Burma/Myanmar: 44 children die of starvation; 2,000 flee to India

Children Die in Chin State Famine

By SAW YAN NAING

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

More than 30 children have died in a famine in Chin state, western Burma, according to the Chin National Council, an exile rights group.

The famine was caused by a plague of rats, which ate rice stocks in many of the state’s villages.

Another Chin group, the Chin Human Rights Organization, said the famine had hit about 20 percent of the state’s population, or at least 100,000 people.

“They have no food,” said Lian H Sakhong, a leader of the Chin Humanitarian and Relief Committee. “Unless we provide sufficient relief soon, the situation will become worse.”

He pleaded with donors to contact the Chin Humanitarian and Relief Committee so that relief can be rushed to the stricken areas.

The famine occurs about every 50 years when the flowering of a native species of bamboo gives rise to an explosion in the rat population. The International Rice Research Institute has warned of “widespread food shortages” because of the crisis.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article1.php?art_id=13943

44 children die of starvation; 2,000 flee to India

August 21, 2008 – Famine plaguing Chin state in western Burma killed 44 children after they were afflicted by malnutrition and diarrhea, according to Chin National Council’s secretary Pu Ralhnin. Faced with starvation around 2,000 people have fled to India.

“All the victims are children. They died from malnutrition and diarrhea, Pu Ralhnin said.

The children who died from malnutrition and diarrhea – as a result of food shortage in Chin state – are from Surngen, Tisen (A, B), Sentun, Ngalang, Lawngzuite, Lawngtlang villages in Thangtlang Township.

“Since they had nothing to eat, they looked for Yams in the jungle and had it as their daily meal. It led to malnutrition and diarrhea,” he added.

Meanwhile faced with starvation, around 2,000 villagers from Paletwa Township, one of the worst affected areas in Chin state have fled to Mizoram state in northeast India.

“I heard that around 2000 Khumi people from Paletwa region had arrived in some areas in Mizoram close to the Indo-Burma border because they are facing food shortage and there is nobody to help them,” Terah, coordinator of Chin Famine Emergency and Relief Committee based in Mizoram said.

The villagers belong to the Khumi tribe from famine hit areas in Paletwa township. They entered illegally to take refuge in Saiha district and Lawngtlai district in Mizoram.

Terah also said that most of the villagers from Paletwa Township are in search of whatever jobs are available in Mizoram for survival.

Bamboo flowering began on the Indo-Burma border in late 2006 leading to multiplication of rats in the region. The rats gradually invaded the farmlands and destroyed crops such as paddy and maize – the main staple food of Chin state.

As a result along the Indo-Burma border areas, over 100,000 people, heavily dependant on cultivation are facing food shortage.

Initially, the most affected areas were Paletwa, Matupi, Thangtlang township but later the phenomenon spread to northern Chin state.

Since early July, rodents started devouring crops in several farms of some areas in Tamu and Kalay Township in Sagaing division. The farmers were helpless, unable to contain the situation.

“Since early July, rats have been destroying several crops such as paddy and maize planted in farms in our villagers,” a villager from Khanpat said.

Despite the local authorities distributing rat poison to farmers in Kalay to prevent further spread of rats in the region, the farmers said that using the poison is no longer effective.

The Burmese regime said that it had provided rat poison and around 1000 bags of rice to the affected areas in Chin state.

The locals from the affected areas in Chin state denied that they had received any aid from local authorities. – KHONUMTHUNG.

http://khonumthung.com/kng-news/2008-news-archive/august-2008/44-children-die-of-starvation-2-000-flee-to-india

World Focus on Burma (19 May 08)

Former Australian minister backs military intervention in Burma
Radio Australia, Australia –
The former Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer is pushing for military intervention to deliver aid to Burma’s cyclone victims. …

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Amid pressure, Myanmar eases aid restrictions
Globe and Mail, Canada –
Myanmar, also known as Burma, said it will open its doors to teams from the 10 ASEAN countries, Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo told reporters after …

Marvell Pledges Aid to Victims of Sichuan Earthquake and Cyclone … PR Newswire (press release), NY – … with a company contribution of up to $1 million for victims of the disastrous Sichuan earthquake and the cyclone in Burma, also known as Myanmar. …MRVL

