World focus on Burma (8 August 2008)
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Human rights message as Games begin
The Press Association –
Demonstrators from Tibet, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Burma joined forces to protest against human rights violations and China’s hosting of the Olympics. …
Tears and pride as Games opening is watched in UK
BBC News, UK –
Protesters from Tibet, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Burma joined forces to voice their anger about human rights violations. Back in Trafalgar Square, …
20 Years Since Thousands of Pro-Democracy Activists Killed in Burma
Vatican Radio, The Vatican –
In Myanmar, also known as Burma, the military junta arrested 48 activists for a protest to mark the anniversary. Mark Farmaner is Director of the Burma …
New York Times Blogs, NY –
“China, more than any other country, has enabled the survival of the brutal Burmese regime,” said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch …
Anti-China activists face federal criminal charges
KUTV, UT –
A protestor wearing a photograph of Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi shouts as he stands outside the Chinese Embassy on August 8, …
Christian Rights Group Wants UN to Intervene in Burma Crisis
Christian Post –
The UK-based human rights organization is pressing for key members of the military junta to be brought before the International Criminal Court for crimes …
Authorities arrest rights activist and ABFSU members
Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway –
Aug 8, 2008 (DVB)–Three All Burma Federation of Student Union members and a member of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network have been arrested by …
Burma comic on cyclone charges
The Australian, Australia –
Cyclone Nargis left 138000 people dead or missing in early May. After the storm, Burma’s military regime was criticised for blocking foreign relief supplies …
Voice of America –
The protests pushed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi into the political limelight and helped her found the NLD to challenge army rule. Burma’s ruling …
RP drops anti-Myanmar stance for ASEAN charter
Inquirer.net, Philippines –
… said Congress would find “extreme difficulty in ratifying the charter” until military-ruled Myanmar (Burma) freed Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. …
Tough words from Mrs Bush for Burmese junta
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia –
… of the military crackdown that crushed Burma’s nascent democracy and left the leader of the democratic forces, Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest. …
No moving backwards for Myanmar
Amnesty International –
Three months ago, the government wilfully neglected its people when Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar. Relief workers, diplomats, journalists, and Burmese …
Bin Laden Driver Given Lenient Sentence
Democracy Now, NY –
Internationally, we wish they use their veto power at the UN Security Council and stop supporting brutality in Tibet, Myanmar and Darfur. …
Burma’s bitter remembrance of ‘8/8/88’
guardian.co.uk, UK –
Burma’s democracy leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) overwhelmingly won the 1990 elections, remains under …
Remembering 88: Fighting for what is ours
Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway –
In September 2007, the people of Burma yet again made an attempt to gain the rights that they deserve and the military government responded to it in the …
Breakfast of Champions 8/8: Burmese Democracy
Minneapolis City Pages, MN –
… of the Olympics in Beijing — another event that affects Burma. I wonder if they ever think about calling off August in the nation now known as Myanmar. ..
200 anti-Olympic protestors gather at Chinese embassy in London
Monsters and Critics.com –
Demonstrators from Tibet, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Burma joined forces to protest against human rights violations and China’s hosting of the Olympics. …
The Chattanoogan, TN –
So, as it hosts the Olympic Games, China also works to shut down democracy in Burma, where human rights violations are commonplace, and Aung San Suu Kyi, …
Thailand urges US to adjust ‘priority’ ranking
Thai News Agency MCOT, Thailand –
Also, Thailand had expressed concerns to the US on its trade sanctions against Myanmar, Mrs. Nongnut said. The sanctions affected not only the Myanmar …
The military rulers fear a repeat of the 1988 demonstrations Photo:
AFP/Getty Images
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom –
Police and militia have staged a show of force in Burma on the eve of the 20th anniversary of a major uprising which left 3000 civilians dead. …
Crackdown on Burmese aid workers
The Age, Australia –
BURMA’S most famous comedian has been charged in a secret court, along with a sports writer and two activists, apparently for their role in delivering aid …
White House Fact Sheet: The United States and Asia: Enduring …
ISRIA (subscription), DC –
President Bush will meet with Burmese human rights activists and restate the call on Burma’s military junta rulers to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other …
