27.05.2007

I. " Are Burma's 1990 election results still valid?"_ Editorial: Tai Samyone

              _ One could well voice the opinion that the 1990 election results are now no longer valid – in seventeen years several elections should have taken place!  However, they reflected then, as now, the voice of the people and, as with the 1960 election results, demonstrate that the people of Burma do not want a military government......Whether the NLD would win an election today is not actually material to the case, nor is the question as to their relevance to politics in 2007.  What is important is that they were and they remain the symbol of independence and civilian government......

II. " AIPMC Pledges to Advance the Cause of Democratization of Burma" _ Feature Commentary: Senator Aquilino Nene Pimentel Jr.

            _ AIPMC has embarked on numerous endeavors to highlight and find a solution to Burma's debacle. Following our establishment in November 2004, AIPMC joined the collective call for Myanmar to be barred from chairing ASEAN. We lobbied very strongly in the Philippines to attain that objective. The effort was a success when in 2006 Myanmar was withdrawn as ASEAN chair.........

III. " Act Now or Regret Later with the Unholy Alliance" _ Feature Article: Prof. Kanbawza Win

            _ Even, if the Junta were to follow the rules, allowing regular inspections by IAEA inspectors and resisting any temptation to work for a military application of its nuclear capability, the country's miserable record in the area of control and maintenance poses its own risk. Industrial installations in Burma are generally in a bad state of repair, security is lax, and to use it for health and education became a laughing stock in the international arena, when it had never invested in these two spheres. The regime's sad record in both these areas precludes any guarantee against misuse. ........

 VI. " Democracy Works for ASEAN Countries: It Should Work For Burma, Too" _ Feature Article: Senator Aquilino Nene Pimentel Jr.

            _ Burma needs to democratize because, among other things, it has been ruled since 17 years ago by a military junta that has forcibly replaced the freely elected government in 1990.......because it is not fair that the military junta should in effect be allowed to continue forcing itself upon the hapless peoples of the country....... because the barbaric rule of the military junta is creating a humanitarian crisis for its people and threatens the stability of the region.. ..........

V. "Reasoning for a Just Cause"_ Feature Commentary: May Ng

            _  While they definitely wanted NLD and Daw Suu out of the picture, they also needed to find a way out of credibility deficit. But without a viable political opposition whom people trust, the army's National Convention will lack legitimacy.......hey continued their assaults with sophisticated and extensive public relation campaigns to discredit NLD and ASSK. They not only physically assaulted and destroyed the lives of the NLD, they were determined that the NLD would never rise again. ........

VI. " Elections, NLD and a New Thuggish Actor" _ Feature Commentary: AKS

            _ Talking about the old election, and the inevitable coming election, one should not forget another actor in Burmese political equation. Enter the USDA or much hated thuggish Union Solidarity & Development Association. There have been apparently some tactical moves by SPDC military regime leaders to strengthen their proxy organization USDA..........

VII. " Banking On Poverty in Burma" _ Opinion: Ko Sala

            _ The irony is that the "pistachio chewing" academics on Burma abroad talk about lifting economic sanction in ways that the foreign garment firms would be able to employ the entire country.  They fail to recognize that the country has nothing to offer apart from opportunities to blood sucking Chinese garment firms to set up their factories with their Stalinist management structure.........

VIII. " Some encouraging thoughts on Burma's Politics"_ Opinion: Dr. San Oo Aung

            _ good political leader must have an ability to attract differing personalities from diverse groups with various agendas to work together towards a common goal. We believe Daw Suu would be able to handle the diverse Ethnic Minority and Religious Minority issues confidently to satisfy all the interest groups with her wide experience of politics and loving kindness.. ..........

IX.  "Still Relevant, We All"_ Opinion: Min Khin Kyaw

            _ I believe people didn't vote NLD as NLD for NLD but they voted for their freedom and put their faith in the hand of the party led by Daw Suu. The NLD has provided their good service to the people since they were elected. . .....Thus, the question – if NLD or its election victory in 1990 still relevant – is irrelevant........

X. " War Chest Fattened"_ Cartoon: Feraya

XI. " Peace and War"_ Poem: Feraya

            _ They bribe and pay our brothers. ....... They corrupt them with money and weapons. ....... To turn against each other. ....... Causing disunity, hatred and anger.. ........

XII. " Burma: The People Vs The Regime"_ Poem: Van Biak Thang

            _ The people made their own choices. .........And sent their voices.. ........In a peaceful way;.. ........The regime broke their promises.. ........ And signalled their forces.. ........In their martial way... ........

XIII. "Anniversary Cries" _ Poem: Nay Yu

            _ When these days are closer. ....... Full of cries you will hear. ....... When these days are further. ....... Dry of Cries as ever. .......