British minister says aid plan for Myanmar must work quickly, no … PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria – … ready to change approach if the tactic doesn’t work quickly, or if there is any outbreak of disease among survivors in Myanmar, also known as Burma. …

Cyclones and Sanctions Reason Online, CA – As David Steinberg points out in Burma: The State of Myanmar, any observer “would have pointed to Burma as the potential economic and political leader of …

Press Briefing by Scott Stanzel Whitehouse.gov (press release), DC – Q And second, as far as earthquake in China and Burma is concerned, one, can you confirm there are some reports now again as far as earthquake in China, …

Myanmar letting in some foreign staff for cyclone aid Hinesberg Journal, Canada – YANGON, Myanmar – After weeks of international pressure, Myanmar agreed to let in medical teams from neighboring countries and give the Association of …

Sonoma-Mendocino Red Cross seeks help Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CA – But many have been deterred by news the junta government of Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been refusing help from foreign aid agencies and governments, …

Statement by Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for … 7thSpace Interactive (press release), NY – … that we will use the regional channel to deliver aid if that is the fastest and most practical way to meet the urgent needs of the people of Burma. …

The DCI Group Responds On Burma
Atlantic Online –
The firm plans to release a statement to the press about its work for the government of Myanmar six years ago. Why, I asked, did DCI terminate its contract …

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Myanmar cyclone: The internet will shame Burma’s junta, says …
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom –
The Prime Minister said that in the internet age a reclusive country like Burma, also known as Myanmar, can no longer remain hidden away from the world. …

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MSN Money UK

BAD START TO THE YEAR OF THE RAT
Foreign Correspondent, Canada –
The recent cyclone in Burma (Myanmar) and the massive earthquake in China seemed to tragically confirm the astrologer’s predictions about the Year of the …
Disasters show true colours Cape Breton Post
Dealing with Burma’s junta TheChronicleHerald.ca
Chinese and Burmese community urges more aid from Ottawa 680 News
National Post – BBC News
all 214 news articles »

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AFP

US says aid has helped 100000 in Myanmar AFP – “It’s our view that we would like to continue to do more,” spokesman Scott Stanzel told reporters in Washington, where the country is referred to as Burma. … ASEAN to take lead in Burma relief Melbourne Herald Sun Burma to admit more foreign aid The Age Hopes for Myanmar cyclone aid rise as ASEAN meets Washington Post Swissinfo – Bloomberg all 514 news articles »

The Age

Myanmar cyclone: Burma’s junta announces three days of mourning Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom – Mr Ban himself will arrive in Burma, also known as Myanmar, on Wednesday. Seventeen days after the cyclone as many as two million survivors are yet to … Burma softens stance on cyclone aid guardian.co.uk The Return of Burma’s Monks TIME The Cyclone Is Not The Only Disaster CBS News Independent – Inquirer.net all 584 news articles »

ITV.com

Internet can force change in Myanmar: Brown AFP – “It is true that in Burma we have not been able to get as much food and supplies into Burma that we would like but now a country like Burma cannot remain … Blogs will shame Burma into action, says Brown Metro Brown promises “light touch” tech regulation Reuters British Prime Minister Criticizes Burma Over Failure to Allow in … Voice of America Times Online – ITV.com all 408 news articles »

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Burma eases foreign aid restrictions
CBC.ca, Canada –
“We will establish a mechanism so that aid from all over the world can flow into Myanmar [Burma],” Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo told reporters. …

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Public appeal – support for Myanmar (Burma)
ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland –
We should not stop in appealing to government and international institutions to put pressure on the government of Burma in order to acquire permission to …

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TopNews

Open wallets for Burma, urges Rudd NEWS.com.au, Australia – PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has urged Australians not to hold back from donating to the relief operation in Burma, as aid was getting through. … ‘It’s difficult in there. It’s like walking a tightrope’ The Age Tim Costello dejected over inability to help in Burma Sydney Morning Herald Cyclone Nargis to have bigger impact than Tsunami Thaindian.com The Age – NEWS.com.au all 43 news articles »

BBC News

Myanmar: 3 days of mourning for cyclone victims The Associated Press – YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s military government has announced a three-day mourning period for victims of Cyclone Nargis beginning Tuesday. … Myanmar announces mourning period Bombay News » Myanmar mourns for 3 days iAfrica.com Myanmar to observe three days of mourning CBS 42 WBOC TV 16 all 78 news articles »