Human rights message as Games begin
The Press Association –
Demonstrators from Tibet, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Burma joined forces to protest against human rights violations and China’s hosting of the Olympics. …
Security tight for 20th anniversary of Burma protests
CBC.ca, Canada –
About 100 gathered outside the Burma Embassy in Bangkok, chanting “Free Burma, Free Aung San Suu Kyi,” and throwing three red airplanes over the wall that …
Bush criticizes China before Beijing visit
Ocala, FL –
The president planned to quickly pivot from his speech to a full day of outreach toward the people of Myanmar, also known as Burma, who live under military …
Bush Committed to Burma Issue, Say Activists
The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand –
Thaung Htun, a representative for UN Affairs of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, the government in exile, said, “Since the Burmese …
US First Lady Laura Bush yesterday visited IOM’s refugee …
ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland –
The First Lady, who was accompanied by her daughter Barbara, saw IOM cultural orientation trainers preparing refugees for resettlement in the US and saw off …
Business Round-up (August 8, 2008)
The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand –
“[The fact] that each dollar of aid must be converted with Myanmar’s [Burma] military government for a foreign exchange certificate with, now, 80 percent of …
Bryan College Station Eagle, United States –
Mrs. Bush, who is traveling in Asia with President Bush, flew to the Thai border with Myanmar, also known as Burma, to visit the Mae La refugee camp and a …
Apprehensive of protests, junta tightens security in Rangoon
Mizzima.com, India –
New Delhi – Security in Burma’s former capital of Rangoon has been stepped up several notches with rumours of impending protests swirling around the city, …
Those who talk, those who walk
United Press International, Asia, Hong Kong –
That is, Burma will remain immune from Thai and most ASEAN pressure to reform, and Thailand itself will continue to see US military sales to the country …
US President Bush visits Bangkok, Thailand
ISRIA (subscription), DC –
America reiterates our call on Burma’s military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. We’ll continue working until the people of …
Asia Times Online, Hong Kong –
In 2003, Congress passed the Freedom and Democracy Act after an attack on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s motorcade by government-organized thugs …
‘Intl community should push for political reforms in Myanmar’
Economic Times, India –
“As the world celebrates the opening of the Beijing Olympics, people should pause to remember the atrocities in Burma 20 years ago,” said Elaine Pearson, …
Burma In The Shadow Of The Olympics
Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia –
All this is so very applicable in the Myanmar of today. Members of the Burmese junta could not have acted out of love when they used naked force to smash …
CSW wants UN to intervene in Burma crisis
ChristianToday, UK –
by Anne Thomas Christian Solidarity Worldwide is calling for “urgent, specific and meaningful action” from the UN to address Burma’s ongoing political and …
Searching for Democracy Twenty Years On
The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand –
Paradoxically, the regime led by Snr-Gen Than Shwe thought it could save the country from “disintegration” and “anarchy.” The most disturbing thing is the …
Arakanese Community Stages Protest in Dhaka against 2010 Election
Narinjara News, Bangladesh –
… Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo, because their detention is unjust and unfair, and is furthermore against the current laws of Burma,” said Ko Kyaw Myint. …
Myanmar nationals living in Thailand and members of human rights groups chant anti-junta slogans and wave placards calling for the release of democracy icon and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi during a demonstration outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok August 8, 2008.
… burnt Myanmar flags and waved placards calling for the release of democracy icon and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest in …
BBC News, UK –
Until the 8/8/88 protests, Aung San Suu Kyi was only known as the daughter of liberation hero Aung San, but her speech to the assembled protesters during …
Bush Calls On Myanmar, China To Respect Rights
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey –
“America reiterates our call on Burma’s military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners,” he said. “We will continue working until …
William Holston Jr.: Rally tonight in Dallas to support Burmese …
Dallas Morning News, TX –
Within two years, one of the young activists, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, received the Nobel Peace Prize. She was unable to attend the ceremony, however…
Myanmar activists mark 20th anniversary of crushed democracy
Monsters and Critics.com –
… which he promised to ‘seek an end to tyranny in Burma,’ and reiterated the call for Myanmar’s regime to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi who …
