Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Lord Strathclyde and Lieutenant-General David Leakey to value “human-rights” more than the “building”

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Lord Strathclyde, the Leader of the Lords, and Black Rod, David Leakey, the Queen’s official representative in Parliament, to show their support for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addressing MPs in Westminster Hall.

Lord Strathclyde, the Leader of the Lords, and Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Lieutenant-General David Leakey, the Queen’s official representative in Parliament, understood to be saying Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addressing both houses would be ‘inappropriate’.

Lord Strathclyde and Black Rod Lieutenant-General David Leakey go on further insulting world justice loving people by saying “The hall is traditionally reserved for addresses by the most iconic heads of state. And they suggested the Royal Gallery in the House of Lords – a smaller, less prestigious venue – would be more suitable”.

Burmese people and justice people around the world are questioning the Lord Strathclyde and Lieutenant-General David Leakey that what they mean the word “the most iconic heads of state”.

Let us show our support for our leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the world democracy champion, beacon of hope and icon of non-violent struggle for all the oppressed people around the world.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is not only “Mother of Burma” but also “A Head of States of All the People around the World” which cannot be defined by maps who are struggling to liberate from dictators, oppressors and exploiters.

For millions of people around the world, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is more than “A Head of State”— she is more than qualified to address in both houses of parliament.

We would like to question the Lieutenant-General David Leakey that what does he mean “devalue” the venue which he obviously referring to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addressing both houses.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) and justice loving people around the world would like to take this opportunity to praise British Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron, Foreign Secretary Mr. William Hague, the Speaker Mr. John Bercow and other lords and MPs for their brave and bold action taken doing the right thing — honouring Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to address both houses of Parliament.

For more information please contact Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) Director Myo Thein at 07877882386, 07402859528 and 02084939137.
http://www.bdcburma.org

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615

Aung San Suu Kyi calls for urgent reform

Aung San Suu Kyi calls for urgent reforms in first international speech
Aung San Suu Kyi urged Burma’s government to carry out urgent judicial reform to cement recent political progress and foster clean investment in the country.
Addressing world business leaders in Bangkok in her first international engagement after more than two decades of isolation, Suu Kyi said Burma needed the “rule of law” more than legal safeguards for foreign investors.
“Investors in Burma, please be warned – even the best investment law would be of no use whatsoever if there is no court clean enough and independent enough to be able to administer these laws justly,” she said.
“Good laws already exist in Burma but we do not have a clean and independent judicial system. Unless we have such a system it is no use having the best laws in the world.”
Companies are hungrily eyeing resource-rich Burma since political reforms prompted some international sanctions to be eased.
But in her 15 minute address to the World Economic Forum on East Asia, Suu Kyi seized the chance to call for an ethical approach from the assembled foreign business chiefs and Asian political leaders.
Calling for a “healthy scepticism” towards Burma’s creeping reform under the quasi-civilian government, she decried a lack of change to the country’s broken legal system and asked delegates to think “deeply” about what is good for Burma.
“For a moment please don’t think too much of the benefit investment will bring to investors.
“We don’t want investment to mean further corruption. and greater inequality.”
Instead she said it was integral to empower civic society and create jobs to defuse a “time bomb” of high youth unemployment.
Suu Kyi has stolen the show at the Bangkok forum, drawing crowds of well-wishers and photographers, during her first trip abroad in 24 years.
Having spent 15 of the past 22 years under house arrest, she has taken an increasingly global role as Burma sheds its pariah status, meeting top world dignitaries in Rangoon and encouraging easing of Western economic sanctions.
Analysts say that foreign travel will give Suu Kyi greater access to a global community eager to see her in person and allow her to meet ordinary people as well as world leaders.
Reflecting on her trip after decades inside Burma, the pro-democracy leader said as she flew into Bangkok she was struck by the city’s illuminated nightscape.
“I had just left a Burma that was suffering electricity cuts … I thought thirty years ago the scene that met my eyes landing in Bangkok, would not have been very different from landing in Rangoon.”
After Friday’s speech she will attend a forum session on Asian women.
Since arriving in neighbouring Thailand on Tuesday, the pro-democracy icon has followed a hectic schedule, shuttling between forum meetings and trips to visit Burma migrants.
Europe is next on the horizon, where Suu Kyi will address an International Labour Organisation conference in Geneva and give a speech in Oslo to finally accept the Nobel Prize she was awarded in 1991.
She also intends to travel to Britain, where she lived for years with her family, and will address parliament in London.
Source: agencies

G8 to tackle Syria, NKorea, Iran, Afghan

G8 to tackle Syria, NKorea, Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar
Source: Agence France-Presse

MYANMAR

The G8 aims to support further efforts toward democratic reform and national reconciliation in Myanmar. The G8 are considering easing sanctions to support reform and eventually end the country’s international isolation.

