CNI News

11 July 2023

There are questions about why the State Administration Council(SAC) that is regulating the need of USD by restricting exports and controlling foreign currencies needs USD. 
The SAC is in need of USD to buy weapons and ammunitions from abroad to use in the internal armed conflicts, said some politicians.  

May be the SAC needs USD because it has to import fuel, medicine, fertilizer, cooking oil and other commodities which cannot be sufficiently produced in local, said U Thiha Paing, founder of Via Logistics and Supply Chain to CNI News.

" SAC doesn't have to buy weapons so much Many weapons are being produced in local. Some weapons can be even exported, I heard. Buying from abroad in relation to weapon is that technologies and new weapons. I don't think it's main. Mainly there are things we must import, such as fuel that has to be bought with USD and the ministry of health has to designate how much medicine will be imported yearly. We can't say the army alone is spending USD. There are things we must import. Fuel is used for the people as well. We must import medicine. Some countries sell controlled drugs according to the recommendation by the government. Fertilizer and cooking oil must be imported" he said.

US Dollar and Myanmar currency

Controlling USD from import and export activities due to the domestic dollar demand may cause export business to delay, so it should be reviewed, said businesspeople. Although Myanmar Kyat is directly exchanged to Yuan or Baht in payment at the border trade in order to reduce the Dollar demand, there is still Dollar demand.

The SAC has to pay the debt borrowed from international by Dollar and only if you knew exactly, you could say why the SAC needed USD, said U Ye Tun to CNI News.

" We don't know exactly what the paticulars are to find out why the government needs USD. So, we have to estimate. May be they need to pay the deby by Dollar. If it buys the weapons from Israel or Middle East, it will have to pay by Dollar. If it buys the weapons from Russia, it can pay by Ruble." he said.

US Dollars are being earned from oil and gas sales and foreign investments. But at present because foreign investments have left and there is little chance that foreign investment will enter, the SAC is looking for USD in many ways, he added.

natural gas is being produced

" The government is earning USD from selling natural resources such as oil and gas. And it earns USD from China for oil and gas pipelines passing the country. Under a democratically elected government, when foreign investments enter the country, because they would take US Dollars with them, they would exchange Dollars with Myanmar Kyats and would hire land lots and they would build buildings and but they would pay Myanmar citizen staff by Kyats. If the investments like that entered the country, the government would earn Dollars and its people could be employed. But as there is little chance that foreign investments will enter the country again after they has left, the government seems to be looking for USD by all means" he said.

The country had to spend USD 2,496.652 million to import 4.12 million tons of fuel in 2021 and the situation in 2022-2023 has not been reported as yet. And over 900,000 tons of cooking oil are being imported yearly.

CNI News

11 July 2023

As the number of young people who wanted to go on working in the pottery industry, a traditional business of Myanmar, became very few, they were worried that the business would disappear, said those who do the business of pottery. 

At present, although pottery industries are being operated, because the number of youths who want to work in the pottery industry become very few and raw materials are scarce, he is worried that the pottery industry will disappear, said a trader from Soe Thitsar Pottery Industry in Bago Region to CNI News.  

"Firewood as raw matterials is scarce. Young people don't want to work in this kind of job. Current workers are those who have been working since before. Because they are old, they can't work hard. So, potteries may be gradually scarce." he said. 

a woman making a pottery

Although the pottery business was doing well, because the transportation charges were expensive, the profit was low, said Ma Sandar from Doh Yoe Yar Pottery and Various Types of Terracotta Retail and Wholesale Trading Business in Sagaing Region. 

" Raw matterials are scarce. Transportation charges are costly as well. Transportation charges are expensive because transporters don't dare go. If the truck fare was 100,000 Kyats in the past, now it is 200,000 Kyats or 300,000 Kyats. The business is going well. But in the past the profit was two times. If we bought potteries for 5,000 Kyats, we would be able to sell them for 10,000 Kyats. Now if we have to pay 8,000Kyats to buy, we don't dare sell at a higher price because we are worried that customers won't buy. As you know, we are not selling foodstuff." she said to CNI News.

As potteries are used not only in rural areas but also in towns and cities, pottery business is doing well, according to the people doing in the business of pottery.

potteries

In Sagaing Region, because transportation charges are very expensive, pottery industry is almost dying out, said Ma Sandar.

" We had to buy earth from Oe Bo Ward before. Now we have to buy earth from the Shwe Min Wun Industrial Zone. So, we have to pay more for transportation. If you add the costs for firewood and workers, you can't make much profit from pottery industry in Sagaing. Sagaing pottery has become scarce gradually. They rarely produce potteries once a month only." she said.

