Wild claims

On 14 June 2009 the Irish Independent reported that Margot Wallstrom, European Commissioner for Communication, said during a visit to Dublin that the Lisbon Treaty would "encourage" affordable childcare in the EU.

A question was tabled to her in the European Parliament, by Syed Kamall MEP, asking the simple question:

"Can you please clarify which articles in the Lisbon Treaty will encourage affordable childcare in the EU?"

The question was tabled in order to deliver a response mid-September at the latest. However, having delayed this far, our Commissioner for "Communication" has, at a minute to midnight today declared her response will only be ready on 6 October, conveniently after the Irish referendum has already taken place.

So this completely unsubstantiated, nonsense claim from the politician we pay good money to communicate the Lisbon Treaty is allowed to stay just as it is, with no explanation.

We're reminded of The Economist column last week which described Wallstrom as "a Swede whose 'kum-bay-yah' approach grated with colleagues". It's grating with us a bit too.

If you haven't already checked it out you should have a look at her here on Newsnight after the last Irish referendum, when she failed spectacularly to explain what on earth people are supposed to do to reject this Treaty, since voting no is clearly not enough.

Double standards part 125

In an extraordinary admission today Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary confesses to his real motives behind his €500,000 campaign for a 'yes' vote in the Irish referendum on Friday.

He said: "One of the reasons that I am campaigning for a 'yes' vote is that our Government is incompetent, yet I need to persuade them to sell me Aer Lingus." Funny that. In June 2007 the European Comission blocked a bid by Ryanair to purchase rival airline Aer Lingus on competition grounds.

And in a clear conflict of interest, the EU Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani spent six hours last week campaigning aboard a Ryanair flight alongside O'Leary.

Don't expect the Irish media to jump up and down about this though. If Declan Ganley had let slip that he was campaigning for a 'No' vote for some similarly dubious reason, all hell would of course have broken loose.

BEST OF LEON (from curb your enthusiasm)

glad somebody made a video of the best leon clips. so many good lines! "what kind of cum was it?"

Red Barn Store at Oak Hill Farm of Sonoma

FROM THE WEBSITE

Gifts • Handmade Wreaths • Fresh Flowers • Organic Produce

Oak Hill Farm of Sonoma specializes in sustainably grown heirloom and newest variety vegetables, fruit, field grown flowers, unique wreaths and seasonal decorations all available at The Red Barn Store. A quintessential, old fashion barn and farm stand,
the store has served the community for over 20 years.

The Red Barn Store at Oak Hill Farm of Sonoma is located amongst the rolling produce and flower fields and offers the community an opportunity to visit the farm to purchase our fresh produce, flowers and other country effects. Herbs, salad greens, heirloom vegetables, flowers and ornamental greens are picked daily and offered along with our hand-crafted wreaths, dried goods, bouquets and gifts.

Set in a rustic 100-year old dairy barn, The Red Barn Store serves as a true collection of everything we do here at Oak Hill Farm of Sonoma.

The Red Barn Store is open to the public seasonally, Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm, April to December.

FROM NEWS ARTICLE
Glen Ellen

Red Barn Store at Oak Hill Farm, 15101 Sonoma Highway

One of the most ambitious farms around, with 45 acres in production on Sonoma Highway and Arnold Drive, Oak Hill Farm operates a farm store that is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, April until Dec. 22.

The store carries 200 varieties of fruits and vegetables, housemade honey, fresh eggs, soaps, fresh flowers, dried flowers and a huge selection of pumpkins and gourds in the fall. The farm also sells its produce at the Sonoma Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings and Friday mornings in the Plaza.

cat vs. helicopter

this cat has a good meow, btw

Paying people to tell you what you want to hear

Just received a ridiculous survey to fill in from Gallup Europe, which is working on behalf of 'Friends of Europe' - a Brussels-based outfit that gets most of its funding from the European Commission.

The survey asks questions about the EU's 'communication policy', with a view to producing a new report on the subject to feed back into the Commission and "improving communication about Europe."

Apart from the obvious issues with the Commission paying organisations to come up with policy ideas to feed back into the Commission, the problem is that all the questions are asked on the assumption that the respondant believes there should be an EU Communication Policy in the first place, which we do not (click here to read why).

Clearly the Friends of Europe wishes to help the Commission's DG Communications department in its ongoing efforts to convince people of the benefits of EU integration. Judging by its last effort along these lines, which was a report for the institutions called Can EU Hear Me?, (resulting in a letter to the EU Commission recommending it "Promote the benefits of EU Membership"), it has no intention of improving people's knowledge of the EU but instead wishes to improve its popularity.

If this survey is to be the basis of the future direction of EU 'communication' policy, we should be very worried indeed. Questions focus on such things as what the Commission should be doing to improve 'communication' about Europe in schools and in the media, making use of the internet to persuade people of the benefits of the EU, creating a 'Europe' brand, and creating a 'Commissioner for Citizens'.

Having commissioned many polls in the past, we imagine this online questionnaire is not coming cheap. Hopefully they will take note of some of our suggestions, such as scrapping EU Communication Policy altogether and allowing people a direct say on the big EU questions like treaty change. Is anyone in any doubt that Irish people will be the best informed about the Lisbon Treaty and the EU in general than any of their European neighbours, as a direct result of the recent referendums?

A blank cheque

While the Irish government continues to play down the EU's ambitions in defence policy in order to get the Lisbon Treaty safely passed, some telling comments have been forthcoming from other Europeans this week, which give us some insight into the kind of agenda that Lisbon will effectively authorise.

First there was the news that French Europe Minister Pierre Lellouche was in favour of a budget specifically dedicated to EU defence, just as there is one for agriculture:

He said that, "In order to progress with 'defence Europe', it should not be that spending linked to security is completely separate from the EU's financial perspectives. Why should three member states contribute to the equivalent of two thirds of the military spending of the 27?..We need to put these questions on the table, in the same way as agricultural policy, technological innovation, or the environment."

He also confirmed that the French Foreign Office was already working on the establishment of the EU Diplomatic Force, which should only come into effect if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, saying "In the Quai d'Orsay, we are already working on defining the nature, the scope, and the missions of this new service, in close relations with our partners."

We wonder if one of these partners was Ireland, seeing as they have not yet made a decision on whether or not they even want the Treaty yet? (or rather they have, but they're being given a second opportunity to make the 'right' choice).

And now we have the French Defence Minister Hervé Morin saying that he is "convinced" that the EU will have its own permament military headquarters in Brussels, and that it will not be possible to deploy tactical groupings of 1,500 soldiers without such a headquarters.

He suggested British reluctance is holding up progress towards this goal, but predicted that within "one, two or five years, we will end up with a command, planning and operations centre in Europe."

He also said he hoped that there would be "one day, a Council of European defence ministers" in Brussels, as there is for agirculture or foreign affairs ministers.

Of course, noone should really be surprised at this, given that the warning signs that France was chomping at the bit to move ahead with this have been there for a while. But this talk of actually creating an EU defence policy, funded from the EU budget, and with decisions taken by the Council of Ministers just as they decide on agricultural policy, is big news.

Meanwhile, the Polish government has announced this week that its top priority for its EU Presidency in the latter half of 2011 will be the development of a "European defence policy".

According to Coulisses de Bruxelles:

"Warsaw wants the EU to have a fleet of A400M military transport planes so it can independently carry out military operations outside Europe. The planes could be bought by a European Armaments Agency whose powers would be considerably strengthened. Poland is also proposing a deputy EU Foreign Minister in charge of security questions, and Warsaw wants the future EU Foreign Minister to take part in Nato meetings! One can only imagine the reaction of the Brits to such proposals, which will delight Paris to find in them a strong ally in the East."

The combination of all these statements is important. A dedicated EU defence budget, open to mistargeted spending and abuse on the same scale as the agriculture budget?

An unelected Deputy EU Foreign Minister as well as an unelected Foreign Minister and President Blair?

Presumably the feeling in Brussels is that once Lisbon is ratified, people can put forward all sorts of ideas for new jobs without bothering with any more pesky EU Treaties to authorise them. And allowing the Foreign Minister to take part in NATO meetings will no doubt be one of the inevitable consequences of allowing so much of the Foreign Minister role to go undefined in the Treaty. (He's going to look pretty out of place sitting there next to all the democratically-elected Foreign Ministers around the NATO table. Or maybe he'll eventually be sent instead and on behalf of EU ministers?)

On top of everything else, it is deeply worrying that these ideas are being discussed and touted behind the scenes, and the shape of the future of the EU's defence policy is being quietly nudged along in the Quai d'Orsay and other such locations, away from prying eyes.

i want to start a band with this dude

Berita Harian | Nurdin M. Top - Jenazah 'na belom boleh di kirim ke Malaysia

Berita Harian | Nurdin M. Top - Mabes Polri, belum mengijinkan membawa jenazah Nurdin M. Top ke daerah asalnya. jenazah Nurdin M. Top masih berada di RS Polri Kramat Jati, Jakarta Timur, untuk kepentingan penyidikan. Perwakilan Mabes Polri , mengatakan "jenazah Nurdin M. Top Akan diserahkan setelah segala sesuatunya yang berkaitan dengan administrasi dan kepentingan penyidikan dianggap selesai," ujar Wakadiv Humas Mabes Polri Brigjen Pol Sulistyo Ishak via call (seperti dikutip dari detiknews). Berita harian, komentar di lanjutkan lagi , Menurut Sulistyo, Polri masih terus melengkapi administrasi dan masih terus mendalami kasus terorisme pascatewasnya Noordin. "Kita akan dalami,"

Sulistyo mengharapkan, penyidikan terhadap jenazah Nurdin M. Top yang dilakukan tim akan berlangsung secepatnya sehingga keluarga bisa segera mengubur Noordin di Malaysia.

Di lain pihak, berita harian - Pihak Malaysia hingga kini juga belum selesai mengurus administrasi pemulangan jenazah Noordin. Polri juga masih menunggu kesiapan administrasi dari keluarga.

"Dari negaranya administarsi belum selesai. Tapi intinya untuk kelengkapan penegakan hukum kita tunggu hasilnya dari tim," lanjut dia...

sumber : detik news

what's cooking portland - with foque mopus

REVOLUTION COME & GONE (at ipu festival)

pretty great video of beat happening at the capitol theater in olympia. not used to drums being so loud in beat happening recordings, but sounds good to me!