They will likely keep pressing Myanmar to enact further reforms, release all remaining political prisoners, end all violence in ethnic minority areas, provide humanitarian access to conflict zones and cut military ties with North Korea.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) on Peace

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) on Peace in Kachinland
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) on Peace in Kachin land and Peace in Burma (RFA/Burmese 15 may 2012)

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Burmese government, parliamentarians and all the people to work the utmost possible to achieve peace reality in Kachin land.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) call for Burmese military to stop offensive against Kachin troops who are fighting for equal rights for Kachin people.

Especially, we would like to press here that Burmese President U Thein Sein had called for halting offensive in Kachin state but we are very sad to learn that there are increase fighting between Burmese military and Kachin army even after his presidential order.

We are very much concerned that as the results civilians; especially children, women and elderly are paying the price dearly. These disadvantaged people fleeing from the fighting between two armies are facing very difficult hardships. We would like to call for international community to take every action possible helping these IDPs who desperately need food, shelter and medicine.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is very sad to learn that there is no sign of reaching peace agreement yet between Kachin Independence Army and Burmese Army but, for the sake of the people and for the sake of the peace in Burma, we would like to call for all parties concerned to work finding peaceful solution by settling differences through dialogue.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) understands that KIO has requested the Burmese army to honour previous ceasefire agreement by repositioning troops i.e. to withdraw Burmese troops from areas close to Kachin administrative capital Laiza and Headquarter Pa Jau.

According to the Kachinland News http://kachinlandnews.com/ “Burmese Army prepares to launch a major offensive against Kachin’s administrative capital Laiza. Burmese soldiers from various Battalions took a stronghold in preparation of a major assault on Kachin headquarters including transporting heavy artilleries to front lines. Burmese Army transported food rations and military equipment to its post at Pajau hill by using helicopters as well as Burmese Army’s Bureau of Air Defence got 3 fighter jets ready at Nampong Air Force Base in Myitkyina for upcoming assault on KIA”.

These actions are contrary to the agreements of “Ruili’s meetings” which agreed to reduce the scale of hostilities leading towards attaining mutual understanding. But, the actions taken by Burmese army not only increase the hostility but also proofing that how Burmese generals are ignorant of suffering of the people of Kachin.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) wholeheartedly supports KIO’s legitimate demands and we would like to call for Burmese government to honour the KIO’s request in order to build confidence between two parties.

It is really contrary that President U Thein Sein is speaking reform and Burmese generals are waging war against KIA to eliminate their very existence.

Burmese Government must stop attacking Kachin people and if they are willing to do it — then there will always be the ways to get there. We must take action in Kachin state now before too late.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) truly believes that dialogue is the only viable solution to achieve the peace in Kachinland, Burma.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) would like to take this opportunity to express our position that we believe in dialogue and we believe in harmony in diversity. Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) believes in respecting peaceful co-existing between people with different ideas, beliefs, language, religion and customs.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Burmese government, parliamentarians and all the people to work the utmost possible to achieve peace reality in Kachin land and in the whole Burma.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for the Burmese government and Burma Army to:

* stop reinforcing its troops and military hardware to conflict areas…

Attn; NLD Dear friends; We would like to

Attn;

