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Kashmir, Babri Mosque, Muslim Personal law, Urdu and Minority Character of Aligarh Muslim University each and every controversy being used and exploited by BJP was created by the Congress

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'Whose Democracy?' Seminar in London on India’s 70th Independence Day

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Press Statements LONDON, 14 August 2016,: Kashmiris are facing an existential crisis under Indian army occupation, said Kashmiri academic, novelist and activist Nitasha Kaul at a seminar at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) organised by South Asia Solidarity Group (SASG). “It is as though there is a hierarchy of lives - for some, many more have to be lost, before people listen.” Ms Kaul said. She said India's relationship with Kashmir—humiliating attitude towards them, killing, injuring and blinding of innocent people, intimidating of journalists, and clamping down on the media and shutting down internet and mobile communication— was like Britain's relationship with India under colonial rule. Nitasha Kaul speaking Ms Kaul, a Kashmiri Pundit herself said that the uprising of Kashmiri people has nothing to do either with religion or with Pakistan. Kashmir happens to be a Muslim majority territory and India is using it as a pretext to demonise a people’s uprising as separatist. In today’s Islamophobic environment it fits well with the broader narrative, she said. Ms Kaul spoke of India’s oft repeated claim that Kashmir is an “integral part of India” and called it a very “imperial” attitude. “Why do you have to keep on repeating it? And why do you have to kill people to keep it integral?” She said that Kashmir is not like any other Indian state. It has its own history. She stressed that until 1953 when Sheikh Abdullah was arrested by Jawahar Lala Nehru, Kashmir had its own flag and own Prime Minister, not a Chief Minister. Also speaking at the meeting was editor of Urdu Media Monitor M Ghazali Khan. He said that Babri Mosque, Muslim Personal law, Urdu and Minority Character of Aligarh Muslim University each and every controversy being used and exploited by BJP was created by the Congress. He said that during its tenure Congress engineered anti-Muslim riots, BJP has modified the trend with its “Gujarat Experiment” adding and adopting in it “Love Jihad”, “Ghar wapsi” and “Gau Raksha” as the situation requires. Mr Khan added, “Soon after the partition a totally false and mischievous premise was created in India that Muslims alone were responsible for that historic blunder and was used and continues to be used as a weapon to victimize them. However, the publication between 1970 and 1983 of secret and official documents (Transfer of Power 1942-47) that hitherto had been in possession of the India Office Library, present a different picture of that period. In the light of these documents Gandhi, Nehru and Patel appear to be as much responsible for the partition as was Mohammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan.” He quoted Maulana Abul Kalam Azad from his book India Wins Freedom in which Maulana writes, “It must be placed on record that the man in India who first fell for Lord Mountbatten’s idea was Sardar Patel. Till perhaps the very end Pakistan was for Jinnah a bargaining counter, but in fighting for Pakistan, he had overreached himself. His action had so annoyed and irritated Sardar Patel that the Sardar was now a believer in partition…In fact Sardar Patel was fifty per cent in favour of partition even before Lord Mountbatten appeared on the scene. He was convinced that he could not work with the Muslim League. He openly said that he was prepared to have a part of India if only he could get rid of the Muslim League. It would not perhaps be unfair to say” Maulana goes on, “that Vallabhbhai Patel was the founder of Indian partition.” Mr Khan continued by noting that the Hinduva elements who had been collaborating with colonial masters had started working to divide communities as early as 1920s or may be much before that. He quoted noted Urdu writer Maulana Majid Dariabadi as having written, “In [19]20-21 no one knew what Hindu-Muslim riots were. In the beginning of 1924 this epidemic had broken out with full force... Each petty argument resulted into distrust and doubts. On one hand there was the rise of organisation of shudhdhi programmes on the other hand it was responded to by calling preaching groups. A discussion starting with politics always ended on dharam and Imaan [religion and faith].” He also quoted known freedom fighter Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar having written to his daughter, 6 November 1930, from London where he had come to attend the Roundtable Conference as, “News that we here have received through American newspapers create a hope that the demand for India will be for a united one – May God also cause it so. Success in whatever the conditions is very difficult yet is necessary...May, after having travelled overseas, the [Hindu] Maha Sabhai mind-set change and Indians realise in true sense the curse of slavery that they are under. May they overcome their desire to dominate and subjugate one another and, instead, strive jointly together to free themselves from the slavery by others? May God inspire the Hindus and the Muslims to do justice with each other and treat each other fairly. May they abhor slavery so much that they neither accept to be slaved by others nor try to enslave others. Amen!” Mr Khan stressed that the only way forward was a strong alliance between Dalits, Muslims and all other secular forces in India. Dalit activist and Chairman of CasteWatch UK Satpal Muman who was also due to speak could not personally attend the seminar but sent a written speech that was read out by at the meeting. In his message Mr Munan sent his solidarity with the hugely inspiring and significant Dalit Asmita march adding that the “stinking caste system” had followed Indians to the UK and the current British government acting undemocratically by ignoring legislation passed by parliament safeguarding Dalits from discrimination in the UK. Academic and activist Kalpana Wilson, chairing the meeting on behalf of South Asia Solidarity Group also expressed her solidarity with the Dalit movement in India. She said this was a hugely significant moment with Dalit demands for land hitting at the base of Hindutva economic policy of unscrupulously handing over land owned by the people to corporates like Ambani and Adani The seminar also heard a forceful narrative on Dalit lives titled “Black and Blue” written and read out by actor and story writer, Saunvedan Aparanti. He said, “What comes to your mind when you think of India? If you’ve been seduced by films, books, pictures and anglophile Indians over the last century then you will no doubt paint a happy picture. You might romanticise the poor yet happy people, the colours, the cuisine, the attire, the mystics, the music, the dance, the cacophony, the heat and the sensory overload of this one country. The only colour missing in your picture will be any shade of black because black is a colour that India hides. Black is a colour that India detests whether it be the colour of your skin or the colour of the sewer that you’re lowered in. A bottomless pit is where you will find the true colour of India.”

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Today, nearly a decade later when we are remember with pain the horrific violence of Kandhamal in 2008, many issues related to the state of affairs of communal violence, state of minorities, the state of justice delivery system come to one’s mind.

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Kandhamal: Long Wait for Justice

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The incident Just to recall, Orissa witnessed unprecedented violence against the Christian minority in August 2008. On August 23, 2008, Swami Laxmananand along with his four followers was killed, probably by a group of Maoists. Immediately, anti-Christian violence began on a big scale. The way it began it seemed as if preparations for it were well afoot. It was systematic and widespread. It sounded as if preparation was already there just the pretext was being awaited. (1) Christians in India Christians are a tiny minority in India. Contrary to the perception that British brought Christianity to India, it is one of the oldest religions of India. Its spread has been slow. Not much was heard against this minority till the decade of 1990s, when suddenly it started being asserted that Christian missionaries are converting. Anti-Christian violence has been occurring more in the remote-interior places and is accompanied by another phenomenon, that of Ghar Vapasi (return home), which is the conversions of Adivasis into the fold of Hinduism, by Vishwa Hindu Parishad-Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram. (2) It is from 1996, that this phenomenon of conversion-anti Christian violence has captured the attention of all of us. Suddenly, as if from nowhere has descended the ‘threat of conversion to Christianity’ by force or fraud. Simultaneously, attacks on priests and nuns increased in distant interior places. It has been a peculiar phenomenon that while these attacks in remote places were being undertaken, the Christian institutions in cities – schools, colleges and hospitals – were hard pressed to cope with the demands on their services related to education and health. The selective targeting of Christian missionaries in distant places was a matter of serious attention, concern and introspection. Social Common Sense As the ‘social common sense’ started accepting, ‘yes, they are converting’, ‘they have been converting’, a sort of silent approval of layers of society and state officials did accompany these attacks on the missionaries. One was used to hearing about attacks on Muslim minorities so far. How come a new minority came to be perceived as the ‘source of trouble’ and hence started being targeted? (3) Anti Christian violence did begin with isolated incidents like the attack on the Catholic Health Centre of India near Latur (1996), burning of Bibles and attacks on the Christian congregations. But most shocking was the burning alive of Pastor Graham Steward Stains (1999, January) along with his two sons, Philip and Timothy, aged 9 and 7 years, who were sleeping in a jeep after a village festival. Gradually the pattern of these attacks started emerging. In the remote places where Vanvasi Kalyan Ashrams (Society for Welfare of Forest Dwellers), an outfit of RSS, have been active and doing the propaganda work along with starting of Ekal schools and have been Hinduising Adivasis, the incidents were more pronounced and intense. Anti Christian Violence: Characteristics The violence against Christian missionaries has by now become a matter of routine. Unlike the anti Muslim pogroms-violence, it has been scattered and generally low key, occurring at sporadic intervals. Barring few dastardly acts like Pastor Stains’ burning and Rani Maria’s being hacked to death the incidents were medium in intensity and did not take the shape of carnage or pogrom against the community till the one in Orissa (December 2007 and later August 2008). The occurrence of these incidents was mostly in places that are having rampant poverty and illiteracy. The apathy in highlighting these core issues, deprivations, by a section of media was appalling. At the same time, by word of mouth the propaganda against Christian Missionaries was intensified. The message has been spread that Christian missionaries working in remote places are soft targets and one can get away without much reprisals. Also the anti-Christian mobilization of Adivasi youth through cultural manipulation was the groundwork on which the anti-Christian violence could sustain. In the atmosphere created by the activities of RSS progeny, local communal groups have felt emboldened to pick up any small issue and to make a violent incident out of it. Its’ frightening effect on the victims is tremendous. It also begins to polarize the local communities into Christian and non-Christian camps amongst whom the seeds of tension are sown. Cultural: Agenda The physical violence has been accompanied by cultural manipulation in these areas. The silent work to Hinduise Adivasis through religio-cultural mechanisms has been stepped up from last three decades. People like Swami Aseemanand (Dangs), Swami Laxmanand (Kandhmal, Orissa), followers of Asaram Bapu (Jhabua, MP) began their work in popularizing Hindu gods and Goddesses in the region. The choice of Gods/Goddesses from the vast pantheon of Hindu religion was a clever one. Here Shabri (Symbol of poverty and deprivation) was the main goddess, the idol for Adivasis. Temples in her names were started and regular Kumbhs (mass religious congregation of Hindus) were organized in her name. Kumbhs have been a tradition in Hinduism on fixed interval of time on the banks of Holy rivers; Ganges in particular. Modifying that tradition, these Kumbhs were organized in Adivasis areas. Here the work of conversion to Hinduism, the spread of ‘Hate against’ foreigners’, particularly Christians, was spread. In addition an atmosphere of terror was created against those who do not toe the line of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram. (4) Similarly the God Hanuman, the foremost devotee of Lord Ram was also made popular, by spreading his lockets and through different stories around him, in the Ekal Schools and Sarswati Shishu Mandirs. It created an atmosphere of divide in the Adivasi areas; Adivasis turned Hindus, the Hindu dalits and upper caste versus the Christians. It is this atmosphere of divisiveness, which has been at the root of the violence in these areas. Political Agenda This has been a part of the different activities undertaken by RSS combine to promote the agenda of Hindu nation. While RSS has floated many a organizations to communalize different sections of society, BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal, etc. it has also unleashed a set of cultural activities, set of educational institutions along with infiltration in media, bureaucracy, police and military. They are gradually imposing the idea of Hindu nation and accompanying culture and ideas. The culmination of this has been the violence against minorities, polarization of communities along religious lines and ghettoization of minorities. While all this is going on the violence against minorities’ is the most visible part of this phenomenon. The role of state agencies has been no different in these incidents than what it has been in the anti Muslim violence. In most cases, the administration has looked the other way when communal goons were on the rampage. The administration most often provided enough leeway for them to wreck havoc, indulge in intimidation, violence and to get away with that. The Adivasi areas, which were so far peaceful, started witnessing communal tensions. The area of violence in Adivasi regions is synonymous with the map of spread of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashrams and Vishwa Hindu Parishads in an indirect way. RSS had been floating different organizations for different sections of society; Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, to Hinduise Adivasis was founded in 1952 and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad founded in 1964 was to play an important role in the anti Christian tirade in times to come. Another RSS progeny which, directly supported violence against Christians, Bajrang Dal, was founded by RSS in 1984. After the intimidation and browbeating of Muslim minorities, especially after the post Babri demolition Mumbai riots, they stepped up their social dominance and needed another community to target their trishuls for further expansion of their social and electoral base, and that was done by the bogey of forced conversions and accompanying anti Christian violence, which started coming to the fore from 1996 onwards. The targeting of minorities has played an important role in polarizing the communities, in consolidation of the majoritarian politics in various ways. (5) The burning of Pastor Stains, in that sense was a turning point for Human rights groups, who so far were trying to grapple and respond to the anti Muslim violence. With this many concerned groups took up the investigations of the violence against Christians in the right earnest. As such, the first major cover up had to be undertaken by the BJP led NDA Government itself, in the aftermath of Stains murder. Initially, as a fire fighting measure, the functionaries of the NDA government tried to give a clean chit to the RSS combine. After the murder, the then home minister Lal Krishna Advani stated that he knows Bajrang Dal very well and this act could not have been done by that organization. To put a veil on the episode, the three cabinet ministers, George Fernandez, Murli Manohar Joshi and Navin Patnaik rushed to the site and proclaimed that the murder of Pastor is an international conspiracy to destabilize the BJP Government. This way they tried to bypass the real issue, i.e. involvement of Dara Singh, an activist of Bajrang Dal. (6) Struggle for Justice: People’s Tribunals The case of Orissa was specifically investigated by India Peoples Tribunal, led by Justice K.K.Usha (retired) of Kerala High court in 2006. (7) This tribunal forewarns about the shape of things to come. This tribunal assessed the spread of communal organizations in Orissa, which has been accompanied by a series of small and large events and some riots…such violations are utilized to generate the threat and reality of greater violence, and build and infrastructure of fear and intimidation. It further noted that minorities are being grossly ill treated; there is gross inaction of the state Government to take action. The report also describes in considerable detail how the cadre of majoritarian communal organizations are indoctrinated in hatred and violence against other communities it holds to be inherently inferior. If such communalization is undertaken in Orissa, it is indicative of the future of the nation… the signs are truly ominous for India's democratic future. It is in this backdrop that when the Kandhamal carnage took place, the offense of RSS affiliates, the lapses and partisan behaviour of state machinery, the lack of rehabilitation and deliverance of justice came as a big jolt to the victims and became the matter of concern for human rights groups. The lack of proper investigation and other actions on the part of state were the key for getting justice for the victims. While many a sincere, scattered efforts to help the afflicted were undertaken by different groups. These efforts were effective but inadequate in their reach. The tribunal organized for Orissa violence under Justice A. P.Shah (Retd) brought out the truth of the carnage. The hope was that the victims will be suitably rehabiliatated and get justice. (8) This tribunal observed, (excerpts) “The appalling feature of the Kandhamal violence, where rescue and relief work by non-profit, charitable and humanitarian organizations was prohibited through a government notification, indicates the impunity with which the state government acted, and its scant respect for rule of law and human rights of the victim-survivors of the violence.”... “The dismal conditions in the government-run relief camps are clearly indicative of the indifference of the state government to the plight of victim-survivors.”...”The testimonies of victim-survivors as well as the reports presented to the Tribunal indicate that victim-survivors were forcibly sent back to their villages, or abandoned near their villages, with total disregard to their safety.”...“Peace-building Initiatives: The fact that many victim-survivors are unable to return to their villages due to threats and intimidation by perpetrators, and many of those who have returned continue to live in constant fear and security, lead us to conclude that the state government’s peace initiatives have been a dismal failure and nothing more than an eyewash.” It also made lot of recommendations about relief, rehaibilation, compensation and justice. This excerpt is very telling “Implementation of State’s Duty Towards Peace-building, Voluntary Return and Reintegration: The State should recognize the Internally Displaced Persons’ right to return to their homes and create all possible enabling conditions to facilitate such safe return in accordance with the above standards. The state ought to discharge its duty of creating a conducive, safe and peaceful environment that can sustain return or re-integration of victim-survivors through access to public services, legal and personal documentation, and to livelihoods and income-generating opportunities without any form of discrimination.” As usual the recommendations of the tribunal remain in the limbo. The heartening feature of struggle for justice in Kandhamal is the dogged determination of the victims and human rights activists to get the justice. This is also the time to understand that justice is a long term goal also which requires a programmatic alliance between the struggling sections of society, be it dalits, Adivasis, women, workers or struggling sections of society. In the light of growing intolerance in society, in the light of the growing stifling of the democracy society the need to build social alliances to preserve democracy and human rights is all the more crucial at this juncture. Foot Notes 1. https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2016/03/4383286/ 2. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/03/14/christian-persecution-by-hindus-rises-in-india-say-humanitarian-groups.html 3. http://www.sacw.net/article12604.html 4. http://www.pucl.org/Topics/Religion-communalism/2006/dangs.htm 5. https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2008/10/indi-o07.html 6. http://www.southasianconnection.com/articles/341/1/Graham-Staines-and-His-Two-Young-Sons-Burnt-Alive-Wife-Forgives-Unconditionally/Page1.html 7. http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Ne130908HindutvasViolentHistory.asp 8. http://www.persecution.in/content/kandhamal-victims-still-face-intimidation-peoples-tribunal

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The Prophet did not hesitate in leading the funeral prayer of the person whose hypocrisy was known to everyone but in this part of the world even marriages are declared as nullified for joining funeral prayers led by the scholars of another sect.

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Who Will Decide Who is a Kafir and who is a Muslim?

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Islamic Perspectives Some readers may not like this but the fact is that Zakir Naik’s style has antagonized many and his speeches sometimes contain objectionable expressions that cause unnecessary and avoidable misunderstandings. For this reason, he has been criticized several times in the past. Bangladesh incident has only provided an excuse to those, within the community, to settle old scores and has given even a greater opportunity to Islamophobes who are always on the lookout for an excuse to launch attack on Muslims and Islam. It must also be clarified that not all of the critics of Zakir Naik are opposed to whatever he propounds and they think that instead of indulging in discussions on fiqah (Islamic jurisprudence), history and politics if he had focused only on comparative religion his popularity could have gone much higher than his mentor late Ahmad Deedat. However, the fact is that on the basis of his speeches neither can a fatwa of apostasy be issued against him; nor can the allegation of spreading terrorism be proved against him. At present media has overlooked its duty of objective reporting and has instead dragged Zakir Naik in the doc, Hindutva brigades have taken upon themselves the task of issuing certificates of patriotism and disloyalty to individuals, and some of the Muslim scholars as well have taken Allah’s laws in their hands and have started issuing verdicts on who will go to hell and who will go in the heaven. The latest to perform this task is a Shi’a cleric Maulana Yusuf Abbas. The Maulana has not only held Zakir Naik liable to be beheaded but has also put a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on his head. While scholars of almost all sects have been declaring the followers of other sects as kafirs (apostates) and thus all of them are guilty of being takfeeri—the one who declares others kafirs— a term being used very liberally and more aggressively, but rightly, by the Iranian media for Daesh. This is not to defend Daesh or its heart-wrenching crimes against humanity. However, in the situation in which we are, one fails to understand which Muslim sect is not Takfeeri. And who is guiltier of it than the Shi’a scholars who have not even spared the first three caliphs and the wife of the Prophet (PBUH) and mother of the faithful Aisha (RA). One does not need to sift through books and archives in libraries to find this truth. YouTube has made the task pretty easy where the ‘scholars’ (one feels disgusted to call those who use such filthy and obscene language for others as scholars) of all sects have posted highly venomous articles and speeches. And if all of them are true then one wonders who is a Muslim? According to the Divine criteria, as described by the Prophet anyone who believes in the Oneness of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as His last messenger, Divine Books, angels and in the life hereafter is a Muslim. According to some sayings of the Prophet the fire of hell becomes haram on a person who has pronounced even once in his lifetime La iIaha illaAllah (There is no god but Allah). But as far as these scholars are concerned every one of them has his own definition of a believer. The Prophet received delegations of nonbelievers in his own mosque, Masjid-e-Nabawi, and never after their departure did he wash and clean it saying that it had been defiled. But in the Indian subcontinent mosques are washed and cleaned if a person of another sect enters there. Some mosques even carry warning signs at the gates naming the sects who are not allowed in the mosque. Have such the so-called scholars ever pondered this Qur’anic warning, ‘Who is more iniquitous than he who bars Allah’s places of worship, that His name be mentioned there, and seeks their destruction? It does not behoove such people to enter them, and should they enter, they should enter in fear. There is degradation for them in this world and a mighty chastisement in the Next.’ (Qur’an, Al- Baqara, 2:114) The Prophet did not hesitate in leading the funeral prayer of the person whose hypocrisy was known to everyone but in this part of the world even marriages are declared as nullified for joining funeral prayers led by the scholars of another sect. Muslims had started travelling around the world trading, preaching and spread Islam around the world in the lifetime of the Prophet. If they got martyred or met their natural deaths in a faraway land they were buried there. But in this part of the world burials are denied to fellow Muslims in the graveyards on sectarian, sometimes even on caste basis. The deep division in the ummah is not only because of differences between schools of thought Muslims follow but blind faith in some of the most painful incidents in Muslim history by a large section of the ummah has turned these divisions into an untreatable social cancer. No one wants to adopt a common sense approach. How many of us can really vouch on the veracity of the live coverage of incidents around the world that we watch on our TV and computer screens and say that the angle of the picture being seen is the right one? However, uncritical (rather blind) followers of history behave as if not only were they the eye witnesses pf those incidents described in history books but had themselves taken part in those battles. And the tragedy is that they think that based on the version of history they are being told since their childhoods they have the right to declare others as Muslims or kafirs. The fact is that their blind faith and self-righteousness is in no way different from Daesh. Daesh too believes that it can decide who is or is not a Muslim. What makes Daesh different from them is that it goes a step further and implements what it believes in. Anyway, we like it or not, for some whatever version of history they are being taught since their childhood has become part of their Iman. Centuries have passed and instead of any softness, these attitudes are becoming inflexible and hard. What this section of the ummah should, however, consider and think that contrary to the propaganda they are being brainwashed with, no Muslim, with an iota of Iman in him can have ill and bad feelings for the family of the Prophet (PBUH) upon whom we send Darood five times a day. If there is any unfortunate individual who is committing this sin, May Allah SWT guide him and give him the taufeeq to do toubah. Coming back to Zakir Naik controversy, on the one hand there is an Islamic preacher and on the other hand there are the enemies of Islam. And Allah says in the Qur’an, ‘Believers! Be upholders of justice, and bearers of witness to truth for the sake of Allah, even though it may either be against yourselves or against your parents and kinsmen, or the rich or the poor: for Allah is more concerned with their well-being than you are.’ (An-Nisa, 4:135). It is said that when Mongol warrior Halaku invaded and destroyed Baghdad in 1528 the scholars (Ulema) were busy arguing in a grand discussion whether a crow is haram or halal. Sadly in the Muslim world in general and in India in particular situation is not different from that of Baghdad of 1528.

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Political parties have sidelined their Muslim supporters as they have started to believe that they would either get Muslims’ support even after disrespecting them or that they can now manage to win at the hustings even without Muslim support

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Indian Muslim Politics: Time to think out of the box

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Focus Political parties have sidelined their Muslim supporters as they have started to believe that they would either get Muslims’ support even after disrespecting them or that they can now manage to win at the hustings even without Muslim support, says Muhammad Adeeb in his letter to important Muslim personalities. Friends, Assalam Alaikum! The present time is the worst in our nation’s history after independence. In fact, it is more than worst for we Muslims are passing through a most difficult phase since the bloody events of Partition. Darkness, suffocation and uncertainty are prevalent all-over. Beyond all sorts of practical difficulties, all so-called secular political parties have very shrewdly isolated Muslims. Now, it seems that the Muslim community committed a great mistake by supporting the “secular” political parties with all their might and resources. They massively supported Samajwadi Party in U.P. and helped it reach the throne in Lucknow. Then, they extended consolidated support to the secular united front (JD(U) and RJD) in Bihar helping it to occupy the seat of power in Patna. They even supported Mamta Banerjee overwhelmingly and paved the way for her return to the helm. The recent Rajya Sabha elections in various states should have opened our eyes. Not even a single “secular” political party in U.P. and Bihar has bothered to nominate even one Muslim leader for the biennial elections to the Upper House. Perhaps, they have taken it for granted that Muslims have no other option except to support one of them. On the other hand, in Assam the grand Congress Party decided to ignore the AIUDF and thus allowed the BJP and its allies to effortlessly win the elections. Had the Congress leadership been wise enough to see reason, the BJP’s dream of snatching power in that state could never be fulfilled. The harsh truth is that we Muslims have become a liability for all “secular” parties. We have no political weightage in their eyes. Ironically, now they seem to be looking for a pretext or ploy to get rid of Muslim leaders in their ranks. The reason is obvious and simple: our so-called vote bank is a myth. No Muslim voter is behind the Muslim leaders. They always prefer to be stupidly divided among non-BJP parties, losing their political value and wasting their votes. Once divided, they indirectly help BJP win alone. And, as I said above, if they support any (secular) party en bloc, they make it win, but, the winning party or parties kick them back immediately after elections. This attitude is evident everywhere, in general, and in U.P. and Bihar, in particular. Today, we are in hot waters. We are in a peculiar situation where we have lost everything – our honour, prestige, political weightage, wealth and property – and now even our very existence is at stake. Let’s refresh our brains and open our eyes, otherwise doom is going to be our only fate. This is high time when we have to ponder over the prevailing state of affairs in the country and take some down-to-earth, realistic and practical, though hard, decisions. Very painfully but enthusiastically, I call all Muslim leaders, be they political or religious, all Muslim organisations, be they political, social or religious, all minority parties, all Muslim leaders in the ranks of different political parties and in fact, the Muslim leadership as a whole, to come to one platform, single-mindedly, with a one-point programme to teach a lesson to all the so-called secular parties and prove their potentiality. Do you not feel pinched that they win elections on our strength, enjoy the luxury of power and discard us when they allot ministries and make nominations for elections to upper chambers at the Centre and in various states? They even ignore their own stalwarts for the only sin that they happen to be Muslims. Now, no political party or its head is trustworthy. They have already sidelined their Muslim supporters as they have started to believe that they would either get Muslims’ support even after disrespecting them or that they can now manage to win at the hustings even without Muslim support. I do not know what is their logic or basis for such an unwise and impractical thinking. Perhaps they have assured themselves that Muslims in India have no way to escape from their camps. Willy-nilly, they have to support one of them in the given conditions. They are sure of using the threat of BJP to force Muslims to support them to keep the rightist party at bay. This threat has worked on many an occasion. In fact, this is the only weapon in the hands of the so-called secular leaders to make fool of Muslims, again and again. But, let’s realise and boldly declare that we alone took the responsibility of defeating BJP but now we are no more ready to become tools in the hands of various secular leaderships for realising their dreams at our cost. Today, we are on the crossroad and we have to take immediate decisions in order to come out of the impasse and dilemma facing us. Ironically, we no longer have leaders like Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to rally around. Hence, we have to go for a collective leadership. We may easily come together on the basis of a Common Minimum Programme and raise a united voice from a single platform. But for that we have to rise above all sectoral and factional differences and individual hostilities. I think it is not that difficult. When political parties from rival camps can come together to create fronts on the basis of a Common Minimum Agenda with the sole aim of wresting power and such systems have worked in many cases at the Centre and in states, then why not we too, with an aim to defend ourselves, come together on one platform to make a United Front. You may call it a Federation, Consortium or simply an Consultative Body (Majlis-e-Shoora) but it should be highly powered to uniformly take harsh decisions during critical hours. In this context, very humbly and modestly, I wish to offer a proposal for a united front of Muslim Leadership. In my view, we should extend an open invitation to all Muslim organisations -- political, social, cultural and religious -- and Muslim leaders in various political parties and also tall Muslim individuals who are power centres in their our right. We can also awaken those few Muslim leaders who are in wilderness now but they have their own positivity. Further, we can invite Muslim intellectuals and legal experts for their precious opinion. All of them should gather at one place for high level consultations. In such a conclave, all those present would be treated as equals, everyone would be heard and his or her view honoured. All decisions would be taken unanimously. Only then, we can go to the Muslim masses to seek their support. In order to convince common Muslims, the decisions taken by such an esteemed convention would be publicised widely. For this purpose, we would have to organise public meetings with a cordial and open invitation to all Muslims and all like-minded people at Delhi, Lucknow and in all districts, first in U.P. and later in other states. Let’s make our motive clear. We are not going to oblige any political party. We are not supposed to follow anyone of them, faithfully and blindly. We shall simply demand our share in power on the basis of our numbers and strength. We would no more be mere supporters but share-holders. And for that we have to mobilise all Muslim voters. Once, they come behind us, we shall be in a position to make a deal with any political party. I tell you, it’s not a mere dream. Once united, we shall be in a position to shake all political powers. Then, they would have to come to terms and talk to us for a respectable settlement. And that would indeed be an achievement. May be some of our friends in the ranks of different political parties, though neglected themselves, would raise their eyebrows and may dislike our approach, but we have to take such things in our stride and keep on making consistent efforts to reach our goal. I am a humble servant of my community. I have always raised my voice on all issues related to Muslims in Parliament and outside, articulating them without any fear or compromise. And for that I have suffered a lot, which is well known. Here, I take liberty to make it crystal clear that I have no political ambition or lust for power. I have already spent fifty years of my life in politics. If at this later stage of my life, the Almighty bestows me with an opportunity to serve my community, in any manner, I shall feel proud in doing my best. I am totally committed to the welfare of my Muslim brethren and sisters. My entire political career has been an open book to prove my sincerity. I am a humble soul like all others. I feel pain for all the shocks and hardships Muslims face, as you all do. Now, this is my privilege that I am placing these suggestions before you all. In my view, if we Muslims have to exist with pride and honour in this country we have to emerge as a consolidated vote-block and should be all capable of transferring votes. That’s the only solution in the prevailing circumstances. Otherwise, no one can save us from the disaster staring us in the face. If my modest suggestions have an appeal for you, in any manner, please let me know of your opinion and enrich me with your advice, so that I can gain strength to go ahead. I have a few friends with me. With your blessings, we plan to organise a meeting of Muslim elders, leaders, scholars and intellectuals, either in Delhi or in Lucknow. After a successful elite conference, we would follow public meetings at a wide scale. Today, we are fighting for our survival.We have to see reason and accept reality, discarding whims, fancies and egos. That’s the call of the hour. The destination is not far away. What is required is to move forward and go ahead. With best regards. Mohammad Adeeb, ex-MP madeeb45@yahoo.co.in

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What has happened to dalits? Why have they become so violent? They are getting reservation through constitution in everything, what else do they want now?

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What happened to Dalits, isnt reservations enough for them?

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Analysis “What has happened to dalits? Why have they become so violent? They are getting reservation through constitution in everything, what else do they want now ?” was the concern of one of my friends. I had nothing to say in reply as it would have amounted to the provoked answer given in haste. To avoid it, I maintained silence and kept brooding about it. This is when I tried to think over it in organised manner. Though, this was clear that nothing else but the series of events in Gujarat had forced to speak what otherwise would have never come out. I did think in the beginning to reprimand him for inhumane understanding but then I stopped for few seconds and thought can this question possibly be of somebody else who may belong to lower castes keeping in mind his 'belongingness to upper caste and the consciousness it carries'. Thus, I tried to scrutinize my own ideas related to the recent 'developments of dalit movements' all across the country. So, the question as what has happened to dalits remain unanswered. And in my opinion, it needs to be urgently resolved. To understand as what has happened to dalits we need to take into account some major changes which took place within recent years at tremendous speed. Some may expect the beginning of it after Modi government has come to power or some may say it as preparatory move of opposition to defeat BJP in UP election. Well, this may be the turning point for some, however, in my opinion, this is surely not the starting point of dalit awakening. To illustrate it more, we must go further back to explore dalit consciousness at large and thus, through few major incidents I would attempt to give answer as what I find is happening in dalits movements. Nirbhaya case In the recent past, one such protest like Gujarat happened in the case of Nirbhaya case of Delhi in2012. Nirbhaya case brought a massive shift in the dimensions of social consciousness where the furious debate happened centering upon gender. In this debate, the primary gender question arose as whether to mention the original name of the victim or not. This is how the name Nirbhaya was coined. Just to remind, when several members of civil society were arguing over this debate, the mother of victim openly took the name of her daughter and told that those people need to be ashamed who did it with my daughter and not my daughter as she bravely fought. So, the debate on the recognition or existence of the gender took place in a very loud manner. But simultaneously, another debate was ferociously happening which was as usual pushed under the carpet. And this debate was of far more intense nature i.e, the caste of the gender. In this, dalit organisations had been vociferously saying that had this incident happened with any dalit girl or woman, the upper caste media would not have ever made it a matter of shame at the international level as it is found true in several cases in the past as dalit women are far more vulnerable and suffer the worst kind of brutality throughout their life. This argument hit the consciousness of dalits as around same time so many rapes of dalit women took place. Unfortunately, even then cases related to dalit atrocities did not find much space in any kind of mainstream media. Such ignorance really substantiated the argument of dalit organisations and intellectuals. Just to name few, cases such as the murder following the rape of two dalits girl hanged in the tree in UP, Delta Meghwal, a dalit school girl of Rajasthan and Jisha, a dalit college girl of Kerala really shook the nerve of every sensible individual at least at the national level. Rohith Vemula suicide Another such case is the suicide of Rohith Vemula in one of the premiere universities. Actually, this matter was too much politicised. As a result, the real issue of dalits in academia got conspiringly overshadowed in the mainstream media. After a long time, dalit students were really infuriated. Some of them declared it the climax that time. Not only this, too much of politicisation of Rohith Vemula's case resulted into the debate where Ambedkar's way of struggle was deliberated. Interestingly, tt was made sure that it gets seconded by dalit leaders of the ruling party at the centre. Thus, Rohith was fnally put to blame even after his death that he, being Ambedkarite, escaped the real struggle and committed suicide. Some of them endeavoured to frame the debate by saying that it happens in every premiere institutions because when they get the admission in reputed institutions on the basis of reservation they fail to compete with the expected standard which leads them to utter frustration and, thus they commit suicide. So, it was intelligent enough to say that reservation is the main reason for such suicides. Thus, there was an oft-repeated attempt to give the debate of discrimination a notorious turn. Unfortunately, most of the people were convinced by the idea as what is so special in this suicide as it always happens. And it rather received counter question as to why other suicides in the past did not get the due attention? And they concluded by saying that it is all politics. And this concern was shared by many. To open up the dabate further, such people underestimated the fact that Rohith Vemula was not the one who surrendered rather he fought and he fought ideologically and valiantly. It was the contradiction existing in reality which aroused in him a sense of history where he, measuring through the state of ideological aparatuses, got convinced that the idea of liberation for him as a dalit lies nowhere else but in death. His idea of emancipation in death defeated the notion of life and the discrimination ingrained in it. His suicide was not the surrender, as many might do the mistake to have understood it like this, rather the strong decision and the last method to prevent any kind of further violence either physical or mental. It was not the denial to life, but the straight refusal to the discriminated life. Rohith offered the real contradiction of our time where the dignity and life does not coexist for dalits. In its metaphorical sense, dalits have no life as their dignity is violated, they will have to die if at all they want to live with dignity. He showed that the death can be better lived on choice where the life is denied to dalits. This idea got translated in many different ways but what Rohith made clear is the idea that how we shall have to move towards death if we have nothing more but the human aspiration i.e, life with dignity. Indelible imprint of this consciousness can be seen in the protests flooding the streets in every state of our country. Beef Ban and Gau Raksha All limits were crossed when the denial of dignity got coincided with the denial of livelihood of dalits. It is after when the BJP and RSS attacked on the profession on which most of the dalit communities survive became much worse. The fanaticism of RSS for cow slaughter did not just ignore the question of livelihood rather it got the moral sanction of the middle class hindus who are basically from the upper strata of society. And, there was not the other way to appease middle class and upper class and caste Hindus than raising the question of cow slaughter as a religious issue as it would not in any manner affect their livelihood or standard of life. It will not just reinforce the idea of Brahmanical Hinduism but will also appease the anti-Muslim sentiment which is the major breeding ground of BJP. Interestingly, the BJP govt failed to measure up the grimness of the crisis of survival of majority of dalits who still eke out their livelihood through the work of skinning of dead animals in most parts of the country. This is where the notion of life was going to be defeated again and the death appeared to be inescapable. This was real crisis foreseen everywhere in the consciousness of dalits. Muslims were getting severely cornered on the same ground as the minority group, which was obviously creating the space for sharp resentment. But the identity of minority did not let them organise at least to voice their concern related to their livelihood. But when the usual targetting of dalits took place in Una in Gujarat that confirmed their fear that if they have to survive, fighting against Gau Rakshak Samiti is the only way. It once again invoked the same spirit of Rohith Vemula, as even in Una eight dalits attempted to commit suicide. I would like to emphasise that once again the same idea of emancipation in death would have defeated the notion of life for dalits. Once again, the contradiction of the life and the dignity for dalits would have become paramount. But this time, it did not happen at the consciousness level but somewhere in the unconsciousness, it would have once again reaffirmed 'the state of ideological apparatuses of discrimination' in the minds of those eight dalits, which would have provoked them towards suicidal attempt. Farcical iconisation of Ambedkar by BJP And at last, the step taken by BJP to capture the legacy of Ambedkar on the lines of Hindutva sharpened the contradiction further more. Through this, the last hope of dalits was going to be taken away from them by those who once had inflicted the severest kind of humiliation upon Ambedkar when he was alive and struggling for the dignified life. Dalits understood the farce played by BJP to provide a certain kind of iconisation. Facing the series of atrocities and violence and their deliberate ignorance caused the worst form of insecurity of their life. They were bereft of all hopes. In the face of their women getting raped in the villages and fields, their youth committing suicides while fighting in university campuses, their men getting beaten to death tied to the trees, their daughters getting raped and hanged to the trees in the broad daylight, and their livelihood being taken away from them left them with no other choices than to fight the way they have chosen. If the historical protest organised in Ahmedabad as well as all around the country and the deliberate ignorance of coverage of such news indicating the paradigm shift in the political discourse of India continues, if the perception of people towards dalits would not change, if the sense of human justice would not be evoked for them, it would certainly unleash another age of distrust and violence. And another many centuries of peace will be compromised. And this fierce battle of liberation from discrimination has started from the birth place of Gandhi. (Dharmaraj Kumar is pursuing PhD at CIL, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He may be contacted at dmaxrule$gmail.com)

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Please read the complete policy and give suggestions as it will help in making the education better. Please email your suggestions to nep.edu@gov.in by 31st July 2016

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A chance to give suggestions on National Policy of Education

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Education and Careers This is a great opportunity to ensure our points are made and make a difference. Please read the complete policy and give suggestions as it will help in making the education better. Some Concerns and Challenges: Poor quality of education. Inappropriate curriculum Lack of trained educators Schools are not compliant to the prescribed norms. etc Please email your suggestions to nep.edu@gov.in by 31st July 2016 Please visit the site for more info on the policy. National Policy on Education - Draft (received from K.H. MUSTAFA)

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I got it - Sense Ain’t Common!

