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CNI News
28 June 2023
There are some debates whether the current political problem will be solved if a political dialogue is held between SAC and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The beginning of road to solution could not be found without a political dialogue with DASSK, said in a statement released by NLD's Central Working Committee on the birthday of DASSK which fell on 19th June 2023.
It was difficult for him to say whether there would be a political dialogue between SAC and DASSK and to know DASSK's attitude in relation to spring revolution was needed, said U Myo Kyaw, spokesperson of UNA, to CNI.
people protesting against the Tatmadaw
" It's hard to say.How similar are the current processes to Daw Su's attitude? It is food for thought.To tell you frankly,as a leader, she was able to do a lot of good things including things that should be modelled. But now she's a very old woman. I want to leave her as an exemplary leader. Because how much healthy is she as a very old woman? How much effort can she take? How far can her decisions be correct? A very old person has a lot of aging symptons. I'm worried for these things" he said.
SAC can do everything that makes them take advantage, he added. Some international organizations are demanding SAC to release political prisoners including DASSK.
The political crisis could not be overcome by just discussing between SAC and DASSK. And he did not think that SAC would not discuss as well, said Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of Arakan Front Party (AFP) to CNI.
"I think that SAC doesn't take DASSK's role.into account any more.NLD also said that there were not any political prisoners. There were only criminal prisoners under its government. SAC also doesn't regard her as a political prisoner. She was charged with crimes like corruptions, violation of State Secret Act and so on. That's why whether DASSK will participate or not isn't important anymore, I think. SAC has held the 2008 constitution to solve Myanmar political problem.They announced a state of emergency according to the constitution and has taken power.They are trying for peace and stability. If there is no stability, we must ask them why." he said.
people demanding democracy in 2021
The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government led by DASSK on 1st February, 2021 after saying that NLD tried to form a government without solving the ballot dispute in
the 2020 general election after which demonstrations against the Tatmadaw and armed conflicts arose all over the country.
Due to armed conflicts and political crises, economy, social, health, education and other sectors in the country are deteriorating.
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CNI News
28 June 2023
The National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee and leaders from the five NCA signatories are discussing to amend the constitution and hold the peace conference.The discussion was held at the office of National Solidarity and Peace-making Committee (NSPC) in Naypyidaw on 26th June.
Points to be amended from the Constitution (2008), matters relating to implementation of the points agreed in previous talks, holding a peace conference, regional stability and anti-drug were discussed and negotiated.
The discussion will continue on the 27th and 28th reportedly.
The discussion with NSPNC was attended by Col.Khun Okka, the leading patron of Pa-O National Liberation Organization, Col.Saw Sein Win, Commander in Chief of DKBA, Dr Naw Kapaw Htoo, Vice Chairperson of Karen National Liberation Army (Peace Council), U Kyar Phu, vice chairman of Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) and Daw Saw Mya Yarzar Lin, chairperson of Arakan Liberation Party( ALP).
And those who attended from NSPNC are Lt.Gen Yar Pyae, leader of peace talks, Lt.Gen Moe Myint Tun, member of SAC, Lt.Gen Win Bo Shein, secretary of NSPNC and members of negotiation committee.
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CNI News
27 June 2023
More checks and arrests of foreigner migrant workers working as vendors or running a small shops have currently increased, said those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers to CNI News. It is intended not to be a shortage of jobs for Thai citizens. Working as vendors or running a small shops has been forbidden to foreigner migrant workers.
Legal migrant workers work as vendors or run small shops more than illegal ones, said Ko Thar Gyi, one who helps migrant workers, to CNI.
"Most of sellers like that are legal migrant workers. You can do the business of selling goods only if you have a license.
Thai officials inspecting and arresting migrant workers selling durians and fruit juice
if the police come and inspect, they run away from their shops.If you are prosecuted, you will be fined from five thousand to fifty thousand baht. Foreigners are more inspected. Especially Myanmar and Cambodian were arrested, and they were sent back en masse. So many Cambodian people were sent back about two weeks ago" he said.