Traditional potteries and terracottas are being produced in Ayeyarwady, Sagaing, Bago Regions, Pathein Township, Dawei Township, Chin State, Twante Township and Rakhine State. Potteries produced in Myanmar are not only sold in local but also exported to Thailand and China, said the people who do the business of pottery.

Apart from scarce workers, scarce raw materials and expensive transport, regional instability has worsened the pottery industry, so they are worried that pottery industry will die out, said the people from pottery industry.

CNI News

11 July 2023

May be the Tatmadaw attacked an area near to Laiza, the headquarters of Kachin Independent Army (KIA) because it wanted to put pressure on the KIA-PDF(People's Defense Force) collaboration, said U Ye Tun, Myanmar political analyst to CNI. 

KIA has penetrated the Sagaing Region after collaborating with PDF, so the Tatmadaw seemed to put pressure on KIA, he said.

"Now that C in C has taken'the head of State' position, the army won't dare to answer why it attacked that area. A sure thing is that the Tatmadaw wants to pressure KIA because KIA has penetrated upper country such as Sagaing Region and fighting against the Tatmadaw after collaborating with PDF. In relation to the matter about attack by PDF collaborating with TNLA and MNDAA in northeastern country, as the Tatmadaw requested China to ask TNLA and MNDAA to stop collaborating and fighting, they seemed to do as they were told.  We hardly heard that many battles are taking place there. But may be KIA is pressured by military means because it didn't do as it was told."he said.  

KIA was providing PDFs and LDF(Local Defense Force) inside Sagaing Region with military trainings and supporting weapons and ammunitions. Moreover, KIA is conducting joint operations with PDF and LDF and is selling weapons and ammunitions as well, said locals.

Maj-Gen Gun Maw, a leader of KIA

Battles between the Tatmadaw and KIA have been taking place in Nam San Yang since on the 1st of July, 2023 and it is reported that the two sides have been in military tension until now. Although CNI contaced Col. Naw Bu, information officer of KIA, it has not got any reply from him.

At present, the military situation between the two sides is calm. But the Tatmadaw had reinforced, locals were worried that fierce battles would take place, said a local in Kachin State to CNI News. 

Unless the Tatmadaw launched offensive attacks, KIA would remain calm. I wonder if the Tatmadaw might come massively after gathering the forces coming from Bamaw and Myitkyina. 

If they come, their war planes will come with them, I think. I heard that their plane came and dropped some bombs the other night. The Tatmadaw has deployed at Aoja, on the other side of Nant San creek and at Lwemauk village as well.

It is said that the Tatmadaw has launched offensive attacks against KIA to put pressure on the KIA-PDF collaboration

I heard that some landmines exploded at the top of the village the other day and all the villagers were called and gathered." he said.

The two sides should negotiate not to arise fierce battles and there are still IDPs who have not been able to return to their homes due to previous battles, he added.

Nam San Yang village where the fighting is currently taking place is located on the Myitkyina-Bamaw road and it is the nearest village to the KIA's headquarters. It is just 10 miles away from the headquarters reportedly.

CNI News

8 July 2023

Among the Rakhine armed organizations acting on behalf of the Rakhine people, only armed organization supported by the people would survive in the end, said U Tin Htoo Aung from the Arakan National Network, to CNI News.

Armed organizations have to work for the sake of the public and only the armed organization that has been supported by the public has the upper hand, he said. 

" An armed organization needs to have the public support. Only the armed organization that works for the public will survive in the end. According to not only tradition and current events but also the situation that will happen in the future , I believe like that. The fact that who works for the public or who wins the public support more than others is the most important fact to decide who will survive. Not to change the conflicts between armed organizations into public conflicts is important." he said.

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin and delegation from ALP in Maijayan, second headquarters of KIA in 2016

Rakhine armed organizations are Arakan Army (ULA/AA), Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) and Arakan National Council (ANC). ALP and ULA/AA are being active in Rakhine and helping  in the rehabilitation activities after cyclone Mocha.

ULA/AA and ALP are competing for more public support in the rehabilitation activities. Khaing Ni Raung, vice chairman of ALP, the commander of No. 101 battalion, a private were assassinated in Sittwe in the early July after which there were mutual-accusations between the AA and the ALP.

leaders from AA and ALP in Maijayan, second headquarters of KIA in 2016

"ULA/AA officials go and see in person to the people in trouble and support a lot. Public support on AA has increased.It's partly because of their capacity. We've heard that ALP helps the people in towns but not in rural areas. And more Rakhine public believe in AA." said a Rakhine local

Rakhine public wants a reliable armed force and at present more Rakhine people are supporting ULA/AA, he added. ALP has signed on the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and ULA/AA and ANC/AA are Rakhine armed organizations fighting with the Tatmadaw.  