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Samuel Taylor Coleridge once said that, “Common sense is an uncommon degree in what the world calls wisdom.” I agree with him in this particular aspect however, it is sad to say that although it is said to have been common everybody does not have it. To understand best what I am trying to convey here, it is important that a full understanding of what common sense really is, is presented to help our readers understand. Hence, common sense has been defined as a person having the basic ability to perceive, understand and judge things, which is shared by nearly all people and can reasonably be expected of nearly all people without any need for debate. Though this may seem common and simple the reality is that it isn’t. We MUST Understand that common sense is not really something that can be taught or inherited. But it hinges on the mentality of each individual according to how they view and perceive things. Though this can relate to anybody with no respect to race, sex, creed or culture, I always deal with things from a Black perspective. Why? Because African-American News & Issues is a publication that has thrived off of addressing and reporting current and historical realities that affect our communities for over 20 years. Thus, I felt the need to address this issue. People always say just use common sense. But there is absolutely no way that a person can use something that they do not have. Therefore, we cannot merely assume that sense is common because everybody don’t have the ability to use and demonstrate it. It’s a sad situation but it is very true in nature. The reason that I am presenting this in this editorial is because there is a misconception about common sense. Terms such as, “common”, “average” and “normal” are all indicators of what would help a person understand what common sense is. But you cannot simply suggest that because something is a norm to some people that it will reflect everyone. To help our readers understand common sense I will provide a few examples. For an example, it would be thought that everybody would know that if you see a train coming down a railroad track, blowing its’ horn that it wouldn’t be wise to step out in front of it. That is what people would think, but we know that there are many instances that people have been killed from stepping out in front of a train. So we can’t say that it’s common sense, because everybody ain’t got it! Here’s is another one… It would be thought that if a person was to open a door that was previously closed and walk through it that, that person would close the door behind them. But we know that there are people who would walk through a door that was closed and not think twice about shutting it back. Once again we can’t say that it’s common sense, because everybody ain’t got it! It would be thought that if you assist or help a person out that really needs your help to do something that they would not have been able to do without your help; it would be assumed that they would at least reply with a simple, “Thank You”. Nevertheless, many people take for granted acts of kindness and just figure that whatever you do for them you are supposed to, so they feel that there is no need to say anything. So once again I state, we can’t say that it’s common sense because everybody doesn’t do it! Another example, it would be thought that if a parent or guardian dedicates years out of their life to raise children up and ensure that they are properly tended; a person would think that when that child or children reaches adulthood that they would return the favor to the very one or one’s that tended to them when they are no longer able to do for themselves. Yet, the reality is that everybody doesn’t. Therefore, we can’t say that it’s common sense because everybody ain’t got it! I could go on and on presenting various examples and instances whereas a person would believe that common sense would be used. But as I have repetitiously tried to convey here is that we cannot expect for everybody to think and behave a certain way, just because something has been labeled as a norm for some people. Although I have explained in detail what common sense is and have written about the fact that there are many people who do not have it, I would like to encourage our readers even the more. No matter what type of sense you have or don’t have; whatever you do or wherever you go just don’t take no wooden nickels and don’t let nobody sell you none either! As I have said over and over in this editorial, sense ain’t common and you can’t expect everybody to have it! About the author aframnews

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New Mount Calvary Baptist Church& Christopher C. Moore, Senior Pastor, presents Family and Friends Community Weekend

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Come One – Come All!!!!! Date: Saturday and Sunday, September 24-25, 2016 Saturday, September 24, 2016. EVERYONE WELCOME Parade 9-10am, Community Festival and Carnival, 10am-4pm. Free Food Carnival rides and Train for children and adults BBQ Cook Off, Family Games, Entertainment, Taste and See Baking Contest Free flu shots Pneumonia, shingles, and meningitis vaccines requires preregistration and insurance for these vaccinations. Blood glucose testing and blood pressure screening. Trainer assisted exercise, Zumba, and yoga classes Shop in the NMCBC Clothes Closet for free new and slightly used adult and children’s clothes On Sunday, September 25, 2016 @ 10:00AM Come join us in praise and worship!!! at The New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Campus 4711 Kelley Street, Houston TX 77026 Contact information: Church Administrative Office – 713.635.1955/Website: www.nmcbc.org About the author aframnews

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The 7th Annual BronzeLens Film Festival Kicks Off This Week

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LaWanda Thomas of Wandaring Outloud Media It’s not Christmas but it is the most wonderful time of the year. The 7th Annual BronzeLens Film Festival starts this Thursday, August 25, in Atlanta. For four film-filled days during this highly anticipated festival, more than 49 shorts, features, webisodes and documentaries by filmmakers representing the United States and abroad will be screened. In addition to showcasing amazing films by both veteran and up and coming filmmakers, BronzeLens also hosts star-studded events and workshops led by industry insiders. The Women SuperStars Luncheon is the event not to be missed. During this often sold out event, there will be an In Conversation interview with Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science President Cheryl Boone Isaacs led by renowned WSB-TV veteran Monica Pearson. Awards for the accomplishments of women of color in the film and television industry will also be presented to selected 2016 Honorees. This year BronzeLens film focused workshops will be empaneled by industry leaders such as Roger Bobb, Julie Dash, David Banner, Brett Dismuke, Dawn Gilliam, and Matthew Cherry. First Glance Friday will serve as the Atlanta premiere for the eagerly awaited HBO series Insecure. Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey’s upcoming series Queen Sugar will also have its Atlanta premiere that evening. Highlights for this inaugural event will include talkbacks with Insecure creator and actress Issa Rae and Queen Sugar director Neema Barnette. Cinema and Social Justice Sunday produced in conjunction with National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a unique and critical component of the festival. Deborah Riley Draper’s acclaimed Olympic Pride, American Prejudice will be this year’s featured film followed by a Q&A discussion with the director. Saturday’s lineup includes special programming for high school and college students and the BronzeLens Family Film Festival for children. BronzeLens will also take a moment to salute our men in film and television during Sunday Brunch with the Brothers, featuring Rushion McDonald, executive producer of the Neighborhood Awards Show, Lamman Rucker, star of Service to Man and OWN’s Greenleaf, Tobias Truvillion of Empire, and Dorian Missick, star of 9 Rides. BronzeLens truly offers something for everyone. BronzeLens has established itself as one of the nation’s most substantive film festivals. Events will take place at the Atlanta Marriot Marquis Hotel (Festival Headquarters), SCADShow, Georgia Pacific Center Auditorium, National Center for Civil and Human Rights and South Fulton Arts Center. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.bronzelens.com. About the author aframnews

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AVANCE - African American News - Black News - Colored News - Negro News

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Houston- Avance’s mission is “unlocking America’s potential by strengthening families in at-risk communities through effective parent education and support programs.” This organization serves different communities in the Houston area, and they help families’ advance and progress through their core values, which is engagement, innovation, using a holistic approach, and through dignity. They offer many educational programs that not only have a positive impact on adults, but on children as well. Their Parent-Child Education Program is based on the premise that “parents are their children’s first teachers and the home is the first classroom.” The Early Head Start program is for children who are 0-3 years of age, which provides support for parents in order to help create a healthy family environment, and helps develop infants and toddlers. The Head Start program is for children who are 3-5 years of age, and this helps them develop mentally, socially, emotionally, physically, and even prepares them for kindergarten. The Adult Education program provides ESL learning, a chance for adults to earn their GED, and to learn computer and communication skills. The Workforce program prepares parents through workshops such as resume building, and even learning how to interview, which will help them gain employment. The Healthy Marriage program is focused on creating a healthy and strong relationship for the parents in order to help build and sustain a great home environment for children. The great part about these programs is that they are offered in English and in Spanish. One program that is about to kick off is their Fatherhood Program, which “provides fathers with tools for their individual advancement and helps them create bonding experiences with their children.” In addition to, the “program focuses on increasing the father’s role in the child’s education, nurturing and bonding with the child, loving and respecting the child’s mother, coaching the child, and serving as a role model.” The Fatherhood program is for fathers or father figures of children from birth to 5 years of age. It is an eight-week program, and fathers will participate in different activities and events that will give them an opportunity to not only bond with their child, but to help them become more engaged in their child’s development. Furthermore, through this program, there will be an employment administrator that will help them with job opportunities, and to help them develop an action plan to accomplish the goals that they want to achieve. This organization also has partnerships with Houston Community College, for if the fathers need to go to school in order to help them get employed, or to find better employment. In addition to, in regards to the child’s emotional development, the fathers will make toys with their children. According to Eric Johnson, who is the Fatherhood Coordinator, he expressed that, “it is not just making a toy for the child to play with…but it is helping the father understand the child’s development.” It is also the interaction that the father has with his child, which goes way deeper than just making a toy. This organization plans to make positive impacts on many people’s lives. “We’re making history with this curriculum”, expressed Johnson. Not only do they want to touch the lives of many in Houston, but also one of their main goals is to go nationwide. According to Janet Deleon, who is the Director of Communications & Marketing for Avance, she expressed, “In the organization as a whole, with our parenting model…we are one of the top six parenting models in the nation.” Due to this, their organization has been invited by the National Head Start Association in Washington, D.C. to make a presentation about what they do to other executive directors from other non-profits across the nation. They plan to make their presentation in hopes that other organizations will replicate their model. Overall, the main goal of Avance is to strengthen families, strengthen relationships, and to strengthen communities. In regards to the fatherhood program, Johnson wants fathers to know that they do matter in their child’s lives, and that they can have a strong impact on their child’s life at an early age. Furthermore, he also wants fathers to know that through this program, fathers can develop a plan on how to manage co-parenting, conflict resolution with their spouse or the child’s mother, and lay a strong foundation for their child’s future. Johnson’s advice to fathers is to “be vigilant, be involved, be present, and know that your children think the world of you.” Avance is inviting fathers to come and join the program. They have many incentives, and are very confident that fathers will truly benefit from this program as well. If you would like to participate in this program, you can visit their website and register at http://www.avancehouston.org/fatherhood-program/. The program has orientation on August 29th, and August 30th, . Fathers are welcome to come and may attend orientation at the following locations. Spanish Dacoma – 4301 Dacoma St. – Mondays 6:30p-8:30p Mangum – 4503 Mangum Rd.- Tuesdays 6:30p-8:30p English Acres Homes – 6719 W. Montgomery – Mondays 6:30p-8:30p Coop Elementary – 10130 Aldine Westfield Rd – Tuesdays 6:30p-8:30p By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, M.Ed. About the author aframnews

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Blame it on Me! - African American News - Black News - Colored News - Negro News

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African-American News&Issues has been and is a publication that has existed for 21 years, which serves to address and highlight both current and historical realities that are affecting our communities. While there remain many elements that have continued to plague our culture over the years, I can only present one at a time. However, I feel that it is necessary to bring to the fore-front a common reality that is truly killing our communities. Our communities are dying because of the lack of leadership and it seems that not a lot of people are concerned about it all and this really bothers me. The thing that a lot of folks fail to realize is that, anything that affects our community affects us as a people whether we chose to admit it or not. It’s very simple to me people need to learn to respect those who do what’s best for the community. And the thing is there are many people that are working in, with and for the community that do not have a title. This is another problem within our community. So many people are caught up on titles, when titles have absolutely nothing to do with a position unless you are truly upholding the title. But nowadays, so many people are hung up on not doing anything unless there is a title attached and that is just ridiculous. I honestly don’t care what a person does or who they are if they do what’s best for the community then they have my respect. You really don’t have to like a person to work with them as long as everybody is working toward one common interest everything else is simply rhetoric. For example, throughout the years me and my wife have established various organizations geared toward benefitting and bettering the community. Even though we have worked tirelessly trying to help the community, we have had people to come through and try to destroy everything that we have tried to do for the community, in these organizations. None of the things we do or have done, have been to be publicized or because we want praise from someone; but it is sincerely because we both have a genuine desire to help people and our community. I believe that every person should be that way, in giving back to the very communities that helped to make us who we are today. But that just isn’t the case most of the times. Yet and still everybody want to blame it on me because I curse. And yes it is true I do curse from time to time to get my point across but that has nothing to do with the message that I’m trying to convey. I may have an unorthodox way of delivering my messages but; I just believe in calling an, “ace an ace and a spade a spade”. That’s just how I am and how I will be but when it comes to supporting and doing what’s right for the community and my people I will not waiver in what I believe in. We MUST Understand that it is a very vital part of our community to have leaders within that are truly concerned about what our people need. Right is right and wrong is wrong and no matter how other people may see or try to paint a picture, I’m going to always speak the truth no matter how it comes out. So they can blame it on me all they want to because I certainly don’t care. If people can walk around taking advice and listening to some of these so-called educated but really mis-educated folks who don’t mean them no good; then certainly I have a right to do and say what I know is best for our communities. So again, I state they can just blame it on me! Some of these same educated but mis-educated folk who were born and raised right in the same communities; get to a place where they believed they have arrived and leave the community and forget where they came from. It bothers me because some of these people if they had their head on straight could really help the community. But they are so anxious to leave our communities to occupy other communities where there is nothing but folk that don’t look like them and in most cases don’t even like them. As previously fore-mentioned there is a major decline in our communities that is resulting from a lack of leadership. As a result, our communities are becoming the communities of others who do not look like us, nor do they have the best interest in mind in regards to our people. Others are coming in and taking over homes and resources that our parents, grandparents and other ancestors work, fought and died to have. We MUST Understand that it is time out for everybody benefitting off of things that we worked for. It is constantly happening over and over again, but it’s like no one is concerned about what is going on right in our own backyards. But I’m going to talk about it and I’m going to write about it as long as I have strength, so once again just Blame it on me! About the author aframnews

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Understanding the Law: Evictions

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Are you a landlord? Has your renter failed to pay rent in a timely manner or violated the terms of their lease? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then you are afforded recourse under Texas law. The law affords landlords the right to evict tenants that have failed to comply with the terms of their lease. To successfully evict a tenant, a landlord must adhere to the guidelines of the Texas Property Code Chapter 24, titled “Forcible Entry and Detainer”. STEPS TO EVICTING A TENANT Notice to Vacate: In order to initiate the eviction process, you must deliver a written notice to vacate to the tenant before filing an eviction suit with the court. Under most circumstances, a tenant can be given 3 days to vacate before filing an eviction suit. Review the terms of the Residential Lease Agreement in addition to the Texas Property Code to determine the number of days you must give your tenant to vacate prior to initiating the eviction suit. Delivery of Notice to Vacate: Once you have determined the number of days you must give your tenant prior to initiating the eviction suit, you must deliver the notice to vacate as proscribed by the law. Absent special circumstances, a notice to vacate is usually delivered either in person, by mail, or by posting at the premises in question. Personal Delivery: Notice in person may be by personal delivery to the tenant or any person residing at the premises who is 16 years of age or older or personal delivery to the premises and affixing the notice to the inside of the main entry door. Mail: Notice by mail may be by regular mail, by registered mail, or by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the premises in question. Posting: Notice by posting is carried out by the landlord affixing the notice to vacate on the inside of the entry door of rental property. Notice may also be posted on the outside of the door (see Texas Property Code Chapter 24, Section F-1). To cover your bases, keep copies of the notice to vacate. In the event you have to file an eviction suit, you will have to provide a copy of the notice to vacate to the judge. In addition, when delivering the notice to vacate in person, keep note of who the notice was delivered to and the time the notice was delivered. Filing Suit: If the tenant fails to adhere to the notice to vacate and move out by the deadline in the notice, the landlord must file an eviction suit with the Justice of the Peace (JP) court in the precinct in which the property is located. You must then wait on your hearing date to present your case to a judge. You cannot remove the tenant or the tenant’s property until the eviction process is completed. Eviction Hearing: On the day of your eviction hearing you and the tenant will present evidence to the judge. For example, if your tenant has failed to pay rent, be ready to state the specific instances rent was not paid and the specific amount owed. If the judge finds in your favor, the tenant is given a certain amount of days to vacate. Both the landlord and the tenant have a right to appeal the judge’s decision. Writ of Attachment: If the tenant fails to vacate within the time proscribed by the judge you must file a writ of possession with the court. A writ of possession gives a constable the authority to remove the tenant from the premises. The constable will post a 24-hour notice on the front door of the rental property before executing the writ of possession. If the writ of possession is executed, the constable will remove the tenant and the tenant’s personal property from the premises. About the author aframnews

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Marion Montgomery Speaks: Speaker * Life Coach * Start Over Strategist

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HOUSTON – “There is a place that you are to fill, that no one else can fill, something you are to do, that no one else can do.” Marion Montgomery subscribes to this theory and has spent nearly the last decade adamantly training, coaching and counseling others to be the best that they can be. She knows all too well through life experiences of her own, that there is nothing written which suggests that we will live a life exempt from “trials and tribulations and disappointments and detours.” However, she believes that when circumstances arise, they come to make a person stronger. During our interview, Marion strongly expressed that, “you can use what has happened to you in two ways; you can use it as fuel to propel you to the next level or you can let it burn you up.” As such she has built a business as a, “professional counselor specializing in individual, family and group therapy.” But her destination did not come without much determination; she had to go through a series of life events that assisted her along the way. Read on to learn more about her inspiring story! Marion hails from Lettsworth, Louisiana. After graduating high school she attended Southern University in Baton Rouge where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. She moved to Dallas in the mid 1980’s, where she worked for Texas Instruments as an engineer. After working over ten years as an engineer in the Defense system, she was laid off when the market crashed. Though she worked as an engineer at other firms she was also laid off from them as well. This season in her life caused her to lose many possessions, but it never distracted her from persevering through. Undoubtedly, it was a strenuous task for her to recuperate from being laid off from the field that she went to college to study in; but she remained driven. She said, “There was nothing out there that prepared you for getting laid off, time and time again; when you’ve spent all these years getting this engineering degree that you thought would be the cement that keeps you going.” Nonetheless, after encountering the burdensome task of being laid off several times; she began to inquire of the Lord what it was that He would have her to do. Hence, she initiated a career as a teacher in the Dallas Independent School District. She later moved to Houston where she taught at Lone Star College System before it was renamed and Aldine Independent School District. Even though she was passionate about educating children, she still found that there was something nudging her regarding a greater purpose. She revealed that she was always a, “go-to” person anytime someone had questions. Due to her being an avid reader of a broad spectrum of literature, she always had answers to the questions that people needed answered. As time went on, she had a younger sister that passed away unexpectedly who had two young children. Marion took custody of her sister’s children and soon found that one of them had a severe behavioral issue. This occurrence ignited a spark in her to aspire to a degree in Counseling. Accordingly, she enrolled at Prairie View A & M University, where she earned her Master’s of Art in Counseling. Upon completing the program, she realized that she still wanted to do more. She went on to become certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and a Certified Life Coach by the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. While working at several agencies to obtain the amount of hours needed to receive her licensing as a Professional Counselor, she was able to gather experience dealing with mental health issues and a great deal of other elements. During that time, she found that she had a gift for not looking at a person for how they were, but instead how they could be. Collectively, all of these things equipped her with the skills and “know-how” to create her own business, using her personal treatment format. In the formation of her business she started out as a counselor. From this experience she was fortuned with the opportunity to have a wide array of clients, of which she was able to deal with a plethora of issues. She rebranded her company with the name On Point because she found that it was a term that constantly emerged as she would talk, coach and counsel with her clients. Though she loved her role as a counselor, she soon realized that there was more that she needed to do. She explained that counselors are in place to provide a listening ear for others. However, she knew that she needed to do more than just listen. Therefore, she began to expand her horizons. Today, she does training for companies and trains workers; she also incorporates her talents to assist children, daycares and children in foster homes. She has a niche for Math and offers her knowledge and assistance to students as a tutor. Her expertise has yielded her with the skill to train the staff of schools, which have students with behavioral issues. Additionally, her company has provided services to many colleges, universities and churches. Since operating as an entrepreneur, Marion has had the privilege of having counseled over at least 15 students that have proceeded on to graduating from college. In addition to the counseling phase of her business, she is also a well-respected motivational speaker. A couple times a year, she hosts workshops and seminars about, “Transforming Your Life”. Her signature topic is, “Find Your Place”. She developed this concept from expressing too many of the young people that she counseled to find their place. Although Marion had to go through a laundry list of things to find out what she really wanted to do, she is grateful that she is fulfilling her purpose. She said that she is excited about growing her business and walking in the way that God is having her to walk in. During our interview, Marion gave me insight into some of the tactics and coaching techniques that she has used and found to be beneficial in regards to her work. She religiously imparts into the hearts of her clients that, things that goes on in one’s life is not a result of others, but simply that person. She teaches that everything that a person needs is within that person. Marion motivates by expressing that it is important to not minimize things that we go through, but instead use what has happened to us as a platform of elevation. In her counseling sessions one of the questions that she poses to clients is, “Are you doing it for yourself or others?” She strives to motivate others to learn to love and be comfortable with your inner self. Amongst her inspirations is her mother, the late Rosie Lee Turner. Marion said that her mother taught her that she could do and be whatever she wanted to be. She also reverenced her high school Math teacher, Mary Helen Holden who was also another motivational character in her life. Holden encouraged her from an early age to know that no matter what came her way to always place herself in a position to rise for opportunities. She is also a faithful supporter of Oprah Winfrey. Marion has been married to Douglas Montgomery since 1999, who she regards as being her foundation and support system over the years as she, “found her place”. Together they enjoy bike riding and have a joint interest in supporting local charities. They are affiliated with the Star of Hope, St. Jude and other charitable organizations. Her professional affiliations include being a member of: Chi Sigma Iota, Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society, American Counseling Association, Texas Counseling Association and Houston LPC Association. She has been featured in “Who’s Who of America” and received the National Association of Professional Women’s VIP of the Year Award in 2014, for excellence and services. Tentatively, she is in the process of writing a book which will be out in January, 2017. “When Life Happens”, is a guide to find your place, begin again and proper in the time of uncertainty. Marion Montgomery is a proud member of the Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development. For more information, visit her websites at: http://www.onpointcta.com/, http://www.marionmontgomeryspeaks.com/ or contact (832) 857-4895 or (832) 756-2760. The On Point Counseling and Training Academy is located at 12340 Jones Road, Suite 110, 77070. By: Rebecca S. Jones About the author aframnews

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“Dear Gabby, Please Forgive Us…”

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“I am not my hair; I am not this skin. I am not your expectations, no no. I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am a soul that lives within…” -India.Arie (2006) Dear Gabby, You are a beautiful young woman. I didn’t want to categorize you as a “beautiful, young” African-American woman, because that would limit you to “our” people only. We first met you in 2012 as an Olympian and cheered you on as a member of the “Fierce Five” where you won gold medals in the all-around and team competitions. Prior to that you were a member of the 2011 gold-winning American team at the World Championships. You are the first African-American woman in Olympic history to become the all-around champion. There can only be one “first” in any historical or non-historical event, ranging from being a “first-born child” to being the “first African-American President of the United States (POTUS)”. It is a tremendous feat no matter how you view it. Training as a gymnast is a hard. I can only imagine that training as an Olympic gymnast is even more difficult. The time and effort put into it is astronomical and the precision required to become the best in the world is unimaginable, but Gabby Douglas, you’ve done it once and now you’ve done it again. Just last week you were a part of the “Final Five” at these 2016 Olympics where you won gold in the team competition. Honey, you’ve accomplished more in your 20 years on this earth than many people will accomplish in a lifetime. Americans of all races, creeds, and colors are very proud of you. I want you to re-read what I just said. “Americans of ALL races, creeds, AND colors are VERY proud of you”. My heart hurt for you as you tried to respond to all of the negativity directed at you at both Olympics. NOTHING should overshadow what you have accomplished in your career and I will offer some sound advice to you on how to deal with this later in this letter. But first, I’d like to ask you to please forgive us in the African-American community for being a part of said negativity. I hope you know that deep down inside we would go to war for you, because you belong to us. You represent us. You are us. Yes, we talked about your hair and we have no excuses for doing it. We were wrong. Many African-American children are raised to look their best “out in public”. We’ve been taught to do this for centuries. I guess it was because our forefathers/mothers wanted their children to represent our families outwardly in an eye-pleasing manner much different than those depicted as “naked savages running through the jungles of an un-civilized Africa” by our White oppressors. African-American women, by the most part, have borne the brunt of much of the criticism, especially when it comes to their hair. Black mothers start caring for the hair of infant daughters as soon as they exit their wombs. The bible speaks of a woman’s hair being her “glory”. Images of women in National Geographic Magazines showed both the “nappiness” and the braided adornments of African women as far back as I can remember. From the time that Madame CJ Walker first introduced her “straightening comb” to “Brazilian extensions”, Black women’s hair is a topic discussed every day, all day. It’s nothing new. There are times, however, when contrary to popular African-American belief, that how you wear, care, or display your hair shouldn’t be all that important. This statement probably sent shockwaves to narrow-minded people but we’re going to deal with them a little later, too. Gabby Douglas, you are a beautiful woman. I stated many reasons why in previous paragraphs. I hope this letter finds its way to you and this editorial touches everyone who reads it. I like to encourage you to hold your head high. Keep it above the bullshit that you read or hear every day. You are an Olympic champion. That means that you are the best in the world. It doesn’t matter if your hair was “fried, dyed, and laid to the side”, there will be some people who will talk about you no matter what. If I weren’t a Christian man I’d tell you to respond to those people with a few “F-bombs”, a dozen of “go-to-hells” and a tremendous helping of “kiss-my-gold-medal-winning-ass”, but I don’t want to corrupt you with language such as this especially since I told you to “keep yo head high above the bullshit”. I’m still a Christian, Gabby, but I cuss a little… Gabby, please forgive us because we never really meant you any harm, but it’s apparent that we did. Having other races piggy-back on our observations/criticisms was even more apprehensible especially when you had other Olympic champions who didn’t look half as good as you. Hair or no hair… You’re 20 years old and by the time you turn 100, no one will be talking about your hair, how you stood during the playing of the National Anthem, or your assumed non-support for your teammates. All they will remember is that you are an Olympic champion who God blessed to be Black. That deserves another gold medal… God bless, goodnight, and keep yo families together. About the author aframnews

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J.E.T Delivery - African American News - Black News - Colored News - Negro News

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Jarvis Lenzy, Eddie Cooper, Traveon Harris and Dariius McCrimmon By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, M.Ed. Humble – Have you ever wanted something to eat, but didn’t feel like going to get it? Many people have experienced this feeling before, and if this is you, then you may want to try J.E.T Delivery. J.E.T Delivery is a third party delivery service established in Humble, TX, that specializes in delivering people’s favorite food from their favorite restaurants. This company also highlights and helps promotes any caterers and chefs that are associated with their business. In addition to, J.E.T Delivery will help provide their service to others in the Greater Bush- IAH area. This company is made up of four young determined African American men, who had an idea for the company when they were back in high school. Jarvis Lenzy, Traveon Harris, Eddie Cooper, and Dariius McCrimmon knew that dreaming about their goals wouldn’t make them come true, so they made a game plan, and quickly put it in action. Now, they are running a successful business with the intentions of growing bigger. With their motto being “making your convenience our priority,” this company truly believes in helping the customers they service. They want to help ease some of the day-to-day life hassles by picking up food for the people that will utilize their service. One of the greatest parts about their business is that it is very cost efficient. People who utilize their services will only spend five dollars to get the food they want. According to Lenzy, “Some people think that the service is too good to be true.” However, five bucks is all it will cost you! Although this company has had a great start thus far, they do have goals that they would like to achieve. In regards to short- term goals, they would like to expand and operate in different areas within Houston, and even cities that surround the Houston area. As far as long-term goals, they would like to grow their business outside of Texas, and would eventually like to go nation wide. J.E.T Delivery is working hard everyday to not only progress their business, but to get closer to reaching all of their goals. Furthermore, this company also thrives on helping caterers and chefs get their business out to people as well. They work hard to market and promote caterers and chefs, and even will do deliveries for their businesses as well. They take pride in what they do, and want to extend their support and help those who are trying to grow just like them. J.E.T Delivery wants people to know that they are a family oriented business, and that they are a business that people can trust and depend on. Furthermore, if there is a service that isn’t advertised, if you request it, they will be willing to work with you in order to help take care of your needs. “We cater to the customer in all ways,” expressed Lenzy. In addition to, they take care of their drivers, and are always looking for people to join their team. Drivers can make great tips, and even join a team that will care about them. They are a team who takes care of their workers, and support their driver’s needs as well. Lenzy stated, “I treat my drivers like their family.” So the next time you have a craving for something delicious, and you don’t feel like going to get it, then try J.E.T. Delivery to satisfy your cravings. If you are interested in using their services, or interested in being a food runner, you can visit their website at http://jetdelivery15.wixsite.com/jetphast. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat under the name Jetphast15. About the author aframnews

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“2016 Labor Day Revolution Weekend”

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By: Rebecca S. Jones HOUSTON – Marcus Garvey once stated that, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” Blaxxx Entertainment in connection with Melanoid Vybz understands the importance of members of the African-American community acquiring a neutralized comprehension of the ills that have continued to affect and impact our communities throughout generations. As such they have partnered to premiere a project themed, “2016 Labor Day Revolution Weekend”, which will take place on September 3-4. The event will be held at the Shrine of the Black Madonna located at 5309 Martin Luther King Blvd. Grammy Award Winner, Hip-Hop artist and Community Activist David Banner in collaboration with Legendary Jamaican Poet, Mutabaruka will be the guest appearances at this weekend community-focused event. The community festival will aim to promote Black empowerment and the rekindling of the Pan African spirit and movement. This mission will be accomplished through a series of lectures and a marketplace to compliment that goal. Definite aspects that will be covered in the event are: an in-depth study of the History of Black people and the current state of affairs and how that has shaped and how the system operates to keep African-Americans within the current state of affairs. Varying viewpoints of prior historical transgressions against Black people and present-day forms that are used to promote this strategy against Blacks will be presented. In today’s society common problems in regards to racism, oppression and economic development plagues descendants from Africa on a global scale. Although, Blacks from different cultures may be going through different things, the same problems exist, just with different variables. Hence, this collaborative project focus is to encourage unity and resonate that unity amongst our people is the ultimate key to economic, social, and political progress. During an interview with Event Director (Blaxx Entertainment), Andrew Omondi yielded details relative to the implementation and initial development behind the reasoning of creating Revolution Weekend. He said, “It’s always good to listen to different perspective. So we want people to come out and have an open-mind. This is not a crusade where we are trying to convert people into doing something.” He continued, “We labeled the event ‘Revolution Weekend’, because we believe that the best revolution happens in your mind. Your mindset is the biggest change that you can make. Once you change your mindset you would be surprised of how things will begin to take shape. I’m speaking in terms of starting your own business and just you being conscious of the system that you live in and your place in a system that’s not really meant for you. You being conscious of that can ignite something within you to help get you out of that. So you can be more for your people and about your people. And that type of collective energy is what we need as a whole.” Furthermore Omondi expressed that, “Everybody keeps asking for solutions and wondering how do we get up out of this? But, if you study the greats and history, the path has already been laid by great people such as Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. The blueprint is there. So our aim is to keep that consciousness alive and unite people under a common goal of Black empowerment.” He added. “In order to solve a problem, we need to UNDERSTAND how the problem or system works. The current state of Black people globally can be directly attributed to our ignorance, miseducation, and lack of true knowledge of our history as a people.” Therefore he is soliciting the support of the African-American community in Houston towards this Revolution Weekend event. He concluded, “We encourage attendees to come with an open mind to this event, as some of the information presented may elicit cognitive dissonance due to some inconvenient truths presented. It is time to face the truth, and build toward unity.” Finally he exclaimed, “Unity of our people is the biggest threat to the system that has been built to oppress and subjugate us. If we observe other communities, their success can mostly be attributed to a code of unity within their societies.” David Banner will offer his insight in regards to how the system works and speak on behalf of social injustices and economic development as it relates to the African-American culture. He will be giving an overview into the look of how the hip-hop industry is used to destroy the image of Black people. With his personal affiliation in the industry, he has a full comprehension of how the industry has been taken from its origin, which was a conscious movement to a more commercial movement that doesn’t benefit Black people. The super music producer, musician and Hollywood actor has taken a different path as it relates to Black empowerment. He has taken the role of reaching out and educating the African-American community on elements pertinent to Black awareness. Over the years, he has had his hand in many grave issues and incidents that have heavily impacted members of the Black culture. In 2005, during Hurricane Katrina the famed artist assisted by, garnering and acquiring the involvement of the Hip-hop community to take supplies, resources and donations to those affected by the disaster. “> Though many of his acts have gone unnoticed by mainstream media, he has demonstrated the role of a true community activist for his people. Being a product of Jackson, Mississippi, Banner knows all too well the racial disparities and social injustices that exist within the nation. His position in recent years has secured him a definite title of being one of the leaders in the era of Black conscious movement. Revolution Weekend will be a landmark festivity, insomuch that Banner has never been to Houston in light of this particular forum to demonstrate his God Box Album collection series. He has sold out scores of events on the East Coast premiering the series and will be bringing his talents to Houston with the sole intent to empower the African-American community. The God Box collection is one that will illuminate truth, wisdom and knowledge from a Black perspective. Mutabaruka will provide the history aspect of the Revolution Weekend celebration. He will speak on his understanding of the system in regards to the Caribbean culture. By his stance of being a Jamaican Rastafarian dub poet, historian and Pan African stalwart well known for his role in the film Sankofa by Haile Gerima; certainly he has the experience and ability to effectively convey the historical background as it relates to individuals of African descent. For decades he has been held in high esteem by the Caribbean nation for his work on promoting Black empowerment and true liberty. Mutabaruka has one of the longest running and most popular radio shows in the islands. He has interviewed numerous affluent Black people from all over the world. With his knowledge he will be able to offer insight and gel together the Carribean community in Houston in a way that will serve to unite varying cultures of from the lineage of Africa. “> Together, these two forces will unite at an attempt to empower Blacks in the Houston area. Other guest appearances will feature: Local Poet Richelle Scott, KTSU Radio Personality DJ Supa Neil and FM 90.01 Conscious Mindset Radio’s own Sed will be the host of the event. The Revolution Marketplace set up will have a variety of arts, clothing, jewelry, food, books and many other selections for attendees to patronage. The doors will open at 1:00pm for the marketplace and the lectures will commence at 7:00pm, on both days. For more information regarding the Labor Day Revolution Weekend event contact, (832) 934-4138 or (346) 704­0036, text “Revolution” to 5546, visit bit.ly/RevolutionWeekend or follow social media links: IG @blakxx.net, FB @blakxent and TW: @blaxxxent. Tickets may be purchased through: Eventbrite.com and Groupon.com. About the author aframnews

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Rotten Fruit! - African American News - Black News - Colored News - Negro News

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In a recent issue of the African-American News&Issues paper, I submitted an article about how the efforts of a woman named Tameka Mottley were nearly brought to an abrupt halt, due to the actions of a property manager named Cheryl Foster. In short – From an empty apartment unit, Tameka was feeding the hungry children from her low-income apartment complex. She also used the unit as a place for the children to read books, watch movies, and avoid crime or mischief. Essentially, Miss Mottley had converted the empty apartment unit into a safe haven and make-shift community center. Then, when a new property manager (Cheryl Foster) arrived, she shut the love-based operation down within her first two weeks of being employed there. Mottley then shared her dilemma with the public by way of the media. Thus, when the lights, cameras, interviewers, and community activists arrived, Cheryl Foster told them that her sole reason for stopping the unofficial “youth services center” was due to her personal concerns about health and safety. “I’ve been here two weeks and it wasn’t done the proper way to begin with,” said the new Apartment Manager, Cheryl Foster. “…We’re gonna work with her (Tameka Mottley) though.” At least that’s what Foster said while there were lights, cameras, and activists present. But, it was what happened next that caused me to write this article. When the media representatives left and when the community activist moved on to the next call of duty, it appears that Cheryl Foster’s fangs, claws, and true character came out. An anonymous resident shared the following information about Cheryl Foster’s alleged actions: “That lady is giving everybody a hard time. If we speak up or if we have kids who are a part of the lunch program, she is going through our files and looking for stuff so she can kick us out. And, she’s feeding the kids around here molded food and rotten fruit. Some of the lil’ kids done got sick from the stuff she’s feedin’em. She don’t care, because she’s not doing it from the heart like Tameka was… Matter of fact, she told Tameka that she can’t even help with feeding the children. She told Tameka that she can only watch from the sideline… She just wanna hurt her… Really – She just wanna hurt all of us.” And from that information, the title of this article was born. Rotten fruit: it’s what Cheryl Foster is said to have been giving to the children of Copper Tree Apartments in place of “wholesome” fruit. Furthermore, it’s my personal opinion that “rotten fruit” is what Cheryl Foster and many people like her are yielding to society as a whole. If allowed, I’d like to share two definitions with you: 1) Rotten – good for nothing… bad… suffering from decay. 2) Wholesome – good… healthy… nourishing. That said – Both, literally and metaphorically, you can tell a tree by the fruit it bears. If I claim to be a fig tree, but all you see is apples, then you’ll know that I’m either a liar or a misguided fool. And, even if a fruit (or a person) is shiny and firm on the outside, it wouldn’t matter at all if they’re hollowed out (decayed) and rotted to the core. It all stems from the initial seeds that were planted. Of course, the soil, growth climate (environment), and the roots are important factors as well. Clearly, I could break the subject down further, but rather than getting too deep, I’ll guide myself into more shallow waters and simply make a plea to Black women specifically: Sisters – stop causing grief for other sisters. Stop assassinating each other’s characters. Stop destroying each other’s opportunities. Stop threatening one another’s livelihood. Stop being evil, self-serving, cold-blooded backstabbers. Stop putting your foot on the neck of another sister who’s struggling and striving to improve her circumstances. Stop knocking each other down. Stop pulling each other down. Stop keeping each other down. Stop the toxic “nigger-lady” mentality and by all means, stop giving rotten fruit to your own kind! By Shelondra Peavy (281) 217-6579 About the author aframnews

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National Black Film Festival

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By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, M.Ed. Houston- In our world, there are so many talented people, who may be overlooked, or may feel as if they don’t have a chance to showcase their talents. Many people may also feel that Hollywood is the only route in getting others to take notice of their work. Well, J.O. Malone, who is the founder of J.O. Malone Studios, thinks differently. His studio is hosting a National Black Film Festival, which will make its debut in Houston, Texas. In this festival, people will have the opportunity to speak with key people that are already in the film making business, learn trade secrets, and build essential relationships that will help take their film making skills to the next level. People will also be able to submit their films with the chance of winning different awards. J.O. Malone is from Pearland, Texas, and is a graduate from Prairie View A&M University. He obtained a bachelors degree in Mass Communications in 2012. In school, he found his creative niche, started a few organizations, and created his business. He has a strong love and passion for filmmaking, and loves creating new things. At his studio, he provides a working space for other filmmakers, photographers, and will even offer his space to host different events. He expressed that when people visit his studio, people “can’t help but to get inspired, and to want to create and do something. I think it’s a creative space for creators to create.” In addition to his studio space, he wanted to offer something that other creative minds could benefit and grow from. Because many people feel as if they have to make a journey to LA or New York to make it in the industry, J.O. wanted to bring Hollywood to Houston by inviting different actors, actresses, casting directors, and film makers to not only showcase, but to help improve and support the beautiful work of others. Furthermore, this festival is specifically catering to minorities in order to provide a voice, a platform, and better opportunities that may not have been given to them. In addition to, this event is not just about showcasing talent, but empowering others through visuals. The biggest thing that J.O. Malone wants people to take from this festival, is quality. He wants film makers to learn how to make quality films, learn how to find and build great relationships with investors, learn how to cast for a film, understand ethics, and even learn the different positions on a film set just to name a few. “This film festival is creating a film culture, and through that, our stories will truly be told, and we will create people who will change the culture in their own home through our films and our message,” expressed Malone. Furthermore, Paula Jai Parker, who is an American actress, comedian, and director, will host the film festival. She has had supporting roles in the films High Crimes, Phone Booth, and Hustle and Flow, and even starred in the movie My Baby’s Daddy. She is also known for being the voice of Trudy Proud from the Proud Family, which was an animated series created by Disney. This is only just a snapshot of the work that Paula Jai Parker has done thus far. She has had great success in the industry, and she plans to help others in the industry as they try to accomplish their film goals. When people come to the festival, they will not only be inspired, but will also have the opportunity to learn a lot of things from her. At this festival, many people will leave with great information about film making, and will have the chance to win different awards for their films. People, who have a love for film, should attend this festival. It is a phenomenal way to showcase talent, but to also have a true chance of growing as a filmmaker. There are many dates and deadlines, and people are encouraged to submit their films early. These dates include: October 14, 2016- Early bird Deadline January 6th, 2017- Regular Deadline February 6th, 2017- Notification Date April 5th-9th Event Date If you are interested in participating, and would like to know more about this festival, you can view their website at http://nationalblackfilmfestival.com/. About the author aframnews

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Before I Lay It Down: “Silver Medal Thug…”

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“I didn’t choose the thug life; the thug life chose me…” I’m a southern boy; born and bred in this great state called “Texas”. My parents instilled in my siblings and me something called “manners”, a set of rules outlining how both children and adults alike should respect people and their property. We were taught to say “yes ma’am and yes sir” to our elders, a quickly vanishing rite of passage that seems to be waning everyday with these Generation X’ers and Millennials. We were also taught to “stay out of grown folks’ business”. Forgetting to remember these social guidelines would often times induce an uncharacteristic ringing in our ears, the result of a swift backhand upside our heads or a tantalizing slap upon our faces. Needless to say, manners taught in the 50s, 60s, and 70s left lasting impressions to us beneficiaries as well as a few missing teeth. “Put yo hand over yo mouth when you start coughing”; “say excuse me when you walk in front of somebody”, “close yo mouth while you’re eating”; and “don’t be whistling in this house” are some of the examples of “Mannerisms 101” when I was growing up. It wasn’t too hard to recognize kids who were “raised right”; they were the ones who were favorites of old people. Those other little bad bastards were often shunned, chastised, or beaten. Them old folks didn’t play that “being disrespectful” game. They would whup yo ass on the spot and if yo parents even dared to look like they were gonna say something, their asses would be quickly reminded that they would get a beat down, too. Some of y’all know what I’m talking about. Now, if you ever feared getting decapitated, you’d better not forget your manners while out in public or visiting someone else’s house. I remember my momma saying: “When we get in this stoe, y’all bet not touch nothing, ask for nothing, or break nothing”. Hell, I just wanted to keep my ass in the car, but it was too hot in South Texas to be doing that. Me and my siblings just marched around throughout the store like we were auditioning for the military. As we got older, we started to understand why our parents put us through this training regimen called “manners”. They just wanted to make sho that we didn’t embarrass them or ourselves later on in life. Other kids weren’t as fortunate. My parents were adamant that we looked our best when we left our house. “Pick your hair out if you’re gonna wear that Afro! If you don’t take care of it I gonna make you go get an “Ivy Lig”. You ain’t gon be looking like no thug around me…” It was until I was much older that I realized that an “Ivy Lig” was an “Ivy League” haircut; today we would call them “bald fades”. But, I did understand what a “thug” was and I sure wasn’t gonna be one of them. Society frowned upon these bad boys who had little or no respect for anyone, including themselves. They didn’t care if they embarrassed their parents nor did they have respect for other peoples’ homes. Many of them committed crimes and were sentenced to jail terms. Being a thug back in the day was not glorified. It was vilified. Ryan Lochte is an American swimmer who has done quite well representing the United States in the Olympic Games. He has won 12 Olympic medals (6 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze). He only trails “Aqua Man” Michael Phelps as one of the most decorated swimmers in Olympic History. But, last week Lochte allegedly went all-out thug at a gas station in Rio de Janeiro. He was accused of vandalism and public urination after he and 3 of his swimming buddies peed on the side of the road after a night of drunken behavior. Lochte later lied and claimed to have been robbed by armed assailants. Surveillance video showed otherwise and this Olympian was suddenly cast into a negative, embarrassing spotlight. For this I award him a silver medal for thuggery. I didn’t give him a gold because he hasn’t been convicted of anything yet and I didn’t award him the bronze because peeing out in public is hard to judge. I couldn’t award points for “difficulty” because any two-year old can do it with their eyes closed. Ryan Lochte picked the wrong time to be stupid at somebody else’s “house”. What’s even worse were the commentators who chalked this behavior up as “kids being kids and having some fun”. Ryan Lochte’s ass is 32. He ain’t no kid. He’s also losing endorsements for this error in judgement. “White Privilege” once again reared its ugly head as comparisons to Lochte and Gabby Douglas raced across the internet. Gabby was billed as being “unpatriotic” for not placing her hand over her heart during the National Anthem while Lochte was being given a free pass for “doing what boys do”. Ain’t that some bull-shiggity? This “Silver Medal Thug” is gonna have a hard time living this experience down. Next time he needs to bring some old folks along with him. Someone needs to teach him some manners… God bless, goodnight, and keep yo families together. About the author aframnews

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Lone Star College-North Harris Announces New Director of Nursing Program

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Doris Jackson was recently named director of the Lone Star College-North Harris nursing program. HOUSTON – Doris Jackson was recently named director of the Lone Star College-North Harris nursing program. Jackson most recently worked at LSC-Kingwood for the past six years, but comes to the LSC-North Harris program with 38 years of clinical experience. While at LSC-Kingwood, Jackson served as a faculty member, team leader of their transition program and faculty advisor for their student nurse association. Her decades of clinical experience include a pediatric specialization with experience as a nurse and nurse manager at Texas Children’s Hospital, in addition to working at several Memorial Hermann hospitals. According to Dr. Bill Drees, dean of instruction, Health and Human Services at LSC-North Harris, “Doris comes to us with tremendous clinical and classroom experience. Our students will truly benefit not only from her knowledge, but from her love of the nursing profession as well.” Jackson’s desire to help others developed at a young age. As a child, Jackson could often be found playing nurse or doctor. According to Jackson, “My mother was a nurse and I always wanted to be like her.” Sadly, her mother died from open heart surgery when Jackson was a high school senior. Jackson also cared for her father, who was a diabetic, giving him insulin shots. “I guess you can say my curiosity and caring ignited my nursing career. I was determined to make my father better and wipe out his diabetes,” she said. Throughout her nursing career, Jackson has had numerous rewarding moments such as receiving a hug and a smile from a child who received a heart transplant and was going home to the “ah ha” moments of students when they complete their first IV insertion or use therapeutic communication with patients. Even though the nursing industry is facing many challenges, the most serious being the projected nursing shortage of two billion nurses that began in 2015, Jackson is determined to enhance her students’ knowledge and skills to ensure those who need it receive quality healthcare. She said, “My desire is to teach students to think intensively, holistically, compassionately, yet critically, and provide all of the necessary tools for them to become competent and caring nurses.” Lone Star College’s nursing program was recently ranked fourth in the nation by Community College Week as a top associate degree producer. “Although there are numerous challenges nurses are faced with, having compassion and passion for the nursing profession, caring for those who are unable to care for themselves when faced with an illness, is supreme,” Jackson added. Jackson started as an LVN from St. Philip’s College in San Antonio before receiving a BSN and MSN – Nursing Leadership and Management from Prairie View A&M University. Jackson then earned a Doctorate of Health Administration, specializing in Healthcare Leadership, from Capella University. Last year, she was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott as a Board member on the Texas Board of Nursing and was honored by Lone Star College with a Faculty Excellence Award. Additionally, in 2012, Jackson was named a Lone Star College Academy Fellow. Lone Star College-North Harris is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit LoneStar.edu/NorthHarris. Known for its leadership, innovation and steadfast commitment to student success, Lone Star College provides high-quality academic transfer and workforce education / career training programs to more than 83,000 credit students each semester, and a total enrollment of 95,000 students. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to promote student success and economic prosperity. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, which consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu. About the author aframnews

