Myanmar | Journal Gazette

Myanmar army to continue role

Anne Gearan — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

The military that ran Myanmar for decades will continue to play a major role in the country, said the former general who has presided over the transformation of a nation that only three years ago was considered one of the world's most repressive.

US Myanmar sanctions list far out of date

ERIKA KINETZ — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

If you're American and want to do business in Myanmar, there's a list of people and companies you have to steer clear of by law. But it leaves off a former minister's son whom U.S. officials suspected of brokering arms deals with North Korea, and high-rolling relatives of the man who led the repressive military government for 19 years.

Japan's prime minister to visit Myanmar next week

Associated Press — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:10:02 EST

TOKYO Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Myanmar next Friday, the first Japanese prime minister to do so in 36 years, informed sources said Saturday.

Myanmar leader frees prisoners ahead of US visit

Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:56:52 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar's president has pardoned political prisoners just ahead of a state visit to the United States, maintaining the momentum of warming ties between the countries.

Cyclone fizzles, spares Myanmar

FARID HOSSAIN — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh - Cyclone Mahasen weakened Thursday afternoon into a tropical storm and then dissipated, causing far less damage than had been feared as it passed over Bangladesh and spared Myanmar almost entirely, meteorological officials said.

Myanmar says president to make official US visit

Aye Aye Win — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:29:47 EST

YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar state television announced Monday that President Thein Sein will make a state visit to the United States in the near future, the first by a Myanmar head of state in almost 47 years and a sign of warming ties.

Refugees face uncertain future as Myanmar opens

Associated Press — Sun, 12 May 2013 03:03:56 EST

MAE LA REFUGEE CAMP, Thailand - Since the day she was born, 20-year-old Naw Lawnadoo has known almost nothing of the world beyond the fence and guard posts that hem her in with 45,000 others - ethnic minorities from Myanmar and those like her who were born and raised in the Mae La refugee camp in neighboring Thailand.

Myanmar issues cyclone warning

ASSOCIATED PRESS — Sat, 11 May 2013 08:50:32 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar's government is warning that a cyclone barreling north in the Bay of Bengal could slam into the country's coast next week.

Ford to enter Myanmar with showroom by August

ERIKA KINETZ — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:54:53 EST

Ford Motor Co. announced its entry into Myanmar on Tuesday, saying it plans to open the nation's first sales and service showroom for new vehicles by August.

PORTRAITS: New numerology of hate grows in Myanmar

Erika Kinetz — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:06:35 EST

Wrapped in a saffron robe, Buddhist monk Wirathu insists he is a man of peace. Never mind his nine years in prison for inciting deadly violence against Muslims. Never mind the gruesome photos outside his office of Buddhists allegedly massacred by Muslims. Never mind that in the new Myanmar, the man dubbed the "Burmese bin Laden" has emerged as the spiritual leader of a pro-Buddhist fringe movement accused of fueling a bloody campaign of sectarian violence.

Canada plot suspect denies charges

News services — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

A man accused of plotting with al-Qaida members in Iran to derail a train in Canada rejected the charges and said Tuesday that authorities were basing their conclusions on appearances. Law enforcement officials in the U.S. said the target was a train that runs between New York City and Canada.

93 Myanmar prisoners are granted amnesty

Associated Press — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:56:35 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - State television in Myanmar says President Thein Sein has granted amnesty to 93 prisoners one day after the European Union lifted sanctions against the Southeast Asian nation.

EU drops sanctions against Myanmar

Juergen Baetz — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:13:06 EST

LUXEMBOURG – The European Union on Monday dropped its political and economic sanctions against Myanmar to support the country’s “remarkable process” of democratic changes, while warning it must curb recent outbursts of ethnic violence.

EU to drop sanctions against Myanmar

Juergen Baetz — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:19:21 EST

BRUSSELS – The European Union will drop most sanctions against Myanmar to reward the country’s progress toward democracy, two EU diplomats said Friday.

Myanmar highway paved by hand, with hope

Jocelyn Gecker — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:31:42 EST

The 200-mile road swerves along a mostly jungle-covered plateau of Shan state, a war-torn region that is known for drug smuggling and has been off-limits to foreigners for years.

Myanmar leader says nation needs to learn from past

Associated Press — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:20:50 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar's president said Sunday his country needs to learn from the violence and instability that has wracked the Southeast Asian nation over the last two years if it is to overcome the challenge of democratization.

Bloodied in Burma

Washington Post — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:31:58 EST

The political liberalization in Burma is far from complete, but already it is displaying a dark side. In Burma, as in many other countries where dictatorships have crumbled, a new freedom is being exploited by religious and ethnic extremists including some who were lauded for their opposition to the military regime.

13 youths die in fire Myanmar police call accident

ERIKA KINETZ — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:05:08 EST

Police, anxious over sectarian violence that has shaken the nation, blamed an electrical short circuit for the blaze and said they were investigating mosque authorities for possible negligence.

