March 14: National League for Democracy (NLD) members at Sagaing in central Burma, reopened their office at the home of Sagaing Division NLD joint secretary Chit Oo, in order to carry out the party’s activities systematically.
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The Thai government has amended its registration policy for migrant workers, allowing them to apply for work permits without a previously required deposit, according to an official announcement.
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Medecins San Frontieres (MSF) has begun humanitarian work in the Dum Dum Meah undocumented refugee camp since March 3.
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A contract to build a dam on the Salween river between the Egat and the Burmese (Myanmar) government may require approval from parliament, senators said, the Bangkok Post reports.
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Burmese farmers struggle with news blackout on bird flu
Burma’s military rulers Wednesday maintained a news blackout about the country’s first outbreak of bird flu, leaving farmers uncertain how to prevent the deadly virus.
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March 14: Recent reports of the discovery of deadly bird flu virus H5N1 at Mandalay in central Burma, had caused the sale of biryani, considered a luxurious Indian dish, to go down at restaurants Rangoon.
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The testing results on suspected bird flu occurring in Myanmar are expected to be revealed in two or three days after the samples were sent to the lab in Bangkok on early Tuesday, a resident representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) told Xinhua Wednesday evening.
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Myanmar’s military rulers announced Wednesday their biggest-ever auction of precious gems and jade, saying they hoped to earn at least 53 million euros (63 million dollars) from the sale.
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India has expressed interest in the welfare of the Noble Peace prize winner, Aung Sang Suu Kyi, under house arrest without trial by Myanmar’s ruling military junta since May 2003. The Myanmar leader, Senior General Than Shwe, assured President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam that he would hold discussions with senior army officers and others in the apex State Peace and Development Council and get back to India.
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Indian member of parliament Sharad Joshi challenged India’s prime minister to justify the country’s policy of engagement with Burma during a parliamentary session in New Delhi yesterday.
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Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sharply criticized Burma’s military government Wednesday for denying the aspirations of its people, describing it as an oppressive holdout in a region moving increasingly toward democracy.
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