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Finding Your Story: Family History Research Workshop

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Power Recap S3E6 The Right Decision

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By LaWanda Thomas of Wandaring Outloud Media I knew it. I knew it. I KNEW IT!!!! I told you something was up with Dean, the security/body guard. I knew it. But before I say I told you so, let’s back up to Tommy sleeping in his car. (He must have been afraid that the #HollyIsDeadParty was still going strong). Ghost must have gone to that party because he was whistling while strolling down the street (almost skipping) when he came upon Tommy knocked out in the front seat of his car. Being the good, unselfish friend that he is, Ghost helped Tommy out of the car and into the loft/crime scene. Once inside, Ghost made coffee for Tommy and shielded him from the scene of Holly’s violent strangulation in an effort to keep him focused on the task at hand – killing Lobos. They discussed tactics (Tommy would be the inside man.), staying off the grid and alibis. Tommy would use Kate, his mom, as his alibi. Ghost would use Karen Basset. Unaware of whom Karen is, Tommy asked Ghost if he had a sidepiece on his sidepiece. Ghost let him know that Karen is an investor and would use his trip to her property as his cover for Angie. Tommy was concerned that Angie would get suspicious of Ghost disappearing the same night that Lobos’ transport was hijacked. Ghost said that Angie would believe him. Tommy (nor do we) didn’t believe that for one hot second. There was a knock at the door and in walked Tasha. She was looking for Holly and wondering why she hadn’t returning any of her texts. Tasha was very surprised to find Ghost there. They told her that they worked out their differences. Tasha was very skeptical. Right off the bat, Tommy wanted to include Tasha in their plans but Ghost was initially against it. Tommy was adamant that they needed Tasha to make the plan work. It didn’t take much to convince Ghost and just like that, the three musketeers were back together planning their next caper. Donald, Jerry, and Greg sat around Mike’s office discussing the logistics of the Lobos transfer. Mike suggested that they use a small, low-key transport so as not to raise any eyebrows. Greg was picked to run point on the operation. Angie walked in after the meeting. Greg mean-mugged her as he passed her on his way out. Angela and Mike discussed the transfer. Angie naively thought that transporting Lobos would be the end of their troubles. Ha! At Truth, Dean found Ghost sitting in the upstairs lounge. To him, Ghost seemed amazingly calm after coming face to face with the Jamaican hit squad. Ghost assured him that he and Tariq were fine and censured Dean for disobeying his order to cease providing personal security for him. Dean pointed out, and rightly so, that had he not disobeyed the order, Ghost would be dead. Ghost told Dean not to disobey him again as Karen interrupted their tête-à-tête. Ghost, sticking to the plan, set up his alibi by moving up his scheduled tour of Karen’s hotel on the Hudson. She could see that he was serious about winning her business and agreed to adjust the timetable. Later, Tommy and Ghost met at Tasha’s to finalize the plan. Tommy was drunk and Tasha continued to ask about Holly’s whereabouts. Tasha incorrectly assumed that Holly must have told Tommy that she was pregnant and that he didn’t handle it well. Ghost took in the unexpected discovery that Holly was with child but didn’t let on that he was hearing that information for the first time. He told her that Tommy didn’t want to talk about it. Ghost asked Tasha to look after Tommy while he went home to Angie. Tasha told Ghost that he was doing what he is always did- leave her with the mess. Angela came home to find Ghost packing to spend the night at Karen’s hotel. Guessing that she wouldn’t accept the offer, he invited her to come with him. She declined because she had something going on at work. They ended up having sex on her kitchen table. (These two! It turns out that lying to each other’s faces is a POWERful aphrodisiac). Ghost and Tasha rode up to Karen’s high-end hotel like bosses. Exiting their chauffeured vehicle and walking the red carpet, they pretended to be husband and wife. (The hotel’s security camera recorded them walking in thus establishing the alibi). Tasha covered for Ghost with Karen and used his phone to text Angie thus keeping his cell phone nowhere near the Lobos’ jailbreak. Tasha found the separation papers in Ghost’s luggage while looking for his shoes to send out for a shoeshine. Though visibly hurt, Tasha continued on with the ruse. (Tasha is a boss and a team player.) Mike, Saxe, Angie and others on the team monitored the transport real-time. Mike used his trap phone to notify Hugo that Lobos was on the move. Lobos was in rare form as he taunted Greg and the other FBI agents. Greg remained calm even though Lobos stretched his leg across Greg’s lap. Greg was distracted and unprepared for the coordinated attack launched on them by Tommy and Lobos’ men as Mike, Angie as the rest of the team helplessly listened on. The team feared the worse as they heard gunshots and Greg stopped responding. Tommy hurriedly escorted Lobos to the getaway vehicle and drove away. Inside, Lobos and his guy communicated in Español about killing Tommy. Tommy veered from the planned escape route and drove under a secluded bridge to “hide” from search helicopters. Lobos sensed that something was wrong but before he could call Hugo, Ghost put a bullet in the henchman’s head. Lobos thought that was odd. (Odd? This guy has an amazing sense of humor.) Tommy and Ghost marched Lobos to a prepared grave. Lobos, the smooth talker that he is, tried to convince Ghost and Tommy not to kill him by telling them that Holly and Angie were in danger. (Oops, Holly’s dead dummy.) At that moment, Lobos’ cell phone rang. Tommy smashed the phone but then he and Ghost argued about whether or not they should kill Lobos there because the phone could have been traced to their location. While they argued, Lobos ran into the woods. They tracked him down, killed him in an open field, and left his body for the vultures. Before Ghost pulled the triggered, Lobos told Ghost that he was not surprised and that he would do the same thing. Ghost and Tommy had a heart to heart in the safe room as they changed out of their hit man swag. Tommy asked Ghost what he was going to do about Dean. Ghost said that he wasn’t going to kill him because he might need him later. Ghost lamented to Tommy that they were free and that they had their old lives back. Tommy responded back, “____, I ain’t got no connect.” (I’m leaving it blank Tommy said the N word and that is a whole other conversation.) Anyway, Tommy made the point, that he didn’t have anything left. Ghost told Tommy that we would meet a new girl. Tommy said Holly couldn’t be replaced. (I beg to differ). Ghost said that he was sorry about Holly and was very optimistic about the future. Ghost went back to the hotel where Tasha was holding it down. Tasha told Ghost that Angie is hooked on him because she had been texting him all day. Ghost read through the messages and commented that Tasha’s text messages sounded just like him. Tasha told him that she remembered how he used to talk to her. Tasha told Ghost that Tariq tried to sneak out the house but her mom caught him. Tasha told Ghost that he was slipping and that his mess was stressing her. Then for some reason I will never understand, Ghost called Angie in front of Tasha and told her that he missed her and loved her. (Couldn’t he have made this phone call from the restroom or a closet? Or out on the widow ledge?) For that performance, Tasha gave Ghost a sitting ovation. She then asked Ghost was it always so easy to lie to someone he loved. He tried to defend himself by saying that he was doing what needed to be done. Tasha wasn’t having any of it. She also confronted Ghost about the separation papers. She reminded Ghost that they had a prenup and that she would happily take her half. Ghost told her he would never stop supporting her and the kids. When Tasha asked what was he going to do when Angie found out that he killed Lobos, Ghost replied that the only way that she would find out was if Tasha told her. He insinuated that Tasha would be considered an accomplice if that happened. In response, Tasha handed him the signed paperwork and told Ghost that she was done with him. She then got into bed and pulled down her night mask. With all the gall that he could muster, Ghost attempted to get in the bed with Tasha. (Uh…NO!) Tasha kindly directed him to the sofa and told him that she would be riding in her own car on the way back. While that was happening, Tommy returned to the spot where Holly was buried and placed his grandmother’s ring on her makeshift grave. (Smh…pure stupidity!) The next morning, Ghost escorted Tasha to breakfast to meet Karen and her father. Tasha politely excused herself using the kids as her excuse. Tasha was the linchpin in this operation because Tommy and Ghost looked like two amateurs. Just when she was about to shed a tear for Greg, he walked through the hallway. Turns out Greg had on a bullet proof vest. Greg told Saxe that the attack was coordinated and had to be an inside job. Saxe assumed that Greg was suggesting that Angie was the culprit but told him that Angie was sad when she was unsure of his fate. Greg was like whatever. He shared his suspicions about an inside leak with Mike who quickly shut him down. Ghost, who has been living in la la land, was slapped back to reality. Ghost called Dean into his office at Truth in an attempt to fire him. Dean quickly turned the tables on Ghost, informing Ghost that he would be now working for him…Dean aka Milan, the boss of Vladimir, the Serbian drug dealer that Ghost took out last season. Milan, who is known as a cannibal, came to collect on the shipment of drugs that Ghost directed into the hands of the police. It was he, not Lobos, who left the warning card. Milan told Ghost that he was so concerned with Lobos that he didn’t think about him. Milan knows Ghost’s entire operation and presents a major threat to his family and Angela. He told Ghost that unlike Lobos, he wasn’t a one man show and his death wouldn’t stop his operation. Just when Ghost thought he was out of the game, he was completely blindsided by Milan and forced back into the drug dealing game. I knew something was fishy about this dude. Had Ghost not been so distracted by Angie, he would have picked up on this too. Ghost went to Tommy to tell him that they were being forced back into the game. Tommy told Ghost that he was slipping by unknowingly hiring the enemy. Tommy told Ghost that he is not emotionally prepared to work for another psychopath. Ghost wanted to kill Milan but Tommy was the voice of reason. He told Ghost that they didn’t know enough about him or his operation to be planning to take him out. Tommy asked Ghost how he planned to pull off being a drug dealer living with a fed. Tommy told Ghost that he was going to have to lie to Angela day in and day out. Tommy told Ghost that Angie was his weak spot and the he’s going to have to kill her. Tommy said that if Ghost killed Angela, he could do so humanely because Milan would torture her. Ghost said that he was worried about his family. Tommy told Ghost that Tasha as a “G” but Angela was a liability. Ghost said that he would handle Angela. Tommy killed Holly for the team but Ghost couldn’t bring himself to take Angela out. He broke her heart instead, using his kids as an excuse to abruptly end their relationship. Ghost left Angela in a ball crying at the door. (As emotional as this scene was, it’s hard to feel sorry for the side chick.) During the first season, I actually believed that Ghost could change his life. He made me believe him. However, this season, his plans for a future life without crime seem like a total pipedream. Tune in next week for About the author aframnews

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Right On, Mayor Turner!

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After decades of “having their way”, the Houston Housing Authority and other affiliated “powers that be” were shocked about a critically wise decision made by the honorable Mayor, Sylvester Turner. The City of Houston’s website listed the following (verbatim): Mayor Sylvester Turner does not plan to present the Houston Housing Authority’s (HHA) proposed project for 2640 Fountainview to City Council for consideration. HHA had requested Council consideration of a Resolution of No Objection, which is required to obtain federal funding provided through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. “After careful review of the costs and other concerns, I am asking HHA to look for an alternative location for this project that is still in City Council District G in what we refer to as a high opportunity area with access to good public services, quality schools, and thriving businesses ,” said Mayor Turner. “I also want the Authority to begin a conversation with private apartment owners about making more units available to our public housing clients so that those who rely on the federal government’s voucher program are not limited to living in certain geographical areas. I look forward to working with HHA to accomplish the important mission of providing for fair housing and quality affordable homes in safe neighborhoods near great schools throughout all of Houston.” HHA had proposed to build a 233-unit apartment complex on property it owns near its administrative headquarters on Fountainview. 23 of the apartments were to be set aside for extremely low-income tenants and the remaining 210 units would have been reserved for a mix of workforce and market rate housing. The price per unit was approximately $240,000, which included a $6 million developer’s fee to HHA. According to HHA’s website, the proposed unit overview described an extravagant four story podium-style apartment building comprised of 24 studio units, 132 one bedroom units, and 77 two bedroom units. 70% of the units would have been available to families with incomes not to exceed 60% of the Houston Area Median Income (AMI). These are generally households making between $25,000 and $41,500 annually. HHA’s website listed these examples of jobs in this salary range: Medical Assistants, Firefighters, Teaching Assistants, and Administrative Assistants. 20% of the units were scheduled to be available at a market rate. HHA anticipated residents in these units to earn between $41,500 and $55,000 per year. Some examples of jobs in this salary range were Social Workers, School Teachers, etc. Finally – 10% of the units would have been available to families whose income is 30% AMI or less. Generally, these families earn less than $25,000 per year. Sample jobs in this salary range include Janitors, Restaurant Workers, Maintenance Workers, Retail Store Clerks, etc. Interestingly, judging from the numbers (accommodations yielded for only 10% “poor folk”), HHA had found a strategic way to meet certain funding requirements while making sure that they don’t saturate the upscale area with impoverished people. The fact is – the entire deal would have primarily benefited rich folk, as usual. Mayor Turner was quoted, saying “Repeatedly, people use the argument of helping the poor to advance the interests of others who are interested in profiting.” Ain’t that the truth?!! Right now, a handful of Houston’s “good rich folk” are puffed up and pissed off because they assumed that Mayor Turner’s genuine smiles and friendly nature would ensure a bunch of green lights, thumbs up, and thoughtless “yeses”. Apparently, they were looking forward to having a Black mayor who’s a cow-tying, steppin’, fetchin’, brown-nosin’, tap-dancin’ “rasin in the sun”. But, that’s hardly the case. God-given wisdom is obviously not something that they were expecting from Mayor Turner. On the flipped side of the coin, I couldn’t be more proud of our Mayor and the way he’s handling himself in the top seat of our nation’s 4th largest city. So – I’m pressing my pen to the pad and offering high regards to a wonderfully worthy leader; the honorable Mayor, Sylvester Turner. Right on, Mayor Turner! About the author aframnews

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White Lives Matter Group Stages Protest Outside Local Chapter of NAACP

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In Houston, a White Lives Matter group protested outside of a local NAACP saying, “We came out here to protest against the NAACP and their failure in speaking out against the atrocities that organizations like Black Lives Matter and other pro-black organizations have caused the attack and killing of white police officers, the burning down of cities and things of that nature. Black Guerrila Media was on the scene the White Supremacist rolled out under HPD protection when the crowd started getting larger against them. And the streets got the word and brothers started rolling up we choppers. 3rd Ward Hit Squad! About the author aframnews

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National HBCU Pre-Law Summit Presents Unique and Game-Changing Opportunity to Aspiring Lawyers

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The Third Annual National HBCU Pre-Law Summit will be held at Georgia State University College of Law and Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. This event is the only national conference in the country designed especially for HBCU students and graduates interested in law school and becoming lawyers. LSAT Panel Discussion ATLANTA – The Third Annual National HBCU Pre-Law Summit & Law Expo is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 23rd, 2016 and Saturday, September 24th, 2016 at Georgia State University College of Law in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. There will also be an Official Pre-Summit Kickoff Event taking place on Thursday, September 22nd, 2016 at Morehouse College, a well-known HBCU that is the nation’s sole liberal arts college for Black men. This groundbreaking summit is the only major national event of its kind in the entire country focused on empowering HBCU students and graduates interested in going to law school and becoming lawyers, and addressing the unique issues, concerns and challenges facing them. Current students and alumni from all HBCUs are invited to meet and come together in Atlanta this fall to take part in three intensive and power-packed days which will expose them to game-changing information, resources, and connections designed to help them achieve success in a demanding educational endeavor and field in great need of diversity. The summit will provide inspirational keynote sessions featuring prominent and dynamic speakers. Confirmed keynote speakers include Ronald S. Sullivan, Esq., Clinical Professor of Law and Faculty Director, Criminal Justice Institute, Harvard Law School (Cambridge, Massachusetts), Willie E. Gary, Esq. Partner, Gary, Williams, Parenti, Watson & Gary, P.L.L.C. (Stuart, Florida), Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Deputy Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Education and Acting Executive Director, White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Washington, DC), Pamela J. Meanes, Esq., Partner, Thompson Coburn LLP and Past President, National Bar Association (Saint Louis, Missouri), and Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, Esq., Partner, Lawrence & Bundy LLC (Atlanta, Georgia). All keynote speakers are proud graduates of historically Black colleges and universities. There will also be unprecedented talks featuring deans from all six HBCU law schools including John Pierre, Esq., Chancellor and Professor of Law, Southern University Law Center (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Angela Felecia Epps, Esq., Dean, Florida A&M University College of Law (Orlando, Florida), Phyliss Craig-Taylor, Esq., LL.M., Dean and Professor of Law, North Carolina Central University School of Law (Durham, North Carolina), Dannye Holley, Esq., LL.M., Dean and Professor of Law, Thurgood Marshall School of Law Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas), Reginald McGahee, Esq., Dean of Student Affairs, Admissions and Financial Aid, Howard University School of Law (Washington, DC) and Katherine Shelley Broderick, Esq., M.A.T., Dean and Professor of Law, University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law (Washington, DC). Other special guests include Khyla D. Craine, Esq., Assistant General Counsel, NAACP and Chair, National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (Baltimore, Maryland), Cheryl F. Turner, Esq., President, Gate City Bar Association (Atlanta, Georgia), Janet Scott, Esq., President, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (Atlanta, Georgia), John C. Brittain, Esq., Professor of Law, University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law (Washington, DC), and Dr. Timothy E. Sams, Vice President for Student Development, Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia). In addition to keynote and special guest speakers, the event will showcase panel discussions on critical topics for aspiring lawyers including law school admission, the law student experience, and the different career paths for those armed with a law degree. Also planned are special sessions on financing legal education, managing student loan debt, writing an effective law school personal statement and diversity statement, preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), knowing your rights, and getting involved and demonstrating leadership during the current Black Lives Matter Movement. Further, a law school expo will take place on both major days of the summit where students will have the opportunity to meet with law school representatives from more than 50 law schools across the country to find out about their law programs and get answers to their questions. Refreshment breaks and networking receptions are scheduled to take place where attendees will have the opportunity to participate in both structured and informal networking activities to help them connect with other aspiring law students, current law students, and lawyers. Moreover, attendees will have the opportunity to tour Morehouse College and all three Atlanta law schools including Emory University School of Law, Georgia State University College of Law and Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. They will also get the chance to participate in admissions sessions and mock law classes designed just for them at the law schools. Even more, one-on-one consulting sessions will also be offered so that participants can receive personal assistance and feedback on their personal statements, diversity statements, resumes, addenda and get any burning admissions, preparation or career planning questions answered. Complimentary resources will be provided to all pre-law attendees and a free LSAT course will be raffled. The closing session will end on a high note with the National HBCU Pre-Law Hall of Fame Awards and the Aspiring Lawyers Pinning Ceremony. The Sunday after the summit is an optional day of making connections and learning where participants can sign up for and take part in a Black Atlanta group tour to visit many sites of historical significance to African Americans and the American Civil Rights Movement which will include the King Center, the childhood home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ebenezer Baptist Church, Auburn Avenue, and more. This event will feature knowledgeable law school administrators, law students and lawyers who will share their own experiences and also directly address issues of concern to HBCU students and alumni which are commonly ignored in general law school informational events. What is particularly unique about these sessions is that all of the panelists have an understanding of and genuine interest in the success of students who attend or have attended HBCUs, many having attended HBCUs themselves. Not only that, there is an emphasis on sharing the historical and present day significance of African Americans gaining access to a legal education and the tremendous need for them to go back, give back and serve the community, and particularly the Black community, which is underserved when it comes to legal services. According to the summit’s founder, Evangeline M. Mitchell, Esq., Ed.M., an HBCU graduate and first-generation college student, law student and lawyer, “This is a life-changing opportunity of a lifetime where we are bringing together all of these incredible and accomplished people from across the country in order to inspire and empower HBCU students and alumni who are interested in law school. This event is highly professional but there is also a family-like atmosphere because those who come are grounded and are willingly volunteering their time and sharing their knowledge and experiences because they deeply care. We understand that success is not just individual attainment, but it’s collective and that we have a responsibility to those coming behind us and our community.” “We know that the idea of becoming a lawyer can seem intimidating and out of reach to so many African Americans who are firsts to pursue this path. We want to demystify what it really takes to gain access into law school and the legal profession. Our goal is to break down those walls of exclusivity and exclusion to help them see their goals as attainable, and at the same time we want to be honest and transparent so that they understand the very real difficulties and obstacles they will face so they can prepare themselves to overcome them and succeed,” says Attorney Mitchell. Admission to the event is completely free of charge, open to the public, and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All aspiring lawyers, pre-law and career advisors, professors, parents and supporters are welcomed to register and attend. For more information, please visit the summit’s official website at http://www.hbcuprelawsummit.org/. About the author aframnews

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The Texas Golden Girls

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Simone Biles – Sport: Gymnastics Discipline(s): Artistic Gymnastics Event(s): Team Height: 4-8 Weight: 105 DOB: 3/14/1997 Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio Hometown: Spring, Texas High School: Homeschooled (Spring, Texas) ‘15 Team/Club: World Champions Center Coach(es): Aimee Boorman Olympic Experience Olympian (2016); five-time Olympic medalist (4 gold, 1 bronze) Rio 2016 Olympic Games, gold (team, all-around, vault, floor); bronze (beam) World Championship Experience Most recent: 2015 – gold (team, all-around, balance beam, floor exercise); bronze (vault) Years of participation: 2013-15 Medals: 14 (10 golds, 2 silvers, 2 bronzes) Gold – 2013 (all-around, floor exercise); 2014 (team, all-around, balance beam, floor exercise); 2015 (team, all-around, balance beam, floor exercise) Silver – 2013 (vault); 2014 (vault) Bronze – 2013 (balance beam); 2015 (vault) Background Became the first woman to win four straight U.S. all-around titles in 42 years at the 2016 P&G Championships… Selected USOC’s Female Olympic Athlete of the Year (2014-15). ..Owns the most world medals in U.S. history (14) and the most world championships gold medals of any female gymnast (10) …Favorite event is floor exercise…Began gymnastics in 2003 Personal: Daughter of Ronald and Nellie Biles…Has two brothers, Ronald and Adam, and one sister, Adria… Simone Manuel- Sport: Swimming Event(s): 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle Height: 5-10 Weight: 160 DOB: 8/2/1996 Birthplace: Houston, Texas Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas High School: Fort Bend Austin High School (Sugar Land, Texas) ‘14 College: Stanford University ‘18, Undeclared Olympic Experience Olympian (2016); Four-time Olympic medalist (2 gold, 2 silvers) Rio 2016 Olympic Games, gold (4x100m IM Relay), gold (100m free); silver (4x100m free, 50m free) World Championship Experience Most recent: 2015 – 4th (4x100m medley); 6th (100m free); 8th (50m free) Years of participation: Long Course – 2013, 2015 Medals: 1 (gold) Gold – 2013 (4x100m free) Personal: Daughter of Marc and Sharron Manuel…Has two older brothers, Christopher and Ryan… Enjoys listening to upbeat music when working out and gospel music always motivates her… If she wasn’t a competitive swimmer, she would be either a singer or dancer… Hobbies include backing and cooking because it relaxes her… Other interests include traveling, and collecting sunglasses and pictures Michelle Carter- Sport: Track and Field Event(s): Shot Put Height: 5-9 Weight: 300 DOB: 10/12/1985 Birthplace: San Jose , Calif. Hometown: Red Oak, Texas High School: Red Oak High School (Red Oak, Texas) ’03 College: University of Texas ‘17, Youth and Community Studies Team/Club: New York Athletic Club Coach(es): Michael Carter Olympic Experience Three-time Olympian (2008, 2012, 2016); Olympic medalist (gold) Rio 2016 Olympic Games, gold London 2012 Olympic Games, 5th Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, 15th World Championship Experience Most recent: 2016 – gold Years of participation: Outdoor – 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015; Indoor – 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 Medals: 3 (1 gold, 2 bronzes) Gold – 2016 Bronze – 2012, 2015 Other Career Highlights 2011 Pan American Games, bronze 2006 NCAA indoor champion…Enjoys singing, baking, styling hair and makeup…Competed at the state level in high school choir. Personal: Daughter of Michael and Sandra Carter…Has one brother, Michael Jr., and one sister, D’Andra… Father, Mike, won the men’s shot put silver medal while representing Team USA at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games and also played professional American football for the San Francisco 49ers from 1984-1992, winning three Super Bowls and earning three Pro Bowl team selections Source: Team USA Website History-making Performances Put the “I Can” in Afr- ican -Amer -ican By D. Campbell, African-American News&Issues Houston– Three Gold performances at the Olympics in Rio by African-American women athletes from Texas present outstanding examples for Black youth and teens and should inspire many to dream, set and achieve even greater personal goals in life. Olympic athletes Simone Biles, Simone Manuel and Michelle Carter have given youth hope that dreams still matter and that even in the face of challenges, maintaining a positive attitude and not giving up still brings winning results. Each has inspired us by teaching valuable lessons about beating odds, positive thinking, dedication to details and also stirred discussions about racial and gender equality. Also, coming from different backgrounds, stereotypes and challenges, these three Black women have much in common on the road to Gold Medals in Brazil. Each path was paved with the same kinds of sweat, sacrifices and patience it takes to be a winner. Simone Biles Words Inspire and Actions Speaks Biles is a gifted American artistic gymnast whose performances as the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil can only be described as superhuman. From Spring, Texas, she is the first African American to win an all-around World title ,winning four Olympic Gold Medals and a Bronze medal, she is the individual all-around, vault and floor champion. Biles also was part of the gold medal-winning team dubbed the “final five” at the 2106 Summer Olympic in Rio. She is known for many inspiring quotes, but most impressive is the way she has fine-tuned her life to be in sync with those words and her actions confirm her genuine commitment to them and to being a winner. She is not intimidated by a small frame build at 4’8” tall. She believes she was built the way she is for a reason and has set out to prove that purpose. “I was built this way for a reason, so I’m going to use it,” she said in numerous media interviews. “I’m out to prove what I’m capable of.” This kind of determination has her led to many accomplishments prior to Rio. Biles also is a three-time world all-around champion (2013–15), three-time world floor champion (2013–15), two-time world balance beam champion (2014, 2015), four-time United States national all-around champion (2013–16), and a member of the gold medal-winning American teams at the 2014 and 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. She stresses hard work, practice, dedication and surrounding yourself around positive people and focusing on positive things. In one of her public quotes, she says, “Surround yourself with the dreamers, the doers, the believers and thinkers but most of all surround yourself with those who see greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.” Her successes at the Olympics and before Rio undoubtedly are driven by an inner desire that does not run from the competition, but faces challenges head on. “To go out there and prove what I can do has taught me a lot about who I am,” she says.”A successful competition for me is always going out there and putting 100 percent into whatever I’m doing.” On her lighter side, despite her stardom, she is still maintains a kind, down home personality, loves life and having fun. Simone Manuel Modern Trailblazer- Social Pioneer Maitza Correia and Cullen Jones had no idea how their past efforts and challenges in the sport of swimming would inspire and impact Olympic swimmer Simone Manuel. Her talents were on full display in Rio as she became the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic gold in swimming and set an Olympic record and an American record. In winning she finished the 100-meter freestyle in a tie with Penny Oleksiak of Canada. “This medal is not just for me. It is for some of the African-Americans who have come before me,” she added in media interviews following her historic accomplishment and referencing former Olympians Maritza Correia and Cullen Jones. “This medal is for the people who come behind me and get into the sport and hopefully find love and drive to get to this point.” Manuel, who is from Sugarland and graduated from Fort Bend Austin High School, is a competition swimmer specializing in sprint freestyle. She won two gold and two silver medals: gold in the 100-meter freestyle and the 4×100-meter medley, and silver in the 50-meter freestyle, according to Team USA website. In 2002, Maritza Correia made history when she became the first black woman to break an American record. She later became the first black woman to earn a place on the U.S. Olympic swim team, according to Biography.com website. Jones was part of the 2008 US Swimming team that broke the world record in the 4×100 Relay. However, before Manuel, Correia and Jones, Blacks were part of and endured the era of segregation and discrimination that discouraged Black involvement in the sport, according to Author Prof Jeff Wiltse, author of Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America.”Black Americans were largely and systematically denied access to those pools,” he noted. “…Swimming never became a part of African- American recreational culture.” According to Wiltse, Segregation in pools ended in the northern United States in the 1940s and early 1950s, but many white swimmers abandoned municipal pools for private clubs in the suburbs where segregation was enforced. After the race riots of the 1960s, many cities did start building pools in predominantly black areas, he added. Manuel has benefited from that rich history and allowed it to motivate her to achieve her goal and raise her to the level of a modern trailblazer and social pioneer seeking to break down barriers for African-Americans and women. “Coming into the race I tried to take weight of the black community off my shoulders,”she told USA Today. “It’s something I carry with me. I want to be an inspiration, but I would like there to be a day when it is not ‘Simone the black swimmer.’” Manuel’s record of excellence started before Rio. She also holds three world records as a member of a relay team, and she is a two-time individual National Collegiate Athletic Association champion, becoming one of the first three African American women to place in the top three spots in the 100-yard freestyle event in any Division I NCAA Swimming Championship. Since 2014, she has attended University where she swims for Stanford Cardinal. In sharing some secrets to success, she was quick to cite her faith in God, Phillipians4:13, her favorite Bible verse, and her commitment to maintaining her focus and training hard. “…I train hard and want to win just like everyone else,” she told USA Today.”This win hopefully brings hope and change to some of the issues that are going on.” Michelle Carter Confident Positive Image Promoter/Producer Michelle Carter is the strong Black woman who preaches to youth and adults alike to never give up on yourself – a message that travels far and is as powerful as the shot put throw that put her in the 2016 Rio Olympics record books. “… My focus is always to just do my best and I think that our competition always brings out the best in all of us,” she said in media interviews. Carter won the 2016 gold medal at the Rio Olympics on the last of her six throws, edging two-time defending champion Valerie Adams of New Zealand. She became the first United States women’s athlete to win the event since the women’s competition began at the 1948 Summer Olympic Games in London, England, and only the second American to win any medal. Carter is a graduate of Red Oak High School in Red Oak, Texas. A U.S. Track and Field Media Release provided a brief peek into Carter’s competitive mindset as she competed for the Gold. She focused on grooming her confidence and positive self talk and messages that steered her in the direction of giving her all and doing her best. Promoting that message helped keep her balanced, committed and ready. “I wasn’t nervous because at the end of the day, I was able to bring all that energy to the middle and just focus on what I needed to do because if I get nervous, then I’m wasting my energy. I’ve been to three Olympics so, I hope I’ve learned something along the way. I was trying to pull from my experiences and just give it my all on my last throw.” She knew much was riding on that performance because the world was watching and also prior to Rio, she had set a very public goal to win. On preparing herself for that final throw, she said. “All I could do was just pray in that moment and think, ‘You know what Michelle, you have to give it your all, this is it.’ I just asked the Lord… I just want to give it my all, leave nothing behind, and I was able to do that today.” Prior to the Olympic, Carter has an impressive resume. She won the silver medal at the 2001 World Youth Championships and the gold medal at the 2004 World Junior Championships. She finished fifteenth at the 2008 Olympic Games and fifth at the 2012 Olympic Games, according to her biography on the Team USA website. In addition to winning the 2008 United States Olympic Team Trials, she was the 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 National Champion. She also was at the top of her sport during her time at the University of Texas at Austin. While competing for the University of Texas, she won the Collegiate National Championship in 2006. Her father, Michael Carter, is also a former Olympian and NFL star — the only athlete to win an Olympic medal and a Super Bowl ring in the same year. Both Michelle and her father hold the current National High School Record in the shot put, the only such father-and-daughter situation. Michelle set her record in 2003 while winning the Texas state championship; her father’s record has been unchallenged since 1979. One of Carter main goals appears to be to continue using her own website to communicate positive messages and motivate young Black children and women to live health, happy, love their bodies and take care of the one body they have. Carter seeks to redefine the notion of beauty and what black girls can do and hopes to inspire more girls to try the sport that opened to women in the late 1940s. She knows she is putting together something special in the sport. “I was built to do something, and that’s how I was built” she told the New Yorker. “I think the world is realizing we were promoting one body type and there have always been many.” Both America and the World witnessed the superb characters of these three Black women who enter the history books not only with the utmost respect from world leaders and peers, but also each has become heroes and a beacon of hope for a younger generation needing its own peers to inspire and guide them out of the ruts of negative thinking and hopelessness and point the way towards education, achievement and success. . About the author aframnews

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La’Shaes - African American News - Black News - Colored News - Negro News

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A World of Inspiration, Motivation, & Sophistication By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, M.Ed. Houston- It is not always easy being a woman in today’s society. There are many things that women go through on a day-to-day basis, and there are often many expectations that are placed on womens’ shoulders. Trying to balance everything may seem hard at times, and trying to live up to everyone’s expectations is not always easy either. Due to this, Lakiesha Thomas founded La’Shaes, LLC, which is considered to be a motivational movement throughout Texas, and abroad. She loves to help women and girls, who may be going through different obstacles and challenges, and provides emotional support, and encouraging words to help them move forward and progress in their life. Thomas is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, but has lived in the Houston area for a while now. She obtained a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from Southern University with the intentions of becoming a lawyer, but her life took a turn, and she decided to pursue entrepreneurship. Although La’Shaes has only been around for about three years, the vision for this creation was planned several years ago. Through La’Shaes, Thomas wants women and girls to be encouraged, and to know that “they are great, they are special, and they have something special and great to offer to the world.” Through it all, this organization wants to bring women together. In order to do this, they host expos, fashion shows, and other networking events in order to help women from all over come together. Bringing women together for Thomas is very important because she is not only really close to her mother, but to her two sisters as well. She knows that everyone doesn’t have the support system that she has with her family, so she wants other women to not only experience love and support, but to grow from it as well. In addition to, her organization is also working on a sister-to-sister campaign, which was created to help promote women who have businesses. They help with marketing and to help make their dreams or visions within the business come true. One goal that Thomas has, is to expand her organization by adding a non-profit group called Beautifully Created for a Strong Survivor. This group will be focused on young teenaged girls and boys, and will provide them with a platform that allows them to speak out without the fear of being judged or criticized. This group will also teach these kids how to be around each other, and discuss topics that are important to their development. Thomas stated, “They are our future, and they are the ones who will be creating more kids.” She made it known that if the kids are properly taught about different things, then they will have a better future, and eventually become better parents one day. Furthermore, Thomas is the author of the motivational book Life Not Hard but a Challenge, which can be purchased on Amazon. In this book, women can find encouragement, and inspiration on topics such as life, love, and relationships. This book is sure to help women overcome anything that they are going through, and to know that their pain, is only temporarily. Through this book, she truly wants women to know that life really isn’t hard; it’s just a challenge. She expressed, “When we say hard, we have a tendency to not want to deal with it anymore, but if something challenges you, you want to beat it, and conquer it.” She further stated that women must find the purpose within the challenge in order to help them defeat it. Lakeisha Thomas is on a strong mission to help every woman that she can. With the support from her team, she is changing and impacting many lives in a positive way. In conclusion, La’Shaes is now preparing for their next event, which is Rolling Out the Pink Carpet for Breast Cancer Awareness on October 10th, and October 11th, in New Orleans, Louisiana. For more information about this event, and about this organization, you can view their website at http://lashaesdiamond.webs.com/. About the author aframnews

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Oundle Family Fun Day

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Oundle Family Fun Day Oundle Family Fun Day is taking place on Saturday 11th June at the Oundle Rugby Football Club on Occupation Road. The event is designed for families and features many activities including mini golf, inflatables and kids games. From 10pm-4pm there will be a series of games and activities for children of all ages as well as some appearances by popular children’s characters the ‘Minions’. A market, an American BBQ and other refreshments will also be available throughout the day. The event is being organised by Pick ‘n’ Mix Events (an entertainment company) in partnership with Oundle Town Council and tickets cost £6 each for children on the day.