Don't count those chickens

Reuters has the story that Ireland's largest independent bookies, Boylesport, is already paying out on a Yes vote for the second Lisbon Treaty referendum, to be held on 2 October.

Apparently their spokesman said, "With odds at 1/12 a positive outcome looks like a foregone conclusion at this stage", before adding, "although we do expect it to be tight."

Rival betting company Paddy Power has said they won't be paying out a penny before 2 October, perhaps wary of getting their fingers burned like last year when they paid out more than 180,000 euros to those who had placed Yes wagers, before even a single vote had been counted.

While the Yes side do have a lead in the polls, the latest Millward Brown poll at the weekend shows that 21% of people still say they don't know how they are going to vote, which means there is still time to convince people that the Treaty is a bad deal for Ireland and a bad deal for Europe.

See here to read why http://www.europesaysno.org/

amazing

i think this video holds up today with the indie vs. diy wars and all that stuff...

Berita Harian | Tabrakan - etromini bernopol B 7287EF dengan Taksi bernopol B 2712 QU

Berita Harian | Rabu 23 september 2009, pukul 05.00 WIB Mobil taksi vs metromini tabrakan di lampu merah pertanian, Rangunan, Jakarta Selatan. Seperti dikutip dari detik news pagi in, berita harian tentang tabrakan ini, Metromini bernopol B 7287EF dengan Taksi bernopol B 2712 QU.

Sampai berita harian ini diturun kan, "beruntung dalam peristiwa ini tidak ada korban Jiwa, hanya menyebabkan kerugian material saja", ujar Sriyoko, Petugas TMC.

Saat ini LAkateelah berada di lokasi kejadian, untuk evakuasi kejadian dan memperlancar arus lalulintas.

Berita Haria pagi suber detiknews

Berita Harian | Objek Wisata saat lebaran

Berita Harian | Objek Wisata saat lebaran. Taw kah anda, saat lebaran tempat yang paling banyak di kunjungi saat lebaran adalah lokasi Pantai, puncak, dan Mall. Sperti di bali misalnya, Kawasan Pantai Kuta menjadi tujuan paforit untuk mengisi liburan dan merayakan lebaran. Tidak hanya di bali, di jakarta Pengunjungdomistik menyerbu kawasan ancol. seperti dikutik dari detik news pengunjung yang datang ke Ancol mencapai 130 ribu jiwa. Wah.......luarbisa ya.....

Berita harian kali ini emang menunjukkan peningkatan kunjungan yang drastis sangat meningkat di banding hari selain lebaran. bagai man tidak nuansa liburan lebaran dan perayaan lebaran masih hingga sat ini.

Berita harian - "Jumlah pengunjung Ancol sampai dengan pukul 18.00 WIB 129.239 jiwa," ujar Humas Ancol, Nicke Putri saat dihubungi, Selasa (22/9/2009).

Jumlah ini penurunan dibanding hari 21 September kemarin yang mencapai 140.214 jiwa. Namun menurut Nicke, jumlah itu masih bisa bertambah karena belum dihitung rombongan.

"Nanti baru bisa tahu jam 24.00 WIB," jelasnya lagi.

Berita harian, jumlah mobil yang masuk ke kawasan Ancol hari ini mencapai 9.983 unit. Sedangkan untuk motor sebanyak 13.437 unit.

Mudah-mudahan semua berjalan tertib ya...

KIVEN BHULAAN - A VIDEO

THE DIRECTORS

I do not want to say too much about this entry made by Japman Kaur, age 12 and Triman Singh of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I'll just say that their Gian Kaur is expressing openly the feelings that I keep unexpressed, close to my heart for 25 years.

Please go vote for this video at:

http://www.sikhnet.com/filmfestival/2009/kivein-bhullaan-how-do-we-forget/

It's worth the trip!

How you are paying for the Irish 'yes' campaign

Apparently the Young European Federalists are launching yet another 'yes' campaign to urge Ireland to adopt the Lisbon Treaty.

They write:

“The absence of a strong No side demonstrates that there are no real arguments to reject this treaty.”

Or maybe it’s more to do with the fact that there’s no public money being pumped into the ‘No’ side. The YEF, on the other hand, enjoys funding from the EU Commission in order to promote European integration, as we pointed out in our December publication, 'The Hard Sell'.

The group received a rather sizeable €132,927 from the EU between January 2005 and October 2007.

But don't take our word for it - check out the YEF's own website, where they proudly show off their EU funding.

Turn up the sound and click here for an example of the sort of stuff this group is spending your money on to get you to support EU federalism (warning - it's possibly the cringiest thing on the internet).

As regards the Lisbon Treaty, they believe it "is crucial to put the EU back on track on the road to unification".

One proposal they've put forward recently is for a single EU Olympic Team, an idea they came up with when Britain was doing well winning medals last year in Beijing. After the idea was covered in the newspapers in the UK, Toni Giugliano , the Vice-President of the group issued this extraordinary statement. Here's an extract:

“It’s great to see that the British press have reacted so passionately to the proposed European Olympic Team, especially since this is the year that team GB finally showed the continent and the world that Britain is not only the heart disease, cancer and diabetes capital of the world, nor the couch potato Rupert Murdoch reading state that everyone makes it out to be. No! Brits really do love playing sports, and winning at them too!... It may be the case that team GB did better than usual in these Olympics. Perhaps they fed their athletes with Special K instead of the usual fried chips ‘n egg. Mmmm, they’re learning.”

Quite why taxpayers should be paying for this kind of amateur rubbish is beyond us.

Say what you see

Strong stuff coming out of the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth today... Hat-tip Spectator Coffee House Blog.

Chris Davies MEP gets worked up over the issue of politicians fiddling their expenses:

"I hate the dirty, cheating b******s, who have taken every opportunity to fill their private pockets with public money. I despise them for dragging down the reputation of my Parliament and all its members. I want them exposed. I want them punished. I want them thrown out."

We don't know exactly who he's referring to but in the past he has singled out disgraced ex-Conservative MEP Den Dover, who apparently still owes the taxpayer £500,000 in "unduly paid expenses", saying that some people see him as "no better than a thief".

Davies' comments are a useful reminder that the problem of MEPs and their expenses is still to be resolved. Since July MEPs have been governed by a new Members' Statute, governing rules on expenses and allowances for MEPs, which offers some very small improvements.

For instance, whereas in the past, MEPs did not have to produce a single receipt for the more than £360,000 available to them every year in allowances (on top of their salary), MEPs must now produce receipts for one chunk of that, which is their travel expenses (although the rules now state that all travel can be by business class). As well as that, MEPs' staff in Brussels are now directly employed, and paid for, by the European Parliament.

MEPs may also no longer employ direct family members (although if they were already working for them in July, they may carry on working for them).

But office expenses and the daily subsistence allowance are still available without receipts - effectively leaving huge amounts of money going straight into MEPs' pockets every year, with no check on how that your money is being spent.

Outrageously, as recently as March this year, MEPs voted to exempt documents which detail how much they are claiming in expenses, and what they are claiming for, from public information requests.

Full credit to Chris Davies - he is one of avery few MEPs who has consistently encouraged and voted in favour of greater transparency in the European Parliament (he voted against exempting documents relating to MEPs' expenses, along with about a quarter of UK MEPs).

Just like at Westminster, the Brussels (and Strasbourg) system needs root-and-branch reform, as we've spelled out before.

Berita Terkini | Ana Miriana (27) Tewas di Bulan Ramadan ( kasihan banged)

Berita Terkini | Ana Miriana (27) Tewas di Bulan Ramadan ( kasihan banged). Berita terkkini yang sangat menghebohkan ini, dan yang menjadi meringis adalah gadis cantik umur 27 tahun ini tewas dengan luka tusukan di sekujur tubuhnya. Berita terkini tentang tewasnya Mariana adalah murni perampokan. karena seperti yg dikutip dari detik news, uang 2 juta, BB dan motor hilang. Berita terkini | sungguh kejam perampoknya sampai memebunuh disaat bulan suci ramadan ini. Ayah Ana Mariana tak habis pikir dengan kejadian ini.

Ana mariana di temukan tewas oleh adik kandungnya. Saya nggak habis pikir, kok bisa setega itu, ambil anak perempuan saya satu-satunya," lirih Darmansyah sambil meneteskan air mata saat ditemui detikcom di RSCM, Salemba, Jakarta, Minggu (20/9/2009).
Ibunda Ana, kata Darmansyah, sangat syok dengan kejadian ini. Meski kehilangan putri satu-satunya, keluarga Ana iklas dengan cobaan ini.

"Serahkan saja kepada polisi," pungkasnya.

Wah Berita Terkini | sungguh bejat ya pelakunya, mudah2mudahan polisi cpet menangkap ornag yang melakukan semua ini ya....

Berita Terkini | Tragedi di Tol Cikampek KM 57

Berita Terkini | bus Luragung Jaya jurusan Jakarta-Kuningan terbalik di Tol Cikampek KM 57. Berita Terkini seperti yang dikutip dari detik news dot com,satu pengendara yang di w"Ada bus yang terbalik di jalur sebelah kanan," kata salah satu pengendara.

Bus di duga oleng hingga menabrak pembatas jalan. Kaca bus pecah, dan penumpang segera keluar dari jendela, danPetugas Jasa Marga juga telah tiba untuk menolong penumpang
Lalu lintas yang mengarah ke Cikampek dari Jakarta menjadi sedikit tersendat akibat peristiwa ini. Namun setelah melewati kecelakaan tersebut, arus kembali lancar.


Berita terkini .

a long way around to a shortcut...

i've been going back and forth on sic alps over the past two or three years, but am listening to a long way around to a shortcut right now and REALLY enjoying it. so far i like side 3 the most. giving this 2lp set two thumbs up (one for each lp.)

At least 104 political prisoners released

(Mae Sot – Thailand)

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP) can confirm that so far 104 political prisoners have been released from 22 different prisons in Burma.

The 104 released include 37 members of the National League for Democracy, including 3 MPs; 18 women; 11 former political prisoners; 4 monks; 4 journalists; 9 members of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Network; 6 members of the 88 Generation Students; and 1 lawyer.


