped.
But in trapping John William Yettaw at Inya Lake, this time Than Shwe thinks he has caught a bigger fish.
The regime is moving quickly now to move the trial along. Suu Kyi faces a sentence of up to five years imprisonment if found guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest by supposedly “harboring” the American.
In conducting a kangaroo court in Insein Prison, Than Shwe may have underestimated the swiftness of international reaction and the extension of sanctions from the US and EU. However, he can shrug that off as long as his old benefactors—China, Russia, India and Asean—stand by him.
He will also be measuring the amount of time and energy world leaders allot to Suu Kyi’s case, assuming the hullabaloo will die down as soon as a new crisis unfolds somewhere else in the world.
In any case, he knows he can ride the storm of disapproval from abroad.
In the meantime, sources say, back in Naypyidaw Than Shwe is happily following the proceedings from the trial in Insein, no doubt licking his lips in anticipation of the kill.
Additional reporting by correspondents in Burma.
Inside sources in Naypyidaw have revealed that Snr-Gen Than Shwe held a meeting with his top brass in the remote capital in March. The meeting was convened for one reason only—to discuss the thorny issue of Burma’s most famous prisoner, Aung San Suu Kyi.
Than Shwe reportedly asked five of his advisers, including Deputy Snr-Gen Maung Aye and Gen Shwe Mann, how they thought the regime should tackle the “kaung ma lay” (little girl).
The answers he received were vague and sycophantic with some generals reportedly advocating that Than Shwe continue ignoring the international pressure to release Suu Kyi and keep her under house arrest indefinitely.
Apparently, Than Shwe was not satisfied with the suggestions from his subordinates. He wanted to create a legal case against her. He saw Suu Kyi as the biggest threat to the junta and took the decision to order the Ministry of Home Affairs to design a case that would nail her.
Of the possible scenarios to frame the democracy leader for breaking the terms of her house arrest, the use of John William Yettaw was perhaps a long shot.
It was known that he had sneaked into Suu Kyi’s compound when he was in Rangoon in November. Suu Kyi’s personal physician Dr Tin Myo Win had informed the police of Yettaw’s intrusion, but authorities decided not to take action against him at that time.
According to former intelligence officers, it is easy to trace foreigners who apply for Burmese visas. If the authorities did not want Yettaw to return to the country, they would simply inform Burmese embassies to put him on the black list. They didn’t.
Yettaw is known to have been in Thailand speaking to Burmese exiles. He had let it slip that he had secretly entered Suu Kyi’s compound and that he wanted to interview Suu Kyi for a book he was writing on heroism and how people react under pressure.
His mother is reported to have said he has mental problems, and was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. His wife described him as a “peace-loving” man.
This misguided individual fitted the profile that Than Shwe needed. If he could be coerced (or permitted) into repeating his act of intrepidness, he would unwittingly be giving the regime the legal loophole they needed to charge Suu Kyi with breaking the law, in this case Section 22 of the “Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts.”
Of course it was not a foolproof plan; perhaps one of several pawns that Than Shwe was maneuvering. But since the morning the police fished Yettaw out of Inya Lake, the authorities have moved with a conviction that strongly suggests they were confident that this pawn sacrifice had swung their game plan into a checkmate position.
Sources in Naypyidaw said that when Than Shwe heard the news of the arrest of an intruder at Inya Lake, he was “elated.”
Although Yettaw’s intrusion can in no rational way be attributed to Suu Kyi—on the contrary, it points to a gaping hole in the junta’s security—it is now being used as the foundation of a legal case against her.
This is not the first time that the regime has tried to find a petty incident to tie up the NLD leader in legal red tape.
In 2001, Burma’s military authorities exploited a family feud between Suu Kyi and her brother, Aung San Oo, who lives in the United States and holds American citizenship. They fast-tracked an opportunity for the disgruntled brother to sue his sister for control of half of the residential compound that has been her home since 1988.
Aung San Oo said that if he won the case, he would donate half of the land to the government, as his late mother Daw Khin Kyi had expressed a desire to open her house as a museum.
In the end, the court dismissed his case on the grounds that, according to Burmese law, foreigners don't have the right to own land in Burma. But Than Shwe’s intentions were clear—to cast doubts over Suu Kyi, to humiliate her and to cause her pain.
In February 2003, Suu Kyi faced a light jail term after refusing to pay a fine handed down by a Rangoon divisional court. Suu Kyi’s cousin, Soe Aung, had reportedly punched her at the lakeside compound where he was also living. Suu Kyi and Soe Aung both filed charges over the incident. Soe Aung filed charges against Suu Kyi for illegally ejecting him from the compound.
The court offered Suu Kyi the choice between a week in jail or a 500 kyat (US $0.50) fine. Suu Kyi refused to pay the fine and said that she would rather go to jail for seven days. The case was subsequently dropped.
But in trapping John William Yettaw at Inya Lake, this time Than Shwe thinks he has caught a bigger fish.
The regime is moving quickly now to move the trial along. Suu Kyi faces a sentence of up to five years imprisonment if found guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest by supposedly “harboring” the American.
In conducting a kangaroo court in Insein Prison, Than Shwe may have underestimated the swiftness of international reaction and the extension of sanctions from the US and EU. However, he can shrug that off as long as his old benefactors—China, Russia, India and Asean—stand by him.
He will also be measuring the amount of time and energy world leaders allot to Suu Kyi’s case, assuming the hullabaloo will die down as soon as a new crisis unfolds somewhere else in the world.
In any case, he knows he can ride the storm of disapproval from abroad.
In the meantime, sources say, back in Naypyidaw Than Shwe is happily following the proceedings from the trial in Insein, no doubt licking his lips in anticipation of the kill.
Additional reporting by correspondents in Burma.
British PM Sends Open Letter to Suu Kyi
By THE IRRAWADDY
In an open letter of support to detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that people around the world “are heartened by your tremendous courage, your inspirational leadership, and by the knowledge that no oppression is so great that the forces of liberty cannot prevail.”
Addressing the democracy icon as “Daw Suu,” the British premier consoled Suu Kyi for her predicament, saying, “... from the deepest wells of despair can come the greatest triumphs of human endeavor.”
He reiterated British support for “tough and targeted” sanctions and called for the release of her and all other political prisoners in Burma. In a reference to the generals who are imprisoning Suu Kyi, he stated: “The time for a transition to democracy is now.”
To read the full letter on the official Web site of the British prime minister’s office: http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19355
In an open letter of support to detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that people around the world “are heartened by your tremendous courage, your inspirational leadership, and by the knowledge that no oppression is so great that the forces of liberty cannot prevail.”
Addressing the democracy icon as “Daw Suu,” the British premier consoled Suu Kyi for her predicament, saying, “... from the deepest wells of despair can come the greatest triumphs of human endeavor.”
He reiterated British support for “tough and targeted” sanctions and called for the release of her and all other political prisoners in Burma. In a reference to the generals who are imprisoning Suu Kyi, he stated: “The time for a transition to democracy is now.”
To read the full letter on the official Web site of the British prime minister’s office: http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19355
Two Burmese Die in Malaysian Detention Center
By WAI MOE
KUALA LUMPUR — Two Burmese migrant workers who were detained at an immigration detention center in Malaysia have died of leptospirosi, an ailment caused by unhealthy drinking water, sources said.
According to the Burma Worker Rights Protection Committee, two migrant workers died in Bukit Mertajam at Bukit Mertajam Hospital following their detention in Juru Immigration Detention Center in Pulau Pinang Province.
“We heard that a second Burmese from the immigration camp died on Monday. On May 12, another Burmese died of the same cause,” said Ye Min Tun, the secretary of the group. The names of the dead were not available.
“There is no proper drinking water system for detained foreigners,” said Ye Min Tun.
“There is no health care for detainees.”
Malaysian health officials told local newspapers that about 25 people from the immigration camp have contracted leptospirosi and are being treated now. One man is in critical condition.
Leptospirosis is commonly transmitted by allowing water that has been contaminated by animal urine to come into contact with unhealed cuts or abrasions on the skin, eyes or mucous membranes. It is a relatively rare bacterial infection in humans, health experts said.
“Out of the 23 cases under treatment as of yesterday, one has died. Three were discharged, leaving 19 cases still under treatment now,” said Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican, in a statement.
Former inmates said that water storage facilities in the detention camp are near toilet areas. There are three buildings in the camp. An estimated 700 foreigners, held by immigration authorities for various offenses, are detained there.
Earlier this year, two Burmese migrant workers died at a detention center. Two men, indentified as Ko Paul and Kyaw Swa, died in January 2008, sources said. No cause of death was given.
“After they tighten the rules in the centers, immigration officials and RELA [a government-backed group that focuses on illegal immigration] harassed detainees at the center,” said a former detainee who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He said that during searches detainees are sometimes beaten. RELA is a mass group that is used to suppress illegal migrant workers in Malaysia. Human rights groups say RELA members are not trained properly as professionals. In 2005, authorities granted RELA the right to help oversee immigration detention centers and arrest illegal migrants.
In an effort to escape economic hardship at home, millions of Burmese migrant workers are in neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Thailand.
Malaysia is home to an estimated 500,000 Burmese migrant workers, illegally or legally, while Thailand hosts at least 2.5 million migrant workers from Burma.
“Malaysia is not a good place for foreigner migrants, particularly migrant workers,” said Latheefa Koya, a well-know Malaysian human rights lawyer. Human rights standards for migrant workers are low, she said, and there is also a high level of xenophobia, which compounds the problem.
Malaysia needs to reform its migrant worker laws, which now allow systematic abuse of migrant workers, she said.
This story was written under a 2009 Southeast Asian Press Alliance Fellowship
KUALA LUMPUR — Two Burmese migrant workers who were detained at an immigration detention center in Malaysia have died of leptospirosi, an ailment caused by unhealthy drinking water, sources said.
According to the Burma Worker Rights Protection Committee, two migrant workers died in Bukit Mertajam at Bukit Mertajam Hospital following their detention in Juru Immigration Detention Center in Pulau Pinang Province.
“We heard that a second Burmese from the immigration camp died on Monday. On May 12, another Burmese died of the same cause,” said Ye Min Tun, the secretary of the group. The names of the dead were not available.
“There is no proper drinking water system for detained foreigners,” said Ye Min Tun.
“There is no health care for detainees.”
Malaysian health officials told local newspapers that about 25 people from the immigration camp have contracted leptospirosi and are being treated now. One man is in critical condition.
Leptospirosis is commonly transmitted by allowing water that has been contaminated by animal urine to come into contact with unhealed cuts or abrasions on the skin, eyes or mucous membranes. It is a relatively rare bacterial infection in humans, health experts said.
“Out of the 23 cases under treatment as of yesterday, one has died. Three were discharged, leaving 19 cases still under treatment now,” said Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican, in a statement.
Former inmates said that water storage facilities in the detention camp are near toilet areas. There are three buildings in the camp. An estimated 700 foreigners, held by immigration authorities for various offenses, are detained there.
Earlier this year, two Burmese migrant workers died at a detention center. Two men, indentified as Ko Paul and Kyaw Swa, died in January 2008, sources said. No cause of death was given.
“After they tighten the rules in the centers, immigration officials and RELA [a government-backed group that focuses on illegal immigration] harassed detainees at the center,” said a former detainee who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He said that during searches detainees are sometimes beaten. RELA is a mass group that is used to suppress illegal migrant workers in Malaysia. Human rights groups say RELA members are not trained properly as professionals. In 2005, authorities granted RELA the right to help oversee immigration detention centers and arrest illegal migrants.