US president’s trip to China starts off on a frosty note
Press and Journal, UK –
Mr Bush has said he wants to enjoy the 2008 Summer Olympics, but also will talk to President Hu Jintao about human rights and a host of other bilateral …
Activists rally in Philippines for democracy in Myanmar
Monsters and Critics.com –
‘Sports, according to the Olympics charter, should promote human rights and social justice,’ said Egoy Bans, spokesman for the Free Burma …
Myanmar’s bloody “8-8-88” uprising remembered
guardian.co.uk, UK –
… laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest in Yangon. In the Philippine capital Manila, activists from the Free Burma Coalition and Amnesty …
Security tight on anniversary of Myanmar uprising
The Associated Press –
He later joined about 100 others outside the Myanmar Embassy. They chanted “Free Burma, Free Aung San Suu Kyi” and threw red paper airplanes with the …
Dublin event to mark anniversary of Burma uprising
Belfast Telegraph, United Kingdom –
An event is due to be held on Dublin’s O’Connell Street this afternoon to mark the 20th anniversary of the pro-democracy uprising in Burma. …
Denver Post, CO –
By Steven Lee Myers First lady Laura Bush sits with students during a visit to a refugee camp on the Thai-Myanmar border Thursday. …
For peace in Nagaland, dialogue among Nagas must succeed (Commentary)
SINDH TODAY, Pakistan –
But Muivah and Swu stood firm along with Khaplang, their comrade in western Burma (Myanmar), and forced a split in the NNC, one which gave birth to the NSCN …
Stuck between the summit and the roundtable
Business Day, South Africa –
Help to Cuba and the Palestinians, blocking UN managerial reform, and manoeuvring around tougher action on Burma and Iran. None of this does one bit for …
MiamiHerald.com, FL –
When IOC Vice President Kim Un-Yong was jailed a few years ago, charged with embezzling millions and receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks …
Myanmar revolt crackdown remembered
Aljazeera.net, Qatar –
However, Bush also heard criticism of Washington’s stance towards Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, for forcing the generals into isolation. …
EWEN’S COMPLETES HIS MISSION FOR BURMA
Guide and Gazette, UK –
In June, Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy published a joint statement, in an open letter to Burma’s democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi: “We wish to use this …
China tells Bush to stay out of its affairs
Dispatch Online, South Africa –
Burma – called Myanmar by the regime – marks the 20th anniversary of a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy activists today. Laura Bush flew for the day to …
Scoop.co.nz, New Zealand –
by J. Sri Raman, On August 8, a small team of six athletes from Burma is scheduled to participate in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing. …
Bangor Daily News, ME –
… for human rights, harsh treatment of Tibet, its omnipresent censorship and its financial dealings with morally corrupt regimes in Sudan, Burma and Iran. …
Conditions in Myanmar much starker than previously assessed, AP finds
Kansas City Star, MO –
… assistance to enable them to rebuild their lives,” said Andrew Kirkwood, who heads the aid agency Save the Children in Myanmar, also known as Burma. …
Crazy eights: Chinese, wedding parties and birthday celebrators …
Naples Daily News, FL –
The sole exception would be in Burma, officially known as Myanmar, where such a protest would likely be considered suicide. On August 8, 1988, which has one ..
Rights groups cry for freedom of ‘prisoners of conscience’
Cebu Daily News, Philippines –
At that time in Myanmar, Burmese students gathered and staged demonstrations calling for democracy. These quickly spread in different parts of Myanmar until …
Myanmar’s bloody “8-8-88” uprising remembered
guardian.co.uk, UK –
After last year’s large-scale fuel-price rallies, the generals in charge of the former Burma are taking no chances, with extra police and pro-government …
The Moderate Voice –
It is sad to say that there will probably be very little done to help the suffering people of Burma/Myanmar. (1) The Moderate Voice’s comments are hosted by …
Chinese FM conveys congratulations on 41st anniversary of ASEAN …
Xinhua, China –
8, 1967 for boosting regional integration, ASEAN later absorbed Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia as its members. …
Radio Australia, Australia –
LAMEY: It speaks volumes about Burma that the country of 47 million can muster only 6 athletes to compete in Beijing. And for many in that country, …
Bush Criticizes China In Bangkok Speech
WMUR, NH –
BEIJING — President George W. Bush arrived in China Thursday on a trip that his aides hope will keep a positive focus on the Olympic spirit while showing …
Bush annoys Chinese with human rights speech
Birmingham Star, AL –
… watching Hu’s color on his face, doing nothing to give a hand to help Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi to get released from house-arrest; now visiting China, …
UN rights envoy ends Burma visit
The Standard, Hong Kong –