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UK, Japanese Officials Visit Burma to Investigate Cyclone Relief
RedOrbit, TX –
… Kimura are currently in Yangon to look into the status of Myanmar [Burma]’s relief and resettlement works in the aftermath of the cyclone disaster, …

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Myanmar (Burma): Helping children cope with the trauma
UNICEF UK (press release), UK –
Khin San Win, 35, her husband and their 3-year-old son, Mg Myo Min Thant, are back in their village in southwestern Myanmar (Burma) and staying with friends …

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Getting aid to the right people
ic Wales, United Kingdom –
This is the telegenic aid fantasy that has hooked some politicians in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis and the government of Myanmar’s (Burma’s) refusal to …
‘Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar’: ASEAN emergency rapid assessment team … ReliefWeb (press release)
Why Not Air Drop Supplies Into Myanmar? Chronicle of Philanthropy (subscription)
all 7 news articles »

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Brave young Myanmar doctors head to disaster zone
Reuters –
YANGON (Reuters) – The young doctors of Myanmar treating cyclone survivors may see things many doctors never see. Hundreds of doctors barely out of Yangon …
Burma health system strained by cyclone CTV.ca
Aid-wary Burma allows medics in The Times
Thai, Indian doctors allowed to enter Myanmar Globe and Mail
all 279 news articles »

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Corpus Christi Caller Times

Clean, natural is in again Times Record News, TX – “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Those words of William Morris — British poet, socialist and … Sun shines a light on art Corpus Christi Caller Times Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Graduate list Corpus Christi Caller Times all 974 news articles »

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China, Indonesia helped Burma block aid
New Europe, Belgium –
… adding that France would not move from its position, even at the risk of antagonising China, which is close to the government in Myanmar (Burma). …

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Tavish asks islanders to give for Burma
Shetland News, UK –
Donations can be made by phone on 0870 6060 900, online at http://www.dec.org.uk or by post to DEC Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal, PO Box 232, Melksham, SN12 6WF.
Shop at Ethical Superstore to help cyclone victims Hippy Shopper
all 2 news articles »

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TopNews

Int’l aid agencies: Aid far from enough, but progress is seen
Xinhua, China –
BANGKOK, May 19 (Xinhua) — Food, health supplies and aid staff flown into Myanmar are still far insufficient to meet the need of an estimated 2.4 million …
Thailand airport to act as Burma aid staging area Radio Australia
Bangkok’s old airport becomes relief hub for Myanmar (Roundup) Monsters and Critics.com
Myanmar to Admit Thai Doctors as West Presses for More Access Bloomberg
Xinhua – Monsters and Critics.com
all 17 news articles »

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San Diego Union Tribune

Myanmar family can only wait for news San Diego Union Tribune, United States – The United Nations says more than 2 million people in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma, urgently need food, water and shelter since the country …

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From Another Perspective: Myanmar regime worries more over image …
Hillsboro Times Gazette, OH –
A tragedy is taking shape in Myanmar (aka Burma), as yet another totalitarian regime places its grasp on power above the welfare and even lives of its …

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Burma junta agrees to let in more aid
The Age, Australia –
“We will establish a mechanism so that aid from all over the world can flow into Myanmar (Burma).” The entry of aid workers from outside ASEAN would be …

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CBBC Newsround

Buddhist monks establish aid network
Toronto Star, Canada –
Kyaw said the monks inside Burma, also known as Myanmar, are relying on an international network of Burmese Buddhists in order to fund the purchase of …
Myanmar cyclone: Forced labour camp fears Telegraph.co.uk
Survivors seek refuge from rain amid the death and turmoil guardian.co.uk
Cyclone victim prefers ruins over government camp Reuters
National Post – San Francisco Chronicle
all 32 news articles »

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Relief as war in Myanmar
Asia Times Online, Hong Kong –
A May 17 report on the situation from the US Campaign for Burma, an exile-run advocacy group, said cyclone victims in Set Su village, Bogalay township, …

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Relatives search Web for images of Burma’s cyclone victims
Toronto Star, Canada –
Two weeks after the cyclone, Burma – also known as Myanmar – still lacks the network of missing person information that helped foreign tourists and locals …

