.......................

January 2011
Compiled and commented by the Political Defiance Committee (PDC)
National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)

January 2011
The activities of NLD and domestic opposition forces
The relationship between NLD and the military junta
In order to obtain a true national victory, the entire people and ethnic nationalities
including soldiers need to work in unity and courageously, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addressed
a gathering on December 1 in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of National Day. She
also said on the 7th that she would continue with the non-violence way to solve Burma's
political problems and was ready to talk not only with Senior Gen. Than Shwe but also with
emergent leaders who could make decisions. When meeting with US State Dept. East Asia
and Pacific Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Mr. Joseph Y. Yun on December 10, she
reasserted that she would like to entice the military in calling the 21 st century Panglong
Conference because it would become successful only if the army participates in it.
In the SPDC newspapers issued on December 8, a Banya Aung wrote an article titled "Let's
not make incorrect political ideas!" strongly repudiating the 21st century Panglong
Conference initiative as a political stunt. The commentator also warned that trying to call the
Panglong Conference would be extremely dangerous.
In his speech to the graduation ceremony of Maymyo Defense Services Academy cadet
training 53rd uptake on December 10, Senior Gen. Than Shwe implicitly threatened action on
anyone thinking for disintegration of the Union. On the Padauk Myay webpage which is a
propaganda piece of the regime, an Aung Htet wrote on December 18 that the hardliner
faction led by U Win Tin has proposed the plan for second Panglong Conference at NLD
Central Executive Committee meeting and utilized Daw Aung San Suu Kyi so as to maintain
populist political momentum.
SPDC instructed domestic journals to resume printing of articles expressing regime's opinion.
This practice has been suspended for three months until now. Some NGOs close to the
military regime also complained to the UN Special Envoy that their work was facing
obstacles because of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's getting involved in social work.
NLD spokesperson U Nyan Win rejected SPDC dailies' accusations on December 8 and
clarified that his party has never talked about exclusion of the military from Panlong
Conference process. The plan to call the second Panglong Conference was only to revitalize
the fading Panglong spirit and not to form a body parallel to the current authority or the
upcoming new parliament, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also explained on the same day. On
December 26, U Win Tin responded to Senior Gen. Than Shwe's speech by saying that the

PDC News Commentary ~ January 2011 (Eng) Page 1 of 1 0

second Panglong Conference was not for disintegration of the Union but for a greater
integration.
The SPDC released sixteen political prisoners who have their time up in December but
imposed more restrictions on remaining political prisoners. Jail authorities also threatened
family members of political prisoners for speaking out to foreign media about prisoners'
health, NLD Youth leader Ko Ye Htut Khaung's wife Ma May Myo Suu said. Ava Bank
declined to give a loan of Kyat 20 million to Thakin Thein Pe family's rope factory for his
refusal to remove Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's picture from his factory office.
What successive military leaders have feared most included federal union formation and the
military's getting persuaded and changing side. Therefore we assume that SPDC military
leaders and the propaganda machine under their control have started to attack NLD's 21st
century Panglong initiative as a preparation to crush the opposition by inciting the army and
the people. Even some political party leaders with Burman chauvinistic tendency were found
to be expressing their concerns about the NLD and the CRPP's Panglong Conference
initiative.
Hence we think that the NLD and ethnic organizations allied to it should expound distinctly
on the 21st century Panglong Conference initiative to refute regime's propaganda on
disintegration of Union, and convince the army and the people about establishment of a
cohesive Union.