In an effort to escape economic hardship at home, millions of Burmese migrant workers are in neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Thailand.
Malaysia is home to an estimated 500,000 Burmese migrant workers, illegally or legally, while Thailand hosts at least 2.5 million migrant workers from Burma.
“Malaysia is not a good place for foreigner migrants, particularly migrant workers,” said Latheefa Koya, a well-know Malaysian human rights lawyer. Human rights standards for migrant workers are low, she said, and there is also a high level of xenophobia, which compounds the problem.
Malaysia needs to reform its migrant worker laws, which now allow systematic abuse of migrant workers, she said.
This story was written under a 2009 Southeast Asian Press Alliance Fellowship
‘We Don’t Recognize the Trial’: Win Tin
By THE IRRAWADDY
Win Tin, a leader of the National League for Democracy, spoke to The Irrawaddy regarding the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Question: Do the authorities have a strong case against Aung San Suu Kyi?
Answer: I don’t think so. This is a conspiracy. The matter of her security is totally in their hands. If the authorities don’t open up the compound, no person can enter it. At this time, they [the authorities] have rejected her appeal and even charged her with another case. I believe that it is a conspiracy. I believe they did it because they don’t want to release her. They want to ban her from being involved in politics in the future.
Q: What do you think will be the outcome of the trial?
A: Ideally, they want to put her into prison. But politically, they can’t do that. The international community is voicing its concern and even demanding she be released. We [the NLD] also don’t accept the charges and demand she be released.
If the case proceeds, we demand justice during the court process. The court must open up to the public so people can witness the court process. They must allow enough lawyers to defend her in court. It means that the number of lawyers must be enough not only for the defense at court but also for the legal preparation, to collect data and facts on the case.
A fair trial would allow the families of the defendants as well as the public to observe. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has sons in England. They should issue visas for them to come to Burma. Likewise, the family of Daw Khin Khin Win lives abroad. The authorities must allow them to come here if they wish. Even if the family members are foreign citizens, they must issue visas.
Media must be allowed to report the case. Journalists should have the right to ask the defense lawyers and the prosecutor questions. They should have the right to ask the opinions of people who come to the court to see the trial.
Another issue is security. We can’t say that the security is good, and they won’t threaten her security even in the courtroom set-up in the prison compound. They must guarantee Daw Suu’s security. They must also guarantee the security of her lawyers.
Q: In the past 20 years, Aung San Suu Kyi has been attacked and detained for many years. She has been under house arrest for more than 13 years. What is her mental state?
A: I didn’t see her, but [her lawyer] U Kyi Win saw her. What I first want to say is to repeat the comments of U Kyi Win: Daw Suu is mentally strong and firm in her stand. Regarding the case [of John W. Yettaw], she clearly told her lawyer that she didn’t breach any laws. Based on these facts, Daw Suu’s position is strong and firm. Although I haven’t seen her for years, based on our past experiences and her political stance and sacrifice during these 20 years, I can say that she will never feel depressed and give up or change her political stance.
Q: Why do you think the government wants to continue to detain her?
A: The truth is that it’s because of Daw Suu’s personal fame and the world’s recognition of her position. She has become the main enemy of the military regime. But putting aside personal fame and looking at things from the point of view of current politics, the situation has largely changed. In the past, we asked for a parliament to draw up a constitution in accordance with the 1990 election results, which we have consistently supported. Now, we recently called for parliament to review the constitution and for a dialogue [with the military]. We changed our position to be flexible in order to bring about a dialogue.
Daw Suu has been in a very important position for solving political problems through the dialogue method since 1988. Gen Saw Maung pointed out the importance of arranging a dialogue when there are many parties involved. Many parties gave their mandate to Daw Suu to engage in dialogue with the military. The NLD also gave its mandate to her. Even today, if we have a dialogue with the military regime, I think all ethnic nationalities will want her to speak on behalf of them.
Daw Suu is a key player if we are to solve the current political situation through a dialogue. Therefore, the present charges against Daw Suu mean that they [the generals] are trying to eliminate her from the stage. I feel that they are trying to destroy the possibility of political dialogue and national reconciliation by political means.
Q: Dr Tin Myo Win, Aung San Suu Kyi’s family doctor, was detained for nearly a week. How is he related to this case?
A: At first, we heard that Dr Tin Myo Win had also been brought to court and that there would be five persons in this case. But he was not on the list. Perhaps, he was under interrogation and was tortured. He has endured such an experience in the past. I am worried that they are putting pressure on Dr Tin Myo Win to say things that they want him to say. Or they will prosecute him with other charges because this case can only warrant three to five years imprisonment.
Another option is that they can put Dr Tin Myo Win on the witness list. If so, we are not worried about him because he is not a person who is easily persuaded to say what others wish. We know his political beliefs and opinions, and his personal history. We also respect him. We are not worried about that.
If they brought him to the court as a witness, he would tell what really happened. What he did is not much; Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told him to report Yettaw’s first entry last year to the authorities, and he went to the Home Ministry to report it. He has no more than that to say. We don’t expect him to say he had a personal encounter with Yettaw.
Win Tin, a leader of the National League for Democracy, spoke to The Irrawaddy regarding the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Question: Do the authorities have a strong case against Aung San Suu Kyi?
Answer: I don’t think so. This is a conspiracy. The matter of her security is totally in their hands. If the authorities don’t open up the compound, no person can enter it. At this time, they [the authorities] have rejected her appeal and even charged her with another case. I believe that it is a conspiracy. I believe they did it because they don’t want to release her. They want to ban her from being involved in politics in the future.
Q: What do you think will be the outcome of the trial?
A: Ideally, they want to put her into prison. But politically, they can’t do that. The international community is voicing its concern and even demanding she be released. We [the NLD] also don’t accept the charges and demand she be released.
If the case proceeds, we demand justice during the court process. The court must open up to the public so people can witness the court process. They must allow enough lawyers to defend her in court. It means that the number of lawyers must be enough not only for the defense at court but also for the legal preparation, to collect data and facts on the case.
A fair trial would allow the families of the defendants as well as the public to observe. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has sons in England. They should issue visas for them to come to Burma. Likewise, the family of Daw Khin Khin Win lives abroad. The authorities must allow them to come here if they wish. Even if the family members are foreign citizens, they must issue visas.
Media must be allowed to report the case. Journalists should have the right to ask the defense lawyers and the prosecutor questions. They should have the right to ask the opinions of people who come to the court to see the trial.
Another issue is security. We can’t say that the security is good, and they won’t threaten her security even in the courtroom set-up in the prison compound. They must guarantee Daw Suu’s security. They must also guarantee the security of her lawyers.
Q: In the past 20 years, Aung San Suu Kyi has been attacked and detained for many years. She has been under house arrest for more than 13 years. What is her mental state?
A: I didn’t see her, but [her lawyer] U Kyi Win saw her. What I first want to say is to repeat the comments of U Kyi Win: Daw Suu is mentally strong and firm in her stand. Regarding the case [of John W. Yettaw], she clearly told her lawyer that she didn’t breach any laws. Based on these facts, Daw Suu’s position is strong and firm. Although I haven’t seen her for years, based on our past experiences and her political stance and sacrifice during these 20 years, I can say that she will never feel depressed and give up or change her political stance.
Q: Why do you think the government wants to continue to detain her?
A: The truth is that it’s because of Daw Suu’s personal fame and the world’s recognition of her position. She has become the main enemy of the military regime. But putting aside personal fame and looking at things from the point of view of current politics, the situation has largely changed. In the past, we asked for a parliament to draw up a constitution in accordance with the 1990 election results, which we have consistently supported. Now, we recently called for parliament to review the constitution and for a dialogue [with the military]. We changed our position to be flexible in order to bring about a dialogue.
Daw Suu has been in a very important position for solving political problems through the dialogue method since 1988. Gen Saw Maung pointed out the importance of arranging a dialogue when there are many parties involved. Many parties gave their mandate to Daw Suu to engage in dialogue with the military. The NLD also gave its mandate to her. Even today, if we have a dialogue with the military regime, I think all ethnic nationalities will want her to speak on behalf of them.
Daw Suu is a key player if we are to solve the current political situation through a dialogue. Therefore, the present charges against Daw Suu mean that they [the generals] are trying to eliminate her from the stage. I feel that they are trying to destroy the possibility of political dialogue and national reconciliation by political means.
Q: Dr Tin Myo Win, Aung San Suu Kyi’s family doctor, was detained for nearly a week. How is he related to this case?
A: At first, we heard that Dr Tin Myo Win had also been brought to court and that there would be five persons in this case. But he was not on the list. Perhaps, he was under interrogation and was tortured. He has endured such an experience in the past. I am worried that they are putting pressure on Dr Tin Myo Win to say things that they want him to say. Or they will prosecute him with other charges because this case can only warrant three to five years imprisonment.
Another option is that they can put Dr Tin Myo Win on the witness list. If so, we are not worried about him because he is not a person who is easily persuaded to say what others wish. We know his political beliefs and opinions, and his personal history. We also respect him. We are not worried about that.
If they brought him to the court as a witness, he would tell what really happened. What he did is not much; Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told him to report Yettaw’s first entry last year to the authorities, and he went to the Home Ministry to report it. He has no more than that to say. We don’t expect him to say he had a personal encounter with Yettaw.
State-run Media Break Silence on Suu Kyi Case
By MIN LWIN
Burma’s state-run press has broken nearly two weeks of silence on the case against democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who faces charges of violating the conditions of her house arrest after an American intruder allegedly stayed overnight at her home.
According to reports in The New Light of Myanmar and other official newspapers, Suu Kyi and her two personal assistants are accused of breaking Section 22 of the “Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts” for their role in the incident.
The newspapers, which have not reported on this bizarre episode since May 7, also claimed that John William Yettaw, the man accused of swimming to Suu Kyi’s lakeside home earlier this month, made a similar attempt to meet the pro-democracy leader late last year.
According to the newspapers, Yettaw swam across Inya Lake on November 30, 2008, and gave a copy of The Book of Mormon to Daw Khin Khin Win and Ma Win Ma Ma, Suu Kyi’s live-in assistants, for Suu Kyi to read.
He later repeated the stunt on May 3, this time remaining in Suu Kyi’s home until the evening of May 5, according to the reports.
Yettaw faces charges of violating the same law as Suu Kyi and her two assistants, as well as Section 13 (1) of the Immigration Act (Emergency Provisions) and a municipal ordinance against swimming in Inya Lake.
The reports in the state-run press made no mention of the domestic or international reaction to Suu Kyi’s detention in Rangoon’s notorious Insein Prison, where she is currently being tried in a special closed-door court.
Many world leaders have expressed outrage at the proceedings, which are seen as an attempt by the Burmese junta to extend Suu Kyi’s six-year detention, which was set to expire later this month.
According to Assocaited Press, a crowd of about 100 people gathered near Insein Prison amid a heavy security presence. Sources also said that prison authorities have suspended family visits to prisoners since Monday, the day Suu Kyi’s trial began.
Win Tin, a central executive committee member of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, said that local residents were providing food and other refreshments to supporters of the pro-democracy leader and others awaiting news about her trial.
Burma’s state-run press has broken nearly two weeks of silence on the case against democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who faces charges of violating the conditions of her house arrest after an American intruder allegedly stayed overnight at her home.
According to reports in The New Light of Myanmar and other official newspapers, Suu Kyi and her two personal assistants are accused of breaking Section 22 of the “Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts” for their role in the incident.
The newspapers, which have not reported on this bizarre episode since May 7, also claimed that John William Yettaw, the man accused of swimming to Suu Kyi’s lakeside home earlier this month, made a similar attempt to meet the pro-democracy leader late last year.
