On the lash in Malaysia – Eureka Street
September 1st, 2009
http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=16128
Grabbing a beer along Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Ampang last week, it would be difficult to imagine that sharia law applied to 60 per cent of Malaysia’s 27 million people. Tourists and local revelers bar-hopped along a strip that pounds to the usual dance, trance and RnB. All lubricated by beer flowing like water, with poured-into-the-dress waitresses peddling shots of vodka and tequila by the tray-full.So you might be forgiven for thinking that I, an Irishman, am in my element. The food is great, the beaches are fantastic, and Kuala Lumpur features two of the world’s most spectacular vertigo-inducing urban landmarks — the Petronas Towers and the KL Tower — both among the world’s tallest buildings.
Still, all’s not what it seems in this slickly-marketed, ‘moderate Islamic’ tourist magnet. (more…)
Teenage angst in East Timor – The Casual Truth
August 31st, 2009
http://thecasualtruth.com/node/77
Building for the future: trainees learn basic construction as part of a USAID-funded Education Development Centre project (Simon Roughneen)
Yesterday, East Timor (the official name is ‘Timor-Leste’) marked a decade since it voted to end Indonesia’s long, brutal and illegal occupation. It is sure to be an emotional occasion – a time for celebration certainly, and maybe for somber reflection.
After all, an estimated 150,000 people died during the 24 years Jakarta put its jackboot to the Timorese throat. Out of a population of around 700,000 in 1974, when Portuguese colonial rule ended, this is perhaps the highest death-toll per capita of any conflict anywhere, since World War II. It is hard to find any Timorese person who has not been touched, one way or another, by such large-scale tragedy.
The 10th anniversary of Independence
With the anniversary looming, many activists and NGOs jumped at the opportunity to lobby again for some form of justice for past crimes perpetrated in East Timor. The government in Dili does not want this, preferring instead to maintain good relations with Indonesia, the now-amicable ex-invader to the north (and east, and west).
Both sides of this debate have merit, though perhaps not equal merit. However, dealing with the past should not mean future progress must be neglected, or international relationships compromised.
Therefore, given the retrospective theme of much of the 10th anniversary coverage so far, it is worth looking into the country’s future – through a dark glass though, rather than any crystal ball clarity. (more…)
Cardinal Zen Interview – NCRegister
August 25th, 2009
http://www.ncregister.com/daily/cardinal_zen_interview/
This exclusive interview with Chinese Cardinal Joseph Zen will appear in the Sept. 6 print issue of the Register:
Cardinal Zen and Pope Benedict XVI (Asianews.it)
Cardinal Zen on China and Christianity
Cardinal Joseph Zen is sometimes called “the new conscience of Hong Kong.”
That’s due to his outspoken defense of religious freedom and political rights.
He has often been the target of criticism from state media in mainland China, and he was banned from entering China from 1998-2004. For example, he used his position to oppose the “consecration” of two bishops who belong to the state-controlled Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. He later referred to the nominations, which did not have papal sanction, as “a declaration of war.”
Since he stepped down as archbishop of Hong Kong, he has continued to be outspoken. He denounced “false interpretations” of the latest papal encyclical in China, after fears that Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth) could be manipulated to vindicate the Communist regime’s social and economic policies.
Cardinal Zen, the only Chinese cardinal under the age of 80, spoke with Register correspondent Simon Roughneen. (more…)
Regime rides above sanctions – Asia Times
August 18th, 2009
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/KH18Ae02.html
Burmese rubies (Democracyforburma,wordpress.com)
BANGKOK – Despite some buffeting by the global economic downturn, revenues from gas, oil, hardwood and gemstones continue to flow into Myanmar’s coffers, helping junta leader Senior General Than Shwe to maintain Southeast Asia’s largest standing army. An estimated 50% of the state’s revenues go towards maintaining the country’s 400,000-strong military.