The relationship between ethnic groups and the military junta

Fighting continued between regime forces and DKBA troops led by Brig. Mustachio.
When the SPDC launched an offensive against DKBA bases in Wallay region using MOCs 8,
12 and 19, the Students' Army (ABSDF) sent troops on December 8 to assist the DKBA in
repulsing the attack. Though there was no formal alliance between the KNU and Brig.
Mustachio yet, KNLA battalions 101 and 102 joined forces with the DKBA and conducted
guerrilla warfare in Myawaddy District. When about fifty SPDC troops tried to assault
DKBA Tactical Commands 1 and 2 active in Phalu region through Thai territory on
December 22 night, battles broke out on Thai soil.
SPDC troops have more than sixty casualties in November while they suffered another
hundred casualties in December. There were some casualties from DKBA side as well. SPDC
announced that Maj. Hla Dar, Maj. Nortayar and Lt. Chin Lon led about thirty DKBA men to
surrender their arms in Myawaddy on December 11.
The SPDC falsely claimed that it has freed six men from Brig. Htay Maung's Karen Peace
Council captured by IB 230 on November 30, but burnt bodies of the men were found in a
corn field near Palawtapot village, Myawaddy District, on December 6. The men were
brutally tortured before they were killed. Karen Peace Council spokesperson Dr. Saw
Timothy said on December 12 that his group would demand the regime to take action against
regional commander, divisional commander and other commanders at all levels who gave the
order, and to give compensation to relevant families.
Dr. Timoty claimed on December 28 that SPDC newspaper reports about thirty-four officers
and other ranks from the Karen Peace Council along with 15 assorted arms surrendering to
authorities on November 27 and December 1 while eleven men led by a Saw Kyaw Kyaw
Htet surrendering to the SPDC within the last week of December were all false propaganda.
Some men from SPDC troops and Border Guard Force No. 2022 defected to the KNU and
Brig. Mustachio's DKBA, along with their arms.

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KNU, KNPP and SSA (South) forces were stepping up attacks upon the SPDC. KNLA's
Brigades 5 and 7 joined forces to penetrate and attack Hlaingbwe Township Manerpalaw
region which was the former base of KNU HQ. In order to cut off supplies to SPDC troops in
Manerpalaw area, KNLA troops torched seven wooden bridges between Papun and
Kamamaung in Karen State. Combined forces of KNLA Brigade 5 Special Guerrilla
Detachment and Brigade 7 Battalion 202 waged repeated guerrilla attacks against LIR 338,
Field Engineering Battalion 915 and IB 28, killing six SPDC men and wounding four. On
December 22, KNLA Battalion 202 intercepted LIR 106 and IB 61 under the command of
MOC 19 while on move to reinforce SPDC troops in Manerpalaw area, killing three SPDC
troopers including a coy commander and wounding one. KNU Central Committee held its
annual meeting in the third week of December to review post-election political and military
conditions and adopt future programs.
A KNPP guerrilla force ambushed an army convoy on its way to a dam project on Salween
River on December 23, resulting in death of at least three persons and many injuries. Those
who were killed included Chinese construction workers. KNPP's party leaders and military
commanders attended the Shan New Year festival held at SSA (South)'s HQ in Loi Taileng
and talked with Lt. Gen. Yord Serk about military and political issues as well as future
programs. Battles also broke out between SSA (South) troops and SPDC forces. At a skirmish
in Mongyawng Township on December 3, two SPDC men died and two were wounded. An
ambush against artillery tactical commander's care near Mongton on December 9 wrecked the
car and wounded three SPDC soldiers. On the 17th, a column from SPDC IB 277 and a squad
from SSA (South) Battalion 404 clashed in Mongton Township. Next day, SSA (South) forces
ambushed an SPDC convoy led by MOC 14 deputy commander coming from Monghsat,
resulting in many wounded which included the MOC deputy commander.
The SPDC continued to expand its troop strength in New Mon State Party-controlled areas.
SPDC newspapers reported on December 6 that 268 members of a NMSP breakaway faction
led by Naing A-shaung surrendered to the authorities on December 1 with 22 assorted arms
but the NMSP denied the fact. Col. Naing A-shaung has resigned from the NMSP since 2007
and joined Maj. Gen. Aung Naing who has likewise retired from service, and the SPDC has
already announced in October that he has surrendered to the SPDC, NMSP revealed at a press
conference on December 9. The surrendered group led by Naing A-shaung has agreed to
conduct joint military operations with the SPDC in southern part of Ye Township, a leader of
the surrendered faction said.
The NMSP has disbanded Mon National Liberation Army's reserve force that was set up in
Three Pagodas Pass City, Karen State, NMSP Foreign Affairs in-charge Naing Tala Nyi said
on the 22nd. The SPDC has threatened the NMSP, which refused to form Border Guard Force,
with illegality designation but has now ceased further threats or pressures, prompting the
NMSP to watch with caution, a Central Committee member said on the 29th.
Since early December, movements of SPDC infantry forces and artillery units have increased
in KIO-controlled Laiza area and Myitkyina city, KIA Vice-Chief-of-Staff Brig. Gwam Maw
reported. In the afternoon of December 4, SPDC IB 236 fired at a post of KIA Battalion 16
near Loije, Bhamo District, leading to a firefight and heightened tensions. This shootout was
the first such thing in sixteen years of ceasefire. The KIO ordered resumption of taxation in
Pakant jadeland in early December after a gap of sixteen years.
The SPDC also attacked some posts of SSA (North) Brigade 1 which refused to transform
into Home Guard Force. In the evening of December 18 when the annual meeting of Brigade
1's officers has finished, a commando column from LIR 516 under the command of MOC 2
carried out a long-range penetration to attack an SSA (North) outpost in Want Lwe village