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‘Merwe is Back!’ The Coach at the Heart of Oundle Town Cricket

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‘Merwe is Back!’ The Coach at the Heart of Oundle Town Cricket At the heart of Oundle cricket lies the ever-popular and ever-present Merwe Genis. His commitment to nurturing young cricketers of all ages and ability has led to Merwe becoming somewhat of a cult figure in the town, represented by the strong sense of anticipation that greets his arrival every year at the start of the summer. Merwe’s initial affiliation with Oundle originated in 1994 when he led a school cricket team from South Africa to play against Oundle. After a fantastic match between the two sides, decided in the last over, Merwe duly met with the heads of Oundle cricket, John Wake and Tony Howorth, and invited them to South Africa. Oundle’s tour in 1995 proved to be the first of many as Merwe fostered an increasingly close relationship with Oundle school. Subsequently, in 1998 when a vacancy opened up for a cricket coach in Oundle, Merwe was the ideal man. ‘The rest is history,’ he said. The majority of Merwe’s work involves coaching young cricketers, an aspect that he has always been particularly attracted to: ‘Coaching young cricketers is a way of life. The hard work during the week to prepare for the Saturday match. The nets and fielding practices. The expectation and eagerness to do well. The ups and downs. The excitement of a win and the disappointment of a loss. The camaraderie between players and coaches. Nothing can beat it!’ In terms of essential advice Merwe encourages young players to listen to their coaches, maintain a positive attitude, never give up and above all to enjoy the game. Merwe of course spends the English winter in his native South Africa and subsequently has direct experience of the relative importance of the game in the two respective countries. In South Africa school cricket is of more importance due to the strong sense of rivalry and competition. The club culture is however not as strong, as many school cricketers do not continue to play after they have left. In contrast, club cricket lies at the heart of the overall popularity of the sport in England. With regard to his future plans Merwe has recently taken up a new role as head of cricket at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, and in turn still foresees further years working in Oundle. ‘I still love to coach in Oundle, and look forward to continuing my role under the new master in charge, John Crawley, and at Oundle town cricket club.’ By Thomas Lambton – 11 May 2016

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The Oundle International Festival 2016

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The Oundle International Festival 2016 THE OUNDLE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 8-16TH JULY 2016 The Oundle International Festival returns from 8th – 16th July 2016. This year’s chosen theme is THE VOICE. However, according to Kenneth Richardson, the Artistic Director, it wasn’t necessarily a conscious decision. He explains, “I didn’t so much choose the theme as it chose the Festival! As I was pulling together events it became clear that vocal music ranging from Renaissance Italy to energetic folk, smooth jazz and breath-taking opera was dominating the programme.” The Oundle International Festival will be hosting 20 events this year incorporating music for all tastes: classical, reggae/ska, jazz, folk, celtic/world and choral. Workshops and performances from previous Festivals will be returning, such as a workshop from world renowned vocal ensemble, The Marian Consort (Saturday 9th July – performance 15th July), as well as the ever popular Lunchtime Recitals series in St Peter’s Church from 1-1.45. This year’s concerts feature local award winning musicians Rueben Goldmark (Mon 11th July) and Yesong Sophie Lee (Tues 12th July), as well as opera sung by award-winning mezzo soprano Olivia Warburton, and piano performed by internationally acclaimed Irish pianist Maire Carroll (Wed 13th July). There are three new events for 2016: At The Wharf, Luna Flix outdoor cinema presents an outdoor screening of GREASE (Sat 16th July) which is sponsored by The Beauty Room of Oundle, who are offering Grease themed makeovers on the day of the event! There is an encore screening of the 5* West End play, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest with David Suchet as Lady Bracknell (Sun 10th July). And out of town, there is another themed evening event at Deene Park’s Great Hall, with a poignant and amusing look at the life of Madame Clara Novello Davies in Novello & Son. The International Festival is also hosting some big names such as multi-award winning choral performers, The Gabrieli Consort. This is the only chance to hear their a cappella programme outside London. Also on the programme are the 80s legends The Beat, the exhilarating internationally-acclaimed Jamie Smith’s MABON and the exquisite The Marian Consort who were part of the Radio 3’s line-up for the Free Thinking: Festival of Ideas, as well as astounding young professional musicians who are just starting to forge their solo careers. The Festival plays a key role in the community life of Oundle as it brings both the town and visitors together annually. “The festival is an important expression of creativity within the region and of local identity: it demonstrates to the outside world that Oundle is a place where interesting things happen. It is also important to the local economy bringing people into the town, particularly for the bigger events – Party at the Wharf (Sat 9th July) and the Food Festival (Sat 16th July).” So, what would be the highlight this year? Kenneth Richardson commented “I look forward to it all! My favourite thing is to see the transformation that happens to an audience over the course of a performance. People often arrive full of their worldly cares and by the end of the evening or lunchtime performance have entered a different state of being through the transformative power of music and drama.” Between 8th-16th July there will be up to two concerts a day, plus many informal events such as the immensely popular Illyria open-air theatre sponsored local nursery Small Wonders, outdoor cinema GREASE, and Party at The Wharf. Come with friends and family, rugs and picnics ready to party the night away to The Beat and The Tin Pigeons. The Bach Walk features classical guitar soloist Simon Davies, and invites the audience to walk between two idyllic Northants villages enjoying a concert in two separate churches before concluding with informal supper. And to finish the week, there’s the highly-acclaimed popular gastronomic highlight of the week, the all-day Oundle Food Festival in the town’s Market Place. The Artistic Director of The Oundle International Festival would like nothing more than to meet as many people as possible from the area and those visiting Oundle. He says, “In addition to our regular and loyal audience, I always hope to see new faces who are discovering the festival and its events for the first time, and hope that we convert them to regulars.” To book tickets and for more information on The Oundle International Festival visit: www.oundlefestival.org.uk facebook.com/oundleinternationalfestival Twitter @oundlemusic Tel: 01832 274734 4 New Street, Oundle, PE8 4ED

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Election Called for July 28

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Election Called for July 28 The Oundle Town Council is currently undergoing another election cycle. During the last full election, which coincided with the 2015 general election, 11 candidates undertook the nomination process and all 11 candidates were declared ‘duly elected Parish Cllrs for Oundle’ by the Returning Officer of East Northamptonshire on 10 April 2015. Five of these elected candidates are currently serving a four year term on the council. Recent resignations, however, left nine vacancies open and nominations were due to be completed and submitted to the East Northamptonshire Council office by 7 April. While 12 nomination papers were received, 11 of these were deemed invalid. They were found to have incorrect electoral numbers or incomplete declarations of eligibility, and so only one nomination remained that was valid. Duncan Butler was elected uncontested to join the council. With the exception of one year, there have been by-elections every year in Oundle since 2007. The last full election was in 2015. Given the outcome of the most recent by-election, the next by-election will be held on July 28, 2016. Election costs are carried by the town, and include a fee for the returning officer, hire of polling stations and people to staff them, counting agents and publication of notices. The ENC anticipates the cost of an Oundle election to be in the region of £6000 to £7000. Towns and parishes have great difficulty attracting volunteers to serve on their councils. Out of the 59 town and parish full elections in East Northamptonshire in 2015, 44 were uncontested, including Oundle. There were three vacancies after the elections in Oundle in 2015, which were later filled by co-option. However, the councillors selected by co-option have since resigned. The validity of unopposed elected councillors has been questioned in recent months. David Oliver, the Chief Executive of East Northamptonshire Council, recently wrote to the Chronicle about this issue. ‘Within the statutory framework, there is no reference to the merits of a candidate elected unopposed or due to lack of candidates to contest an election as opposed to one subject to a vote. A candidate elected unopposed cannot be deemed unworthy of their elected status because others have failed to be nominated in the electoral process.’ By Isabella Bradstock – 11 May 2016

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Profiling the Council

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Profiling the Council Councils are deceptively complex organisations to run, providing services that are vital to the wellbeing of individuals and communities. When they are run well, no one notices the hard work undertaken to make them successful. As an employer, the council has to compete with the private sector to attract and retain staff who are capable of maintaining the required standards. At the same time, when making decisions on pay awards, the council is under an obligation to secure ‘best value for money’ for taxpayers. The National Association of Local Councils (NACL) provides guidelines for good employment practice, alongside a recommended salary range for clerks and deputy clerks. The scales are not meant to be used for other council staff. The salary scale or single salary point for a job specification that is adopted by a council is determined by how the council has been profiled according to NACL guidelines. Starting at profile 1, a position within a ‘small or medium parish’ takes responsibility for ‘straightforward problems’. Profile 3 is characteristic of a ‘large parish or small town’ with a large team of between 10-20 staff and a budget up to the region of £750,000. A position in a ‘large town’ within profile 4 has management of more than 20 staff and a budget in excess of £750,000. The NACL does not keep data on council profiles so it is difficult to benchmark against other councils. In Northamptonshire, Towcester, with a precept of £318,000 and Daventry Town Council, with a precept of £351,000 are pegged at profile 3. Further afield, Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands is at profile 4, with a precept of £1.8 million gathered from a population of 95,000. The Department for Communities and Local Government recommends that the threshold for being considered a larger parish or town should be a precept of £1 million or more. There are 23 town councils in England that would cross that threshold. Danny Moody, Chief Executive of the Northamptonshire NACL said that Oundle Town Council is anomalous in several ways, such that benchmarking against one measure would give ‘a skewed picture’. While Oundle is the 18th largest council in Northamptonshire, it has the fifth highest precept (£336,543 for 2016-17), with more than £240,000 of its total income deriving from operating income. In his assessment that Oundle Town Council would fit profile 4, Danny Moody said: ‘Oundle Town Council bats above its weight compared to councils of a similar electorate because it is an active council with a lot of physical assets.’ 11 May 2016

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Spicing Up England’s Squad

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Spicing Up England’s Squad Oundle School has every reason to be very proud after two members of the Sixth Form, brothers Ben and Tom Curry, recently received call-ups to the Elite England U18 squad. Their call-up is a further demonstration of their talent and potential, as both were also capped for England U16s; Ben with England U16 Saxons, and Tom with the Elite England U16 squad, where he was U16 England Player of the Year. Their success follows on from the careers of former Oundle students, Sam Olver and Josh Peters, who also represented England in the U18 squad. Josh and Sam subsequently secured full time professional contracts at Northampton Saints, whilst Ben and Tom have signed for Sale Sharks. Nephews of John Olver, Head of Rugby at Oundle School, Ben and Tom arrived at the school in the Sixth Form. Their talent on the rugby pitch was evident from the outset, and their arrival corresponded with a dramatic upturn in the overall fortunes of the Oundle 1st XV, best represented in the team’s run to the semi-finals of the 2015 NatWest U18 Schools Cup at Allianz Park. Whilst also pursuing their rugby careers they have maintained a commitment to academia and after sitting their A levels this summer they have aspirations with regard to higher education; Ben hopes to study pharmacy or maths at university and Tom wishes to study geography. If their hard-work and dedication continue, two successful Rugby careers are a very distinct possibility. By Thomas Lambton – 11 May 2016

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New Head of Cricket at Oundle

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New Head of Cricket at Oundle In September 2015 John Crawley began his tenure as head of cricket at Oundle School. A very successful county cricketer and holder of 37 test caps, there is no doubting that Oundle cricket is in very capable hands. Crawley previously held similar positions at Oakham and Magdalen College School in Oxford. He developed an interest in working with young players towards the end of his cricket career when he helped in the development of members of the academy system at Hampshire. ‘I took great satisfaction and pride in seeing those that I helped perform and prosper,’ he said. Crawley also maintains a passion for history from his days as a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, and was keen for this to continue. ‘Head of Cricket and teacher of history is just about the perfect job!’ During his career, Crawley amassed over 24,000 runs in first class cricket at an average of 46.49, and has been hailed as one of the most prolific batsmen in county cricket for nearly two decades. His career at the pinnacle of the sport was not without particular highlights. His proudest moment came in 2002 when he scored 100 at Lords against India. It came against the backdrop of a period of particular difficulty for John, both professionally, after a contract dispute with Lancashire seriously jeopardised his career, and personally due to the sudden passing of his mother. ‘To come through this, regain a place so quickly in the England team after the move to Hampshire, and then secure a place on the prized honours board in the Lord’s dressing room was a special moment.’ John above all stresses the importance of enjoyment. ‘There is no point playing if you don’t enjoy the unique challenges, elation, togetherness and tribulation that cricket offers.’ He also emphasises the importance of focusing upon one’s personal game. ‘Nobody can walk out to the middle with you – you have to have faith in your own ability and play the game the way you want to play it, not try to please someone else.’ It is this second piece of advice that has personal resonance for John. ‘When I was a young player I grew up on a fast, bouncy pitch at Old Trafford. I took on the short ball whenever I could, and scored quickly because of this. In three consecutive games, I was out hooking and walked into a hard-nosed dressing room that didn’t accept these dismissals, and I chose to ignore the short balls after that. ‘This led to my being unable to score quickly against the likes of Glenn McGrath and Curtly Ambrose, and all I did was build pressure on myself and the team by not being able to score against these types of bowlers. I hadn’t been true to myself and had played the way that pleased others, not myself.’ At Oundle, his key goals will focus on enhancing the sport’s popularity for both boys and girls, catering for all levels of cricketing ability, and maintaining the well-established links with Oundle town cricket. ‘Ultimately, we want to instil a lifelong love of the game through school, university, MCC, OOs, club cricket and beyond, and to ensure that a player’s individual gifts are developed within a team environment and that the flair of the individual is enhanced always to the benefit of the team.’ By Thomas Lambton – 11 May 2016

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English Harbour Yachts Wins Award for New Boat

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English Harbour Yachts Wins Award for New Boat In February, Oundle based English Harbour Yachts won an award at the Motor Boat Awards Ceremony held in London with its Wheelhouse and Cockpit Cruiser, with the new and acclaimed EH29 Offshore model. The award acknowledges the best designed motorboat design of the past year and the international competition is hotly contested. English Harbour Yacht’s winning boat is the largest model, and made a significant impression at the 2015 Southampton Boat Show in September. The judges, a team of experienced marine journalists, were impressed with the boat’s features; its light and airy interior, positive handling, and the craftsmanship of the build. The panel commented on the attention to detail regarding practical features for engine and fuel efficiency, as well as design effects, in particular the amount of headroom with an unusually spacious and comfortable 6ft for the main cabin. The new model has been described as a ‘major development’ for the company, which was formed in 2012 by Adam Greenwood and Alan Bowers, former directors of Fairline. Having found a niche in the market, they aim to produce small to mid-sized motorboats with building quality. Their achievements have been on the rise from a ‘highly commended’ award at 2013 awards with their smallest model, the EH16, to an outright win with a larger and more complex motorboat. Greenwood said: ‘We have put a tremendous amount of thought into the English Harbour 29 Offshore, largely based on our cumulative experience at Fairline, yet also from many years of customer feedback.’ He said that his collaboration with designers such as Andrew Wostenholme had allowed them ‘to create a well-mannered and highly practical motorboat that has a real feel of quality throughout every aspect of the build’. The EH29 Offshore is available with various engine options, with a top speed of around 24 knots and a Volvo D3 Aquamatic inboard diesel. 2016 should also see the launch for a 30ft Open Offshore model; an exciting prospect, indicative of the demand for the English Harbour Range. By Sarah Boyle – 11 May 2016

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The Queen’s Birthday Celebrations

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The Queen’s Birthday Celebrations The residents of Abbott House joined the Queen in celebrating her 90th birthday on April 21 at a special party to mark the occasion, where they gathered together to raise their glasses in a royal toast. Among the residents were two who recently observed the same milestone as the Queen. Lucy Moynehan, who was born in Manchester and Christina Edwards, who was born in Scotland, both celebrated their 90th birthdays in the last year. Photo by Pavel Lipskiy

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Council Dispute Leads to Resignations

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Council Dispute Leads to Resignations Just over a month after the Oundle Town Council was described as having the ability and capacity to be ‘a beacon council nationally’, the council fell apart in mid-February, leaving a bare minimum to carry on the statutory functions of the council. Following allegations of misconduct, dramatic public resignations and an online petition, the future of Oundle Town Council now lies in the hands of the electorate. After an aborted attempt at a full election in which only one out of 12 nomination papers was declared valid, there remain eight vacant council seats to be elected on July 28. In a shock move at a council meeting on February 16, six of the 14 councillors stood down in protest at alleged code of conduct violations by eight members of the council. Prior to this, two councillors had resigned for personal reasons, followed by a third, also for personal reasons. Those that resigned in protest said that they felt unable to remain on the council after a decision made at a December meeting about how to benchmark the council with respect to salary grades was rescinded one month later at the January meeting. The eight councillors who had proposed that the decision be rescinded and reviewed were accused of having met privately to form the proposal, thereby undermining the function of the council. The council was declared ‘dysfunctional’, but suggestions for mediation or a governance review were rejected, and instead the resignations were made amidst impassioned speeches and expressions of no confidence from the public gallery. The dispute arose after a proposal was tabled by a group of eight councillors to rescind and review again the council’s earlier decision made in December to grade the council as profile 4, up from profile 3. The initial decision was part of a review of the council’s administrative structure. To determine appropriate salary grades, advice was sought about the council’s profile from Danny Moody of the Northamptonshire Association of Local Councils, who recommended that the council fit the criteria for a ‘large town’ at profile 4. The councillors who rescinded said that they felt that they had not been fully informed of their options when upgrading the council profile. David Chapple said: ‘It wasn’t entirely clear to us where Danny Moody got the information from in order to reach that conclusion, bearing in mind that some of things that he concluded appeared to be based on inaccurate information. That information should have come from the Council’s Operation Management Committee. As it happens, information was given that doesn’t appear to be entirely complete and doesn’t appear to be entirely understood.’ In particular, questions were raised about the size of the council’s budget and the number of full-time equivalent staff that the council employed. It appeared to the majority that the decision should be rescinded pending further research, allowing more time to analyse the facts and for more discussion with Danny Moody. ‘I don’t consider Oundle to be a large town. I was there when we went from profile 2 to 3. I’d always understood that a large town is not the size of Oundle,’ said David Chapple. ‘We seemed to accept it quickly because it was almost because we had made an undertaking that we would accept it. But when it came to the point, we weren’t given any more evidence than before we started,’ said councillor Val Chesser. In the immediate days following the December meeting, council staff were informed about the plans and believed that they would soon be receiving details of revised and increased salaries in addition to a new operational structure. As a result, the proposal to rescind and review the profile 4 decision caused confusion and upset. One member of the team at The Hub contributed to the debate on Facebook: ‘When the tier 4 was revealed to us at our meeting I felt a great sense of pride and after all the hard work that we all put in, a great result. Would this decision to rescind the tier four have implications on our jobs? Would we indeed have jobs? The 8 councillors have caused a lot of unwanted stress.’ Interim Clerk, Hanneke Soans said: ‘When Danny Moody reported that we were a ‘forward-looking council’, we felt proud. It was an achievement that the work of the council and the success of the Fletton House move was being recognised.’ In February, David Chapple told the Chronicle: ‘I fear there has been miscommunication and therefore misunderstanding. Profile 4 is nothing to do about how well or badly the Hub runs or anything else. The discussion had absolutely no impact on the Hub or Hub staff. The move to a profile 4 does not affect the operation of the council… [It] is purely to do with how you remunerate the clerk according to the scales.’ However, when the proposal was made to rescind the decision to move to profile 4, it was not clear to the staff that this was an isolated proposal that did not affect the other decisions about staff terms and conditions that had been voted on at the December meeting. ‘We were under the impression that everything that had been discussed about our jobs was being rescinded,’ Hanneke Soans said. The clerk, Debra Harper, upon receiving notice of the proposition, wrote to the councillors responsible for it, requesting information. They acknowledged her email, but advised that a response prior to the meeting at which the proposition would be discussed, would not be appropriate. In her resignation remarks, former councillor Ann Fitzgerald criticised the way it had been handled, and defended the clerk: ‘This is a cynical attempt to cut her pay rise. I value her service and am deeply offended by this. The Clerk is broken.’ David Chapple said there had never been any intention that the proposition would impact the clerk, and he had thought that this had been communicated to her by the Mayor. ‘We submitted two proposals. We said nothing about wanting to rescind the decisions about the estates or finance officers, which were entirely independent of the level 4 process. Not one councillor suggested that the review of the level 4 status should in any way impact on the clerk. That’s never been suggested. It would have had to be in the propositions for it to be changed.’ The councillors who signed the proposition insist that agreement on the proposition grew organically during informal discussions over the course of the month. David Chapple explained that there is a standing order that allows four councillors who want a decision reviewed to call for it to be put back on the agenda for review. ‘What ultimately happened is there were more than four. That it would actually make sense that instead of 4 people signing the document, we could demonstrate that there was a majority, and therefore 8 people signed it. When I walked into that meeting, I was not clear how many of the 6, if any, might in fact support that. I hadn’t sought to discuss it with them, for no sort of hidden, malicious reason, for the simple reason that I could see that there was a majority already.’ After this newly-formed majority tabled their proposition at the meeting on Tuesday 19th January, relations between the councillors broke down, and the eight were accused of unprofessional behaviour. Former councillor Julie Grove said: ‘My position has always been clear that the mechanism of being able to rescind a decision, quite rightly and legitimately exists. What I disagreed with was the process and manner in which the eight councillors undertook the rescission and their subsequent refusal to discuss their reasons for both the method and impact on council staff and morale.’ Six councillors later resigned at the February meeting, and used their resignations to strongly urge the remaining councillors to stand down, in order to allow a full re-election to resolve the issues of broken relations. Cllr Oakes admitted, ‘We could have done it better’, but he remained bewildered about the fallout from the proposition. ‘It was so simple. It was not a conspiracy. I never thought it would come to this. It was a simple matter of going – are we level 4, no I don’t think we are.’ After this dramatic stand-off, the council meetings began to attract significant attention from local residents, and a Change.org petition was launched to ‘Allow Us to Rebuild Our Town Council’. Discussion and debate generated a lot of traffic on a variety of Facebook pages. Whilst Facebook can be a very positive tool for communicating within the community, it can also prove to be a malicious tool. Miscommunication of facts can easily spiral out of control into personal attacks and defamatory statements. Comments such as ‘We just want the crooked ones gone. That don’t care for Oundle’ can easily escalate into references to ‘selfish, self-important twonks’ and ‘dysfunctional and lazy individuals.’ One anonymous user even posted on an online forum: ‘OUNDLE TOWN COUNCIL (UK) IS CORRUPT Please HELP I would like help to get information on the other councillors, anything that would be used to prosecute them or ridicule them in to leaving the council’ [sic]. The post, which received no public responses, just shows how easily open debate online can escalate into smear campaigns. Councillor Neville Oakes expressed his personal upset at the social media campaign: ‘I feel a bit emotional about this. I’ve poured my heart into this town over eight years, and David for thirty.’ Val Chesser said that she was deeply offended by the accusations: ‘What gets me is that it is trial by social media.’ The councillors are standing behind their decision not to resign, because they have served on the council for many years and feel well-equipped to deal with the everyday issues that arise around the town. They had been elected in the 2015 election and had committed to serving a four year term. If the entire council resigned, East Northamptonshire Council would have taken over local business until a new council could have been formed. David Chapple described the extent of his commitment to the council: ‘I couldn’t count the number of hours that I have spent on various things for the council, attending god knows what number of meetings, speaking at public enquiries and goodness knows what all else. I don’t do it for me, I do it for a town, because I love the town. And it is very, very depressing when you are being treated as if you are worse than goodness knows what, by people who by and large have not the faintest idea of what the issue was.’ Mrs Soans said: ‘The staff are the innocent victims of all this. All the history and experience that had been gathered by the previous councillors has been wiped out. We have to start again. I’m looking forward to a fresh start, but it will be a huge amount of work.’ The uneasiness surrounding the town council in recent weeks has had, at times, the potential to breed an unpleasant environment within Oundle, but it seems that through community spirit, the council can soon be rebuilt. In December, Danny Moody praised Oundle Town Council for its work over many years, saying, ‘I have known Oundle Town Council for nine years and it has always been forward thinking and progressive, but recent developments show that it has the ability and capacity to be one of the leading parish or town councils in the county and a beacon council nationally.’ Hopefully, all the attention garnered on social media will encourage more people to stand for election this summer, and a contested election will bring new volunteers to contribute to the everyday running of the town. By Francesca Coates – 11 May 2016

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Bagan’s Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library works with Unesco to train volunteers to collect data and clean debris from pagodas damaged in a recent earthquake.

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Volunteers in Bagan Trained in Earthquake Recovery

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BURMA Volunteers in Bagan Trained in Earthquake Recovery MANDALAY — Bagan’s Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library will collaborate with Unesco experts to train volunteers to collect data and clean debris from pagodas damaged in a recent earthquake. The department said experts from Unesco will be in Bagan on September 4 and training will begin the following day. “Volunteer leaders will be trained on how to document damages, collect and clean debris without affecting the structures, and how to verify and handle broken pieces of the ancient temples,” said Aung Aung Kyaw, director of the department. Volunteer leaders from local travel and tour groups, Buddhist monks, rescue teams from local fire brigades and soldiers will attend the training. According to the department’s official figures on Monday, 397 pagodas and temples were affected by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Burma last week. “There are five teams—led by the department and under Unesco’s guidance—currently working on the ground, recording and documenting the damages,” he said. However, the department said they still need more volunteers to speed up the process of documenting, cleaning and collecting broken artifacts before rain worsens the situation. At the same time, the department and Unesco are concerned about rushing the process and allowing too much access to the damaged pagodas. “Since these pagodas are valuable to our country’s history and culture, we need to be extremely careful when collecting debris. If we rush, we won’t have another chance to conserve these precious broken pieces,” said Aung Aung Kyaw. In the days following the earthquake, locals rushed to Bagan to see the damage and some were disappointed when local authorities prohibited visitors. At some of the more damaged pagodas—like Sulamani—some Buddhist monks and visitors were seen arguing with security. “We would like to apologize for the inconvenience but the restriction is for safety reasons. We also don’t yet know the extent of the damage and want to ensure that artifacts aren’t taken by opportunists,” said Aung Aung Kyaw. “We would like to request that visitors understand the cultural and historical significance of the area while we do our best to restore public access as soon as possible,” he added.

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The northern Thai city is at risk from the Zika virus, after seven cases were identified elsewhere in the province.

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Chiang Mai at Risk From Zika Virus

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BURMA Chiang Mai at Risk From Zika Virus The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, whose metropolitan area contains almost a million people, is at risk from the Zika virus, according to provincial authorities. Chiang Mai-based City News reported that provincial governor Pawin Chamniprasart has designated a control zone for the Zika virus in the San Sai Luang District of Chiang Mai Province, in order to contain the spread, after several cases were identified in the district. Seven people have reportedly been infected so far in the province, which is also at risk of a dengue outbreak. The mosquito-borne Zika virus has been known to occur largely in tropical regions of Africa and Asia, and is related to dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever. A widespread Zika epidemic began in Brazil early last year, spreading to other parts of South and North America and to some Pacific islands. It has since been detected in Southeast Asia, in Singapore and Thailand. The symptoms of Zika infection are generally mild, although in pregnant women in can cause brain malformations and other defects in unborn children. There are no vaccines or specific treatments.

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The revelation that the US uses its Asian embassies for spying has upset some, but intelligence cooperation works both ways.

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Spy Me, Spy You, Sa-Bai Thailand

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Spy Me, Spy You, Sa-Bai Thailand Last week’s revelation that the US embassies in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Phnom Penh, Rangoon and Bangkok nested spying facilities produced different reactions. Indonesia raised hell and fire, while other Asean countries were more discreet. The most interesting was Thailand’s attitude towards the whole affair. Senior officials played dumb as if nothing happened. Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabutr, Secretary General of National Security Council, did not think the US would use Thailand as a spying base. Teerat Tatanasevi, the government spokesman, said that there were no intelligence reports about the US spying bases. Better still no comments came from the Thai military and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Thais did not want to say too much for good reasons. It is an open secret within the intelligence and diplomatic community that Thailand was and has been the hub of spying bases of foreign intelligent agencies for decades. During the Cold War, Thailand was the bulwark against communism as the closest US ally in mainland Southeast Asia. The country housed the region’s largest information-gathering base for Washington. When the American troops pulled out from Thailand in 1976, one of the contentious points was the ownership and operation of Ramasun spying facilities in Udorn Air Force base. The government, under Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj, rejected the US request to continue the use of the facilities beyond the July 1976, the deadline for American troop withdrawal from Thailand. In the world without internet, Thailand’s location was ideal. It bordered communist countries in Indochina—dispatching spies across the border and gathering information through electronic devices was easy. During the Vietnam War followed by the Cambodian conflict, Thailand served as the center of intelligence gatherings from all countries around the world. Beyond spooking, these spy communities also engaging in recruiting, kidnapping and undermining each other’s capacity in obtaining classified information. All that has changed after the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, the whole Western spying operation in Thailand, led by the US, has been upgraded and running focusing on anti-terrorism campaign. The Bush administration minced no words and identified Southeast Asia as the second front for terrorism. It was later disclosed that Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries were used by terrorists in the Sept. 11 attacks to map out their plans. The arrest of Hambali in August 2003 was the accumulative efforts of the US and Thai intelligence agencies working together to track down the Southeast Asian chief of al-Qaida. That helped to explain why throughout the past decade, Thailand was muted over the surveillance and anti-terrorism activities from the US. In mid-2005, as the US government was paying more attention to halting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the spying operation intensified along the Thai-Burma border including North Korea’s activities in Thailand and the region. The growing ties between Burma and North Korea before the current reform took place in 2011 alarmed the US and the West. With the assistance from Thailand, mobile and fixed spying facilities set up and manned by American and Australian intelligence officials to gather information and intercept electronic signals. The evidence gathered by the tripartite surveillance operation succeeded in pressuring Burma to halt missile technology exchanges with North Korea. Before the normalization of US-Burma relations, Naypyidaw also pledged to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The interceptions of North Korean ships in high sea carried sanctioned products and weapons including its plane in December 2009 at Don Mueang were thanks to joint spying efforts. Foreign citizens or agencies interested in Thailand and its leaders understand full well that lots of information and data are available in open sources. Mining confidential information can be done through person-to-person communications and media outlets which regularly publicized classified information. For instance, sensitive economic forecasts and data, treated as secret with jail terms in other countries, could be accessed openly. In addition, defense related matters including details of specific arms procurements and strategies find their way on front pages of local newspapers. Before WikiLeaks disclosure of confidential information on Thailand passing through the US Embassy, Thai officials were very fond of talking to American diplomats over lunch and good wines. They gave information and opinions in a casual manner. After they found their names and rare views being quoted in the thousands of cables dispatched from Bangkok, they were shocked and embarrassed. Now the whole Thai bureaucrats have become more circumspect in conversations, if at all, with American and other diplomats. Thailand has benefitted from the US surveillance operation, both inside and outside the embassy, on a need-to-know and case-by-case basis. So, it is better to keep quiet. This article was originally published in The Nation on Nov. 4. Some parts have been edited for clarity. Kavi Chongkittavorn is assistant group editor of Nation Media Group and his views do not necessarily reflect those of The Irrawaddy.

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Unesco surveys damage to 187 historic temples in Bagan, amid concerns that premature efforts to clear debris may disturb artifacts and hamper restoration.

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Bagan After the Quake: Concerns Over Manhandling of Debris

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CULTURE Bagan After the Quake: Concerns Over Manhandling of Debris MANDALAY — A team from Unesco, the United Nations’ cultural agency, is traveling to Bagan to conduct a comprehensive review of damage to historical pagodas and temples after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Burma on Wednesday evening. Members of the team have expressed concern that premature efforts from local authorities to clear debris may disturb the archaeological record, result in losses to historical artifacts, and complicate eventual restoration efforts. On Thursday morning, a company of Burma Army soldiers spotted cleaning up the debris at damaged temples caused alarm among locals. A video of them sweeping rubble at one temple has since spread over social media, prompting a mixed response. “If they clean up the debris like that, how will the experts get reliable data?” said Min Naing Aung, a member of a Bagan appreciation group, who said he was aware of the imminent arrival of the Unesco team. “We are also worried that ancient artifacts might get stolen or lost because of unsystematic cleaning and restoration, without anyone taking responsibility,” he said. The earthquake struck at 5:04 p.m. on Thursday, 25 kilometers west of Chauk in Magwe Division, at a depth of 84 kilometers. It was felt across Burma, and in neighboring countries. The Bagan Archaeological Department has cited damage to 187 pagodas and temples across the Bagan plain, including iconic favorites Sulamani, Ananda, Htilominlo, Myazedi, Shwesandaw, Lawkananda and Dhamma Yazaka, and the murals at Ananda Oakkyaung. State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has sent notice to officials in the Bagan archaeological zone not to “rush” the restoration of the damaged pagodas, and to seek technical assistance from Unesco. The temples of Bagan, dating from between the 9th and 13th centuries—when the Kingdom of Pagan ruled over much of lowland Burma—are considered Burma’s biggest tourist draw, although the ancient capital has yet to be granted World Heritage Site status, allegedly on account of sub-standard, inauthentic restoration efforts under previous governments. Local Unesco officers traveling to the site said the UN agency would need the full collaboration of authorities, including from the government’s archaeological department, to maintain the historical value of the damaged temples and pagodas. “We’ve already requested the department of archaeology to ensure that affected temples remain un-touched till the damage has been systematically documented,” said Ohnmar Myo, a Unesco project coordinator. She said that a thorough survey would support future restoration work and aid Bagan’s candidacy as a Unesco World Heritage Site. “We are highly concerned that no one touch or move away debris, because every single piece of these ancient temples has high historical and cultural value, which needs to be recorded,” she said. “In addition, we would like for authorities in Bagan to ensure that no one goes near damaged temples, to prevent possible injuries and further damage,” she added. The director of the Bagan Archaeological Department Aung Aung Kyaw said the department had “already requested the army to halt cleaning till we get the green light [to continue] from the experts.” “We are also planning to restrict visitors to these [damaged] temples,” director Aung Aung Kyaw said. On top of the survey, Unesco has said it would provide financial and technical assistance—in line with “international standards”—for the restoration of affected structures in Bagan. “We very much hope there will be no pressure to ‘glitter up’ or overly renovate these damaged temples, as happened under previous governments, which would ruin their cultural value,” said Ohnmar Myo of Unesco. According to the Ministry of Information, outside Bagan, 33 other historic temples and pagodas were damaged across Burma, in Meiktila, Myingyan, Yamaethin, Taungtha, Salae, Sagaing and Mrauk-U. In Chauk of Magwe Division, the closest town to the earthquake’s epicenter, two buildings developed cracks, and a portico of the township police station collapsed—but more serious damage has not been reported, nor any casualties. “I was standing and almost fell down as the earthquake hit the town with a roaring sound. It shook for three to five minutes and the whole town filled with shouts, cries and sirens from fire engines,” said Chauk resident Htoo Win. “Everyone rushed outside of the buildings and some old people even vomited because of dizziness. I’m glad that most of the buildings and people are safe but we are still afraid of aftershocks,” he added. In Pakokku of Magwe Division, a man died and another was injured after the roof of a tobacco factory collapsed. In Yenangyaung, also in Magwe Division, two girls, seven and 15 years old, died as a toilet in the compound of a pagoda collapsed in on them, according to locals. In Bagan, which sits in Mandalay Division near the border with Magwe Division, an Italian tourist watching the sunset from a temple fell and injured herself due to the quake, and was sent to Mandalay General Hospital, according to the Ministry of Information.

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The Burma Army uses two helicopters to attack the base of a Kachin Independence Army (KIA) battalion in Kachin State’s Waingmaw Township, according to KIA sources.

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KIA: Burma Army Attacks Kachin Rebel Outpost From the Air

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BURMA KIA: Burma Army Attacks Kachin Rebel Outpost From the Air The Burma Army used two helicopters to attack a base of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) on Tuesday near Ja Htar village in Kachin State’s Waingmaw Township, according to KIA sources. Ground forces from the Tatmadaw first reportedly attacked the frontline of KIA Battalion No. 252, also known as the In-Kham outpost. Following the offensive, two helicopters then shot at the base from the air. KIA spokesperson Lt-Col Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday evening that while he did not yet know the details of the attack, he had been informed that the Burma Army had used “two gunships” and that the clash had broken out at around 11 a.m. that day. Fighting between KIA Battalion No. 252 and government troops reportedly began in Waingmaw Township on Saturday. Meanwhile, Hpakant Township has seen sporadic clashes between KIA Battalion No. 6 and the Burmese military. Despite opting out of signing the 2015 nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) with the previous government, the KIA said that it would attend Burma’s 21st Century Panglong peace conference scheduled to begin on August 31 in Naypyidaw. The Irrawaddy called Burma’s military spokesperson, Maj-Gen Aung Ye Win, but he said he could not comment on the situation at the present time.

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The three cities able to process e-visa holders entering Burma overland include Myawaddy in Karen State, Tachileik in Shan State and Kawthaung in Tenasserim Division.

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E-Visa Holders Permitted to Enter Burma Overland

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BURMA E-Visa Holders Permitted to Enter Burma Overland RANGOON — Burma’s Ministry of Immigration and Population will allow tourists from 100 countries holding electronic visas to enter Burma through three cities on the Thai border, starting on Sept. 1. The electronic visa application was introduced in 2014 and allowed tourists holding “e-visas” to enter the country only via airports in Rangoon, Mandalay or Naypyidaw; the business e-visa was introduced the following year with the same restrictions. The immigration and population ministry announced on its website on Wednesday that the application process and policies for e-visas will remain the same, but that the allowance for overland entry is applicable to both tourist and business e-visa holders. “Now all tourists and business e-visa holders from 100 countries can pass through three cities, following an agreement with Thai government and our government,” Myint Kyaing, permanent secretary of Ministry of Immigration and Population told the Irrawaddy. The three cities able to process e-visa holders entering Burma overland include Myawaddy in Karen State, which sits opposite Thailand’s Mae Sot; Tachileik in Shan State, across from Mae Sai in Thailand; and Kawthaung in Tenasserim Division, from Thailand’s Ranong. “We hope these additional enhancements will offer our valued guests even more flexibility and convenience when visiting Myanmar in the near future,” the ministry said. E-visa applicants are required to fill out an online visa form, verify that all the information entered is correct and make an online credit card payment. Applicants then receive a visa approval letter via email and are then eligible to have their passport stamped upon arrival by presenting a print-out of the electronic approval letter. “Not all tourists can pass through the e-visa system, only those eligible,” Myint Kyaing said. As Burma’s tourist arrivals have been increasing, reaching nearly 4.7 million in 2015, more than 60 percent of tourists came through overland border crossings, according to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism figures. U Maung Maung, managing director of World Quest International, said the new move—agreed to by the Burmese and Thai governments—is welcomed. “I hope more tourists will come here from Thailand, and international tourist arrivals will be expected to increase,” he said. “I don’t think there will be a negative impact as a result of this new process,” he added. Tourist arrivals initially increased when Burma transitioned from a military government to a quasi-civilian administration in 2011, when the number of tourists entering the country was only 800,000. By 2014, this rose to over 3 million, according to official statistics.

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The bill, which proposes the abolishment of the controversial 66-year-old law, was drafted and submitted to the Parliament by the Lower House Bill Committee.

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Lower House Approves Annulment of Emergency Provisions Act

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BURMA Lower House Approves Annulment of Emergency Provisions Act The Lower House approved a bill on Wednesday that repeals Burma’s controversial 1950 Emergency Provisions Act. The bill, which proposes the abolishment of the 66-year-old law, was drafted and submitted to the Parliament by the Lower House Bill Committee. Tun Tun Hein, committee chair, argued that the Emergency Provisions Act had been used by previous governments to stifle political dissent. “Today, there are less than a handful of laws in force that are as notorious and ill-famed as the Emergency Provisions Act. For emergency occasions, provisions in the state of emergency in the [2008] Constitution can be applied,” Tun Tun Hein told the Parliament. The Emergency Provisions Act was originally enacted in March 1950 by the government of Burma’s first prime minister, U Nu, in response to the civil war that erupted in the wake of the country’s independence. The law grants sweeping authority to the government to prosecute individuals who disseminate “false news” or are otherwise determined to have “jeopardized the state.” Successive governments have abused it to suppress dissidents. The act carries the death penalty and sentences of up to life in prison for treason or sabotage against the military. It also dictates up to seven years in prison for a sweeping range of other “offenses” against the state. Military lawmakers and the Defense Ministry defended the Emergency Provisions Act, and suggested making some changes to the law rather than scrapping it. In response to different views among the lawmakers, the bill was put to vote, with the majority voting to annul the controversial act. In 2015, during ex-president Thein Sein’s administration, the National League for Democracy (NLD)—the then-leading opposition party—proposed scrapping the legislation at a Lower House legislative session; many within the NLD’s leadership were subjected to the Emergency Provisions Act under the military regime. However, the move failed as the chamber was under the wider influence of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party majority at the time. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

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The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army are barred from the Union Peace Conference.

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Three Armed Groups Barred from Peace Conference

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BURMA Three Armed Groups Barred from Peace Conference The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA), ethnic armed groups that have fought alongside each other in northern Shan State, will be barred from attending the Union Peace Conference. The Burmese military had demanded, as a precondition to their joining formal peace negotiations, that these armed groups release a statement committing to give up arms, at some unspecified point in the future. The three groups agreed to issue a statement, but insisted that the wording be changed from “the path of taking up arms” to “armed conflict,” in terms of what they would commit to giving up. Deputy director-general of the State Counselor’s Office U Zaw Htay confirmed that the government would not be extending invitations to the three groups to attend the Union Peace Conference—now branded the “21st Century Panglong Conference”—because “an agreement has not yet been reached.” He said the government would “keep the doors open,” but with the conference scheduled to begin on Wednesday, their absence seems certain. It also appears that the government, headed by the National League for Democracy, which has pushed an “inclusive” line on the conference, would not be able to invite the groups without the consent of the military. The Burmese military has told the media that their request to the three armed groups was motivated chiefly by the high-intensity fighting they experienced with the MNDAA—and their allies the TNLA and the AA—in the Kokang region of northern Shan state in early 2015. The Burma Army sustained heavy causalities over three months of fighting. The Burmese military has since viewed these three groups as a graver threat to national sovereignty than other ethnic armed groups in Burma, who have not been asked to make any commitments to disarm prior to joining peace negotiations, and most of whom have bilateral ceasefire agreements with the Burmese government. Lt-Col Tar Phone Kyaw of the TNLA told The Irrawaddy: “We want to attend the 21st Century Panglong Conference. But, we can’t attend because the government has not invited us.” The five-day peace conference, starting on Wednesday, will be repeated every six months under current plans, implying a long and complex process. The (military-controlled) Ministry of Home Affairs will oversee heightened security during the conference—higher than was seen during the 2013 Southeast Asian Games held in Burma—according to U Zaw Htay. “Since we have received a threatening message from ISIS […] the Home Affairs Ministry will provide close-range security,” U Zaw Htay told a press conference in Naypyidaw on Friday. The Straits Times reported on Aug. 2 that Burma’s State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, alongside top politicians and officials in Malaysia, was on a “hit list” purportedly from the Islamist terrorist group ISIS that was sent to Malaysian police the day before. “We are planning to accommodate [participants] at six hotels in Naypyidaw, where full security will be provided, alongside health services,” said U Zaw Htay. Of the six hotels, U Zaw Htay would only name the Kempinski and the Shwe San Ein. Transportation would be provided for all participants, he said. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

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The Central Bank publishes an inflation rate of 12.14 percent, surpassing the predictions of the World Bank and leading to fears of an upward spiral.

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Inflation Reaches 12 Percent, Alarming Business Leaders

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BUSINESS Inflation Reaches 12 Percent, Alarming Business Leaders RANGOON — Burma’s Central Bank has publicized an inflation rate of 12.14 percent, surpassing the predictions of the World Bank and worrying business leaders that inflation in the country could be on an upward spiral, dampening local demand for goods. A World Bank report last year put inflation at 10 percent for the 2015-16 fiscal year, ending in March, and forecast a rise to 11.3 percent in the 2016-17 fiscal year, “due to a combination of supply pressures caused by the floods and currency depreciation.” Burma’s total trade volume dipped in the first quarter of this fiscal year, compared to the same period last year, along with the size of the trade deficit—although the years since the launch of reforms in 2011 have seen a dramatic rise in the trade deficit, which could still widen as larger amounts of foreign investment drive demand for foreign materials. “If government can’t set better trade and economic policies, the [inflation] rate could reach higher levels,” U Thein Tun, chairman of the Myanmar Bankers Association and founder of the Tun Foundation Bank, told The Irrawaddy. The 12 percent inflation rate exceeds bank interest rates of 8 percent, leading to fears of instability in Burma’s nascent financial sector. U Thein Tun pointed to an “unstable [US] dollar exchange rate” as a contributing factor to inflation, and said the government should provide a “solution.” The Oxford Business Group said late last year that the victory of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy in the November general election would “bring renewed investor confidence”; runaway inflation could chip away at this confidence and erode potential gains. Economist U Aung Ko Ko pointed to the adverse impact of double digit inflation on working class people in Burma, due to rise in the price of basic commodities. The official minimum wage remains 3,600 kyats per day (US$3), among the world’s lowest. “I’ve repeatedly said, from the time of the last government, that the inflation rate should be kept within single digits,” U Aung Ko Ko said, stating something below bank interest rates of 8 percent as an ideal. He also cited a likely fall in production, with higher prices killing local demand for goods and services, as a side effect of persistently high inflation. He also suggested that banks might find it difficult to “survive” with the current interest rates they are able to offer. U Zaw Lin Htut, chief executive officer of the Myanmar Payment Union, echoed Aung Ko Ko in saying that, if inflation remains higher than bank interest rates, people will commit savings to the black market, which is “very risky.” He also said that a rise in the cost of living would cause savings deposits in banks to drop. The government needs to find a solution promptly, before it “gets any worse,” he said.

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A longtime haven for Burma’s political dissidents, Thailand’s Mae Sot continues to host large numbers of Burmese migrant workers, visitors and merchants.

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On the Border in Mae Sot

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MULTIMEDIA On the Border in Mae Sot This slideshow requires JavaScript. The Thai border town of Mae Sot has been a haven for Burma’s political dissidents and exiles for over two decades. Since Burma began undergoing a democratic transition in 2010, an increasing number of individuals politically exiled to Mae Sot have cautiously returned to their motherland. The town’s Burmese community continues to host visitors, merchants, and, largely, migrant workers—of whom there are an estimated 3 million from Burma in Thailand, seeking work and educational opportunities that remain difficult to come by particularly in rural parts of their homeland. Although they are not recognized as refugees, of this population, an untold number have also been displaced by Burma’s ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, the Thai government is taking measures to set up a special economic zone in Mae Sot—dubbed the “western exit economic hub” of Thailand. So far, a highway is under construction between Tak—the capital of Tak District—and Mae Sot. Another highway linking Myawaddy and Kawkareik in Burma’s Karen State has already been constructed. Plans are also underway to build a second “friendship bridge” connecting the two countries.

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A Sittwe court denies a bail request from prominent activist Khine Myo Htun, who was arrested last month and faces charges after accusing the Burma Army of committing war crimes.

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Human Rights Activist Denied Bail in Arakan State

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BURMA Human Rights Activist Denied Bail in Arakan State RANGOON — A court in the Arakan State capital of Sittwe has denied a bail request from prominent human rights and environmental activist Khine Myo Htun, who was arrested last month and faces charges for accusing the Burma Army of committing war crimes in the state. Khine Myo Htun, deputy-spokesperson for the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), was arrested on July 25 in Sittwe on charges of sedition and incitement under sections 505(b) and 505(c) of Burma’s Penal Code. In April, the ALP incited controversy when it accused the Burma Army of violating the Geneva Conventions by targeting civilians for forced portering and torture. The charges against Khine Myo Htun were filed by Lt-Col Tin Naing Tun from the Sittwe-based Regional Operations Command of the Burma Army on May 5. The Arakan Liberation Army, the military wing of the ALP, was one of eight non-state ethnic armed groups that signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) last October with the former government. Oo Kyaw Thein, the defendant’s lawyer, told The Irrawaddy they requested bail because arresting Khine Myo Htun was the same as punishing him before the court had made a decision regarding the case. He added that Khine Myo Htun was a representative from one of the NCA-signatory groups who attended the Union Peace Conference under the previous administration. The court has said the case is related to the stability of the state and that the accused has failed to appear at two previous court hearings. Oo Kyaw Thein said his client was traveling at that time, prior to his arrest. United States based advocacy organization Earth Rights International (ERI) called for all charges against Khine Myo Htun to be dropped on Friday. “The use of Sections 505 (b) and (c) and the targeting of only Khine Myo Htun demonstrates a clear attempt to silence human rights advocacy and deter activists from exposing ongoing violations,” Ka Hsaw Wa, executive director of ERI, stated in a press release. He added that the investigation that needs to happen is one that looks into allegations that the army has committed abuses against civilians in Arakan State. The activist is currently detained at a prison in Sittwe. His next court hearing is on September 2. If he is found guilty, he could face up to two years imprisonment and a fine.