About one third of those who sell Thai barbeque, cold drinks and fruit at the places such as university campuses and fresh markets are Myanmar nationals. Moreover, rice and curry sold by Myanmar nationals are cheaper than those sold by Thai nationals. So, Myanmar compatriots buy and eat rice and curry sold by Myanmar citizens.
Thai officials inspecting migrant workers making preparations to go out selling
Due to these situations, Thai citizens are facing job shortages and There have been complaints to the Thai authorities, according to those who helping migrant workers.
" When Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and vietnam nationals who have stayed in Thailand for long can speak Thai start doing the jobs restricted such as selling around with the strollers on which fruits or vegetables are loaded and cutting hair. Thai people know that. As soon as they complain,Thai authorities come and inspect. When Thai people are facing job shortages, there have been their complaints." said an official from Labour Right Foundation (LRF) to CNI.
Beacuse basic salary and overtime pay are enough for a legal migrant worker, working in forbidden jobs is not because of financial difficulties, said the people helping migrant workers.
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CNI News
27 June 2023
There are reviews on whether Indonesia's efforts to reduce the Tatmadaw's involvement in Myanmar politics can work or not.Indonesia, which has been serving as the rotating chairman of ASEAN, is willing to try to make the Tatmadaw retreat from politics gradually and Indonesian Army also gradually retreated from politics, said Indomesia.
Most of the people said the Tatmadaw should retreat from politics and whenever the military was said so, the Tatmadaw said that they would retreat from politics only when there were no more ethnic armed groups, said Daw Saw Mya Yarzar Lin, chairperson of Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) to CNI News.
U Thein Sein
" According to the experience we tried, when there was Hluttaw politics or previous political administration systems, almost everybody used to say that the Tatmadaw should retreat from politics. The Tatmadaw used to reply that they would retreat from politics only when there were no more EAOs.So, in my opinion, we need to have fair negotiations between EAOs and the government and the Tatmadaw. When we negotiate,we tend to say malnly what we want. We maintain weapons why. On the other hand, we can't give that. If we give that to you, the union will disintegrate. There are wide attitude gaps between the government, the Tatmadaw and EAOs. We need to negotiate badly" she said.
Indonesian officials secretly go to Naypyidaw and discuss with SAC officials and there are also reportedly official meetings between the two sides On condition that the country could go in a stable way in accord with the 2008 Constitution, the Tatmadaw might retreat from politics and but according to current situation, the Tatmadaw didn't seem to accept the suggestion to retreat from politics, said U Ye Tun, Myanmar Politics analyst to CNI.
the Hluttaw
" If I guess what they said, the Tatmadaw may accept like what Indonesia did. But they guessed that they would retreat from politics when battles especially the battles between the Tatmadaw and EAOs are under control after the country went in a stable way in accord with the 2008 Constitution for long and when peace is guaranteed after the change which needs for federalism was conducted. According to the current situation, because they are afraid that the country will fall apart and become chaotic, they won't accept if they are urged to renounce politics at present, I think," he said.
According to the 2008 Constitution, the Tatmadaw has the right to appoint 25 percent of the Hluttaw without having to be elected. During the last civilian government.
There were some discussions about a gradual reduction of the Tatmadaw's involvement in politics.
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CNI News
27 June 2023
Over 500 trucks of corn have not been able to be exported to Thailand as yet because there was a wrong export license name in applying for a license of corn export and an export permit has not been issued, said corn traders.
Although ministry of commerse has agreed orally to re-export over 500 trucks of corn, because there are some delays in procedure, the corn traders have not been able to export the corn to Thailand as yet, said a corn trader from Myawady, to CNI News.
" At present, although the policy is relaxed, there are delays due to the procedure. over 500 trucks of corn are stranded in Myawady. The corn had to be dropped off in the warehouses in Myawady. There are about 16,000 tons of corn totally and the current market price is about 5.3 million US dollars" he said. Because the government has not issued the corn export permits, corn export has been reportedly stopped since 16th June.