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south of Keshi Township Want Hai area where the HQ of Brigade 1 was located. In the
ensuing battle, three SPDC men were killed while another ten were wounded. When Brigade
1 HQ sent reinforcements to cut off enemy's retreat, SPDC forces withdrew next evening.
The SPDC sent about another 100 men to the area to strengthen its forces there. Brigade 1
and SPDC have fought five times since May, 2010.
Since December 1, the SPDC has deployed about 300 men drawn out from LIR 325, IB 67,
IB 147, IB 23 and IB 22, in Brigade 1 territory. It was also using local people's militia groups
such as Bo Mong's and Lama's to attack Brigade 1. The SPDC was planning to equip 200-
strong people's militia in Northern Shan State Tanyang Township with modern arms and
heavy weapons. The regime was expanding its military force in said regions in order to cut
off communications route between SSA (North)'s Brigades 1 and 7 as well as between SSA
(South) and SSA (North).
The SPDC was also threatening some brigades of SSA (North) which have agreed to
transform into Home Guard Force. Brig. San Oo, new commander of Eastern Command,
warned SSA (North) Brigade 7 on November 30 to act credibly as a Home Guard Force or
else fight back with arms.
A delegation headed by Col. Sai Fa of SSA (North) Brigade 1 attended the Shan New Year
celebrations in Mongla held from December 1 to 7 and met with UWSA delegation led by
Kyauk Kyon-tang and NDAA-ESS delegation led by Vice-Chairmen Khun San Lu and Sao
Sann Pei and Secretaries Sao Saih Lar and Khun Sai Tit to discuss military and political
issues. The SPDC reopened Ta-ping Bridge connecting Special Region 4 Mongla with
Kengtung on December 21 after it was shut down in November 23.
The UWSP called a district-level party congress attended by more than 2500 delegates, from
December 20 to 29. The 5th district-level congress passed six resolutions of standpoint which
were: to stand for Wa State's peace and development; to have an own army in Wa State; to
retain Wa arms in Wa hands; not to secede from the Union of Burma; not to demand or
declare Independence; to demand all successive governments to grant a Wa State with self-
determination; to talk with upcoming civilian government about Wa State issue; to practice
neutrality.
The new positions have completely differed from previous nine-point position, a Wa leader
asserted. The neutrality policy stood for not supporting either the SPDC regime's actions or
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's 21st century Panglong Conference, it was reported. December 20
was the founding day of the UWSP which has 7500 party members run by General Secretary
Bou Yu-chiang, Vice-General Secretary Shou Ming-lien and Political Consultative Congress
Chairman Bo Lai Kham. After the SPDC has given an ultimatum to ceasefire groups to lay
down their arms by 2010 September 1 at the latest, Northern Wa Region formed a new
division. Division 618 commanded by Bou Sam-rye was deployed at the frontline area of
Mahnsaing and Naungkhit townships, opposite to SPDC-controlled Tanyang Township on the
west bank of Salween River.
There are currently nine divisions with 2500 to 3200 men each in the UWSA. Divisions 318,
418, 468 and the new 618 are deployed in the Northern Wa region while divisions 772, 775,
778, 518 and 218 are deployed in Southern Wa region aka Military Region No. 171. There
were also people's militias and armed police of the UWSA.
National United Party of Arakan's rival chairman U Padee Phyu surrendered to the regime on
December 24 in Maungdaw, NUPA Secretary U Saw Hla Aung confirmed.

