Yangon, Sunday: Youth and women leaders from Burma's ethnic and religious minorities today called for the commencement of war talks in response to increased military attacks and atrocities upon civilians.
"Every time the government has peace talks, there are more attacks, rapes, abductions and killings of civilians, especially targeting women, children and young people. In the past few months, when Myanmar Peace Center hosted more peace talks, the Tatmadaw increased attacks in Kachin and northern Shan states," explained a youth leader.
"We need to abandon peace talks now and start war talks so the military will be busy talking instead of raping ethnic women and girls," emphasized a women's rights activist.
A longtime observer of the Burma situation concurred with the analysis and congratulated the activists for thinking outside the box. "The UN, US and EU should begin exploring this strategy as it can't be worse than what they have been doing in the past 3 years.
"If it works, then we can start talking about establishing a parliamentary commission to oppose constitutional reform and re-brand the MPC as the Myanmar War Center."
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Friday, May 23, 2014
UK To Offer Military Training To Thailand
Burma Tha Din News has learned that British Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond is to offer military training to the Royal Thai Army, following the military coup earlier this week.
On Tuesday the head of the Thai Army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, announced the imposition of martial law, and then announced a full military coup yesterday.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson has told Burma Tha Din News that the imposition of a full military coup meant that Thailand had now met the strict criteria for receiving training. “Martial law wasn't enough,” the spokesman said. “Now that Thailand is detaining political leaders and censoring media, it’s time to spend taxpayer’s money providing free military training to these soldiers.”
The offer means that Thailand is joining an elite few countries with human rights abuses serious enough to get free military training from the British government, including Burma and Eritrea.
The military training will be undertaken in Thailand and the UK.
An official from the Embassy of Thailand in London expressed surprise and delight about the forthcoming offer; “We thought we’d have to persecute religious minorities and assassinate a few political opponents before qualifying for free training. It is very good news that we’ll now be able to do this much more professionally with British help.”
It is not yet known if the USA and Australia will also be providing training.
The Ministry of Defence spokesperson denied that providing the training is linked to future arms sales and investment agreements, telling Burma Tha Din; “Er, well, yes military-run countries do buy more weapons, but that is purely co-incidental. We give free training to soldiers from authoritarian regimes as part of our commitment to world peace.”
On Tuesday the head of the Thai Army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, announced the imposition of martial law, and then announced a full military coup yesterday.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson has told Burma Tha Din News that the imposition of a full military coup meant that Thailand had now met the strict criteria for receiving training. “Martial law wasn't enough,” the spokesman said. “Now that Thailand is detaining political leaders and censoring media, it’s time to spend taxpayer’s money providing free military training to these soldiers.”
The offer means that Thailand is joining an elite few countries with human rights abuses serious enough to get free military training from the British government, including Burma and Eritrea.
The military training will be undertaken in Thailand and the UK.
An official from the Embassy of Thailand in London expressed surprise and delight about the forthcoming offer; “We thought we’d have to persecute religious minorities and assassinate a few political opponents before qualifying for free training. It is very good news that we’ll now be able to do this much more professionally with British help.”
It is not yet known if the USA and Australia will also be providing training.
The Ministry of Defence spokesperson denied that providing the training is linked to future arms sales and investment agreements, telling Burma Tha Din; “Er, well, yes military-run countries do buy more weapons, but that is purely co-incidental. We give free training to soldiers from authoritarian regimes as part of our commitment to world peace.”
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Wirathu Will be Reincarnated as a Rohingya
Burma Tha Din Network has learned that senior members of the Union Sangha Maha Nayaka Council believe that U Wirathu, the Monk who leads Burma’s extremist 969 movement, is likely to be reincarnated as a Rohingya Muslim after he dies.
The discussion apparently took place at an informal meeting during the recent Almost All Order But Not Quite Sangha Meeting held at the Kabar Aye Pagoda.
U Wirathu has made global headlines with his rabid anti-Muslim rhetoric, as anti-Muslim violence has spread from Rakhine State to many parts of Burma. President Thein Sein has personally intervened to defend the controversial Monk from international criticism, and even banned a journalist who wrote a critical article for Time magazine from re-entering the country.
Having friends in high places, however, appears not to help when it comes to Karma and reincarnation. Only Karma passes from one life to another, and senior Monks believe that U Wirathu’s actions, his Karma, is not going to work in his favor at the time of reincarnation.
Monks believe that U Wirathu has forgotten the meaning of Metta, and the triple truth: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. Being reborn as a Rohingya child in an IDP camp in Rakhine State will be the likely result of his actions.
A senior Monk told Burma Tha Din off the record; “Do not look upon this as a punishment being reborn as someone low. The Buddha teaches that all of humankind is equal, apart from women of course. Rather this experience will result in increased understanding and compassion, and positive Karma will be restored. It will help restore balance.”
The discussion apparently took place at an informal meeting during the recent Almost All Order But Not Quite Sangha Meeting held at the Kabar Aye Pagoda.
U Wirathu has made global headlines with his rabid anti-Muslim rhetoric, as anti-Muslim violence has spread from Rakhine State to many parts of Burma. President Thein Sein has personally intervened to defend the controversial Monk from international criticism, and even banned a journalist who wrote a critical article for Time magazine from re-entering the country.
Having friends in high places, however, appears not to help when it comes to Karma and reincarnation. Only Karma passes from one life to another, and senior Monks believe that U Wirathu’s actions, his Karma, is not going to work in his favor at the time of reincarnation.
Monks believe that U Wirathu has forgotten the meaning of Metta, and the triple truth: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. Being reborn as a Rohingya child in an IDP camp in Rakhine State will be the likely result of his actions.
A senior Monk told Burma Tha Din off the record; “Do not look upon this as a punishment being reborn as someone low. The Buddha teaches that all of humankind is equal, apart from women of course. Rather this experience will result in increased understanding and compassion, and positive Karma will be restored. It will help restore balance.”
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