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Burma’s President’s Office says that security on State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi will increase, in response to reports that she was on an ISIS hit list in Malaysia.

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Security Increased After ISIS Hit List Targets Aung San Suu Kyi

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BURMA Security Increased After ISIS Hit List Targets Aung San Suu Kyi RANGOON — President Office’s Spokesperson Zaw Htay said that State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi’s security would be increased, in response to reports that she was on an ISIS target list in Malaysia. “We don’t need to worry too much but we also can’t underestimate it. We will take this matter seriously and will increase security during her local and international tours,” Zaw Htay told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday. The Straits Times reported on Tuesday that Aung San Suu Kyi was on an ISIS hit list sent to Maylasia’s Negri Sembilan police station on Monday, along with the Malaysian prime minister, his deputy, the attorney-general, the inspector-general of police, and three ministers. The report stated that the two-page letter entitled “IS threat” included photographs of the targeted leaders and claimed there were about 700 ISIS militants in Negri Sembilan. Malaysian police have dismissed the claim. It said police would investigate the authenticity of the letter and try to establish the identity of the sender. “Given the nature of IS activities, the group generally works by connecting with in-country networks. Although we haven’t faced terrorist attacks, we will watch suspicious networks closely. We will also cooperate with the international community, including Asean and the Malaysian police,” Zaw Htay said. ISIS is an acronym for the jihadist group known as The Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (or the Levant). The armed organization controls areas of conflict-torn Iraq and Syria.

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After being promoted, Lt-Gen Mya Tun Oo becomes the third most powerful official in Burma’s armed forces.

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Lt-Gen Mya Tun Oo Appointed Burmese Military’s Chief of General Staff

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BURMA Lt-Gen Mya Tun Oo Appointed Burmese Military’s Chief of General Staff An announcement by the Burmese military on Friday saw Lt-Gen Mya Tun Oo as the third most powerful official in the armed forces after being promoted to a general and appointed Chief of General Staff. Born on May 5, 1961, Mya Tun Oo went to the Defense Services Academy (DSA) in 1980 and is a graduate of 25th intake of the DSA. The 55-year-old has been widely tipped as the next chief of Burma’s military. Burmese military observer Ko Ye of Tagaung Institute said Mya Tun Oo’s rapid promotions over the last six years are “quite rare” in the army. In 2010, he was a brigadier general and the rector of the DSA before rising through the ranks. In 2011, he was appointed commander of newly minted Eastern Central Command in Kho Lam, Shan State. The next year, he was promoted to the rank of major general. Then, he served in the positions of army chief of staff, the chief of military security affairs, and chief of Bureau of Special Operations 6 which oversees military operations in Chin and Arakan States and Magwe Division. Finally, he was promoted to the rank of a general on August 26 and the chief of general staff for the army, navy and air force. Current Burma Army commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing turned 60 this year, but Mya Tun Oo said at a recent press conference that the commander-in-chief and deputy commander-in-chief of the military are permitted to serve until age 65, according to the military council. In accordance with these regulations, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing may retire around 2020. Commander-in-Chief of the air force, Gen Khin Aung Myint, concurrently served as Chief of General Staff after General Hla Htay Win retired from the position to join the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) ahead of the 2015 general election. In other promotions on Friday, the Burmese military promoted Maj-Gen Win Min Tun to lead the Eastern Command, Maj-Gen Than Hlaing to take over the Eastern Central Command, Brig-Gen Lin Aung to head the Coastal Region Command, Maj-Gen Maung Maung Soe to serve as the commander of the Western Command, and Brig-Gen Thet Pone to take on the Northwestern Command.

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Forty civil society groups demand that the Burma Army halt offensives and that a ceasefire be announced prior to the Panglong peace conference.

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Civil Society Demands Burma Army Halt Offensives

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BURMA Civil Society Demands Burma Army Halt Offensives RANGOON — Forty Burmese civil society groups have demanded that the Burma Army halt offensives against ethnic armed groups, and that a ceasefire be mutually agreed before the 21st Century Panglong Conference begins on Wednesday in Naypyidaw. The assortment of youth, gender, human rights and peace-focused civil society groups from across Burma called for “equality” to underpin negotiations at the conference towards a future democratic federal union. The joint statement said that fighting initiated by the Burma Army has undermined mutual respect and trust between government forces and ethnic armed groups, which are fundamental to successful negotiations. The statement called for the government, the Burma Army and ethnic armed groups to find peaceful solutions that provide for the security of people living in conflict-affected regions. The civil society groups also demanded that Burma’s colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act—which criminalizes interaction with non-state armed groups—be repealed, so as to enable civil society to fully participate in the peace process and political dialogue. The statement welcomed the inclusion of armed groups that have not signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in the peace conference, but highlighted the government and the Burma Army’s responsibility to invite those groups excluded from the current conference to future peace conferences. U Aung Myo Min, executive director of Rangoon-based organization Equality Myanmar, which was party to the statement, expressed his high expectations toward the 21st Century Panglong Conference, as the “right path” to deliver peace and end long-standing armed conflict. “As long as there is fighting, we cannot hope for peace,” he said.

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Business leaders expect a successful peace settlement to increase foreign investment, open up border areas and tempt back migrant workers from abroad.

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Elite Business Community Welcomes Peace Conference

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BURMA Elite Business Community Welcomes Peace Conference RANGOON — Burmese business leaders have welcomed the “21st Century Panglong” peace conference, expecting that a successful peace settlement would increase foreign investment in Burma, open up border areas and tempt back migrant workers from abroad. The five-day peace conference, beginning in Naypyidaw on Wednesday, will host 1,600 people on its opening day; thereafter, 750 delegates representing the government, the military, ethnic armed groups and political parties will engage in discussions covering the thematic areas of politics, security, economics, land, the environment and social issues. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be attending. Earlier this month, at a meeting with ethnic armed groups, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that, without peace, economic performance in Burma would not be sustained in the long run. U Chit Khine, the presumed billionaire and chairman of the Eden Group, one of Burma’s largest conglomerates, said the peace conference would bring “hope” for the Burmese business community that more foreign investment would come to the country. “Foreign investors are waiting to see what will happen with the peace process here. They could bring many job opportunities and create a new business environment in border areas that are still far away from peace,” he said. Much of Burma’s borderlands are controlled by non-state ethnic armed groups, who have often struck their own deals with foreign investors, and continue to control overland trade with neighboring countries, notably China, Thailand and India. U Chit Khine said that, “if there is peace,” industrial zones could be developed along the Thai-Burma border, “creating job opportunities.” He added that Burma’s Investment Commission had already invited investment in new industrial zones planned in Hpa-an and Myawaddy of Karen State, the latter on the border with Thailand. However, the projects have yet to move ahead because investors are still waiting for peace to be secured. “There are huge populations in the border areas. If investors can build factories to produce value added products, trade will be bigger and regions will develop fast,” U Chit Khine said. “There is a big potential market in the border areas if conflict ends,” he said. U Khin Shwe, chairman of Zaykabar—one of Burma’s largest construction companies—said he hoped to see development in Mon and Karen states and Tenasserim Division if peace with ethnic armed groups is achieved. “If the government can create business opportunities for them [ethnic armed groups], they will agree to peace. It would be of mutual interest. There will not be development without peace in those remote areas,” he said. He pointed out that several million people from Burma are working in Thailand, due to a lack of job opportunities at home. If investment comes to their areas, they would be willing to come back. U Khin Shwe cautioned that natural resources in current conflict areas would require “careful management” by the government. “If there is no peace, there is no development,” he said. U Nyo Myint, senior managing director of the Kanbawza (KBZ) Group of Companies, another of Burma’s biggest conglomerates, also welcomed the “Panglong” peace conference, which he believed could bring new opportunities to residents of “remote” areas of Burma suffering from “internal conflict” involving non-state armed groups. “For example, the banking industry: we [KBZ] can’t open branches in some conflict areas. People can’t pursue business without banks, so how can business develop?” he said. “As part of a new economic strategy, business should be developed not only in urban areas, but also in remote areas. That’s why we want peace, and welcome this conference,” he said.

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The Irrawaddy interviews Joshua Chit Tun via email about his political beliefs, his goals and his connection with Burma.

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‘I Was Given This Opportunity, So I Am Taking It'

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INTERVIEW Burmese-American Eyeing US Senate: ‘I Was Given This Opportunity, So I Am Taking It’ Joshua Chit Tun is a 29-year-old Burmese-born American, educated in the United States. His grandfather, Walter Chit Tun, was one of Burma’s pioneer body builders, a professional weightlifter and one of Burma’s earliest movie stars. The young Chit Tun is the founder of the Student Direct Charitable Foundation and is now running as an independent candidate for the US Senate representing California, for which primary elections will be held in June 2016 and a general election in November. If elected, he will be one of the youngest senators in the United States. The Irrawaddy recently interviewed Joshua Chit Tun via email about his political beliefs, his goals and his connection with Burma. Could you please provide us with some basic information about you and your family origins? I was born in Burma, now known as Myanmar. My father and grandfather, if I’m not mistaken, were both born in Burma. We are an old family, which means I am generations apart from my elders. I moved to the United States when I was five, around 1991. My mother’s mother is Burmese from Shan State. As for my father’s family, they are from Mon State. When it comes to my upbringing, I was raised by my Aunt Ni Ni Chit Tun and her husband Robert Hays. They are my legal guardians. The reason I am what I am is my aunt instilled in me the will to never give up, as a small child she told me, “you represent our family by name but if you truly are a Chit Tun, no matter where I put you, you will become the best. You can never lose and if you do, you are Chit Tun, and you must remind them at what cost their victory came at.” To say the least, I am not one to lose, and this is important to me, because I want to show the nobility of the Burmese people and at large the Asian community. Please tell us about Student Direct Charitable Foundation and your role there? I am the Founder of the Student Direct Charitable Foundation, and it began because I wanted to address education and introduce applied learning through multimedia, as well as get students to engage in a variety of programs that will help them become the change they want to see, and instill a culture and belief in them to help others and initiate community action. My current role there now is chairman; I oversee the managers of each division that Student Direct operates, as well as the programs we offer to the schools we work with. Why did you decide to run for the US Senate this year? I was given this opportunity, so I am taking it. I am not saying that it is over; I still have to win the primaries in June. I am doing this because people keep talking about change, but no one has stepped forward. I believe in that change, so that’s why I am doing it: for those who cannot, for those who do not have a voice. I am doing it because it is necessary, and I will not stop until it is done. What are your political goals? My goal as a politician is true power, the power to make systematic change, the power to help those who cannot help themselves, the power to preserve the environment for future generations, the power to lead others and do what is right, and the power to stand up to those who do injustice. My plan is not just the US Senate. The goal for me is to sit on as many US Senate committees as I can. What are your thoughts on Burma’s current political situation? This is a sign of goodwill, the change that we are all witnessing. However I question its true intent, I believe there is a lot more to take place before the people of Burma truly have a future. I also have been made aware of some of the basic problems and needs of our people. The problem with career politicians is they forget the people. Another thing I want to note is that as Burma opens up it represents tremendous opportunities for Western nations. The people of Burma should be conscious of that and what their intentions could be. In many ways capitalism is another form of subjugation. Don’t misunderstand me, growth and innovation are needed—but be careful who you trust because there is a reason why this is all taking place. My final thought is that I do not put too much faith in the Lady, and I say this not to upset anyone, but to open their eyes, and ask hasn’t she done enough? I mean she seems quite old to me now, and I mean no disrespect by that, but at some point she needs to live a life. Also, I want to see more political parties in Burma, then to me it is on the path of Democracy. I just want to see the people be liberated and to have opportunities, but at the same time value traditions and the rich heritage of their country and to protect it from Westerners. I want to see people with new ideas, open minds, that will work hard. I truly believe the answers are with next generation leaders and until I see that, I will remain a skeptic. What do you think about US policy toward Burma? I can say this, when it comes to China, it is absolutely necessary that we have good relations with Burma. Being that I am aware of this, and that I am afraid of western culture when it comes to foreign policies, it is very important that I become a US Senator. I have this need to protect Burma, the country of my birth. I trust myself, but I can’t say the same for career politicians when it comes to foreign policy. Do you feel any connection to Burma? If so, how so? I do feel a strong connection. No matter where I go in my life, I will always be Burmese, and being that my grandfather left with so much undone—he died unexpectedly—I feel that as a Chit Tun and one with my knowledge, aptitude, and everything that I have at my disposal, I cannot forget the Burmese people who are a noble race. I have an obligation and a sense of duty to the Burmese people, and to the growing Asian community. I also want to have children who are Burmese. I’m not sure how to make sense of that, but I think I am starting to understand where I belong.

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After the initial hype of a “last frontier” economic boom for Burma in the wake of recent reforms, nervous Western companies are hesitating to invest.

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Western Firms Dither on Burma Infrastructure

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Western Firms Dither on Burma Infrastructure After the initial hype of a “last frontier” economic boom for Burma in the wake of recent dramatic reforms, nervous Western companies appear to be hesitating to invest. US companies are pegged back by restrictions imposed by Washington, European Union countries seem preoccupied with their own economic problems, and all the real and likely big investment is being marshaled by Asian business. Some of this hesitancy may be political, but it’s becoming clear that severe underlying weaknesses in Burma are playing a part. Basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, wired communications, accommodation and worker skills are missing, say experts. And so far, Western money is reluctant to invest in plugging those gaps. “Mobile [phones] and internet penetration rates are both below five percent; rolling blackouts occur on a daily basis … the streets, without adequate drainage, regularly flood to knee-high levels during the rainy season,” says Michael Lwin, a Rangoon-based consultant to the Myanmar Medical Association. “Public health is very poor, with high malaria and HIV rates and a Ministry of Health that is understaffed and under-skilled to deal with all of these issues,” Lwin told Al Jazeera television. “There is a concrete fact that cannot be ignored: the people of [Burma] lack the skills, capacity and experience” needed to speedily push economic growth forward, he said. Another specialist worker inside Burma paints a similar picture. “There is a lack of internationally educated and English-speaking local talent, driving salaries up for those who do have relevant skills and qualifications. “Then there’s high inflation and a lack of hotel rooms or good quality accommodation for offices and international staff,” says Marie Lalle, an aid specialist with Rangoon-based Myanmar Egress, a local NGO. “All-in-all, setting up a new business venture in [Burma] will be neither cheap nor easy,” she told The Global Times, a Chinese government-linked newspaper. All of this contrasts with the hype being put out with the help of Burmese government ministries desperately seeking Western investment. Organizers of a second Rangoon conference this year to promote the oil, gas and energy industries assert “there has never been a better time to invest.” Burma “is the last frontier market in Southeast Asia and the [Burmese] government aims to accelerate growth by encouraging foreign direct investment,” says a statement by the Ministry of Energy in a bid to lure Western foreign firms to the Sept. 3-6 forum. But while the first such conference earlier this year attracted a lot of curious interest, no Western businesses bid for the exploration oil and gas licenses on offer. “Burma is a very complex place and if you’re going to invest, you have to do a lot of due diligence,” US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Robert Hormats told a trade conference in Washington last week. “This notion that there’s going to be a rush of American capital coming in there—there probably won’t,” he said. Hormats, who visited Burma in July, cited infrastructure and a skills shortage among problems which could stymie US investors’ interest in the short term. And there is the no small matter of the US Congress’ decision to renew a ban on imports from Burma for one more year despite a recent decision to allow US businesses to invest in the country. The continued ban is intended to push the Burmese government to implement more human rights reforms. The continued import ban will have a particularly damaging effect on prospects for reviving and expanding Burma’s garment manufacturing industry, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group has warned. Before the ban was introduced in 2003, clothes and textiles were Burma’s biggest export to the US. “At this stage in the reform process, it is indeed hard to see how retention by the US of its import ban could in any way serve the interests of the [Burmese] people or assist the democratization process,” the group said in a report. It criticized Washington for talking about action to push the Burmese government into more democratic reforms to end the power of a military-business elite while at the same time undermining jobs prospects for ordinary people. The gap between Western and Asian business links with Burma is underlined by the statistic that exports from the US to Burma in 2011 were less than US $50 million—a fraction of the trade with neighbor Thailand which was worth $36 billion. Thailand is emerging as one of Burma’s biggest potential investors, albeit with Bangkok’s economic interests foremost. So far, along with Japan, the Thais plan to invest not only in consumer prospects but the more basic infrastructure which Burma so desperately needs. Aside from the extractive natural resources sector, big Thai firms are eyeing construction, refining, electricity, banking, petrochemicals and agriculture. The Thai state-owned oil and gas group PTT alone is planning investment of up to $3 billion. While the US and EU countries pontificate about faster and deeper reforms but have actually done little to date beyond political statements of support, Japanese firms are committing to major but basic aid in restructuring key sectors such as the financial institutions and wiring Burma for the 21st century. The Japanese technology firm Daiwa is spearheading a $380 million program to build a computer system which will link up government departments and separately help start the development of a wired economy in areas such as banking. Japanese firms are investing in much-needed new electricity generating plants and banking infrastructure. Economic reform needs to ensure that the bulk of the population “recognizes it is better off as a result,” says the International Crisis Group report. The report warns: “While the intention is clearly to open the economy and shift away from restrictive licenses and permits, the necessary reforms to achieve this in practice have not yet been instituted. Much business activity still requires political approval. Conducting successful business is still very much about who you know.” That’s a situation which greater involvement by Western companies, imbued with some sense of corporate responsibility, might help to change sooner rather than later.

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A plus-size beauty contest, photo exhibition, technology fair, literary festival and art exhibitions—all in Rangoon this week, as picked by The Irrawaddy.

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Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week

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LIFESTYLE Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week The Irrawaddy picks 10 interesting events happening in Rangoon this week. Miss Plus Size Beauty Queen Contest About 20 beauties weighing more than 200 pounds will compete for the Miss Plus Size title. The plus size beauty contest—the first of its kind in Burma—will be held following a beauty product sale. The sale is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the contest is from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Where: No. 20, Pearl Street, Golden Valley, opposite of Mya Yeik Nyo Hotel, Bahan Tsp., Tel: 09-43182081 When: Saturday, September 3 Photo Exhibition The ‘We Live in Yangon’ photo exhibition will feature work by 58 photographers focusing on Rangoon’s culture and heritage. All proceeds will be donated to the education sector. Where: AMT Training School, Natmauk Lane 1, Bahan Tsp. When: Saturday, August 27 to Sunday, October 4 ICT Fair (Computer & Mobile) Computers, laptops, cellphones and accessories will be on sale at discounted prices. Where: Tatmadaw Hall, U Wisara Road When: Friday, September 2 to Sunday, September 4 Monsoon Literature Festival Yangon Gallery will hold a monsoon literature festival, at which renowned writers will give literary talks alongside a book fair. Myo Swe Than will speak Friday, Chit Oo Nyo on Saturday and Maung Khin Min (Danubyu) on Sunday. Where: Yangon Gallery, People’s Square, Pyay Road, Sanchaung Tsp., Tel: 09-73827777 When: Friday, September 2 to Sunday, September 4, talks start at 2:30 each day ‘Beauty of Monument’ Exhibition Artist Win Tint will showcase around 15 of his works at Lokanat Galleries. Each painting is priced at US$1,000. Where: Lokanat Galleries, 62 Pansodan St, First Floor, Kyauktada Tsp., Tel. 095-1382-269 When: Friday, September 2 to Wednesday, September 7 Flower Art Exhibition A group art exhibition featuring 11 female artists will be shown at Ayerwon Art Gallery. There will be about 50 paintings on display with prices ranging from $100 to $600. Where: Ayerwon Art Gallery at No. 903–904, U Ba Kyi Street, 58 Ward, Dagon Seikkan Tsp., Tel: 09-45005 7167 When: Sunday, August 28 to Wednesday, September 7 93 Art Exhibition A group art exhibition will showcase around 70 paintings and installations from 13 artists. Prices range from $100 to $800. Where: Gallery 65, No. 65, Yaw Min Gyi Road, Dagon Tsp. When: Saturday, September 3 to Monday, September 5 Mandalay Hill Art Gallery Exhibition A group exhibition featuring 20 artists will be held at Hninzi Myaing Art Gallery. There will be 54 paintings on display with prices between 100,000 kyats ($80) and 2 million kyats ($1,650). Where: Hinzi Myaing Art Gallery, Hninzigon Home for the Aged, Kabar Aye Pagoda Road When: Sunday, August 28 to Wednesday, August 31 Wild Eye Contemporary Art Exhibition A group art exhibition featuring 33 artists will be held at Think Art Gallery. About 90 sculptures, paintings and installations priced between $300 and $20,000 will be shown. Where: Think Art Gallery, No. 23, Nawaday Street, Dagon Tsp., Tel: 095143266 When: Sunday, September 4 to Saturday, September 10 Gandha Art Exhibition, Monsoon Art Festival 2016 Thirty-seven floral paintings done by five renowned artists using their iconic techniques will be sold for between $700 and $3,000. Where: Yangon Gallery, People’s Square, Pyay Road, Sanchaung Tsp., Tel: 09-73827777 When: Saturday, August 27 to Wednesday, August 31

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The YSX announced on Thursday that the base price for MCB shares would be 6,800 kyats.

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Myanmar Citizens Bank Announces Share Prices on Yangon Stock Exchange

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BUSINESS Myanmar Citizens Bank Announces Share Prices on Yangon Stock Exchange RANGOON — Myanmar Citizens Bank’s (MCB) basic share prices were announced on Thursday, one day ahead of its August 26 start date for trading on the Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX). The YSX announced on Thursday that the base price for MCB shares would be 6,800 kyats (US$5.60) with an upper limit of 7,800 kyats and a lower limit of 5,800 kyats. Thet Tun Oo, senior manager of the YSX told the Irrawaddy that a third party consultant typically suggests the price range, and that it was calculated based on MCB’s recent activities. According to the YSX, investors may place a “limit order” on shares at any price between the upper and lower limit prices, or a “market order” in which the purchase or sale of stock is carried out as quickly as possible, with price acting as a secondary concern. “MCB’s shares can be traded. If shareholders want to trade, the shares will be ready to buy,” Thet Tun Oo said. The MCB has recently sold 10.7 million shares, according to the YSX. The bank has been listed since December, when the YSX opened. MCB’s authorized share capital is now 75 billion kyats ($63 million), with 52 billion kyats ($43.7 million) in paid-up capital. According to MCB’s website, just over 5 billion kyats are from the Ministry of Commerce and nearly 47 billion kyats are from the public. There are five listed companies on the YSX—First Myanmar Investment (FMI), Myanmar Citizens Bank, Myanmar Thilawa SEZ Holdings Public Limited (MTSH), First Private Bank and Great Hor Kham. Of these, First Private Bank and Great Hor Kham have not yet begun trading. YSX’s market capitalization is now well over 630 billion kyats (over $519 million), according to its website.

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Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan is to chair a new advisory commission for the resolution of ‘complex and delicate issues’ in Arakan State.

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Former UN Chief Kofi Annan to Head New Commission on Arakan State

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BURMA Former UN Chief Kofi Annan to Head New Commission on Arakan State RANGOON — Former United Nations secretary-general and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kofi Annan will chair a new nine-member advisory commission on Arakan State. The office of Burma’s State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi announced the formation of the commission in state-run newspapers on Wednesday. The announcement said the commission would recommend “lasting solutions to complex and delicate issues” in Arakan State. Communal violence, mostly affecting the stateless Rohingya community, took place across Arakan State in 2012 and 2013, displacing up to 140,000 people, the vast majority of whom were Muslim. Buddhist and Muslim communities remain segregated across most parts of the state, with restrictions placed on displaced Muslims’ movements and access to public services. Kofi Annan, born on the Gold Coast (now Ghana) in western Africa, had a career as a UN staffer before serving as secretary-general between 1997 and 2006. In 2007 he founded the Kofi Annan Foundation, which works on governance and human rights issues globally. Mr. Annan has served as a peace envoy in various countries, including in Syria in 2012, and was appointed as chair of The Elders group of global statesmen in 2013. A Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed between Burma’s State Counselor’s Office and the Kofi Annan Foundation, the Wednesday announcement said. News of the commission’s formation, minus Mr. Annan’s participation, was delivered during meetings in the Arakan State capital of Sittwe on Aug. 15, conducted separately with Buddhist Arakanese and Muslim Rohingya community leaders by the Central Committee for Peace and Development in Arakan State—a body chaired by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The new commission will include three members from the international community, including Mr. Annan, and six from Burma—two Buddhist Arakanese members, two Muslim members and two government representatives. Both the Buddhist Arakanese and the Muslim members are from Rangoon, and the Muslim members are not themselves linked to Arakan State. The Buddhist Arakanese members are U Win Mra, chairperson of Burma’s National Human Rights Commission, and Daw Saw Khin Tint, chairperson of the Arakan Literature and Cultural Association and vice-chairperson of the Arakan Women’s Association. The Muslim members are Al Haj U Aye Lwin, founder of interfaith group Religions for Peace, and U Khin Maung Lay, a member of the National Human Rights Commission. The members purportedly representing the Burmese government come from government-affiliated organizations: Dr. Thar Hla Shwe, president of Burma’s Red Cross Society, and Dr. Mya Thida, President of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Burma. Besides Mr. Annan, the international members are Ghassan Salamé, a Lebanese academic and advisor to Mr. Annan as secretary general from 2003–2006, and Laetitia van den Assum, a career Dutch diplomat and advisor to UNAIDS from 2005-2006. “We’ll work as a channel, conveying the voices of the affected communities on the ground. Without their involvement, we can’t work,” Muslim commission-member U Aye Lwin told The Irrawaddy. “Our commission won’t conceal the truth,” he said. He believed that Mr. Annan’s support would be constructive, due to his extensive experience in international affairs—including working as a conflict mediator—and his high global esteem. After conducting consultations and assessing the situation in terms of the basic rights and security of the people of Arakan State, and local humanitarian and development needs, the commission will provide recommendations—including on conflict prevention and reconciliation—to the state counselor and release a report within 12 months of its establishment. Tha Pwint, a retired Arakanese lawyer from Sittwe, said he was concerned that the government may not follow up on the recommendations of the report, since they would not be obliged to act, citing precedent in reports delivered to the previous government. “However, since Kofi Annan will chair this commission, I think its recommendations will prompt a bigger reaction from the international community,” he said. Yet, he expressed concerns about placing the resolution of Arakan State’s problems into “international hands.” He believed that “the international members [of the committee] could not know much about our internal affairs; it wouldn’t do good for them to take one side.”

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A number of Armenians had professions and commercial interests in Burma under British rule, but their numbers in Rangoon are dwindling.

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Tracing the Last of Burma’s Once Influential Armenians

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Tracing the Last of Burma’s Once Influential Armenians RANGOON — A hand-drawn map showed the way to the colonial teak house that my Armenian grandmother’s family left behind when the Japanese captured Rangoon in 1942. My relatives are thought to have hidden jewels in the well before fleeing the family home that was reportedly turned into a brothel during the Japanese occupation. Last month, more than 70 years later, I took up the map drawn by my great-uncle from memory and returned to the house down by the railway lines near Lanmadaw station in Rangoon. The street names have changed and a high-ranking government official has taken up residence in the large house, which was confiscated by the military sometime after the 1962 coup that marked the beginning of nearly a half century of authoritarian rule. A decade ago the house was tightly guarded and photographs were prohibited, but now the restrictions have eased. The official’s sister and a maid gingerly let me into the locked garden, but not the house because the government official, said to be a director for education, was out. Looking at my black and white family photographs, his sister said: “I’m amazed. There are still people very much interested in this old house.” The maid, standing by the overgrown well, said the previous occupants did not eat beef inside the house because they were superstitious. Some people have said it is haunted. But she said: “I have never had any experience of ghosts.” My late grandmother, Norma Gregory, grew up in Rangoon and lived with her mother and father, who was a barrister, together with three older brothers and several dogs. The Gregorys were among a number of Armenians who had professions and commercial interests in Burma under British rule but fled before the Japanese captured Rangoon during World War II. As part of the evacuation Norma, just 18, traveled to India, joined the army and later moved to London where she met my grandfather at a dance. She never returned to Burma. Her parents did go back to the house in Rangoon but left for good when the military, led by former dictator Gen Ne Win, confiscated it. Last month, in an attempt to trace my family history, I went to the 150-year-old Armenian Apostolic Church of St John the Baptist on Bo Aung Kyaw Street in Rangoon. Its priest, Reverend John Felix, who invited me for tea, said there used to be hundreds of Armenian families in Burma but there are now very few left, as a result of the upheavals in the country over the decades. When he took over the church in 2011, he only knew two Armenian families. “I said, I must do something,” the Rev Felix told me. “I started to search and talk to people as much as I can. I learned that Armenians used to have positions with official status.” In the 17th century, a Persian shah uprooted many thousands of Armenians from the region of Julfa in their homeland and deported them to his new capital in modern day Isfahan, Iran. Ambitious young traders from the diaspora then traveled to India and Southeast Asia. As the Armenian community established itself in Burma, a few of the most powerful merchants became advisors to Burmese kings and acted as go-betweens with the British. After the British colonized Burma, my great-great-grandfather Chater Gregory moved to Rangoon from Calcutta in India, where Anglo-Armenian relations were traditionally close. Rev Felix said that a number of Armenians ran large companies and built monuments, an airport and a fire brigade tower in Rangoon. “When the British ruled, they were very much trusted,” he said. “They got major building contracts and positions in customs. They contributed to the development of Myanmar.” In 1901, Armenian brothers Aviet and Tigran Sarkies opened the Strand Hotel as part of a luxury hotel chain including the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. My great-grandfather is said to have drunk there after a day’s work at the courtroom nearby. Rev Felix took me to visit Armenian Ralf Gregory, 94, who was once a signaler in the British Army, got the last train out of Rangoon before its capture in 1942 and was later taken hostage by the Japanese. Gregory, a frail man with the same surname and accent as my great-uncle, was born just four years before my grandmother but said he did not know my family. At his home in Rangoon, he said that he is proud to be one of the few people with Armenian heritage left in Burma, where sometimes he is mistaken for a Jew. He said: “I don’t feel lonely, I depend on God. I pray morning and night, I pray for everybody, I leave nobody out.” When invited to celebrate the church’s 150th anniversary, he said: “If I am in good health I will go. I am almost blind and I have to wear this [visor] to keep away the light.” Rev Felix said that Gregory’s Armenian school friend Basil Martin, chairman of the board of trustees at the church and a respected figure whose family ran a company, died in May. At the start of the year, Burma established diplomatic ties with Armenia and more Armenians could soon begin to arrive as the country opens up. If nothing else, Rev Felix hopes the changes will bolster the congregation of his church, which sees about 10 people attend its weekly Sunday morning service.

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After an emergency meeting in Thailand, the United Nationalities Federal Council confirms that they will attend the 21st Century Panglong event.

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UNFC: We Will Join the Union Peace Conference

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BURMA UNFC: We Will Join the Union Peace Conference CHIANG MAI, Thailand — After an emergency meeting in Thailand, the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC)—an ethnic armed alliance—has confirmed that they will attend Burma’s Union Peace Conference, scheduled to commence on Aug. 31. Senior leaders—representing each of the ethnic armed groups that are members of UNFC—attended the meeting, which began on Wednesday and lasted one-and-a-half days. “We will join the 21st Century Panglong [conference]…as it is just the grand opening, and the first session,” said Tun Zaw, a UNFC secretary, referring to the Union Peace Conference by its other commonly used name. The UNFC delegation met with the government’s negotiation team in Rangoon from Aug. 20-22 and exchanged views on the proposed political dialogue framework. The Union Peace and Dialogue Joint Committee has said that in the first session of conference no decisions will be made, but the estimated 750 conference attendants will be allowed to discuss the policy statement and relevant issues for ten minutes each. Continued negotiations will be held in subsequent sessions every six months. The UNFC’s seven-member team—including Gen Sai Htoo of the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) and Gen Gun Maw of the Kachin Independence Organization—will be part of the Union Peace Conference’s convening joint committee. Tun Zaw said his coalition’s members will “fully participate in each process” regarding the conference, as they have a level of “ownership” in the proceedings. Decisions about who would attend the conference from among the UNFC’s member groups were made at the emergency meeting on Thursday, he added, explaining that each organization can send up to 12 representatives for the five-day event. The peace conference will host around 1,600 attendees on its opening day, while 750 standby attendees will discuss issues of politics, security, economics, land, the environment and social concerns. Talks about three additional armed organizations in active conflict with the Burma Army—the Arakan Army, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army—were off the agenda in the UNFC’s recent meeting, Tun Zaw said, adding that this was due to the fact that the government had been negotiating with these groups directly. On Wednesday in Naypyidaw, the eight armed groups that acted as signatories to the 2015 nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) under the previous government met with State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the morning—a second meeting called for by the signatories’ Peace Process Steering Team. Later that afternoon, the first Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting (JICM) was held regarding the ceasefire. Those present at the JICM discussion expressed support for a five-way joint chairmanship at the Union Peace Conference—a facilitation strategy also supported by the Burma Army delegation—in which the chairmanship is shared between representatives from the government, Parliament, political parties, ethnic armed groups, and the Burma Army. Debate on the number groups sharing the chairmanship was one of the issues unresolved between the ethnic armed groups and the government during the recent meeting in Rangoon. NCA non-signatory ethnic armed groups had originally proposed a tripartite chairmanship, shared by the government, political parties, and ethnic armed groups, on the basis that if there were five delegations in the role, three would be on the side of the government—the government itself, the Parliament and the army—thereby weakening the ethnic position in negotiations. Tun Zaw said that making such a decision regarding chairmanship would be premature. Rather, he said, it is an issue to be discussed at the upcoming conference convening joint committee meeting in Naypyidaw, from Aug. 27-29.

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Damage to almost 200 historic pagodas and temples in Bagan after the earthquake is not dampening tourist interest, with tour operators even reporting a bump.

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Bagan Tourist Interest Bumps After Quake

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BUSINESS Bagan Tourist Interest Bumps After Quake RANGOON — Damage to almost 200 historic pagodas and temples in Bagan, after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Burma on Wednesday evening, has not dampened tourist interest in the ruins of the ancient Burmese capital. Quite the opposite: Burmese tour operators say inquiries about Bagan tours have shot up since the earthquake, and fears of mass cancellations have not materialized, despite government orders to restrict entry to some of Bagan’s most iconic sites, due to damage. The earthquake struck at 5:04 p.m. on Wednesday, 25 kilometers west of Chauk in Magwe Division, at a depth of 84 kilometers. It was felt across Burma, and in neighboring countries. The Bagan Archaeological Department has cited damage to 187 pagodas and temples, including iconic favorites Sulamani, Ananda, Htilominlo, Myazedi, Shwesandaw, Lawkananda and Dhamma Yazaka, and the murals at Ananda Oakkyaung. “After the earthquake, we were worried about the old temples in Bagan, and concerned about the impact on tourism—but, amazingly, we’ve received many inquiries from tourists about Bagan tours,” said Aung Myat Kyaw, vice chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Federation. “We can promote voluntary tourism in Bagan later, since many tourists are interested in visiting damaged areas,” he said. The temples of Bagan, dating from between the 9th and 13th centuries—when the Kingdom of Pagan ruled over much of lowland Burma—and numbering several thousand, are considered Burma’s biggest tourist draw. Some 80 percent of foreign tourists in Burma visit Bagan, industry observers have said. Daw Sabei Aung, managing director of the Nature Dreams tour company, said they had received many inquiries from tour-seekers who had learned of the damaged temples. “I don’t worry for the tourism industry after the earthquake. Bagan is even more popular right now, and there have been no cancellations of bookings from clients,” she said. She said that tour agencies could arrange alternate tour plans for Bagan, to account for the restricted access to some of Bagan’s most famous temples. “We won’t get inside the compounds of the damaged temples, but we have opportunities for photo stops outside, alongside other sightseeing approaches,” she said. On Thursday, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi sent notice to officials in the Bagan archaeological zone not to “rush” the restoration of the damaged pagodas, and to seek technical assistance from Unesco. A team from Unesco is currently doing a damage survey, and has expressed concern over premature efforts to clear debris. A state run newspaper on Friday quoted Culture and Religious Affairs Minister U Aung Ko saying that restoring Bagan’s most iconic temples was the government’s “top priority.” “It is a great source of merit to have the chance to repair and renovate Burma’s cultural heritage damaged by the earthquake,” the minister said. Figures from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism put tourist arrivals in Burma at 4.68 million in 2015, with 5.5 million expected over 2016. However, these figures count all international arrivals as “tourists,” and count day-crossings of land borders without overnight stays as “arrivals,” in contravention of international norms.

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The Irrawaddy speaks with U Thant Myint-U, a former UN official and advisor to former President Thein Sein, about the role the UN should play in Myanmar.

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Thant Myint-U: ‘Burma is a Test of How Well the UN Can Do Any of the Things it Says it Was Meant to Do’

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INTERVIEW Thant Myint-U: ‘Burma is a Test of How Well the UN Can Do Any of the Things it Says it Was Meant to Do’ United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will attend Burma’s Union Peace Conference, a five-day conference starting this Wednesday in Naypyidaw that seeks to end decades of armed conflict within the country. The Irrawaddy speaks with U Thant Myint-U—a historian and founder of the Yangon Heritage Trust who has also held numerous United Nations (UN) positions and served as an advisor to the Myanmar Peace Center and to former President Thein Sein—about the role that the UN should play during Burma’s transition period and beyond. We have seen a breathtaking political transition in Burma since 2012. Before then, several external actors, including the UN, played a role in urging the regime towards genuine political transformation, ending civil war, and creating space for public participation in a democratization process. Additionally, in the past, there were UN resolutions regarding Burma and periodically the Burma issue was discussed at the UN Security Council. Now, for the first time in decades, Burma is under an elected government. What role do you think the UN might, or should, continue to play in the country? The UN has had a strange relationship with Burma since 1991 when the General Assembly passed its first country-specific resolution. Nowhere else in the world has the UN been as involved for so long in an attempted democratic transition. A resolution has been passed every year since then, and as a result of these resolutions successive secretaries-general have appointed senior officials to head their ‘good offices’ in Burma. There have been annual resolutions of the Human Rights Commission and UN human rights envoys since 1990. And UN humanitarian and development assistance were severely curtailed for many years because of Western sanctions. There will likely not be an annual resolution this year, although that’s not certain. Western sanctions have been largely lifted. We will also have a new secretary-general in January. We have a relatively new government and the country is receiving increasing amounts of assistance, including from international financial institutions. It’s a new strategic environment for Burma and one that requires new thinking regarding the role of the UN. There is absolutely no reason why Burma cannot be friends with all countries and all major powers now. It’s time to move away from traditional policies of non-alignment and towards a more dynamic policy of multi-alignment, where Burma has strong and special relationships with countries around the world. These bilateral relationships will be extremely important. But the right partnership with the United Nations is also critical. There are many options, but I think engaging public opinion will be key. The country is at a critical moment in its transition. Opinions are being shaped. People—especially young people—are incredibly interested in learning new things. I think the UN could play a significant role in helping people better understand the choices the country is facing and the international standards that need to be met. These include human rights standards, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as political rights. Burma’s political transition in incomplete, and the country needs help and assistance in many areas. Some think that momentum and interest are being lost among UN agencies as well as at the UN headquarters. What is your view? In many ways, Burma is the perfect country for the UN. It is facing all of the challenges that the UN talks endlessly about, from climate change and the spread of infectious diseases to peace building, human rights and sustainable development. It’s a country with tremendous potential that needs help—but not necessarily much aid—from the outside world. All of the big powers would like Burma to succeed. If the UN cannot make a difference in Burma, I don’t know where it can. Burma is, in my view, a test of how well the UN can actually do any of the things it says it was meant to do. I think one problem is the absence of shared analysis within the UN system that could tie together all the various political, economic and other strands around a clear UN strategy. It’s critical to look at Burma’s problems, from armed conflict to environmental protection, in a connected and multidimensional way. I hope when the secretary-general visits this week he won’t just mention a list of issues or say the obvious things about peace and development but really explore the ways in which these things are intertwined and suggest practical as well as principled ways forward. What role can Burma-based UN agencies play to improve the lives of the millions of ordinary Burmese people, while minding the oft-repeated criticism of the role of the UN in some other developing countries involving failed missions, ineffectiveness and a lack of coordination among UN bodies? I’m sure many UN agencies, funds and programs are doing a very good job. We should not be surprised if there are coordination challenges; this is true of the UN around the world. One of my last jobs at the UN was to work on UN reform, back in the mid-2000s, and I left the UN and came to Burma partly because I thought reform in Burma would be easier. What’s critical is fully appreciating the context in Burma and then tailoring UN assistance. Burma is a poor country but one whose economy—with the right policies—will be able to grow by double digits and become a medium income country within a matter of years. It urgently needs to reform its financial sector and to rethink land usage and land tenure. It’s a country that requires over US$100 billion dollars in infrastructure investment, including tens of billions from overseas. It is in the midst of a telecoms revolution. Its tourism sector could increase by millions of visitors each year. UN agencies, funds and programs have to clarify what they can offer in that context, working in tandem with the private sector as well as the government and civil society organizations. I have no doubt that this is possible. Building peace and ending civil war is a priority under the National League for Democracy (NLD) government. Clearly China is a key player in this issue. As for the UN, we have learned that Ban Ki-moon will attend the Panglong Peace Conference. The UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Burma Vijay Nambiar is also involved in the peace process but we don’t hear much about him. What is his role and strategy, in your understanding? Or do you have any criticism of the UN’s role in the peace process? The UN has lots of experience on issues related to peace building and many offices and mechanisms in New York, like the Peacebuilding Fund and the Mediation Support Unit, geared to helping in situations like Burma’s. It’s understandable that the UN has chosen to play a very limited and low profile role so far. Depending on how the peace process evolves over the coming months, perhaps the UN could provide a list of options for how it could best help going forward. The key to the peace process is thinking not in terms of traditional diplomacy but as part of a much broader and complex transition. The conflict area, primarily in the northeastern part of the country, is an area the size of Great Britain shaped by decades of discrimination, violence, displacement, land seizure, illicit trade and environmental destruction. Armed fighting and ceasefires is only one dimension of a multidimensional problem. The UN should help Burma think outside of the box, reframe issues and suggest how peace building, human rights, and sustainable development agendas could and should be linked. What role do you want to see the UN play under the NLD government in this transition process? I hope the UN can be a key partner of the government, helping to shape public dialogue in imaginative ways, informed by experiences elsewhere. I also hope that Burma will begin to punch above its weight and take on a much more active role in UN debates and UN activities around the world. Burma shouldn’t just be a small country between India and China; it should take a leading role on issues like climate change and seek to contribute on the global stage. It was recently announced that former UN secretary-general and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kofi Annan would lead a new nine-member advisory commission on Arakan State. Many have welcomed the move, but criticism has also been heard from Arakanese quarters. Can you share your view on this new development? This is an advisory body and I have little doubt that the commission will be able to deliver useful recommendations over the coming year. But the commission will be navigating a minefield of sensitivities. And as an advisory body it should not be seen as a substitute for the national and local discussions and dialogues that will be necessary to move things forward in a sustainable way. It’s also important that the commission have a clear view not only of the human rights issues involved, but also the contested histories and economic potential of the region. Arakan—now Rakhine State—was not only one of the richest areas of Burma, but it was once one of the richest places in Asia, with Akyab—now Sittwe—an international city on par with Penang or Kuala Lumpur. There were direct flights to London and Melbourne. The well-off sent their kids to Oxford and Cambridge. The people of Arakan State have seen their fortunes decline, decade by decade for nearly 70 years. There is, on the other hand, fabulous economic potential. Economic development is not the answer, but it’s impossible to see how things could be better without a new economic vision and sustainable development strategy that begins quickly in order to deliver results across communities.