CNI News

8 July 2023

There are arguments whether Myanmar is the same as Burma or totally different from each other while the stakeholders are striving to build Myanmar as a federal union.

At present, Myanmar is called Burma as well and Bamar race and Myanmar are used and called.

When the British ruled the country, Bamar or Burma became the name of the country, but later,the name had been changed and called, said Col. Khun Okka, a leader of an ethnic armed group to CNI News.

stakeholders having discussion about building a federal union

" In my opinion,when the British ruled th country, they called our country Burma. But on the Bagan stone inscriptions were written Myanmar, a little different from the currently-used spelling. So, Myanmar was the name of a race and Burma was a country under the rule of the British. But, later Myanmar has become the country and Bamar (Burma) is the name of a race. In any case, what we are currently using is Burmese language. I think we can call like that." he said.

The word 'Burma' represented all the races _ Shan, Kachin, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and so on all over the country. But since the time of General Ne Win, Bamar has become the name of a race and Myanmar, a country reportedly.

The matter whether Myanmar was the same as Bamar or not would be solved only when the revolution is finished, said a person close to revolution.

While seeing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

"The reason was not strong. Burma represents Myanmar people and Myanmar applies to all the ethnic people. That's not right. According to literature ideology, you have to write Myanmar when you want to mean Bamar. But Myanmar is Bamar. It's not true that Myanmar applies to all the ethnic people" said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi when she met with Myanmar citizens in Japan.

" Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said in Japan that Myamar was equal with Bamar. Myanmar literature and Bamar literature are the same, which we have already known. But Myanmar is sweeter for ears" said U Pe Than, a Rakhine politician to CNI News.  

Dobama Asiayone which played an role in striving to gain independence arose in 1292 (Myanmar Era) and proclaimed "we, Burmans, are masters. Burma is our land.

Burmese language is our langusge. Burmese speech is our speech and so on"
At present there are arguments whether Burma and Myanmar are the same,Burmese language and Myanmar language are the same, and Burmese speech and Myanmar speech are the same, or not. Myanmar and Burma, which expression represents all the ethnic people all over the country has not been exactly described.  

CNI News

8 July, 2023

New Mon State Party (NMSP) discussed with the State Administration Council (SAC) in Naypyidaw on 5th July, 2023 while facing with military and political crises.  

The discussion were attended by Naing Aung Min, vice chairman of NMSP, Naing Aung Mangay and Naing Banyar Lae, members of NMSP's Central Executive Committe, and delegates from SAC _ Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC), Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, member of SAC, Lt-Gen Win Bo Shein, secretary of NSPNC. 
The discussion was held from 6th to 7th July, 2023.

At present, NMSP is facing with political and military crises because KNU (Karen National Unin) and PDFs (People's Defense Forces) have increased their military activities in Mon, Kayin States and Tanintharyi Region  where it has been active.

 delegates of the New Mon State Party

Because KNU is making preparations to form Brigade (8) while new Mon armed organizations have arisen im Mon State, NMSP is worried that there will be.regional instability.

If all the ethnic armed organizations fought against the Tatmadaw at the same time, NMSP would also fight against the Tatmadaw, said Naing Han Thar, chairman of NMSP to Mon News Agency a few days ago.

NMSP is one of the ethnic armed organizations that have signed on the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and is carrying out carefully for the regional stability reportedly.

CNI News

7 July 2023

They were carrying out to hold all-inclusive discussions and provide humanitarian assistance which are included in the five ASEAN common aspirations, said U Than Swe, Foreign Minister of the State Administration Council (SAC).
He said as above while he met with international diplomats in Yangon on 6th July, 2023.

" We are carrying out to stop terrorism, to hold all-inclusive discussions and to provide humanitarian assisstance, the most important of the five ASEAN common aspirations" said U Than Swe.

5,938 innocent people ( 4,878 civilians and 1,060 government employees) were killed due to the attack of PDFs and PDFs were doing subversive activities and preventing  the process of bringing about democracy and the government was unavoidably taking action against PDFs to protect the people from their lawless actions, he said.

 international diplomats

Myanmar was facing with the challenges relating to geopolitical impacts and news media war, but striving to have rule of law and to implement the all-inclusive peace process, said U Than Swe.  

At present, the National Unity Government (NUG) formed the People's Defence Force and is fighting against the Tatmadaw and some ethnic armed organizations are also fighting against the Tatmadaw by providing civilians with military trainings and forming armed forces to topple down the Tatmadaw.