A United Nations human rights envoy held “constructive” talks with junta leaders in Burma and was allowed to meet with detained pro-democracy activists …
Contra Costa Times, CA –
Political satire remains a dangerous pastime in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. But Maung Yit and two other local Myanmar exiles use their comfortable …
InTheNews.co.uk, UK –
But the number eight holds a further significance today, for it is exactly 20 years since the 8888 uprising in Burma. What started out as a student-led …
InTheNews.co.uk, UK –
Today the generals of Burma – officially the State Peace and Development Council – mark an unofficial 20th birthday of sorts. Twenty years ago to the day …
China key to Burma’s ‘survival’
InTheNews.co.uk, UK –
Attempts by the United Nations security council to place limits on the junta have been stymied by China and Russia, who have blocked sanctions and arms …
Philippines: Myanmar Exile Calls For More Pressure On Generals
Khun Myint Tun, right, Member of Parliament Union of Burma who won a seat during the national elections in 1990 but not allowed to assume power, is joined by Filipino supporters during a press conference. (Photo courtesy: AP Photo/Pat Roque)
Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia –
Khun Myint Tun, right, Member of Parliament Union of Burma who won a seat during the national elections in 1990 but not allowed to assume power, …
Myanmar: Dissident Myanmar Comic Charged By Court
Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia –
The UN estimated Myanmar to have more than 1100 political prisoners. Quintana said he has asked the government to let him return to Myanmar in March 2009 …
Bangkok Post, Thailand –
The cause of Burma’s freedom, democracy and human rights was poignantly served but whether Mr Bush and his wife’s gestures will make any difference on the …
Secret court may jail Burma comic Maung Thura for helping Cyclone …
Times Online, UK –
Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, left Rangoon last night after a four-day visit during which he went to Insein jail …
Myanmar: Dissident Myanmar Comic Charged By Court
Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia –
Before he was detained, Zarganar said he and more than 400 entertainers in Myanmar volunteered to help victims of the cyclone, making several trips to …
International Herald Tribune, France –
… his Thursday speech represented criticisms of China, though he also criticized the authoritarian leaders of North Korea and Myanmar, the former Burma. …
PRESS DIGEST – Thai newspapers – Aug 8
Reuters –
US President George W. Bush said the United States sought an end to tyranny in Myanmar as he and first Lady Laura Bush spent much of their time in Thailand …
Bangkok Post, Thailand –
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL and AP United States President George Bush yesterday vowed to continue exerting pressure on Burma’s military regime. …
Why US president met the Burmese at envoy’s house
Bangkok Post, Thailand –
The process was secretly and carefully arranged, given the sensitivity of the issue, which could have affected Thailand’s relations with Burma. …
Than Shwe, the head of the military junta, that “the time for a free Burma is now.” Another image from Laura Bush’s camp visit. …
No moving backwards, despite the junta
Bangkok Post, Thailand –
If the future is to be better, the United Nations’ Security Council and Burma’s Asian neighbours must cease turning a blind eye to human rights violations …
20th Anniversary of the 8888 Uprising
Scoop.co.nz (press release), New Zealand –
Today (8 08 2008) marks the 20th anniversary of Burma’s largest national democratic uprising when millions of Burmese citizens bravely marched through the …
What if you gave a dinner party and the Axis of Evil came?
USA Today –
Q: Speaking of Burma, what are your thoughts on the ethics of making tourist visits to countries with long, dark records of human-rights abuses? …
Stop the dream, I want to get off
Ha’aretz, Israel –
And the presidents of Zimbabwe, Myanmar (Burma), Sudan and North Korea will also be there – all of them criminals against humanity and bosom buddies of the …
A round-up of today’s world news
Irish Times, Ireland –
RANGOON – The new United Nations human rights envoy to Burma, Argentine lawyer Tomas Ojea Quintana, met five prominent political prisoners on his first trip …
Bush In Bangkok Blasts Burma & China
Scoop.co.nz, New Zealand –
On Thursday (August 6), President Bush visits the Mercy Center, a slum-based group of schools, AIDS hospices, orphanages, and medical clinics in Bangkok run …
The Canberra Times, Australia –
Dr Thaung Htun is the Representative for United Nations Affairs of the Burma UN Service Office, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, …
Olympics Demonstration in London
Zimbabwejournalists.com, UK –
Representatives of Burma, Sudan, Tibet and Zimbabwe will lay flowers in mourning for the deaths of millions of victims of dictators supported by China. …
Jolie plans to build an AIDS clinic in Ethiopia
Birmingham Star, AL –
“The next trip for our foundation will most likely to be Asia to follow up on the situation in Burma and our work in Cambodia, Jolie said.
