Asia’s middle class “is rapidly increasing its size”, according to an Asian Development Bank (ADB) report that analysts have criticised for omitting the issue of mass economic stagnation in Burma. (more…)

Two major Indonesian banks are planning to open offices in Myanmar to help promote bilateral trade relations between Indonesia and Myanmar, the local Flower News quoted the Indonesian Embassy as reporting Monday. (more…)

Early this month, the UN special envoy for Burma (also known as Myanmar), Tomas Ojea Quintana wrote a letter to the chairman, Do Ngoc Son, of the Asean Intergovern- mental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), asking for a meeting “to exchange views” on their respective organisations and activities. The request was quickly turned down. Instead, he met with representatives from Thailand and Indonesia. In Jakarta, Asean permanent representatives including Burma also attended the meeting, which was described as useful and insightful.
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The government has urged Myanmar to release democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners and conduct its general election in an open, free and fair manner, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said Friday. (more…)

Bangkok — Burma Foreign Minister Nyan Win concluded a three-day goodwill visit to Timor Leste on Sunday, after being met by protestors at Dili’s international airport on Friday. (more…)

Burma’s election results, to some degree, will be predictable by Sept. 10, when the Election Commission formally approves political party candidates who will seek parliamentary seats in the election. (more…)

As Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein travels around Burma trying to garner support for the Democratic Party (DP), she is met with admiration and respect. The 62-year-old admits that she owes much of this adulation to her father and former deputy prime minister, the late Kyaw Nyein. (more…)

The United States decided this week to support the creation of a United Nations commission of inquiry into the Burmese military regime’s crimes against humanity and war crimes. That human rights violations have occurred is clear, and many have noted that the Burmese junta’s restrictions on its upcoming elections make it all but certain the generals will retain power. The real dilemma is whether it is better to express moral outrage at these offenses or to hold off, presuming the possibility of eventual change under a new government. (more…)

YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar pro-democracy parties on Friday praised the U.S. decision to support a U.N. war crimes commission as a milestone but cautioned it was too soon to be optimistic. (more…)

Yangon, Myanmar — Myanmar has published stringent rules for November’s general election that demand candidates seek permission a week in advance to campaign, do not make speeches that “tarnish” the ruling military or shout slogans at processions. (more…)

Nay Pyi Taw — The Union Election Commission issued Notification No. 91/2010 today. The following is the unofficial translation of the notification.

The Union of Myanmar
Union Election Commission
Nay Pyi Taw
Notification No. 91/2010
8th Waxing of Wagaung 1372 ME
(18th August 2010) (more…)

Leaders of Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), have decided to officially boycott the Nov 7. election, according to Ohn Kyaing, a party spokesperson. (more…)

The Burmese government welcomed troops of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) into the border guard force in a ceremony on Thursday in Myaing Gyi Nyu, the headquarters of the DKBA in Karen State, according to sources.
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The Burmese opposition party formed by ex-members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy opened a new office in Mandalay Thursday to drum up support ahead of November elections. (more…)

Nahtoegyi – With less than three months before Burma’s first general election in two decades, an official from the primary military-supported party is confident of victory.
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The first election in 20 years coincides with a rushed privatisation programme. Guess who profits from the fire sale
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The Obama administration decided to back efforts to create an international commission investigating alleged human-rights violations in Myanmar in a move that ratchets up pressure on the country as it prepares for its first election in 20 years.
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US move reflects the failure of engagement with Rangoon

The administration of US President Barack Obama has decided to throw its crucial support behind moves to establish a special UN commission to investigate alleged war crimes perpetrated by the military rulers of Burma. (more…)

The US government says it will back the creation of an international commission to investigate alleged war crimes by Burma’s military junta. (more…)

Introduction The situation in Burma/Myanmar remains grave. With elections scheduled for 7 November 2010 international attention on the country has increased. Such attention, and any policy action taken, must focus not only on the goal of democratic transition, and concerns about the regimes nuclear collaboration with North Korea, but also on the plight of Burma’s ethnic minorities who continue to suffer atrocities at the hands of the government. These atrocities may rise to the level of crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing – crimes states committed themselves to protect (more…)