On the evening of September 17, 2009 in Rangoon, state-run MRTV carried a news bulletin announcing that 7,114 prisoners were to be released “on humanitarian grounds.”


The list of political prisoners released will be continually updated at our web site www.aappb.org as AAPP receives more information. In alphabetical order:

Angaelay (Mandalay prison) - student

Aung Gyi (Insein prison) - student

Aung Gyi @ Aung Thwin (Shwebo prison) – journalist, former political prisoner, 88 Generation Students

Aung Ko Oo (Tharawaddy prison) - student

Aung Lwin (Thandwe prison)

Aung Myint (Myaungmya prison) - NLD member; Human Rights Defenders and Promoters member

Aung Myo (Shwebo prison) – NLD Township Organiser

Aung Naing (Insein prison) – NLD member

Aung Swe (Shwebo prison) - NLD member

Aung Tun (Tharawaddy prison) – student; member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions

Aye Min (a) Aye Min Min (Tharawaddy prison) – private tutor

Ba Chit (Tharawaddy prison) – Ex-captain in the army

Ba Min (Kale prison) – NLD member

Bo Bo (Myingyan prison)

Bo Gyi (Pegu prison)

Cho Mar Htwe, (Female) (Moulmein prison) – NLD member

Eimt Khaing Oo, Female (Insein prison) – journalist; Cyclone Nargis volunteer

Hlaing Aye (Kale prison) - NLD MP, Former Political Prisoner

Hla Shein, (Hinzada prison) , Human Rights Defenders and Promoters

Htay Win (Thayet prison) – NLD Township Organizer

Khaing Kaung Zan, (Thayet prison) – Arakan League for Democracy in exile member

Khin Khin Lay (a) Khin Lay, (Female) (Pegu prison) – NLD member

Khin Maung Chit (Meiktila prison) - NLD Local Secretary

Khin Maung Thein (Shwebo prison) – NLD member

Khin Moe Aye (a) Moe Moe (Female), (Myingyan prison) – 88 Generation Students member; former political prisoner

Kyaw Kyaw Thant (Insein prison) – journalist; Cyclone Nargis volunteer

Kyaw Lwin, (Hinzada prison) , Human Rights Defenders and Promoters

Kyaw Maung (Myitkyina prison) – NLD MP

Kyaw Thu Htike (Taunggyi prison)

Kyaw Win (Tharawaddy prison) – All Burma Students Democratic Front

Kyi Kyi Min, (Female) (Insein prison) – NLD member

Kyi Lin (Myintkyina prison) – NLD member

Ma Ei (female) (Paungde prison)

Ma Htay (a) San San Myint, (Female) (Insein prison)

Ma Mi Mi Swe (female) (Henzada prison)

Maung Maung Htwe (Shwebo prison)

Maw Si (Shwebo prison) – NLD Youth member

Mi Mi Sein, (Female) (Insein prison) – NLD Township Joint-Secretary

Michael Win Kyaw (Kale prison) – 88 Generation Students member; former political prisoner

Min Min (a) La Min Tun, (Hinzada prison) , Human Rights Defenders and Promoters

Min Min Soe (Myingyan prison) – 88 Generation Students member

Moe Hlaing (Moulmein prison)

Moe Kyaw Thu (a) Bo Bo (Mandalay prison)

Moe Lwin (Moulmein prison) – individual activist

Monywar Aung Shin (a) U Aye Kyu (Insein prison) - Member of NLD and poet

Mya Sein, (Hinzada prison) , Human Rights Defenders and Promoters

Myint Oo (a) Ni Ni (Mandalay prison) – NLD Township organizer; former political prisoner

Myint Oo (Thayet prison) – NLD Township Joint Secretary

Myo Min Lwin (Moulmein prison)

Myo Yan Naung Thein (Thandwe prison) – 88 Generation Students member, former political prisoner

Nay Win (Myintkyina prison) – NLD Township Organizer

Nine Nine (Insein prison) – NLD MP, Former Political Prisoner

Nu Nu Swe @ Pauk Pauk (female) (Myaungmya prison)

Nyi Nyi Min (Buthidaung prison) – NLD member

Nyo Mya (Kale prison) – NLD member

Pe Tin (Pegu prison) – NLD member

Pyae Phyo Aung (a) Hnan Mue (Pa-An prison)

San Pwint (Kale prison) – NLD member; teacher

San Ya (Tharawaddy prison) – NLD member

Sandar Min (a) Shwee, (Myaungmya prison) – 88 Generation Students, Former Political Prisoner

Sandar, (Female) (Myingyan prison) – NLD member

Saw Myo Min Hlaing @ James (Thaton prison) - Private Tutor

Saw Taw Kyi (Thayet prison) – Karen National Union member

Shin Sandaw Batha, Monk (Insein prison) – All Burma Monks’ Alliance

Shwe Thar (a) Tin Win (Tharawaddy prison) – Karen National Union member

Soe Han (Lashio prison) – lawyer; Chair of the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) legal advisory body

Soe Wai (a) Than Zaw (Myitkyina prison)

Than Min (a) Tin Tun Aung, (Taungoo prison) – NLD member

Than Than Htay, (Female) (Insein prison) – student

Than Than Sint, (Female) (Insein prison)

Than Tun (Shwebo prison)

Than Zaw Oo (Tharawaddy prison) – NLD member

Thar Cho, (Thayet prison) – NLD Township Organizer

Thein Zaw (Tharawaddy prison)

Thet Oo (Taungoo prison) – Human Rights Defenders and Promoters member

Thet Zin (a) Maung Zin (Kale prison) – journalist; former political prisoner; member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions and the Democratic Party for a New Society

Thin Min Soe, (Female) (Insein prison) – labour activist

Thura Win @ Thura Lin (Buthidaung) – Student

Tin Mar Swe (female) (Mandalay prison)

Tin Maung Nyunt (Shwebo prison) – NLD Township Organiser

Tin Mya (Insein prison) - National League for Democracy Township chairperson, Former Political Prisoner

Tin Myint (Insein prison) – NLD member

Tin Myint (Tharawaddy prison)

Tin Myo Htut (a) Kyaw Oo (Insein prison) – Generation Wave; former political prisoner

Tin Tin Myint, (Female) (Insein prison) – third year chemistry student

Tin Tun (a) Kyaw Swa (Tharawaddy prison) – UN Development Program staff (New Era journal distributor)

Tun Hla (Tharawaddy prison)

Tun Oo (a) Ngar Kalar (Taungoo prison)

Tun Tun Nyein, (Thayet prison) – NLD Youth member

Tun Tun Oo (a) Nanda Malar (Taungoo prison) – monk

Tun Tun Oo (Thandwe prison)

U Han Sein (Tharawaddy prison) – NLD member

U Myint, (Hinzada prison) , Human Rights Defenders and Promoters

U Pannita (a) Myint Aye (Taungoo prison) – monk; Human Rights Defenders and Promoters member

U Peter (Loikaw prison)

U Win, (Hinzada prison) , Human Rights Defenders and Promoters

U Zawana (a) Soe Myint (Taungoo prison) - monk

Win Myint (Insein prison)

Wunna Soe (Pa-An prison) – Democratic Party for a New Society member

Yan Aung Shwe (Thayet prison) – All Burma Students Democratic Front member

Yan Naing Min (a) Nan Wai (Mandalay prison) – student

Zaw Htet Aung (Kale prison) - student

Zaw Tun (Taungoo prison)

Zin Mar Aung (female) (Mandalay prison) – student; NLD member

BNN/AAPP

At least 76 political prisoners released

(Mae Sot – Thailand)

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
(AAPP) can confirm that so far 76 political prisoners have been released from
15 different prisons in Burma.

The 76 released include 33 members of the National League
for Democracy, including 3 MPs; 15 women; 10 former political prisoners; 4
monks; 4 journalists; 4 members of the 88 Generation Students; and 1 lawyer.


On the evening of September 17, 2009 in Rangoon,
state-run MRTV carried a news bulletin announcing that 7,114 prisoners were to be
released “on humanitarian grounds.”


The list of political prisoners released will be continually
updated at our web site www.aappb.org as AAPP receives more information.