Regret, anger for Burma’s ’88 uprising exiles
ABC Online, Australia –
On the day now stamped in his memory as 8.8.88, Nyo Ohn Myint was certain that change was finally within reach in his military-ruled homeland of Burma. …
Voice of America –
Burma’s government also sat on visa applications from the United Nations and humanitarian agencies. It took pressure from the UN and the Association of …
Behind the story: it’s like arresting Rowan Atkinson or Ricky Gervais
Times Online, UK –
But the work to which they committed themselves — raising and distributing aid to the victims of the cyclone — was inescapably political. …
The Hypocrisy of The Democrats
ProLife Blogs –
Excerpts from it show how hypocritical he is: Will we stand for the human rights of the dissident in Burma, the blogger in Iran, or the voter in Zimbabwe? …
Bush says US firmly opposed to China’s repression
Amador Ledger-Dispatch, CA –
The president plans to quickly pivot from his speech to a full day of outreach toward the people of Myanmar, also known as Burma, who live under military …
President and Mrs. Bush Visit USAID Programs in Thailand
MarketWatch –
The Bushes also were briefed on USAID’s ongoing work in Burma to ensure that the survivors of May’s Cyclone Nargis have access to food and the ability to …
UN Envoy Receives ‘Good Signs’ From Burma
Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN Human Rights Council investigator for Burma, plays with Burmese schoolchildren as he inspects cyclone-davasted Irrawaddy river delta at Kyaukalat village, 05 Aug 2008
Voice of America –
By VOA News The United Nations human rights envoy for Burma says he received “good signs” that the ruling junta accepted his need to investigate allegations …
Bush calls for freedom in China
The Canberra Times, Australia –
The President planned to quickly pivot from his speech to a full day of outreach toward the people of Burma, who live under military rule across the border. …
Voice of America –
By Pros Laput Some Burmese had expressed hope that Cyclone Nargis would lead to the collapse of the military government. The cyclone, which hit Burma three …
The real challenge for China: what does it do after the Games?
The National, United Arab Emirates –
… nuclear concerns, but is increasingly criticised for its silence on Burma and Darfur, treatment of the Tibetan crisis and its own human rights record. …
UN Burma envoy concludes first visit
Radio Australia, Australia –
The new UN human rights envoy for Burma has wound up a five-day visit to the country saying he’s received positive signs the military government accepts his …
Burma: No Rights Reform 20 Years After Massacre
Human Rights Watch (press release) –
China’s actions, such as blocking UN Security Council action on Burma, have frustrated efforts by the Burmese people to enlist other countries and the …
US President Leaves Thailand for China
RedOrbit, TX –
… are different from the US’s interest on Burma,” said Win Min, one of nine Thailand-based Myanmar dissidents who lunched with Bush Thursday in Bangkok.
Bush Goes Looking for Relevance, A Legacy in Asia
Huffington Post, NY –
While in Bangkok, Bush plans to meet Burmese activists, while first lady, Laura — a bit of Burma activist herself — trips up to Mae La, the largest of the …
UN rights envoy meets Myanmar political prisoners
Reuters –
The former Burma’s military rulers are generally impervious to outside pressure, but have allowed in UN representatives since they crushed pro-democracy …
‘India must review its policy on Burma’
Howrah News Service, India –
He felt India’s ties with the junta has not been good for the people of Burma. “There is no trickle-down effect on the people,” he said, alluding to huge …
The Associated Press –
… assistance to enable them to rebuild their lives,” said Andrew Kirkwood, who heads the aid agency Save the Children in Myanmar, also known as Burma. …
Bush slams China over rights record
Inquirer.net, Philippines –
Another focus of Bush’s visit to Thailand is neighboring Burma (Myanmar), which is under heavy US sanctions to try to bring an end to 46 years of unbroken …
McCain’s “League of Democracies” Proposal, Rejected by Allies …
AlterNet, CA –
India, the world’s largest democracy, has also been reluctant to enlist in various campaigns, such as isolating Burma or Iran, which Washington and its …
Beijing holds key to change in Burma
Financial Times, UK –
He had given interviews to foreign media criticising the regime’s slow response to cyclone Nargis, which left 133000 people dead or missing in May this year …
US president affirms commitment to Burma
Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway –
The US president spoke of his frustration with the delays in relief supplies getting to Burma after the cyclone, but said he felt it was the right decision …
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