NLD
Dear friends;
We would like to consult your NLD’s current process on “All Burma’s National People’s Report” towards comming Hluttaw because Today! 1/4 Myanmar Junta Regime’s changes become for only their profits & their comparados and so,All Burma’s national peoples became more & more poverty as U Win Tin’s Quatation-”Enrich until to place at anywhere & Poverty till to eat no foods” and so,we shall have to talk about it as The worst 1/4 Myanmar Junta Regime Era in Burma’s long civil war” because Many tears & bloods of Peasants,workers,students,monks,P.P,general strata,women,children,adults,general refugees,general exiles & all Burma’s national peoples are covering on global Burma’s mountains,steams, rivers,seas,oceans,forests & lands and so,NLD should do & present “All Burma’s National People’s Reports to coming Hluttaw as your current process on under the followings;
Current process;
(1) To stop urgently Burma’s long civil war!
(2) To release urgently all P.P & to do general amnesty!
(3) To solve urgently all Burma’s national crisis!
(4) To solve urgently peasant’s land-ownerships!
(5) To solve urgently worker’s rights!
(6) To solve urgently general refugee’s problems!
(7) To solve urgently force labor’s problems!
(8) To solve urgently force moving’s problems!
(9) To solve urgently discrimination problems!
(10)To save urgently parentless children & take careless adults!
(11)To solve urgently force-monk’s problems!
Long term;
(1) To do democratic atmospheres on always peace!
(2) To revise constitution!
(3) To do always peace & National people’s reconcilation!
(4) To do national people’s democratic education,health,culture & civilization!
(5) To do national people’s democratic opening marketing economy!
(6) To do global Burma’s democratic diplomatcy!
(7) To construct Democratic Peaceful United Real Union of Burma with Multi-parties system!
(8) To participate in Global Burma’s democratic families!
thanking you in anticipation;
best regards;
yours’

(GSC.KoThiHa8888)
Vice chairman-2,GSC,Rgn,Burma(8888),
GS.2,N.P.F(Reg;No.120,Rgn,Burma(88 to 89),
JGS.1,LDAB.Rgn,Burma(89),
Patron of B.D.C,U.S.A(08 to 12),
U.S.A.
Ph;(509)545-3066.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Burmese government, parliamentarians and all the people to work the utmost possible to achieve peace reality in Kachin land

14 May 2012

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) call for Burmese military to stop offensive against Kachin troops who are fighting for equal rights for Kachin people.

Especially, we would like to press here that Burmese President U Thein Sein had called for halting offensive in Kachin state but we are very sad to learn that there are increase fighting between Burmese military and Kachin army even after his presidential order.

We are very much concerned that as the results civilians; especially children, women and elderly are paying the price dearly. These disadvantaged people fleeing from the fighting between two armies are facing very difficult hardships. We would like to call for international community to take every action possible helping these IDPs who desperately need food, shelter and medicine.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) is very sad to learn that there is no sign of reaching peace agreement yet between Kachin Independence Army and Burmese Army but, for the sake of the people and for the sake of the peace in Burma, we would like to call for all parties concerned to work finding peaceful solution by settling differences through dialogue.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) understands that KIO has requested the Burmese army to honour previous ceasefire agreement by repositioning troops i.e. to withdraw Burmese troops from areas close to Kachin administrative capital Laiza and Headquarter Pa Jau.

According to the Kachinland News http://kachinlandnews.com “Burmese Army prepares to launch a major offensive against Kachin’s administrative capital Laiza. Burmese soldiers from various Battalions took a stronghold in preparation of a major assault on Kachin headquarters including transporting heavy artilleries to front lines. Burmese Army transported food rations and military equipment to its post at Pajau hill by using helicopters as well as Burmese Army’s Bureau of Air Defence got 3 fighter jets ready at Nampong Air Force Base in Myitkyina for upcoming assault on KIA”.

These actions are contrary to the agreements of “Ruili’s meetings” which agreed to reduce the scale of hostilities leading towards attaining mutual understanding. But, the actions taken by Burmese army not only increase the hostility but also proofing that how Burmese generals are ignorant of suffering of the people of Kachin.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) wholeheartedly supports KIO’s legitimate demands and we would like to call for Burmese government to honour the KIO’s request in order to build confidence between two parties.

It is really contrary that President U Thein Sein is speaking reform and Burmese generals are waging war against KIA to eliminate their very existence.

Burmese Government must stop attacking Kachin people and if they are willing to do it — then there will always be the ways to get there. We must take action in Kachin state now before too late.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) truly believes that dialogue is the only viable solution to achieve the peace in Kachinland, Burma.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) would like to take this opportunity to express our position that we believe in dialogue and we believe in harmony in diversity. Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) believes in respecting peaceful co-existing between people with different ideas, beliefs, language, religion and customs.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Burmese government, parliamentarians and all the people to work the utmost possible to achieve peace reality in Kachin land and in the whole Burma.