While Western countries impose economic sanctions against the junta, including new measures imposed last week by the European Union against members of Myanmar’s judiciary and 58 other enterprises, Asian states are fiercely competing for oil and gas concessions. That promises even greater wealth for the ruling military junta, even as its international reputation plummets in the wake of last week’s sentencing of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to three years in jail, later reduced to 18 months of house arrest.
Thailand and China were estimated to have provided US$850 million of the $980 million total that was invested in the country last year, in everything from oil and gas, to roads, along with gems and timber extraction. As of 2007, both countries accounted for over half of Myanmar’s exports and imports. Those figures should rise as new hydroelectric projects and a port-pipeline facility linking the Myanmar coast to western China get underway later this year. (more…)
Webb Hints Suu Kyi May Favor Engagement – The Irrawaddy
August 17th, 2009
http://www.irrawaddymedia.com/article.php?art_id=16582
BANGKOK—The fallout from US Senator Jim Webb’s controversial engagement with the Burmese junta continues. Today, Webb fuelled speculation that Aung San Suu Kyi favors the removal of some of the international sanctions applied by the US and EU.
U.S. Senator Jim Webb
Discussing the issue at a Bangkok press conference on Monday, Webb was coy, telling the media that “I don’t want to misrepresent her views, but my clear impression is that she is not opposed to the lifting of some sanctions.”
Despite the timing of his visit to Burma so soon after the verdict against the pro-democracy leader, the senator was tight-lipped. He spent around eight minutes fielding questions from journalists, before closing the Q&A session.
The visit may have been something of a missed opportunity. Sen Webb stated that he had a “frank” exchange with Snr-Gen Than Shwe, and said that he asked the regime to consider releasing Suu Kyi.
However, Webb did not raise the issue of Western sanctions or the recent allegations surrounding nuclear cooperation with North Korea during his meeting with the junta leaders.
“This is not the way to discuss these matters,” he told reporters before conceding that neither did he bring up the issue of the more than 2,100 political prisoners who remain in jail in Burma. (more…)
Severity masks weakness – The Washington Times
August 14th, 2009
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/14/severity-masks-weakness/
army parade during the Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw March 27. (Getty Images)
BANGKOK – It must be one of literary history’s deep ironies. George Orwell spent some of his formative years serving king and empire as a colonial policeman in resource-laden Burma, which, of all the crown’s far-flung jewels, he regarded as the one most likely to prosper after independence.
Instead, the erstwhile “rice-bowl of Asia” has gone on to become a living embodiment of Orwell’s magnum opus, “1984.” The absurd dystopia that is modern-day “Myanmar” — the name applied to Burma by its military rulers — lives up to its “truth is stranger than fiction” credentials today.
A military court declared pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest, after American John Yettaw swam across the lake beside Mrs. Suu Kyi’s Rangoon home to see her. Mr. Yettaw was arrested by the Burmese police after he swam back, and received a seven-year jail term for his part in the bizarre incident.
This will keep her under lock and key until after next year’s national elections. The elections are already controversial, with 25 percent of seats reserved for the ruling military, more than 2,000 opposition politicians and dissidents in jail, and many others in exile. (more…)
Suu Kyi Verdict: Reaction Divided – The Irrawaddy
August 13th, 2009
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=16554
John Yettaw (AFP)
As Aung San Suu Kyi returns to face another 18 months of house arrest, regional and global reactions have followed, highlighting a lack of international unity on her conviction and return to house arrest.
In somewhat of a surprise and perhaps indicating a difference in tone between US President Barack Obama’s foreign policy and that of his predecessor, the European Union (EU) reacted with the most vigor.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy specifically mentioned targeting Burma’s timber and gemstone exports for increased sanctions, while the European Parliamentary caucus on Burma said there should be a global arms embargo against the junta.