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We assume that while the SPDC was assaulting DKBA and KNU forces in Karen State, it
would contain the remaining ceasefire groups militarily, use delaying and splitting tactics and
annihilate them one by one.

The activities of NLD and domestic opposition forces

Although family doctor Dr. Tin Myo Win has warned her to take a rest for health
reasons, national leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi carried out political and social activities
throughout whole December non-stop. Methodical and meticulous Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
regularly came to office and led NLD meetings, talked and guided future programs, met with
CRPP members, ethnic organizations, political organizations, 2010 election-contesting
political parties, Independents, foreign diplomats, international envoys and foreign news
media. She met them face-to-face, through telephone, via teleconference or by sending out
video-taped speeches to international events. She also attended political, social or religious
ceremonies to get in touch with people of all walks of life, provided answers for RFA's
weekly program of 'People and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi' Q&A show and wrote essays for the
'Letter from Burma' weekly section in Japan's Mainichi daily in which she had contributed
essays thirteen years ago—all in a continuous feat.
During a telephone interview with Bangkok-based TAN news agency on December 1, Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi requested Thai people to help Burmese refugees and migrants with
goodwill and kindness. In her video speech sent to New Delhi, India, for WISCOMP's Aung
San Suu Kyi freedom celebration, she urged Indian leaders to give more support to Burmese
pro-democracy movement as they engaged closely with SPDC regime leaders.
In a video-taped speech sent to the International Human Rights Day held at the UN HQ in
Geneva, Switzerland, on December 10, she called for effective protection of human rights
promoters in Burma. In a video message of greetings to Norway-based Burmese Cultural
Association on December 11, she urged all Burmese people in exile to work in unity for the
progress of motherland. She implored the youth of world to support Burma's democratic
cause, in a video address to the 17th International Students and Youth Festival in Pretoria,
South Africa, on December 13. In an interview with the VOA Crossroads Asia program, she
commented that incorrect economic policies were benefiting the circle of authorities and their
cronies only and that the government should legislate a progressive economic policy.
On December 14, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi answered questions by over 400 scholars and
students through a video-telephone program sponsored by the London School of Economics
and Al Jazeera news agency. In an interview with German Deutsche Welle on December 16,
she expressed hope that the dialogue with the SPDC regime is not far-off.
Philippines Ambassador Maria Helen Barber invited her to lunch at her home on December 6
and talked about Burma's democracy issue. On the same day, renowned Malaysian Actress
Michelle Yeo who was filming a movie named 'The Lady' about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
arrived in Rangoon to call on her. On December 7, Danish Ambassador Michael Sterngerg
called on her at the NLD HQ. On the same day, US Congressman Joseph Crowley called her
on phone and told her that they would continue supporting Burma's democratic cause and that
he would like to personally hand over the highest golden award of Congress to her.
On December 8, Indian Ambassador VS Seshardri invited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to his
house on Diplomat Street, Dagon Township, for a talk. Next day, South Korean and Germany
ambassadors called on her at her home for some talk. On the 10 th, she received US State
Dept. East Asia and Pacific Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Mr. Joseph Y Yun. On
December 15th, Polish Ambassador, British Council Director and Swedish Ambassador