While seeing Burmese corn
According to Myanmar's policy on export license, a trader or buyer from abroad must pay 100 percent of the value of the goods in advance. Thai traders do not transfer the money in advance for the goods that has not been licensed to be exported, said traders.
So, Myanmar exporters transferred the money needed on behalf of buyer so that they can get the license. But the company that transferred the money to buy the goods was not the same as the name described in the license, said U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairperson of Myanmar Corn Industrial Association to CNI.
" According to export policy, a buyer from the other country has to pay in advance for the goods that he will buy after which the goods has to be exported from this side. But few practsies like that on the ground. Buyers from other countries hardly buy the goods from Myanmar after paying in advance.
While buying corn
That's why, the trader who want to sell his goods exchanges his money into State-designated currency such as dollar or yuan or baht and asked a company from the other country to transfer that money to the account here so that he can get the license. Afetr getting the license, the goods are exported. When our goods arrive at the other count, we sell our goods to another company really buying corn that will be convenient for us. But when the other side designate that we will sell the company that transferred the money only, we find it difficult a little. But we've heard that they would relax. I wonder if they might issue an official statement." he said.
For the company that transferred the money in advance will have to be sold, that company has reduced the corn price. So,it is next to impossible to raise the corn price, said corn traders.
Because the deadline for exporting corn to Thailand with tax exemption is August 31, they need to get the corn export licenses before the deadline, said corn traders.
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CNI News
26 June 2023
No conflict is needed between AA and Chin forces while they are fighting against common enemies, said U Pe Than, a Rakhine politician, to CNI. Moreover, Now is a period of war and there must be collaboration between Rakhine forces and Chin forces at a time like that, he said.
" They have nothing to worry about it ( There AA forces in Paletwa Township). This is a period of war. Only when ULA/AA is trying to capture Paletwa or to pull Paletwa into Rakhine State, Chin should ask this question. No matter Chin forces are in Rakhine or Rakhine forces are in Chin, it's no problem.What it is important is that there will be no conflict between the two sides." he said.
Because Paletwa Township in Chin State is militarily important to AA, AA has taken a foothold in the township since they started armed movement”he added.
It is said that AA takes advantage of battles currently taking place between Chin armed forces and the Tatmadaw and is taking a foothold in the middle of Chin State.
Paletwa Town
The CNI could not independently confirm this statement.AA leaders have said that they have temporarily taken a foothold before they build Arakan State and so there will be no problem, said a Cbin ethnic from Paletwa Township to CNI.
At present, there are no Chin armed forces in Paletwa Township and there are only teritories controlled by AA and the Tatmadaw, he added. ULA/AA was formed in April 2009 and when it started revolution, it took a foothold in Paletwa and penetrated into Rakhine State.
After two years of cceasefire between AA and the Tatmadaw, battles took place again in August 2022. After that, the two sides agreed to cease battles on 26th November 2022, having much sympathy for the loss of local community.
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CNI News
26 June 2023
The entry and exit routes of Moreh Town in India have been closed since early May due to the ongoing communal riots in Moreh, India. So, traders from Tamu Town are trading by using other routes, said the traders.
The traders from Tamu went to Moreh from Nan Phar Lone Market in trading with India in the past. But at present, traders have to go to Nagaland that is far from Tamu. The tax is paid on Myanmar side to officially use that route and, but not officially on India side, said U Khin Maung Win, a trader from Tamu, to CNI.
" If a trader go into Nagaland, he must his contacts there. Not everybody can go there. And there is an excusive carry for that route in India. Even Indian traders don't dare to carry their goods themself. it's just blackmarket on the India side. But it's not very difficult. The road is a little rough. and it's costly to use the route." he said.
Nan Phar Lone Market
In trading with India, trade was conducted through Moreh-Tamu-Nan Pharlone Market in the past, which didn't cost traders. But as some goods that must be exported are being traded through other routes, expenditures have increased, said traders.
