2011-09-27

Irrawaddy 110927

The Irrawaddy
www.irrawaddy.org
The Irrawaddy, Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Today's Newsletter

Kachin Rebels Under Heavy Govt Army Bombardment
By BA KAUNG
Heavy artillery fire by Burmese government troops on Monday evening has forced Kachin Independence Army forces in northern Shan State to withdraw their military bases.

Thousands Flee as Kachin Fighting Escalates
By KO HTWE
Thousands of villagers have been forced from their homes since Friday as fighting between the Burmese Army and Kachin Independence Army intensifies.

Death of a Journalist
By YAMAMOTO MUNESUKE
Today marks the fourth anniversary of the death of Kenji Nagai, a Japanese cameraman who was shot dead on the streets of Rangoon during the 2007 street demonstrations. This article is reprinted from The Irrawaddy magazine issued in Dec. 2007— Volume 15 No.12.

Reshuffle Likely as Commanders Meet in Naypyidaw
By WAI MOE
As military commanders gather in the Burmese capital this week for their triannual meeting, reassignments and ethnic conflicts in the north will be high on the agenda.

Ban to Hold Meeting on Burma, as KIO Calls for UN Help
By LALIT K JHA
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announces a planned meeting of his “Group of Friends on Burma,” as the Kachin Independence Organization seeks UN help in ending conflict.

US Seeks Concrete Reform Steps from Burma
By LALIT K JHA
The Obama administration wants Burma's new government to take steps that show its commitment to genuine representative democracy, a senior US official told the Burmese foreign minister last week.

Regional
Islamic Healing is on the Rise in Southeast Asia
By DENIS D. GRAY/ AP WRITER
A 47-year-old housewife who recently started using Islamic alternative cures emerged tearfully from an exorcism, speaking of newfound tranquility after a turbulent time in her life. Also, her abdominal pains are finally easing.

Thai Govt Looks at Returning Thaksin's Passport
By MATTHEW PENNINGTON/ AP WRITER
Thailand's foreign minister says the corruption conviction of Thaksin Shinawatra was politically motivated and the new government led by his sister is looking at whether the exiled former prime minister should get his Thai passport back.

Opinion

The Seven Sins of the Latest ICG Burma Report
By DR ZARNI
In its latest report, “Myanmar: Major Reform Underway,” the International Crisis Group selectively chooses sources and material to produce a one-sided argument that significant reform is taking place in Burma.

Interview

'This is Our Contribution to Our Country'
The Irrawaddy speaks to Naw Ohn Hla, an organizer of a rare public protest march held to mark the fourth anniversary of the Saffron Revolution.

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