CNI News
4 Oct 2022
Negotiations are underway to launch technical cooperation with Russian ships in fishing in Myanmar waters, according to Myanmar Fisheries Federation.
As fishing boats currently used in Myanmar can catch fish up to the depth of 200 meters under sea, negotiations are being held to apply Russian technologies, which can be applied at the depths of 1,500 meters and 2,500 meters under sea, Vice Chairperson Daw Tow Nanda Tin told the CNI.
She said, “Negotiations focused on deep-sea fishing. Fishing boats in our country can catch up to the depth of 200 meters under sea. So, they cannot catch fish in waters that are deeper than 200 meters. If we can cooperate with Russia in technology, we will be able to catch fish from deeper waters and enhance our catching capacity with technological development.”
A Russian fishing boat.
Myanmar and Russia have reached agreements to cooperate in conducting surveys on stocks of fishery resources in Myanmar waters and other fields. Currently, both sides are discussing rules for cooperation, which is expected to start soon.
Cooperation in deep-sea fishing with Russia will only contribute to the government and is unlikely to have much benefit for coastal fishing and fish breeding, U Khin Maung Aye, an oyster breeder in Kyaukphyu, told the CNI.
He said, “Fish stocks have depleted in coastal areas but deeper parts of the sea are still abundant in fish resources. This will not have any impacts on ordinary people. Most fishing entrepreneurs have to invest as much as MMK 60 million and catch anchovies and cuttle fish with the use of Thai technologies. Even then, fish stocks have depleted in coastal areas. Cooperation in deep-sea fishing with Russia will contribute only to the government and ordinary people in coastal areas will not be able to enjoy much benefit.
A site of the fishing industry.
Currently, Thai technologies are being applied in fish-breeding and fishing in Myanmar. Development of the fishing industry requires not only technologies but also investment and penetration into new markets, according to fishing entrepreneurs.
Myanmar is abundant in fish resources but the country still lacks fishing equipment and technologies. As a result, Myanmar fishing boats can catch fish at the depth of a few meters under sea. By cooperating with Russia in the fishing industry, Myanmar will receive assistance in technologies and equipment, according to the Department of Fisheries and the Myanmar Fisheries Federation.
CNI News
3 Oct 2022
As Shan ethnic armed organizations are distancing themselves from the ongoing Spring Revolution, some people are beginning to question their stance and have called for them to join the revolution.
Some local political observers said that it was difficult for Shan EAOs to join the revolution as they are undergoing a different situation from others and they have to take great care of areas under their control.
However, China-based Myanmar political observer Dr Hla Kyaw Zaw said that EAOs in Shan State were likely to join the revolution gradually.
She told the CNI that it bodes well for EAOs to hold talks in Pangsang recently. Some of them are engaging the military in armed conflicts, others are holding talks in Nay Pyi Taw but they are united. It bodes well for them. So, even SSA might join their alliance gradually. Saying that, it will not be easy form a united front because the junta will not sit idle. It will sow the seed of discord among them. All our politicians and revolutionaries are clear about that. We should do everything to undermine the junta from multiple fronts. So, EAOs will join the revolution gradually not only in Shan State but also in the entire country. Everyone must exert efforts to that end.”
Meetings between leaders of the MNDAA and the UWSA.
Under current circumstances, EAOs in Shan State are not in a position to fight the junta unitedly, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.
He said, “EAOs in Shan State are in disagreement. The Shan State Progressive Party and the Restoration Council of Shan State are fighting each other for territorial control instead of fighting the military. So, EAOs in Shan State cannot fight the military unitedly. There is a alliance of three brotherhood, which can operate in the state to some extent including the TNLA, the MNDAA, and the AA.”
Currently, the National Unity Government does not have much influence on and is less active in Shan State, he added.
Vice Chairman Brig-Gen Tar Gyokegyar.
The SSPP, the RCSS/SSA, the UWSA, the MNDAA, the NDAA, the KIA, the TNLA, the PNLO, the LDU and many other militia groups are active in Shan State.
Among them, the UWSA, the NDAA, the SSPP, the RCSS, the PNLO and the LDU are holding peace talks with the junta while the TNLA, the KIA and the MNDAA rarely fight the junta.
Militia groups are under the command of the junta and they cannot be counted on.
The UWSA considers the current crisis a conflict between two Bamar leaders and urged them to address the issues through negotiations, according to a statement from them.
At present, joint forces of some EAOs and local PDFs are fighting against the military in Sagaing and Magway Regions and in Kayin, Kayah and Chin States.
CNI News
2 Oct 2022
Amid armed clashes, the number of freight trucks travelling to Sagaing Region in upper Myanmar has dropped and only those based in the region are providing freight services, according to Myanmar Highway Freight Transportation Service Entrepreneurs Association and truck drivers.
As some buses and freight trucks were attacked and authorities have imposed restrictions on some commodities in the region, freight transportation services and truck drivers refused to transport goods to Sagaing Region, Ko Khin Maung Myint, a highway freight truck driver, told the CNI.
“Truck drivers based in the region are still providing freight transportation services. Those from other states and regions do not travel to Sagaing because it is very dangerous for them and searches along the roads have intensified. Moreover, they do not know which commodities are restricted. In Monywa and Shwebo, restrictions have been imposed on travelling hours,” he said.
As there are few freight trucks travelling to Sagaing Region, merchants are not able to transport goods in time and have faced difficulties and stopped trading with the region.
Therefore, there might be shortages of commodities in the region, according to an official from MHFTSEA.
“Truck drivers do not want to go to Sagaing. There is no problem for them as they can go to other states and regions. However, merchants who are trading with the region have problems because the foodstuffs they send to the regions cannot be delivered in time. As merchants have problems, there may be shortages of foodstuffs in the region,” he told the CNI.
Currently, authorities have intensified searches in Sagaing Region and Myiek and Dawei in Tanintharyi Region. Sometimes truck drivers are forced to pay bribes at some checkpoints, according to a highway bus driver.
“Of course, there are concerns. We cannot travel peacefully during the conflicts. Currently, situation has deteriorated in Sagaing and Monywa. Authorities have intensified in lower parts of Myanmar like Myeik and Dawei. However, checkpoints I have to pass do not search vehicles but they ask for bribes, “ he told the CNI.
Armed conflicts have frequently broken out between the Tatmadaw and local PDFs in Shwebo, Depayin, Taze, Minkin and Kanni townships in Sagaing Region and sometimes freight trucks and passenger buses were stuck in armed conflicts.
CNI News
4 Oct 2022
Two Naga youths for Tayon Village in Shinbweyan Township, Tanai District in Kachin State were conscripted by the Kachin Independence Army, local residents and Naga organizations told the CNI.
The KIA has long been conscripting Naga youths and the two youths were abducted from their home, a resident who did not want to be named for security reasons told the CNI.
He told the CNI, “The first youth was abducted at night on Saturday and the KIA tried to kidnap another youth last night but the youth managed to flee. So, the KIA abducted his elder brother for conscription. The KIA is active in our Hukaung Valley. They are recruiting new soldiers.”
Tayon is a village of about 600 households from Kachin, Naga and other ethnic groups, all of whom are conscripted regularly, according to the local resident.