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visited her in the morning, afternoon and evening respectively. Next day, Bangkok-based
Swiss Ambassador and Australian South-East Asia Research Society official separately met
with her at her home. Russian Ambassador called on her on the 24th.
Meeting details were not put out but we assume that it was unique for an ambassador of
Russia which has always sided by the SPDC to come and meet with her. This visit was the
second time with the first one made at the time of her release. International diplomats and
leaders including those of Russia and India have greeted or talked to her in various ways but
China and some ASEAN countries have not yet met with her. It is learnt that a big country
was trying to mediate between China and the Lady. Though she has repeatedly offered to talk
with regime leaders since her release, the SPDC showed no signs of interest in dialogue,
NLD spokesperson U Ohn Kyaing said on December 11.
NLD and CRPP leaders clarified misunderstandings by some people over the 21st century
Panglong Conference. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi asserted that the call for 21st century Panglong
Conference was not for disintegration of the Union but for national unity. Ethnic leaders also
claimed that the Panglong Conference initiative was not a cheap stunt as vilified by regime
dailies and vowed that they would implement it to the end. At the regular monthly meeting of
the CRPP, General Secretary U Aye Tha Aung said that they would meet with election-
winning ethnic parties and other political groups both inside and in exile to solicit their views
for Panglong Conference. 2010 election-winning All Mon Region Democracy Party
(AMRDP) Chairman Naing Ngwe Thein expressed support for the Panglong Conference
while Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) Chairman Dr. Aye Maung supported
the initiative in 'principle' but commented that it is essential to get the current government's
participation.
Ninetieth anniversary of National Day ceremonies were held at the NLD HQ in Rangoon and
in Meikhtila where NLD members of Meikhtila, Thaza, Wundwin, Mahlaing, Pyawbwe and
Mandalay's Pyigyee Tagon, East, West and South townships made a collective
commemoration on December 1. On that day, Veteran Politicians also called for a dialogue
for national reconciliation between the emerging government of 2010 election and people's
representatives elected in 1990.
On December 7, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with three Independent candidates who have
contested in the 2010 elections. Next day, NLD leaders donated robes and cash money to 776
monks and 119 nuns in front of NLD HQ. Democracy and Peace Party leaders also called on
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on that day. On December 10, the NLD commemorated the 62 nd
International Human Rights Day at its HQ office where Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with
family members of political prisoners affably to give encouragement. She told them to
demand their due rights boldly and promised to hand out jail regulation booklets in order to
protest legally when they faced troubles during prison visits. Pegu Township NLD also
distributed over 1000 copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The NLD also commemorated World AIDS Day at its head office where Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi cheered up the sufferers. Three pictures painted by her while under house arrest were
reproduced as postcards and put up for sale since December 7 and the proceeds would be
used for HIV/AIDS victims, Cyclone Giri victims, families of political prisoners and social
assistance activities, Dr. May Win Myint said. Reporters from domestic journals also donated
Kyat 400,000 to HIV/AIDS victims who were being cared for by the NLD.
On December 13, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi donated Kyat 10 million to Cyclone Giri victims
of Arakan State. On that day NLD Youths and supporters in Oakkan, Taikkyi, A-phyauk,
Mingalataungnyunt and Mandalay donated blood at blood banks and hospitals. CRPP