According to the newspapers, Yettaw swam across Inya Lake on November 30, 2008, and gave a copy of The Book of Mormon to Daw Khin Khin Win and Ma Win Ma Ma, Suu Kyi’s live-in assistants, for Suu Kyi to read.
He later repeated the stunt on May 3, this time remaining in Suu Kyi’s home until the evening of May 5, according to the reports.
Yettaw faces charges of violating the same law as Suu Kyi and her two assistants, as well as Section 13 (1) of the Immigration Act (Emergency Provisions) and a municipal ordinance against swimming in Inya Lake.
The reports in the state-run press made no mention of the domestic or international reaction to Suu Kyi’s detention in Rangoon’s notorious Insein Prison, where she is currently being tried in a special closed-door court.
Many world leaders have expressed outrage at the proceedings, which are seen as an attempt by the Burmese junta to extend Suu Kyi’s six-year detention, which was set to expire later this month.
According to Assocaited Press, a crowd of about 100 people gathered near Insein Prison amid a heavy security presence. Sources also said that prison authorities have suspended family visits to prisoners since Monday, the day Suu Kyi’s trial began.
Win Tin, a central executive committee member of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, said that local residents were providing food and other refreshments to supporters of the pro-democracy leader and others awaiting news about her trial.
EU to ask China to Push Burma
By ROBERT WIELAARD / AP WRITER
BRUSSELS — The European Union is asking China and other Asian nations to press Myanmar to drop charges against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and free her from house arrest.
EU officials said the issue will be raised Wednesday at the trade, economic and political talks in Prague with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, and in Hanoi next week with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Burma.
Both events were scheduled before Suu Kyi went on trial Monday for allegedly harboring an American man who swam to her lakeside home where she has been under house arrest.
Last week's arrest of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years, reignited criticism of Burma's ruling junta, and led to renewed calls by world leaders for her immediate release.
The EU foreign ministers denounced the trial, urging Burma's neighbors to push for a restoration of democracy in Burma.
This has never worked since many Asian nations tend to view appeals for action against human rights abuses as meddling in a country's internal affairs.
China has close diplomatic and economic ties with Burma's junta, but has always refused to criticize it.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years of house arrest, but it was expected the military government would try to find reason to hold her, as has happened in the past.
Topping the agenda of the EU-China talks are climate change, the global recession and difficulties in two-way trade. The EU will be represented by Czech President Vaclav Klaus—whose country now holds the rotating EU presidency—European Commission President Jose Barroso and Javier Solana, the EU's foreign and security affairs chief.
The EU hopes trade and investment can reverse the economic slowdown. Negotiations for a world trade pact fell apart in 2008 because the US, India and China refused to compromise.
Global trade is now in a free fall as wealthy nations' demand for imports that boosted the economies of China, Brazil and others has evaporated.
While China may escape a recession this year, it will suffer from plunging exports to the US and the 27-nation EU. Europe is China's biggest export market and was worth €248 billion last year—dwarfing the EU's €78.4 billion in exports to China.
China worries that a recession could make Europe more protectionist and start shutting out cheaper Chinese goods that European manufacturers blame for poor sales.
Key irritants for the EU are trade barriers in China, which EU companies blame for €21 billion a year in lost sales. Sixty percent of counterfeit goods seized in the EU come from China, and 70 percent of EU businesses there complain about intellectual property rights violations.
BRUSSELS — The European Union is asking China and other Asian nations to press Myanmar to drop charges against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and free her from house arrest.
EU officials said the issue will be raised Wednesday at the trade, economic and political talks in Prague with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, and in Hanoi next week with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Burma.
Both events were scheduled before Suu Kyi went on trial Monday for allegedly harboring an American man who swam to her lakeside home where she has been under house arrest.
Last week's arrest of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years, reignited criticism of Burma's ruling junta, and led to renewed calls by world leaders for her immediate release.
The EU foreign ministers denounced the trial, urging Burma's neighbors to push for a restoration of democracy in Burma.
This has never worked since many Asian nations tend to view appeals for action against human rights abuses as meddling in a country's internal affairs.
China has close diplomatic and economic ties with Burma's junta, but has always refused to criticize it.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years of house arrest, but it was expected the military government would try to find reason to hold her, as has happened in the past.
Topping the agenda of the EU-China talks are climate change, the global recession and difficulties in two-way trade. The EU will be represented by Czech President Vaclav Klaus—whose country now holds the rotating EU presidency—European Commission President Jose Barroso and Javier Solana, the EU's foreign and security affairs chief.
The EU hopes trade and investment can reverse the economic slowdown. Negotiations for a world trade pact fell apart in 2008 because the US, India and China refused to compromise.
Global trade is now in a free fall as wealthy nations' demand for imports that boosted the economies of China, Brazil and others has evaporated.
While China may escape a recession this year, it will suffer from plunging exports to the US and the 27-nation EU. Europe is China's biggest export market and was worth €248 billion last year—dwarfing the EU's €78.4 billion in exports to China.
China worries that a recession could make Europe more protectionist and start shutting out cheaper Chinese goods that European manufacturers blame for poor sales.
Key irritants for the EU are trade barriers in China, which EU companies blame for €21 billion a year in lost sales. Sixty percent of counterfeit goods seized in the EU come from China, and 70 percent of EU businesses there complain about intellectual property rights violations.
Foreign Companies in Burma Must Review Their Involvement
By YENI
As the Burmese regime brutally increases its isolation of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the US and countries of the European Union remain steadfast in applying their pressure on the junta. US President Barack Obama formally extended his administration’s sanctions, while the EU is considering whether to step up its own measures.
Burma's stubborn, thuggish military leaders can shrug off Western pressure, however, knowing they can rely on support from such friendly and powerful neighbors as China and India. While neither Beijing nor New Delhi has officially commented on the latest moves against Suu Kyi, many Southeast Asian countries, some of whom have significant trade and investment links with Burma, are also inclined to follow a live-and-let-live policy towards the regime.
However, both camps—supporters of sanctions and proponents of engagement— acknowledge failure in their efforts to influence Burma’s military leaders. That is why US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in February correctly said that sanctions applied by the US and the European Union, as well as the policy of constructive engagement by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Burma’s neighbors, were not working.
So the question remains: who can influence the Burmese generals to listen to world opinion?
Many observers agree that a start could be made on at least ending ongoing human rights abuses if oil and gas companies operating in Burma use their influence with Burma's ruling junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
Current investors in Burma’s oil and gas industry include companies from Australia, the British Virgin Islands, China, France, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Russia and the US.
Those companies are funding the Burmese dictatorship. At the height of the monk-led demonstrations in September 2007, Marco Simons, US legal director at EarthRights International, an environmental and human rights group with offices in Thailand and Washington, declared: "The oil and gas companies have been one of the major industries keeping the regime in power."
The concept of "corporate social responsibility" is often advanced by companies operating in Burma, although that’s usually just a shield behind which they campaign against international environmental and human rights regulations.
For instance, there have been documented abuses connected to the Yadana project operated by the French company Total and the US-based Unocal, including land confiscation, forced labor, rape, torture and killings within the communities along the pipeline. Compensation was paid to some victims after human rights groups filed legal actions against the companies before a federal court in the US.
Foreign investment in Burma’s oil and natural gas sector is significant. But there is no transparency in Burma about how much the government receives in oil and gas payments, nor clarity about how the funds are spent.
The military receives the largest share of the official budget and the Burmese regime allocates little to public sectors such as health and education. Instead, hundreds of millions of dollars disappear annually into the pockets of the ruling generals, their cronies and their pet projects, such as the new administrative capital, Naypyidaw, the cyber city, Yadanabon, and even a nuclear research reactor.
The latest action against Suu Kyi, following the regime’s criminal mismanagement of Cyclone Nargis relief and its crackdown on the September 2007 demonstrations should lead companies to search their consciences when contemplating deals with the regime.
ERI Project Coordinator Matthew Smith believes there are also business reasons to think twice about accepting Burma contracts. "Financing the Burmese regime in this way can only reflect poorly on a company’s reputation and that will ultimately affect their bottom line and ability to capitalize on deals in the future,” he says. “It’s simply bad business.”
Of course, good business must come with ethics, morality and responsibility. This is the time for shareholders of global and regional oil and gas companies operating in Burma not only to think about maximizing profits but also to face up to their responsibilities by evaluating the human rights impact and the criteria for continuing to invest there.
As the Burmese regime brutally increases its isolation of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the US and countries of the European Union remain steadfast in applying their pressure on the junta. US President Barack Obama formally extended his administration’s sanctions, while the EU is considering whether to step up its own measures.
Burma's stubborn, thuggish military leaders can shrug off Western pressure, however, knowing they can rely on support from such friendly and powerful neighbors as China and India. While neither Beijing nor New Delhi has officially commented on the latest moves against Suu Kyi, many Southeast Asian countries, some of whom have significant trade and investment links with Burma, are also inclined to follow a live-and-let-live policy towards the regime.
However, both camps—supporters of sanctions and proponents of engagement— acknowledge failure in their efforts to influence Burma’s military leaders. That is why US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in February correctly said that sanctions applied by the US and the European Union, as well as the policy of constructive engagement by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Burma’s neighbors, were not working.
So the question remains: who can influence the Burmese generals to listen to world opinion?
Many observers agree that a start could be made on at least ending ongoing human rights abuses if oil and gas companies operating in Burma use their influence with Burma's ruling junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
Current investors in Burma’s oil and gas industry include companies from Australia, the British Virgin Islands, China, France, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Russia and the US.
Those companies are funding the Burmese dictatorship. At the height of the monk-led demonstrations in September 2007, Marco Simons, US legal director at EarthRights International, an environmental and human rights group with offices in Thailand and Washington, declared: "The oil and gas companies have been one of the major industries keeping the regime in power."
The concept of "corporate social responsibility" is often advanced by companies operating in Burma, although that’s usually just a shield behind which they campaign against international environmental and human rights regulations.
For instance, there have been documented abuses connected to the Yadana project operated by the French company Total and the US-based Unocal, including land confiscation, forced labor, rape, torture and killings within the communities along the pipeline. Compensation was paid to some victims after human rights groups filed legal actions against the companies before a federal court in the US.
Foreign investment in Burma’s oil and natural gas sector is significant. But there is no transparency in Burma about how much the government receives in oil and gas payments, nor clarity about how the funds are spent.
The military receives the largest share of the official budget and the Burmese regime allocates little to public sectors such as health and education. Instead, hundreds of millions of dollars disappear annually into the pockets of the ruling generals, their cronies and their pet projects, such as the new administrative capital, Naypyidaw, the cyber city, Yadanabon, and even a nuclear research reactor.
The latest action against Suu Kyi, following the regime’s criminal mismanagement of Cyclone Nargis relief and its crackdown on the September 2007 demonstrations should lead companies to search their consciences when contemplating deals with the regime.
ERI Project Coordinator Matthew Smith believes there are also business reasons to think twice about accepting Burma contracts. "Financing the Burmese regime in this way can only reflect poorly on a company’s reputation and that will ultimately affect their bottom line and ability to capitalize on deals in the future,” he says. “It’s simply bad business.”
Of course, good business must come with ethics, morality and responsibility. This is the time for shareholders of global and regional oil and gas companies operating in Burma not only to think about maximizing profits but also to face up to their responsibilities by evaluating the human rights impact and the criteria for continuing to invest there.
Suu Kyi Trial Continues
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RANGOON — Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi faced a second day of a closed-door trial Tuesday as international criticism mounted against a military regime that repeatedly has found pretexts for keeping her in detention over most of the past two decades.
