Earlier this week, the Administration took steps to support private sector interest in Burma and help the new democratically-elected government.
Specifically, the Administration took sanctions steps intended to support investment and trade with Burma. These steps facilitate the movement of goods within Burma; allow certain incidental transactions related to U.S. individuals residing there; and allow most transactions involving designated financial institutions in Burma.
The sanctions changes are calibrated to maintain pressure on the military and other targeted persons, and to encourage additional democratic reforms.
It’s important that Burma reaps the rewards for its progress. After all, the goal of sanctions is to change behavior, not to punish. That’s why it is critical that we follow through on our commitments to provide sanctions relief when change occurs. After all, sanctions won’t succeed in promoting change if there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. (Courtesy of blogs.state.gov)
May 21, 2016
Shan villagers flee fresh fighting
Villagers from Namtma village have fled their homes after fresh fighting between the army and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) on the boundary between Lashio and Hsipaw townships in northern Shan State.
Medical staff left the area for Lashio Township around 25 miles away with residents moving to a neighbouring village.
Shooting between a military convoy and an armed group took place near Mount Yinkwe between Kyaukme and Naungpain on the Lashio-Mandalay road on May 16. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Medical staff left the area for Lashio Township around 25 miles away with residents moving to a neighbouring village.
Shooting between a military convoy and an armed group took place near Mount Yinkwe between Kyaukme and Naungpain on the Lashio-Mandalay road on May 16. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Why Rohingya? Equality and identity in Myanmar
I belong to an ethnic group that, according to my government, does not exist. In the past few weeks, ultra-nationalist protestors have proudly proclaimed, “There are no Rohingya in our country.” And then the NLD government requested foreign embassies to refrain from using the term “Rohingya”, reportedly stating that “the controversial term does not support the national reconciliation process and solving problems”. Their statement was disappointing because it was a capitulation to the hardliners and because I, as a Rohingya, want nothing more than national reconciliation. I want to live in a Myanmar where all of Myanmar’s peoples can live together in equality and peace.
I was born in Myanmar, my parents were born in Myanmar, and their parents were born in Myanmar. My family members have served in the Myanmar government and fought for Myanmar democracy. My father served as a teacher in government schools in Rakhine State for 30 years and was elected as a member of parliament in the 1990 elections. My mother, sister, father, brother and I were all imprisoned because of my father’s work alongside Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD in the democratic opposition. Even so, under the new NLD-led government, describing my ethnicity, language and culture has become a “controversial” political act. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
I was born in Myanmar, my parents were born in Myanmar, and their parents were born in Myanmar. My family members have served in the Myanmar government and fought for Myanmar democracy. My father served as a teacher in government schools in Rakhine State for 30 years and was elected as a member of parliament in the 1990 elections. My mother, sister, father, brother and I were all imprisoned because of my father’s work alongside Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD in the democratic opposition. Even so, under the new NLD-led government, describing my ethnicity, language and culture has become a “controversial” political act. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
China reaches over the Rohingya to touch the Indian Ocean
The Kyaukphyu project will serve China’s better connectivity with the Indian Ocean, even more than the Gwadar port in Pakistan. The Kyaukphyu SEZ project was awarded to a six-member international consortium headed by one of China’s biggest conglomerates, Citic Group. Four other Chinese industrial and investment groups and one of Thailand’s biggest conglomerates, Charoen Phokphand, constitute the other members of the consortium.
“The project is adjacent to the landing point of the dual pipeline that transports gas and crude oil to China,” Joshy Paul added. This pipeline runs into the Bay of Bengal, just below Bangladesh, in Rakhine province.
In May 2011, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Myanmar’s railways ministry and China’s state-owned Railway Engineering Corporation that allows the building of a rail line linking Kyaukphyu with Kunming, capital of the Yunnan Province of China. The scheme fits well with China’s revamp of the Silk Road, called the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road. (Courtesy of pressenza.com)
“The project is adjacent to the landing point of the dual pipeline that transports gas and crude oil to China,” Joshy Paul added. This pipeline runs into the Bay of Bengal, just below Bangladesh, in Rakhine province.
In May 2011, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Myanmar’s railways ministry and China’s state-owned Railway Engineering Corporation that allows the building of a rail line linking Kyaukphyu with Kunming, capital of the Yunnan Province of China. The scheme fits well with China’s revamp of the Silk Road, called the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road. (Courtesy of pressenza.com)
May 20, 2016
S'pore exploring investment treaty with Myanmar
Singapore is exploring the possibility of negotiating a bilateral investment treaty with Myanmar, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said yesterday during an introductory visit to Naypyitaw.
Such a deal will give potential investors "a greater sense of assurance, of security, of policy and regularity certainty", he said, adding that it will also accelerate investment.
Dr Balakrishnan was speaking at a joint press conference with Myanmar State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday morning. (Courtesy of straitstimes.com)
Such a deal will give potential investors "a greater sense of assurance, of security, of policy and regularity certainty", he said, adding that it will also accelerate investment.
Dr Balakrishnan was speaking at a joint press conference with Myanmar State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday morning. (Courtesy of straitstimes.com)
Engage with Myanmar for transition to civilian rule: WH
From Lalit K JhaWashington, May 19 (PTI) The US is carefully exploring thepossibility of using a calibrated military-to-militaryengagement with Myanmar to support a transition to civiliangovernment, a top White House official has said, a day afterAmerica eased economic sanctions on the country.
"We are carefully exploring in close consultation withCongress what can be done to use calibrated military-to-military engagement to support a transition to civilian rule,"Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said this weekafter the US eased as series of sanctions against Myanmar.
Rhodes, who has played a key role in the Obamaadministration's Myanmar policy and is said to be the manbehind pushing for a new policy with this country, said thatsome problems remain inherent in Myanmar's constitution. (Courtesy of msn.com)
"We are carefully exploring in close consultation withCongress what can be done to use calibrated military-to-military engagement to support a transition to civilian rule,"Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said this weekafter the US eased as series of sanctions against Myanmar.
Rhodes, who has played a key role in the Obamaadministration's Myanmar policy and is said to be the manbehind pushing for a new policy with this country, said thatsome problems remain inherent in Myanmar's constitution. (Courtesy of msn.com)
Vivian Balakrishnan meets with ex-Myanmar president Thein Sein
On the last day of his 3-day introductory visit to Myanmar on Thursday (May 19), Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan met Myanmar's former President, Thein Sein in the capital Nay Pyi Taw before leaving for Yangon.
Since handing over power to the National League for Democracy party earlier this year, Mr Thein Sein has resumed his position as the chairman of the former ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
Since handing over power to the National League for Democracy party earlier this year, Mr Thein Sein has resumed his position as the chairman of the former ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
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