In Myanmar, conflict threatens reform, 2 years on

Associated Press — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 03:45:21 EST

LAIZA, Myanmar - When Myanmar's post-junta government took power two years ago vowing to bring democracy to one of the world's most repressed nations, Da Shi Naw was under no illusion his own life would improve any time soon. But the 61-year-old farmer never dreamed it would actually get worse - a lot worse.

Myanmar leader says force an option to end riots

Associated Press — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:30:14 EST

YANGON, Myanmar Myanmar President Thein Sein said Thursday that his government will use force if necessary to quell deadly religious rioting that started last week, as attacks on Muslims by Buddhist mobs continued in several towns.

General: Myanmar military staying in politics

ERIKA KINETZ — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:49:21 EST

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar The military that ruled Myanmar for five decades paraded its might Wednesday in front of the opposition leader it once repressed, as its commander in chief said it will remain involved in politics to help the country transform itself into a democracy.

Myanmar sets new curfews after fresh violence

Associated Press — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:57:35 EST

YANGON, Myanmar Authorities in Myanmar imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in three townships on Tuesday after anti-Muslim religious violence touched new parts of the country, edging closer to the main city of Yangon.

UN envoy visits ruined Myanmar city after violence

Associated Press — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

MEIKHTILA, Myanmar - The United Nations' top envoy to Myanmar on Sunday toured a central city that was destroyed in the country's worst explosion of Buddhist-Muslim violence this year, visiting some of the nearly 10,000 people forced from their homes after unrest left dozens of corpses in the streets, some of them charred beyond recognition.

GOP Gerrymandering Solidifies Control of House in Michigan

Chris Christoff and Greg Giroux — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 08:55:19 EST

LANSING, Mich. Michigan's 14th congressional district looks like a jagged letter "S" laying on its side.

At least 20 dead in Myanmar sectarian violence

Associated Press — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:18:17 EST

MEIKHTILA, Myanmar – Myanmar’s president declared a state of emergency Friday in a central city shaken by sectarian bloodshed that has killed at least 20 people.

State of emergency declared in Myanmar town

Associated Press — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:53:29 EST

Mobs set fire to Muslim homes and mosques in frenzied sectarian rioting in a town in central Myanmar, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 6,000 homeless amid growing fears Friday that the latest bout of Muslim-Buddhist bloodshed could spread.

Suu Kyi meets more anger over Myanmar mine

Yadana Htun — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:09:02 EST

MONYWA, Myanmar - In a virtually unprecedented political phenomenon, hostile villagers confronted opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during the second day of a trip to northwestern Myanmar to explain why she supports continuation of a mining project opposed by many local residents.

Villagers heckle Suu Kyi over mine report

Yadana Htun — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:27:41 EST

MONYWA, Myanmar - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has met with rare public scorn as she tried to justify an official report endorsing a copper mine in northwestern Myanmar that is opposed by many local residents.

Myanmar mine protesters reject official report

AYE AYE WIN — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:42:57 EST

YANGON, Myanmar Opponents of a nearly $1 billion copper mine in northwestern Myanmar expressed outrage Tuesday over a government-ordered report that said the project should continue and that refrained from demanding punishment for police involved in a violent crackdown on protesters.

Myanmar’s opposition party shakes up leadership

Associated Press — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 03:29:33 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been elected head of the new executive board of Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy, as the party has a makeover to adjust itself to the country's new democratic framework.

Suu Kyi vows to bring new blood to party

Associated Press — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 03:13:28 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Saturday vowed to inject new blood into her party and urged members to rise above petty differences as they elect new leadership for the first time in the 25-year history of the National League for Democracy.

Myanmar opposition party to hold party congress

Associated Press — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - In another sign of political reform and reconciliation in Myanmar, the country's biggest party led by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will hold its first-ever congress in the country's former capital next week.

Ford to sell cars, pickups in Myanmar

Erica Kinetz — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:47:28 EST

YANGON, Myanmar – Ford Motor Co. has signed a deal to distribute vehicles in Myanmar, the head of Ford’s local partner said Thursday.

U.S. caught in awkward embrace of Myanmar 'crony'

Erika Kinetz — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:12:07 EST

The United States still has Win Aung on a blacklist of entities with whom U.S. citizens and companies are banned from doing business.

Myanmar survivors say Thai navy took their engine

Bharatha Mallawarachi — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 08:30:00 EST

Nearly 100 died of starvation as the rest drank sea water to stay alive.

Myanmar, U.S. to cooperate in fighting narcotics

Associated Press — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:33:01 EST

YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar and the United States took another step toward closer relations with an agreement Thursday to resume cooperation in fighting narcotics after nearly nine years.