Suu Kyi, her two companions under house arrest, and an American, John W. Yettaw, are being tried together for violating the conditions of her restriction order, which bans visitors without official permission. The offense is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.
Yettaw prompted the charges by swimming to her property and sneaking into her home for reasons which are still unclear.
Hundreds of police in full riot gear, some armed with rifles, were deployed along all roads leading to Insein prison as the trial continued Tuesday morning. The country's major activist groups have vowed to stage peaceful protests until Suu Kyi is freed.
Last week's arrest of the Nobel Peace laureate, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years, reignited criticism of Burma's military junta, and led to renewed calls by world leaders for her immediate release.
US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said the charges against Suu Kyi were "unjustified" and called for her unconditional release and that of more than 2,100 other political prisoners.
Suu Kyi's arrest could well derail a "softer" approach that the Obama administration had been searching for to replace Washington's sanctions and other get-tough policies which did nothing to divert the ruling junta's iron-fisted rule.
Even Burma's partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, who rarely criticize one another, expressed "grave concern," saying "the honor and the credibility of the Myanmar government are at stake."
The statement Monday night was issued by Thailand, which currently chairs the 10-nation bloc.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Paris, one of several cities where activists rallied, called Suu Kyi's trial a "scandalous provocation."
Until now, 63-year-old Suu Kyi was detained under the State Protection Act, which allows the military regime to hold people without a trial if they are considered a threat, said Aung Din, executive director of the US Campaign for Burma. The new charges of violating the terms of her house arrest could lead to imprisonment under much harsher conditions.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years of house arrest, but it was expected that the military government would try to find reason to hold her, as has happened in the past.
The new charges are widely seen as a pretext for the government to keep Suu Kyi out of elections it scheduled for next spring as the culmination of its "roadmap to democracy," which has been criticized as an attempt to legitimize continued military control. Many other prominent dissidents received long jail terms last year, which could hurt any opposition effort to contest the polls.
The ambassadors of Britain, France, Germany and Italy as well as an Australian diplomat were barred from entering the prison compound for the trial, but US consular chief Colin Furst was allowed in.
Yettaw is also being tried separately for violations of immigration law and a statute covering swimming in the city's Inya Lake.
Nyan Win, a spokesman for Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party and one of four lawyers representing her at the trial, said the court, "for security reasons," rejected their request to open her trial to the public and media. The trial is expected to last about three months.
Her lawyers have so far not contested the government's version of events, but insist she is not guilty.
In the trial's opening day, police Lt-Col. Zaw Min Aung laid out the prosecution's basic case—that Suu Kyi, two female party members who are her companions, and Yettaw violated the terms of her restriction order, which bans any visitors without official permission, said Nyan Win. The police official was the first of 22 scheduled prosecution witnesses.
Yettaw, 53, of Falcon, Missouri, swam under cover of darkness early this month to sneak into Suu Kyi's compound, where he was allowed to stay for two days after pleading that he was too ill and tired to leave. He allegedly made a similar visit last year.
Suu Kyi's lawyers have said he was not invited to her residence, and that she told him to leave.
Yettaw's family have described him as a well-intentioned admirer of Suu Kyi, unaware of the problems his actions could trigger. Her supporters have expressed anger at him for getting her into trouble.
Parliamentary rule in Burma was overthrown by a coup in 1962, and the army has been in control since then. Suu Kyi's party won elections in 1990 but the junta refused to recognize the results.
RANGOON — Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi faced a second day of a closed-door trial Tuesday as international criticism mounted against a military regime that repeatedly has found pretexts for keeping her in detention over most of the past two decades.
Suu Kyi, her two companions under house arrest, and an American, John W. Yettaw, are being tried together for violating the conditions of her restriction order, which bans visitors without official permission. The offense is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.
Yettaw prompted the charges by swimming to her property and sneaking into her home for reasons which are still unclear.
Hundreds of police in full riot gear, some armed with rifles, were deployed along all roads leading to Insein prison as the trial continued Tuesday morning. The country's major activist groups have vowed to stage peaceful protests until Suu Kyi is freed.
Last week's arrest of the Nobel Peace laureate, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years, reignited criticism of Burma's military junta, and led to renewed calls by world leaders for her immediate release.
US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said the charges against Suu Kyi were "unjustified" and called for her unconditional release and that of more than 2,100 other political prisoners.
Suu Kyi's arrest could well derail a "softer" approach that the Obama administration had been searching for to replace Washington's sanctions and other get-tough policies which did nothing to divert the ruling junta's iron-fisted rule.
Even Burma's partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, who rarely criticize one another, expressed "grave concern," saying "the honor and the credibility of the Myanmar government are at stake."
The statement Monday night was issued by Thailand, which currently chairs the 10-nation bloc.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Paris, one of several cities where activists rallied, called Suu Kyi's trial a "scandalous provocation."
Until now, 63-year-old Suu Kyi was detained under the State Protection Act, which allows the military regime to hold people without a trial if they are considered a threat, said Aung Din, executive director of the US Campaign for Burma. The new charges of violating the terms of her house arrest could lead to imprisonment under much harsher conditions.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years of house arrest, but it was expected that the military government would try to find reason to hold her, as has happened in the past.
The new charges are widely seen as a pretext for the government to keep Suu Kyi out of elections it scheduled for next spring as the culmination of its "roadmap to democracy," which has been criticized as an attempt to legitimize continued military control. Many other prominent dissidents received long jail terms last year, which could hurt any opposition effort to contest the polls.
The ambassadors of Britain, France, Germany and Italy as well as an Australian diplomat were barred from entering the prison compound for the trial, but US consular chief Colin Furst was allowed in.
Yettaw is also being tried separately for violations of immigration law and a statute covering swimming in the city's Inya Lake.
Nyan Win, a spokesman for Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party and one of four lawyers representing her at the trial, said the court, "for security reasons," rejected their request to open her trial to the public and media. The trial is expected to last about three months.
Her lawyers have so far not contested the government's version of events, but insist she is not guilty.
In the trial's opening day, police Lt-Col. Zaw Min Aung laid out the prosecution's basic case—that Suu Kyi, two female party members who are her companions, and Yettaw violated the terms of her restriction order, which bans any visitors without official permission, said Nyan Win. The police official was the first of 22 scheduled prosecution witnesses.
Yettaw, 53, of Falcon, Missouri, swam under cover of darkness early this month to sneak into Suu Kyi's compound, where he was allowed to stay for two days after pleading that he was too ill and tired to leave. He allegedly made a similar visit last year.
Suu Kyi's lawyers have said he was not invited to her residence, and that she told him to leave.
Yettaw's family have described him as a well-intentioned admirer of Suu Kyi, unaware of the problems his actions could trigger. Her supporters have expressed anger at him for getting her into trouble.
Parliamentary rule in Burma was overthrown by a coup in 1962, and the army has been in control since then. Suu Kyi's party won elections in 1990 but the junta refused to recognize the results.
Trial of Suu Kyi a Mockery: Nine Nobel Laureates
By LALIT K JHA
WASHINGTON — Nine Nobel Peace prize recipients on Monday called the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi a “mockery” and urged UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to discuss the issue with members of the Security Council as soon as possible.
“We are outraged by the deplorable actions of the military junta against Suu Kyi and strongly encourage challenging this obvious harassment of our fellow Nobel laureate,” the nine Nobel Peace Prize recipients wrote in a letter to the secretary-general.
The signatories to the letter are President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Wangari Mathaai, Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Betty Williams.
Referring to the trial, the nine Noble laureates said: “The trial is a mockery. There is no judicial system in Burma. It is clear that this is an excuse by the military junta to add trumped-up charges at a time when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s unlawful detention was scheduled to end May 27, 2009.”
The Noble laureates said they are extremely concerned about the health of Suu Kyi. “Insein prison is infamous for its inhumane and treacherous conditions, where prisoners endure mental and physical torture,” the letter said.
Calling for immediate release of the popular Burmese leader, they said: “We urge you to discuss this matter with the United Nations Security Council, to do so as expeditiously as possible.” They also reiterated their call to the international community to implement arms embargoes against the regime.
There was no immediate response from the office of the secretary-general. Last week, the Club of Madrid – representing 72 former presidents and prime ministers – urged Ban to look into the possibility of traveling to Burma to talk with the junta leaders seeking her release.
Another statement signed by world celebrities urged all countries and the UN to speak in one voice and demand the Burmese military regime free Aung San Suu Kyi.
In October 2007, the UN Security Council in a presidential statement urged the Burmese military junta to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
The United States on Monday also urged the Burmese junta to free the popular Burmese leader immediately and unconditionally along with other political prisoners.
“We are deeply disturbed by the actions of the Burmese government and reiterate that the charges that the regime is bringing against Aung San Suu Kyi are unjustified,” State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly, told reporters at a daily press briefing.
“We call on the regime to end its incarceration of Aung San Suu Kyi and to release her immediately and unconditionally along with the more than 2,100 other political prisoners that the regime holds,” he said.
Expressing concern over the charges imposed against Suu Kyi, the State Department spokesman said: “These charges are being used as a pretext to either extend her house arrest, or even more disturbingly perhaps, justify a prison sentence.”
Acknowledging the regime is usually not willing to listen, Kelly said: “How do we get them to do the right thing? I think our approach is the best one, and that’s to approach it from a multilateral perspective to get as much leverage as we can. But yes, we’re frustrated, absolutely. “
Kelly said an American consular officer was present in the courtroom for the proceedings against Aung San Suu Kyi and American citizen, John Yettaw. “He was there to observe the hearing. Yettaw faces charges relating to immigration, trespassing into a restricted zone, and violating a law that protects the state from those desiring to cause subversive acts,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking on the Senate floor, Sen Mitch McConnell applauded the decision of the US President Barack Obama to extend US sanctions on the military regime by one more year.
“The government of Burma should be aware that its actions are highly troubling to democracies the world over. This is reflected not only in the administration’s new executive order but also in the strong support the Burmese people enjoy in the US Senate,” the senator said.
In another statement, Canada’s main opposition Liberal Party condemned the charges brought against Suu Kyi as part of the junta's efforts to extend her unjust detention.
“We call for her immediate release and the release of all political prisoners in Burma. We further call on the Government of Canada to work with the international community to strengthen its sanctions of the Burmese junta and press for her release,” the Liberal Party said in a statement.
WASHINGTON — Nine Nobel Peace prize recipients on Monday called the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi a “mockery” and urged UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to discuss the issue with members of the Security Council as soon as possible.
“We are outraged by the deplorable actions of the military junta against Suu Kyi and strongly encourage challenging this obvious harassment of our fellow Nobel laureate,” the nine Nobel Peace Prize recipients wrote in a letter to the secretary-general.
The signatories to the letter are President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Wangari Mathaai, Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Betty Williams.
Referring to the trial, the nine Noble laureates said: “The trial is a mockery. There is no judicial system in Burma. It is clear that this is an excuse by the military junta to add trumped-up charges at a time when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s unlawful detention was scheduled to end May 27, 2009.”
The Noble laureates said they are extremely concerned about the health of Suu Kyi. “Insein prison is infamous for its inhumane and treacherous conditions, where prisoners endure mental and physical torture,” the letter said.
Calling for immediate release of the popular Burmese leader, they said: “We urge you to discuss this matter with the United Nations Security Council, to do so as expeditiously as possible.” They also reiterated their call to the international community to implement arms embargoes against the regime.