1. Eimt Khaing Oo, Female (Insein prison) – journalist;
Cyclone Nargis volunteer
2. Tin Mya (Insein prison) - National League for Democracy Township chairperson, Former Political
Prisoner
3. Nyi Nyi Min (Buthidaung prison) – NLD member
4. Kyaw Kyaw Thant (Insein prison) – journalist; Cyclone
Nargis volunteer
5. Monywar Aung Shin (a) U Aye Kyu (Insein prison) -
Member of NLD and poet
6. Nine Nine (Insein prison) – NLD MP, Former Political
Prisoner
7. Tin Tin Myint, (Female) (Insein prison) – third year
chemistry student
8. Than Than Htay, (Female) (Insein prison) – student
9. Than Than Sint, (Female) (Insein prison)
10. Thin Min Soe, (Female) (Insein prison) – labour activist
11. Kyi Kyi Min, (Female) (Insein prison) – NLD member
12. Zaw Htet Aung (Kale prison) - student
13. Tin Myo Htut (a) Kyaw Oo (Insein prison) – Generation
Wave; former political prisoner
14. Win Myint (Insein prison) – NLD member
15. Kyaw Maung (Myitkyina prison) – NLD MP
16. Nay Win (Myintkyina prison) – NLD Township Organizer
17. Kyi Lin (Myintkyina prison) – NLD member
18. Soe Wai (a) Than Zaw (Myitkyina prison)
19. Shin Sandaw Batha, Monk (Insein prison) – All Burma
Monks’ Alliance
20. Aung Gyi (Insein prison) - student
21. Mi Mi Sein, (Female) (Insein prison) – NLD Township Joint-Secretary
22. Soe Han (Lashio prison) – lawyer; Chair of the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) legal
advisory body
23. Bo Gyi (Pegu prison)
24. Khin Khin Lay (a) Khin Lay, (Female) (Pegu prison) – NLD member
25. Pe Tin (Pegu prison) – NLD member
26. Tin Myint (Insein prison) – NLD member
27. Cho Mar Htwe, (Female) (Moulmein prison) – NLD member
28. Moe Hlaing (Moulmein prison)
29. Moe Lwin (Moulmein prison) – individual activist
30. Myo Min Lwin (Moulmein prison)
31. Ma Htay (a) San San Myint, (Female) (Insein prison)
32. Thet Oo (Taungoo prison) – Human Rights Defenders and
Promoters member
33. U Pannita (a) Myint Aye (Taungoo prison) – monk; Human
Rights Defenders and Promoters member
34. Zaw Tun (Taungoo prison)
35. Bo Bo (Myingyan prison)
36. Sandar, (Female) (Myingyan prison) – NLD member
37. Pyae Phyo Aung (a) Hnan Mue (Pa-An prison)
38. Wunna Soe (Pa-An prison) – Democratic Party for a New
Society member
39. Ba Chit (Tharawaddy prison) – Ex-captain in the army
40. Aye Min (a) Aye Min Min (Tharawaddy prison) – private
tutor
41. Tin Tun (a) Kyaw Swa (Tharawaddy prison) – UN
Development Program staff (New Era journal distributor)
42. Shwe Thar (a) Tin Win (Tharawaddy prison) – Karen
National Union member
43. Hlaing Aye (Kale prison) - NLD MP, Former Political
Prisoner
44. San Pwint (Kale prison) – NLD member; teacher
45. Thet Zin (a) Maung Zin (Kale prison) – journalist;
former political prisoner; member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions
and the Democratic Party for a New Society
46. Michael Win Kyaw (Kale prison) – 88 Generation Students
member; former political prisoner
47. Nyo Mya (Kale prison) – NLD member
48. Ba Min (Kale prison) – NLD member
49. Aung Gyi @ Aung Thwin (Shwebo prison) – journalist,
former political prisoner, 88 Generation Students
50. Aung Myo (Shwebo prison) – NLD Township Organiser
51. Than Tun (Shwebo prison)
52. Maung Maung Htwe (Shwebo prison)
53. Tin Maung Nyunt (Shwebo prison) – NLD Township
Organiser
54. Tun Tun Oo (a) Nanda Malar (Taungoo prison) – monk
55. Aung Swe (Shwebo prison) - NLD member
56. Khin Maung Thein (Shwebo prison) – NLD member
57. Maw Si (Shwebo prison) – NLD Youth member
58. U Zawana (a) Soe Myint (Taungoo prison) - monk
59. Than Min (a) Tin Tun Aung, (Taungoo prison) – NLD member
60. Tun Oo (a) Ngar Kalar (Taungoo prison)
61. Aung Naing (Insein prison) – NLD member
62. Khin Moe Aye (a) Moe Moe (Female), (Myingyan prison) –
88 Generation Students member; former political prisoner
63. Khaing Kaung Zan, (Thayet prison) – Arakan League for
Democracy in exile member
64. Htay Win (a) Bo Luu, (Thayet prison) – NLD Youth member
65. Thar Cho, (Thayet prison) – NLD Township Organizer
66. Tun Tun Nyein, (Thayet prison) – NLD Youth member
67. Saw Taw Kyi (Thayet prison) – Karen National Union
member
68. Zin Mar Aung (female) (Mandalay prison) – student; NLD member
69. Moe Kyaw Thu (a) Bo Bo (Mandalay prison)
70. Myint Oo (a) Ni Ni (Mandalay prison) – NLD Township organizer; former political
prisoner
71. Tin Mar Swe (female) (Mandalay prison)
72. Yan Naing Min (a) Nan Wai (Mandalay prison) – student; member of the All
Burma Federation of Student Unions, Foreign Affairs Committee
73. Angaelay (Mandalay prison) - student
74. Yan Aung Shwe (Thayet prison) – All Burma Students
Democratic Front member
75. Myint Oo (Thayet prison) – NLD Township Joint Secretary
76. Sandar Min (a) Shwee, (Myaungmya) – 88 Generation
Students, Former Political Prisoner


BNN/AAPP

At least 87 political prisoners released

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP) can confirm that so far 87 political prisoners have been released from 16 different prisons in Burma.

The 87 released include 36 members of the National League for Democracy, including 3 MPs; 15 women; 11 former political prisoners; 4 monks; 4 journalists; 6 members of the 88 Generation Students; and 1 lawyer.


On the evening of September 17, 2009 in Rangoon, state-run MRTV carried a news bulletin announcing that 7,114 prisoners were to be released “on humanitarian grounds.”


The list of political prisoners released will be continually updated at our web site www.aappb.org as AAPP receives more information.

1. Eimt Khaing Oo, Female (Insein prison) – journalist; Cyclone Nargis volunteer
2. Tin Mya (Insein prison) - National League for Democracy Township chairperson, Former Political Prisoner
3. Nyi Nyi Min (Buthidaung prison) – NLD member
4. Kyaw Kyaw Thant (Insein prison) – journalist; Cyclone Nargis volunteer
5. Monywar Aung Shin (a) U Aye Kyu (Insein prison) - Member of NLD and poet
6. Nine Nine (Insein prison) – NLD MP, Former Political Prisoner
7. Tin Tin Myint, (Female) (Insein prison) – third year chemistry student
8. Than Than Htay, (Female) (Insein prison) – student
9. Than Than Sint, (Female) (Insein prison)
10. Thin Min Soe, (Female) (Insein prison) – labour activist
11. Kyi Kyi Min, (Female) (Insein prison) – NLD member
12. Zaw Htet Aung (Kale prison) - student
13. Tin Myo Htut (a) Kyaw Oo (Insein prison) – Generation Wave; former political prisoner
14. Win Myint (Insein prison) – NLD member
15. Kyaw Maung (Myitkyina prison) – NLD MP
16. Nay Win (Myintkyina prison) – NLD Township Organizer
17. Kyi Lin (Myintkyina prison) – NLD member
18. Soe Wai (a) Than Zaw (Myitkyina prison)
19. Shin Sandaw Batha, Monk (Insein prison) – All Burma Monks’ Alliance
20. Aung Gyi (Insein prison) - student
21. Mi Mi Sein, (Female) (Insein prison) – NLD Township Joint-Secretary
22. Soe Han (Lashio prison) – lawyer; Chair of the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) legal advisory body
23. Bo Gyi (Pegu prison)
24. Khin Khin Lay (a) Khin Lay, (Female) (Pegu prison) – NLD member
25. Pe Tin (Pegu prison) – NLD member
26. Tin Myint (Insein prison) – NLD member
27. Cho Mar Htwe, (Female) (Moulmein prison) – NLD member
28. Moe Hlaing (Moulmein prison)
29. Moe Lwin (Moulmein prison) – individual activist
30. Myo Min Lwin (Moulmein prison)
31. Ma Htay (a) San San Myint, (Female) (Insein prison)
32. Thet Oo (Taungoo prison) – Human Rights Defenders and Promoters member
33. U Pannita (a) Myint Aye (Taungoo prison) – monk; Human Rights Defenders and Promoters member
34. Zaw Tun (Taungoo prison)
35. Bo Bo (Myingyan prison)
36. Sandar, (Female) (Myingyan prison) – NLD member
37. Pyae Phyo Aung (a) Hnan Mue (Pa-An prison)
38. Wunna Soe (Pa-An prison) – Democratic Party for a New Society member
39. Ba Chit (Tharawaddy prison) – Ex-captain in the army
40. Aye Min (a) Aye Min Min (Tharawaddy prison) – private tutor
41. Tin Tun (a) Kyaw Swa (Tharawaddy prison) – UN Development Program staff (New Era journal distributor)
42. Shwe Thar (a) Tin Win (Tharawaddy prison) – Karen National Union member
43. Hlaing Aye (Kale prison) - NLD MP, Former Political Prisoner
44. San Pwint (Kale prison) – NLD member; teacher
45. Thet Zin (a) Maung Zin (Kale prison) – journalist; former political prisoner; member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions and the Democratic Party for a New Society
46. Michael Win Kyaw (Kale prison) – 88 Generation Students member; former political prisoner
47. Nyo Mya (Kale prison) – NLD member
48. Ba Min (Kale prison) – NLD member
49. Aung Gyi @ Aung Thwin (Shwebo prison) – journalist, former political prisoner, 88 Generation Students
50. Aung Myo (Shwebo prison) – NLD Township Organiser
51. Than Tun (Shwebo prison)
52. Maung Maung Htwe (Shwebo prison)
53. Tin Maung Nyunt (Shwebo prison) – NLD Township Organiser
54. Tun Tun Oo (a) Nanda Malar (Taungoo prison) – monk
55. Aung Swe (Shwebo prison) - NLD member
56. Khin Maung Thein (Shwebo prison) – NLD member
57. Maw Si (Shwebo prison) – NLD Youth member
58. U Zawana (a) Soe Myint (Taungoo prison) - monk
59. Than Min (a) Tin Tun Aung, (Taungoo prison) – NLD member
60. Tun Oo (a) Ngar Kalar (Taungoo prison)
61. Aung Naing (Insein prison) – NLD member
62. Khin Moe Aye (a) Moe Moe (Female), (Myingyan prison) – 88 Generation Students member; former political prisoner
63. Khaing Kaung Zan, (Thayet prison) – Arakan League for Democracy in exile member
64. Htay Win (a) Bo Luu, (Thayet prison) – NLD Youth member
65. Thar Cho, (Thayet prison) – NLD Township Organizer
66. Tun Tun Nyein, (Thayet prison) – NLD Youth member
67. Saw Taw Kyi (Thayet prison) – Karen National Union member
68. Zin Mar Aung (female) (Mandalay prison) – student; NLD member
69. Moe Kyaw Thu (a) Bo Bo (Mandalay prison)
70. Myint Oo (a) Ni Ni (Mandalay prison) – NLD Township organizer; former political prisoner
71. Tin Mar Swe (female) (Mandalay prison)
72. Yan Naing Min (a) Nan Wai (Mandalay prison) – student; member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions, Foreign Affairs Committee
73. Angaelay (Mandalay prison) - student
74. Yan Aung Shwe (Thayet prison) – All Burma Students Democratic Front member
75. Myint Oo (Thayet prison) – NLD Township Joint Secretary
76. Sandar Min (a) Shwee, (Myaungmya prison) – 88 Generation Students, Former Political Prisoner
77. San Ya (Tharawaddy prison) – NLD member
78. Thein Zaw (Tharawaddy prison)
79. Than Zaw Oo (Tharawaddy prison) – NLD member
80. U Han Sein (Tharawaddy prison) – NLD member
81. Aung Tun (Tharawaddy prison) – student; member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions
82. Tun Hla (Tharawaddy prison)
83. Kyaw Win (Tharawaddy prison) – All Burma Students Democratic Front
84. Aung Ko Oo (Tharawaddy prison) - student
85. Tin Myint (Tharawaddy prison)
86. Myo Yan Naung Thein (Thandwe prison) – 88 Generation Students member, former political prisoner
87. Min Min Soe (Myingyan prison) – 88 Generation Students member


BNN/AAPP

Former Labour Minister blasts Lisbon Treaty

In a similar vein to the last post, the Mail today picks up on comments made by Labour MP and former Minister Gisela Stuart at Open Europe's Dublin meeting last week, at which she blasted the Lisbon Treaty because of its serious implications for democracy.