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Thailand, Myanmar to develop Tavoy deepsea port
Thai News Agency MCOT, Thailand –
SINGAPORE, May 19 (TNA) – Foreign ministers of Thailand and Myanmar early Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop Myanmar’s Tavoy …

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Human zoo opens in Thailand Daily Telegraph, Australia – There are tens of thousands of Kayan refugees living in camps on the Thai-Burma border who are theoretically denied permission to work in Thailand. …

Survivors recall Nargis’ fury, junta’s neglect Globe and Mail, Canada – Myanmar, also known as Burma, claims its military and local volunteers have control of the disaster, but Ms. Win saw a different reality. …

Disaster experts must be let in to get the aid to the right people
ic Wales, United Kingdom –
This is the telegenic aid fantasy that has hooked some politicians in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis and the government of Myanmar’s (Burma’s) refusal to …

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UN chief Ban plans to visit Myanmar starting Wednesday
Earthtimes (press release), UK –
New York – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon plans to travel this week to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar to push for speedier relief efforts, which continue to move …

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UN chief Ban plans to visit Myanmar starting Wednesday
Earthtimes (press release), UK –
New York – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon plans to travel this week to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar to push for speedier relief efforts, which continue to move …

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Cyclone aid breakthrough could be close
Radio New Zealand, New Zealand –
A breakthrough could be near on a framework to get aid to the millions needing help after Cycone Nargis came ashore in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta earlier …

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UN leaders given access to Myanmar cyclone zone
Bradenton Herald, United States –
… British Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown told the British Broadcasting Corp. that he believes the rulers of Myanmar – also known as Burma …

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Hopes for Myanmar cyclone aid rise
elEconomista.es, Spain –
The UN also wants a conference in Bangkok on May 24 tomarshal funds for the relief effort in the former Burma, wherethe military government has so far …

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Myanmar’s Neighbors to Announce Cyclone Relief Plan (Update1)
Bloomberg –
Hundreds of thousands of people are without shelter as Southeast Asia’s monsoon rains begin in the country formerly known as Burma. …

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A symbolic, inconsistent stance from Ron Paul
SouthCoastToday.com, MA –
Last week, when a congressional resolution merely offering “condolences and sympathy” to the people of Myanmar, also known as Burma, came up for a vote, …

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Aid agencies battling to provide relief
The Mercury (subscription), South Africa –
YANGONK: Witnesses returning from the southern Myanmar delta devastated by Cyclone Nargis said that the situation was desperate and that many survivors were …

The Party of Death New Republic (subscription), DC – Suffice it to say that, yes, Burma is a postcolonial country whose paranoia can perhaps be explained by the fact that long ago it had to endure the miasma …

UN humanitarian chief travels to cyclone-devastated delta in Myanmar Malaysia Star, Malaysia – British Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown told the British Broadcasting Corp. that he believes the rulers of Myanmar – also known as Burma – may …

Burmese woman teaching English to other Burmese in Frederick Examiner.com – Wipf’s mother died two days before Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar (formerly Burma), killing more than 30000 people. Wipf has lived for years in Frederick …

ASEAN to hold emergency meeting to discuss Myanmar crisis All India Radio, India – The ministers would be hoping that the Myanmar’s who has blocked all but a fraction of foreign aid offered so far, might accept help from Asian countries. …

High-ranking foreign officials look into Myanmar cyclone relief works Xinhua, China – Both of the two high-ranking foreign officials, who arrived in the biggest city of Myanmar on Sunday, met with Myanmar Minister of National Planning and …

Myanmar to offer disaster zone tour to 29 nations Antara, Indonesia – Tokyo (ANTARA News/afp) – Myanmar plans to allow officials from 29 nations to visit cyclone-hit areas in an effort to ease criticism of relief operations, …

UN chief’s trip to push Myanmar to allow aid
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA –
By Reuters YANGON — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will travel to Myanmar this week to try to speed up troubled cyclone relief, his spokeswoman said …

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The consequences of climate change
Manila Standard Today, Philippines –
Rita Linda V. Jimeno By the day, the number of dead in cyclone-hit Burma (re-named Myanmar by the military regime) increases. …

LDS Church finds way to help cyclone victims in Myanmar ABC 4, Salt Lake City – SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – Humanitarian aid has had a difficult time reaching more than a million homeless people Myanmar after the devastating cyclone …