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members and NLD CECs personally handed over relief supplies to storm-struck victims of
Kyaukpru Township Minbyin village on December 15.
Ten clandestine groups inside Burma such as All Burma Monks Alliance, '88 Generation
Students and ABFSU published an analytical report on December 7 saying that military
regime's 2010 election was merely a change from government wearing military uniforms into
a one wearing civilian attire, and not a change in essence. The Human Rights Defenders and
Promoters network also held Human Rights Day celebrations in Irrawaddy Division Bogalay,
Rangoon Division Thongwa and Pegu Division Prome.
Some of the political parties elected in the 2010 election rejected luring attempts by military
regime's USDP. The Karen People's Party turned down USDP's offer and asserted that it
would work for nationality cause as an opposition, Vice-Chairman Saw Aye Ko said on
December 2. The AMRDP also said on December 9 that it would cooperate with all parties in
the parliament except the USDP.
The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) held a three-day long congress in Taunggyi
on December 13 and discussed bills to be submitted to the parliament and formation of a
business firm for party funds. The congress resolved to set up a legal consultant and
negotiations committee and to form a public company named "White Tiger Co." by floating
one million shares worth Kyat 10000 each. U Thu Wai's Democratic Party (Myanmar) was
also going to set up a business firm for party's survival, party information chief U Hla Myint
disclosed. The Rakhine Nationalities Development Party and the All Mon Region Democracy
Party also said that they would establish companies. Leaders from eight political parties
elected in the 2010 election met with US East Asia and Pacific Affairs Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State Joseph Y Yun for over an hour on December 7.
We assume that as the SPDC was unable to politically lure the parties that have won in the
2010 election, it is systematically trying to sow dissensions among democratic forces and
gradually turn them into lackeys of the ruling USDP by granting them some business
concessions.

The military junta and domestic situation

The situation of the activities of the military junta
Military regime-backed USDP which unfairly won the election put an ad in SPDC
newspapers on December 5 thanking the people for casting votes to help them achieve 882
seats out of 1154 parliamentary seats. USDP Central Executives cum SPDC ministers
continued luring other parties which have also won in the elections. The USDP wrote to
National Democratic Force (NDF)'s Mandalay Division Organizing Committee to express
thanks and invite it to become a fraternal or allied party, NDF Vice-Chairman U Tin Aung
Aung disclosed on December 3.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing from War Office led a team consisting of Maj. Gen.
Myint Soe, Maj. Gen. Aung Than Htut, Maj. Gen. Soe Win and MAS Chief Maj. Gen. Kyaw
Swe to tour some States including Kachin State and tried to split ethnic ceasefire groups. The
SPDC also offered reconciliatory cooperation to Mongla Special Region 4 aka National
Democratic Alliance Army (Eastern Shan State) led by Sai Lin.
A three-day long closed door meeting of USDP parliament assembly representatives was held
in Naypyidaw on December 21. Party Chairman U Thein Sein, Secretary U Htay Oo and
about 400 MP-elects attended the meeting where they mainly discussed division of duties for
coming assemblies and cabinet, Zaygabar U Khin Shwe, one of the participants said on the