Probe alleges Myanmar police used white phosphorus

Associated Press — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 19:15:42 EST

YANGON, Myanmar An independent investigation has found that white phosphorus caused the severe burns monks and other demonstrators suffered during a November crackdown by police on a protest against a mining project in northwestern Myanmar, a lawyer said.

Suu Kyi courts military with eye on presidency

Daniel Ten Kate and Kyaw Thu — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:38:50 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Former political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi is seeking support from Myanmar military officials for a constitutional change that would allow her to become president, according to senior members of her party.

Baptist Burmese find new Kentucky home

Bob Driehaus — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:13:12 EST

Each week, he had to print out his sermon and run it by government censors who edited out anything they didn’t like.

Myanmar to allow UN aid deliveries to Kachin state

Associated Press — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:14:28 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar will allow the United Nations into strife-torn Kachin state to deliver humanitarian aid for the first time since a recent escalation of fighting between ethnic rebels and government troops, officials said Wednesday.

Freedom brings new challenges for Myanmar writers

Erika Kinetz — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:53:43 EST

Myanmar’s writers are relearning the habits of free thought and testing the boundaries of speech. But change has also brought questions about how licensing requirements and market capitalism will shape public debate and how speech should be regulated.

Japan is canceling $3.58 billion in Myanmar debt

Associated Press — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:28:53 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Japan says it is canceling $3.58 billion in debt owed by Myanmar. A Japanese Embassy statement Wednesday said the move is intended to help Myanmar's efforts in democratization, national reconciliation and economic and social reform.

Myanmar abolishes order banning public gatherings

Associated Press — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:49:11 EST

YANGON, Myanmar Myanmar's new reformist government has abolished a 25-year-old ban on public gatherings of more than five people, state media reported Tuesday, ending a much-criticized order issued in 1988 on the day a military junta took power after crushing nationwide pro-democracy protests.

Deal signed to clear Myanmar debt

Aye Aye Win — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:08:26 EST

YANGON, Myanmar – The World Bank announced a long-awaited deal to allow Myanmar to clear part of its huge decades-old foreign debt, opening the door for new much-needed lending to jump-start its lagging economy.

Myanmar’s Kachin rebels lose ground near headquarters

Associated Press — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 03:00:00 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - A key outpost protecting the headquarters of ethnic Kachin rebels in northern Myanmar has fallen to government troops, a spokesman for the guerrilla group said Sunday.

White House, senators launching immigration push

Associated Press — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 05:15:19 EST

WASHINGTON - President Obama will launch a campaign next week aimed at overhauling the nation's flawed immigration system and creating legal status for millions, as a bipartisan Senate group nears agreement on achieving the same goals.

Myanmar rejects US criticism over ethnic conflict

Associated Press — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 05:07:23 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - U.S. criticism of Myanmar's conflict with ethnic minority rebels has drawn a sharp rejoinder from the government, which says it is offended that Washington still calls the country by its old name, Burma.

Myanmar's Kachin rebels say fighting continues

Associated Press — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 04:06:59 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Ethnic Kachin rebels in Myanmar said clashes in the country's north continued Saturday despite a government promise to cease fire, casting doubt over hopes that the bloody conflict there could end soon.

Myanmar seeks partners for telecommunications

Associated Press — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:36:47 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar's government has taken a fresh step toward liberalizing its state-dominated telecommunications sector by publishing a notice Wednesday inviting investment proposals from local and foreign companies for nationwide telecommunications services, including telephone and Internet connectivity.

Myanmar rebels say army artillery strike kills 3

Associated Press — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 04:28:18 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Ethnic Kachin rebels in Myanmar say government forces fired artillery that killed three civilians and wounded four more in the town the rebels use as their headquarters.

Myanmar helicopter crashes in northern battle zone

Associated Press — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 04:57:24 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - Kachin ethnic rebels battling the army in northern Myanmar say they shot down a government helicopter, but the army says it crashed due to engine failure.

Hunt for WWII Spitfires yields crate

AYE AYE WIN — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 03:00:00 EST

An excavation team searching for a stash of legendary World War II-era British fighter aircraft in northern Myanmar said a wooden crate believed to contain one of the planes has been found, full of muddy water.

Rebels say Myanmar government continues offensive

Associated Press — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:15:36 EST

YANGON, Myanmar – Ethnic Kachin rebels in northern Myanmar say the government is keeping up air and ground attacks against them despite international calls for restraint.

British Spitfire search team arrives in Myanmar

Associated Press — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:46:54 EST

YANGON, Myanmar - A search team led by a British aviation enthusiast arrived in Myanmar on Sunday to begin a dig they hope will unearth dozens of rare British Spitfire fighter planes said to have been buried in the Southeast Asian country at the end of World War II.

Myanmar military admits to airstrikes

Associated Press — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 03:00:00 EST

Myanmar's military acknowledged launching airstrikes against ethnic Kachin rebels in the north and said it captured a hilltop post from where the insurgents had attacked government supply convoys.