There was no immediate response from the office of the secretary-general. Last week, the Club of Madrid – representing 72 former presidents and prime ministers – urged Ban to look into the possibility of traveling to Burma to talk with the junta leaders seeking her release.
Another statement signed by world celebrities urged all countries and the UN to speak in one voice and demand the Burmese military regime free Aung San Suu Kyi.
In October 2007, the UN Security Council in a presidential statement urged the Burmese military junta to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
The United States on Monday also urged the Burmese junta to free the popular Burmese leader immediately and unconditionally along with other political prisoners.
“We are deeply disturbed by the actions of the Burmese government and reiterate that the charges that the regime is bringing against Aung San Suu Kyi are unjustified,” State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly, told reporters at a daily press briefing.
“We call on the regime to end its incarceration of Aung San Suu Kyi and to release her immediately and unconditionally along with the more than 2,100 other political prisoners that the regime holds,” he said.
Expressing concern over the charges imposed against Suu Kyi, the State Department spokesman said: “These charges are being used as a pretext to either extend her house arrest, or even more disturbingly perhaps, justify a prison sentence.”
Acknowledging the regime is usually not willing to listen, Kelly said: “How do we get them to do the right thing? I think our approach is the best one, and that’s to approach it from a multilateral perspective to get as much leverage as we can. But yes, we’re frustrated, absolutely. “
Kelly said an American consular officer was present in the courtroom for the proceedings against Aung San Suu Kyi and American citizen, John Yettaw. “He was there to observe the hearing. Yettaw faces charges relating to immigration, trespassing into a restricted zone, and violating a law that protects the state from those desiring to cause subversive acts,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking on the Senate floor, Sen Mitch McConnell applauded the decision of the US President Barack Obama to extend US sanctions on the military regime by one more year.
“The government of Burma should be aware that its actions are highly troubling to democracies the world over. This is reflected not only in the administration’s new executive order but also in the strong support the Burmese people enjoy in the US Senate,” the senator said.
In another statement, Canada’s main opposition Liberal Party condemned the charges brought against Suu Kyi as part of the junta's efforts to extend her unjust detention.
“We call for her immediate release and the release of all political prisoners in Burma. We further call on the Government of Canada to work with the international community to strengthen its sanctions of the Burmese junta and press for her release,” the Liberal Party said in a statement.
Trial of Suu Kyi May Dash Change in US Policy
By FOSTER KLUG / AP WRITER
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has been considering whether a softer approach on Burma could spur democratic change in the military-run country, but the trial starting this week of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi may dash the possibility of a new US policy.
State Department spokesman Ian Kelly was blunt when asked Monday whether the proceedings against Suu Kyi make it more difficult for the administration to ease tough sanctions against Burma:
"It certainly doesn't help."
Kelly would not elaborate, saying only a "whole range of options" are being considered as senior officials from various US agencies meet to review the policy meant to push Burma's junta "to do the right thing."
Even as the review continues, President Barack Obama extended for another year on Friday a state of emergency regarding Burma. Sanctions would have expired had the emergency order not been extended.
Still, signals from Obama's administration had prompted speculation that the United States might be poised to reconsider its hard line against Burma.
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in February, on a trip to Indonesia, "Clearly, the path we have taken in imposing sanctions hasn't influenced the Burmese junta." She added, however, that Burma's neighbors' policy of "reaching out and trying to engage them hasn't influenced them either."
Suu Kyi, who went on trial Monday, already has spent more than 13 of the past 19 years in detention. The Nobel Peace laureate has been charged with violating conditions of her house arrest by sheltering an American man who swam to her lakeside home to secretly visit her earlier this month. The offense is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.
David Steinberg, a Burma specialist at Georgetown University, said the Obama administration might have been considering small changes, such as joint efforts to recover the remains of US soldiers.
"The modest progress that could have taken place will be set back now," he said. The United States, Steinberg said, cannot begin easing sanctions until it sees real change from Burma's generals.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years of house arrest. The latest charges are widely seen as a pretext for the government to keep her detained past elections scheduled for next year.
Ralph A. Cossa, president of the Pacific Forum CSIS think tank, questioned the US policy of maintaining "total isolation and strict sanctions" until the junta recognizes the results of the 1990 elections it lost in a landslide to Suu Kyi's party but did not honor.
"That a new policy is needed is beyond dispute," he wrote last week. "What that policy should or will be is far from clear, however." Some, Cossa said, have pushed for an approach similar to the six-nation negotiations being used by the United States, South Korea, Japan, Russia and China to try to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear programs.
US sanctions, he wrote, "need to be more targeted against the government and its leaders and not against the people themselves."
Meanwhile, Mitch McConnell, the Senate's top Republican and a regular critic of Burma's generals, offered rare praise for Obama on Monday for his decision to extend the emergency order against Burma.
He warned Burmese military leaders that both Democrats and Republicans "will continue to follow Suu Kyi's trial with great interest and deep concern."
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has been considering whether a softer approach on Burma could spur democratic change in the military-run country, but the trial starting this week of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi may dash the possibility of a new US policy.
State Department spokesman Ian Kelly was blunt when asked Monday whether the proceedings against Suu Kyi make it more difficult for the administration to ease tough sanctions against Burma:
"It certainly doesn't help."
Kelly would not elaborate, saying only a "whole range of options" are being considered as senior officials from various US agencies meet to review the policy meant to push Burma's junta "to do the right thing."
Even as the review continues, President Barack Obama extended for another year on Friday a state of emergency regarding Burma. Sanctions would have expired had the emergency order not been extended.
Still, signals from Obama's administration had prompted speculation that the United States might be poised to reconsider its hard line against Burma.
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in February, on a trip to Indonesia, "Clearly, the path we have taken in imposing sanctions hasn't influenced the Burmese junta." She added, however, that Burma's neighbors' policy of "reaching out and trying to engage them hasn't influenced them either."
Suu Kyi, who went on trial Monday, already has spent more than 13 of the past 19 years in detention. The Nobel Peace laureate has been charged with violating conditions of her house arrest by sheltering an American man who swam to her lakeside home to secretly visit her earlier this month. The offense is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.
David Steinberg, a Burma specialist at Georgetown University, said the Obama administration might have been considering small changes, such as joint efforts to recover the remains of US soldiers.
"The modest progress that could have taken place will be set back now," he said. The United States, Steinberg said, cannot begin easing sanctions until it sees real change from Burma's generals.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years of house arrest. The latest charges are widely seen as a pretext for the government to keep her detained past elections scheduled for next year.
Ralph A. Cossa, president of the Pacific Forum CSIS think tank, questioned the US policy of maintaining "total isolation and strict sanctions" until the junta recognizes the results of the 1990 elections it lost in a landslide to Suu Kyi's party but did not honor.
"That a new policy is needed is beyond dispute," he wrote last week. "What that policy should or will be is far from clear, however." Some, Cossa said, have pushed for an approach similar to the six-nation negotiations being used by the United States, South Korea, Japan, Russia and China to try to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear programs.
US sanctions, he wrote, "need to be more targeted against the government and its leaders and not against the people themselves."
Meanwhile, Mitch McConnell, the Senate's top Republican and a regular critic of Burma's generals, offered rare praise for Obama on Monday for his decision to extend the emergency order against Burma.
He warned Burmese military leaders that both Democrats and Republicans "will continue to follow Suu Kyi's trial with great interest and deep concern."
May 18, 2009
Police Officer Testifies in Suu Kyi Trial
By SAW YAN NAING
The first witness called by the prosecution on Monday was a police official, said National League for Democracy (NLD) spokesman Nyan Win, who is also a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s legal team.
The police official testified that Suu Kyi—in flaunting the law governing personal restrictions enforced on her in 2003—had broken the terms of her house arrest, said Nyan Win, although he was unable to provide further details of the police official’s testimony or his position within the police force.
The NLD spokesman confirmed that the defense team had sufficient time to question the witness.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday afternoon after attending the opening day of the trial of Suu Kyi in Insein Prison, Nyan Win said that proceedings had begun at 10 a.m. and finished at about 2 p.m., before being adjourned until the following day.
Two NLD members, Khin Khin Win and her daughter Win Ma Ma, who have acted as Suu Kyi’s caretakers in recent years, as well as John William Yettaw—an American tourist who allegedly sneaked into Suu Kyi’s lakeside home on May 3—also appeared in court on Monday, said Nyan Win.
There are 22 prosecution witnesses, all of whom will be questioned, said the NLD spokesman.
However, he said that he was worried about the process of the trial as the military court usually takes orders directly from the ruling junta.
“From our experience of the Burmese courts, they usually do what the regime orders,” said Nyan Win. “I’m worried about this situation.”
Suu Kyi faces a maximum of five years imprisonment if she is convicted of violating the terms of her house arrest by harboring the American intruder, who apparently swam two kilometers across Inya Lake to interview the 63-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
It is obvious that the junta is attempting to prevent Suu Kyi from participating in the upcoming election in 2010, said the NLD spokesman.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people—mostly NLD supporters—gathered outside Insein Prison on Monday during Suu Kyi’s trial, said Win Tin, a leading member of the NLD.
However, security forces were able to control the rally and persuaded the crowd not to protest, said Win Tin.
Rangoon sources said that security forces were beefed up on Monday around Insein Prison and on roads leading into the area. Shopkeepers near the prison had earlier been ordered by the authorities to close their premises.
The first witness called by the prosecution on Monday was a police official, said National League for Democracy (NLD) spokesman Nyan Win, who is also a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s legal team.
The police official testified that Suu Kyi—in flaunting the law governing personal restrictions enforced on her in 2003—had broken the terms of her house arrest, said Nyan Win, although he was unable to provide further details of the police official’s testimony or his position within the police force.
The NLD spokesman confirmed that the defense team had sufficient time to question the witness.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday afternoon after attending the opening day of the trial of Suu Kyi in Insein Prison, Nyan Win said that proceedings had begun at 10 a.m. and finished at about 2 p.m., before being adjourned until the following day.
Two NLD members, Khin Khin Win and her daughter Win Ma Ma, who have acted as Suu Kyi’s caretakers in recent years, as well as John William Yettaw—an American tourist who allegedly sneaked into Suu Kyi’s lakeside home on May 3—also appeared in court on Monday, said Nyan Win.
There are 22 prosecution witnesses, all of whom will be questioned, said the NLD spokesman.
However, he said that he was worried about the process of the trial as the military court usually takes orders directly from the ruling junta.
“From our experience of the Burmese courts, they usually do what the regime orders,” said Nyan Win. “I’m worried about this situation.”
Suu Kyi faces a maximum of five years imprisonment if she is convicted of violating the terms of her house arrest by harboring the American intruder, who apparently swam two kilometers across Inya Lake to interview the 63-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
It is obvious that the junta is attempting to prevent Suu Kyi from participating in the upcoming election in 2010, said the NLD spokesman.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people—mostly NLD supporters—gathered outside Insein Prison on Monday during Suu Kyi’s trial, said Win Tin, a leading member of the NLD.
However, security forces were able to control the rally and persuaded the crowd not to protest, said Win Tin.
Rangoon sources said that security forces were beefed up on Monday around Insein Prison and on roads leading into the area. Shopkeepers near the prison had earlier been ordered by the authorities to close their premises.
EU Weighs Stepping up Burma Sanctions
By CONSTANT BRAND / AP WRITER
BRUSSELS — China, India and other Asian countries should press Burma's military leaders to drop charges against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and release her from house arrest, EU foreign ministers said Monday.
The EU ministers meeting in Brussels discussed increasing sanctions against Burma's junta, but also said they would urge Burma's neighbors to do more to help restore democracy in the Southeast Asian country.