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23rd. News came out that there were plans to merge some ministries and reduce the number of
ministers and ministries. Plans to put the whole Shan State under State Chief Minister's office
in civilian government's time instead of dividing into three parts during the reign of SLORC-
SPDC also came up. Unconfirmed news also said that USDP members would be assigned to
administrative machinery at ward, township and district levels. On December 7, SPDC
Election Commission announced that 76.62% of more than 29 million eligible voters have
casted their ballots in the 2010 election.
The Police did not take action against the USDP and Election Commission's voting frauds but
was merely delaying the prosecutions filed by rival candidates, Ko Aye Lwin said. There
were few prosecutions against USDP candidates because of deposit specifications but cases
filed by USDP candidates against winning opposition candidates were increasing day by day.
USDP candidate U Mya Win who lost to Democratic Party (Myanmar)'s Regional Assembly
candidate Daw Tin Tin Mar in Mandalay Division Chan Aye Thazan Township Constituency
filed a case at the Election Commission on the latter's alleged vote-buying act. The USDP
sued Ma Hla Kaythi Win on libel after she filed a case at the police station against four
drunken USDP members who swore at and threatened her during the election period. On
December 8, Rangoon Division Election Commission Chairman U Ko Ko summoned and
pressured Independent candidate Dr. Saw Naing of South Oakkala Township to sign an
acknowledgement of election defeat. Beginning on December 21, Naypyidaw Court started
hearing the cases of voting irregularities during the election filed against each other by USDP
and rival parties.
The SPDC continued to make military restructuring before handing over power to the civilian
government. There were news about regime opening Mid-Eastern Command in Southern
Shan State Kholan region and North-Westernmost Command in Kachin State Tanaing region.
The SPDC was also purchasing a great amount of arms and ammo from abroad. Between
December 4 and 8, M.V. Magwe owned by Economic Holdings Ltd. embarked at Asia World
port in Rangoon, carrying 112 China-made armored cars and missile carriers. The regime has
started to move its Military History Museum from Rangoon to Naypyidaw. More than 500
officers of Superintendent rank from Burma Police Force all over the country were also
reshuffled after December 8.
Before the government change, the SPDC has expanded economic construction works. In
early December, about Kyat 1400 billion (US$ 1.44 billion) worth gems were auctioned off in
the midyear gems emporium held in Naypyidaw, Reuters news agency reported. Though the
SPDC has not yet reopened Myawaddy border trade route officially, it reopened Three
Pagodas Pass border trade which has been closed for three years, while SPDC Economics and
Commerce Ministry announced plans on December 19 to open seven new border trade points
to trade with Thailand, China and India. Junta strongman Senior Gen. Than Shwe claimed
during the 53rd cadet training graduation ceremony on December 10 that there was no sector
left undeveloped in SLORC/SPDC era but US Embassy's secret report said that Burma's
state-owned enterprises showed loss for five consecutive years and SPDC Economics and
Commerce Ministry's Central Statistics Body said that rice exports dropped by 65% during
the first nine months of this year. As the SPDC tried to cut imports, dollar exchange rate fell
and Kyat value soared, hurting foreign export businesses.
Foreign Direct Investment grew to $10.6 billion within fiscal year 2009-2010 but most of it
was in oil and gas sector. Thirty foreign firms were investing in fifty-two oil and natural gas
plots of Burma with twenty-two offshore plots remaining to be invested by foreign firms, an
official from Energy Ministry Planning Dept. disclosed. The SPDC was planning to explore
special rare earth metals jointly with South Korean companies while Indian government-

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owned energy company (NHPC) and Chinese Datang (Yunnan) United Hydropower
Developing Co. Ltd. were planning to build billion dollars-worth hydroelectric plants in
Sagaing Division and Arakan State.
As a gesture to improve international relations including those with neighboring countries,
SPDC Foreign Minister U Nyan Win met with his Thai counterpart on December 6. On the
9th, U Nyan Win and Police Director General Khin Yee received US Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State Josehp Y Yun in Naypyidaw.
We believe that the military regime is persistently doing what it wants to earn foreign
exchange, paying no attention to anyone inside the country or abroad.

The socio-economic situation of the people

Fiercer battles in Karen State caused lots of people on Thai-Burma border to flee and
take shelter in Thailand. However Thai government did not recognize them as refugees,
spokesperson Mr. Panitan Wattanayagorn officially asserted on December 15, driving off 166
Burmese refugees back into Burma. Nevertheless more than 8200 refugees still hid along
Thai border in various ways, a border relief staff said. Battles has caused casualties and
burning of property among locals. Both warring sides have blocked Myawaddy border route
as well as roadways and waterways between Three Pagodas Pass river confluence and
Thanbyuzayat or Kyainn-Seikkyi, resulting in high consumer prices and economic difficulties
for the people. The people were also suffering from forced porter for army and
commandeering of boats and cars by the SPDC.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP)'s human development report for 2010
showed Burma's Human Development Index as the lowest in South-East Asia, far lower than
that of Laos or Cambodia. Due to military regime's reduction of fuel oil imports, prices have
shot up drastically leading to a black market of fuel oil and more breakouts of fires. There has
been a drought in this year's rainy season but heavy rains and inundations occurred in
December throughout the whole country, hitting rice output heavily. Economic crisis has
caused doubling of opium cultivation and domestic drug usage this year, UN Office for Drugs
and Crimes (UNODC) reported.
The majority of Burmese people were not getting legal protection but subject to more one-
sided suppression by the regime. Burma was fourth among worst oppressive countries for
journalists, the Committee for Protection of Journalists (CPJ) announced on December 9. The
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) stated on December 10 that Burma was among
ten Asian countries that failed to protect its people. Within 2010, there were more than 300
cases reported to the ILO for violation of labor rights in Burma.