Myanmar’s disaster; SMS or cell broadcasting for early warning?
Lanka Business Online, Sri Lanka –
The loss of tens of thousands of lives in Burma (Myanmar) in our region’s largest human disaster since the 2004 tsunami (I no longer call these events …

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UN leaders given access to Myanmar cyclone zone The Associated Press – … British Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown told the British Broadcasting Corp. that he believes the rulers of Myanmar — also known as Burma …

Special moments for these special people Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates – He fled Burma (Myanmar) after losing his land and home to come to Dubai via Pakistan on a Bangladeshi passport. He’s worked hard nearly every day of those …

Mercy Corps & Chevron & Wal-Mart
The Oregonian – OregonLive.com, OR –
I have never quite understood, and it is my ignorance, why non-profits like Mercy Corps have to spend a great deal of their acquired ‘gifts’ in foreign …

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Burma donations top £8m
TeleText, UK –
Britons’ donations to the Cyclone Nargis crisis fund have topped £8m as hopes rise that Burma could soon open up to more foreign aid. …

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ASEAN FMs meet in Singapore on aid to Myanmar
Xinhua, China –
SINGAPORE, May 19 (Xinhua) — Foreign ministers of Southeast Asian nations are meeting here Monday to discuss help for cyclone-hit Myanmar. …

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Thailand offers Don Mueang Airport as relief hub for Myanmar
Monsters and Critics.com –
Although Myanmar’s military rulers have welcomed international assistance to the estimated 2.5 million people affected by Cyclone Nargis, which hit the …

US, Burma: two disasters, one response China Post, Taiwan – Taipei City — Living in Asia, I have been following the recent disaster in Myanmar very closely. The local news here in Taiwan has provided non-stop …

Myanmar general visits survivors Aljazeera.net, Qatar – The cyclone struck southwest Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, earlier this month and the UN believes nearly 134000 people have died or are missing, …

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Burma neighbours in cyclone talks BBC News, UK – The Association of South East Asian Nation (Asean) is due to hold urgent talks to discuss ways of helping Burma’s cyclone victims. …

Thailand airport to act as Burma aid staging area Radio Australia, Australia – Thailand has agreed Bangkok’s ageing Don Mueang Airport as a staging post for aid heading to cyclone-hit Burma. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had …

7:33 pm: $70K donated for Myanmar relief
Anderson Herald Bulletin, IN –
ANDERSON — Representatives of the Church of God in Myanmar met with Dr. Paul Maxfield, executive director of Children of Promise, in Manila to receive the …

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PM condemns “inhuman” Burmese regime
Scoop.co.nz (press release), New Zealand –
The natural disaster in Burma has now become a “man-made catastrophe”, the Prime Minister has said. In an interview broadcast by the BBC World Service this …

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Prising the door open
guardian.co.uk, UK –
Not so Burma: 17 days after Cyclone Nargis struck the Irrawaddy delta, a senior UN envoy was still hammering on the junta’s door yesterday, pleading for …

Glimmer of hope for Burma’s dying children as UK minister signals … guardian.co.uk, UK – Holmes is due to tour the worst-hit areas in the Irrawaddy delta ahead of the arrival of the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, in Burma later this week to …

Air Force to take relief material to quake-affected China
Chandigarh Newsline, India –
… Lebanon, Pakistan and USA and very recently to Myanmar (Burma). Evacuation of stranded people has also been carried out on a large scale from Yemen, …

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Turkish Press

Hopes for Myanmar cyclone aid rise as ASEAN meets
Reuters –
“But, like all turning points in Burma, the corner will have a few ‘S’ bends in it,” Malloch-Brown said in Yangon, where he saw a series of top officials. …
Myanmar’s Neighbors to Announce Cyclone Relief Plan (Update1) Bloomberg
UN leaders given access to Myanmar cyclone zone The Associated Press
High-ranking foreign officials look into Myanmar cyclone relief works Xinhua
BBC News – guardian.co.uk
all 509 news articles »

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TopNews

Burma wants aid-pledging conference
NEWS.com.au, Australia –
“We will mandate the ASEAN Secretary General to go there to assess the situation in Myanmar (Burma) and we will listen to the Myanmar foreign minister …
Thailand airport to act as Burma aid staging area Radio Australia
Airport may be relief hub Bangkok Post
Bangkok’s old airport to be center for WFP aid to Myanmar Xinhua
Monsters and Critics.com – Nation Multimedia
all 22 news articles »

