2009-12-29

Irrawaddy 091230

The Irrawaddy News Magazine [Covering Burma and Southeast Asia] www.irrawaddy.org
Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Today's Newsletter

Living Poor on Soldiers' Pay
By KYI WAI
Soldiers selling their army equipment and working in illegal businesses to make ends meet: it's all part of life in the Burmese military.

No Border Guard Force Deadline for KIO
By SAW YAN NAING
The Kachin Independence Organization and the Burmese junta will continue talks over the border guard force issue.

Bangladesh and Burma Agree on Repatriation of Some Rohingya By LAWI WENG
Burma has agreed to accept 9,000 of the 28,000 Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh.

IT Exhibition Flops in Mandalay
By MIN LWIN
Despite the participation of several main players from Burma's IT sector, a recent exhibition failed to attract many browsers.

Burma Very High Risk: The Economist
By WAI MOE
Military-ruled Burma is one of 22 countries in the world that is at very high risk of social unrest in the coming year, according to The Economist.

Opinion

EDITORIAL
Looking for Light in 2010
The events of 2009 in Burma give little hope that things will change much in 2010.

COMMENTARY
Change Must Come From Within
By AUNG ZAW
My New Year's resolution is to effect change within Burma, starting from within myself. As an exiled journalist, I must not become an obstacle to change.

COMMENTARY
MiGs in the Air - Misery on the Ground
By HTET AUNG
Burma's generals can afford to buy jet fighters while keeping their people hungry.

Bo Lindblom, Byv. 32, SE-31295 Laholm, 0430-223 64