International Pressure
On December 2, UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser Mr. Vijay Nambia urged the
SPDC regime again to let those who did not compete in the elections and those who were not
allowed to compete in the elections participate in Burma's political transition. He presented
his report on Burma trip to the UN Security Council on December 6 for a discussion. At a
meeting of Friends of Burma held on the same day, US Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon
said that SPDC's 2010 election was too far-off from international expectations. He asserted at
the press conference in UN HQ on December 17 that the UN would continue working for
settlement of Burma's political problems. UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur for Burma

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Tomas Ojea Quintana demanded the SPDC on December 10 and 14 to improve human rights
situation in Burma and promptly release all political prisoners.
The UN Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has asked the regime to allow inspection of
suspicious sites in Burma, The Wall Street Journal reported on December 18. On December
19, International Labor Organization's resident official Mr. Steve Marshal visited farmers in
Aunglan Townshop, Magwe Township, to investigate their complaints.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Mr. Joseph Y Yun
visited Burma in the second week of December to meet with regime leaders, NLD leaders
and leaders of political parties which contested in the 2010 election. US Assistant Secretary
of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Affairs Mr. Michael Posner visited Thai-
Burma border on December 18 to meet with the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners
and two other organizations and enquired about Burma's human rights and political situation.
US Congressman Joseph Crowley warned on December 8 that the SPDC has many things
remaining to work on despite freeing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and that the international
community was watching over her security. Former US First Lady Laura Bush phoned her on
December 17 and issued a statement of delight for hearing the spirited voice of a self-
sacrificing person fighting for human liberty. US State Dept.'s statement in commemoration
of Burma's Independence Day said that the US government intended to improve its relations
with Burma but the SPDC regime still needed to improve its political and human rights
situation.
EU countries would continue supporting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's struggles for Burma's
democratization, Belgium Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Steven Vanackere stated on December
3. On December 14, a Canadian court heard the case of Canada-based Kenn Borek Air Ltd.
which sold aircraft parts in 2007 to the SPDC which was under economic sanction.
During the Asia Democracy Conference held in Bali, Indonesia, on December 9, Japanese
Foreign Minister Seichi Maeihara urged Burma and Fiji, both of which were under the rule of
military regimes to conduct democratic reform. On December 15, Indonesian Foreign
Minister Marty Natategawa said that Indonesia would support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's role
in solving Burma's political problems while urging the SPDC regime to become constructive
as much as possible. The ruling Indian National Congress expressed welcome of Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi's release but on December 26, Nobel laureate Indian economist Amartya Sen
criticized Indian government's silence on Burma's pro-democracy struggles.
Chinese government which has been in very good terms with the SPDC military regime has
now started to deploy PLA bases along Burmese border where it previously positioned border
guards only. According to border sources, China was building PLA bases in Manhai, Yunnan
Province, which was only one mile far from Mongkoe in Northern Shan State. Bangladesh
which was in a territorial dispute with the SPDC would soon construct a modern air base in
Cox Bazaar adjacent to Maundaw Township, Arakan State, Prime Minister Sheik Hassina
disclosed on December 27 during an air force training event.

//End of Report /Sunday, January 09, 2011//

//End of Translation/Sunday, January 23, 2011//

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