While President Obama and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both denounced the verdict, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters in Washington that it was “premature” to consider UN sanctions against Burma, perhaps awaiting some consensus at the UN Security Council. However, the US had already renewed its sanctions against the junta some weeks ago, a hardball counter to Secretary Clinton’s offer to relax sanctions should Suu Kyi be released, as the UN Security Council originally requested in May. (more…)
Suu Kyi verdict: trying to make wind solid – ISN
August 12th, 2009
As expected, Tuesday saw Aung San Suu Kyi found guilty of violating her house arrest terms by the Burmese authorities. The show trial will prevent the iconic dissident from taking part in 2010 elections. How will the world respond?
Activists mark the 12th anniversary of the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi in London in 2007
It must be one of literary history’s deep ironies. George Orwell spent some of his formative years serving King and Empire in resource-laden Burma, which, of all the Crown’s far-flung jewels, he regarded as the one most likely to prosper after independence.
Instead, the erstwhile ‘rice-bowl of Asia’ has gone on to become a living embodiment of Orwell’s magnum opus, “1984.” The absurd dystopia that is modern-day ‘Myanmar’ – the name applied to Burma by its military rulers – lives up to its ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ credentials today. A military court declared pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest. The sentence handed down was three years in prison with hard labor, but in a display of sardonic faux-magnanimity, the regime commuted her sentence to a mere additional 18 months under house arrest.
This will keep her under lock-and-key until after the national elections scheduled for next year. The elections are already controversial, with 25 percent of seats reserved for the ruling military, over 2,000 opposition politicians and dissidents in jail, and many others in exile. All of which completely undermines any prospect of free and fair elections. (more…)
US Focus on Pyongyang Risks Overlooking Burma – The Irrawaddy
August 10th, 2009
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=16519
Napyidaw from Google Earth
While there is no hard evidence to demonstrate that the Burmese regime in Naypyidaw has been seeking to acquire or develop nuclear weapons, the circumstantial evidence is worrying when North Korea’s track record is taken into account.
Recently, the secretary-general of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Surin Pitsuwan, said that there is still no clear evidence that Burma has such a nuclear facility, but that if it does exist, Burma would be forced to leave the regional bloc because all member states, including Burma, have signed a treaty pledging to maintain Asean as a nuclear-weapon free zone.
However, Burma’s alleged proliferation partner, Pyongyang, is providing its neighbors and the US with a much more immediate and pressing nuclear challenge, and one which could lessen the urgency of any international response to the Burma issue.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy recently, Prof Mely Caballero Anthony of the National University of Singapore said, “Between the two, DPRK and the Korean peninsula issues would be more pressing for the US than Burma.”
So far the US has given conflicting signals. (more…)
Myanmar’s Ties to North Korea escape scrutiny – The Washington Times
August 9th, 2009
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/09/myanmars-ties-to-n-korea-escape-scrutiny/
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES PROTEST: A woman in Paris holds a portrait Saturday of detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi amid worldwide demonstrations demanding her release.
BANGKOK | Governments and international bodies have been slow to act over the possibility that two of the world’s most repressive regimes – North Korea and Myanmar – are collaborating on nuclear technology.
A report earlier this month by an Australian newspaper, the Sydney Morning Herald, said that Myanmar, also known as Burma, is building a secret nuclear reactor and plutonium facility in caves tunneled into a mountain at Naung Laing in the northern part of the country.
The facilities are close to a civilian reactor under construction by Russia that is inspected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the newspaper said. It cited two Burmese defectors as the source of the information about the secret program.
While the reports have not yet been verified, a Burmese internal military report leaked to Irrawaddy newsmagazine, a Burmese exile publication, said North Korea has been helping the Myanmar junta build a network of tunnels to serve as air-raid shelters in the event of civil unrest or foreign invasion.
Burmese military officials have visited North Korea since the two countries re-established diplomatic relations in 2007. In June, the U.S. Navy trailed the North Korean freighter Kang Nam I, which appeared to be en route to Myanmar. It turned back before reaching its destination, generating speculation that its cargo included sensitive military technology.
“It’s frightening to contemplate nuclear cooperation between two military dictatorships, especially when the intentions and capabilities of the recipient … in this case are so murky,” said Sharon Squassoni, senior associate in the nonproliferation program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. (more…)