As a member of the European Convention which drafted the Treaty, Gisela really knows her stuff. Warning that "the nature of democracy is really at stake", she said there would be "no more treaties, no more referendums anywhere" on EU integration.

She is also a key supporter of the Europe Says No campaign.

You can read her important comments in more detail here on our website.

Berita Terkini |Hasil Tes DNA Nurdin M. TOP , akan di pastikan Sabtu (19 september 2009 ) Sabtu (19/9/2009) pukul 11.00 WIB di Mabes Polri

Berita Terkini | Pengumuman Hasil test DNA Nurdin M. Top. Pelaku teror sepanjang 9 tahun di indonesia ini, akhirnya di kabarkan tewas di Solo. Keraguan Kematian sang Bintang Teror ini, menerbar di mana-mana, Pak Polisi yang gagah berani telah, menjalankan tugas dnegan baik, sehingga di Solo, Nurdin M. Top ini di kabarkan tewas. BUkti tewasnya pak Nurdin M. Top ini, sudah di siarkan kemren dengan menyertakan bukti sidik jari dari sang Bintang (Nrudin M. Top). AKan tetapi sebelum hasil tes DNA pak Nurdin M. Top ini diumumkan , seluruh warga negara indonesia masih ragu akan terbunuh nya sang Bintang ini. Karena kejelian dia mengelabui petugas, maka keraguan terus muncul, dan rasa ketakutan terus ada dihati kami. Pak Nurdin M. Top, semoga tewas dan bisa berbuat baik di dunia akhirat sana dan minta maap sama korban-korban yang telah ia bakar hidup-hidup, yang telah dia potong-potong hidupo2 dengan keahlian dia mengukir sebuah senjata aknuragan sakti yaitu (BOM).

seperti yang di kutip dari detik dot com, keraguan akan hilang atau masih ketika POLRI akn mengumumkan hasil test DNA Nurdin M. Top pada pukul 11 WIB nanti, berikut berita terkini dari detik dot com:

- Tes DNA terhadap jenazah Noordin M Top yang tewas dalam penggerebekan di Solo, Jawa Tengah, telah tuntas. Polri akan gelar jumpa pers untuk mengumumkan hasilnya.

Jumpa pers akan dilakukan Sabtu (19/9/2009) pukul 11.00 WIB di Mabes Polri, Jl Trunojoyo, Jakarta Selatan.

Polri juga akan melansir foto resmi Noordin setelah tewas dibekuk di Solo, Jawa Tengah.

Sebelumnya, Kapolri Jenderal Bambang Hendarso Danuri (BHD) telah menyatakan di Istana Presiden bahwa tes DNA telah rampung dilaksanakan dengan hasil 100 persen menunjukkan jenazah tersebut adalah Noordin M. Top.

Jenazah juga telah menjalani tes sidik jari. BHD mengatakan dari tes sidik jari yang dilakukan terdapat 14 titik kesamaan sidik jari yang bisa dipertanggungjawabkan.

Berita Terkini | Gempa di Bali Membuat Warga Panik

Berita Terkini | gempa yang mengguncang denpasar sekitar jam 7'an memebuat warga bali khusunya denpasar panik, termasuk saya sendiri. Sekitar Pukul 7:00, saya udah lese mandi, tiba2 cermin bergoyang, dan meja Kompi terguncang pelan kemudian mengeras. LINUH!!! ( LINUH : Bahasa Bali Untuk menyebut Gempa di Bali) . Se isi rumah berhamburan keluar, Kondisi saya waktu Tadi Pagi gempa di bali masih menggunakan handuk, dan tanpa menggunakan asesoris lainnya. Tak Peduli dengan keadaan, saya langsung lari keluar untuk menghindari Gempa di bali yang lumayan hebat. Tak hanya di kediaman saya, gempa di bali ini membuat , seisi tetangga berhamburan keluar, dan suasana, panik campur UNik, Akibat gempa di bali ini, tetangga, ada yang Hanya memakai celana dalam aja(untungnya cowok ..bukan cewek, kalo cewek bisa heboh tuh..hehehe), ada yang bawa sendok penggorengan, dan ada yang masih bawa sapu dan ada yang marahin suaminya untuk nyari anaknya di sekolahan..dan ada info juga, temen pas lagi mandi sibuk pegangin Pintu Kamar mandi, dikira mau roboh, dan baru nyadar itu Gempa di bali langsung lari keluar,wah pokoknya...panik banget dah!!!!,

Saking panik dari akibat gempa di bali ini, tak peduli dengan keadaan bahkan ga terasa apa yang kita bawa ....(Panik campur Unik dech ).

Guncangan gempa di bali ini, membuat tembok pembatas rumah bergoyang hebat, mungki kalo durasi agak lama, kemungkinana besar akan rubuh, atap rumah sebelah yang baru di bangun kelihatan bergelombang akibat guncangan hebat yang terjadi pagi tadi,. Ida Sang Hayang Widi Wasa, masih melindungi umat di BALI. JIka saja gempa di bali ini, berdurasi sekitar 10 menit, saya yakin, smeua rumah bahkan hancur. Terima kasih tuhan, gempa di bali ini tidak memakan korman jiwa harta taopun yang lainnya.

Seperti yang saya kutip dari detik dot com, ternyata gempa di bali ini bersumber dari Nusa dua, sebagai pusat gempa, dan kerasa guncangannya sampai ke sodara kita di LOMBOK. berikut berita terkini dari detik dot com :

empa di Bali berpusat 101 km sebelah Tenggara Nusa Dua Bali. Warga pun kaget karena dibangunkan oleh goncangan gempa.

"Saya di lantai II lagi tidur, syok, gempanya keras sekali," ujar Gris, warga Nusa Dua Bali kepada detikcom, Sabtu (19/9/2009).

Gris menjelaskan gempa itu hanya terjadi sekali. Durasinya pun tidak lama, hanya beberapa detik saja. "Untungnya hanya sebentar, bikin syok," ungkap gadis ini.

Dia menambahkan saat itu banyak warga Nusa Dua yang masih tertidur karena hari masih pagi. Saat terjadi gempa, warga pun sibuk keluar rumah menyelamatkan diri. Namun walau terasa keras, belum ada laporan soal kerusakan akibat gema 6,4 SR ini.

"Hanya getaran saja yang keras, untuk kerusakan belum ada," pungkasnya.


Berita terkini, mengucapkan terimakasihkehadapan Tuhan, Gempa di Bali ini tidak membawa kerusakan dan kami masih dalam Lindunganmu....

Tell it like it is

Hat-tip to Iain Dale for this find:

Labour's candidate in Folkestone & Hyde, Donald Worsley, has told the Romney Marsh Times:

“Top of the reasons for the euro [elections] disaster must surely be the Government’s failure to honour its Manifesto pledge to call a referendum on a New European Treaty. Such serious pledges once given must never be denied.”

Yup.

mexico plane and hotel tickets are now paid for

mission accomplished! feeling good.

AAPP(Burma) can confirm that so far 43 political prisoners have been released today from various prisons

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP) can confirm that so far 43 political prisoners have been released today from various prisons in Burma.
On Thursday evening in Rangoon, state-run MRTV carried a news bulletin announcing that 7,114 prisoners were to be released “on humanitarian grounds.”
The list of political prisoners released will be updated as AAPP receives more information.
1. Ma Eik Khaing Oo (Insein) [More Detai]
2. U Tin Mya (Insein)
3. Ko Nyi Nyi Min (Butheetaung)
4. Ko Kyaw Kyaw Thant (Insein)
5. Monywar Aung Shin (a) U Aye Kyu (Insein)
6. U Naing Naing (Insein) [More Detail]
7. Ma Tin Tin Myint (Insein)
8. Ma Than Than Htay (Insein)
9. Ma Than Than Sint (Insein)
10. Ma Thin Min Soe (Insein)
11. Ma Kyi Kyi Min (Insein)
12. Ko Zaw Htut Aung (Kale)
13. U Tin Myo Htut (a) Kyaw Oo (Insein)
14. U Win Myint (Insein)
15. U Kyaw Maung (Myintkyina)
16. U Nay Win (Myintkyina)
17. U Kyi Lin (Myintkyina)
18. U Soe Wai (a) Than Zaw (Myintkyina)
19. Shin Sandaw Batha (Insein)
20. Ko Aung Gyi (Insein)
21. Daw Mi Mi Sein (Insein)
22. U Win Htein (Kathar)
23. U Soe Han( Lashio)
24. U Bo Gyi (Pegu)
25. Daw Khin Khin Lay (Pegu)
26. U Pe Tin (Pegu)
7. U Tin Mya (Insein)
28. Daw Zin Mar Htwe (Moulmein)
29. Ko Moe Hlaing (Moulmein)
30. Ko Moe Lwin (Moulmein)
31. Ko Myo Min Lwin (Moulmein)
32. Ma Htay (a) San San Myint (Insein)
33. Ko Thet Oo (Taungoo)
34. U Pannita (a) Myint Aye (Taungoo)
35. Ko Zaw Tun (Taungoo)
36. Ko Bo Bo (Myingyan)
37. Ma Sanda (Myingyan)
38. Ko Pyait Phyo Aung (Pa-Ai)
39. Ko Wunna Soe (Pa-Ai)
40. U Ba Chit (Tharawaddy)
41. Ko Aye Min Min (Tharawaddy)
42. Ko Tin Tun (Tharawaddy)
43. Ko Shwe Thar (Tharawaddy)