"We will have to engage with other countries in the region, those are the ones that have a real possibility to influence" the military junta, Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said.
Suu Kyi, one of Burma's more than 2,100 political prisoners, is on trial in Rangoon for allegedly harboring an American man who swam to her lakeside home where she was under house arrest.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Paris called the trial a "scandalous provocation."
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the EU was "very concerned" over the trial and efforts by the military junta to shove through "sham" constitutional reforms.
"The house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi is bad enough, but for her to be put on a show trial just adds to her pain," he said in Brussels. Suu Kyi has spent more than 13 of the last 19 years under detention.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana led the call for more sanctions, though others questioned whether existing EU punitive measures were working, including a travel ban on Burma's political officials, an arms embargo and a freeze of assets in Europe.
"We have seen the sanctions have not helped. They have not brought anything new," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.
Sweden's Bildt said EU nations would pressure their counterparts from the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Burma, when they meet next week in Hanoi, Vietnam. Past efforts to cajole the Asian group to denounce Burma have failed.
Burma has been ruled by its military since 1962. The current junta came to power in 1988 after crushing a pro-democracy uprising, and has stepped up its campaign against opposition politicians and activists before elections planned for next year.
The EU imposed sanctions in 2006 to protest the junta's crackdown on pro-democracy groups, and added other economic sanctions in 2007, including a ban on imports of timber, gemstones and precious metals.
BRUSSELS — China, India and other Asian countries should press Burma's military leaders to drop charges against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and release her from house arrest, EU foreign ministers said Monday.
The EU ministers meeting in Brussels discussed increasing sanctions against Burma's junta, but also said they would urge Burma's neighbors to do more to help restore democracy in the Southeast Asian country.
"We will have to engage with other countries in the region, those are the ones that have a real possibility to influence" the military junta, Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said.
Suu Kyi, one of Burma's more than 2,100 political prisoners, is on trial in Rangoon for allegedly harboring an American man who swam to her lakeside home where she was under house arrest.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Paris called the trial a "scandalous provocation."
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the EU was "very concerned" over the trial and efforts by the military junta to shove through "sham" constitutional reforms.
"The house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi is bad enough, but for her to be put on a show trial just adds to her pain," he said in Brussels. Suu Kyi has spent more than 13 of the last 19 years under detention.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana led the call for more sanctions, though others questioned whether existing EU punitive measures were working, including a travel ban on Burma's political officials, an arms embargo and a freeze of assets in Europe.
"We have seen the sanctions have not helped. They have not brought anything new," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.
Sweden's Bildt said EU nations would pressure their counterparts from the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Burma, when they meet next week in Hanoi, Vietnam. Past efforts to cajole the Asian group to denounce Burma have failed.
Burma has been ruled by its military since 1962. The current junta came to power in 1988 after crushing a pro-democracy uprising, and has stepped up its campaign against opposition politicians and activists before elections planned for next year.
The EU imposed sanctions in 2006 to protest the junta's crackdown on pro-democracy groups, and added other economic sanctions in 2007, including a ban on imports of timber, gemstones and precious metals.
Facebook Campaign Organizes Support for Suu Kyi
By MIN LWIN
Burmese living abroad have launched a campaign for the release of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi on Facebook, the popular Internet social-networking Web site.
According to the Landon-based Burma Campaign UK, as of Sunday 40,000 people has registered their support on a Facebook site.
“Facebook is an excellent way to reach people and let them know about Aung San Suu Kyi and the situation in Burma,” said Johnny Chatterton, a campaigns officer at Burma Campaign UK. “We are able to use Facebook to translate sympathy into action.”
The Suu Kyi page is being used to promote and coordinate global campaign actions, including a global day of action on Monday, when demonstrations will take place in more than a dozen cities, including London, Bangkok, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, Taipei, Barcelona, Paris, Stockholm, Ottawa, Barcelona, Cadiz, Sevilla, and Kuala Lumpur. (see: Aung San Suu Kyi Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aung-San-Suu-Kyi/9953503420?ref=pdb)
Facebook is increasingly popular among Burmese in exile for social networking and the promotion of Burma causes. Several Burmese activists and campaign groups in the West and in the region also use Facebook to promote Burma.
In September 2007 when monks led a pro-democracy uprising in Burma, the campaign on Facebook registered several hundred thousand people.
Observers recently warned that the regime monitors Facebook to trace and identify activists.
Facebook is a free-access social networking Web site; Internet users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school or other venues that connect people with like-minded interests.
Burmese living abroad have launched a campaign for the release of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi on Facebook, the popular Internet social-networking Web site.
According to the Landon-based Burma Campaign UK, as of Sunday 40,000 people has registered their support on a Facebook site.
“Facebook is an excellent way to reach people and let them know about Aung San Suu Kyi and the situation in Burma,” said Johnny Chatterton, a campaigns officer at Burma Campaign UK. “We are able to use Facebook to translate sympathy into action.”
The Suu Kyi page is being used to promote and coordinate global campaign actions, including a global day of action on Monday, when demonstrations will take place in more than a dozen cities, including London, Bangkok, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, Taipei, Barcelona, Paris, Stockholm, Ottawa, Barcelona, Cadiz, Sevilla, and Kuala Lumpur. (see: Aung San Suu Kyi Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aung-San-Suu-Kyi/9953503420?ref=pdb)
Facebook is increasingly popular among Burmese in exile for social networking and the promotion of Burma causes. Several Burmese activists and campaign groups in the West and in the region also use Facebook to promote Burma.
In September 2007 when monks led a pro-democracy uprising in Burma, the campaign on Facebook registered several hundred thousand people.
Observers recently warned that the regime monitors Facebook to trace and identify activists.
Facebook is a free-access social networking Web site; Internet users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school or other venues that connect people with like-minded interests.
China Should Break its Silence on Suu Kyi
By THE IRRAWADDY
The removal of Aung San Suu Kyi from her home to Rangoon’s infamous Insein Prison and her trial before a secret court have sparked international outrage and condemnation, shared by world leaders, Nobel Prize winners and prominent personalities.
Two governments have remained significantly silent, however—those of Burma’s two giant neighbors, China and India.
The reasons for their silence aren’t difficult to discern.
Both countries exploit Burma’s natural resources and are major trading partners. China, in particular, profits from lively arms sales to the pariah regime.
China makes no secret of its strong ties with Burma. New Delhi, on the other hand, is a pathetic hypocrite, changing its policy from support for Suu Kyi to one of subservience to Burma’s ruling generals. India has descended a long and ignoble decline since presenting Suu Kyi with its coveted Jawaharlal Nehru Award.
It’s sad indeed to see one of the world’s largest democracies—whose commitment to democracy has just been proved in a general election—kowtowing to the bullies of Naypyidaw.
China’s stance on Burma is, by comparison, at least intriguing.
At the time of the September 2007 demonstrations, when monks and other protesters were gunned down in the streets of Rangoon, China told Burma to exercise restraint. Beijing urged the junta to restore order quickly and to address the domestic tensions that caused the unrest.
Although the regime ignored the appeals from Beijing, China remained on friendly terms with Naypidaw and used its UN veto to block a Security Council resolution on Burma in 2007.
Beijing is not blind, however, to Burma’s ongoing problems. Chinese analysts and officials have been meeting exiled Burmese and making assessments on Burma. They have suggested that Beijing is wary of political development in Burma.
China has also told the Burmese regime that it doesn’t share Naypyidaw’s description of Suu Kyi as a tool of the West, and has indicated strongly that it wants to see national reconciliation in Burma.
When Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi visited Burma in December, he urged junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe to respect the UN’s request for an inclusive political process in Burma, and he reportedly mentioned political prisoners, including Suu Kyi.
Informed sources in Naypyidaw suggested that Than Shwe looked unhappy, while briefing his Chinese visitor on the state of the country, including its political and economic development and reconstruction work in the cyclone-hit Irrawaddy delta.
It is sad that Burmese leaders have found in China a convenient shield to hide behind whenever they face international outrage and condemnation. Again, the silence emanating from Beijing only sent a wrong signal to Than Shwe.
As in September 2007, Beijing should speak out. But this time it should exercise its political influence not only on Burma but also on the region as a whole to press for the release of Suu Kyi and the other political prisoners.
Such a move by China would be warmly welcomed by oppressed Burmese and the exiled community. It shouldn’t be forgotten that they also want to regard China as a friend.
The removal of Aung San Suu Kyi from her home to Rangoon’s infamous Insein Prison and her trial before a secret court have sparked international outrage and condemnation, shared by world leaders, Nobel Prize winners and prominent personalities.
Two governments have remained significantly silent, however—those of Burma’s two giant neighbors, China and India.
The reasons for their silence aren’t difficult to discern.
Both countries exploit Burma’s natural resources and are major trading partners. China, in particular, profits from lively arms sales to the pariah regime.
China makes no secret of its strong ties with Burma. New Delhi, on the other hand, is a pathetic hypocrite, changing its policy from support for Suu Kyi to one of subservience to Burma’s ruling generals. India has descended a long and ignoble decline since presenting Suu Kyi with its coveted Jawaharlal Nehru Award.
It’s sad indeed to see one of the world’s largest democracies—whose commitment to democracy has just been proved in a general election—kowtowing to the bullies of Naypyidaw.
China’s stance on Burma is, by comparison, at least intriguing.
At the time of the September 2007 demonstrations, when monks and other protesters were gunned down in the streets of Rangoon, China told Burma to exercise restraint. Beijing urged the junta to restore order quickly and to address the domestic tensions that caused the unrest.
Although the regime ignored the appeals from Beijing, China remained on friendly terms with Naypidaw and used its UN veto to block a Security Council resolution on Burma in 2007.
Beijing is not blind, however, to Burma’s ongoing problems. Chinese analysts and officials have been meeting exiled Burmese and making assessments on Burma. They have suggested that Beijing is wary of political development in Burma.
China has also told the Burmese regime that it doesn’t share Naypyidaw’s description of Suu Kyi as a tool of the West, and has indicated strongly that it wants to see national reconciliation in Burma.
When Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi visited Burma in December, he urged junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe to respect the UN’s request for an inclusive political process in Burma, and he reportedly mentioned political prisoners, including Suu Kyi.
Informed sources in Naypyidaw suggested that Than Shwe looked unhappy, while briefing his Chinese visitor on the state of the country, including its political and economic development and reconstruction work in the cyclone-hit Irrawaddy delta.
It is sad that Burmese leaders have found in China a convenient shield to hide behind whenever they face international outrage and condemnation. Again, the silence emanating from Beijing only sent a wrong signal to Than Shwe.
As in September 2007, Beijing should speak out. But this time it should exercise its political influence not only on Burma but also on the region as a whole to press for the release of Suu Kyi and the other political prisoners.
Such a move by China would be warmly welcomed by oppressed Burmese and the exiled community. It shouldn’t be forgotten that they also want to regard China as a friend.
Hundreds Gather as Suu Kyi Trial Starts
By SAW YAN NAING
Hundreds of people, including members of Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) gathered outside Rangoon’s Insein Prison on Monday morning as the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi got under way in a special court.
The ambassadors of four European countries were refused entry to the prison to attend the trial, reported the AFP news agency, quoting an unnamed diplomat.
Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Kyi Win, said he planned to ask for the trial to be held in public. Suu Kyi is also being represented by lawyers Khin Htay Kywe and Nyan Win.
Kyi Win said 22 prosecution witnesses, including police officers, would be called. He said Suu Kyi’s family doctor, Tin Myo Win, who was arrested by Burmese authorities the day after the discovery that an American intruder had entered her house, would not be called to give evidence.
