BNI

The new political entity “Union of Burma” came to life in 1948, due to the Panglong Agreement in 1947. So it is first, the Panglong Agreement, followed by 1948 Constitution.

As all know, that successive military governments – Revolutionary Council, BSPP, SLORC, SPDC and now military-dominated Thein Sein regime – have failed to honour the Panglong Agreement, which is supposed to lead to a genuine federal system of governance.

Because of the military clique breaching the contractual obligation, the Union of Burma formed in 1948 is, in a legal sense, no more in existence. This brings us back to a pre-Panglong Agreement period, where political bargaining has to be restarted anew.

By ZARNI MANN

MANDALAY — As Burma shakes its decades-long isolation from the outside world and unleashes the forces of globalization and modernity, one artist says he fears for the resilience of the country’s traditional cultural mores.

“Although our country is moving forward to the modern world, we need to preserve our tradition and culture,” says Aye Myint, a respected Burmese designer.

Aye Myint, once responsible crafting the images on Burma’s currency, is now widely known for his traditional art designs, inspired largely by styles found in ancient stone carvings and murals in the country that date back to the sixth century.

by Asya Pereltsvaig

Thailand has been a major destination for migrants from the neighboring Burma (Myanmar) for decades. In the past, members of ethnic groups residing along the Thai-Burma border, such as the Karen, the Mon, and the Shan, often crossed the borders to visit friends, buy goods, or seek healthcare services. In the 1980s, under the military regime administration in Burma, this temporary migration continued unofficially even though border crossings were not officially allowed. A large number of asylum-seekers fighting against the government of Burma started to enter Thailand to take refuge in the same period. Since the 1990s, migrants from Burma, both members of ethnic minorities and Burmans, have come to Thailand mostly for economic reasons.

by Nehginpao Kipgen

After years of advocacy efforts, the Myanmar government is beginning to act on its 2008 constitution. The parliament, a legislative body which is responsible for constitutional amendment, formed a 109-member committee on July 25 to review the country’s constitution.

The committee includes lawmakers from Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) and President Thein Sein’s Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), along with representatives from the 25 percent of seats allotted to the military.

The constitutional amendment, among others, is an attempt to address the lingering concerns surrounding two most pressing needs of the country – to remove or modify the clause that prevents Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming the country’s president, and allowing states to choose their own chief ministers.

I will argue why Myanmar needs constitutional changes for its own good on two fronts: domestic and international.

Hueiyen News Service/Imphal, Aug 1: Decrying the loss of large territory of Manipur to Myanmar as a result of the ongoing Indo-Myanmar border fencing, Secretary of Communist Party of India (CPI), Manipur State Council Dr M Nara has cautioned that the State government not to give even an inch of land of the State to Myanmar.

Addressing media persons at Irawat Bhavan here today, Dr Nara questioned the motive of Indian Government for taking up border fencing works before the boundaries are not properly settled with the neighbouring country. The State Government should be proactive to urge the Centre to stop the ongoing border fencing works and settle the border issues amicably, he averred.

Associated Press

RALEIGH — A group of students from a Christian school in Raleigh is expanding its relationship with the Burmese refugees they’re trying to help assimilate to life in the U.S.

Students and teachers from Neuse Christian Academy hosted members of the Karen Thursday to kick off a series of English language classes which will include life skills coaching once a week for the next 12 weeks. The class is being funded through a grant provided by Belk, Inc.

The refugees also met with retired Raleigh police officers, who will show them how to obtain a driver’s license.

The Burmese refugees have been granted temporary asylum in the U.S. after fleeing years of violence against their sect.

U Pa Pa Lay had prostate cancer

 U Pa Pa Lay – the Burmese comedian twice jailed for criticising his country’s ruling junta – has died at the age of 67.

The comic, part of the satirical Moustache Brothers trio, became a cause celebre for campaigners at Amnesty International after he was persecuted for his jokes.

U Pa Pa Lay – who had a 30-year career as a comedian – was first jailed in 1990 for six months for criticising the regime’s refusal to recognise the landslide victory of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party in landmark democratic elections.