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Fundraiser in Newark for victims in Myanmar a success
Daily Review Online, CA –
Inside, some supporters watched a video slideshow of what is left of Myanmar, also known as Burma. One of the many organizers, Ken Htun from Fremont Burmese …
Locals mobilize for Burma relief Contra Costa Times
all 10 news articles »

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Voice of America

Send in the Latrines
New York Times, United States –
By ROSE GEORGE IT’S the rainy season in Myanmar. It’s also cholera season. When Cyclone Nargis arrived two weeks ago, the waters it unleashed destroyed …
Human Rights Watch condemns Myanmar constitutional vote Radio Australia
Monitors needed to protect Myanmar aid–rights group Inquirer.net
Human Rights Watch: Governments Should Reject Burmese Referendum … Voice of America
Human Rights Watch (press release) – Times Online
all 21 news articles »

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Schools get influx of Myanmar children
Durham Herald Sun, NC –
The school system has welcomed about 100 refugee children who originally fled Burma — now Myanmar — and have lived in refugee camps in Thailand, …

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Netlets for Sunday, May 18
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN –
If ever there was a clear cause for military intervention, the situation in Burma is one. The United Nations estimates that over 100000 people have died. …

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Cowra aid for Burma
Cowra Guardian, Australia –
Recent Cyclone Nargis that affected the Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar (Burma) has left unbelievable destruction in the country and over one million people …
Grafton Rotary club gives Burma aid ABC Regional Online
all 2 news articles »

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They say ‘Myanmar,’ I say ‘Burma’
Augusta Chronicle (subscription), GA –
At the hotel each day we got a USA Today newspaper, which used the name Burma. Then we heard “Myanmar, formerly called Burma” on television. …

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CKCO

Myanmar cyclone: Leader of Burmese junta Than Shwe visits refugee camp
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom –
Lord Malloch-Brown – the first British minister to visit Burma in 15 years – said: “We’re just going to have to see what negotiations in the coming days by …
Myanmar junta to open disaster area to foreign VIPs The Daily Yomiuri
Uncertainty on kin’s fate worry Burmese in Baguio City Inquirer.net
World Anger Mounts at Burmese Delays in Cyclone Disaster Deutsche Welle
Telegraph.co.uk – Telegraph.co.uk
all 519 news articles »

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World Focus on Burma (12-12-2007)