Because some traders trade inly on the Tamu-Moreh route, they have stopped trading, said U Hla Maung, chairman of the Border Traders Association (Kalay-Tamu-Kalaywa}.
The Indian side has closed the trade terminal since March 2020 for the reason that they would be able to control and prevent the Covid-19. Although Myanmar traders pay the tax and export goods, it sort of is illegal on the India side reportedly.
Due to the ongoing communal riots in the state of Manipur There is still no stability in the area.In 2019-2020 fiscal year, Myanmar side exported goods to India side for USD 40.731 million and the value of imports from India was USD 1.443 million through Tamu border before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the ministry of Commerce, Myanmar.
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CNI News
25 June 2023
U Win Myint Aung who was kicked out of the party by Central Working Committee of NLD, saying he was being used by SAC was arrested by some PDFs, according to some people
close to him.
U Win Myint Aung was arrested about two weeks ago by some PDFs at Mucambak in Dabayin Township while he was going with his brother-in-law to meet his younger brother who was in prison in Monywa.
U Win Myint Aung's brother-in-law was released about one week after being arrested and, but U win Myint Aung is still being detained.
In relation to U Win Myint Aung who has been detained, people close to him went and told international embassies and asked them for help U Win Myint Aung,former representative of the Pyithu Hluttaw, Dabayin Township, was former member of NLD's central committee as well.
However, the Central Working Committee which consists of exile NLD members and is collaborating with revolutionary forces has released a statement saying U Win Myint Aung(member of central committee), U Phyo Min Thein (member of central executive committee), U Kyi Toe (member of central committee) and Dqw Sandar Min (member of central committee) who were being used by SAC were seeking self-interest and they were all kicked out of the party on March 3rd 2023.
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CNI New
23 June 2023
Myanmar and Thailand discussed to cut 1,500 Baht from current visa fee 2,000 Baht for Myanmar MoU workers and to re-enter Thailand early when they go back to their country to renew the contract, said in Thai reports.
Officials from the two countries had discussions about cutting 1,500 Baht from current visa fee 2,000 Baht and to let MoU workers to re-entert Thailand early without having to stay for 30 days in their country when workers with four years of MoU return to their country to renew the contract.
Although the visa fee is lower for workers, other costs haven't not been lower, said U Min Oo, incharge of labor affairs from FED, to CNI.
There are 1.9 million legal Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.
" In fact, that 30 days were designated was due to Covid-19. MoU workers who arrived at Thailand were camped and examined their health. It took them much time for quarantine period. It is impossible to finish within one month. Within 15 days after reaching the factory, they had to do things relating to work permit. And they had to learn things relating to jobs. Now that these sectors have been compressed as much as possible, it's back to normal like it was before the Covid era."
Myanmar migrant workers
To take action against the employers who have not been able to send employees to the workplace although emloyer and employee have signed the contract, to renew employment contracts and to carry out in the workplace in accord with MoU system were discussed. But things what were discussed have not been officially issued.
Although Thai authorities have permitted workers with MoU expired to stay till the end of July so that they can go home to renew the contract, Most of MoU workers find it difficult to go home to renew the contract because of some procedures.
Myanmar migrant workers
"We accept cutting visa fee. But some procedures are questionable. Because they have no evidence, how will they go to the border? When they go to the border, will their agency come and see them? Will they have to go by themselves? When, their evidence disactivate, will workers or their agencies go and take the embassy's recommendation? When we look at things individually, everything is leading to brokers. Myanmar embassy should carry out for the workers as able as it can without sending workers back to their country. Some workers, in my opinion, 50 percent of them won't go home because of financial difficulties" said Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of Arakan Workers Organization.
In stead of sending workers back to renew, renewal should be performed just in Thailand, said the organizations helping migrant workers.
Because there is a labour demand in Thailand, statements are being released and discussions are underway relating to labour affairs So, something relating to workers without evidence may be released.