AAPP/BNN

At least 19 Political Prisoners were released

(Mae Sot – Thailand)
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP) can confirm that the regime released nineteen political prisoners today.
On Thursday, state-run MRTV announced that 7,114 prisoners would be released "on humanitarian grounds".
AAPP will update its website www.aappb.org with the latest information. So far, the following political prisoners have been released;
Insein prison
1) Shin Sandaw Batha (All Burma Monk Alliance)
2) U Tin Mya (National League for Democracy Township chairperson)
3) Kyaw Kyaw Thant (Assistant Editor of Eleven Media Group)
4) U Aye Kyu aka Monywa Aung Shin (Member of NLD and Poet)
5) U Saw Naing Naing (Member of Parliament)
6) Soe Wai aka Than Zaw
7) Tin Myo Htut aka Kyaw Oo (Generation Wave - Former PP)
8) Ma Eimt Khaing Oo (Reporter of Eco-vision Journal)
9) Ma Than Than Htay (Student)
10)Ma Than Than Sint
11)Ma Kyi Kyi Min aka Htay Htay (from Bilin Township)
12)Ma Thin Min Soe (Labor Activist)
13)Ma Tin Tin Myint (Third year Chemistry Student)
Myintkyina prison
14)U Kyaw Maung (Member of Parliament)
15)U Nay Win (NLD Township organizer)
16)U Kyi Lin aka Pyi Lin (Member of NLD)

Buthidaung prison
17) Nyi Nyi Min (Member of NLD)
Tharawaddy prison
18)Win Myint (from South Okkalapa Township)
Kale prison
19) Zaw Htet Aung (Member of DPNS – Student)

BNN/AAPP

Funds Collected for People's Militia

Rathidaung: The Burmese army has been collecting funds from locals for the recently formed people's militias in villages throughout Rathidaung Township, 20 miles north of Sittwe, said a village who was selected to join the militia.

"The army authority has collected 3,000 kyats from individual members of the people's militia. At the same time, the authority has collected 3,000 or 4,000 kyats from each household in the whole township for formation of the people's militias," he said.

The funds are for purchasing equipment for the militias, including uniforms, hats, and badges, as well as for paying for the travel of army officials who came to the villages to form the militia.

"In our village, Ku Daung, the army authority formed the people's militia with 30 villagers and all members were forced by the authority to pay 3,000 kyats each for the militia fund," he added.

All households from several villages - Ku Daung, Oo Ga, Shwe Long Din, Kan Byin, Zee Gin, and Nyung Bin Lay - in southern Rathidaung Township had to pay 3,000 kyat for each poor family and 4,000 kyats for each rich family for the militia fund.

The Burmese military authority has been forming many government-backed organizations like the people's militia and village-level fire brigades in Arakan, in order to support the 2010 election.

"Arakanese people believe the formation of the militia in Arakan State is to support the 2010 election. People will be obligated by their membership in the militia to support the pro-government party in the 2010 election," he said.

Most people in the township do not wish to join the militia as it would disrupt their livelihoods. However, they are unable to refuse to join after army officials pressure them.

The authority is not only forming the militias in the villages of Rathidaung but also in other townships in Arakan, forming militias with 30 people from each village. However, there are no apparent plans to arm these militias.

A teacher from Rathidaung said, "It was formed only for the 2010 election in order to ensure victory for the military-backed political party. The army authority will use the people's militia as a tool in the election. After the election, the organization will disappear from public sight."

The military authority in Arakan State is now preparing for the 2010 election by forming many government-backed organizations. On 8 September, the Arakan State Veteran Organization was re-formed in a conference that was held in Ann Town, where the organizations selected some prominent veteran members to contest the 2010 election.

narinjara

Youth Forcibly Conscripted in Arakan

Sittwe: The Burmese army stationed in Arakan State has been forcibly recruiting youth from villages to serve in the army, said a retired teacher.

"The system for forced recruitment of soldiers has been missing for a long time, but now it has appeared again. The army authority ordered village councils to recruit five youth from each village to serve in the army," he said.

The Burmese army has conscripted youth from Arakanese villages in the past by pressuring village councils, but the system had not been used for nearly a decade after people protested.

"The army authority has failed to recruit voluntary soldiers in Arakan because many Arakanese youth have refused to join the army. The army authority has resumed the old tactic for drafting soldiers in Arakan," he said.

Many local army battalions stationed in Buthidaung, Rathidaung, Sittwe, Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Paletwa, Mrauk U, Min Bya, and Kyauk Pru in Arakan State have ordered their respective villages to recruit five youth to send to army headquarters.

In the past, many villages in Arakan had to spend a lot of money in order to recruit youth to serve in the army. Every village had to send two youths to army headquarters as the army authority collected soldiers from the villages on a quota system.

"We had to send two youths to army headquarters each year in the past. We looked for youths who were jobless, and who wanted to join the army after we paid him. We had to pay at least 200,000 kyat to a youth to get their agreement to join the army. People suffered from the system. So people opposed it and later the system disappeared," he said.

According to a local source, some USDA members and village councils in rural areas of Arakan are now organizing youth to join with the Burmese army by enticing them with money and food rations.

In Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State, army authorities have also been arresting young men and rickshaw pullers during the night and forcing them to enlist in the army.

A monk from Sittwe said, "Many youths and rickshaw pullers have avoided going outside their homes after 10 pm due to fear of arrest by the Burmese army authorities. Many poor youths in Sittwe have been sent to the army recruitment unit located at LIB 20 based in the city after being arrested by army authorities."

Some parents in Sittwe are suffering from losing their children after they walked on the streets of Sittwe at night. The family members know the army authority arrested them to serve in the army, but they have not had the chance to bring their children home from the army recruitment unit.

Another source said many tribal youths, including Khami, Mro, and Rakhine in Paletwa Township have also been conscripted into the Burmese army.

The rates of disasters and loss of soldiers has been increasing alarmingly in the Burmese army, causing the army to conscript young men from anywhere they can in Arakan.

narinjara

New Mon splinter group draws first blood

IMNA
Assailants from a newly formed Mon splinter group shot and wounded 2 members of a larger Mon splinter group. This is the first such assault by members of the new Mon splitter group.

2 members of the Mon Peace and Defense Front (MPDF), Nai Pang and Nai Sein, were shot at about 9:00 am on Saturday September 12th, in front of the headquarters of Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 62 based in Thanbyuzayart town, Mon State. The attack was carried out by 2 members of the newly formed splinter group, the Mon Defense Front (MDF), according to NMSP members who spoke with the two injured MPDF soldiers at the Moulmein hospital.

An NMSP party member explained, “Before he [MPDF member] was shot, he saw the men who shot him, and he knew them from the MDF group.”

The MPDF is lead by the former NMSP General Nai Aung Naing, who formed the group after he left the NMSP with his soldiers in 2008. In the same year he agreed to a ceasefire with the Burmese military government, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). In April 2009 he joined a monastery, though his group has remained active helping him campaign for a position in the 2010 election.

According to a member of the NMSP Moulmein district committee, “The MDF group was formed by 3 soldiers that deserted from NMSP, and are now active between Kyainnseikyi Township, Karen State and Kyaikmaraw Township, Mon State.”

The 2 members of the MDF identified as the shooters were Nai Than Lwin and Nai Thu Ra Win Myit, who conducted the assault using weapons typically carried by members of the NMSP. The newly formed MDF was recently active in August delivering letters to farmers demanding money to support their group, from farmers in Moudon township. Neither of the attackers were injured or arrested.

The NMSP Moulmein district office has been checking Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA) battalions, for desertions, to confirm the identity of the two MDF members, to identify the 3rd, and determine how they obtained their weapons. “Now there is conflict between Mon groups, which may be part of the SPDC plan,” a member of the NMSP speculated.

Last April NMSP member Nai Min Naung, who was a member of the Moulmein district committee was shot and killed by members of the Mon splinter group, Nai Aung chan. Nai Aung Chan split to form his own rival faction, from the former NMSP general Nai Aung Naing’s MPDF.

Similarly, in May 2008 there was an assassination attempt on NMSP central committee member Nai Rajal. He was shot by unknown gunman in Thanbuyzayat township, though party member suspected the attack was carried out by members of the Nai Aung Chan group. Nai rajal was wounded but has since recovered.

Karen soldiers ambush Burmese army in Three Pagoda Pass area

IMNA
In two separate incidents, violence has continued to occur in Three Pagoda Pass (TPP) Township, according to local sources. In both incidents, attacks have targeted Burmese troops or facilities.

On Sunday the 13th, Burmese army troops from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 356 were ambushed by KNU troops from Brigade No. 6 near Chanungzone village, TPP Township according to local source.

According to an officer of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) based in the area, LIB No. 356 troops were on their way to join up with LIB No. 283 in the recently captured Maketa village. However before they arrived, LIB No. 356 was ambushed by KNU soldiers. Chanungzone village is about 15 Kilometer from TPP town.

“We heard from Burmese authorities 4 Burmese soldiers were injured in the ambush,” the NMSP officer said to IMNA. “One was shot in the stomach, two were hit in the leg and I am not sure about the 4th soldier.”

According to a source close to Burmese authorities form Three Pagoda Pass town, the KNU ambush led to a brief firefight lasting 10 minutes. No KNU soldiers were killed or injured.

However the number of injured and killed is disputed, with a KNU Captain stating that 4 Burmese soldiers were killed and 6 were injured in the brief skirmish.

On the night of the 14th, a bomb also detonated outside of the Burmese military government Land Grant Office in Three Pagodas Pass town. According to sources, there were no injuries from the nighttime attack.

It remains unclear which group is responsible for the blast, though according to source close to Burmese government forces, authorities believe that the bomb attack was carried out by the KNU. However a KNU Captain has denied to IMNA the KNU’s involvement, stating that the KNU never carries out attacks like this that threaten civilian lives.

On June 21st, 2009 after months of fighting, KNU Brigade No. 7 base fell to a combined assault by Burmese army forces, and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). Since the DKBA and Burmese army forces have been building up their troop levels around the heavily contested KNU held Brigade No. 6 area.

A July report by the Human rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) details the potential for a humanitarian crisis occurring from an assault by DKBA and Burmese army forces against KNU troops in the Brigade No. 6 area.