1. un’s Pinheiro seeks return to Myanmar, meet opposition leaders
   International Herald Tribune, France – 11 hours ago
   AP GENEVA: The un’s special investigator on human rights in Myanmar said Tuesday he wants to return to the country as soon as possible to examine the …
2. Forgetting Myanmar all over again
   Taipei Times, Taiwan –
   By Seth Mydans The streets are quiet in Myanmar. The “destructive elements” are in jail. The international outcry has faded. The junta’s grip on power seems …
3. Thailand: 20000+ Burma Refugees Resettled
   Scoop.co.nz, New Zealand – 11 hours ago
   Last week, under the world’s largest refugee resettlement programme, the number of Myanmar refugees who had left Thailand to begin new lives in third …
4. Departures Of Burma Refugees From Thailand Top 20K
   Scoop.co.nz, New Zealand –
   This cultural orientation is one of the crucial steps on a journey that has opened up new worlds to more than 20000 refugees from Myanmar who have left …
5. Myanmar: Monks flee to Bangladesh to evade arrest
   ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland –
   The young monk said, he finally left Burma for Bangladesh as authorities were conducting raids in several monasteries in Arakan searching for him.
6. Stubborn junta’s ‘fire and water’ foreign policy stymies diplomacy
   Bangkok Post, Thailand –
   It is time for everyone, especially world leaders and diplomats, to take a serious look at Burma’s foreign policy, which for almost two decades has managed …
7. Canada’s Miss Universe 2005 not visiting to Burma
   Asian Tribune, Thailand –
   The article “Miss Universe Coming to Burma” appeared last week on Burmese version of ‘Myanmar Time’ weekly journal in Burma, quoting a source from a …
8. United Nations Special Rapporteur Reports on Worsening Situation …
   US Department of State, DC –
   Today’s report to the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Burma, Paulo Pinheiro, provided important details of …
9. UN Official Condemns Burma’s Crackdown on Opposition
   Voice of America –
   By Lisa Schlein A United Nations investigator has condemned the military rulers of Burma for using excessive force in cracking down on pro-democracy …
10. US Sanctions Against Myanmar Boosted
    The Associated Press –
    The bill’s sponsors said they want to stop the military leaders in Myanmar, also known as Burma, from dodging US sanctions by laundering gemstones in third …
11. US House adopts sanctions on Myanmar’s gem, energy industries
    Forbes, NY –
    LONDON (Thomson Financial) – The US House of Representatives has unanimously adopted sanctions against military-ruled Myanmar, targeting the country’s …
12. House Sanctions Myanmar’s ‘Blood’ Rubies
    AOL News Newsbloggers, VA –
    “Burma’s generals,” Lantos said, “fund this repression of their own people by selling off the country’s natural resources, especially oil and gems, …
13. US House adopts sanctions against Myanmar
    AFP –
    … referring to Myanmar by its former name. Aung Din, the executive director of the US Campaign for Burma, said the international community should step up .
14. US House passes bill hitting Myanmar gems, Chevron
    Guardian Unlimited, UK –
    Tom Lantos, bans the import of Myanmar gems into the United States, freezes the assets of the country’s leaders and stops the former Burma from using US …
15. US House passes bill on Burma sanctions
    Financial Times, UK –
    Chevron criticised the house move yesterday, saying “punitive tax measures against one company will not serve the purpose of helping the people of Myanmar …
16. US House approves bill to strengthen sanctions against Myanmar
    Xinhua, China –
    11 (Xinhua) — The US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved by voice vote a bill that would halt Myanmar’s rubies and jades from entering the United …
17. Bill to ban Burmese imports into US
    Daily Times, Pakistan –
    WASHINGTON: A bill moving through Congress this week will stop Burma from importing “blood rubies” into the United States, freeze the assets of its leaders …
18. US bid to stop Burma gem imports
    BBC News, UK –

    

    The House of Representatives has voted to stop Burma’s rubies and high-quality jade from entering the United States. The measure tightens sanctions against …

19. Bergenfield man sent money to Burma in violation of US restrictions
    NorthJersey.com, NJ –
    Wai admitted the funds were ultimately transmitted to Burma, officially known as Myanmar, a country that is under military rule and subject to US trade …
20. Burma Legislation Moves Through Congress
    Voice of America –

    

    By Dan Robinson Legislation to tighten US sanctions against Burma’s military government is moving through Congress. voa’s Dan Robinson reports from Capitol …

21. Nonlocal News roundup 12/11 – Our solar system is dented
    Pegasus News, TX –
    The government of Myanmar (aka Burma) defends its violent crackdown. The un’s rights envoy to Sudan might be cut loose. A prisoner in Israel is awarded …
22. Myanmar rejects UN human rights report
    Reuters –
    GENEVA, Dec 11 (Reuters) – Myanmar on Tuesday rejected a UN envoy’s report that said the ruling junta had used excessive force in September to quell …
23. India: Life on the front-line of India’s missions
    Aid to the Church in Need (press release), Australia –
    It borders Tibet to the north, Myanmar (Burma) to the east and Assam to the south. Nagaland lies towards the southeast and Bhutan to the west. …
24. Back to normal in Burma – “Torture, Imprisonment, Death”
    Aid to the Church in Need (press release), Australia –
    By John Newton PEOPLE in Myanmar (Burma) continue to face strict government controls including imprisonment, torture and even death in the wake of uprisings …
25. Bush condemns Myanmar crackdown after UN report
    Reuters India, India –
    Bush said he was “deeply disturbed” by UN human rights envoy Paulo Sergio Pinheiro’s report describing how the military government in the former Burma …
26. Statement by the President
    Business Wire (press release), CA –
    I am deeply disturbed by the report that UN Special Rapporteur Paulo Pinheiro released today in Geneva documenting his findings from his trip to Burma last …
27. Myanmar Faces Sanctions Unless Democracy Talks Begin, Bush Says
    Bloomberg –
    Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, yesterday rejected a United Nations report criticizing the junta for using “excessive force” when soldiers crushed the …
28. Bush warns Myanmar of world sanctions
    AFP –
    WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States will spearhead a global campaign to step up sanctions against Myanmar’s military regime if it continues to ignore calls .
29. AJWS reports winter 07
    ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland –
    “Peace and stability have been restored in Myanmar, and life has returned to normal all over the country.” Thus spoke the UN envoy to Burma, Kyaw Tint Swe, …
30. Burmese voices louder in 2007
    Bangkok Post, Thailand –
    If anyone deserves a Nobel peace prize this year, it’s Burma’s people and monks for taking to the streets against a brutish regime that has mired their …
31. US threatens more Myanmar sanctions
    Aljazeera.net, Qatar –