Tin Myo Win was freed by Burmese authorities on Saturday, a member of his family reported.
The American intruder also reportedly went on trial on Monday, but no details were officially disclosed.
Suu Kyi faces a sentence of up to five years imprisonment if found guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest by allegedly harboring the American.
Rangoon sources reported that security had been stepped up around Insein Prison and on roads leading to the area. Shopkeepers in the immediate area had also been ordered by the authorities to close their premises. Phone lines were cut, the sources said.
NLD member Kyin Toe said security forces had been deployed around the homes of opposition members, including his own. Some NLD members reported their movements were being followed by security agents.
Hundreds of people, including members of Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) gathered outside Rangoon’s Insein Prison on Monday morning as the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi got under way in a special court.
The ambassadors of four European countries were refused entry to the prison to attend the trial, reported the AFP news agency, quoting an unnamed diplomat.
Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Kyi Win, said he planned to ask for the trial to be held in public. Suu Kyi is also being represented by lawyers Khin Htay Kywe and Nyan Win.
Kyi Win said 22 prosecution witnesses, including police officers, would be called. He said Suu Kyi’s family doctor, Tin Myo Win, who was arrested by Burmese authorities the day after the discovery that an American intruder had entered her house, would not be called to give evidence.
Tin Myo Win was freed by Burmese authorities on Saturday, a member of his family reported.
The American intruder also reportedly went on trial on Monday, but no details were officially disclosed.
Suu Kyi faces a sentence of up to five years imprisonment if found guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest by allegedly harboring the American.
Rangoon sources reported that security had been stepped up around Insein Prison and on roads leading to the area. Shopkeepers in the immediate area had also been ordered by the authorities to close their premises. Phone lines were cut, the sources said.
NLD member Kyin Toe said security forces had been deployed around the homes of opposition members, including his own. Some NLD members reported their movements were being followed by security agents.
72 Former Presidents, Prime Ministers Write to UN
By LALIT K JHA
WASHINGTON — The Club of Madrid has sent a letter, signed by 72 former presidents and prime ministers, to the United Nations urging Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to go to Burma to seek the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Condemning the recent arrest of Suu Kyi, the Club of Madrid, in a letter dated May 15, said: “We urge you to make use of every possible means, including considering to travel to Burma on behalf of the United Nations, to press for her immediate release.”
The letter released to the media on Sunday was signed by Ricardo Lagos, president of the Club of Madrid and former president of Chile; Mary Robinson, vice-president of the Club of Madrid and former president of Ireland, and Kjell Magne Bondevik, a member of the board of directors of the Club of Madrid and former prime minister of Norway.
The letter cited the October 11, 2007, presidential statement of the UN Security Council calling on the Burmese junta to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
“In defiance of the United Nations Security Council, the Burmese junta has not only almost doubled the number of political prisoners, but now also imprisoned and charged Aung San Suu Kyi with breaching the terms of her house arrest. Hearing of the court will start on 18 May, 2009. The charges carry a maximum jail term of five years,” it said.
Meanwhile, in advance of the trial of Suu Kyi more than 40 global celebrities on Sunday urged the countries of the world and the UN to speak in one voice and to demand that the Burmese democracy leader be freed immediately.
“We must not stand by as she is silenced once again. Now is the time for the United Nations and the entire international community to speak clearly and with one voice: Free Aung San Suu Kyi,” global celebrities said in a statement on Sunday.
Prominent signers included David Beckham, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Anderson Cooper, Madonna, John McCain, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Salman Rushdie, Meg Ryan and Steven Spielberg.
“Nineteen years ago, the Burmese people chose Aung San Suu Kyi to be their next leader. And for most of those 19 years she has been kept under house arrest by the military junta that now runs the country. She is the world’s only incarcerated Nobel Peace Prize laureate,” the statement said. “Last week Suu Kyi was taken to Burma’s Insein Prison to face criminal charges as part of a concerted plan to deny her freedom.”
Among other signatories to the “Free Aung San Suu Kyi” statement were George Clooney, Madeleine Albright, Wes Anderson, Drew Barrymore, Matthew Broderick, Sandra Bullock, James Carville, Michael Chabon, Daniel Craig, John Cusack, Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Dave Eggers, Jake Gyllenhaal, Václav Havel, Helen Hunt, Anjelica Huston, Scarlett Johansson, Nicole Kidman, Ashton Kutcher, Norman Lear, Mary Matalin, Cindy McCain, Rose McGowan, Orhan Pamuk, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Robert Rodriguez, Meg Ryan, Liev Schreiber, George Soros, Meryl Streep, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Naomi Watts, Prof Elie Wiesel and Owen Wilson.
WASHINGTON — The Club of Madrid has sent a letter, signed by 72 former presidents and prime ministers, to the United Nations urging Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to go to Burma to seek the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Condemning the recent arrest of Suu Kyi, the Club of Madrid, in a letter dated May 15, said: “We urge you to make use of every possible means, including considering to travel to Burma on behalf of the United Nations, to press for her immediate release.”
The letter released to the media on Sunday was signed by Ricardo Lagos, president of the Club of Madrid and former president of Chile; Mary Robinson, vice-president of the Club of Madrid and former president of Ireland, and Kjell Magne Bondevik, a member of the board of directors of the Club of Madrid and former prime minister of Norway.
The letter cited the October 11, 2007, presidential statement of the UN Security Council calling on the Burmese junta to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
“In defiance of the United Nations Security Council, the Burmese junta has not only almost doubled the number of political prisoners, but now also imprisoned and charged Aung San Suu Kyi with breaching the terms of her house arrest. Hearing of the court will start on 18 May, 2009. The charges carry a maximum jail term of five years,” it said.
Meanwhile, in advance of the trial of Suu Kyi more than 40 global celebrities on Sunday urged the countries of the world and the UN to speak in one voice and to demand that the Burmese democracy leader be freed immediately.
“We must not stand by as she is silenced once again. Now is the time for the United Nations and the entire international community to speak clearly and with one voice: Free Aung San Suu Kyi,” global celebrities said in a statement on Sunday.
Prominent signers included David Beckham, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Anderson Cooper, Madonna, John McCain, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Salman Rushdie, Meg Ryan and Steven Spielberg.
“Nineteen years ago, the Burmese people chose Aung San Suu Kyi to be their next leader. And for most of those 19 years she has been kept under house arrest by the military junta that now runs the country. She is the world’s only incarcerated Nobel Peace Prize laureate,” the statement said. “Last week Suu Kyi was taken to Burma’s Insein Prison to face criminal charges as part of a concerted plan to deny her freedom.”
Among other signatories to the “Free Aung San Suu Kyi” statement were George Clooney, Madeleine Albright, Wes Anderson, Drew Barrymore, Matthew Broderick, Sandra Bullock, James Carville, Michael Chabon, Daniel Craig, John Cusack, Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Dave Eggers, Jake Gyllenhaal, Václav Havel, Helen Hunt, Anjelica Huston, Scarlett Johansson, Nicole Kidman, Ashton Kutcher, Norman Lear, Mary Matalin, Cindy McCain, Rose McGowan, Orhan Pamuk, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Robert Rodriguez, Meg Ryan, Liev Schreiber, George Soros, Meryl Streep, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Naomi Watts, Prof Elie Wiesel and Owen Wilson.
Security Tight at Suu Kyi Trial
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RANGOON — Riot police behind barbed wire barricades ringed a notorious prison where pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was to go on trial Monday for allegedly harboring an American man who swam to her lakeside home.
The tight security came as activist groups, which spearheaded an uprising against Burma's military rulers in 2007, called for peaceful protest rallies in front of Rangoon's Insein prison until Suu Kyi is freed.
On the eve of the trial, her defense lawyer said Suu Kyi was innocent of the charges, which could put her into prison for up to five years.
"We call all political forces for Free Aung San Suu Kyi to mobilize all over Burma, by holding praying sessions in homes, places of worship ... and holding silent, peaceful rallies in front of Insein prison," said a statement from three activist groups.
The groups included an organization of Buddhist monks, who were at the forefront of the 2007 protests, which were brutally crushed by the regime.
Security forces blocked all roads leading to the prison as several hundred riot police, many armed with guns, batons and shields, guarded the perimeter of Insein, where the regime has for years incarcerated political prisoners. There was no sign of any protesters near the prison.
"After listening to the sequence of events, it is very clear that there is no breach of conditions of her restrictions," lawyer Kyi Win said after visiting the Noble Peace Prize laureate in the prison over the weekend.
Suu Kyi, 63, was charged Thursday with violating the terms of her detention by sheltering John William Yettaw, reportedly a Vietnam War veteran, who will also be tried along with two female assistants who have been with Suu Kyi since 2003.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years of house arrest.
The charges are widely seen as a pretext for the ruling junta to keep Suu Kyi detained past elections it has scheduled for next year as the culmination of a "roadmap to democracy" which has been criticized as a fig leaf for continued military control.
Burma has been ruled by its military since 1962. The regime lost democratic elections in 1990 but did not honor the landslide victory of Suu Kyi's party.
In Monday's court session, Kyi Win said Suu Kyi's defense team will ask for an open trial and may also request bail. The prosecution is expected to call 22 witnesses during the trial.
Kyi Win said Suu Kyi was ready to tell her side of the story. "She has always been ready to tell the truth," he said.
On Sunday, a family member said Suu Kyi's personal physician, Tin Myo Win, was released by authorities a day earlier after being taken from his home on May 7, a day after Yettaw was arrested near Suu Kyi's lakeside residence, where she has been detained for more than 13 of the last 19 years.
The family member spoke on condition of anonymity, citing possible reprisals by authorities.
It is not known why Tin Myo Win was arrested. A spokesman for Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy earlier said the doctor's detention may have been related to the American swimmer, who has been labeled a "fool" by the pro-democracy movement.
Her latest arrest has sparked a storm of international appeals to Burma's military government to free her and to restore democracy in the country.
In unusually sharp criticism from a Southeast Asian nation, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Sunday that his government was "deeply troubled and outraged" over the "trumped-up charges" against Suu Kyi.
"We urge the government of Myanmar [Burma] to resolve the matter speedily and to release Aung San Suu Kyi immediately and unconditionally," he said.
Normally, members of the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Burma, refrain from criticizing one another.
Exactly why Yettaw, of Falcon, Missouri, swam across the lake to see Suu Kyi remains unclear. After leaving, he was fished out of the lake by authorities about 1.2 miles (two kilometers) from her residence and taken into custody.
"I cannot tell you what he was thinking when he made those swims or whether or not he considered the consequences for anyone but himself," said Yettaw's stepson Paul in an e-mail to The Associated Press Monday.
"He knew he could be caught and arrested, though I am very sure it never occurred to him that Suu Kyi or her companions could also suffer from his choices," he said.
His wife, Betty Yettaw, earlier described her husband as eccentric but peace-loving and "not political at all."
According to his ex-wife Yvonne Yettaw, he said he went to Asia to work on a psychology paper about forgiveness.
She said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and a head wound during his military service.
His former wife said Yettaw belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons, adding it was unlikely he was in Southeast Asia to proselytize for the church or convert the Nobel laureate.
"As a family, we are very sorry for any additional problems that John's action may have caused Suu Kyi and her companions," his stepson said.
RANGOON — Riot police behind barbed wire barricades ringed a notorious prison where pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was to go on trial Monday for allegedly harboring an American man who swam to her lakeside home.
The tight security came as activist groups, which spearheaded an uprising against Burma's military rulers in 2007, called for peaceful protest rallies in front of Rangoon's Insein prison until Suu Kyi is freed.