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Burma and India ink four agreements on bilateral cooperation in the areas of traditional medicine, renewable energy and infrastructural connectivity.

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Burma, India Agree to Cooperate on Defense, Energy, Infrastructure

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BURMA Burma, India Agree to Cooperate on Defense, Energy, Infrastructure RANGOON — Burma and India have inked four memorandums of understanding (MoU) to promote bilateral cooperation in the areas of traditional medicine, renewable energy and infrastructural connectivity. Burmese President U Htin Kyaw oversaw the agreements during a four-day visit to India from August 27-30. In a joint statement released on Monday, after the MoU signing ceremony, the two sides pledged to strengthen security and defense cooperation along the border, and develop infrastructure and prosperity in border areas. The Burmese President held “wide-ranging” discussions with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on “bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest,” according to the joint statement. U Htin Kyaw’s visit followed the visit of Burma’s State Counselor and Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to China, August 17-21, which attracted substantially more media attention and commentary. The four MoUs signed by respective ministers from the two countries concerned cooperation in the areas of “traditional systems of medicine,” renewable energy, and the construction or upgrading of bridges and road stretches along the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa and Kalewa-Yagyi sections of the Trilateral Highway connecting Moreh in northeast India to Mae Sot in Thailand, via Burma. During the visit, the two sides reiterated their “shared commitment to fight the scourge of terrorism and insurgent activity in all its forms and manifestations,” and uphold “the policy of not allowing any insurgent groups to use their soil for hostile activities against the other side,” according to the joint statement. India’s Prime Minister Modi remarked at the joint press conference on Monday that Burma holds a unique position as a “land bridge that connects India with Southeast Asia,” and highlighted Burma’s “new era” of democratic leadership and the “commitment of your people to democracy.” “[Burma’s] President and I agreed to work together for the safety and security of our people,” Modi said, “and actively cooperate to combat the common challenges of terrorism and insurgent activity in our region.” “Let me assure you that, at every step of the way, the 1.25 billion people of India will stand by you—both as partners and as friends. President U Htin Kyaw said his visit was aimed at “enhancing traditional ties of friendship” between the two governments and people. He said cultural and academic exchange between the two countries should be strengthened. “Greater bilateral cooperation between India and [Burma] is required to promote inclusive growth and development and to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in both countries and in the region as a whole,” U Htin Kyaw said. India offered to share its experience of parliamentary governance, and of power and resource sharing between national and state-level governments—at a time when a transition to federalism is being discussed as part of peace negotiations in Burma. Burma also invited Indian companies to bid for tenders in the petrochemical and petroleum sector. According to the joint statement, the two countries have agreed to begin operating facilities connected to the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which now links Sittwe in Arakan State with Paletwa in Chin State, by December 2016.

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Fresh clashes between the Burma Army and a splinter ethnic armed group are reported on a stretch of the Asian Highway running through southern Karen State.

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Armed Conflict Continues on Highway in Karen State

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BURMA Armed Conflict Continues on Highway in Karen State Fresh clashes have been reported on a stretch of the Asian Highway running through southern Karen State on Tuesday, following the death of the leader of a splinter group of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA). Maj. Na Ma Kyar, who led the splinter group named after him, was killed on Monday. He was on a Burma Army wanted list. Clashes broke out on Tuesday after a joint force of the Burma Army and an allied Karen militia, the Border Guard Force (BGF), approached the Na Ma Kyar group’s base. The Na Ma Kyar group is based in a remote part of Karen State’s Kawkareik Township. It has exerted control, and collected road tolls, along parts of the Asian Highway, which was built to ease trade and transit between Burma and Thailand via the Myawaddy-Mae Sot border. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the splinter group warned that fighting would escalate if the joint Burma Army-BGF force kept chasing its troops. Another senior officer in the DKBA splinter group, Maj. Saw San Aung, is also on the Burma Army wanted list. The DKBA, to which the Na Ma Kyar group formerly belonged, was one of eight ethnic armed groups that signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the previous government in October of last year. Saw Alex Htoo, deputy director of the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network, told The Irrawaddy that armed conflict would continue as the Burma Army and BGF attempted to gain full control of the strategic highway. “The Burma Army and the BGF have been trying to wipe out [the Na Ma Kyar group] since 2014. There will continue to be conflict unless they make a settlement to accommodate shared interests,” said Saw Alex Htoo. According to local rights groups, more than 1,000 local villagers were forced to flee their homes in July of last year due to armed conflict in the area around the Asian Highway in Karen State. Many of the displaced villagers still cannot return home due to the risk of landmines and continued instability. The Asian Highway, lauded by governments as part of an “east-west economic corridor” in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region, has been criticized by rights groups for contributing to increased militarization in an already conflict-prone region. Besides the Burma Army, the BGF and the Na Ma Kyar group, other groups that exert control over sections of the highway, collecting taxes and toll fees, include the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, the Karen National Union and smaller breakaway Karen groups such as the KNU/KNLA–Peace Council.

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India inks bilateral trade agreements with Burma during President U Htin Kyaw’s visit to the country.

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India Eyes Further Expansion Into Burmese Markets

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BUSINESS India Eyes Further Expansion Into Burmese Markets RANGOON — India’s investors have been eyeing Burma’s health, energy, agriculture and automobile sectors, with bilateral trade agreements inked during President U Htin Kyaw’s recent visit to the country. During his four-day trip to India, which began on Saturday, the Burmese President and the Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, agreed to promote trade and expand cooperation, particularly in agriculture, banking and energy. According to a joint statement released on Tuesday, both sides commended how trade between the Burma and India has demonstrated “resilience to global trends.” Despite being neighbors, India’s total investment in Burma was just over US$224 million during the 2015-2016 fiscal year—significantly lower than the investments of other regional countries, like China. No new Indian investments were made during the first four months of the 2016-2017 fiscal year. Than Aung Kyaw, deputy director general of the Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration, said that India is interested in investing in Burma’s automobile and agricultural sectors, but that those sectors are currently heavily influenced by other Asian nations. “For example, Japan’s used car market is very powerful and China’s used agriculture machines and equipment are also taking the majority of shares in the market,” he said. Since under the previous government administration led by U Thein Sein, India’s Tata Motors has had a presence in the automobile industry in Burma, but their products have not been able to shake Japanese dominance in the sector. “Actually India’s import volume is quite low; Burma’s export is much higher. There are many factors why trade is still low,” said Than Aung Kyaw. According to the Ministry of Commerce, total trade volume between India and Burma has reached US$1.17 billion, while Burma-China trade is $10.9 billion. Economist Khin Maung Nyo said a major factor contributing to the low trade volume with India is a lack of connectivity and infrastructure in both Burma and India. “Infrastructure development is weak. For example, the India-Myanmar-Thai highway is still under construction from the Indian side. There are still armed groups on the Indian side that can make it difficult to promote border trade, as well,” he said, also describing India’s bureaucracy as “complicated.” President U Htin Kyaw’s visit, Tuesday’s statement said, was an effort on the part of both the Indian and Burmese governments to “identify and remove…impediments to bilateral trade,” while highlighting the importance of security along the India-Burma border. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the implementation of Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, agreeing that the completed facilities in Sittwe in Arakan State, and Paletwa in Chin State, should be operational by December 2016. Both countries’ leaders were also pleased by the signing of two memorandums of understanding pertaining to the implementation of India-Myanmar-Thailand highway project connecting the region. The two leaders highlighted the progress made in upgrading the Yangon Children’s Hospital and the Sittwe General Hospital with assistance from India. Both sides also agreed that continuing to export a supply of pulses from Burma to India would mutually benefit Burmese farmers and Indian consumers.

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Burma’s legislature passes a bill cutting 470 billion kyats from the Union budget.

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Parliament Amends Union Budget Law

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BURMA Parliament Amends Union Budget Law RANGOON — Burma’s Union Parliament passed a bill on Tuesday amending the 2016 Union Budget Law—drafted by the previous government and approved by the former legislature, trimming the estimated expenditures of the majority of the ministries. The cut of 470 billion kyats (around US$389.8 million) from the previously approved amount of over 20 trillion kyats, however, did not affect six ministries— Defense, the State Counselor’s Office, Foreign Affairs, Ethnic Affairs, Education, as well as Health and Sports. The 21-member financial commission—formed in April and led by the country’s President, two vice presidents and other Union-level officials—drafted and submitted the bill to the current Parliament, citing the need to amend the Union budget as the number of ministries has since been consolidated from 36 to 22. During the commission’s first meeting in June, President U Htin Kyaw—the commission’s chair—stressed the need to allocate more funds toward the country’s infrastructure, as well as Burma’s education, healthcare and social welfare sectors. The bill was reviewed by two legislative committees: the Union Parliament’s joint bill committee and the joint public accounts committee. Aung Min, the vice-chair of the joint bill committee, told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that changes in the cabinet structure and the merging of the ministries after the power transfer to a civilian-led government have contributed to the push to amend and review the Union budget. Getting parliamentary approval for budget allocation is an annual procedure. “The previously approved budget was drafted in the context of last year,” Aung Min said. “Our committee noticed some government projects that would not be implemented during this budget year,” he explained. “We have recommended that the Parliament cut estimated expenses on these projects.” “It doesn’t mean that these projects cannot ever be implemented. Ministries could put them in their proposed budget plans for next year,” Aung Min added. Aung Min also said that the budget of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s foreign affairs ministry was left unchanged, as there were no special project proposals by the ministry. The ministries of Defense and of Electricity and Energy will receive some of the largest shares of the Union budget this year, with 14 and 24 percent of total funds, respectively. The vice-chair said that full details of each ministry’s share of the Union budget will soon be disclosed by state-owned newspapers.

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Despite the release of scores of political prisoners under the new government, repressive laws remain in place, and people are still jailed for their beliefs.

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Opinion: One Political Prisoner is One Too Many

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CONTRIBUTORS Opinion: One Political Prisoner is One Too Many There are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of Burma. Elections in November 2015 brought the first democratic government in decades. Last year, dozens of political prisoners were granted amnesty and released. Laws restricting core political freedoms such as speech, association and assembly have been relaxed. However, a great deal of work remains to be done, both by the Burmese government and by the international community. It is imperative that the international community continue, by all means available, to encourage respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the new Burma. In the immediate term, the international community must continue to press for the release of all remaining political prisoners. While the November elections were a milestone for Burma, we should not be overconfident about how much power these democratically elected officials actually have. Their control over Parliament, and the government at large, is constrained by the military-drafted 2008 Constitution. Only 75 percent of the members of the Union Parliament, our national legislative body, are democratically elected. The other 25 percent of the members are military officials appointed by the Commander-in-Chief. Seats are also reserved for military personnel in the divisional and state legislative bodies. This constitutional requirement cannot be amended unless more than 75 percent of the members of parliament agree; for the 25 percent reservation to be eliminated, some members representing the defense services will have to vote to strip themselves of power. The constitution also mandates that the elected President must choose high-ranking military officers to head the defense, home affairs and border affairs ministries. The Commander-in-Chief—Burma’s top military officer, who stands apart from the President—nominates these officers. These ministries control all law enforcement mechanisms other than the judiciary; the police force falls within the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Defense controls the Border Guards. Furthermore, the large cadre of government officials, required in the administration of any modern nation, is comprised of individuals who have secured their livelihoods on the basis of loyalty to the military regime. Many, if not most, of the management-level civil servants are former military officers. Some of these individuals see their positions as payment for service to the military. Reconciling a new, democratic government with autocrat-supporting civil servants is a challenge faced by every country in transition, with varying degrees of success. There are no easy answers to this problem. For example, the summary termination of thousands of government employees during the “de-Ba’athification” of Iraq both caused widespread unemployment and left the government unable to provide basic services. On the other hand, keeping current civil servants in power may mean that the policy decisions made by elected leaders are thwarted by the people who should be enacting them. Even assuming that these officials wish to cooperate with a civilian-led government, the management and working styles of civilian activists and ex-military personnel may not gel. After the democratically elected government assumed power in April of this year, they announced the release of political prisoners as a top priority. My organization, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners–Burma, has confirmed that charges have been dropped for 163 activists who were awaiting trial, 115 of whom were released from pre-trial detention; and 70 convicted political prisoners have been released. However, between those prisoners who were not released and the new arrests and convictions over the past three months, there are currently 285 political prisoners in Burma. This is simply unacceptable. Political prisoners still exist, in part, because laws that restrict speech, assembly, and association—freedoms vital to a free society—are still on the books in Burma. Though laws requiring associations to register with the government have been relaxed, they have not been completely repealed. Speech remains restricted as well, with laws purporting to regulate telecommunications instead prohibiting “act[s] detrimental to the security of the State or prevalence of law and order or community peace and tranquility or national solidarity or national economy or national culture.” This broad, vague prohibition has been used to jail activists for expressing an opinion using electronic technology. Freedom of assembly is restricted by laws requiring protestors to receive official permission before staging a protest. These restrictions on political activities are anathema to a free society; reform is necessary, and until such reforms are undertaken, the arrest and trial of individuals under these laws must be halted. Everyone loves a success story, but, while it has seen great progress, Burma is not yet a success. Many challenges remain. The constitution still vests great power in the military. Laws still exist allowing security forces to detain protestors and activists. People are still jailed for their beliefs. One political prisoner in detention is one political prisoner too many; Burma has 285 too many political prisoners. It is simply too soon to ease the pressure on entrenched elements of the old government. Most of these challenges are not immediately solvable. It will take a long time to unwind the military’s influence over the bureaucracy, and an extraordinary solution will be necessary to remove the military’s influence over Parliament. However, the ongoing situation for political prisoners can be resolved with a stroke of the pen. The international community must press for this immediate change that could improve the lives of many and promise continued progress towards a free Burma. Bo Kyi is a former political prisoner and one of the founders of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners–Burma, which has been advocating for the release of all political prisoners in Burma since 2000.

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The Yangon Region Transport Authority will launch a new enforcement plan to crack down on drivers who violate traffic laws, starting on Thursday.

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Rangoon Transport Authority to Crack Down on Traffic Violations

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BURMA Rangoon Transport Authority to Crack Down on Traffic Violations RANGOON — The Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA) said they would launch a new enforcement plan to crackdown on drivers who violate traffic laws, starting on Thursday. Maung Aung, secretary of the YRTA, told The Irrawaddy on Monday that the group would take legal action against traffic violations as part of a plan to curb the city’s traffic jams. Traffic congestion in Burma’s commercial capital has grown significantly since the government lifted car import restrictions in October 2011. Travel times in the former capital have increased in tandem with the rising number of vehicles on the road. Maung Aung said those who violate traffic laws will face heavier fines than before—expected to be set at a minimum of 50,000 kyats (US$40) per violation—and that unlawful parking on main roads, which has also increased traffic congestion, will also be addressed. The traffic police will also use the mobile app Viber to take immediate action against violators by receiving complaints from the public via text message, photo and video. “We call on the public to collaborate,” said Maung Aung, adding that violations will eventually be monitored from a traffic control center that is currently under construction and expected to be completed in October. Once the computerized traffic control system is operational, it is expected to reduce 40 percent of city’s traffic congestion and improve security with the installation of 360-degree computer-controlled cameras at certain intersections, he said. The YRTA was formed on July 8, in collaboration with transportation and water experts, in order to upgrade the public transportation system and to tackle the city’s traffic woes under the leadership of the Rangoon divisional government. The YRTA will also facilitate bus system reforms to improve public transportation at a later date. Under its plan, the current 358 bus lines will be streamlined into 50.

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National reconciliation requires recognizing the diverse, autonomous pasts of ethnic minority groups, which the current official history does not allow for.

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Peace and Reconciliation Call For New Ways of Looking Back

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CONTRIBUTOR Peace and Reconciliation Call For New Ways of Looking Back Burma has moved one step in the right direction, towards federalism. This has been the result of mutual commitment by the government and ethnic armed groups, as part of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement signed in October last year. The form of federalism to be adopted, and the processes of establishing it, presents a likely agenda for political dialogue between the government, the military, ethnic armed groups and political parties, which is a crucial part of the peace and national reconciliation process. But where does history fit into this process? The question is important for two reasons. The first relates to the possibility that political dialogue could address the country’s seventy-year-old armed conflict. This conflict resulted from the country’s colonial and postcolonial histories. Against this legacy, certain historical narratives—coded by postcolonial winners—have institutionalized the erasure of ethnic minorities’ autonomous histories, so as to legitimate the subordination, exclusion and oppression of minorities’ call for federalism and equality. Secondly, at this important moment, when there is a rare political opening to address the conflict through dialogue among multiple actors, Rangoon University’s undergraduate history program attracted no new students for the 2016-2017 academic year. While Rangoon University is not the only university that hosts a history department, it is the largest university in the country and its history department has monopolized historical knowledge production for half a century. That the history department has received no new students reflects a perception, not about history itself, but about historians and history education—and their significance as agents of change. This triggered the Rangoon-based Myanmar Cultural Research Society to organize an event on Aug. 20, involving various academic historians from Rangoon University, writers and students. Participants highlighted various practices under past regimes that undermined history education’s reputation. One major outcome of half a century of government intervention in history writing was a negative reputation for the History Department’s own history, for serving regimes with state-friendly historical narratives. While many academics were unhappy, the politicized history department—with sometimes state-friendly department heads—could not resist state seduction, perpetuating nationalistic historical narratives written from the dominant, central, urban and Burman points of view. Homogenized and ethno-centric historical narratives, institutionalized at the university echelon of historical knowledge production, have paved the way for popular history writing that further eliminates minorities’ own autonomous and dignified histories, as well as national history—or histories—looked at from non-dominant points of view. A topic of discussion at the Myanmar Cultural Research Society event was the reliability of existing (popular) historical knowledge. While historians highlighted that history is a matter of debate and of certain points of view, they also suggested that the content of history be addressed so as to fix known errors that have so far been politically untouchable. They also suggested changes in the methodologies used in both teaching and inquiry. These suggestions should be supported, both domestically and internationally, and by the government and public alike. For, addressing the country’s armed conflict and realizing reconciliation require resetting the way the military and the people understand history—most importantly regarding the relationship between territory and people. As a human geographer, I see history in terms of geographic processes, and the historical struggle over power as a struggle over territory. For power is exercised within specific territories. The power to govern people within specific territories requires that territorial boundaries be constantly redefined, as well as the relationship between people and territories. The federalism, self-determination and autonomy that minority groups have been fighting for (however lacking in agreement over meaning and substance), and the sovereignty and unity that the military has been propounding, are narratives of struggle over territory. On the one hand, the military claims all territories within postcolonial state boundaries as “national” territories that should be under the central government’s complete control, if the “nation” is to exercise its “national sovereignty,” however bogus the concept may be. On the other hand, minority groups see the lands known today as “ethnic states” as ancestral lands, over which they lost autonomy to colonizing Burmese regimes. Regardless of the on-and-off independence of these “ethnic territories” prior to British invasion, and regardless of, for example, the existence of powerful Mon and Arakanese kingdoms that waxed and waned through time, the dominant historical narratives of Burma deny their autonomous histories. The official national history of Burma starts with a “First Burma” established by King Anawratha, proceeding to “Second Burma” and then “Third Burma,” as if these were the only historical kingdoms of Burma and were continuously extensive and powerful up till the British invasion. The histories of others are subsumed into that of generalized subordinates and rebels who betrayed the rational and mighty Burmese kings, only to be crushed brutally to maintain peace. The problem does not end there. Minorities’ ownership of ancestral land, however one defines it, goes unrecognized as well. A good example is the national anthem, which states, “We love the land because it is the heritage of our forefathers.” The question is, who is “we”, and whose “land” and “forefathers” are being referred to? Because the national anthem sees the “nation” from the majority perspective, it leads those considered the dominant group to assume they own all pieces of the “imagined national territory.” To them, the land from the northern top to the southern tip is unconditionally theirs— and not minorities’ distinctive ancestral land. In this sense, the national anthem is an ecstasy of deception for minorities, requiring creative historical inquiry. In short, a combination of dominant historical narratives and the national anthem effectively deny autonomous histories and the ancestral land rights of minority groups. Because of this, when minority groups call for self-determination in certain territories in the context of debates over federalism, those from the dominate position cannot understand why these minorities should want “our forefathers’ land” to themselves. But how is this discussion relevant to the peace process and national reconciliation? It is relevant because a big chunk of the peace and national reconciliation process is about federalism, with varying forms and degrees of self-determination, which cannot be detached from the question of struggle over territories. This requires creative historical investigation into the geographic imagining of nation, territory and politics. Current national historical narratives do not work. Known errors only make the problem worse by subordinating minority peoples, discrediting their claims to ancestral land rights, and denying their histories of relative autonomy from the dominant group. Apart from the conceptual dimension, practical problems arise from not investing in new approaches to historical research, narratives and teaching. That is, when dominant and minority groups engage in dialogue about federalism, peace and reconciliation, the lenses through which the past is viewed will not be the same. Supposed national heroes, such as King Anawratha, are not minority peoples’ heroes—nor even the late Gen Aung San. Neither is Bagan a proud historical reference point for minorities. Rather, the First Burma (Bagan), Second Burma (Taungoo) and Third Burma (Konbaung) are understood to have destroyed minority peoples’ kingdoms. Forcing minorities to express pride in these figures and kingdoms only adds salt to unhealed wounds. But when past regimes uttered such historical narratives, minorities saw it in terms of a drive to deny them equal rights and control their lands, in the name of perpetuating national sovereignty. It was understood as business-as-usual from the junta. However, in the new political context of the peace process, where the possibility of national reconciliation is contingent on trust developing between dominant and minority groups, the reiteration of national narratives by civilians from dominant groups only causes minorities to identify their attitude with that of the junta. The problematic reality is that civilians, even those from the establishment, might be uttering these narratives innocently, with an intention to mutually establish a peaceful federal union. Nonetheless, national history, as the only available tool for imagining the past, traps them in false convictions, causing at best embarrassment with minority groups. To sum up, national reconciliation requires recognizing the diverse pasts of minority groups—autonomous histories that are as dignified as that of the dominant group. Regardless of bloody histories, in which groups mutually violated each other, seeing each other’s histories through more dignified, diversity-friendly and humanistic lenses is called for. As the current national narrative does not allow for this, new historical approaches are urgently needed. This is where academic historians can, and should, play an important part in seeking new methodologies for critical research, teaching and the dissemination of historical knowledge to decision makers and the public. This is how those who study the past can contribute to today’s work on peace and reconciliation. There is a saying that one should shoulder a sword while talking about history (and religion) because debating history only ends up in conflict; some want to avoid historical questions in order to escape complicated debates. But any attempt to fix historically contingent problems by ignoring history, and most importantly the way those problems are narrated, would be a waste of time. Dr. Sai Latt received his Ph.D. in Human Geography from Simon Fraser University in Canada. He is a Research Associate at the York Center for Asian Research at York University in Toronto. His research covers violence, securitization and displacement.

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Officials in Burma say United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will attend the ‘21st Century Panglong’ peace conference next week.

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UN Chief to Attend Union Peace Conference

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BURMA UN Chief to Attend Union Peace Conference RANGOON — Officials in Burma say United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will attend the “21st Century Panglong” peace conference next week that seeks to end decades of armed conflict with ethnic minority groups. The UN is expected to soon confirm Ban’s attendance at the Union Peace Conference, which begins on Aug. 31 in the capital, Naypyidaw. The deputy director of the President’s Office, U Zaw Htay, said on Tuesday that the government invited Ban to what has been dubbed the “21st Century Panglong Conference” after he expressed an interest in attending. The plans were confirmed by Sai Kyaw Nyunt, general secretary of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee, which is organizing the event. “Ban Ki-moon will come to represent the UN,” he said. It will be Ban’s first visit to Burma since Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party replaced an army-backed government in March this year. His last visit was in November 2014. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s state counselor, chairs the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee, which includes representatives of the government, ethnic armed groups and political parties. She has issued a call for mutual trust and unity ahead of the meeting. Her father, Gen. Aung San, arranged the first Panglong Agreement with ethnic Shan, Kachin and Chin leaders in 1947. It sought to meet their demands for the preservation of autonomy from the central government, but independent Burmese governments did not honor the promises of the agreement. Conflict with armed ethnic minority groups has been an almost constant factor of Burma’s politics since then. Eight, mostly smaller, ethnic armed groups signed a cease-fire agreement last year under the previous military-backed government of President U Thein Sein, while seven have not yet agreed to put down their arms, and fighting continues in Kachin and Shan states. All the groups say peace cannot be sustained unless political arrangements are also made to accommodate demands for greater autonomy.

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Burma’s immigration minister talks about the issue the controversial decision to grant non-citizens known as white card holders the right to vote on constitutional reform.

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‘It Is Not That White Card Holders Automatically Become Citizens’

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INTERVIEW ‘It Is Not That White Card Holders Automatically Become Citizens’ Burma’s Union Parliament recently passed a controversial law granting temporary identity card holders the right to vote in a referendum on constitutional amendments later this year. The move has prompted criticism and protests, given that these individuals, also known as “white card holders,” do not hold Burmese citizenship. The number of white card holders is unknown, with estimates ranging from 700,000 to 1.5 million, most of whom are Rohingya Muslims. Minister of Immigration and Population Khin Yi talked about the issue with The Irrawaddy in Chiang Mai, Thailand, last week, and also addressed questions on remaining difficulties for exiled dissidents seeking to re-enter Burma and national census data due to be released later this year. Question: With Parliament allowing white card holders to vote in the constitutional referendum, does that mean they have been given the rights of citizenship? Answer: It is not exactly accurate to say that they have become citizens, because the Temporary Identity Certificates [white cards] are provided by the Immigration Ministry in accordance with the incumbent law. People find it easy to call them ‘white card holders’ as it is on a white piece of paper. [Burmese citizens are issued pink national ID cards]. We provided them with this card because they are not yet verified citizens of the country. They must apply for citizenship and we scrutinize them in accordance with our rules and then we decide whether they can be citizens or not. It is not that white card holders automatically become citizens. Q: Is the right to vote in accordance with the 1982 Citizenship Law? A: Our ministry is not involved in the issue of the right to vote or not. Parliament decided on this. We provide these cards to people undergoing the [citizenship] scrutinizing process. There are many white card holders—including Bengali, Indians, Pakistanis, Gurkha—across the country. They are between 700,000 and 800,000 on our lists. We carefully gave them these cards as they still need to go through the national verification process. Q:White card holders face travel restrictions, for instance in Arakan State. Is this Immigration Ministry policy? A: The travel issue depends solely on local authorities. The authorities restrict the travel, for instance, in Arakan State. They can ask for permission to travel; it is not that they are not allowed to. There are many people travelling in this way for medical treatment or schooling. Q:What is the ministry doing in terms of national verification for white card holders? A: We do the national verification twice a year, starting with township-level verifications and ending with national-level verification. I act as chairman of the committee, in which the members are officials from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Defense. We, step by step, scrutinize their applications and grant citizenship in accordance with the 1982 Citizenship Law. Q: Some people complain that their National Registration Cards were seized and replaced with white cards. What are you doing to resolve this issue? A: This has not happened during our [administrative] term. It was in 1990 when their NRCs were seized, as there were reports of people obtaining fake cards. We have now allowed them to reapply for citizenship. When they apply, we issue them the appropriate documents [identifying them as] associate citizen, naturalized citizen or white cards. Q:What is your view on criticisms that Parliament took up the white card issue just as student protests against the National Education Law have begun to heat up? A: I have read such criticism on social media and on the Internet. I don’t think it is related. The debate on white cards has long existed in Parliament before the students’ protest. Q: There are still reports of obstacles and difficulties for once-exiled Burmese dissidents who now hold foreign passports but want to come back to Burma. Why is that? A: Our President U Thein Sein has invited all Burma-born foreign passport holders to return to the country in the spirit of national reconciliation. According to our laws, former Burmese [who no longer hold citizenship] could not be citizens of Myanmar again as they have obtained the citizenship of a foreign country. We do not allow dual citizenship. But one hole here is that the president can accept them in accordance with Section 8(b) of the 1982 Citizenship Law, in which they can become a citizen of Burma if it is the interest of the country. [The provision Khin Yi refers to is in fact Section 8(a)]. There are also three ministries involved: the ministries of Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs and us. The ministries have to do scrutinizing on the issuance of certificate of identity and checking for a criminal background. If they do not have criminal cases and are not on a blacklist, it is no problem for them in terms of getting a visa or reapplying for citizenship. We have accepted about 100 out of 185 applications reapplying for citizenship. Some dissidents think that after they submit the citizenship application, it is done and they never contact us again. But it is not and it takes time. Q: The provisional results of the census were released in August, but what about the full results, including data on ethnic populations in Burma? Will the official list of 135 ethnicities remain or will it be amended? For example, ethnic Zomi in Chin State are not listed among the 135 recognized groups. A: Compiling of the results is not finished yet. We are still in the process of data analysis. The draft list will come out at the end of May. But the ethnicity list will not be finalized. We don’t know yet. We have recorded whatever they said regarding ethnicity. If they said they are Zomi, it was recorded as such. And after we have the list of the ethnicities, it will be brought before ethnic representatives of each group for discussion. We will not publicize the results until the list is consulted with the ethnic leaders, as we do not want misunderstandings. Q: When you met Dr. Cynthia Maung in 2013, you talked about the issuance of birth certificates for the children of Burmese migrant workers born on the Thailand-Burma border. What is the latest on this effort? A: Honestly, it remains an obligation. We have been busy with the national census and the peace process, so we have not started yet on the issues discussed with Sayama Cynthia. Our ministry cannot do it alone; the health ministry and other related ministries must cooperate. We have not got the solution or a detailed policy yet, but we will do it for sure. Q: Does that mean it will be address only after the successful completion of the peace process? A: No, it does not. This is about the acceptance of our ethnics as citizens. We have not been able to focus yet on this as we have been concentrating on solving other issues, such as the Arakan State issue and the peace talks, which are not yet resolved.

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UN chief Ban Ki-moon calls on Burma to improve living conditions for its Rohingya Muslim minority, ahead of peace talks between Aung San Suu Kyi and many of the country's ethnic armed groups.

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UN Chief Addresses Rohginya Issue Ahead of Peace Talks

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BURMA UN Chief Addresses Rohginya Issue Ahead of Peace Talks NAYPYIDAW — United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Burma to improve living conditions for its Rohingya Muslim minority on Tuesday, ahead of peace talks between leader Aung San Suu Kyi and many of the country’s ethnic armed rebel groups. Burma’s 1.1 million Rohingya will not be represented at the conference starting on Wednesday, but the fact Ban raised their plight—and used the term for the group that is divisive in Burma—may add to international pressure on Suu Kyi to address the issue. “The government has assured me about its commitment to address the roots of the problem,” Ban told a news conference in the capital Naypyidaw. “Like all people everywhere, they need and deserve a future, hope and dignity. This is not just a question of the Rohingya community’s right to self-identity.” Ban Ki-moon and Aung San Suu Kyi met reporters as the Nobel Peace Prize laureate launched a push to end decades of fighting between Burma’s military and ethnic rebels. Aung San Suu Kyi has made the peace process a priority for her administration, which faces sky-high expectations at home and abroad after sweeping to power in an election last November to end more than half a century of military-backed rule. Tensions between Buddhists and Muslims in western Burma, however, are not being tackled as part of that process. Many in the Buddhist majority country regard the largely stateless Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, and they are not among the 135 ethnic groups recognized by law. Aung San Suu Kyi has asked foreign diplomats and leaders not to use the term “Rohingya” because in her view it is inflammatory. Some 120,000 Rohingya remain displaced in squalid “internally displaced persons” (IDP) camps since fighting erupted in Rakhine state between Buddhists and Muslims in 2012. Thousands have fled persecution and poverty. “I conveyed the concern of the international community about tens of thousands of people who have been living in very poor conditions in IDP camps for over four years,” said Ban Ki-moon. He added that if they had lived in the country for generations, all people in Burma should enjoy the same legal status and citizenship as everyone else. Many Rohingya families have lived in Burma for that long. Last week Aung San Suu Kyi picked former UN chief Kofi Annan to lead a commission to stop human rights abuses in Rakhine. Peace Conference Few concrete proposals are to emerge from this week’s talks, with delegates expecting to meet every six months to discuss issues ranging from security, political representation and culture to sharing the fruits of Burma’s mineral riches. The gathering has been compared to the Panglong Conference, a meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi’s father, Burma’s national hero General Aung San, and ethnic minorities in 1947 that led to the formation of the Union of Burma after independence from Britain. “The 21st Century Panglong conference is a promising first step,” said Ban Ki-moon. “I congratulate all participants for their patience, determination and spirit of compromise.” The fact that Aung San Suu Kyi has been able to bring the vast majority of the rebels to the negotiating table only five months after taking power is a sign of progress, experts say. Powerful armed groups from regions bordering China, who refused to sign a ceasefire last October under the previous military-backed government, are now set to take part, partly owing to China’s tacit support for the talks. As Burma’s economy opens up, China is vying for influence with the United States. President Xi Jinping pledged his country would play a “constructive role” in the peace process when Suu Kyi visited China this month. Suu Kyi is travelling to Washington in September where she is likely to face questions on the treatment of the Rohingya. Burma has been torn by fighting between the military, which seized power in the 1962 coup, and ethnic armed groups almost without a break since the end of the Second World War. Casting a shadow over the talks is a recent flare-up in fighting in northernmost Kachin State and clashes in northeastern Shan State, which is home to several large groups operating close to borders with China and Thailand. The still-powerful military has also strongly opposed talks with three groups that fought it in the remote Kokang area last year unless they disarm. The groups have said they cannot, citing continued pressure from the army. It was unclear whether they would be allowed to attend the summit. Ethnic delegates have complained about what they saw as an arbitrary schedule set by the government. Aung San Suu Kyi, who said little at Tuesday’s joint appearance with Ban Ki-moon, has not consulted the groups about the date of the conference or the specific agenda, diplomats familiar with the situation said. “I will do my best to let all ethnic leaders attend tomorrow’s conference,” said Suu Kyi. “It’s their own decision whether they attend or not.”

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Over 1,000 attendees were present at the grand opening of the five-day conference, discussed as the first step toward national reconciliation and political dialogue.

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21st Century Panglong Conference Kicks Off in Naypyidaw

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BURMA 21st Century Panglong Conference Kicks Off in Naypyidaw NAYPYIDAW — The 21st Century Panglong conference began on Wednesday in Burma’s capital of Naypyidaw, with an emphasis on unity in building a federal union. Over 1,000 attendees filled the conference hall at the Myanmar International Convention Centre 2. The grand opening of the five-day conference has been discussed as the first step toward national reconciliation and political dialogue, and was joined by the stakeholders from the government, Parliament, the Burma Army, 17 ethnic armed organizations, foreign diplomats and the United Nations general secretary Ban Ki-moon. For the remainder of the conference, 750 stakeholders will be discussing specific issues in relation to politics, security, economics, land and the environment. Key leaders from the government present at the event included State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, parliamentary house speakers Win Myint and Mann Win Khaing Than, and Burma Army commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. Key ethnic leaders included Karen National Union chairman Saw Mutu Say Poe and Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) vice chairman Gen N’Ban La. National League for Democracy patron U Tin Oo and UN secretary Ban Ki-moon addressed attendees with opening speeches highlighting the importance of Burma’s peace process. In her own 15-minute speech, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi revisited her peace negotiation team’s work over the past three months. Acknowledging those displaced by conflict in Burma, the State Counselor emphasized the need to “not to forget the IDPs” in her speech, a statement echoed by many of those who spoke at the event, calling for an end to civil war in the country. “Now our ethnic people in unstable areas are wondering what the outcomes of the conference will be. Their hopes have been dimmed for a long time. We surely can’t ignore their suffering,” Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said. The KIA’s N’Ban La said thanked the government for remembering the suffering of the displaced; over 100,000 ethnic Kachin remain internally displaced due to renewed fighting with the Burma Army in recent years. He went on to explain his understanding of federalism as “living in harmony” in a “democratic union” without “separation.” One stakeholder who did not mention federalism was army chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, who, in his speech remained firm on adhering to the Tatmadaw’s six-point principles in the peace process, which he described as having been “drafted based on [past] experiences” and which should be followed by “both sides.” Daw Aung San Suu Kyi highlighted the work of civil society organizations for their peacebuilding efforts. Specifically, she thanked Burma’s youth for holding a recent campaign in support of the 21st Century Panglong conference. The State Counselor emphasized public participation as key to achieving peace in the country. “Any peace process can’t be successful without public support,” she said. “Peace is not something that leaders can delegate from above, and it is not born in peace conference rooms. Active participation and support from the public is required.” The stakeholders and the conference attendees shared their expectations from the five-day peace talks with The Irrawaddy. Myo Win, vice chair of the All Burma Students Democratic Front, echoed the State Counselor’s sentiments on peacebuilding: “We need participation from the public and to think of it as everyone’s responsibility.” Laphai Seng Raw, a prominent Kachin social activist who is taking part in the conference as a stakeholder, told The Irrawaddy that she hoped the 2016 Panglong would “continue finding solutions for historically unresolved issues, such as equality and rights to autonomy, which were failed to be implemented after the [original] 1947 Panglong.” Other members of civil society organizations and women’s groups in particular were present at the conference as observers, despite not being invited as stakeholders.

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Myanmar National TV apologizes after old news about a Burmese military fighter jet crash two years ago was broadcast on a news bulletin on Sunday evening.

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Broadcaster Apologizes to Military for Outdated Plane Crash Story

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BURMA Broadcaster Apologizes to Military for Outdated Plane Crash Story RANGOON — Myanmar National TV (MNTV) has apologized after old news about a Burmese military fighter jet crash two years ago was broadcast on a news bulletin on Sunday evening, drawing strong public criticism from the military. MNTV is a free-to-air channel under Shwe Than Lwin Media Co. Ltd, chaired by U Kyaw Win, who is believed to have enjoyed close business ties with the former government and the ex-military regime. The plane crash happened on June 11, 2014. The military’s True News Information Team said that, by broadcasting the outdated news without stating when the crash happened—and by using an unverified Internet source whose intent was unknown—the news story “could lead to misunderstanding among the public.” “On behalf of the Defense Services, we strongly condemn [the broadcast] and call upon officials to take necessary action,” read the statement. Shortly afterwards, MNTV issued an apology on the air and via its official Facebook page. “We broadcast old news from 2014 about the MIG-29 UB fighter jet crash […] from an incorrect source. We deeply apologize to the public and the military,” the apology read. The source was the Central News Bureau, a local news agency based on Facebook, which has also apologized via the MNTV’s Facebook page, stating that they had sent MNTV the story prematurely, while the news was still awaiting confirmation. “The editorial team published it in a rush, as breaking news, without any ill intention. For this fault, we apologize to the military,” CNB said. In May, a private broadcaster affiliated with state-owned Myanmar Radio and Television 4 (MRTV-4) apologized for “misusing” the word “Tatmadaw,” which the Burmese military claims for itself alone, in describing the insurgent Arakan Army as the “Rakhine Tatmadaw”—fighting against “government forces”—which the military felt harmed their own “image and dignity.”

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As with previous heads of state since 1988, President Htin Kyaw will not be attending the ceremony in Rangoon commemorating Aung San’s assassination.

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President to Skip Martyrs’ Day Ceremony in Rangoon

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BURMA President to Skip Martyrs’ Day Ceremony in Rangoon RANGOON — President Htin Kyaw will not be attending the Martyrs’ Day ceremony on July 19 at the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Rangoon, according to President’s Office spokesperson Zaw Htay. The annual government-run ceremony marks the date in 1947 when Burma’s independence hero Aung San—father of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi—and eight of his colleagues were assassinated at the instigation of a political rival. No Burmese head of state has attended the ceremony since the military coup of 1988. The large red mausoleum—where the bodies of Aung San and his fallen comrades lie interred—located just north of the Shwedagon pagoda in Rangoon’s Bahan Township, was declared off limits after the coup, for fear of public gatherings sparking unrest. Until the inauguration in 2011 of the reformist administration of President Thein Sein, the most senior official to attend the ceremony was the Rangoon mayor. The Thein Sein government began to allow the public to pay their respects at the mausoleum on Martyrs’ Day, drawing large, emotional crowds. Ceremonies on subsequent years saw the participation of vice presidents and Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released from house arrest in late 2010 and entered the parliament in 2012. However, President Thein Sein stayed aloof—a stance that Burma’s new president has chosen to follow. “The president will be in Naypyidaw to make offerings to Buddhist monks and share the merit of the fallen leaders,” Zaw Htay told the Irrawaddy. State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi will again be attending the ceremony at the mausoleum in Rangoon, he confirmed. A central committee led by Vice President (1) Myint Swe was formed to organize the ceremony for this year. The mausoleum, built in 1985 under the military socialist dictatorship of Ne Win, is currently undergoing a renovation. Architects involved in its construction have shared with The Irrawaddy their misgivings regarding the highly abstract design that they were forced to adhere to, which obscures any reference to Aung San or his comrades. Until recently, names or pictures of those interred were nowhere to be seen on the large red structure, whose platform is able to hold 600 people. There is also no signage to educate visitors on the significance of the site. Aside from the ceremony at the mausoleum on July 19, an official commemoration will be held at the Secretariat—an abandoned government complex in downtown Rangoon dating from the colonial era—where the general and his colleagues were gunned down.