     

    

    … of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and author of the bill, said the move would target top general’s in the government of Myanmar , also known as Burma .

32. No democracy, more sanctions, Bush tells Myanmar
    Earthtimes, UK –

    

    Washington – US President George W Bush threatened further sanctions against Myanmar if its leaders don’t move toward democracy, saying he was “deeply …

33. Myanmar needs our help
    St. Petersburg Times, FL –
    … Thailand and Vietnam are joining the global community and realizing increased economic growth and political freedom, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) …
34. US closes loopholes in sanctions
    Mizzima.com, India –
    December 12, 2007 – United States sanctions on the economic interests of Burma’s generals and companies conducting business in Burma are one step closer to …
35. Double vision over Myanmar crackdown
    Asia Times Online, Hong Kong –
    The Human Rights Watch report, entitled “Crackdown: Repression of the 2007 Popular Protests in Burma”, was based on the testimony of over 100 witnesses to …
36. India, Burma to sign mou for IT enhancement centre
    Mizzima.com, India –
    “India is committed to extend assistance to Myanmar [Burma] on various developmental projects of mutual benefit including the Kaladan Multi-modal Transport …
37. Cambodian leader blasts UN report
    Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway –
    Dec 12, 2007 (AP)–The UN should leave Burma alone and stop disrupting the junta’s progress toward democracy by issuing critical reports on human rights …
38. This beauty and Burma shouldn’t mix
    National Post, Canada –
    A Burmese weekly, the Myanmar Times, recently signalled Glebova’s pending visit with an article that said she would also serve on a jury for the Ancient …
39. US House backs crackdown on Myanmar gem trade
    International Herald Tribune, France –
    Sponsors of the bill that passed in the House by a voice vote said they wanted to stop the military leaders of Myanmar, formerly Burma, from dodging US …
40. Rights group: Military perpetuates its rule
    Bangkok Post, Thailand –
    … point toward democracy, they should present concrete foreign policy proposals to end Thailand’s embarrassing ties with Burma’s generals,” Adams said. …
41. New drive to talk Burma into reform
    The Australian, Australia –
    “The people of Myanmar (Burma) have suffered from isolation for such a long time and it is high time now for the Myanmar authorities and people to be able …
42. Myanmar: Military offensive targeting villagers’ food supplies
    ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland –
    The Free Burma Rangers relief team reported on November 22 that since the army commenced operations to relocate villagers in 2006 the Burmese troops had …
43. Myanmar/Burma: Investigatory body must be proven to exist
    ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland –
    “On 31 October 2007, the Government of Myanmar has established the Investigation Body [sic] chaired by the Minister for Home Affairs with a view to …
44. un’s Pinheiro pleads with Myanmar for dialogue on human rights
    PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria –
    AP GENEVA (AP) – The UN special investigator for Myanmar pleaded with the country’s military junta on Wednesday to engage in a serious dialogue about human …
45. Local girls inch closer to crown
    Nation Multimedia, Thailand –
    The Thai men’s side will compete in the third-place play-off despite a win over Burma yesterday. Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos and reigning champions Thailand …
46. For Burmese people, a friend in high places
    Christian Science Monitor, MA –

    

    … Burmese migrants on the Thai border has taught Cynthia Maung, herself a political refugee from military-ruled Burma (Myanmar), to expect the unexpected. …

47. Hpao Lan Hpar Got a Heart Attack
    Asian Tribune, Thailand –
    (hold scrotum on the palm) The international community and analysts are now saying Burma has eventually become an autonomous region of China except in name. …
48. Russian action against British Council ‘illegal’: Miliband
    AFP –

    

    That is Burma and Iran,” he said, using the former name for Myanmar. “I just hope the announcement today from Russia does not signal they are taking steps …