On the eve of the trial, her defense lawyer said Suu Kyi was innocent of the charges, which could put her into prison for up to five years.
"We call all political forces for Free Aung San Suu Kyi to mobilize all over Burma, by holding praying sessions in homes, places of worship ... and holding silent, peaceful rallies in front of Insein prison," said a statement from three activist groups.
The groups included an organization of Buddhist monks, who were at the forefront of the 2007 protests, which were brutally crushed by the regime.
Security forces blocked all roads leading to the prison as several hundred riot police, many armed with guns, batons and shields, guarded the perimeter of Insein, where the regime has for years incarcerated political prisoners. There was no sign of any protesters near the prison.
"After listening to the sequence of events, it is very clear that there is no breach of conditions of her restrictions," lawyer Kyi Win said after visiting the Noble Peace Prize laureate in the prison over the weekend.
Suu Kyi, 63, was charged Thursday with violating the terms of her detention by sheltering John William Yettaw, reportedly a Vietnam War veteran, who will also be tried along with two female assistants who have been with Suu Kyi since 2003.
Suu Kyi had been scheduled to be freed May 27 after six consecutive years of house arrest.
The charges are widely seen as a pretext for the ruling junta to keep Suu Kyi detained past elections it has scheduled for next year as the culmination of a "roadmap to democracy" which has been criticized as a fig leaf for continued military control.
Burma has been ruled by its military since 1962. The regime lost democratic elections in 1990 but did not honor the landslide victory of Suu Kyi's party.
In Monday's court session, Kyi Win said Suu Kyi's defense team will ask for an open trial and may also request bail. The prosecution is expected to call 22 witnesses during the trial.
Kyi Win said Suu Kyi was ready to tell her side of the story. "She has always been ready to tell the truth," he said.
On Sunday, a family member said Suu Kyi's personal physician, Tin Myo Win, was released by authorities a day earlier after being taken from his home on May 7, a day after Yettaw was arrested near Suu Kyi's lakeside residence, where she has been detained for more than 13 of the last 19 years.
The family member spoke on condition of anonymity, citing possible reprisals by authorities.
It is not known why Tin Myo Win was arrested. A spokesman for Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy earlier said the doctor's detention may have been related to the American swimmer, who has been labeled a "fool" by the pro-democracy movement.
Her latest arrest has sparked a storm of international appeals to Burma's military government to free her and to restore democracy in the country.
In unusually sharp criticism from a Southeast Asian nation, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Sunday that his government was "deeply troubled and outraged" over the "trumped-up charges" against Suu Kyi.
"We urge the government of Myanmar [Burma] to resolve the matter speedily and to release Aung San Suu Kyi immediately and unconditionally," he said.
Normally, members of the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Burma, refrain from criticizing one another.
Exactly why Yettaw, of Falcon, Missouri, swam across the lake to see Suu Kyi remains unclear. After leaving, he was fished out of the lake by authorities about 1.2 miles (two kilometers) from her residence and taken into custody.
"I cannot tell you what he was thinking when he made those swims or whether or not he considered the consequences for anyone but himself," said Yettaw's stepson Paul in an e-mail to The Associated Press Monday.
"He knew he could be caught and arrested, though I am very sure it never occurred to him that Suu Kyi or her companions could also suffer from his choices," he said.
His wife, Betty Yettaw, earlier described her husband as eccentric but peace-loving and "not political at all."
According to his ex-wife Yvonne Yettaw, he said he went to Asia to work on a psychology paper about forgiveness.
She said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and a head wound during his military service.
His former wife said Yettaw belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons, adding it was unlikely he was in Southeast Asia to proselytize for the church or convert the Nobel laureate.
"As a family, we are very sorry for any additional problems that John's action may have caused Suu Kyi and her companions," his stepson said.
May 16, 2009
Two Suu Kyi Lawyers Dismissed from Bar
By MIN LWIN and THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two of Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers, Aung Thein and Khin Maung Shein, were dismissed from the country’s bar by the Burmese military on Friday.
“Township magistrate officer U Aung Soe and some local authorities came and gave an order in which we are dismissed from the Burmese lawyer’s list,” Aung Thein told The Irrawaddy on Saturday.
Attorney Aung Thein confirmed on Saturday that he had been dismissed on Friday, a day after he had applied to represent Suu Kyi in her latest trial, which is set to begin on Monday.
Aung Thein has defended political activists in the past and was recently jailed for four months for contempt of court because of his strong advocacy on his clients’ behalf.
“The dismissal is not fair to us,” Aung Thein said. “We have served four months (in detention for contempt to the court).”
In November, Aung Thein and his close associate Khin Maung Shein were both sentenced to four months imprisonment for contempt of court. The authorities were prejudiced against lawyers who have defended political activists, said Aung Thein.
Their past clients include the prominent Buddhist monk Gambira, who was sentenced to prison following his leadership of the “Saffron Uprising” in 2007. Aung Thein ultimately resigned from that case, complaining that he was had not been allowed to prepare a proper defense.
U Aung Thein is a lawyer associated with Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy’s (NLD) legal advisory team.
On Thursday, authorities barred Aung Thein from entering Insein Prison where Suu Kyi is being detained. Kyi Win was allowed inside the prison.
The Thailand-based human rights group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP), released a statement on Saturday saying Aung Thein had his license to practice law revoked by the authorities on grounds that he did not abide by professional ethics.
In a statement, the AAPP said the action was a blatant attempt to damage the defense of Suu Kyi and her two caretakers and represents a pattern of harassment against lawyers who defend pro-democracy activists. There are currently eleven lawyers in prison across the country on charges associated with defense of activists.
Suu Kyi was charged on Thursday with violating the terms of her house arrest after her home was invaded by an American, John William Yettaw, 53, who also faces trial on charges he violated internal security laws.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize committee called for Suu Kyi’s immediate release.
“Her recent detention in prison is totally unacceptable. She has done nothing wrong,” said the statement from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which rarely comments on past peace laureates.
The charges against Suu Kyi are widely seen as a pretext for the ruling junta to keep Suu Kyi detained beyond the 2010 national election, part of the junta’s so-called "roadmap to democracy," which has been criticized as a ploy for the military regime to remain in power.
Despite sharp criticism and economic sanctions by the US, Europe and other countries, Burma’s generals have enjoyed the support of China and other Asian nations. They invariably march to their own tune and are likely to do so again in the prosecution of Suu Kyi, who they regard as their No 1 enemy.
The charges against Suu Kyi carry a penalty range of three to five years imprisonment.
Chronology of Suu Kyi and the ‘Inya Lake Swimmer’
By ARKAR MOE
May 1 - Burmese military authorities reject an appeal to release Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.
May 2 - American John William Yettaw arrives in Rangoon on a tourist visa.
May 3 - Yettaw swims across Inya Lake to Suu Kyi’s house.
May 6 - Yettaw is fished out of the lake by police and arrested.
May 7 - State-run media report that a US citizen swam to Suu Kyi’s house and stayed for three days; More than 20 police briefly enter Suu Kyi’s compound; Suu Kyi’s lawyer announces that she is “not safe”; Dr Tin Myo Win is refused entry to the compound and is then arrested.
May 8 - Dr Pyone Mo Ei pays Suu Kyi a medical visit for about 2 hours.
May 11 - Dr Pyone Mo Ei revisits Suu Kyi and administers an intravenous drip.
May 13 - US embassy officials meet with Yettaw for three minutes at an interrogation center in Rangoon.
May 14 - Suu Kyi and her two “companions” are arrested and transferred to Insein prison where they are detained in a guest house within the jail’s compound; Suu Kyi, her two companions and Yettaw are charged; Suu Kyi’s lawyer announces she is to be tried on May 18; State-run newspapers publish a biography of Yettaw.
Two of Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers, Aung Thein and Khin Maung Shein, were dismissed from the country’s bar by the Burmese military on Friday.
“Township magistrate officer U Aung Soe and some local authorities came and gave an order in which we are dismissed from the Burmese lawyer’s list,” Aung Thein told The Irrawaddy on Saturday.
Attorney Aung Thein confirmed on Saturday that he had been dismissed on Friday, a day after he had applied to represent Suu Kyi in her latest trial, which is set to begin on Monday.
Aung Thein has defended political activists in the past and was recently jailed for four months for contempt of court because of his strong advocacy on his clients’ behalf.
“The dismissal is not fair to us,” Aung Thein said. “We have served four months (in detention for contempt to the court).”
In November, Aung Thein and his close associate Khin Maung Shein were both sentenced to four months imprisonment for contempt of court. The authorities were prejudiced against lawyers who have defended political activists, said Aung Thein.
Their past clients include the prominent Buddhist monk Gambira, who was sentenced to prison following his leadership of the “Saffron Uprising” in 2007. Aung Thein ultimately resigned from that case, complaining that he was had not been allowed to prepare a proper defense.
U Aung Thein is a lawyer associated with Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy’s (NLD) legal advisory team.
On Thursday, authorities barred Aung Thein from entering Insein Prison where Suu Kyi is being detained. Kyi Win was allowed inside the prison.
The Thailand-based human rights group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP), released a statement on Saturday saying Aung Thein had his license to practice law revoked by the authorities on grounds that he did not abide by professional ethics.
In a statement, the AAPP said the action was a blatant attempt to damage the defense of Suu Kyi and her two caretakers and represents a pattern of harassment against lawyers who defend pro-democracy activists. There are currently eleven lawyers in prison across the country on charges associated with defense of activists.
Suu Kyi was charged on Thursday with violating the terms of her house arrest after her home was invaded by an American, John William Yettaw, 53, who also faces trial on charges he violated internal security laws.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize committee called for Suu Kyi’s immediate release.
“Her recent detention in prison is totally unacceptable. She has done nothing wrong,” said the statement from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which rarely comments on past peace laureates.
The charges against Suu Kyi are widely seen as a pretext for the ruling junta to keep Suu Kyi detained beyond the 2010 national election, part of the junta’s so-called "roadmap to democracy," which has been criticized as a ploy for the military regime to remain in power.
Despite sharp criticism and economic sanctions by the US, Europe and other countries, Burma’s generals have enjoyed the support of China and other Asian nations. They invariably march to their own tune and are likely to do so again in the prosecution of Suu Kyi, who they regard as their No 1 enemy.
The charges against Suu Kyi carry a penalty range of three to five years imprisonment.
Chronology of Suu Kyi and the ‘Inya Lake Swimmer’
By ARKAR MOE
May 1 - Burmese military authorities reject an appeal to release Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.
May 2 - American John William Yettaw arrives in Rangoon on a tourist visa.
May 3 - Yettaw swims across Inya Lake to Suu Kyi’s house.
May 6 - Yettaw is fished out of the lake by police and arrested.
May 7 - State-run media report that a US citizen swam to Suu Kyi’s house and stayed for three days; More than 20 police briefly enter Suu Kyi’s compound; Suu Kyi’s lawyer announces that she is “not safe”; Dr Tin Myo Win is refused entry to the compound and is then arrested.
May 8 - Dr Pyone Mo Ei pays Suu Kyi a medical visit for about 2 hours.
May 11 - Dr Pyone Mo Ei revisits Suu Kyi and administers an intravenous drip.
May 13 - US embassy officials meet with Yettaw for three minutes at an interrogation center in Rangoon.
May 14 - Suu Kyi and her two “companions” are arrested and transferred to Insein prison where they are detained in a guest house within the jail’s compound; Suu Kyi, her two companions and Yettaw are charged; Suu Kyi’s lawyer announces she is to be tried on May 18; State-run newspapers publish a biography of Yettaw.
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