Brigade No. 6 has been at the heart of the KNU held territory since resistance began in 1948 when the KNU began fighting the Burmese government.

19-Year-Old Woman Raped and Murdered in Karen State

IMNA
A 19-year old woman of mixed Mon and Karen heritage, named Mi Mu, was raped and murdered by a gang of Karen men last week in Kyainnseikyi Township in Karen state.

On September 11th, at about 10 pm, Mi Mu was abducted from where she worked on a rubber plantation near Doe Htun village, by a group of 20 men. The group had an accomplice inform Mi Mu’s brother that a ransom of 7 million kyat was needed to ensure her safe return.

Unfortunately, Mi Mu’s body was discovered at 7 pm on September 12th, before her family could collect the appropriate sum of money for her release. A search party located her body near the Pyuk Ja village rubber plantation where she had been employed. Villagers confirmed that Mi Mu had been raped before her murder.

“When we saw Mi Mu’s body, she was naked, and it looked like she was raped ’’said an eyewitness Pyouk Ja villager.

Since the discovery of Mi Mu’s body, the New Mon State Party ( NMSP ) has arrested 5 suspects, and a search is underway for the remaining 15. Kanyinnseikkyi Township is under the Moulmein division of NMSP control.

Mi Mu’s rape and murder is the second such case to be connected to the Pyuk Ja village rubber plantation. A 21-year-old Mon woman was also abducted, raped and murdered by a group of Karen men in the same area earlier this year.

Opposition coalition ‘unable to materialise’

(DVB)–A coalition of political parties that won votes in the 1990 elections in Burma has struggled to provide a viable opposition threat due to government oppression, said a senior group member.

The Committee Representing the People’s Parliament (CRPP), which includes the National League for Democracy (NLD), yesterday marked its 11-year anniversary.

According to CRPP secretary Aye Thar Aung, pressure and harassment from Burma’s ruling junta has crippled the group’s ability to convene a people’s parliament, the reason behind its birth.

“We tried our best to convene the parliament but on the other hand, there were tremendous pressures [from the government], such as harassment, oppression and imprisonment of our members,” said Aye Thar Aung.

“Due to these pressures, we now have to say we were unable to materialise our idea to convene the parliament and implement the results of the 1990 elections.”

Aye Thar Aung said however that the group will continue with their commitment to bring success to their aim.

“There is only a small chance for us now but we [as representatives] of the political parties that won seats in the 1990 elections are to continue with our determination.”

The CRPP was formed in 1998 with people’s parliament representative members from various political organisations such as the NLD and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD).

Among the group’s leading members, chairman Aung Shwe, Lun Tin and U Lwin are in poor health while Aung San Suu Kyi, Tin Oo, Khun Htun Oo and Kyaw Min are under government detention.

The NLD’s landslide victory in the 1990 elections was dismissed by the military junta. The party’s leader, Suu Kyi, was put under house arrest shortly after.

Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet

Photographs for family registration taken in Shan State

Ruili (Mizzima) – Authorities on the Sino-Burma border towns of Muse and Nam Hkam in northern Shan State, have started taking photographs of families for registration.

A joint team of Immigration and Police officials as of September 10, has visited villages of Naung Hkam, Man Kat, Kaung Wein, Kaung Sa, Sei Hai, Man Kham and Man Naung in Nam Kham Township and taken photographs of families.

The officials took a total of three photographs of each family - one to be pasted in front of the house, while the other two copies are to be kept in the office of the Village tract Peace and Development Council and at the police station, local villagers said.

"The officials told all family members to be included in the registration to stand in front of their house in a group and took three photographs. Each family has to pay Kyat 2,000 [US$ 2] for the photographs. For those who are out of station, the recommendation letter given by the local authority was taken along with photographs of other family members," a local villager from Nam Hkam said.

The police said that this was being done for security reasons as there is heightened military tension in the region.

“They ordered us to inform them about the movement of strangers if any when they photographed us. They will check the family members with the photographs when military skirmishes and clashes take place,” another local resident said.

Three bombs exploded in Muse on August 28 while gun battles between the Kokang Army and the Burmese Army was on. Moreover an armed group crossed some villages in Nam Kham Township at the end of last month. Following these incidents, the authorities carried out these security measures.

The household registration was carried out recently in Tone Khan, Nam Khone, Wein Mai, Nam Pan and other villages in Muse Township also.

The authorities instructed the villagers living in Nam Kham Township last year to paste their household registrations in front of their houses for checks. But photo registration like this one is the first ever in these villages.

Junta releases prisoners amidst condemnation by HRW

New Delhi (Mizzima) - Burma’s military junta announced amnesty for over 7,000 prisoners across the country on Thursday, a day after the Human Rights Watch condemned the regime for having doubled the arrest and detention of political prisoners.

An announcement on the State-run Television in Burma on Thursday evening said, the government has decided to give amnesty to 7,114 prisoners across the country on humanitarian grounds and to enable them to be useful for the state as well as to their communities.

The announcement, however, did not make any mention of political prisoners.

Ohn Kyaing, spokesperson of the main opposition party the National League for Democracy said, while expectations are low on the possibilities of the inclusion of political prisoners among those released, he added, “We are hoping against all odds.”

On Wednesday, the HRW, the New York-based advocacy group, said Burma’s ruling junta in the past two years had intensified arrest of dissidents and are currently detaining more than 2,200 political prisoners including 100, who were arrested in recent months.

HRW, in a new report titled “Burma’s Forgotten Prisoners” said Burma’s military regime has arrested and detained dozens of prominent political activists, Buddhist monks, labour activists, journalists, and artists since the peaceful political protests in 2007 and sentenced them to draconian prison terms following unfair trials.

Burma’s military rulers, however, have constantly denied having any political prisoners and proclaimed implementing a seven-step roadmap to democracy.

But HRW said, “Burma's rulers should immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners… if scheduled elections in 2010 are to have any credibility.”

It is still not known if the 7,114 prisoners that are being granted amnesty on Thursday would include any political prisoners.

The announcement on Thursday is in keeping with the Burmese Ambassador to the United Nations Than Swe’s promise to the Security Council in July, after the Secretary General’s failed trip to the country, where he was denied a request to meet opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Than Swe told the Council that at the request of the UN Secretary General his government, “is processing to grant amnesty to prisoners on humanitarian grounds and to enable them to participate in the 2010 general elections.”

Tom Malinowski, HRW’s advocacy director in Washington, in a statement said, "Despite recent conciliatory visits by UN and foreign officials, the military government is actually increasing the number of critics it is throwing into its squalid prisons."

"Burma's generals are planning elections next year that will be a sham if their opponents are in prison," Malinowski added.

The HRW is also launching a new global campaign “2100 by 2010” calling for the release of all political prisoners in Burma by 2010.

"We named the campaign ‘2100 by 2010' in July - but since then, the number has grown to approximately 2250," said Malinowski.

"The United States, China, India, and Burma's neighbours in Southeast Asia should make the release of all political prisoners a central goal of their engagement with Burma, and use every tool of influence and leverage they have to achieve it," urged Malinowski.

HRW also said that the ruling junta, instead of arresting and detaining political prisoners including Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other student leaders, monks and intellectuals, should be allowed to participate in helping the country.

“Instead of being persecuted and imprisoned, people like Zargana, U Gambira, Su Su Nway and Min Ko Naing should be allowed to help their country," said Malinowski.

The HRW also urged foreign officials, who visit Burma, not to just meet Aung San Suu Kyi, but other Burmese political activists in prison to solicit their views and show support for their courageous and important work.

Food insecurity aggravates in Chin state

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Unabated rat infestation continues to create acute food shortage for people in Chin state and northwest part of Burma, a new report said.

The Canada-based Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO), in its new report ‘On the edge of Survival’ released on Thursday said, the ongoing rat infestation, which began in 2007 had aggravated food insecurity in seven townships in Chin state as well as some areas of Sagaing division in north-western Burma.

“Rats continue to destroy the crops in fields. In some areas, the people face shortage of food, while others survive with little rice and other crops in hand. But it will be just enough for a short period,” Terah Thantluang, Field Coordinator of CHRO told Mizzima on Thursday.

“Some villagers survive merely on wild yams dug up from the forests,” he added.

According to the previous report of the United Nation Development Program (UNDP), a total of 34,764 farmers in three townships in Chin state faced shortage of food while CHRO’s report last year claimed around 100,000 people were in ‘hunger condition’ from food insecurity related to bamboo flowering causing rat infestation.

Now, CHRO says the rat infestation has spread to Hakha, Falam, Matupi, Paletwa, Thantlang, Tiddim, and Tongzang in Chin state and some parts of Sagaing Division where the pests had already damaged about 82 percent of farmlands.

Adding the condition is worsening, the CHRO report said not only rats but also crop-eating insects, such as locusts or grasshoppers, destroyed rat-left crops in the fields.

“The insects reportedly not only eat the fruit and grain, but all the leaves and stalks, turning entire fields and farms into barren wastelands in a short time,” the report said.

Meanwhile, Win Hlaing Oo, director of Rangoon based Country Agency for Rural Development in Myanmar (CAD) said, the late monsoon and low rainfall this year in Chin state resulted in some farmers abandoning crop cultivation in some areas of Thangtlang and Matupi and Hakha Township.

“In my village [Hnaring village in Thangtlang], there are about 300 acres of farmlands but only 50 acres are cultivated because of low rainfall and late monsoons,” he told Mizzima.

Win Hlaing Oo also said food insecurity in the future is imminent as the people are just surviving on recently harvested few crops such as maize and millet which were left by rats.

“However, they are not in the condition where they are getting nothing to eat but are surviving on rat-leftover crops. It won’t be sustainable in the long run,” he explained.

Limited international aid

World Food Program (WFP) led International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs) and National NGOs started implementing emergency food assistance for the first three month in the hardest hit townships in Chin state in early 2009.

Eighty five percent (85%) of households in Chin state were in debt and needed to repay the loan which they took for purchasing food, according to WFP’s recent report.

CHRO said the aid from WFP led aid groups is limited and could not cover the entire affected areas.

Each person just received about 7 to 10 kilograms of rice over a three-month period, while the people in some areas such as Thantlang, Hakha, Tonzang and Tedim Townships, were helped under the food-for-work/cash programmes, the CHRO report said.