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for the Burmese government and Burma Army to:

· stop reinforcing its troops and military hardware to conflict areas

· stop their offensive assault against KIA

· withdraw its troops from areas close to Kachin administrative capital Laiza and Headquarter Pa…

U Myo Yan Naung Thein, director of the B

U Myo Yan Naung Thein, director of the Bayda Institute, a political education training centre based in Yangon, said the restrictions on political activities in the current law should be removed.

“It is not fair that NGOs are unable to join political movements. This meant that during the Myitsone Dam affair some environmental NGOs did not participate,” he said. “If NGOs are able to operate freely it will improve the democratic reforms in Myanmar.

“I want to apply to register our organisation because I want to work according to the law but we cannot do so under these restrictions … I would like to suggest to the government that the 1988 registration law is too restrictive and the government should create a new law that is very free and fair.”

http://www.mmtimes.com/2012/news/623/news62305.html

Urban population is expected to grow and

Urban population is expected to grow and Burma must work to embrace urbanization by expanding urban infrastructure, by creating jobs and improving bus and transportation services.

Responsible sustainable tourism is one of the most rewarding industries which can assist economic development in Burma. Burma must promote responsible sustainable tourism and at the same time Burma must encourage citizens to travel so as to promote understanding, knowledge and friendship between different societies residing at the different places.
http://www.bdcburma.org/

Myanmar needs policy reform for growth -

Myanmar needs policy reform for growth – IMF
(Reuters) – Myanmar is set for economic take-off and faces an historic opportunity to launch growth that would lift living standards – if it pursues the right policy mix, the IMF said on Monday.

The former Burma, taking tentative steps towards democracy after decades of harsh military rule, has seen the publication of its annual IMF Article IV economic consultation report for the first time under its new reformist leadership.

The IMF mission chief for Myanmar, Meral Karasulu, said the Southeast Asian nation had already made progress and could see GDP growth of 5.5 percent to 6 percent over the next two years.

“There is very strong momentum. I have been working with the country since 2009 … and I think over the last couple of years the progress is really very, very tangible.”

“Myanmar could see strong growth if it pursues the necessary reforms to take advantage of its rich natural resources, young labour force, and proximity to some of the world’s most dynamic economies, including China and India.”

The mission chief said Myanmar had prioritised the reform of its complex exchange rate system with many restrictions that gave rise to multiple exchange rates that drove up costs, discouraged foreign direct investment and caused Myanmar’s currency, the kyat, to appreciate.

The central bank had introduced a managed exchange rate system in March after the Article IV team had left. Upon its launch, Myanmar’s central bank set a reference exchange rate of 818 kyat per dollar, On Monday, it was quoted at 824, versus the old official rate of around 6 to the dollar.

“Myanmar plans to complete the process of exchange rate unification, including removing all exchange rate restrictions and eliminating multiple currency practices before their target date of end-2013 when the Southeast Asian Games are due to be held,” she said.

Asked in a telephone news conference if that timetable was sustainable, she said: “I don’t find it is necessarily unrealistic.” She noted that the IMF’s experience in other countries suggested that eliminating informal markets for currency exchange was a task that would typically take about one to two years.

Currency reform could also not be rushed, given pent-up demand from importers for foreign exchange. Myanmar has about $9 billion in foreign currency reserves, the IMF notes, about nine months of imports.

“International reserves of the country remain quite comfortable and if anything we do expect them to get better because there are significant new natural gas projects that would increase the foreign reserves.”

Most of Myanmar’s foreign reserves were managed by three state-owned banks, in addition to the central bank, an unusual arrangement. She said the IMF has recommended to Myanmar that the central bank take over sole responsibility.

She voiced confidence that the reserves, once a tightly held state secret, actually existed.

“I do not see that in any way the reported numbers are not there in the banks where they are being kept,” she said.

The Article IV report said unleashing Myanmar’s high growth potential would require cross-cutting reforms and substantial technical assistance to modernise the financial sector with a stronger regulatory and supervisory framework.

“Currently, Myanmar’s financial sector is small and repressed, with controls on financial intermediation. Modernisation of the financial sector is essential to facilitate development and prepare the sector for membership of the ASEAN Economic Community,” the IMF said.

It further noted that Myanmar’s economic growth was narrowly based on energy and agriculture, which was hindered by by poor access to credit, lack of private land ownership, and inadequate infrastructure and inputs.

“Lifting agricultural productivity will be essential for rural development and inclusive growth. The IMF believes that the planned land reform could provide an opportunity to jump- start this process of…