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Burma’s main opposition party elects new leaders, replacing ex-President U Thein Sein as chairman with U Than Htay, a retired general and former minister.

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USDP Reshuffles Leadership, Ex-Military Men Predominate

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BURMA USDP Reshuffles Leadership, Ex-Military Men Predominate RANGOON — Burma’s main opposition party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), elected a new leadership on Tuesday, in which ex-military officers predominate. Ex-President U Thein Sein has been replaced as chairman by U Than Htay, a retired brigadier-general and former minister of rail transport and of energy. On the second day of the party convention, held at the USDP’s headquarters in Naypyidaw, Ohn Myint, a former minister of livestock, fisheries and rural development and a senior member of the USDP, posted details of the reshuffle on his Facebook page. He said the party had also selected a new general secretary, five secretaries, a disciplinary officer and an operations in-charge, as well as new leaders in all state and divisional branches. Party spokesperson U Khin Yi confirmed to The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that U Than Htay had been elected as chairman, and former air force commander U Myat Hein as vice chairman. The latter had previously served as a minister of communication and information technology. Both resigned from their ministerial posts to enter the 2015 general election as USDP candidates. U Khin Yi said that U Thein Sein would continue to “supervise” the party as its chief “patron.” Other members of the party’s nine-member central “patrons committee” include former party vice-chairman U Htay Oo and former Upper House speaker U Khin Aung Myint. “We elected all positions. It proves the transition that has taken place inside the party,” said U Khin Yi, who was selected as the party’s disciplinary officer. He had previously been a minister of immigration and population. Former chairman U Thein Sein addressed the opening of the party convention on Monday, urging his party members not to dwell on their humiliating electoral defeat in the 2015 general election, but look positively to the future. “In democracies around the world, no party wins every time,” U Thein Sein said. “Political parties across the world continually try to broaden their horizons in political, social, economic and administrative affairs and prepare themselves for the day the people elect and assign duties to them. Our party has to make similar preparations,” he said. He stressed the need to build up the USDP as a “people’s party,” and called on party members to maintain contact with the people, listening to their voices and resolving their difficulties. Shorty after the announcement of the party’s new leadership went viral on social media, U Shwe Mann—who had been ousted as USDP chairman in an internal party coup in August last year, and now serves as chairman of Parliament’s Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission—congratulated the new chairman. “I believe the party, the party’s chairman, vice chairman, general secretary and central executive committee will work for the sake of the public and the nation,” he wrote on Facebook. The USDP was created in 2010 out of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, a mass organization founded in 1993 under the military junta. It won the 2010 general election, which was widely considered fraudulent, and dominated Burmese politics up till the handover of power to the National League for Democracy this year.

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The Arakan National Party calls on the govt to cancel the new Arakan State Advisory Commission due to the presence of three high-profile international members.

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ANP Demands Cancellation of Kofi Annan-Led Arakan State Commission

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BURMA ANP Demands Cancellation of Kofi Annan-Led Arakan State Commission RANGOON — The Arakan National Party (ANP) has demanded that the government cancel the new Arakan State Advisory Commission formed on Wednesday, of which former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will serve as the chairman. The nine-member team includes three international representatives, including Kofi Annan, and six from Burma—including two Buddhist Arakanese members, two Rangoon-based Muslim members and two government representatives. In a letter to the government, the ANP expressed objection to the three non-Burmese members selected to serve on the commission, stating that they would not be able to understand the background of and the current situation on the ground in Arakan State. The region saw significant violence in 2012 and 2013, largely affecting the stateless Muslim Rohingya community and displacing 140,000 civilians. The ANP does not recognize the self-identifying Rohingya minority as belonging to Arakan State, instead describing them as “Bengali” migrants from neighboring Bangladesh. The ANP announcement stated that the formation of the new commission would likely harm the rights of indigenous people—a reference to the Buddhist Arakanese—and national sovereignty. The problems of the state, said the ANP, is a matter of “internal affairs” which previous governments have failed to resolve in line with current laws. Muslim commission member Al Haj U Aye Lwin, founder of the interfaith group Religions for Peace, told The Irrawaddy that he finds the involvement of international committee members acceptable and does not believe that the new commission will interfere with Burma’s sovereignty, as the ANP alleged. The work of the committee, he explained, is to make recommendations to the government based on their findings, rather than to take action themselves. The Burmese government, U Aye Lwin said, needs to take into account the international community’s perspective, because the challenges facing Arakan State have grown beyond those of a domestic issue and have become the focus of global concern. “So many government experts have tried several times to explain to the international community what is happening. However, they haven’t solved the problem yet. That’s why the government seeks a third party’s perspective,” he said. “We will explain [this situation] to the rest of the world.” Some members of Burma’s Muslim community also reportedly expressed concern over rumors that the advisory commission had not two, but three Arakanese Buddhist representatives, but U Aye Lwin said that this did not come as a surprise. “We expected this kind of complaint before the formation,” he said, referring to worries from both Buddhist and Muslim communities regarding the make-up of the commission. “Everybody can share their own opinion in a democratic society. They have the right to criticize. It doesn’t matter.” The Buddhist Arakanese members of the commission include U Win Mra, who chairs Burma’s National Human Rights Commission, and Daw Saw Khin Tint, who chairs the Arakan Literature and Cultural Association and is the vice-chair of the Arakan Women’s Association. In addition to Al Haj U Aye Lwin, U Khin Maung Lay, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, will be serving on the commission as a Muslim representative. The Burmese government’s delegation includes two doctors: Thar Hla Shwe, president of Burma’s Red Cross Society, and Mya Thida, President of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Burma. There are no Rohingya members on the commission. U Aye Lwin added that the three international members come from high profile backgrounds, and are believed to be Christian—rather than Buddhist or Muslim. In addition to Kofi Annan, the non-Burmese members are Ghassan Salamé, a scholar from Lebanon and once-advisor to Mr. Annan, and Laetitia van den Assum, a diplomat from the Netherlands and a UN advisor. The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) also released a statement of its own about the advisory commission on Thursday, pointing out that the committee’s “endeavors” were “humanitarian” and “ignore the state security issue” in the region. According to a government announcement, within the next month there will be a signing ceremony between the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Burmese government, initiating the commission’s work.

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Participants at the Union Peace Conference, which began in Naypyidaw on Wednesday morning, voice their expectations.

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Peace Conference Participants Voice Expectations

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BURMA Peace Conference Participants Voice Expectations Zipporah Sein: vice chairperson of Karen National Union Since it is the first conference, we have high hopes that peace and a federal Union can be built. We have yet to deepen trust with the government mainly because there are still clashes. Much needs to be done before trust can be forged. I want the peace conference to be all-inclusive and I’m sorry that three groups—the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army—are not included. Everyone anticipates peace so we must continue our efforts. Ko Ko Gyi: 88 Generation Peace and Open Society The peace process is a national process and we can’t expect the government to finish it during its term. Peace is the process of the country, not the process of a government. The results might depend on the extent of inclusion and patience in discussions. Civil war broke out because of politics and it persists because of a lack of trust. If nationwide peace is to be built, everyone should avoid terms, usages and behaviors that could cause misunderstandings, and nurture a culture of forgiveness. In successive periods in the past, peace was only between the government and the ethnic armed groups—the people were not informed at all about the peace process. Only when all people can actively take part will peace be complete and sustainable. Kwel Htoo Win: general secretary of the Karen National Union The conference is the first step towards long-awaited political dialogue. The objective of the Union Peace Conference is to start an inclusive peace process for all. Only eight ethnic armed groups attended the first national-level peace conference, but now 17 ethnic armed groups are attending. And eight non-signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement—seven members of the UNFC and the Mongla Group—attended the framework review. There has been progress. Our entire country wants peace. All of the groups involved in the conflict want peace. And concerned stakeholders have to find an answer. Previously, violence was used to find the answer. If a solution is sought through political dialogue now, this is a good step for the people. And we will try with absolute faith. La Phai Seng Raw: Kachin social worker The 1947 Panglong Conference made very encouraging pledges [to ethnic groups]. Because those pledges weren’t fulfilled, we had a civil war. If this conference can guarantee equality, which we could not achieve in the past, there will be greater opportunities for ethnicities to build the Union together peacefully and we won’t need to send our offspring to the frontline. Mai Nleeng Kee: central committee member of the Chin National Front We have high expectations. We want to build a federal Union and end the civil war. Mainly, I am desirous of internal peace. Peace concerns women. Every mother wants peace. The entire nation want peace. The key to achieving peace is to end the civil war and ensure that no one is displaced by war. Khin Ma Ma Myo: director of the Myanmar Institute of Gender Studies Burma will have a peaceful future only when the democratic federal Union can be built. I came here because I think it is the initial and the most appropriate step towards a democratic federal Union, which the people want. Salai Lian H. Sakhong: ethnic Chin scholar The Panglong Agreement still can’t be fully implemented. As a result, we have faced 60 years of civil war. This conference will be the first step toward ending civil war and achieving the unfulfilled goals set by Gen Aung San and ethnic leaders in 1947. I am an ethnic Chin and the Chin people were signatories to the 1947 Panglong Agreement, which formed the Union. We will never betray the Union, but always be loyal to it. We are trying to rebuild the Union with the Panglong Spirit. We want to have a peace that is built and shared among all people, otherwise it will not last long.

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Former UN chief Kofi Annan’s appointment as chair of the new Arakan State Advisory Committee is in response to international pressure, the government says.

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Govt Justifies International Involvement in Arakan Issue

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BURMA Govt Justifies International Involvement in Arakan Issue Amid criticism of former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan’s appointment to chairman of the new Arakan State Advisory Committee, the deputy-director general of the State Counselor’s Office said the choice was made in response to international pressure. Deputy director-general U Zaw Htay told reporters at a press conference on the government’s 100-day plan in Naypyidaw on Friday that the decision to include international representatives followed outside pressure, after previous local commissions failed to resolve the Arakan State issue. The nine-member team includes three international representatives, including Kofi Annan, and six from Burma—including two Buddhist Arakanese members, two Rangoon-based Muslim members and two government representatives. “The commission must include impartial, respected and experienced people. We planned to form the commission with three international representatives and six local representatives. The three international representatives we have selected are very seasoned,” U Zaw Htay told reporters. Burma’s main opposition party—the Union and Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)—and nationalist forces have criticized the National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government’s decision to involve international representatives in the Arakan State issue, stating that the move “neglects national security.” The USDP released a statement that criticized “bringing an internal issue into the international spotlight.” U Zaw Htay said the Arakan State crisis was not merely an internal issue, adding that the international community was already involved through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). “No matter how unwilling we are to accept it, international pressure does exist. International involvement could clearly be seen in the previous boat people crisis,” said U Zaw Htay. He said the government understands the concerns of political parties over the formation of the advisory commission but that they should not worry given that its mandate only allows for recommendations, submitted to the government via State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The State Counselor’s Office and the Kofi Annan Foundation have yet to sign a memorandum of understanding to form the advisory commission. A draft MoU has been submitted to the attorney general’s office to seek further advice, U Zaw Htay said. “We have heard what [critics] say about Kofi Annan. But we appointed him not because he is the former UN secretary-general. He adopted the Millennium Development Goals, won a Nobel Peace Prize and helped resolve many conflicts—including issues in Syria,” he said. The Arakan National Party (ANP) previously demanded the cancellation of the committee, stating that the non-Burmese members would not be able to understand the background of the current situation in Arakan State. The region saw significant violence in 2012 and 2013, largely affecting the stateless Muslim Rohingya community. The ANP does not recognize the self-identifying Rohingya minority and instead refers to them as interlopers from Bangladesh. Regarding the issue of citizenship and the Rohingya, U Zaw Htay said that decisions going forward would be made in accordance with the contentious 1982 Citizenship Law—which defines eligibility in racial terms and renders stateless most Rohingya. “The government does not necessarily have to follow the commission’s recommendations. It is the government’s choice. The issue is not an international issue but draws huge international interest and therefore is politically sensitive,” he said.

http://www.irrawaddy.com/burma/govt-justifies-international-involvement-in-arakan-issue.html

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A Chinese envoy meets two ethnic armed groups based along the border, encouraging them to participate in the ‘21st Century Panglong’ peace conference

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Chinese Envoy Encourages UWSA, Mongla Group to Participate in Peace Conference

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BURMA Chinese Envoy Encourages UWSA, Mongla Group to Participate in Peace Conference China’s Special Envoy on Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang has met with two ethnic armed groups based along the Burma-China border, encouraging them to take part in the “21st Century Panglong” peace conference, scheduled to begin on August 31. Sun Guoxiang met on Tuesday with the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Burma’s most powerful non-state armed group, in their headquarters of Pangshang in northern Shan State. On Wednesday, he met with the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) in their headquarters of Mongla in eastern Shan State. “[China] does not interfere in the affairs of our country. This is their policy. But, [the Chinese envoy] told us that it is important to be involved in the peace process, because China wants to see peace and stability along its border [with Burma],” said Kyi Myint, who represented the NDAA (popularly known as the Mongla Group) at the Wednesday meeting, Kyi Myint said his armed group would attend the peace conference. He expected that all ethnic armed groups would be able to attend. If there are problems, they can be “discussed and solved” at the conference, he said. The Burma Army has insisted that three ethnic armed groups—the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, the Arakan Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army—make a pledge to disarm before taking part in the peace conference; the three groups have refused, insisting instead that the Burma Army commit to halting all offensives against them. Kyi Myint downplayed the significance of the Burma Army’s demand, which does not entail actual, immediate disarmament but a commitment to do so at an unspecified point in the future: the current dispute between the Burma Army and the three armed groups is “a disagreement over words,” and could readily be solved through “negotiation.” Traditionally maintaining an aloof stance towards politics and conflict in Burma, China has recently become more vocal and demonstrative in its support of the peace process. Chinese envoy Sun Guoxiang addressed a summit of ethnic armed groups in the Kachin State border town of Mai Ja Yang in July: he expressed confidence that all ethnic armed groups would be able to attend the peace conference, and announced that China had donated US$3 million in support of Burma’s peace process, via the UN. There are five major ethnic armed groups based along the Chinese border: the United Wa State Army, the Kachin Independence Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (Kokang), the National Democratic Alliance Army (Mongla), and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army. They have benefitted from border trade agreements with China, alongside private Chinese investment. China’s leverage over these groups is significant, leading to speculation that China may hold the key to Burma’s peace process.

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Burma’s main opposition party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, pins its hopes on new leader Than Htay securing Burma’s top job in the 2020 election.

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USDP Eyes 2020 Presidency

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BURMA USDP Eyes 2020 Presidency Burma’s main opposition party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), has pinned its hopes on new leader Than Htay securing Burma’s top job in the 2020 election. At a press conference on Wednesday, USDP spokesperson Khin Yi boasted that the new chairman was a versatile man and the right person to lead and reform the former ruling party. Than Htay replaced former President Thein Sein as the party chairman on Tuesday, the second day of the party convention, which was held from August 22-24 and saw newly elected central leadership. “Since he [Than Htay] is at the helm of the party, he will get most of the benefits and entitlements from the party,” said Khin Yi, referring to Burma’s presidency. However, there is a talk among USDP members in Naypyidaw that former Snr-Gen Than Shwe, the founder and patron of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA)—which transformed itself into the USDP ahead of the 2010 election—told the party that he wanted to see new leadership, which led to the reshuffle. The Irrawaddy could not independently confirm that claim. Than Htay told reporters that he is willing to do what is best for the political, social, economic and security affairs of the country, if he can form the future government. “Politics is something only those who have a philanthropic spirit can be involved in. Everything [a politician] does must be for the sake of the country and its people,” said Than Htay. Despite a 2015 defeat, Than Htay insists that the USDP remains a powerful force in the country. As for the reshuffling, he said leadership was peacefully transferred through internal elections to young, capable members, from former leaders who could no longer serve due to age and health concerns. “My plan is to win the election and gain power. By nature, victory and defeat are not permanent. You may win this time and lose next time. Our party will try to achieve certain targets in the 2020 election,” he said. He also criticized Burma’s Parliament, saying that it was undemocratic to be dominated by a single party—referring to National League for Democracy (NLD). When asked by The Irrawaddy about party assets and the transfer of assets when the USDA was transformed into the USDP, Khin Yi replied that the question should be directed to the person in charge of party finances. Then Irrawaddy asked how this person could be reached. Khin Yi replied that no one had been appointed to the position yet. “Since 2010, [those assets] have been clearly under the party’s ownership. As of now, I can’t explain it in detail. But I can assure that there was no misappropriation. All of the assets officially belong to the party,” said Than Htay.

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Travelling from Moreh in Northeast India to Tamu in Burma reveals that the troubled, isolated border region has long a way to go before it becomes the planned “gateway” between India and Asean.

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Crossing the Indo-Myanmar Border on Motorcycle

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Crossing the Indo-Burmese Border on Motorcycle MOREH/TAMU — After a long and thorough inspection of our documents and various exchanges with colleagues in Naypyidaw, the white-suited immigration officer finally laid down the phone, turned towards us, broke into a huge smile, and said: “Welcome to Myanmar. We have been expecting you.” Thus we concluded hours and hours of waiting, first on the Indian side of the border at the town of Moreh, and then in Tamu town on the Burma side. Our hearts jumped. We had just been allowed to cross overland from India into Burma independently, and were probably the first foreigners to do so in decades! We had been traveling for six weeks, setting out from Delhi on a classic Indian-built Royal Enfield motorcycle, to ride more than 7,000 kilometers across Uttar Pradesh, Nepal, West Bengal and Sikkim, Bhutan and India’s Northeastern States of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur towards our aspired destination, Rangoon. We were carrying a by now somewhat crumpled official letter from the Burmese government granting us and the motorcycle permission to cross, but had not been sure it would convince the border officials. Now, nothing else could get in the way of the successful completion of our journey. For many days, our speculations on what we would encounter at the Burmese-Indo border had run wild. Not only in terms of our own doubtful passage; we were also very curious about the situation in India’s restive Northeast and what our trip through the border region might tell us about present and future Burma-India relations. During colonial rule, the British security perception, her policy of frontier management, and, above all, her imperial interest did not allow local economic potential to grow across the border. And the security perception of post-colonial India and Burma has treated the borders as vulnerable peripheries. Whilst informal cross-border trade and movement of people have long taken place, generally the border at Moreh, in Manipur State, and Tamu, in Sagaing Division, has been characterized by an absence of intensive trading and cross-border economic cooperation. But lately, after many years of such protectionism, the border at Moreh and Tamu has started to feature prominently on the agenda of diplomatic talks between India and Burma. Since the mid-1990s, the two countries have been discussing plans to expand border trade and build a four-lane, 3,200-km highway connecting India, Burma and Thailand. These ambitions form part of India’s Look East Policy, through which it seeks better connections with the increasingly prosperous nations of East and Southeast Asia, bolstering its standing as a regional power. Now that Burma is opening up, reforming its growing economy and seeking to enhance regional trade relations, officials in both countries herald the border region at Moreh and Tamu as the future “gateway” between India and the regional bloc of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). However, when we crossed the border, we found that there is still little to show for this promising future. We set out for Moreh on a Monday afternoon, leaving from Imphal, the capital of Manipur State, much later than planned due to a punctured tire. Already on the road towards Moreh, it was clear that this area was unlike any of India’s other frontiers we had passed during our journey. Rather than the hordes of trucks we had passed near India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan, here we only met a trickle of small loaded trucks returning from border shopping. Actually, apart from the regular convoys of army vehicles, we mostly found ourselves alone on the road, where we were warned by regular road signs not to “pay money to anyone in uniform or UG [underground] groups.” We had been traveling through heavily militarized areas for days now, but still not gotten used to the ubiquity of soldiers, guns and tanks in this part of India. From the start of our journey, traveling through India’s restive Northeastern states had worried us. This remote area—connected to the rest of India only through the precarious 22 km-long land corridor passing through Siliguri in West Bengal (appropriately described as the “Chicken’s Neck”)—used to be made up of autonomous kingdoms or chiefdoms, some of which lasted until after the departure of the British. Resenting becoming a part of India after independence, a “mainland” they culturally felt and continue to feel little connection with, the region has as many as 30 armed ethnic minority insurgent organizations. Their demands range from secession to political autonomy and the right to self-determination. Internal fracturing among the insurgents and dubious performance by the Assam Rifles battalions that have long been deployed to bring security to the region, add to the troubles. On the way towards the border we passed various check posts manned by these Assam Rifles regiments, and a couple of times we were waved down and asked what we were doing riding towards a closed border. Our crumpled official letter and elaborate explanations, as well as the granting of requests for “one snap” with our photo camera, were just enough each time to be allowed to continue, and so we finally arrived at what turned out to be a small outpost of dusty streets, a handful of shops, and an unusual range of prayer houses, which included a synagogue, a church, a Buddhist pagoda, a Hindu temple, a gurdwara and a mosque. A surprisingly small number of people were out on the streets. When my travel companion disappeared into a little office to make more photocopies of our passports and letter from the government, I was immediately surrounded by a few of the townspeople who looked at me suspiciously. One young man asked whether I was intending to go shopping on the Burma side, because, if so, I would have to hurry up since the gates would close in a few hours. All in all, Moreh turned out to be a far cry from the bustling towns we had encountered at the borders between India and Nepal and Bhutan, where we had all but disappeared in the commotion. Proceeding towards the actual border, we were intercepted by members of the local constabulary, who, like the soldiers earlier, were in disbelief our letter would actually get us into Burma. After some debating, the commander agreed to send two of his men to the Burma border to check, and whilst we waited for their return he complained how difficult relations with the Burmese officials on the other side are, since none of them speak Hindi or English. He also expressed his dissatisfaction with Burma’s lack of cooperation in matters of border security. India is keen to maintain a close watch on the border in order to stop the illegal import of Chinese and Thai products, as well as arms and drugs, and to prevent Manipuri insurgent groups from preparing their attacks from territories in Burma beyond the reach of the Indian army. Although a few times Burma has taken action against insurgents hiding in its territory, overall it appears reluctant to cooperate with India’s counter-insurgency efforts, supposedly as Burmese officials enjoy tax-levies from the militant groups instead, or so the Indian commander alleged. The commander kindly offered to show us the so-called Indo-Burma Barrier, India’s proposed solution to the problem. India has been working on this fence since 2003, after an agreement with Burma that sought to address the frequent deaths of Indian security personnel and civilians in the region. India has constructed such fences along itsborders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, and claims the measures have limited infiltration by insurgents and illegal migration. Slated to run from India’s Arunachal State and Burma’s Kachin State in the north all the way down to Mizoram and Chin states in the south, the Indo-Burma Barrier has been a point of controversy since its inception, as it divides many ethnic communities in these regions. These include the Nagas, Lushei, Chins and Kukis, whose homelands straddle the regions between the two countries. Moreover, local communities in India claim that the fence actually cedes a substantial stretch of land to Burma, with recent rounds of protests in Manipur and Burmese objections over the border demarcation bringing the construction to a full stop till today. Of course we were very curious to witness this contentious fencing project for ourselves, but sadly the offer was lost when the commander’s men reappeared with positive news and we immediately rushed us to the border so that we could still cross that day. Passing customs, we noticed the basic facilities in place. Whilst India laments the porousness of the border, even at this inspection point screening and detection machines were lacking, and the villagers that crossed along with us under the Free Movement Regime—allowing the tribes residing along the border to travel 16 km across the boundary without visa restrictions—were not checked at all. For us, another snap with the customs officer did the trick and soon we found ourselves swerving over to the right side of the road, approaching the Burma immigration office that would warmly welcome us an hour later. Celebrating the successful cross-over, as well as one of our birthdays, later in the evening, we went for a few beers in a little beer garden. There, a group of young men sitting next to us started a conversation in surprisingly good English. The young men were Burmese citizens of Nepali origin, and students of English on the Indian side. Whilst we tried to get information from them about the roads ahead into Burma, they preferred to tell us about their student cards that allowed them to travel around India, using India’s excellent public transport system. The young men spoke with excitement about the bustling cities and celebrations of India, and also mentioned India’s healthcare facilities as something many Burmese citizens would like to have better access to. The late hour notwithstanding, the young men were headed for a Hindu celebration on the Indian side of the border, and invited us to come along. An invitation we politely declined, of course, as we were quite content being on this side of the border. Likewise, throughout India’s Northeast many people had told us how much they would like to visit Burma. Some were keen to go shopping in places like Mandalay and Rangoon. Others wanted to explore the country and its cultures, such as the participants of the annual Royal Enfield North East Riders Meet (NERM), who in October 2013 managed to organize a “never before experienced ride into the Union of Myanmar,” as it was advertised on their website. Those who were aware of it mentioned with enthusiasm the new air route Golden Myanmar is now operating between Imphal and Mandalay. Strolling around in the market of Tamu the next day, we felt there seemed to be a bit more going on there compared to Moreh. The streets were wider, and we found larger shops selling Burmese, Chinese and Thai products. Talking with shopkeepers, we learned that India’s exports mainly consist of agricultural food items like edible buffalo offal, soya bari, skimmed milk powder, soya grid and wheat flour. Imports from Burma are made up of agricultural and forest produce like betel nut, dry ginger, serpentine root, and timber, as well as Chinese and Thai manufactured goods. Formal trade, however, remains limited to 22 authorized products, outlined in a 1994 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of India and Burma on cooperation between the Civilian Border Authorities of the two countries. Later that day, we set out for Kalewa, to the southeast in Sagaing Region. That India is keen to bolster the trade potential with Myanmar was clear from the road we traveled on. “YOU are travelling on India-Myanmar Friendship Road,” read a signboard on the 160-km Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo road. The signboard was put up by Indian Army’s Border Roads Organization, which built the road. But other than that, all traces of India quickly disappeared. Tamu may well be heralded as the future overland gateway between India and Southeast Asia, but today it remains an isolated frontier. Whilst there is curiosity on both sides, it appears that misunderstanding and suspicion continue to rule relations between the local authorities. Little progress has been made in simplifying cross-border trade, and a long-awaited bus line connecting Imphal and Mandalay remains postponed. As for so many things in Burma’s future, the development of Tamu town remains a subject of speculation. Emilie Röell is a writer based in Rangoon.

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Shwe Mann, chairman of the Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission, says overhauling the state administration is more difficult than expected.

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NLD Struggles to Fix Administrative Branches: Shwe Mann

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BURMA NLD Struggles to Fix Administrative Branches: Shwe Mann NAYPYIDAW — The new National League for Democracy government is struggling to fix the government’s administrative branches, according to U Shwe Mann, chairman of Parliament’s Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission. At a press conference, Shwe Mann told the media that peace efforts amid ongoing conflict in northern Burma, issues in Arakan State and overhauling Burma’s administrative machinery are proving more difficult than expected. “The government is working hard. It is struggling with a very difficult situation,” he said. As a consequence of the failure to allow for a proper market economy in successive eras, the new government faces difficulties in the economic sector. It has yet to achieve its goals as it has had to address political, economic and social reforms simultaneously, he added. “The government has started economic reform but it hasn’t gotten very far,” he said. U Shwe Mann’s said he was “determined to work for the well-being of the people and progress of the country in good faith as hard as I can from the position I hold.” Concerning his attitude towards the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) after having been purged from it, he said he would treat it with loving kindness, goodwill and indifference. However, he said that a political party that fails to work in the interests of the people will not last long. “I am not thinking about party politics at the moment. However, we are ready to help and work with any government formed by any party if it works in the interests of the people and the country,” he said. In addition, he said the commission that he leads gives advice to the Union Parliament and the Union Government “in the interests of the people and the country.” The commission is not a decision-making body but one that helps government officials make decisions. However, one NLD spokesperson told the Irrawaddy that U Shwe Mann could give advice to State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi directly. “He can give advice to the state counselor through a direct channel created for him,” the spokesperson said. It was reported that one of the reasons for the press conference was to refute social media accusations that the commission was working in the personal interest of one individual [Aung San Suu Kyi]. Translated from Burmese by Myint Win Thein.

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Rangoon-based Arakanese civil society groups chastise the ANP for ignoring them after the support they gave the party during the November election.

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Arakan National Party Criticized by Arakanese Civil Society in Rangoon

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BURMA Arakan National Party Criticized by Arakanese Civil Society in Rangoon RANGOON — Rangoon-based Arakanese civil society groups have chastised the Arakan National Party (ANP) for ignoring them after the support they gave the party during the November general election, and for failing to preserve “unity” in the Arakanese nationalist movement. The criticism was made at a meeting on Wednesday at the Danyawaddy monastery in Rangoon’s Bahan Township between senior ANP leaders and more than 40 Rangoon-based ethnic Arakanese civil society organizations—the first such meeting to have taken place. The meeting had a three-fold agenda: preparations for a public conference on the 1982 Citizenship Law to be held by the ANP on Sunday, broad-based collaboration with civil society in addressing the affairs of Arakan State, and the challenges being faced by the ethnic Arakanese community in Rangoon. ANP chairman Aye Maung told those assembled that the conference on the 1982 Citizenship Law would aim to educate the public on the “strengths and weaknesses” of the law, as well as lay out how the National League for Democracy (NLD) led government is finding “loopholes” in the law to provide “Bengalis” with preliminary citizenship documentation—a reference to the citizenship verification exercise now being undertaken in Arakan State. Arakanese legal experts will take part in the conference, he said. The 1982 law in its current form places significant barriers to citizenship for communities not listed among 135 officially recognized ethnic groups in Burma. This includes the Muslim minority in Arakan State who identify as Rohingya, most of whom remain stateless, and whom the ANP and ethnic Arakanese civil society—along with much of the Burmese public and significant sections of the government—considers illegal migrants from Bangladesh, and insists on calling “Bengali.” At the Wednesday meeting, Arakanese youth activist Sitt Nyein addressed party chairman Aye Maung and the ANP directly, stating that, despite overwhelming support from the ethnic Arakanese community in Rangoon during the election, ANP candidates had not since interacted with Rangoon-based Arakanese civil society. Sitt Nyein also pointed to “infighting” within the party since the election, which had caused broader “disunity” within the Arakanese community across the country. “We need a father to rely on,” Sitt Nyein said, stating the need for a strong Arakanese ethnic party. He asked rhetorically whether they could “depend” on the party. “Show me, what ANP has done for us?” he said, to loud applause across the meeting hall. He recalled how ANP candidates had convinced “all Rangoon-based Arakanese civil society” to support their election campaigns, while handing out free “canned beers.” Since the election, however, they had “disappeared.” He reminded the ANP leader that Arakanese youth are always “on standby” to champion the causes espoused by the ANP, for instance staging protests in opposition to the international community and to Aung San Suu Kyi when they go “against Arakanese national interests,” particularly regarding the stateless Rohingya. Despite activists being detained for such protests and other personal “sacrifices,” he said, “Our efforts are in vain.” Other civil society representatives at the meeting cited several problems faced by the ethnic Arakanese community in Rangoon, which they said had not been addressed by the party or by the Arakanese ethnic minister in the Rangoon Division government (a post elected only by ethnic Arakanese people registered as living in Rangoon Division). The stated problems included women facing difficulties finding work in factories in the Hlaing Tharyar and Shwe Pyitha industrial zones, and being vulnerable to physical assault by “thugs;” and families facing eviction from houses when they fail to make monthly rental payments. In such cases, ethnic minister Zaw Aye Maung has offered no support, they said. Paing Myint, who represents a small youth group, mentioned the case of 300 people working at a Shwe Pyitha garment factory, who could not afford to buy houses and so spent 4 million kyats (US$3,380) in 2013 on a stretch of land near the factory where they constructed dwellings. This year, the new Rangoon Division government announced that they were “trespassing” on government land—as “squatters,” they would be relocated under an audacious plan devised by the NLD government to address Rangoon’s burgeoning squatter problem. Those affected appealed to the ethnic minister but received no response. The ethnic minister Zaw Aye Maung had been invited by the civil society groups to attend the Wednesday meeting, but he was not present. ANP chairman Aye Maung said that he was there on the ethnic minister’s behalf. The ANP party chairman acknowledged that his party faces “many challenges” but presented this as a reason why Arakanese civil society should “accelerate their collaboration” with the party. The references to “unity” made by the civil society representatives at the meeting point to a factional tussle within the ANP that has played out over the course of 2016. Since the November general election—where the ANP won a large plurality of seats in the Arakan State parliament and in seats representing the state in the national parliament—there has been considerable friction within the ANP regarding cooperation with the ruling NLD, which has excluded the ANP from the Arakan State government and the new high-level committee charged with overseeing Arakan State. The friction runs between the former leaders of the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), which has historically been close to the NLD, and of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP), which pushes a harder line in defending the sectarian interests of the state’s Buddhist majority, since the parties merged to form the ANP in early 2014. The faction from the RNDP is now dominant within the ANP. After failing to be granted the position of Chief Minister of Arakan State, the ANP publicly vowed to work “in opposition” to the ruling NLD—a stance the former ALD members did not consent to.

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A bill to amend and repeal provisions of the colonial-era law continues to face hurdles in the Lower House of Parliament.

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Discussion Stalled on Amendments to Overnight Guest Registration Law

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BURMA Discussion Stalled on Amendments to Overnight Guest Registration Law RANGOON — A bill to amend and repeal provisions of Burma’s colonial-era Ward or Village Tract Administration Law requiring citizens to report overnight guests continues to face hurdles in the Lower House of Parliament. Three weeks ago, the Lower House Bill Committee recommended in its review report on the bill that all provisions regarding overnight guest registration from the original law should be reinserted with modifications. A parliamentary agenda featuring discussion on the bill has yet to be seen. The bill committee told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that over 30 lawmakers had registered to table the bill in the Parliament. Concerned about limited availability of discussion time on the floor, the committee had to hold meetings with the registered lawmakers outside of the legislative session in order to first consolidate ideas. “Similar ideas and recommendations should be combined so that the process in the parliament can be effective and [clearly] articulated,” said Tun Tun Hein, chair of the committee. Originating in 1907, modified by the military-controlled Ministry of Home Affairs in 2012 and most recently updated in January 2016, the law requires citizens to inform local government officials when guests spend the night in their homes, regardless of how long the stay is. International human rights watchdogs have criticized the law saying that it gives authorities the right to carry out warrantless household inspections and breach privacy; it was used, they say, to hunt down political activists under the military regime and the quasi-civilian government. The new bill was passed by the Upper House in June removing articles 13(g) and 17 from the original law, which demand that citizens report overnight guests to ward and village tract administrators or get penalized for disobeying. However, the bill still needs to gain approval of the Lower House and was submitted to the chamber by its bill committee after they had reviewed it. At this point, it was recommended that the removed provisions be reinstated, with the suggestion that penalties should only be imposed on violators who disobey the regulation “intentionally.” Despite both houses being dominated by National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmakers, the two parliamentary bill committees have voiced differing narratives on the law. During a parliamentary discussion in the Upper House in May, elected NLD lawmakers and military-appointed representatives had already met with divided opinions. Upper House military lawmakers stated that national security would be in jeopardy if the provisions of overnight guest registration were revoked, while NLD lawmakers argued that the new bill aligned with democratic norms and preserved freedom of movement for citizens. Chair of the Lower House Bill Committee Tun Tun Hein told The Irrawaddy that a law should be enacted considering all regions in the country rather than a specific place, citing unstable security in some remote areas. “Myanmar doesn’t consist of only one city,” he said. “There are border towns and rural places where such a law should still exist.” He added that the committee would consider balancing national security and human rights standards. Zaw Win, a member of the bill committee, told The Irrawaddy that the committee is trying to take into account all recommendations from lawmakers across the country. “In some insurgent regions, such a law is necessary,” he said. “In the meantime, we have also heard some logistical examples of how the guest-reporting requirement was beneficiary to residents.” However, he explained that the mandatory practice would be less pragmatic in some cities where there are large populations of migrant workers and university students. Bill committee members were not able to say when discussions would be tabled in the Parliament. If the two chambers of the Parliament have different results regarding the bill, a final decision will be conceded by the Union Parliament.

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The Asian Highway project is leading to increased militarization and the risk of armed conflict, say three ethnic Karen organizations.

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Massive Highway Project Displaces Karen Communities: Rights Groups

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BURMA Massive Highway Project Displaces Karen Communities: Rights Groups RANGOON — A major highway project that will serve as a trade link between Burma and Thailand has been displacing local communities who live along the route in Karen State, southeastern Burma, say human rights organizations. The Asian Highway project also connects the greater Mekong sub-region’s east-west economic corridor, and is leading to increased militarization and the risk of armed conflict, said three ethnic Karen organizations that conducted a study in the region. In press conference on Friday in Rangoon, Saw Alex Htoo, deputy director of the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN), said that the areas in Karen State most affected by the project are villages in Kawkareik and Thinganyinaung regions. “Rushing business projects and investments in conflict-torn areas that are partially controlled by several different militias leads to human rights abuses. When they [militias] fight to gain control in certain places, villagers have to flee. We are concerned about safety for civilians,” said Saw Alex Htoo. According to a statement published on Friday, more than 1,000 local villagers were forced to flee their homes because of armed conflict in the area in July of last year. Sporadic clashes between ethnic Karen armed groups and Burma Army-backed militias were also reported, contributing to instability in the region. Local villagers who live along the highway route “are subject to the whims of the Ministry of Construction, and have been displaced and coerced into accepting unfair compensation for the loss of their lands,” said the statement. Naw Eh Thaw of Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) said at the press conference that many of the 1,000 displaced villagers who fled in July 2015 still could not return home due to the risk of landmines and continued instability. “Villagers, including children, are the most vulnerable people when fighting breaks out. They have to flee to the jungle. There are landmines, too. We learned that they [militias] planted more landmines. So I want to raise questions for the safety of civilians,” said Naw Eh Thaw. Groups who partially control sections of the Asian Highway in Karen State include the Burma Army, the Border Guard Force (BGF) and ethnic armed organizations such as the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), Karen National Union (KNU), and another smaller Karen breakaway group known as KNU/KNLA Peace Council. Groups often collect taxes and toll fees in their controlled territories. Mann Thein Zaw of THWEE Community Development Network said, “We villagers have been suffering from conflict as we live in areas controlled by many different militias. So we want stakeholders to ensure that they will address the suffering of local people.” Rights groups said that the Asian Highway project linking Kawkareik and Thinganyinaung has been completed and a new road connecting Kawkareik and Eindu region will now be expanded. The Asian Highway projects are financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Thailand’s Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA). The rights groups also said that the ADB and NEDA disregard “international safeguard standards, causing highly destructive environmental and social impacts.” They called on the ADB and the Burmese government to properly consult with local communities and address their grievances before starting the expansion project from Kawkareik to Eindu. In its report, titled Beautiful Word, Ugly Actions: The Asian Highway in Karen State, the rights groups reveal how various development actors and financiers contribute to massive infrastructure plans that lead to human rights violations such as forced displacement, and little or no compensation to affected communities. “It is highly irresponsible for the ADB to finance and endorse a development project in an area where land rights are not clearly defined, and where armed clashes are liable to break out at any time,” according to the statement. They also called on the Burmese government, its Ministry of Construction, and the ADB to “halt the dispossession of people’s lands and suspend construction activities in an active conflict zone.”

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The Burma Army and the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North clash in northern Shan State just prior to the Union Peace Conference.

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Clashes Continue Days Before Peace Conference

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BURMA Clashes Continue Days Before Peace Conference The Burma Army and the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N) clashed in northern Shan State on Sunday evening, just days before the start of the Union Peace Conference. Fighting broke out as the Burma Army’s Light Infantry Battalions No. 33 and 147 marched toward the SSA-N’s Loilem outpost in Mongyang Township’s Tangyan village tract, but there were no casualties, said Major Sai Hsu, an SSPP/SSA-N spokesperson. “Artillery troops assisted [the Burma Army] with supporting fire. We suffered minor injuries and so did the military. They brought Lahu special combat forces along with them and three Lahu [soldiers] were injured. We arrested one of them,” Major Sai Hsu told The Irrawaddy. As the country’s Union Peace Conference is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, the clash coincided with preparations for SSPP/SSA-N leaders to attend the conference. Maj-Gen Sai Htoo of the SSPP/SSA-N was attending a joint preparatory meeting for the conference as the fighting occurred, said the spokesperson. The military troops withdrew and the clashes stopped, said the spokesperson, adding that the SSPP/SSA-N provided medical treatment to the ethnic Lahu soldier and would contact the army to send him back. “If the fighting was waged based on orders from a higher level, that is unacceptable. Some of our delegates have already arrived in Naypyidaw and Rangoon, and we are 85 percent ready to attend the peace conference. It is not good that this happened,” said Maj-Gen Sai Hsu. “But if this is just an encounter between lower level troops, it will be okay. And I hope that the military will exercise restraint,” he added. The Irrawaddy contacted the Public Relations and Psychological Warfare Directorate of the Ministry of Defense and the Joint Monitoring Committee to verify the clash, but did not receive a reply by the time of publication. Demanding all-inclusion, the SSPP/SSA-N opted out of signing last year’s nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) with former President Thein Sein’s administration. It is also a member of United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC)—an ethnic bloc of NCA non-signatory groups. The SSPP/SSA-N, together with other UNFC leaders, will attend the peace conference. Despite the upcoming conference, there have been frequent clashes between Burma’s military and ethnic armed groups in northern Shan and Kachin states. On August 8, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi met Commander-in-Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and discussed ending fighting in those areas. But clashes continue between the military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the SSA-N and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

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For the second time this year, National League for Democracy spokesperson U Win Htein lashes out at a reporter, calling him sauk yū .

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NLD Spokesperson U Win Htein Verbally Abuses Reporter

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BURMA NLD Spokesperson U Win Htein Verbally Abuses Reporter RANGOON — For the second time this year, National League for Democracy (NLD) spokesperson U Win Htein lashed out at a reporter, who was enquiring about an anticipated cabinet reshuffle, repeatedly calling him sauk yū [“deranged”]. On Wednesday, the Ludu Pone Yeik [People’s Image] weekly news journal featured the exchange between U Win Htein and one of their reporters, and the use of the offensive term, on its front page. “What am I supposed to say?” U Win Htein responded to the reporter’s questions over the phone. “Sauk yū, sauk yū, you are sauk yū to ask me that.” When the reporter pressed on, citing recent speculation over a cabinet reshuffle, U Win Htein repeated the offensive term. He used it six times in total during the exchange, according to the journal’s coverage. Sai Wunna, the reporter who had attempted to interview U Win Htein, told The Irrawaddy that the exchange took place over the phone on Monday evening. He had made a voice recording to prove it. “He sometime talks to the media about the government, that’s why I asked him,” he said, stating that the extract quoted in the journal was verbatim and unedited. News of Win Htein’s verbal abuse spread on social media, attracting criticism of the NLD’s treatment of, and degree of openness to, the independent media. Sein Win, director of the Myanmar Journalism Institute, said that, as the ruling party’s senior spokesperson, U Win Htein should not respond so harshly to the media. “He has the right to say that he doesn’t want to answer, or that it is not his responsibility to do so, but this could seriously tarnish the party’s image,” he said. “Politicians and journalists are not enemies; it’s important that they have smooth relations with one another,” he said. In early January, before the formal handover of power to the NLD government, U Win Htein chastised a Radio Free Asia reporter. At the end of an interview focused on the NLD’s potential presidential candidate—which the party was reluctant to reveal—the reporter thanked the senior NLD officer. U Win Htein retorted, “Don’t thank me. Think seriously before you ask me questions.” U Ye Htut, a former information minister and spokesperson to Burma’s previous president U Thein Sein, told The Irrawaddy that the NLD was in danger of taking its widespread support in the private media for granted. “The NLD may think that the media will always support them, and therefore disregard them. If they have such a view […] they will have trouble in the long run,” he said. He said that the NLD should learn from public relations mistakes made by the previous military-backed government—which, despite support in state media, did not enjoy the endorsement of Burma’s burgeoning private media. He cited the need for “mutual respect” in the government’s relations with the media, based on “ethics”: they need to “understand the nature of journalists’ work” and “show no anger during interviews.”