Moreover, Win Hlaing Oo from CAD said the first four-month assistance programme was halted last month as no more relief aid remained.

“The food and cash distributing programmes were suspended for the time being as there is no more assistance remaining,” said Win Hlaing Oo from CAD.

But Win Hlaing Oo said, the aid work will possibly be resumed next month after the next batch of rice of an estimated 300 metric tons from WFP arrives in Chin state for another four-month assistance programme in his organization projected areas in Thangtlang, Matupi and Hakha.

Ban on cross-border aid

Recently, the commander of Military Tactical Command (1) of Chin state Brig-Gen Hung Ngai, who is also the chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, warned the people not to accept relief aid from overseas except from WFP, said a relief worker from the community based Relief group known as Chin Mautam Relief Committee (CMRC).

“He told the people not to receive any foreign aid or they will face reprisal,” a relief worker told Mizzima on condition of anonymity.

Terah from CHRO said, the exile based Chin community, had been providing relief to the villagers through the India-Burma border. The aid was for people facing shortage of food in the areas which WFP led aids groups could not reach.

However, he said, “The aid is very little. Not enough to solve the problem.”

The Burmese junta, instead of helping is committing human right abuses including forced labour against the people in rat plagued areas, CHRO said.

“Constant demand for labourers has forced people to leave their farms and fields in order to work on SPDC projects without compensation,” the report added.

Human Rights Report Showcases Political Prisoners

A new Human Rights Watch report dramatically showcased the rise in political prisoners in Burma one day after anti-sanction Sen Jim Webb met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The 35-page report, “Burma’s Forgotten Prisoners,” features dozens of prominent political activists, Buddhist monks, labor activists, journalists and artists arrested since peaceful political protests in 2007 and sentenced to draconian prison terms after unfair trials.

Sen Jim Webb met with Clinton on Tuesday to present his views on lifting US sanctions and engaging the junta.

At a news conference in Washington on Wednesday upon the release of the report, US Sen Barbara Boxer said, “The Burmese government should not be rewarded for its bad behavior.”

While Boxer did not directly refer to the views of Webb, who last month became the first US lawmaker in a decade to visit Burma, it was clear that she did not support her Senate colleague’s approach.

Boxer said the junta is intent on ruling Burma with an iron fist and a disregard for basic human rights and democracy.

Webb, who met Sen-Gen Than Shwe and Aung San Suu Kyi during his trip, has been advocating a more open US policy towards Burma.

It is understood that Webb shared his thoughts with Clinton and details of his meetings with Than Shwe and Suu Kyi. The State Department did not comment on the meeting.

In the report, Human Rights Watch said that Burma’s military government should release all political prisoners.

“Burma’s generals are planning elections next year that will be a sham if their opponents are in prison,” said Tom Malinowski, the Washington advocacy director at Human Rights Watch.

“Despite recent conciliatory visits by UN and foreign officials, the military government is actually increasing the number of critics it is throwing into its squalid prisons,” he said.

Boxer said: “We have all seen what this military dictatorship is capable of: we have heard the stories and seen too many images of bloody crackdowns in the streets, of protestors being beaten, of prisoners being tortured, of basic necessities being denied to the Burmese people in the face of natural disaster and tragedy.”

irrawaddy

nice obama pic

Myanmar frees thousands

YANGON - MILITARY-RULED Myanmar released 7,114 prisoners on Thursday for their 'good conduct", official media reported, although political detainees are unlikely to be among them.

Myanmar state television said the prisoners, held in jails and detention centres across the country, had shown 'good conduct and discipline' and were released for the benefit of their families.

The announcement came late on Thursday in the form of text at the bottom of the screen during a soap opera and did not say whether any of those freed were among the estimated 2,000 political prisoners held in the country.

The United States, a major critic of political repression in Myanmar, has long sought to press the military junta that has ruled since 1962 to free Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. She is under house arrest and has spent 14 of the past 20 years in detention of one form or another.

The US advocacy group Human Rights Watch said this week that the junta had more than doubled the number of political prisoners since it quashed since pro-democracy protests in 2007.

Nyan Win, spokesman for the opposition National League for Democracy party, which has more than 500 of its members in detention, could not confirm if any were among those released.

In September last year, Myanmar's junta released 9,002 prisoners as a gesture of its 'loving kindness and goodwill'. -- REUTERS

straitstimes

Seven bomb blasts in Myanmar, no casualties: police

YANGON — Seven small bombs exploded in the suburbs of Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon but did not cause any casualties, police in the military-ruled nation said Thursday.

The blasts late Wednesday and early Thursday were the latest in a series to hit the former capital in recent months, with previous attacks blamed on armed exile groups or ethnic rebels.

Police said that the bombs were planted in the Hlaint Thayar, Shwe Paukkan and Mingalardon areas on the outskirts of the city and that the culprits remained unknown.

"There were no casualties because there were almost no people around when the blasts happened," a police officer said on condition of anonymity.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombs.

Myanmar authorities said in August that authorities had foiled a plot by a man sent by exile pro-democracy groups to bomb Yangon during a visit by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in July.

Ban was in Myanmar to seek the release of opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi, whose house arrest was extended by 18 months in August after she was convicted over an incident in which an American man swam to her house.

Myanmar was also rocked last month by intense clashes between government troops and rebels in Kokang, a mainly ethnic Chinese region of Myanmar's Shan state, which sent thousands of refugees pouring over the border into China.

The regime has recently stepped up its decades-long campaign against minority insurgent groups in an apparent attempt to crush them before controversial elections planned for next year.

afp

Nothing to fear from a 'no' vote

Good piece in the Wall Street Journal today, about how Ireland has nothing to fear from a 'no' vote.

Well worth a read.

BERITA TERKINI | Noordin M. Top Tewas di Solo (masih di duga)

Berita terkini | Berita terkini tentang Nurdin M. Top, yaitu tewas saat di grebek di SOLO. Nurdin M. Top, kini sudah di diduga tewasdi solo. menurut berita terkini yang di kutif adri tvone yaitu seperti berikut.

Salah satu teroris yang tewas di Solo, Jawa Tengah diduga adalah Noordin M. Top. Teroris yang berada di Solo berjumlah tujuh orang. Empat orang di antaranya tewas dan tiga lainnya ditangkap hidup-hidup.

Namun hingga kini, Polri belum memberikan keterangan resmi. Kemungkinan besar, jenazah yang diduga kuat Noordin akan dites DNA di RS Polri dokter Soekanto.

Seperti diketahui, pengepungan yang berlangsung sejak Rabu, 16 September 2009 pukul 23.00 WIB itu berakhir sekitar pukul 05.30 WIB. Empat orang di dalam rumah diduga tewas dalam pengepungan, termasuk seorang wanita.

Wanita itu diduga adalah Putri Munawaroh, istri Susilo, pengontrak rumah yang digerebek Polri. Suaminya, Susilo alias Adib, juga diduga tewas. Susilo bekerja di sebuah pondok pesantren sebagai pengurus ternak sapi di Pondok Pesantren Al Kahfi Mojosongo.

Bagus Budi Pranoto alias Urwah juga dikabarkan tewas dalam penggerebekan itu. Buron tersebut diduga berperan menyembunyikan Noordin M Top di Temanggung.

Bagus Budi Pranoto alias Urwah. Pernah divonis 3 tahun 6 bulan pada 2004, karena menyembunyikan Dr Azahari dan Noordin M Top. Satu orang lainnya yang diduga tewas adalah Maruto, pria yang diduga pernah menjadi dokter pribadi Noordin M Top.

Seorang lainnya bernama Bejo ditangkap Rabu kemarin di Pasar Gading, Solo. Sementara identitas dua pria lainnya belum diketahui.

Wah moga aja udah tewas ya......

NLD ‘Youth Working Groups’ set up in 69 townships

New Delhi (Mizzima) – National League for Democracy, Burma’s main opposition party, is consolidating its youth and women party members across the country and has formed ‘Youth Working Groups’ in 69 townships in the past six months.

The Central Youth Working Group has formed regional youth working groups in 69 townships in Rangoon, Mandalay, Irrawaddy, Pegu, Tenasserim divisions and Kachin, Arakan and Mon states.

“We have formed these working groups and are infusing new blood in our party to get it ready and consolidate systematically. The new groups will be a bridge between the masses and the youth and masses and leaders. We are training them to emerge as a potent force,” the In-charge (2) of the NLD’s Central Youth Working Group told Mizzima.

The Central Youth Advisory Committee member Ohn Kyaing said, “Yes, we have been doing this work for about four to five months. We are coordinating with the Township and Divisional Organizing Committees in implementing it”.

Each of these township-wise youth working groups is comprised of 5 to 14 members and they are being given trainings in democracy, human rights and ethnic rights.

“We are reconsolidating these scattered youth forces. We educate them about democracy and human rights, which have been lost in Burma. We train them and make them aware of the current situation in the country, which is deprived of democracy, human rights, fundamental rights of the people and ethnic rights,” the youth in-charge said.

The Youth Working Groups members from the States and Divisions are called to the Rangoon party head office and given training in law, politics, labour, farmers and human rights, computer, and English language among others.

However, the Central Youth Wing members are not left without harassment by local authorities, who are keeping close watch over their movements, in their efforts to form local youth working groups in various township.

Ohn Kyaing said, members of the pro-junta civilian organization - Union Solidarity and Development Association – had harassed the NLD youths from forming working committees in Madaya township of Mandalay Division.

“We have to submit the list of the local youth wing members to the local authorities. Then the Madaya USDA threatened the youth wing members with arrest if they join this youth working group,” Khin Maung Than, Chairman of the Madaya Township NLD told Mizzima.

Similar harassments and difficulties were encountered in Kachin State while forming the local youth working groups. Despite of the harassments, the NLD youths said, they were able to set up local units in Monyin, Mogaung and Tanai Townships.

The NLD youths, who began the campaign for forming youth working groups in March, had been so far successful in forming such working groups across Burma with 24 units in Rangoon Division, 14 in Mandalay Division, 11 in Irrawaddy Division, three in Kachin State, one in Arakan State, and five in Tenasserim Division, totaling 69.

The NLD Youths said, they will continue the campaign in other parts of the country as part of their efforts to create awareness on the current political situation of Burma.