Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, called on a diplomat from an Asean country to take a leading role in resolving the deadlock between Burma’s military rulers and opposition parties, according to a confidential letter obtained by The Irrawaddy.
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A Burmese village is under martial law after local people demonstrated against the appointment of a new, regime-backed head.
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The first ever function on human rights in Bogalay town, Irrawaddy division is being planned by Human Right Defenders and Promoters network (HRDP) on the 58th International Human Rights Day.
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Young people in Chin state, Burma are being arrested by the military authorities to be recruited as soldiers since November.
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Valid migrant worker permits for 2006 will be extended by the Thai Ministry of Labour to 2008. Migrant workers will be required to register for an extension with Thai authorities, starting January 10, 2007. (more…)

India has signed a further gas deal with the Burmese government to explore offshore Block A-7 off the coast of Arakan State, Burma’s state press reported on Friday.
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A Myanmar-UN joint media training workshop, aimed at raising public awareness of bird flu, concluded here Friday. (more…)

It is boom time for cultivation and production of poppy as prospective buyers from other states have been gathering in western Burma since early this year.
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The annual Asean summit, scheduled for next week, has been postponed to January because a strong storm is bearing down on the meeting site, an organizing official said Friday.
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Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos, center, jumps with others as he opens an exhibit on the 20th anniversary of People’s Power in suburban Makati, south of Manila, Philippines,on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006
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India and Myanmar discussed possible joint military exercises, an Indian army official said Friday, a day after a human rights group slammed India for helping support Myanmar’s repressive regime. (more…)