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MP Aung Kyaw San submits an urgent parliamentary proposal calling for three non-Burmese members of the Arakan State Advisory Commission to be replaced with local academics.

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ANP Lawmaker Calls for Removal of International Experts From Arakan State Commission

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BURMA ANP Lawmaker Calls for Removal of International Experts From Arakan State Commission RANGOON – Arakan National Party (ANP) Lower House lawmaker Aung Kyaw San submitted an urgent parliamentary proposal on Tuesday calling for three non-Burmese experts on the Arakan State Advisory Commission to be replaced with local academic specialists. The proposal will be debated in Parliament on Sept. 1 with the vote for further discussion receiving backing from Lower House military representatives. According to MP Aung Kyaw San, about 20 legislators expressed interest in joining the debate. “Even some NLD members support the proposal, but I don’t know what will happen in the next session,” he said, referring to parliamentarians belonging to the ruling National League for Democracy party. The State Counselor’s Office—headed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi—formed the nine-member Arakan State Advisory Commission with three international representatives on August 24. The commission will reportedly recommend “lasting solutions to complex and delicate issues” in Arakan State, in reference to ongoing tension and a history of violence often directed toward the self-identifying Rohingya minority. The international commission members include former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Ghassan Salamé, a scholar from Lebanon and once-advisor to Mr. Annan, and Laetitia van den Assum, a diplomat from the Netherlands and a UN advisor. There are also six members from Burma—two Buddhist Arakanese members, two Muslim members and two government representatives are included in the commission. The Arakanese Buddhist members and the Muslim members are from the commercial capital of Rangoon; the Muslim members are not themselves linked to Arakan State. There are no Rohingya members of the commission. On August 25, the ANP published a letter of objection to the government demanding a cancellation of the commission, stating that it would diminish the rights of indigenous people—a reference to the Buddhist Arakanese—and national sovereignty. The commission’s purpose is to gather suggestions from relevant people, including international experts, regarding the most appropriate manner to address the conflict in Arakan State. Also a priority is the guarantee the security of the region’s residents. Recommendations for prevention of conflict, further provision of humanitarian support, addressing the issues of rights and reconciliation, and contributing to the construction of basic infrastructure are also included in the commission’s work. In his proposal, Aung Kyaw San specifically objected to what he described as foreigners’ “interference in internal affairs,” stating that selecting international members for the commission demonstrated the “low confidence” of the government in the country’s ability to address its own issues. The ANP MP also objected to a commission review of refugees from Arakan State—most of whom identify as Rohingya Muslims—with the purpose of possibly facilitating some of the individuals’ returns to Burma. This, Aung Kyaw San said, would be like “pouring fuel on the fire.” “I don’t believe that the commission will have a good impact on us,” he added. In an interview with The Irrawaddy last week, Muslim commission member Al Haj U Aye Lwin said that he welcomed the involvement of international committee members, noting that the challenges facing Arakan State have grown beyond those of a domestic issue and have become the focus of global concern.

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The Irrawaddy briefs you on the week that was in the national legislature.

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This Week in Parliament (August 22-26)

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BURMA This Week in Parliament (August 22-26) Monday August 22 In the Upper House, Sai Aung Htun of Shan State Constituency 2 asked if by-elections would be held in Shan State’s Mong Hsu and Kyethi townships, since polls were not held in those townships during the 2015 general election due to conflict. Aung Myint, member of the Union Election Commission (UEC), replied that when by-elections are held in early 2017, polls will be organized in those townships in line with election laws and by-laws on the condition that the two townships meet the requirements to host free and fair polls. Tuesday August 23 In the Union Parliament, lawmakers discussed the draft law to amend the 2016 Union Budget Law. The parliamentary by-vote approved the draft law, which cuts ministry budgets, except for the ministries of education, health, ethnic affairs, defense and the state counselor’s office. About 470 billion kyats (US$400 million) were slashed from a 20 trillion kyats ($16.5 billion) government budget. Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance Maung Maung Win elaborated on the signing of the second revised Asean comprehensive investment agreement by Burma. Lawmakers discussed the president’s proposal to ratify the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and Nuclear Facilities. Wednesday August 24 In the Lower House, lawmakers debated Dr. Hla Moe’s proposal, which urged the Ministry of Education to adopt a system that could properly assess the educational qualifications of students at a basic level in order to contribute to the educational policy and objectives of the government. Parliament documented the proposal. In the Upper House, lawmakers debated the science, technology and innovation draft law. In response to the discussions, the Speaker of the Upper House asked the bill committee to review the discussions. The Union Parliament passed a bill to amends the 2016 Union Budget Law. Thursday August 24 In the Lower House, lawmakers debated the amendments proposed by the Upper House to the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law, and approved a draft law to amend it. In the Upper House, Min Naing of Sagaing Division Constituency 12 asked if the government had a plan to appoint ethnic language teachers during the 2016-17 academic year. Union Minister for Education Dr. Myo Thein Gyi replied that his ministry did not have a plan for the time being, but that textbooks in 49 ethnic languages for grades 1, 2 and 3 had been distributed to 540,000 students in 187 townships, and a budget had been allocated for ethnic language teachers. In the Union Parliament, lawmakers continued discussing the ratification of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and Nuclear Facilities, and Parliament approved the ratification of the convention. Friday August 26 In the Lower House, Win Myint Aung of Dabayin Constituency asked if the government had a plan to form committees to supervise prisons and take care of inmates. Deputy Home Affairs Minister Maj-Gen Aung Soe replied that the Myanmar Human Rights Commission, Supreme Court judges, local authorities and the International Committee of the Red Cross make visits to prisons and leave recommendations, and that his ministry acts on those recommendations and therefore has no plan to form such committees. In the Upper House, Pe Chit of Rangoon Constituency 9 asked if the government had a plan to sign the Ottawa Treaty and whether there was mine detection and clearance plans in place to help save the lives of rural people in current and former conflict zones. The deputy defense minister replied that it was currently impossible to sign the treaty given the ongoing clashes in the country. He added that his ministry was clearing mines in some areas of Karen State. The Upper House also approved the territorial sea and maritime zone draft law.

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Inclusivity in the 21st Century Panglong Conference is about all stakeholders, writes Yanghee Lee.

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Peace Talks Must Focus on Rights

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CONTRIBUTORS Peace Talks Must Focus on Rights This Wednesday Myanmar will hold the “21st Century Panglong Conference” – the latest step in the country’s long peace process. It will be a moment imbued with symbolism. In 1947, Aung San Suu Kyi’s father, General Aung San, led the Burma delegation at the first Panglong Conference which reached a breakthrough agreement with three groups and is still etched in the popular memory of the country today. A lot is at stake with this Panglong Conference. As with the peace process generally in Myanmar, this is the opportunity to transform the country, into a state the people of Myanmar have wanted for several decades. But to do so it must be fully inclusive. Getting all of the Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) to the table is a major challenge in itself. There remain three groups, still in active combat, that were excluded from discussions on the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and how they will participate in the Panglong Conference is still confusing. There has been much focus on the inclusion of these groups and this is important, especially given human rights violations which are particularly prevalent in areas of continuing conflict. But inclusivity is more than just about political players as it is also about all stakeholders. Experiences in other countries have shown time and time again the need for women to play an equal part, for grassroots organizations and civil society to have a strong voice and for information to be freely available for the people to follow developments. These are the ingredients for a sustainable, inclusive process which can propel the country forward and into the prosperous future for all. Unfortunately, during my recent visit to Myanmar I saw signs that the peace process risked neglecting these fundamental aspects. Myanmar has only a couple of days before the Panglong Conference and quick changes should be made to ensure these vital aspects are addressed. Studies have shown the involvement of women in the peace process increases the likelihood of an enduring agreement. While the NCA contained several important provisions on issues related to women – Myanmar in general has not performed well so far on this score, with women comprising only 16 percent of the senior delegation negotiating the NCA. Unfortunately, so far there are few signs of this improving as the new government has not confirmed the commitment made by the previous one to guarantee at least 30 percent women representation. Governments come and go, all with their own priorities and agendas. As civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as grassroots organizations, are at the front line seeing and experiencing the actual situation of a community, they have the institutional knowledge of the historical context of problems and various methods to address them. Often they are the only ones that address important issues of both marginalized and mainstream society that governments either avoid, or fail to address, or sometimes do not have the capacity or will to address the very important human rights issues at hand. Therefore, it is imperative that an environment be established for a vibrant civil society to thrive. CSOs in Myanmar have played a vital role in conflict areas, supporting, empowering and aiding populations and, as such, have a unique insight and must be involved in all aspects of the peace process. During my recent visit to Myanmar, the CSOs told me there is a reluctance to allow them to be involved in peace process issues deemed “political” despite the fact that many of these areas have a direct link to human rights concerns. I have been assured civil society will have a central role in the process and there will be a “Civil Society Organizations Peace Forum” but this process is not totally clear. It is vital that CSOs be allowed input on all areas. On the other hand, it had been announced that political parties which failed to win seats at the recent elections will be part of the CSO forum, and not the conference itself. CSOs and political parties are fundamentally different organizations. Blurring the lines in this way will undermine the important role that both have to play. Youth, as the future of the country, must also play a role and I was disappointed to hear comments from senior individuals that the outcomes of the recent ethnic youth summit will not be considered in the process. But the young people themselves must also remember the importance of inclusivity, not just among armed groups but within all communities. Underlying the decades of conflict are basic human rights issues linked to discrimination and minority rights, land rights and a host of others. Addressing these issues in the peace process will be key to building a new Myanmar. But the extent to which these key issues will feature in discussions also remains unclear. So far, with Panglong just around the corner, there is little clarity on the exact process that will be followed. There has been a failure to inform the public and, more importantly, affected communities. The Panglong Conference will just be a first step, but it is an important one. As such, it is vital that human rights concerns are fully integrated, not just in discussions but also in the process – the build-up and make-up of the conference. Myanmar has an opportunity to showcase how a peace process should be done and that fixing these vital areas before the 21st Century Panglong Conference is both possible and would pay dividends in future progress. This article first appeared in the Bangkok Post on August 26, 2016. Yanghee Lee is the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burma.

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Domestic terminal nears completion; 4G rollout complete; Concerns over inflation; Burmese coffee enters US; China boosts foreign aid.

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The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (Aug 27)

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BUSINESS The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (Aug 27) Rangoon Airport Domestic Terminal ‘80 Percent Complete’ The new domestic terminal for Yangon International Airport is expected to open in December this year, according to the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA). About 80 percent of the terminal is currently completed as part of the project to upgrade the airport, a DCA official told local Burmese language daily The Voice. Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited (YACL), a subsidiary of the US-blacklisted Asia World Company, was awarded the contract for the US$660 million airport project in 2013. Construction of the new domestic terminal started in May 2015. YACL is the investor, operator and builder for the project as well as the manager of the existing airport. It holds a 30-year contract to manage the new airport. 4G Rollout Completed in Key Locations Ooredoo Myanmar and Nokia have completed the rollout and launch of the first 4G service in Burma, the companies announced this week. The high-capacity service is now operating in Rangoon, Naypyidaw, Mandalay and Bagan after an upgrade to existing 3G services, using the Nokia Single RAN and Packet Core platforms, which took less than three months to complete. “We are proud to be the first to launch 4G services in Myanmar and plan to extend the network further in the future,’’ Rene Meza, chief executive officer of Ooredoo Myanmar, said in a statement. Nokia earlier provided its managed services expertise to Ooredoo Myanmar’s 3G network, providing support from its global delivery center in Chennai, India, and in Burma. Concerns Over Inflation Fluctuating foreign exchange rates and rising gold prices are contributing to rising inflation in Burma, observers say. On August 25, the US dollar exchange rate was 1,210 kyats, up from a rate of about 1,185 kyats two months earlier, while gold prices had reached 874,500 kyats ($730) per tical, according to the market. One tical is a traditional Burmese weight measurement equal to 16.33 grams (just over a half ounce). This week the Central Bank of Myanmar announced that the current rate of inflation was 12.14 percent, surpassing World Bank predictions and causing concern among business leaders of an upward price spiral dampening local demand for goods. U Thein Tun, chairman of the Myanmar Bankers Association and founder of the Tun Foundation Bank, told The Irrawaddy this week that an “unstable” dollar exchange rate acts as a contributing factor to inflation. The government should provide a solution, he added. Burma’s total trade volume dipped in the first quarter of this fiscal year, compared to the same period last year. Economist U Aung Ko Ko has flagged the adverse impact of double digit inflation on working class people in Burma who are most affected by the price of basic commodities. The official minimum wage remains at 3,600 kyats per day (US$3), among the world’s lowest. Burma Coffee Enters US Market The first commercial-scale exports of Burmese coffee to the United States arrived this month, Reuters reported. Seattle-based Atlas Coffee Importers imported two containers totaling 600 60-kg bags. US retail giant Whole Foods Market bought 41 bags, while specialty coffee chain La Colombe purchased 10 bags. The Burmese coffee is to be sold as “single origin and as special coffee that we are offering,” said Darrin Daniel, director of sourcing for the Allegro Coffee Company, a subsidiary of Whole Foods that supplies much of the food store’s coffee. Meanwhile, the Arabica beans were set to go on show at a La Colombe cafe in Washington D.C. this week. The exports come in the wake of various initiatives to link Burmese growers with wider markets, including a Farmer-to-Farmer program and backing from USAID for improved production techniques. Foreign Aid Boost for Banking, Agriculture China will provide a package of US$150 million in aid to Burma for agriculture, education, cooperation on cultural affairs and aid to waterways, according to Deal Street Asia. Meanwhile, the Japanese International Aid Agency (JICA) is set to issue a US$25.2 million loan to the Myanmar Economic Bank to support loans to small and medium enterprises by six local banks, local media reported. Kanbawza Bank, CB bank, Aya Bank, Myanmar Citizens Bank, Myanmar Oriental Bank and the Small and Medium Industrial Development Bank will be enabled to offer loans of between 15 million kyats ($12,500) and 500 million kyats ($415,000), with or without collateral, according to local reports.

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A USDP reshuffle has seen younger faces emerge at the top of Burma’s biggest opposition party, but the link with the military appears to remain strong.

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Meet the New Leaders of the Opposition

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BURMA Meet the New Leaders of the Opposition RANGOON — A reshuffle of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) on Tuesday saw younger faces emerge at the top of Burma’s biggest opposition party, although the positions of chairman, vice-chairman and general secretary went to ex-military officers. This signals continuity with past leadership. The party was created in 2010 out of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, a mass organization under Burma’s former military junta. It provided a vehicle for retired military brass to remain in frontline politics, after the party won the 2010 general election, widely considered fraudulent. In the new line-up, Burma’s previous president and former army general U Thein Sein was replaced as chairman with U Than Htay, a retired brigadier general in the army and former minister of rail transport and of energy. U Myat Hein, a retired air force commander and minister of communication and information technology, was made vice chairman. U Thet Naing Win, a former lieutenant general in the army, was appointed general secretary. Ko Ye, the founder of the Tagaung Political Institute and an observer of civil-military relations in Burma, said the Tuesday reshuffle replaced an older leadership from between the ninth and 12th intakes of the Defense Service Academy—Burma’s elite officer training school based in Pyin Oo Lwin—with ex-officers from the 17th and 18th intakes. “The USDP leadership has been taken up by people in their early 60s. U Thein Sein and other senior figures have given way to a younger generation, and are now in a position to guide the party,” he told The Irrawaddy. According to USDP spokesperson U Khin Yi, U Thein Sein would continue to “supervise” the party as its chief “patron.” Other members of the party’s nine-member central “patrons committee” include former party vice-chairman U Htay Oo and former Upper House parliamentary speaker U Khin Aung Myint. U Than Htay, the new party chairman and de facto leader of the opposition, left the army at the rank of brigadier general in 2003 to become deputy minister of energy, before being promoted to minister in 2011. In 2013, he became minister of rail transport . He resigned the post after U Thein Sein picked him as a USDP candidate for the 2015 general election. Conversely, U Myat Hein and U Thet Naing Win stayed in the army until 2013 and 2015 respectively. U Than Htay and U Myat Hein were senior to Burma’s current commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the Defense Services Academy, being from earlier intakes—Myat Hein from the 17th, Than Htay from the 18th and Min Aung Hlaing from the 19th. “They are all similar in age to Min Aung Hlaing. Despite the handover to a younger generation, it’s evident that the USDP takes seriously its relationship with the military,” Ko Ye said. Born in 1954, U Than Htay won the 2010 general election in his hometown of Myan Aung in the Irrawaddy delta, under a USDP ticket, but lost to his NLD counterpart in 2015. During the campaign period in 2015, U Than Htay publicly criticized the NLD, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, for its message, “don’t worry about the candidate, just vote for the party.” “If someone considers themselves revered by the people, don’t pick them. If you do, you are digging your own grave,” he said during a campaign speech in Pegu Division in October. He also said publicly that the USDP, as the ruling party since 2011, was “protecting” the Burmese people and preventing them from being “wiped from the earth,” claiming that the USDP was responsible for the Protection of Race and Religion Laws—a set of four laws, passed under sustained lobbying from ultra-nationalist groups, that place restrictions on religious conversion, interfaith marriage, polygamy, and childbirth in designated areas. “Those criticizing us for ‘using religion in politics’ are lowly people,” he said during his campaign.

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Attendees at the Mon National Conference promise to stand against the use of a coal power plant by a cement company in Mon State’s Kyaikmayaw Township.

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Mon Groups Pledge to Block Coal Power Plant

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BURMA Mon Groups Pledge to Block Coal Power Plant One of the resolutions which came out of the three-day Mon National Conference has been to stand against the use of a coal power plant by a cement company in Mon State’s Kyaikmayaw Township. Mawlamyine Cement Limited (MCL) has moved forward with plans to power a cement factory with coal, despite objections from local ethnic Mon in the area concerned with pollution and the degradation of water sources. Held in the Taung Pauk area of Karen State, 446 representatives from civil society, political parties, and the New Mon State Party (NMSP) attended the eighth Mon National Conference from Aug. 22-24. The main issue of discussion was that of federalism, in preparation for the Union Peace Conference beginning on Aug. 31, which the NMSP is slated to attend. “We intended to form one voice from this three-day meeting. This will show how we have unity, and our ideas will support upcoming 21st Century Panglong conference, which intends to build a federal system in the country,” said Nai Win Hla, an executive member of the NMSP, on the group’s preparation for the peace conference. Yet the issue of the coal plant also took precedence at the event, as representatives promised to collectively oppose the action by MCL. Rights activists expressed concern about the effect of coal power on the local community, and said that MCL “should find another way” to power their cement factory. “We will not stop their job, or their transport of cement,” said Nai Win Hla. “We will block their transportation of coal. We know how they transport their coal—they use ships.” The MCL factory is a subsidiary of the Siam Cement Group, based in Thailand, and is expected to produce 1.8 million tonnes of cement annually. It is located near the Zami River, which serves as a source of water for at least five villages nearby.

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The Irrawaddy asks members of civil society, the business community and the general public for their thoughts on the 21st Century Panglong Conference.

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Panglong Vox Pops

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INTERVIEW Panglong Vox Pops The Irrawaddy asks members of civil society, the business community and the general public for their thoughts on the 21st Century Panglong Conference, starting on Wednesday in Naypyidaw, where peace negotiations with ethnic armed groups will begin in an environment of high expectations, alongside skepticism in some quarters. Khun Bernard: general-secretary of the Union of Karenni State Youth What do you expect from the Panglong conference? Everyone is demanding all-inclusiveness, but the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA), alongside some other ethnic armed groups, are not invited to the conference. So, all-inclusiveness is not being realized. I don’t expect much from the conference; it will just feature discussions about the next round of negotiations. What do you think is the most important element required for peace in the country? The most important thing is to achieve internal peace through all-inclusive dialogue. If all stakeholders are not included, peace will not be fully achieved. Mai Myo Aung: Ta’ang Students and Youth Organization What do you expect from the Panglong conference? If all [stakeholders] were included as demanded by ethnic groups, we would expect a lot. But, without the participation of all stakeholders in war zones, I don’t think they can make many decisions. So, I don’t have high expectations toward it. What do you think is the most important element required for peace in the country? If all ethnic armed groups in war zones were included, it would be a first step towards peace across Burma. Khin Shwe: chairman of the Zaykabar Group of Companies What do you expect from the Panglong conference? Peace is important, therefore I welcome the Panglong peace conference. The places where peace still does not prevail are virgin lands and rich in unexploited natural resources. What do you think is the most important element required for peace in the country? The government needs to create business opportunities for the [ethnic armed] groups. Only then they will be able to make a greater contribution towards peace. Karen and Mon states and Tenasserim Division will soon become major driving forces in the country’s economic performance. The Asian Highway is now under construction and those regions will develop by leaps and bounds after the East-West economic corridor is completed. Aung Myo Min: human rights activist and executive director of Equality Myanmar What do you expect from the Panglong conference? The conference marks the start of a path to discuss age-old armed conflicts, and seek solutions. Surely, the conference won’t solve all the problems in one sitting. It will just be the starting point for adopting principles and finding ways and means to solve these problems. What do you think is the most important element required for peace in the country? Mutual respect is the most important thing. Our country experienced civil war and conflict because there was no mutual respect or equality. So, unless trust—based on respect—is built, it is not possible to takes steps toward a solution. I want for the peace conference to set an example, and for presentations and discussions to be based on mutual respect and openness, to help bring about selfless devotion to national interests. At the same time, we are very concerned that [stakeholders] may present only their own problems, and the discussion will get nowhere. Wei Hin Aung: Wan Lark Foundation, a local NGO in Arakan State What do you expect from the Panglong conference? I don’t expect much. We feel that the 21st Century Panglong Conference has not been an honest undertaking from the very beginning. We view it as discrimination that the government has left out three groups [AA, MNDAA, TNLA] while it has invited most other ethnic armed groups. The coming conference does not include all ethnicities, so I have no trust in it. What do you think is the most important element required for peace in the country? Most of all, it is necessary that all ethnicities be included. You can’t leave out this or that group. We would talk face to face, to build mutual understanding before moving forward toward peace. Of course, that process would take time. But the government has already left out some groups. This cannot create peace, and will just intensify clashes. Hla Maung Thein, 56: a resident of Ngazinyine Village in Kyauktaw Township of Arakan State, displaced by clashes between the Arakan Army and the Burma Army What do you expect from the Panglong conference? I have high expectations. I want for all ethnic armed groups to be included. Only then will the country achieve peace. Since the country is not peaceful, we have to flee from one place to another. I heard that certain groups are not included in the peace conference. I am sorry for their absence, because peace and stability can’t be built without the inclusion of all. What do you think is the most important element required for peace in the country? It needs reasonable compromises from both sides. Now, both sides are sticking to their own policies and are unwilling to meet the demands of the other side. The demands made should be reasonable, and should be granted if they are reasonable. Saw Honest: chairman of the Mae La refugee camp in Thailand What do you expect from the Panglong conference? Many people in the camp [located by the border with Burma] are not aware of the conference. Only politically engaged residents are interested in it. I support the conference and hope for positive results. What do you think is the most important element required for peace in the country? It will very much depend on our Karen leaders [in the Karen National Union, one of the armed stakeholders in the conference] and the government to reach an agreement. We have been preparing for years to return home. We hope it will help bring real peace to the country. Naw Blooming Night Zar: spokesperson for the Karen Refugee Committee What do you expect from the Panglong conference? I welcome the Panglong conference. We hope it will deliver a federal democracy that grants rights to education and healthcare at the [sub-national] level. But the conference won’t result in concrete decisions because there are a lot of participants and many issues will be raised. However, it is a good start before more detailed work is undertaken in the peace process. What do you think is the most important element required for peace in the country? The most important thing is for a ceasefire across the country to be reached. Not only ethnic armed groups, but also the Burma Army, should cease fighting. Political dialogue should then follow. Without a nationwide ceasefire, it would be a fake or incomplete peace. U Nayaka: abbot of the Phaung Daw Oo monastic education school in Mandalay What do you expect from the Panglong conference? I’m thinking, after all the positive signs we’ve seen, that Panglong could be the successful means of ending all armed conflicts in the country, even though some ethnic armed groups have been left out. I believe they will be allowed to attend future conferences, because all-inclusiveness is important for this process. To end all conflicts and bring back peace, it is important to have dialogue, where all parties can negotiate for the sake of the country. If wars and conflicts continue, our country will never be stable. If there’s no stability, there will be no democracy. What do you think is the most important element required for peace in the country? The most important thing is to build back trust, which was broken a long time ago. To build back trust, the parties need to talk face to face. It will take time. If there’s no trust, peace will not be sustainable. If the parties do not let go of their egos, the conflicts will never end.

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Arakan National Party lawmakers say the issuance of full citizenship to a Buthidaung Township woman was carried out against existing regulations.

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ANP Objects to Issuing of ‘Pink Card’ to Muslim Woman

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BURMA ANP Objects to Issuing of ‘Pink Card’ to Muslim Woman RANGOON – Arakan National Party lawmakers have raised objections to a Muslim woman in Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township being issued full citizenship earlier this month—an act which they say was carried out against existing regulations. Kyaw Zaw Oo, an ANP regional parliamentarian, said that his claim that the woman’s citizenship status was granted wrongfully is backed by the head of the immigration department, Win Lwin, and the Arakan State security border affairs minister Col. Htein Lin, a statement which The Irrawaddy could not confirm at the time of publication. On Wednesday, four ANP representatives and the state governing body held a public meeting to discuss the objection of Buthidaung Township’s Buddhist Arakanese residents to the national verification committee’s recommendation for 31 of the township’s Muslim residents to be granted citizenship. Burma’s 1982 Citizenship Law allows for three levels of citizenship with diminishing rights: full, naturalized and associate. Of the 31 individuals who applied under the category of “Bengali,” in Buthidaung Township, it was reported that “two or three” of the applicants obtained full citizenship and the rest were recommended for naturalized citizenship. After anti-Muslim violence spread throughout Arakan State in 2012 and 2013, an “Action Plan” for the region was introduced under the administration of ex-President Thein Sein in 2014. Included was a citizenship verification drive aimed at stateless Muslims in Arakan State—some of whom have other ethnic affiliations, such as the Kaman, an officially recognized group. Those self-identifying as ethnic Rohingya were required to register as “Bengali” in their application—an assertion that they are migrants with origins in Bangladesh, rather than Burma—or not be considered for citizenship. Kyaw Zaw Oo, the ANP MP, said that in Wednesday’s discussion, Col. Htein Lin—the minister for border affairs and security—and Win Lwin of the Arakan State immigration department openly debated the issuing of a “pink card” to the Buthidaung Township woman in question, a gesture indicating the granting of full citizenship. The provision of the pink card was traced to her parents’ status as holders of “tri-fold cards,” the officials said. These documents were issued starting in 1958 and originally entitled holders to equal rights as other Burmese citizens, until the 1982 Citizenship Law re-defined citizenship eligibility along ethnic lines. Kyaw Zaw Oo claims that there are two short sentences on the tri-fold card stating that it must not be regarded as identification for citizenship; by issuing a pink card, or full citizenship, to the woman in question, he said, the government would be legally recognizing the now-defunct tri-fold cards as a basis for the citizenship of its bearers. “So, why should they give a pink card to her?” he said, describing the officials’ action as “daring to contravene the law.” Many of the applications for citizenship by Muslims in the area are based on possession of tri-fold cards. According to Aye Nu Sein, the vice chairperson of ANP who participated in Wednesday’s meeting, security and border affairs minister Htein Lin promised the ANP representatives that the government would adhere to existing laws, but he remained vague on whether they would terminate the township level committee’s recommendations for citizenship in the case of the group of 29 of the 31 Muslim residents in question, as the ANP has demanded. On Aug. 17, around 400 Arakanese Buddhist residents of Buthidaung Township gathered at the Aye Zedi monastery to denounce government officials and launch a poster campaign in response to the recent citizenship recommendations. “For sale” signs were placed in front of their homes and businesses, suggesting that they would leave the township if ineligible “Bengalis” started being recognized as citizens, which they say has led to a rise in crime and disputes over land.

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Roland Kobia, the European Union’s ambassador to Burma, speaks to journalists in Mandalay about the upcoming Union Peace Conference.

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EU Ambassador to Burma: ‘Democracy is Incompatible with War’

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BURMA EU Ambassador to Burma: ‘Democracy is Incompatible with War’ MANDALAY – As the Union Peace Conference draws near, the European Commission, who will witness the event, is urging a policy of all-inclusivity. Roland Kobia, the European Union’s ambassador to Burma, told journalists in Mandalay on Tuesday that dialogue is an important element of sustainable peace in the country. “The EU’s concern is to at least give a chance to dialogue. If they [the ethnic groups] are invited to discuss at the table, and when they are around the table, they can agree and disagree, and at least, they will have a chance to dialogue,” said the ambassador. Kobia pointed out that some ethnic armed groups are still yet to be invited to what is being dubbed the 21st Century Panglong conference, scheduled to begin on August 31 in Naypyidaw. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Arakan Army (AA) and the ethnic Kokang’s Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) are currently involved in active conflict with the Burma Army in northern Shan State. Although the groups have stated that they are “ready” to attend the peace conference, they have not received an official invitation yet. “The more inclusive the peace process is, the more sustainable. If some groups are excluded, it will not give good results for the long term and this will create problems again,” said the ambassador. While praising State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s peace efforts, the EU ambassador said that ending conflict is important for the country’s stability, democracy and economic prosperity. “If Myanmar wants to have a democratic system, it needs to end the conflicts. Democracy is incompatible with war. To make this happen, all-inclusiveness is important,” Kobia said. “It takes times to build back the trust, which is the basic thing they need to compromise, as the peace process is about compromise. Every party should be ready to make concessions to find a common denominator. But it is worth it to do anything to achieve peace,” he added. The EU ambassador said that the possible visit of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the peace conference would send a powerful message to the ethnic representatives in attendance. “Many ethnic armed groups would like to have more guarantees from the international community. And they need to know that the international community is watching over the peace process to ensure that it will be impartial,” Kobia said. “If people like Ban Ki-moon are coming, it is a strong signal that the international community at the highest level is interested and it will reassure numbers of groups involve in the peace process,” he added.

http://www.irrawaddy.com/burma/eu-ambassador-to-burma-democracy-is-incompatible-with-war.html

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The death toll from the outbreak has risen to 68, according to a regional lawmaker.

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Insufficient Aid to Naga Region Contributes to More Measles Casualties

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BURMA Insufficient Aid to Naga Region Contributes to More Measles Casualties The death toll from a measles epidemic has risen to 68 in Burma’s remote Naga Self-Administered Zone, according to a regional lawmaker and other relief workers providing support to the affected areas. An emergency response team dispatched to the area says the situation is particularly critical in Kesan Salin and Kesan Karlan villages in the Dong Hee sub-township of Nanyun Township. The spread of the outbreak has been linked to the poor transportation infrastructure in the mountainous region in Burma’s far north; with many areas only accessible by motorbike, the overland delivery of necessary medical aid and vaccinations has been difficult. Sing Maung, the Sagaing Division parliamentarian representing Nanyun Constituency No.1, told The Irrawaddy that out of the 68 confirmed deaths, around 40 have been children under 10 years old, many of whom have been in his constituency. “There are no medical doctors who have arrived yet to these areas,” he said, pointing out that he had been told that regional healthcare providers would be sent. After visiting multiple communities stricken with measles, he said that at least four villages urgently need physicians on standby to better control the disease and provide support and guidance regarding its prevention. In early August, after the measles outbreak had been ongoing for two months and claimed 38 lives, the crisis received national attention from the public and the media; at the time, the illness had not yet been identified. The National Health Laboratory, under the department of Medical Services within the Ministry of Health and Sport, later confirmed the disease as measles in the Naga region’s Lahe Township, where the illness first appeared. The lab, however, did not provide the same confirmation in Nanyun Township, where children afflicted with the illness also coughed blood and suffered from severe congestion. Local government has been criticized by local activists for a slow and inefficient response to the epidemic. “Twenty-four more people, the majority of them children, died in those villages in Nanyun township within a week’s time,” said Shu Maung, the secretary of the Council of Naga Affairs, which led the emergency response team to the area. “They need the immediate support of medicines as well as preventative measures to fight against the disease,” he said. His group led a press briefing in Rangoon on August 16 and urged the government to take action. The community-based emergency response team also has been sending medical supplies to the affected areas, but it took at least eight days to reach the remote villages, Shu Maung explained. Following the criticism of the government’s response—particularly regarding the failure to facilitate the use of a helicopter to deliver aid more efficiently—the Sagaing regional government’s social welfare minister Dr. Zaw Win traveled to some affected villages in the Naga region to provide food and medical support earlier this week.

http://www.irrawaddy.com/burma/insufficient-aid-to-naga-region-contributes-to-more-measles-casualties.html

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After an earthquake damages almost 200 temples in Bagan, The Irrawaddy speaks to Than Zaw Oo, director of Burma’s branch of the World Heritage Site Committee, about restoration plans.

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Than Zaw Oo: ‘A Natural Disaster Can’t Devalue Bagan’s Heritage’

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INTERVIEW Than Zaw Oo: ‘A Natural Disaster Can’t Devalue Bagan’s Heritage’ A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Burma at 5:04 p.m. on Wednesday. Centered about 15 miles west of Chauk, it damaged 187 temples in the ancient capital Bagan, a town north of the epicenter. The Irrawaddy spoke to Than Zaw Oo, director of Burma’s branch of the World Heritage Site Committee, about the government’s restoration plan. Please tell me about the condition and severity of the damage in Bagan following the earthquake tremors. Because temples in Bagan experienced a major quake in 1975, some damages were to temple restorations from after that time. But, these damages could also have impacted the original structures, as these restorations were attached to the originals. According to recent statements from the government, we are aware that respective teams are heading to the affected areas in Bagan. What are the plans regarding the damage? The first thing we have to do is an assessment. We have a GIS [Geographic Information System] team in Bagan and other GIS teams from across the country are heading to Bagan to [conduct] inventory and assess the damage to the temple. Also, security becomes important for damaged temples. We have concerns about precious objects that are enshrined inside. It’s possible that we should leave some of the damaged areas as they are for the time being, and restore them later with the help of archaeology experts. Currently, our branch in Bagan is taking care of security and collecting data on the damage. After that, we will assess which temples suffered the most severe damage and which repairs should be prioritized. Depending on the assessment, the next step would be to protect the temples from rain by covering them. This is urgent. We can’t talk about it and waste time. We must do it right away. Only once the temples are protected from the rain can we continue doing other work. Will this damage have an impact on Bagan’s bid to become a UNESCO world heritage site? A natural disaster will not impact Bagan’s bid to become a UNESCO world heritage site. It [the disaster] didn’t happen from human impact, [but] natural causes. A natural disaster can’t devalue Bagan’s heritage. If it won’t devalue the heritage, could it enhance it since some inappropriate restorations cited by UNESCO were destroyed in the quake? Our country has a Buddhist majority. The community is very generous and has over-repaired Bagan’s ancient temples. We explained this to conservation organizations and they understood. We showed them evidence of the renovations that were done after the 10th century. But in recent years, we have let them know our methods for restoring temples with regard to tradition and ancient technology. We let them check our restoration work and request their guidance as well. As far as I understand—and according to my experience—the damage is not going to interrupt Bagan’s bid to become a world heritage site. You mentioned that most damage could have been to renovations carried out after 1975. Can you identify specifically when this work was done? Some people say that these improper renovations were carried out under the management of U Khin Nyunt, the former Chief of Intelligence and Prime Minister. I am on the way to Bagan now and have yet to check the damage. But, we have already confessed our past conservation errors, which were partly motivated by the generosity of our community. I don’t want to point a finger at anyone, anymore, regarding these faults. We are all to blame. Please comment further on the current situation in Bagan. We have disaster risk management and preparedness in conservation plans for Bagan’s temples. But as we are aware, Burma ranks second in the ‘most at risk’ countries for natural disasters in the world and is in a very fragile situation. This is a fact that we can’t deny. We also have budget allocations for renovations in the case of natural disasters. But currently, the damage is massive and we will only understand how severe it is in about one week to 10 days. The first priority is to collect data about the damage and protect the affected temples from rain. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

http://www.irrawaddy.com/interview/than-zaw-oo-a-natural-disaster-cant-devalue-bagans-heritage.html

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Italy quake death toll hits 250 as rescuers search demolished towns

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A man walks his dog as he carries another at a makeshift camp, in Arquata, following an earthquake, central Italy, August 25, 2016. REUTERS/Remo Casilli The interior of an house is seen in Amatrice, following an earthquake, central Italy, August 25, 2016. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini A drone photo shows the damages following an earthquake in Pescara del Tronto, central Italy, August 25, 2016. REUTERS/Stefano De Nicolo Clothes are packaged to be distributed in a gym following an earthquake in Amatrice, central Italy, August 25, 2016. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca AMATRICE, Italy—The death toll from a devastating earthquake in central Italy climbed to at least 250 on Thursday and could rise further with rescue teams working for a second day to try to find survivors under the rubble of flattened towns. The 6.2 magnitude quake struck a cluster of mountain communities 85 miles east of Rome early on Wednesday as people slept, destroying hundreds of homes. An army of emergency workers using sniffer dogs clambered over piles of debris trying to find anyone still buried beneath, while cranes removed huge slabs of fallen masonry and trucks full of rubble left the area every few minutes. On Thursday afternoon a violent aftershock measuring magnitude 4.3 sent rescuers fleeing from debris and stones that fell from the severely damaged bell tower of the 15th century church of St. Augustine in Amatrice. The jolt, which struck fear and panic in survivors, detached the church's facade, leaving it leaning dangerously over the main street where rescuers worked. The original earthquake was powerful enough to be felt in Bologna to the north and Naples to the south, both more than 135 miles from the epicenter. Many of those killed or injured were holidaymakers in the four worst-hit towns - Amatrice, Pescara del Tronto, Arquata del Tronto and Accumoli - where seasonal visitors swell populations by up to tenfold the summer. That makes it harder to track the deaths. One Spaniard, five Romanians, and a number of other foreigners, some of them caregivers for the elderly, were believed to be among the dead, officials said. Aerial video taken by drones showed swathes of Amatrice, last year voted one of Italy's most beautiful historic towns, completely flattened. The town, known across Italy and beyond for a local pasta dish, had been filling up for the 50th edition of a popular food festival this weekend. The mayor said the bodies of 15-20 tourists were believed to be under the rubble of the town's Hotel Roma, which he said had about 32 guests when it collapsed on Wednesday morning. Girl found alive About 365 people injured in Wednesday's quake were hospitalised, the Civil Protection department said, adding that about 5,000 people, including police, firefighters, army troops and volunteers, were involved in post-quake operations. Rescuers working with emergency lighting in the darkness overnight saved a 10-year-old girl, pulling her alive from the rubble where she had lain for about 15 hours. Many other children were not so lucky. A family of four, including two boys aged eight months and nine years, were buried when a church bell tower toppled into their house in nearby Accumoli. Local magistrates opened an investigation into whether there had been any negligence over the recently restored tower. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's cabinet was meeting on Thursday to decide emergency measures to help the affected communities. "Today is a day for tears, tomorrow we can talk of reconstruction," he told reporters late on Wednesday. The death toll appeared likely to rival or even surpass that from the last major earthquake to strike Italy, which killed more than 300 people in the central city of L'Aquila in 2009. While hopes of finding more people alive diminished by the hour, firefighters' spokesman Luca Cari recalled that survivors were found in L'Aquila up to 72 hours after that quake. Most of the damage was in the Lazio and Marche regions, with Lazio bearing the brunt of the devastation and the biggest toll. Neighbouring Umbria was also affected. All three regions are dotted with centuries-old buildings susceptible to earthquakes. Italy sits on two fault lines, making it one of the most seismically active countries in Europe. The country's most deadly earthquake since the start of the 20th century came in 1908, when an earthquake followed by a tsunami killed an estimated 80,000 people in the southern regions of Reggio Calabria and Sicily.

http://www.wctrib.com/news/world/4102144-italy-quake-death-toll-hits-250-rescuers-search-demolished-towns

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Hillary Clinton says family's foundation looking for partners

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U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton stands with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, after accepting the nomination on July 28 at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File WASHINGTON—U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said on Friday, Aug. 26, the Clinton Foundation was seeking other organizations to partner with as it looks to wind down some of its charitable work, but defended her work as secretary of state as independent from her family's foundation. Clinton has come under fire in recent days amid questions over the charity and its donors given her role heading the State Department from 2009 to early 2013. Critics have accused her of running a "pay-for-play" operation, a charge she and the foundation have denied. Even some supporters have said Clinton faces a perception problem over the issue. "I know the foundation is looking for partners, but that's going to take some time to carry out," Clinton said in an interview on MSNBC. "Winding down some of these programs takes time. You don't just turn on and off ... a switch. Even trying to negotiate with partner groups takes a lot of serious effort." "My work as secretary of state was not influenced by any outside forces. I made policy decisions based on what I thought was right to keep Americans safe and to protect our interests abroad. I believe my aides also acted appropriately," she said. Several media editorial boards this week noted the foundation's philanthropic efforts in areas such as global health and HIV/AIDS, but urged the foundation - formally called the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation - to transfer the work to other large U.S. charities. Former President Bill Clinton, who helped establish the global charity after serving two terms in the White House, would resign from the board if his wife wins the Nov. 8 election, the foundation announced last week. It also said it would stop accepting some foreign and corporate donations. Hillary Clinton's Republican rival for the White House, Donald Trump, and other Republicans have called for a special prosecutor to probe the charity for possible corruption, an accusation her campaign has called a groundless political smear. •

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