So,battles are taking place in Sagaing, Magway, Tanintharyi Regions, Chin, Mon and Kayah States. The Tatmadaw has annunced that NUG/PDF is a terrorist organization and did not invite to the peace talks. NUG/PDF has also announced that the Tatmadaw is a terrorist organization and has proclaimed there is no reason to discuss about blood debt.

So, it's very difficult to arise an all-inclusive discussion, said local political parties and politicians.

CNI News

7 July 2023

The Indian government is trying to destroy the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Khaplang Yung Aung (NSCN-K-YA) by using the faction led by General Ang Mai who was expelled from the parent organization, said U Yung Aung, chairman of NSCN-K/YA in his statement issued on 4th July, 2023.

 U Ang Mai who was expelled and U Lan Nyei led and formed a new Naga armed organization on 2nd July 2023, which was strongly condemned by NSCN/GPRN ( NAtional Socialist Council of Nagaland/the Government of the People's Republic of Nagaland), said in the statement.

the letter dismissing Gen.Ang Mai and Maj-Gen Lan Nyei

" If we look at this event, The Indian government's intelligence unit is obviously using these persons with the intention of crushing NSCN/GPRN. This event is clearly opposed to regional stability and peace that Naga people want and bluntly threatening our national intention, which we, NSCN/GPRN, regard like that." said U Yung Aung.

U Ang Mai, a general, took responsibility as a personal officer of U Khaplan (deceased) when he led NSCN-K and as the minister for home affairs After that, General Ang Mai and Maj-Gen Lan Nyei separated from NSCN-K/YA and formed a new organization called NSCN-K/YA on 2nd July 2023.  

They (NSCN-K/YA) have to give up their selfish actions and stop their deceiving the public or they must be accountable to the Naga people for the possible consequences in the future, said U Yung Aung.

Gen. Ang Mai and his organization that separated from NSCN-K/YA

U Lan Nyei has repeatedly said that he was folloeing the policy of U Khaplan, his father, but in practice it's nothing more than just deceiving the people, said the statement. So, they stop their actions and surrender before the people is the best way for them, according to U Yung Aung.  

Myanmar-based NSCN-K is an aremed organization that is fighting against the Indian government for the liberation of the Naga people and establishment of the Naga State .

Although NSCN-K was led by U Khaplan, After his death on 9th June, 2017, U Kham Ngor, vice chairman, was appointed as chairman of NSCN-K. But a meeting was held from 15th to 17th August, 2018 and U Kham Ngor was overthrown.

After that, U Yung Aung, a nephew of U Khaplan, who graduated from Manipur University was appointed as the chairman of NSCN-K on 18th August, 2018. 
When U Yung Aung has taken responsibility as the chairman, Lt-Gen Nikisumi, deputy chief of staff, had a disagreement with U Yung Aung, and separated from NCSN-K and built an organization called NSCN-K/NK. 
The organization ceased fire with the Indian government for peace on 8th September, 2021.

In the same way, General Ang Mai, minister for home affairs, and Maj-Gen Lan Nyei separated and formed an organization called NSCN-K/AM on 2nd July, 2023.

CNI News

7 July 2023

That Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) was formed as Border Guard Force (BGF) was not right, said ALP's Maj. Khaing Thurein to CNI News. They did not have discussions about forming ALP as BGF and some news agencies'reports were not correct, he said.

"Who told you that ALP was formed as BGF? You must ask him. we did not discuss, we did not negotiate that we would form BGF. We have to ask the person who told or report the news for the first time. How reliable source did he get it from?" said Maj. Khaing Thurein, secretary member of ALP.

Armed conflicts have been spreading in Myanmar since the Tatmadaw took power on 1st February 2021. Sr-Gen Min aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council.

seven NCA signatories including ALP were discussing with National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) of the State Administration Council

offered the ethnic armed organizations to hold peace talks in April 2022 and ALP often took part in the peace talks held in Naypyidaw.

Khaing Ni Raung,vice chairperson of ALP, Khaing Kyaw Min, commander of No. 101 Battalion and private Kyaw Kyaw Naing were assassinated on 1st July.

Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin

When these events took place, a few days ago, an Arakan news agency reported that ALP would be formed as BGF. 
" I don't want to comment on that.It's just their decision. It depends on their independent decision." said U Ye Tun, a Myanmar political analyst.  
ALP was formed on 9th April, 1967 and had been active in the Thai-Myanmar border and India-Myanmar border. At present, it's active in Rakhine State as well.

ALP is one of the ethnic armed organizations that have signed on the Natonwaide Ceasefire Agreement and also a member of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST).