January 16 - 22, 2012

myanmartimes
Myanmars first international weekly Volume 31, No. 610 1200 Kyats

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Historic week for nation

Sealed with a handshake

General Saw Mutu Sai Pho, commander-in-chief of the Karen National Union, and Minister for Rail Transportation U Aung Min shake hands after signing a an initial agreement in Hpa-an, Kayin State, on January 12. Pic: Kaung Htet

Govt, KNU sign ceasefire

THE government and Karen National Union last week signed an historic agreement that both sides said marked the end of hostilities in a 62-year insurgency that has claimed countless lives. A government negotiating team featuring Minister for Rail Transportation U Aung Min, Minister for Immigration and Population U Khin Yi and Minister for Industry U Soe Thein signed the pact with senior members of the KNU in the Kayin State capital Hpa-an. KNU spokesman David Htaw said the group would now choose a representative to hold further talks with the central government within 45 days of the preliminary pact, which he said was based on trust. Our duty just started. We have many things to do, he told reporters, adding that the government had shown real benevolence. The government, which came to power in March last year after decades of army rule, has attempted to reach out to armed ethnic groups as part of its reform agenda. U Aung Min, who was among those who signed the ceasefire, declared the day a victory of 60 million people referring to the population of Myanmar. The January 12 meeting was the fifth between the government and KNU since talks, brokered by prominent civil society leaders, began late last year. The reason why this agreement was reached after more than 60 years [of fighting] is because confidence has been built, U Aung Min told reporters. Both sides agreed on 11 items put forward by the KNU and four by the government. The four government points include a ceasefire, opening of relations offices, freedom to travel throughout the country unarmed and further negotiations at the union level. Major General Saw Johnny, who joined the KNU 48 years ago aged 16, said the government negotiating team had taken a different approach from previous administrations. There were no peace agreements during the reign of former governments. Previously we were told to give up our arms but we didnt want to. The present government didnt say to give up arms; they said we were entitled to the same rights as other nationals, Maj Gen Saw Johnny said. [We] want nothing more than seeing Myanmar become peaceful and developed like other countries. H e sa id n e w s o f th e ceasefire would be quickly relayed to all soldiers in the field on both sides, adding that the KNU had about 10,000 soldiers, who mostly live in Kayin and Mon states and Tanintharyi, Bago and Ayeyarwady regions. U Khin Yi said the government would make arrangements to issue national registration cards (NRC) to KNU members. Kayin nationals are citizens as well. We will make sure NRC are issued More page 4

Hundreds of prisoners of conscience released

By Hla Hla Htay YANGON The government pardoned a number of prominent dissidents, journalists and former Prime Minister Khin Nyunt last week under a major prisoner amnesty, intensifying a surprising series of reforms. The January 13 release included members of the 88 Generation student group, which is synonymous with the democratic struggle in Myanmar and was at the forefront of a failed 1988 uprising in which thousands died. The amnesty, which looked set to be the most significant yet under President U Thein Seins government, which came to power on March 30, 2011,

Inside: four page special

was hailed by the National League for Democracy as a positive sign. Former student activist Min Ko Naing, who has spent most of the years since the 1988 protests in prison, was among those pardoned, his family said. Fellow activist Htay Kywe was also believed to be included, along with leading Shan ethnic minority leader Khun Htun Oo, who was jailed for 93 years. President U Thein Seins latest amnesty, which includes about 650 inmates, aimed for national reconciliation and More page 4

US to restore full diplomatic relations with Myanmar

WASHINGTON The United States said on January 13 it would restore full diplomatic relations with Myanmar to reward its government for a prisoner release hailed by President Barack Obama as a big step towards democracy. Myanmars decision to pardon dissidents, journalists and a former premier injected new momentum into a surprising flurry of reform in Myanmar and into US-led efforts to offer incentives to strengthen the process. Obama said flickers of reform were burning brighter because of the prisoner release, which included some of the leaders of a failed 1988 democracy uprising, though he added that more needed reform, Obama said in a written statement. He said the move was a crucial step in Myanmars democratic transformation and The Obama administration has closely coordinated its policy towards the easing of repression in Myanmar with Aung San Suu Kyi and allies, and said Myanmar

Obama: A substantial step forward for democratic reform.

to be done. President Thein Seins decision to release hundreds of prisoners of conscience is a substantial step forward for democratic national reconciliation process, and also welcomed a recent ceasefire agreement between the government and the Karen National Union.

must show it is serious about reform before US and international sanctions are lifted. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who made a landmark

visit to Myanmar last year to prod the reforms, said she would begin the lengthy process of upgrading US representation in Myanmar from charge daffaires level. We will identify a candidate to serve as US ambassador to represent the United States government and our broader efforts to strengthen and deepen our ties with both the people and the government, she said. Clinton said she would telephone More page 4

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January 16 - 22, 2012
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UK moves the goalposts on sanctions

By Derek Tonkin IN April 2009, the European Unions General Affairs Council issued its Conclusions on Burma/ Myanmar. These stated that the council underlines its readiness to revise, amend or reinforce the measures it has already adopted in light of developments on the ground. The Council reiterates that the EU stands ready to respond positively to genuine progress in Burma/Myanmar. Despite the progress of the past six months, the EU has hardly lived up to its promise to respond positively to genuine progress. There have been no concessions, apart from a sleight of hand in the EU Foreign Affairs Council April 2011 review of policy that added some 24 civilian members of the new government to the sanctions list and a few pages later in the same document suspended action against them for 12 months. Indeed, during his January 5-6 visit to Myanmar, British Foreign Secretary William Hague set out the new rules of the game, and gave only a general indication of where the dismantled goalposts have now been set up. All political prisoners must first be released, there must be an end to human rights abuses by the army, humanitarian access to areas of ethnic conflict and visibly free and fair polls when by-elections are held in April. Only then will the UK recommend to the EU that restrictive measures, including the denial of development aid, which could be costing the Myanmar people as much as US$2.5 billion annually, might be mitigated. This all or nothing approach is a denial of classical diplomacy in which the calibration of response is of the essence. It is also a denial of the principles of engagement and reward set out in EU statements over the years. on good investments, meaning not just ethical investments but investments in fields where it is really necessary. This will be music to the ear of those in the EU who take a more pro-active view of trade and investment prospects in Myanmar than Mr Hague. Really necessary investment would surely include almost any responsible investment in the public and private sectors including tourism, transport, health, education, manufacturing and financial services such as banking and insurance. Reputational risk is fading fast. As for the Myanmar leadership, they may not have found Mr Hagues visit all that rewarding. It hardly strengthened the reformist group now in office. I suspect though that the leadership were well aware that they would get no change out of Mr Hagues visit and may have decided to get it over with as soon as possible. They could reasonably congratulate themselves on their rapprochement with financier and philanthropist George Soros, who has agreed to set up office in Myanmar. They are also preparing to receive their archcritic in the US, Senator Mitch McConnell, the highly influential Republican Senator for Kentucky and Minority Leader. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has however made it clear that she is prepared to take political risks. Not so Mr Hague, who can now report to the House of Commons how he left the Myanmar leadership in no doubt at all about what is expected of them. That was, after all, the purpose of his visit. (Derek Tonkin is a former British ambassador to Thailand and Vietnam and is chairman of the non-profit organisation Network Myanmar (www. networkmyanmar.org).)

British Foreign Secretary William Hague at a press conference in Yangon on January 6. Pic: Boo Thee British officials have reportedly said that Myanmar could meet the conditions now demanded by the time of the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council review of policy in April. But who is to say when these conditions have been met? One reason for moving the goalposts is that the changes that have occurred owe little or nothing to Western pressures, but are essentially home-grown. To acknowledge this too openly could lead to a loss of face. For the Western psyche, it is important to recoup something from the policy failures of the last 23 years. To insist on measures further pre-conditions for the removal of sanctions which the Myanmar leadership have said they intend to take in any case is an attractive option. Somehow, credit has to be claimed for the reforms. During his January visit Mr Hague might have replicated some of the confidence-building measures that Hillary Clinton had announced during her visit in December, such as a relaxation of restrictions on technical assistance by international financial institutions. The UK seemingly continues to discourage tourism, trade and investment, although Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told Fergal Keane in a BBC interview on January 5 that economic engagement is not necessarily linked with sanctions and that, as regards investment by British companies, weve made it quite clear that were keen

With help from the West, no turning back

By Aung Tun TODAY when we talk about the political situation in Myanmar, one of the words we hear most frequently is irreversible, in the sense that we should not go back to military rule. Its not only the international community that holds this view; I think I can speak for the majority of people in Myanmar when I say we hope the changes of the past year are permanent. But a critical question is what exactly needs to be irreversible. Thailand provides an example. Our neighbour has faced many military coups in their past something like 10 since 1932 but the country has consistently returned to civilian rule, with no need for economic sanctions or boycotts. So whats the difference between us and Thailand? Thailand has a different political culture, in which, for the most part, the military does its job and the civilian administration focuses on governing. Whenever there is a shift from military rule to democracy, it needs to be accompanied by military reform. Indonesia since the end of Suhartos rule in 1997 provides a good example of how the military can exit politics. Its a key reason why we dont hear questions being raised about whether changes in Indonesia are irreversible. Instead, the country is widely lauded as a beacon of democracy in the region. Similarly, the democratisation process taking place in Myanmar now also needs to include the development of a new political culture in which the military, civilian government, parliament, opposition, civil society and the public play different but nonetheless important roles. This will create a larger number of strong institutions with independent voices that will ultimately lead to greater political stability. How can we make this happen? First, political stakeholders, especially President U Thein Sein and his government, the opposition and the military leadership need to have a common understanding of the direction in which the country is heading. At the moment, they seem to have that understanding. However, it will take more than this for us to be able to use the word irreversible. Here, the international community, especially the West, has an important role to play. Myanmar has been isolated for almost five decades but is at a critical juncture in its relations with many nations. It wants to improve relations with a broad range of countries and this gives the international community more leverage than before. In the past it appeared only China had much leverage. Not surprisingly, China used that advantage to meet its own needs. The West also has its economic reasons for wanting to improve ties with Myanmar. However, it also has an obvious interest in improving the lives of the Myanmar people, which is why its already engaged to some extent through non-government and social organisations. This kind of engagement needs to be increased. More broadly, its time for the West to use its leverage to make reforms irreversible through economic engagement, capacity building, direct development aid, facilitating dialogue between opposing groups and anything else that is likely to lead to a more open society. In this regard, the recent visit by United Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, should be widely welcomed. For me, the most positive aspect of her visit was a pledge to engage in education, health and other social projects through civil society groups. Additionally, she agreed to look at much-needed capacitybuilding programs, which will be essential if we are to manage the many issues we now face. The recent improvement in relations doesnt mean that we will come to rely on the West. We have been struggling on our own for a long time, and will probably continue to do so for some time. However, the current situation provides an opportunity for the international community to do the right thing by the people of Myanmar. (Aung Tun has formerly worked at The Myanmar Times and nongovernment organisation Proximity Designs and is currently a research fellow at Myanmar Egress, a Yangonbased t raining centre and policy thinktank.)

The Mail Box

Dear editor, I WISH to welcome and thank you for opening a comments column in The Myanmar Times. It is a very good opportunity for us to express our opinions and comments freely without offending others an opportunity that we have not had for so many years. It is a good idea and the right time to introduce this as we are moving steadily toward a democratic state. Myo Lwin (Mawrawady), Mayangone township, Yangon Dear editor, I HAVE been working in tourism in Myanmar for many years and many foreign visitors are interested to know more about the countrys history and Bogyoke Aung San. I visited the Bogyoke Aung San Museum about eight years ago and think well worth visiting. Unfortunately it is now closed and it would be nice if it can be visited more often in the future. Does anybody know why it is closed and if it is possible to make appointments to visit? Edwin Briels

Got something to say? We want to hear from you. Address all correspondence to the Editor, The Myanmar Times (English). We endeavour to respond to all correspondencei n a timely manner. Address: 379-383, Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada township, Yangon. Telephone: (+951) 392-928, 253-642 Fax: (+951) 392-706 Email: your.myanmar.times@gmail.com

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MyanMar tiMes January 16 - 22, 2012

Govt cuts coal plant from Dawei project

By Juliet Shwe Gaung ENVIRONMENTAL activists appear to have notched another victory over foreign investors, after the government announced last week that a planned 4000-megawatt coal power plant in Dawei would not go ahead. U Khin Maung Soe, Minister of Electric Power 2, told journalist on January 9 at the Yangon Electricity Supply Board headquarters in Ahlone township that the ministries of energy, industry and electric power 1 and 2 had already decided not to allow the plant to go ahead. The minister said the cancellation was due to fear of the adverse effects on the environment. We saw journals publishing articles on the adverse effects of the coal-fired power plant. We read them and decided that we should not do it, he said. However, he said the ministries were still discussing whether to allow a 400MW coal plant at the special economic zone in Tanintharyi Region. We are sure we will not work on the 4000MW plant. However, we need a 400MW to support the [project] and we are discussing whether to go ahead with it or not. We are asking the ministry that handles environmental work to do some calculations and consider it, he said. Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding was to build the 4000MW plant under a memorandum of understanding it signed with ItalianThai Development, the developer of the special economic zone, in November 2011. However, the power plant came up against stiff opposition from some Dawei residents, who in December organised a press conference in Yangon to voice their concerns to local media. Ko Myo Aung, a social worker and Dawei resident, said he hoped the government did not allow any coal-fired power plants to be built. He said the power plant would mostly be for the benefit of foreignowned industry. It is not that we dont want to see development of our region but building a coal-fired power plant in our region is like someone making a fire and cooking rice in front of our house and serving the cooked rice to another village. The rice being cooked near us will not be served to us, he said. News of the cancellation surprised the project's investors, who only two days earlier had travelled to Myanmar to meet government officials. Ratchaburi president Noppol Milinthanggoon said his company had not received official notification from the government of the cancellation. The Bangkok Post reported that investors were confident the power plant would still be built, possibly using a cleaner fuel. A spokesperson from the Yangon Electricity Supply Board confirmed the Dawei project could instead be powered by natural gas or connected to the national electricity grid. The cancellation has also raised concerns about the investment climate at a time when the government is trying to attract more foreign investment. It also comes after the government suspended work on the unpopular Myitsone Dam in Kachin State, angering the projects Chinese backers. Meanwhile, Union Minister U Khin Maung Soe ruled out coal being used to power the Thilawa special economic zone in Yangon Region. We will have a 500 MW gas turbine instead ... we will be able to get enough gas by about 2015, said U Khin Maung Soe. We will not build power plants that have a bad effect on the environment. The head of the government also asked us to build hydropower and gas-powered plants instead, he said. See page 16 for more coverage on this issue

Tourists take a pony cart around Bagan in early November. Pic: Kaung Htet

Tourist, business arrivals up again in 2011, says ministry

By Zaw Win Than TOURIST arrivals hit a record high for the second year running in 2011, rising more than 20 percent, figures from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism show. The number of foreign visitors arriving through the Yangon gateway increased 21.76pc to 359,359, up from 295,147 in 2010. More than two-thirds of visitors were from Asian countries, including about 59,010 from Thailand, the largest single group, followed by China with 32,757. About 18,925 visitors were from South Korea. European nationals accounted for 65,367 travellers, representing 22.15pc of total arrivals. France led the way with 13,102 visitors, followed by Germany (10,932) and the United Kingdom (7195). The figures also showed a sharp 44pc rise in people arriving on business visas, which are counted as tourist arrivals. Business travellers made up 69,943, or almost 20pc, of all foreign visitors in 2011, up from 48,549 the previous year. Meanwhile, foreigners arriving on social visas climbed about 20pc to 33,273. A ministry spokesperson said the growth was based on Myanmars rich cultural heritage and unspoiled natural landscapes. He said the ministry was working to set up strategies that ensured tourism developed in a sustainable and responsible manner and the government also wanted to see tourism flourish. We are aware of the importance of smooth facilitation of travel for international visitors and the government has recently formed the committee for smooth entrance of foreign visitors, he said. The governments long-term tourism objectives are to develop the industry to generate revenue, to create job opportunities and create income for residents. The increase, however, has shown up the limited capacity of Myanmars tourism infrastructure, particularly hotels and domestic airlines. Arrival numbers are increasing 20pc to 30pc every year. It means we need to build more hotels, expand airlines and develop our infrastructure so we can offer a better level of service to visitors, said U Lynn Zaw Wai Mang, general manager of Unique Asia Travel in Yangon. The ministry spokesperson said government was promoting existing tourism destinations through the upgrading of tourism-related infrastructure and facilities and improving awareness through print material, such as tourism guidebooks, brochures and leaflets. We were also able to establish a Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Myanmar Chapter in November we will continue to promote our tourism industry through PATAs activities in the future.

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January 16 - 22, 2012
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MyanMar tiMes
Stability of the State, community peace and tranquillity, prevalence of law and order Strengthening of national solidarity Building and strengthening of disciplineflourishing democracy system Building of a new modern developed nation in accord with the Constitution

Four political objectives

Building of modern industrialized nation through the agricultural development, and all-round development of other sectors of the economy Proper evolution of the market-oriented economic system Development of the economy inviting participation in terms of technical know-how and investment from sources inside the country and abroad initiative to shape the national economy must be kept in the hands The of the State and the national peoples

Four economic objectives

Uplift of the morale and morality of the entire nation of national prestige and integrity and preservation Uplift and safeguarding of cultural heritage and national character Flourishing of Union Spirit, the true patriotism Uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation

Four social objectives

Myanmar on verge of breakthrough: Daw Suu Kyi

NEW YORK Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said last week that Myanmar was on the verge of a breakthrough to democracy as she prepares to seek a seat in parliament following reforms. The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who spent most of the past two decades under house arrest before being freed in November 2010, voiced appreciation for overseas support as she accepted an award presented by the New York-based Asia Society. Myanmar is on the verge of a breakthrough to democracy we have not yet made the breakthrough; we are on the verge of making such a breakthrough, From page 1 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said in a taped message to an awards dinner. We look to friends like you to help us along this difficult path, which might be full of difficulties, I look forward to a time when Myanmar will expand the borders of its democratisation, and when we will be able to have frequent and meaningful exchanges with friends in other

to a time when ... we will I look forward frequent exchanges with be able to have friends in other parts of the world.
but which we shall be able to negotiate with your help, and the help of other friends like you, she said. parts of the world. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi plans to contest by-elections on April 1 in a constituency near

Yangon, a major step that could see the long-detained leader participating as a lawmaker in parliament. Last week, the National League for Democracy announced Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would lead the party into the by-elections. According to our party structure Daw Aung San Suu Kyi became the chairman of the NLD, spokesman U Nyan Win said. He added that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi took up the chairmanship during the official registration process, which began late last year and was formally approved in early January. AFP

Ceasefire
make sure NRC are issued to all of them. Once they get an NRC, they are entitled to the same living and travelling rights as other Myanmar citizens, the minister said. U Aung Min said central relations offices could open immediately in Myawaddy and Hpa-an, while 12 other offices would open after the ceasefire had been formalised at both state and union levels. The ceasefire was welcomed abroad, with the United States calling it a good step. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Washington had long urged dialogue between the government and ethnic rebels and this was a central topic when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held talks with Myanmar leaders more than a month ago. British Foreign Secretary William Hague, who visited Myanmar on January 5-6, said it was good news for the people of Myanmar. It has been a longstanding goal of the international community to see a ceasefire, he said. There is still a long way to go fully to rebuild trust between the parties after so many years of conflict, but this is an important step in the

right direction. Aung Naing Oo, deputy director of the Vahu Development Institute, told The Myanmar Times that the ceasefire would provide the biggest boost for national peace efforts. Today our country made history. The KNU is the only group that has not previously signed a ceasefire with the government, he said. I just got off the phone with Myanmar Egress representatives and Minister U Aung Min to congratulate them. I also congratulate the KNU for having the courage to do the unthinkable and take a risk for peace the governments initiatives for peace are paying great dividends, he said, referring to the Yangon-based civil society organisation that played an important role in setting up the talks. Civil war has gripped parts of the country since its independence in 1948, and an end to the conflicts is a key demand of the international community. Vast numbers of villagers in Kayin State, scene of Myanmars oldest insurgency, have been forced to flee, and tens of thousands of these refugees live in camps across the border in Thailand. News of the ceasefire was greeted warily by Karen

Communities Worldwide, which represents Kayin who have fled the eastern region of Myanmar. Renaud Egreteau from the University of Hong Kong also warned that previous attempts at lasting peace had failed and called for all Kayin splinter groups to be included in further necessary talks. We should temper this phase of euphoria, he said. Although the peace deal with the KNU marks a major breakthrough with one of the most prominent ethnic rebel groups, tensions remain with other ethnic factions, who largely seek greater autonomy and rights. Fighting in Kachin State between the army and rebels since June last year has displaced tens of thousands of people. The conflict has continued despite President U Thein Sein ordering the army to halt operations, according to global campaign group Refugees International. In December, a ceasefire deal was reached between the local government and the Shan State Army-South, another major ethnic guerrilla group. With AFP, Thomas Kean and Zaw Win Than

wont be involved in politics anymore, he said. Exile media group Democratic Voice of Burma said several of its journalists had also been freed. The United States and the European Union, encouraged by steps towards reform by the government that came to power last year, have demanded the release of political prisoners before they will consider lifting sanctions on Myanmar. The freedom of dissidents is a requirement for normalisation of the relationship with the West, said Myanmar political analyst Aung Naing Oo of the Vahu Development Institute. I said again and again [the reform process] would be excruciatingly slow, but some of the changes are excruciatingly fast, he added. AFP

US to restore
U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the weekend to show American commitment for the reform process. This is a momentous day for the diverse people of Burma, she said, using Myanmars former name. We will continue to support them and their efforts and to encourage the government to take bold steps that build the kind of free and prosperous nation that I heard from everyone I met with they desire to see. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who will visit Myanmar this week and has been a key player in framing punishing US sanctions against the former junta, backed the administrations move. While U Thein Sein government will need to do more to explain the military relationship with North Korea and hold free and fair elections, it appears entirely appropriate that the United States would consider restoration of more formal diplomatic ties, McConnell said. AFP

Prisoners released
inclusiveness in the political process, a government official said. Former prime minister and military intelligence boss Khin Nyunt, who was placed under house arrest after being ousted in a 2004 power struggle, was another on the list. He appeared outside his home in Yangon dressed in a T-shirt, telling reporters that he welcomed recent dialogue between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the government. Its also a good sign that the international community is coming here. I think the country will develop in the future. I

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General Saw Mutu Sai Pho, commander-in-chief of the Karen National Union, signs the initial agreement on January 12 in Hpa-an. Pic: Kaung Htet

U Min Ko Naing. Pic: Thet Htoo

U Ko Ko Gyi. Pic: Boo Thee

U Khin Nyunt. Pic: Yadanar

U Jimmy aka U Kyaw Min Yu (centre) and his wife Daw Nilar Thein. Pic: Boo Thee

Daw Nilar Thein. Pic: Boo Thee

Presidential order sees 651 freed

By Myanmar Times reporters ANY prominent prisoners of conscience were among the 662 men and 29 women released on January 13 under the amnesty announced by the government the previous day. The number of prisoners of conscience who regained their freedom last week was in contrast to the small number of activists released in the previous amnesty on January 3. In a news conference held in Nay Pyi Taw on January 14, the Union Minister of Home Affairs, LieutenantGeneral Ko Ko, said 302 of the 651 were prisoners of conscience. Referring to the released prisoners, Lt-Gen Ko Ko was quoted as saying by AFP: We didnt take action against anyone because of politics in our country. We charged them for committing a crime or disturbing stability. Announced on the day the National

League of Democracy released its candidate list to contest the byelections on April 1, state media reported that the amnesty was made with the aim of ensuring stability and eternal peace of the State, fostering national reconciliation, enabling them to participate in the political process and on humanitarian grounds. Lt-Gen Ko Ko said the amnesty was not granted because of demands made by any organisation or individual. The new government has given amnesties four times, even to prisoners charged with contact with rebel groups. We released former military intelligence officials and related members of civilian organisations too, he said. Among the 651 released prisoners, almost all high profile detainees, including former prime minister and ex-head of Military Intelligence, General Khin Nyunt, 88 Generation leader Min Ko Naing, Shan ethnic leader Khun Htun Oo and grandsons

of former head of state General Ne Win. A total of 82 of the prisoners, including 76 men and 6 women, were freed from Yangons Insein prison, according to one released prisoner. They included U Aung Thein, a member of the National League for Democracy, who was released after serving three years of an eight-year term. U Aung Thein said he would continue to follow the party under the leadership of its chairman, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. I see today as the beginning of the long road to democracy, he said. Four members of Generation Wave, a group of youth activists, were also freed from Insein Prison. Nyein Chan, one of the four, said he would continue his political activities with the group. Our country is on the path to become a democratic nation. It needs to have strong institutions and I believe those kind of institutions will

come in the future, he said, after serving three years of his 37 year sentence. Ko Nyein Chan, who had served three years of a 37-year sentence, said that although he knew the amnesty was limited, he wanted to thank President U Thein Sein for having granted it under Section 401. The amnesty was granted in accordance with Section 401, subsection (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure which allows the President to suspend a sentence or remit the whole or part of the punishment. As a direct pardon, some released prisoners questioned the move as there were still many prisoners of conscience not included. There are many friends of mine left in the prisons. I feel for them. A general amnesty should be granted with the aim of national reconciliation, said U Sandima aka Htun Naung who had served three-and-a-half years of an 18-year sentence.

As a monk, he said he will not continue to be involved in politics, adding that he saw about seven other monks were released with him. Another released detainee also urged the government to release all other prisoners of conscience. Ko Ye Myat Hein, a member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions, also told The Myanmar Times he was happy to be freed but felt for those who remained in prison. While on January 8, a movement to support the families of prisoners was established by 88 Generation students, ABFSU, Generation Wave and the relatives of detainees. 88 Generation student member, Ko Ko Gyi, from Yangons Sanchaung township, said he believed that setting up the movement might have influenced the amnesty announcement. We never expected such an amnesty would come again within 10 days, he said.

Former prime minister and Military Intelligence chief, U Khin Nyunt greets well-wishers and media outside his house in Mayangone township on January 13. Pics: Yadanar

The country will get better, says Khin Nyunt

By Ei Ei Toe Lwin

ORMER prime minister and head of military intelligence, U Khin Nyunt, was included among the 651 prisoners released under amnesty on January 13. The amnesty resulted in the release of about 100 former officers and civilians associated with the Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence, which was disbanded after the arrest of U Khin Nyunt, a former Lieutenant-General, for corruption in October 2004. He was later sentenced to house arrest. His two sons were also released: U Ye Naing Win from house arrest and U Zaw Naing Oo from Tayet prison in Magwe region. Greeted by friends and relatives outside his house

in Mayangone township, he offered qualified praise for the governments amnesty. I am very happy to see all of you but other people are yet to be freed. I pray for their release as I think they will also be set free in the near future, he said. U Khin Nyunt had initiated talks with opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in 2000 and been instrumental in brokering peace agreements with many ethnic groups during the 1990s. Sp ea k i n g to r e p o r t e r s outside his home, U Khin Nyunt said he welcomed the governments efforts to change the political situation. He also praised the cooperation between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the government headed by President U Thein Sein, saying it would prove beneficial for

the country. I think if the President and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi collaborate, it will lead to a better future, he said. I think things will get better for the country because the government is no longer a military government and it is moving towards democracy and responding to the publics encouragement, he said. U Khin Nyunt specifically praised the moves by President U Thein Sein. The President is acting according to the ways of democracy, trying to build peace and holding discussions with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. He even stopped the Myitsone dam project. All of these are good for the country. He also welcomed Daw Aung San Suu Kyis decision to stand in the by-elections on April 1, saying she would be an important addition to

the parliament because she was brave, confident and understanding. On the governments efforts to engage with the various ethnic minorities, he offered a personal appeal, based on his previous involvement in peace agreements. I pray for success in building peace as I was involved in this process before. I think it is very important to have a union spirit, if we have this, we can get peace, he said. U Khin Nyunts release was welcomed by friends and politicians alike. I am happy that he has been released but he told me he still expects his colleagues and students to be released as well, said U Khin Maung Nyo, an economist. Downplaying speculation that U Khin Nyunt may reenter politics, he said: He

[Khin Nyunt] emphasised only religious concerns and does not hold a grudge with anyone. Other commentators were open to the possibility of a role in the political process, but quick to emphasise any move would have to be democratic. If he takes part again it depends on you [the public]. If there is a good response then why not, said U Thu Wai, a member of the Democratic Party. We called for the release of political prisoners for so long. Our wish has become reality but we can also be pleased with the release of U Khin Nyunt alongside the political prisoners, said U Khin Maung Swe, founder of the National Democratic Force (NDF). If we rebuild the country all citizens need the chance

to participate so that we can all build our country ourselves. Referring to U Khin Nyunts previous experience in working with ethnic groups, U Khin Maung Swe felt that the government could also get useful advice from U Khin Nyunt even if they dont want him to personally take part in peace building affairs. While U Khin Nyunt would not be drawn on his plans for the future, he expressed willingness to contribute to the country. I am older now and want to stay with my family, he said. I have been out of touch for more than seven years, so I have to study the political situation and will say something to the media if the government or private institutions or other countries cause any suffering for the country and people.

US welcomes release of prisoners of US, EU urged to conscience, ceasefire with KNU reconsider sanctions
By Zaw Win Than THE American Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has hailed the release of political prisoners under the amnesty announced by the government last week. This is a substantial and serious step forward in the governments stated commitment to political reform, and I applaud it, and the entire international community should as well, Mrs Clinton said in a statement released by the State Department on January 14. Aung San Suu Kyi has welcomed these dramatic steps as further indication of progress and commitment, said Mrs Clinton in the statement, which also referred to the ceasefire agreement reached with the Karen National Union on January 12. It is in that spirit that I urge the government to enter into meaningful dialogue with all ethnic groups to achieve national reconciliation, to allow news media and humanitarian groups access to ethnic areas, Mrs Clinton said. In the statement, Mrs Clinton said other important steps taken by the Myanmar government since it assumed power in April last year included easing restrictions on media and civil society; engaging Aung San Suu Kyi in a substantive dialogue and amending electoral laws to pave the way for the National League for Democracy to participate in the political process. Other welcome moves were setting a date for byelections this year, passing legislation to protect the right of assembly and the rights of workers, beginning to provide humanitarian access for the United Nations and NGOs to conflict areas and establishing a National Human Rights Commission, she said. By Nan Tin Htwe THE release of hundreds of prisoners of conscience on January 13 has prompted politicians, civil society leaders and the relatives of those who were freed to call on the United States and the European Union to reconsider sanctions they had imposed on Myanmar. They said the latest amnesty was a reflection of the governments willingness to bring change to Myanmar. U No Than Kup, chairman of the Chin Progressive Party and Chin Affairs Minister for Sagaing Region said the release of prisoners of conscience would encourage the US government to reconsider its sanctions. He noted that while it would take time for legislation to lift sanctions to pass through both houses of Congress, the release of the prisoners

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described the latest amnesty release as a substantial and serious step forward in the governments stated commitment to political reform. Pic: AFP

could help to expedite the process. Ma Khon Ja, a social worker, said even if the US and the EU eased rather than removed sanctions, they should encourage more aid and investment in Myanmar. Sanctions need to be reconsidered because they hurt the people and not the government, she said. U Tin Maung Thann, vice-chairman of Myanmar Fisheries Federation, said the Myanmar government had done its best such as by holding talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, registering the National League for D e m o c r a c y, s i g n i n g a ceasefire agreement with the Karen National Union and now, releasing hundreds of prisoners 0f conscience. I urge them to relax sanctions. They need to responds positively to the action of the government, U Tin Maung Thann said.

U Min Ko Naing talks to supporters after his release at the NLD office in Thayawaddy township on January 14. Pics: Kaung Htet

If the government acts well and deals with us positively, the people will reciprocate.

By Nan Tin Htwe AS he waited in the domestic arrival terminal at Yangon International Airport on January 13, U W in Maung said he could hardly believe news of the release of his son, Ko Pyone Cho, an 88 Generation leader sentenced to 65 years in prison in 2007. I really had not expected this. I cant describe how happy I am, U Win Maung said. He believed that the latest amnesty could prove decisive in allowing all to work for the development of the country. Young people who could work for the country were kept in jail. It was a loss for our country. Now Im happy, he said. The unexpected amnesty saw the release of 651 prisoners of conscience and former members of the Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence. It followed the release of prisoners on January 3 that was criticised for not resulting in more people regaining their freedom. But this time the response was more positive and greeted

I cant describe how happy I am

with happiness and surprise at the release of many prisoners of conscience. They include 88 Generation leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Kyi, who were arrested in August 2007 over their role in organising peaceful protests about a sharp and unexpected rise in the cost of fuel. They were sentenced to 65 years in prison. Also freed was prominent Buddhist monk U Gambira, who was arrested in November 2007 and later sentenced to 68 years in prison over his role in the protests led by monks the previous September. The crowd waiting at the airport included not only the prisoners relatives, but also campaigners who wore T-shirts bearing the slogan Free Prisoners of Conscience, some holding bunches of flowers. Last night I couldnt sleep, said Daw Tin Myint, 86, an aunt of Ko Ko Kyi. He is my nephew but with no parents he is like my own son, she said, holding aloft a sign with Ko Ko Kyi Welcome. I love Ko Ko Kyi. This is the first striking news of 2012, said comedian and activist Zarganar, himself released on October 12 last year, who came to the airport to welcome those who were freed. It gives us strength to go on. I believe that everything will come good in the future. He expressed special appreciation for the latest amnesty to President U Thein Sein, saying it was his decision. The decision was made by the President alone. Thats 401, he said, referring to Section 401, Sub-section(1) of Code of Criminal Procedure under which the amnesty was granted. Thats the only decision that the President can make without involving with National Security and Defence Council, Zarganar said. Daw Phyu Phyu Thin, who runs a care centre for people with HIV/ AIDS in Yangons South Dagon township, said last weeks amnesty was the most dramatic change since 1988. This is totally different from other amnesties. Now almost all the prisoners of conscience are released, she said. Echoing sentiments expressed by Zaganar, she said: This is a big encouragement for the roadmap to democracy and the future of the country. U No Than Kup, chairman of the Chin Progressive Party and Chin Affairs Minister for Sagaing Region described the January 13 amnesty as a door opening. The door is open for all of us, to work together for development, he said. U Ti n M a u n g , 6 3 , f a t h e r o f Ko Myo Aung Naing another of 88 Generation leaders who were sentenced to more than

six decades in jail said: Im so happy, not just because my son is released, but because they all are. This happiness is not only for my son but for all of them. Ko Myo Aung Naing was detained in 2007 for being involved in the peaceful protests over fuel price increases. As a father, Im proud of my son, U Tin Maung said. He a d d e d tha t if a l l th e 88 Generation students were released and if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the government can work together it would benefit the nation. Speaking at his home after his return from Kawthaung prison where he was serving his 65-year sentence for offences under the Electronics Act, Ko Pyone Cho told The Myanmar Times he always knew he would be released one day. We worked for the country. If the government really works for the country, theres no reason to put us in prison. Ko Pyone Cho said he would meet my brothers such as Ko Min Ko Naing to decide their plans for the future.

Ill continue my political activities and will continue to write a blog on the internet,
1

KoNayPhone Latt

I dont intend to get involved in politics. Ive been disobeying my mother since August 1988. For the time being, Im going to help Ko Thura [Zaganar] KoZawThetHtwe

Im quite surprised to see the media is able to do to such an extent. Im very happy. Its the result of 23 years of suffering, KoZawThetHtwe To free people who want democracy is the responsibility of the government if it is willing to move to democracy, KoMyaAye

Pics: Kaung Htet (3), (5), Aung Shin (4), (7), Thet Htoo (1), Boo Thee (6), Yadanar (2). Quotes: Kyaw Hsu Mon

I want to point out that dialogue towards national reconciliation is the policy we have been adhering to for many years. As I believe that the government has come to accept that attitude, we are ready to cooperate,
4

U Jimmy (U Kyaw MinYu)

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and contribute support. It concerns not only Kachin but all people living in Myanmar. It is beneficial to get support from the UN or NGOs but receiving it from the hands of local people has the added benefits of building unity, peace and development of the region, she said. Lack of material resources is just one issue camp management committees face. We dont know much about camps management, said U Nangzing Tu Ja, a spokesperson for the largest camp in Bhamo, at Roberts Memorial Church in Nyaung Pyin quarter. We are struggling to meet the standard required but it is very hard unless we get technical support. We thought this situation would be temporary but now we need to improve our camp management because the number of displaced people is growing daily. We havent received any formal training on camp management. We just use our experience and do the service we can with loving kindness and humanitarian spirit, he said. However, in at least one camp government officials consulted with displaced families to compile an inventory of losses caused by the conflict. They seem likely to give land or pay the value of [damaged] property to those refugees but its not certain because there was no official announcement. They also asked families where they preferred to live, said Reverend Naw Awng, the head of a Baptist-run camp in Momauk. Most people in the camps want to go back their homes and start their lives again [but] there has been no official announcement about going home because some places are still unstable. He said the number of people in the camp had continue to grow, rising from 755 on December 14 to 831 on January 11. We are now struggling to meet their needs. Like most camps we need shelters, toilets and drinking water. Camp management committees are also negotiating with authorities in China to bring back displaced people who have crossed the border, said Daw Khon Ja. Some camps opened in the China area when people were fleeing the fighting. But they are struggling under the strict laws in China, such as the ban on using firewood, she said. They also need to come back to restart their livelihoods. They shouldnt wait for donors to help them, they need to stand on their own two feet again. Daw Khon Ja said it was difficult for displaced people to return home before a ceasefire was in place and urged the government to start political negotiations with the KIO.

Camps unable to cope with Kachin refugees

By Cherry Thein REFUGEE camps in Kachin State need to be expanded to meet the growing number of people displaced by fighting in the region, people familiar with the situation say. Clashes between the Tatmadaw and Kachin Independence Army since June have prompted thousands to flee their homes for refugee camps in Kachin State and China. At least 66 camps have been set up in governmentcontrolled areas, including Bhamo, Momauk, Mansi, Shwegu, Myitkyina, Waingmaw, Kamaing and Hpakant townships, while others exist in Kachin Independence Controlledareas and on the Chinese side of the border. A committee established to oversee camps in Kachin State estimated last week there were about 50,000 refugees in governmentcontrolled areas and the same number in Kachin Independence Controlledareas, although higher numbers have been reported. The conflict is now in its eighth month and with no resolution in sight, the refugee camps are unlikely to empty any time soon. Committee member Daw Khon Ja told The Myanmar Times that two-thirds of the people in the camps she had visited were women and children. The numbers of refugees in camps increased in early December, and the capacity of the camps needs to be expanded to meet the additional demand, including shelter, sanitation and food, she said. She said camp management committees are trying to meet basic needs while also arranging psychosocial support and livelihood activities. Most children in the camps have been able to continue their schooling with the help of volunteer teachers. I feel so blessed seeing children go about their daily routine, attending open-air schools in the camp compounds. It is not like their lives are back to normal but we should try as much as we can. Ultimately people need to go back their farming or other work. They need to continue their livelihoods. For the time being, some camps have started livelihood program. So camps also need donations of farming tools. A spokesperson from one of 24 camps established in Myitkyina township said the increase in refugee numbers was stretching the resources of the camp management bodies. Most camps are at their limit but they need to expand their activities and resources to avoid problems that may arise from overcrowding, she said. Personally I wish all nationalities would come

Kachin in traditional dress at the Kachin State Day event in Myitkyina on January 10. Pic: Soe Than Lynn

Fighting casts pall over Kachin State Day event

By Soe Than Lynn THE ongoing conflict between the Tatmadaw and Kachin Independence Army overshadowed celebrations in Myitkyina last week to mark the 64th anniversary of Kachin State Day. A small, invite-only event was held in the state capital, where in previous years more than 100,000 revellers have gathered to participate in the week-long Manaw festival. About 3000 guests, including ethnic leaders, politicians, peace intermediaries and religious and cultural groups, took part in the event, which was conducted in front of the Kachin State Hluttaw on January 10. The day marks the anniversary of the formation of the first post-independence Kachin State government less than a week after Myanmar gained its independence in 1948. Organisers said they put the celebration together in a matter of days but U Khat Htein Nan, head of the 64th Kachin State Day organising committee, insisted that the event was still a success. Kachin State Day is the day when the union was born, along with the independence of Myanmar. All residents of Kachin State love their state as they love their nation and they worked together [to hold the event] irrespective of conflicts and difficulties, U Khet Htein Nan, an Amyotha Hluttaw representative from Kachin State, told The Myanmar Times in Myitkyina. Under the circumstances, the Manaw dance festival could not be held. When Kachin State returns to normal and all the residents are happy it will be celebrated like before. While Kachin State Day dates back to 1948, the Manaw festival, which also includes a harvest ceremony, has been celebrated annually for centuries and normally takes place at the Manaw parade ground in Myitkyinas Sitapu ward. Located not far from a shuttered Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) public relations office, the Manaw site sat silent last week, in contrast to the fighting taking place elsewhere in Kachin State. U La Khri La Awng, a member of the Kachin State Day organising committee who helped arrange last years Manaw, said Myitkyina residents were in no mood to take part in a festival while the conflict continued. This year the state is not at peace so we all are depressed. If we are not absolutely happy we cant organise the Manaw dance festival. We managed to hold a commemoration of Kachin State Day but were only informed about the plan to hold it four days in advance, U La Khri La Awng said. We used to welcome and entertain guests from far and near at the Manaw festival ground, eating roasted meat, warming by the fire and dancing until dawn. This year it was just a token commemoration with a few invited guests, agreed teacher Daw Ja Sing Khaw, who helped organise seating and food for the Kachin State Day event. Translated by Thit Lwin

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DFID announces 2m for displaced people

By Nan Tin Htwe THE United Kingdoms Department for International Development has called on the government to guarantee aid groups access to all areas of Kachin State, after the UK announced it would provide 2 million (US$3 million) for peace building activities and people displaced by the conflict. The funding was announced following the January 5-6 visit of British Foreign Secretary William Hague. He said at a press conference at the British Council in Yangon on January 6 that Britain planned to provide additional support for peace building efforts in Kachin State and 13,000 people displaced by conflict but did not provide any further details. Mr Paul Whittingham, head of DFIDs office in Myanmar, told The Myanmar Times on January 10 that the money would be used to help displaced people in both government and Kachin Independence Organisationcontrolled areas. He said DFID expected the Union Government to support its activities and those of its implementing partners in line with humanitarian principles. The only way to reach all the IDPs is for the government to agree to unrestricted access That is what my foreign minister has requested from the government, Mr Whittingham said. The government must agree to allow the unrestricted humanitarian access to the victims of the conflict, which is now not the case. He said that while the government had allowed the United Nations to access the KIO capital Laiza on December 10 it was just a small step. We cautiously welcome it. It is the first step of the government but a small first step, he said. We understand from our partners on the ground that still the majority of the needs in Kachin State have not been assessed. That makes it very difficult for international donors like the UK to provide the assistance to the many people who need assistance. The ongoing conflict was making it extremely difficult for groups to provide assistance, he said. The negotiations are underway, the UN is attempting to broker [access to all areas of Kachin State] and has had some success but still clearly far from certain that full humanitarian access will be granted as we need it. There is some progress [and] positive signs but some very worrying signs, he said. Fighting is still active. It is very difficult for international and local organisations to provide [assistance], it is also difficult for children to obtain education, its difficult for farmers and families to work in their lands, its difficult for those who are suffering disease to get treatment, he added. For longer-term peace building, DFID will work with mostly local groups who have contact with both the government and KIO, Mr Whittingham said. What we want to do with that aid is support groups who are able to work with both sides in conflict to build trust and confidence, to bring peace and ultimately development in areas currently in conflict, he said. La Rip, coordinator of the Relief Action Network for

UK to up support for credit program

THE United Kingdoms Department for International Development will provide an additional 10 million (US$15 million) for microfinance projects, a spokesperson said last week. The head of DFIDs office in Myanmar, Mr Paul Whittingham, said on January 10 that the funding would be channelled through the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust (LIFT) fund to microfinance projects in Kachin, Chin, Rakhine and Shan states, the central dry zone and the Ayeyarwady delta. Mr Whittingham said microfinance could play a major role in improving the economy in an equitable way. With more affordable credit and savings services which our microfinance support is starting to provide the economic activities of rural people, including farming and fishing, would be more profitable. People would have more money to improve their farms, buy better food, send their children to school and get health care when they are sick. At the moment, many people are unable to afford these things, which keeps people in poverty and puts a drag on the countrys economic growth, Mr Whittingham said. A recent UN report put the demand for micro loans at about $1 billion, with less than 10 percent of demand currently being met. At press conference on January 6 at British Council, Britains foreign minister Mr William Hague said that UK funding for microfinance initiatives would assist up to 55,000 people. Nan Tin Htwe

People dispaced by fighting in Kachin State at a relief camp set up in Waingmaw township near the Kachin State capital Myitkyina. Pic: Soe Than Lynn IDPs and Refugees (RANIR), which was formed in 2011 by humanitarian organisations working in Kachin-controlled areas, said donors should consult local aid agencies working for IDPs since the conflict erupted when deciding how to allocate funding. The funds should also be used to empower local civil society groups that can play a vital role in the process of democratic change in Myanmar, he told The Myanmar Times by email last week. He added that measures should be taken to minimise administration costs related to the distribution of aid. Over the last three years, DFID has provided 8 million ($12 million) for displaced people and refugees under a program that ends in March. Mr Whittingham said DFID was reviewing the program and would recommend to the British government that it continues. The international community is willing and ready to increase aid to the people of Burma and to work more with the government to improve the economic condition of its people, he said. The UK has provided significant assistance already for many years, we are the largest donor, but we [are] willing to increase our aid if the government shows that they are willing to take certain steps which the international community requires. Additional reporting by Thomas Kean

Lessons in the quest for a transition to free press

By Myo Lwin AFTER a recent fiveday media tour to the Philippines, two things came to mind on my return flight from Manila. The first is that Myanmar could learn a lot from the media transition that took place there following the fall of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. The second is that we urgently need to establish proper institutions to foster the development of journalism in our own country. I was part of a 10-member delegation that visited the Philippines, along with an official from the Ministry of Information, senior personnel from the Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association and editors from news journals. Our mission was to learn how the countrys media has transformed itself over the past few decades into one of the most vibrant in Asia. Under the Marcos government, which came to power in 1965, more than 170 journalists were killed, according to Mr Ramon Tuazon, president of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication. Under Marcos, there was a rise of alternative media or the mosquito press as it was better known, said Mr Ramon. This term describes publications that were critical of the government and its imposition of martial law. The publications were likened to mosquitoes because they were small but had a stinging bite. Such publications were a crucial counterpoint to the mainstream media, such as the Daily Express. Over a lunch meeting in Manila, PIA director general, Mr Jose Fabia, restated the important role of an independent free press in checking governmental power. Nonetheless, the state still plays a role in the media industry through the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), which has a diverse role that includes content creation, information service provision, public relations and training. The PIA primarily acts as the governments advertising arm and falls under the PCOO. It was established to provide the public with accurate, timely and relevant information but it also conducts seminars, trainings and workshops to enhance the skills and techniques of information officers. The Ministry of Information in Myanmar could learn many lessons from the PIA and PCOO in the areas of information gathering and dissemination, development of government information officers and media partners, in addition to conducting media fora, press conferences and briefings. While the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division has relaxed some restrictions on private media, the government needs to open the door further. At the same time, the private media needs to accept more responsibility for what they report. One problem is the lack of exposure to external media and possible solutions would be crash courses, training and development programs in journalism for both government officials and media personnel. A ministry tasked with the development of human resources in fields such as journalism, medicine, engineering and agriculture could also further this goal. Trips to the Philippines, India and Thailand would allow journalists and government officials to see how the media can play an important role in an Asian democracy. One question for Myanmar is the role of the state media. In the Philippines, the state media could have been expected to diminish in importance after the Marcos government ended. Instead, it has been maintained as an important player within the government, complementing the free and diverse private media. The chief executive officer and executive editor of the Manila Times, Mr Dante Klink Ang, said that the Philippines oldest newspaper is also contributing to the human resource needs of the industry through its media institute, which awards diploma and bachelor degrees in journalism. While there were only two journalism schools under the Marcos regime, there are about 40 today. The College of Development Communication in Los Banos is one of the largest with more than 3000 students. One student undertaking a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism at the college said she wanted to be a science reporter. I am in the third year so my assignments are partly outside of the school, doing interviews with people. Its not full days of lectures any m ore, said the 19year old. The efforts to train journalists in the country stands in marked contrast to Myanmar where most journalists do not have proper training. Solving this issue is going to be crucial as journals move towards post-publication censorship, especially if disputes are to be avoided between editors, news sources, government officials and private interests.

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Govt preparing for environment dept launch: official

By Ei Ei Toe Lwin THE Ministry of E n v i r o n m e n t a l Conservation and Forestry is working to establish a new department to focus on environmental conservation, an official said last week. Weve already got permission from President [U Thein Sein] and we are now preparing and discussing the structure of the department, to assign new staff and other details, U Ye Htut, deputy director of the ministrys Forest Department told The Myanmar Times. The ministry currently has five departments, including the Planning and Statistics Department, Dry Zone Greening Department, Myanma Timber Enterprise and University of Forestry. Previously, the National Commission for Environmental Affairs (NCEA), formed in February 1990, was the governments main environmental body. Until it was abolished in April 2011, the NCEA acted as the national focal point for environmental matters, coordinating the work of line ministries and departments and reporting directly to Cabinet. We founded the NCEA only to formulate policy. But this new department is going to work effectively and really conserve the environment in all states and regions. Its structure will be stronger than the NCEA, said U Ye Htut. We cant say exactly [when the department will be launched]. But its sure to happen soon. The news was welcomed by environmental groups who have lobbied the government on the issue, with U Ohn of the Forest Resource and Environment Development Association saying the creation of an environmental department was long overdue. I would like to advise the ministry to allow not only government staffs but also other experts to play a role in the work of this new department, he said.

Foreign ministers call for end to sanctions

PHNOM PENH ASEAN last week called for Western nations to lift sanctions against Myanmar following much-lauded signs of change. Strict sanctions on Myanmar, enforced notably by the United States and the European Union in response to human rights abuses and for failing to free all political prisoners, have long left the country isolated. Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, whose country has just taken over the rotating chairmanship of the 10-nation regional bloc, said democratic reform in Myanmar was moving forward. Myanmars foreign minister has requested ASEAN to call for the lifting of economic sanctions against Myanmar, he told reporters on January 11 after the blocs foreign ministers held a two-day retreat in the northwestern temple town of Siem Reap. And I would like to inform you that ASEAN as a whole agrees on the issue, he added.

whole ASEAN as a issue. agrees on the

The Singapore foreign ministry said the ministers noted the positive developments in Myanmar and expressed their support for the lifting of sanctions. ASEAN made a similar call for

sanctions to be removed a year ago at a retreat in Indonesia. Since then the government has surprised observers by opening dialogue with opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, freezing work on an unpopular mega-dam and releasing some dissidents. Myanmar was rewarded in November for its conciliatory gestures with the ASEAN chair in 2014, despite rights groups saying the move was premature. The country gave up the chance to head ASEAN five years ago due to international pressure. As chair of ASEAN, Myanmar will be required to speak on behalf of the bloc and host scores of meetings including the East Asia Summit, which includes the US. AFP

MRCS to increase disaster risk reduction

By Aye Sapay Phyu MYANMAR Red Cross Society plans to implement urban disaster risk reduction programs in three areas of the country this year, disaster management coordinator U Aung Thaung Shwe said last week. We will start the project in Nay Pyi Taws Tatkon township in Mandalay Region, Hlaing Tharyar in Yangon Region and Tachileik in Shan State in March and April. We expect the program will ensure a quick response if a disaster occurs in an urban area, he said. He said the training for urban residents focused on disaster and emergency response preparedness, organising disaster management committees and disaster warning knowledge. He said that MRCS would also continue its communitybased disaster management programs and school-based disaster risk reduction activities in Kengtung, Mong Hpayak and Mong Hsat townships in Shan State and Pauk, Myaing Salin and Aunglan townships in Magwe Region this year.

Crucial polls loom for region

IT promises to be a year of holding elections trepidatiously. Already an edgy apprehension pervades the coming polls in France and the United States, where both incumbents and contenders leave much to be desired. Around here, there is growing unease about what will unfold in the impending Malaysian general election, especially after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was acquitted of sodomy on January 9. There are also the much anticipated by-elections in Myanmar on April 1, which will involve Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and may well mark the first step in her eventual rise to become president. Strange as it may seem, none of these portentous events is likely to be as significant as the election that was to take place in Taiwan on January 14. The island, which is one of my favourite places to visit, has developed a vibrant electoral system that is open and democratic and regarded as a template for future political empowerment in China and Vietnam. The polls will have a potential global impact because they pit a party that unequivocally favours closer ties with China against another party that espouses a much more independent future. If the latter wins, Beijings chagrin is likely to cause it to become very testy, not only towards the recalcitrant isle, but also towards nations like Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and the US that have strong ties and intelligent, both Ma and Tsai are multi-linguists with post-graduate degrees from American Ivy League universities. But there the similarities end. Ma wants to continue his incremental romance with Beijing, while Tsai wants to press the reset button and accentuate Taiwans own unique identity. As she told The New York Times last week: Wed like to say we are a country, and we have a sovereignty of our own. That is anathema to China, which steadfastly insists that Taiwan is one of its provinces and it will not countenance any talk of the island becoming a sovereign state. Likewise, President Ma recoils at such talk and when dealing with the mainland always calls it an area-to-area relationship. If he wins a second term, Ma may be able to ensure continued stability in crossstrait ties; but on the other hand, Beijing may push him to accelerate moves for formal reunification and that would prove socially disruptive. Conversely, while a victory for Tsai would upset Beijing, it appears that many Taiwanese, especially younger folks, view that as an acceptable, if risky, trade-off in order to assert their rightful identity. Currently, both President Ma and Madame Tsai are tied in the polls with about 45 percent each, so there is an even chance that Tsai will prevail. If she does, then be prepared to watch the sparks start flying.

with Taiwan. The testiness may be manifested in Beijings increasingly aggressive sovereignty claims to the entire South China Sea, against the rival claims of several countries in this region, including Taiwan. Is there any chance of all this happening? Well, yes, a very good one, as is clear from even a cursory evaluation of the two main candidates. The incumbent Kuomintang, or Nationalist Party, led by President Ma Ying-jeou, 61, has been implementing policies to foster a warmer rapport with Beijing since taking office in May 2008. As a result, relations across the Taiwan Strait have improved dramatically and 16 mutually beneficial agreements have been signed that have helped annual cross-strait trade to soar above US$100 billion. Going up against President Ma and the Nationalists is the Democratic Progressive Party led by Taiwans first female political leader, Tsai Ing-wen, 55, a former law professor. Tsai, a single woman who declines to say whether she is straight or gay, is far more cultured, pragmatic and clean than her partys former leader, the volatile and corrupt ex-President Chen Shui-bian. Photogenic, articulate

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Democracy must bring real benefits

Danish Minister for Development Christian Friis Bach talks to The Myanmar Times exclusively about increasing aid, the January 3 prisoner amnesty and lifting European Union sanctions against Myanmar
the democratic transition moves forward. Rule of law and access to justice should be there in order to protect the rights of every individual. Those structures should be strengthened and thats also what we are here to support and to encourage. You are going to meet with government officials in Nay Pyi Taw. What pledges do you expect to hear from them? I will put special emphasis on making sure that the government commits itself to investing more in its people because democracy and human rights is not about liberty alone. Its also about access to education, about health, food and jobs. So I will definitely also want to hear the government [promise] to allocate more funding to issues like education, health and building livelihoods in Myanmar. I definitely hope to hear the government talk about the democratic transition but the economic transition is also an important part here and health and education is absolutely critical. Denmark holds the European Unions presidency from January 1. Whats your view on the current status of relations between the EU and Myanmar? There is an annual revision and dialogue on the policies towards Myanmar taking place in April. As I said I am here in my personal capacity as a minister of Denmark. But still, ideas, advice and inspiration that I get here will be used as dialogue in Europe on how to approach the next stage of a partnership between the EU and Myanmar. Next week I will meet with EU High Representative Ms Catherine Ashton. I will of course [discuss] my visit here and what next steps we could take in Europe to support the development in Myanmar. So thats why I also hope to learn and get inside information and new ideas on how we could develop the partnership. In Europe we will strengthen our partnership but a lot depends on strengthening democracy in Myanmar at the same time. These two need to go hand in hand. Myanmar s relations with the international community? Daw Suu is a critical partner in Myanmar. I am here to have a dialogue with the government and also with Daw Suu and other actors. She is a critical part of the solution and I am encouraged that the NLD will now engage in the formal political process. And we are really keen to see a constructive [approach] that can build trust between the [NLD and the] government and make sure that this trust is reflected ... following the by-elections. I think this is absolutely vital for the democratic foundation in Myanmar. Thats what I will discuss with Daw Suu when I meet her and also with the government. And also how this trust between their position and the government can be furthered and strengthened and then we can have a parliament following the by-elections that, to a larger extent, broadly reflects the will of the people. The EU recently announced plans to open a representative office in Yangon. Whats the reasoning behind that? Ms Catherine Ashton is looking forward to opening a representative office [in Myanmar], while Denmark wants to open a formal project office in Yangon. I am also here to explore the possibilities of opening an office here in Yangon. We have been partners with the Myanmar people for many years but [establishing] a presence is a critical phase. A permanent base means we can be sure our programs benefit the people. I think it is very good that the EU would have a formal representative office in Myanmar, as well as Denmark too. So will we also see a Danish embassy in Myanmar? It will not be a Danish embassy but it will be a kind of program office that will primarily deal with our programs in Myanmar. We have already allocated staff in Bangkok for the programs in Yangon. We just need to move them here.

You visited in 2008 as Minister for Capacity Development. What changes have you seen more than three years on from that first trip? What I can already sense is that the society is more open and a lot more optimistic than what I saw when I was here last time. I think that is encouraging. We do acknowledge and very much support the democratic transition that has happened. [But] there is a long way to go when it comes to really making sure [of] broad participation in the democratic development, when it comes to political prisoners [and] when it comes to ethnic conflict. But we are here to show support for the direction that the government is taking. Also we can promise to be partners with Myanmar. What we are here to promise is we are partners and well contribute more in terms of making sure the democratic transition also creates real benefits for people, families and children of Myanmar. Thats absolutely critical. So we will double our assistance to Myanmar especially in terms of health, education and supporting democratic development. Those three areas are where we will do more to support the transition in a way that makes sure the democratic process is translated into real progress for the people of Myanmar. Members of the European Union have acknowledged the progress in Myanmar but the recent amnesty was widely criticised. What are your views on that amnesty? We are also disappointed with the recent amnesty announcement. We hoped that more could be done and we hope more progress will be seen [in the future]. I think right now it is critically important to keep up the momentum that has been created and we are here to signal that if the momentum is there, the partnership is there as well. Definitely we hope and trust

Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Mr Christian Friis Bach in Yangon last week. Pic: Yadanar Do you see any possibility of lifting sanctions in April? Its too early to say. The dialogue will be continuing in Europe next month and I will carefully listen to other European countries and carefully discuss and have dialogue on this issue. Its still too early to say and a lot depends on the next steps and how the democratic transition goes forward in Myanmar over the next couple of months. Thats going to be absolutely critical in terms of building a partnership between the EU and Myanmar. Your schedule includes a meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. How do you see her role in terms of

Top US Republican senator Mitch Denmark will double aid McConnell to visit this week: report in 2012, says minister
WASHINGTON Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the US Senate and longtime supporter of sanctions will pay his first visit to Myanmar to assess nascent reforms, his office said last week. A growing number of prominent foreigners have been visiting Myanmar and the country is welcoming not just advocates of engagement but also critics whom it will need to win over for any lifting of sanctions. McConnell, the Senate minority leader, will meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and government officials on a three-day trip starting on January 15, his office said. Senator McConnell has and continues to be a strong advocate for political reform, reconciliation and democracy in Burma, his office said in a statement on January 12. It will be the senators first visit to the country as the regime turned down an earlier request for a visa, an aide said. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last month paid an historic visit in the hope of encouraging reforms. But she stopped short of offering an easing in sanctions, most of which were imposed by Congress. McConnell has long been outspoken in his criticism of Myanmars human rights record and has co-sponsored legislation each year for nearly a decade that has imposed the sweeping sanctions on the regime. Another longtime supporter of sanctions, Representative Joe Crowley, a member of President Barack Obamas Democratic Party, paid a first visit to Myanmar last week. Crowley, who is the first member of the House of Representatives to visit Myanmar in more than 12 years, met families of political prisoners in Yangon on January 12. In all of my meetings, Im strongly urging the immediate and unconditional release of all those who are locked up for exercising their political beliefs, Crowley said in a statement released by his Washington office. Senior US diplomats were also in Myanmar last week to follow up on Clintons visit, which is a test-case for Obamas decision on taking office in 2009 to extend his hand for talks to US adversaries. AFP By Shwe Yinn Mar Oo THE Danish government plans to double its assistance to Myanmar this year in recognitions of the progress made on democratisation, Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Mr Christian Friis Bach said earlier this month. Total annual assistance will rise from 50 million to 100 million kroner (US$8.5 million to $17 million), Mr Bach said after signing a grant agreement with UNICEF in Yangon on January 6. Denmark will contribute $4.5 million to improve access to education through the second phase of the Multi Donor Education Fund (MDEF) second phase. Denmark provided $3.5 million for the first phase in 2006. There is an urgent need to improve access to education and to educate the people of Myanmar for the future and to improve [the] livelihoods of every single citizen, Mr Bach said after the ceremony. MDEF will provide teacher training and school supplies, including text books, in 25 townships over the next four years, he said, benefiting an estimated 650,000 schoolchildren. The right to education is also the most significant by which you can then fight for your rights more broadly, the minister said. Mr Bach met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at her house later on January 6 before travelling to Nay Pyi Taw, where he held talks with members of the government and other senior officials on January 7.

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SKorea supports Neighbours agree on framework biodiversity research for Himalaya conservation
A SOUTH Korean research institute last month donated 10 refrigerators to the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestrys Forest Department to support biodiversity research, a ministry official said. This contribution will provide important basic infrastructure that will promote the research activities of the Forest Department. [The refrigerators] will be very useful for us and cost US$18,000, said U Win Naing Thaw, director of the departments Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division. The National Institute of Biological Resource (NIBR), which donated the equipment, signed a three-year memorandum of understanding with the then-Ministry of Forestry in January 2011 to implement and cooperate on biodiversity research and conservation activities in Myanmar. NIBR was established in 2007 under South Korean Ministry of Environment and is cooperating on biodiversity research in several countries, including Cambodia, China, Hungary, Japan, Myanmar, Russia and Vietnam. As a part of its work in Myanmar, NIBR has reached an agreement with the Forest Department to set up a Myanmar-South Korea biodiversity research cooperation centre at the Central Forestry Development Training Centre in Hmawbi, Yangon Region. Another project saw the institute and Forest Department jointly survey plant and insect species at Popa Mountain Park in August 2011. We also plan to conduct a joint survey in Alaungdaw Katthapa National Park, Sagaing Region, in January, U Win Naing Thaw said. Ei Ei Toe Lwin By Ei Ei Toe Lwin REPRESENTATIVES from Myanmar, China and India have agreed on a draft framework for cooperation on sustainable economic development in the Himalayan region following three days of meetings in Nay Pyi Taw, an official from the Environmental Conservation and Forestry said last week. Representatives met from December 21 to 23 to plan the transboundary management of the biologically rich Himalayan ecosystem. The framework for the Brahmaputra-Salween Landscape initiative was drafted by about 30 experts at a forum jointly organised by the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Minister for Environmental Conservation and Forestry U Win Tun said at the opening ceremony that Myanmar made up 47 percent of the Hindu-Kush-Himalaya region and 24pc of its population. He said it was important to not only enhance the livelihoods of the regions residents and conserve its natural resources but also promote human resource development. ICIMOD director general Dr David Molden said it was vital all three countries were committed to the initiative. A regional approach is required to manage this mountain landscape, to enhance the livelihoods of the people living there and to conserve its natural resources and ecosystem services for future generations, Mr Molden said. The framework includes collaborative and multidisciplinary research, regional capacity building, and policy and institutional support. It will also seek to promote transboundary biodiversity management, cultural conservation, sustainable economic development, and enhanced ecosystem and socioeconomic resilience, the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry said in a press release. But U Win Naing Thaw, director of the ministrys Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division, said the draft plan was a long way from being realised. This framework is only a draft for regional cooperation to conserve this region. We need to hold more detailed discussions to implement practical action, he said. The Brahmaputra-Salween landscape comprises several remote but key protected areas in the eastern Himalayas, including Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve in China, Namdapha National Park in India, and Hkakaborazi National Park in Myanmar.

Firefighters receive Singapore rescue training

By Myo Lwin ALMOST 200 Myanmar firefighters received search and rescue training from Singapore under a bilateral technical assistance program. Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) conducted two urban search and rescue training courses in Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region for Myanmar Fire Services Department personnel from across the country. Singapore is the first country to share its international search and rescue experience in with firefighters in Myanmar, the Singapore embassy said in a statement. The most recent course took place from January 9-20 and was attended by 100 trainees. Myanmar requested the training after senior officials from the Ministry of Social Welfare Relief and Resettlement conducted a study tour to the SCDF in mid2011. At the opening of the second International Urban Search and Rescue Course in Pyin Oo Lwin on January 9, Fire Services Department director general U Tin Moe said the course aimed to teach firemen how to undertake quick and skilful search and rescue activities during disasters and to handle modern equipments. We might face disasters anytime, anywhere in Myanmar. It is not enough to perform fire prevention and fighting. We also need to do search and rescue activities with the aim of saving lives and we need to learn proper rescue techniques, the director general said. He said climate change-related disasters were a particular concern and 72 rescue teams with a total strength of 7200 had been formed specifically to handle this threat, U Tin Moe said. More high-rise buildings, hotels and factories also meant more threats and dangers, he said. The course syllabus included principles of International Urban Search and Rescue, high angle rescue, confined space rescue and the application of search equipments such as fibre optic scope. U Tin Moe also paid tribute to five firefighters who sacrificed their lives last month in a pre-dawn warehouse fire in Yangon that caused 17 deaths altogether. News agency AFP reported that 37 firemen were injured in the December 29 explosion, which state media said was the result of a chemical reaction of herbal materials. Singapore ambassador to Myanmar Mr Robert Chua said the two training courses had fostered friendship between the SCDF and Fire Services Department. The sharing of experiences by the SCDF and Myanmar counterparts will further strengthen close friendship between Myanmar and Singapore, the ambassador said.

Members of the Singapore Civil Defense Force train Myanmar firefighters in Mandalay Regions Pyin Oo Lwin township on January 9. Pic: Singapore embassy

Doctor denies family claims over suspicious death

By Yamon Phu Thit and Kyaw Hsu Mon A SPECIALIST at a private hospital in Bahan township has refuted thinly veiled allegations of medical negligence from the family of a 23-year-old woman who died during childbirth last month. Ma Khin Khin Htay of Pazundaung township died in the early hours of December 12 at Shwegonedine Specialist Centre (SSC). Seven months pregnant, she had been hospitalised on December 10 after an ultrasound the previous day had revealed her unborn child was already dead. Members of the deceased womans family said obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Naing Win had refused their requests for a caesarean to remove the foetus, telling them instead to opt for a natural birth. As Dr Naing Win said the baby was dead, we requested him again and again to have an operation. But he said [on December 10] that it was not necessary to take a caesarean section and he used special drugs to induce the birth, Ma Khin Khin Htays brother, Ko Myint Aung, said on December 26 at a memorial ceremony held in Yangon. Daw Thida Win said her daughters waters broke at 11:45pm on December 11 and Ma Khin Khin Htay died shortly after the foetus was delivered. My daughter stopped breathing. After the baby came out she breathed twice and then stopped. Dr Naing Win and the other doctors arrived after 1am. They checked her and found she was dead, she said. The family said they were not planning to take legal action against Dr Naing Win and were not directly accusing him of negligence. Rather, they wanted to raise awareness about the issue to ensure it does not happen again. But Dr Naing Win said Ma Khin Khin Htay had not died because of his decision to recommend a natural birth. He said the cause of death was amniotic fluid spreading to the patients lungs and heart after her waters broke. The amniotic fluid entered the blood and caused the vessels to stop working, he said. This case is so rare that we can find it in only one out of 100,000 pregnancies. He said he had recommended a natural birth to make it easier for the patient to give birth in the future and had explained these reasons to the family, who had reluctantly heeded his advice. A baby is due after 40 weeks but in this case the baby was only 24 weeks and weighed one pound (450 grams) so we didnt need to perform a caesarean section. This was her first child and once she has had a caesarean section, she has to do the same for her next child so I decided to perform a normal birth instead, he said. Ask any obstetrician and gynaecologist. She didnt need any operation in this situation. [Her death] is not because of medical negligence, he said. The hospital suggested that the family send Ma Khin Khin Htays body to Yangon General Hospital to establish the cause of death but they declined for religious reasons, Ko Myint Aung said. We wont take legal action against the hospital. But we dont want to see medical negligence cases in the future, he said, adding that the hospital refused to accept the medical expenses from the family. This meant, however, that they did not receive any medical records or certificates. SSC managing director Dr Htay Htay Kyi said the hospital had declined to accept the familys payment out of sympathy for their loss. Ma Khin Khin Htay had consulted with SSC obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Tin Maung Aye during her pregnancy but while he was travelling abroad she was referred to Dr Naing Win, his assistant. One obstetrician and gynaecologist, who asked not to be named, said there was little Dr Naing Win could have done. This case is nonpreventable and can occur with both caesarean and natural births, she said. When the mother is about to give birth, the waters break and the fluid fills the uterus. Then, unexpectedly, the fluid reaches the blood vessels in the uterus and these blood vessels carry the fluid to the lungs in about a second. The pregnant woman dies very quickly if this case happens but we cant say who will suffer from this complication, its quite rare. Im not taking the doctors side. But according to the obstetrician and gynaecologist guidelines, we dont take a caesarean section for 24-week-old foetuses.

TiMESbusiness
Chinese energy company eyes $2.5b refinery
By Chen Aizhu BEIJING Chinas Guangdong Zhenrong Energy Co, an oil and commodity trader partly owned by state-run Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp, is scouting for sites in Myanmar to build a 100,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) refinery, the companys chief executive said. The project, estimated to cost US$2.5 billion, is likely to be located in the southern port city of Dawei and built by 2015, chief executive Xiong Shaohui told Reuters by telephone from the companys headquarters in southern Guangzhou. He did not elaborate, and it was not immediately clear if the project would be built in the multi-billion-dollar Dawei Special Economic Zone, which, once complete, will be Southeast Asias largest industrial area and a vital source of revenue for a government seeking to overhaul Myanmars economy. Were inspecting for the potential sites and have tentatively selected southern port city Dawei, near the Andaman Sea, Xiong said. Guangdong Zhenrong will partner with two Myanmar firms privately run Htoo Group of Companies and a military-affiliated company that Xiong did not name. The project will be totally funded by the Chinese firm and Xiong said his company would have no problem footing the bill. The proposed refinery is tiny by Chinese standards but could meet 60 percent of the Myanmar markets demand for refined fuel, said Xiong. Myanmar has a total refining capacity of 51,000bpd, and it imports almost all of its domestic fuel needs. The 250-square-kilometre, $50billion Dawei project will include an $8 billion deepsea port, an oil refinery and a petrochemical factory, Myanmar officials have said. The project is spearheaded by Thai building contractor ItalianThai Development and is scheduled to be ready by 2019. It is located in the Tanintharyi Region of southern Myanmar. Xiong said he was confident the refinery would not encounter any opposition. The way we run our business will be different from many other companies investing in Myanmar. We want to make inputs first, he said. First of all, we want to train hundreds of local workers, bring in the first-class refining technology and make sure our partners are happy working with us. Guangdong Zhenrong, which recorded an annual turnover of 16 billion yuan ($2.53 billion) in 2010, is partly owned by Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp, one of Chinas top four state petroleum traders that was until the late 1990s an affiliate of the military. More page 16

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Garment workers stitch textiles in a factory in Yangon. Pic: Myanmar Times Archive

Paper argues private sector should drive Myanmars industrialisation

By Stuart Deed A RECENTLY released research paper, Myanmar at the Crossroads: Rapid Industrial Development or De-Industrialisation, paints a picture of a nation with a troubled economic past but the resources capable of propelling it towards a prosperous future. The report can be downloaded at networkmyanmar.org/economy and author and Yangon resident Stuart Larkin chose the title carefully. He argues persuasively that unless the nations efforts are channelled into a rapid industrialisation drive, Myanmar risks backsliding into a de-industrialisation. The first possibility lifts millions from poverty and ensures the fruits of economic growth are shared equitably, while the second sees only a small clique of cronies and government officials grow extremely wealthy while the rest are mired in poverty. However, achieving the first will be much more difficult, requiring continued economic reform, SMEled industrialisation supported by foreign investments and huge spending on both human resources and infrastructure, to be paid for by the exploitation of the nations natural resources. The second, far easier alternative is simply exploiting the natural resources and earning marginal fees from the transport infrastructure being installed by China, Thailand and India. Under this scenario the resource curse plays out and the nation falls victim to Dutch Disease, where the domestic currency spirals upward out of control and most domestic industry withers under an onslaught of cheaper and higher quality products from regional competitors. Mr Larkin argues that one of the first reforms the government needs to undertake is unifying the different exchange rates. More page 16

Car sales, without permits at Jan 19 fair

INTERNATIONAL and domestic companies will offer cars for sale at the National Commodity Fair to be held at Myanmar Convention Centre on Mindamma Road in Yangon from January 19 to 22, MRTV-4 reported on January 11. Crucially, the cars, buses, commercial vehicles, motorbikes can be purchased without an import permit. Companies from Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand and India will take part in the fair and also display automotive accessories and spare parts, the report said. There will be more than 200 booths at the fair and more than 50 percent will be occupied by automotiverelated businesses, it added. The remainder will be run by domestic companies spruiking electronic goods, apartments and condominiums, communication hardware, handicrafts, security devices and more. Aung Kyi

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firms Ital-Thai to renegotiate Chinaposition trade after govt cuts coal plant in Myanmar
BANGKOK Italian-Thai Development, Thailands biggest construction company, may change the fuel supply for a power plant in a planned US$8.6 billion special economic zone in Myanmar after the government scrapped its original plan to use coal. The company has yet to receive a formal notice from Myanmar, after media reports last week said the government rejected plans for a 4000 megawatt coalfired power plant, said Somchet Thinaphong, managing director of the Dawei Development Co, an Ital-Thai unit. The companys November agreement with Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding to build the plant remains unaffected, he said. The governments decision only means we have to renegotiate the source of fuel, Somchet said in an interview in Bangkok on January 10. With Ratchaburi, the intention was to use coal. If we change the source of supply, Ratchaburi has to sit down and recalculate. Ital-Thai plans to secure financing and woo companies to invest in a deepsea port and industrial estate located in Myanmar about 300 kilometres (186 miles) west of Bangkok. Myanmars 11-month-old government, whose democratic reforms have prompted the US and Europe to reassess sanctions, has cancelled two power-plant projects in the past six months because of environmental concerns. Ital-Thai shares gained 1.1 percent on the news of the cancellation but have dropped by 14pc over the past year, compared with a 3.5pc gain for Thailands SET Index. Ratchaburi shares gained 0.6pc. From page 15 By Aye Thidar Kyaw MAJOR infrastructure investments meant China was Myanmars major trading partner in the 2011-12 fiscal year through to December, a Ministry of Commerce official said last week. In the 2011-12 fiscal year through to the end of December, bilateral trade amounted to about US$3.6 billion. Myanmar exported minerals, rubber, fruit and fisheries products worth about $1.6 billion and imported construction materials, machinery and consumer goods worth about $2 billion. Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) data shows that China invested about US$13.6 billion in Myanmar, most in the energy sector, in the 2010-11 financial year, including $9.6 billion in the 2011 calendar year. According to an MIC official, six official Chinese delegations visited MIC in 2011 to discuss investment in infrastructure, mining, energy and manufacturing. The Commerce official said that because Myanmar had imported much material from China to build infrastructure projects a trade deficit with that nation had developed. However, he expected that the balance of trade would reverse in coming months if Myanmar was able to export agriculture products. Bilateral trade will continue to grow because Chinas market is very big and the Myanmar government plans to open up new border trading zones in Kachin State in future, he said. China and Myanmar trade mainly via the Muse 105-mile trading zone and Chinshwehaw in Shan State, as well as Lwejal and Kanpeiktee in Kachin State. Several other zones are closed as a result of armed conflict. The Commerce official said the Chinese market could easily absorb more of Myanmars exports if standards were improved. China wants to boost imports of items such as flowers we saw that during the border trade fair in Shweli in December. But to benefit from this we need to export more goods of a higher quality, he said. China has also asked us to open more border trading zones, he said. In the previous fiscal year, China overtook Thailand to become Myanmars largest trading partner, with total trade estimated at about $5.2 billion.

Pic: Hein Latt Aung Workers unload sheets of steel road reinforcing material at the Italian-Thais Dawei project. Myanmars decision is nothing dramatic, Somchet said, adding that the company would explore using natural gas instead. He said it remained unclear how changing the fuel supply for the power plant would affect cost projections or deadlines for the Dawei development. PTT, Thailands biggest energy company, is studying whether to invest in a power plant in the Dawei project, chief executive officer Pailin Chuchottarworn told reporters in Bangkok on January 10. A gas-fired power plant may be problematic since no pipelines currently run near the project, he said. We have to look for signs from the government there, Pailin said. Myanmar suspended the project over environmental concerns, Xinhua reported, citing Minister for Electric Power 2 U Khin Maung Soe. President U Thein Sein on September 30 suspended a $3.6 billion hydropower dam backed by China Power Investment Corp. Ital-Thai chairman Premchai Karnasuta said last month he expects to sign loan agreements next year valued at $12.5 billion to develop the project. Japan Bank for International Cooperation will probably provide most of the funding for the port, road and railway links in Dawei, he said on December 26. Representatives from Thailand-based Bangkok Bank, Krung Thai Bank and Siam Commercial Bank have expressed interest in financing the project, Somchet said. Potential investors include Malaysias Petroliam Nasional, known as Petronas, and Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Corp and Mitsui & Co, he said. I have faith and confidence in Myanmars government, Somchet said, adding that he would give their relationship an A-plus grade. They understand what they are doing. Ital-Thai is still seeking partners and financing for an integrated steel mill, an oil, gas and petrochemical complex, and fertiliser plants. The company expects to gain income from selling 50,000 rai (80 square kilometres) of land, an area equivalent to about a 10th of Singapore, and serving as the main contractor on infrastructure projects, Premchai said on December 26. Bloomberg

China energy trader

On the companys website (www. gdzhenrong.com), Guangdong Zhenrong said its other stakeholders have powerful administrative resources and expansive platforms. It gave no further details. The proposed refinery, which may process crude oil from the Middle East and Asia, would be the first foray into the refining business for Guangdong Zhenrong. Xiong, who used to manage Chinese oil firms trade quotas at the Ministry of Commerce, said the refinery project was not linked to top Chinese energy group CNPCs business in Myanmar. CNPC, parent of PetroChina, is laying oil and natural gas pipelines that connect Myanmar with Chinas southwestern province of Yunnan, a landlocked region that is short of energy resources. In addition to the proposed refinery, Guangdong Zhenrong is building 100,000 cubic metre (630,000 barrels) refined fuel storage tanks in Yangon, which are expected to be complete around April this year when the monsoon ends, said Xiong. Reuters

Research paper
The most important reform for Myanmar is unification of its multiple exchange rates into a single, realistic and competitive exchange rate. This is necessary to establishing outward orientation for the economy, to facilitate international trade and investment, through the dismantling of complex administrative procedures that also promote rent seeking. But it is also necessary for making the nations monetary and fiscal policies more effective and stable. Unless the exchange rate issue is addressed then some existing factories may close as they lose their international competitiveness or are undercut by cheaper imports in the home market. Certainly kyat strength is the greatest challenge currently facing the new government. Taking adequate corrective measures is an early test of their capacity, the paper states. At the time of writing, taxes on exports have been reduced but import repression through pervasive licensing has not been relaxed much. If the government fails to devise policies to counter

the effects of the resource curse, including Dutch Disease, the country faces the prospect of deindustrialisation. Instead, Mr Larkin suggests a move away from the policy of import substitution industry and following the path toward export-oriented development like many other Asian nations. Nearly US$20 billion in foreign direct investment flowed into Myanmar in the 2010-11 fiscal year, compared with a gross domestic product of about $32 billion. However, the majority of that investment went into the capital-intensive energy sector, which creates few jobs. Mr Larkin argues that the government needs to channel future infrastructure development investment into creating backward linkages that would allow domestic small- and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) to export their goods to the world, which will create many more jobs. To rapidly industrialise, Myanmar needs to integrate with supply chains in the region, which have become China-centric, and access the large rich country markets, leveraging its geostrategic location to do so, Mr Larkin writes.

He adds that a supply chain manager should be brought in to study the Myanmar situation, and advise the Biz-15 [leading entrepreneurs] on what is needed from them and from the government that they can influence to commence the integration of Myanmar into the world economy. Mr Larkin suggests that the government allows the private sector led by the Biz-15 to drive industrialisation, with SMEs that share the biggest part in the Myanmar economy in terms of number, contribution to employment, output and investment their development to follow. A dynamic private sector consisting of a Biz-15-SME alliance with clearly demarcated responsibilities the SMEs growing rapidly in a flourishing export sector while the Biz-15 enable them through efficient provision of infrastructure and astute management of powerholders and multi-national corporations may prove to be the defining characteristic of Myanmars newfound and sustained prosperity, he states. For this to occur, however, rent seekers within the government

and loss-making state-owned enterprises would have to make way. Additionally, the government must focus on improving the business environment by fostering free and fair competition, institutional development and the establishment of the rule of law. Mr Larkin says the countrys telecommunications should be transferred to the private sector for capacity and efficiency reasons, since they would form the vital lines of communications for incoming companies. The government should allow the private sector to build, own and operate infrastructure. ICT infrastructure is far too important an area to entrust to the [Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications] state telecommunications monopoly and a regulatory framework for private sector participation needs to be drawn up, he writes. Myanmar might be at a crossroads but a new space has been created whereby flexible and imaginative players can hope to have a positive influence on events. There are now more openings for policy advocacy than at any time over the previous 20 years.

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Fisheries industry calls for foreign investment

By Soe Sandar Oo KEY figures in the fisheries sector are calling for foreign investment to help those in the industry cope with high production costs and the weak US dollar. U Win Kyaing, general secretary of the Myanmar Fisheries Federation, said that fish farms were on the decline. Even though other business sectors in Myanmar have attracted foreign investment there is almost none in the fisheries industry, he said during the weekly federation meeting last week. Farmers are trying as hard as they can with the money they have and the techniques they know. We have more than 200,000 acres of fish ponds, he said. He added that Myanmar has plenty of natural resources, including workers, but did not have enough capital to invest, particularly at a time when the industry is in decline. However, he said foreign investors could solve the funding problem and improve technology, farming techniques and market knowledge. One farmer from Yangon Region said: We need foreign partners to help us by providing money, strategies and links to markets. We already have extensive fish farms and other basic resources. I believe an injection of foreign investment would be enough to reverse the decline, he added. U Win Kyaing said the new government was opening up the economy to foreign investment but the economic reforms implemented so far had failed to attract interest in the fisheries industry. Dr Thet Mhoo, general secretary of the Myanmar Aqua Feed Association, said farmers had reduced the number of fish they were farming in their ponds by up to 80 percent from 2500 to 500 to limit their investment and potential losses. He added that feed factories, half of which have stopped operating, were also trying to reduce costs and find foreign partners. However, Myanmar Shrimp Association chairman U Hnin Oo said the governments failure to implement a new foreign investment law was deterring potential partners. He said the absence of an updated investment law offered no safety for potential investors, who might otherwise be ready to start projects in Myanmar. The policy is not clear yet. And we need money here now to fight the issues that we face, he said.

Banks push safety of money transfers

PRIVATE banks are promoting the safety of their money transfer services in a bid to lure customers from the faster and often cheaper informal hundi network, several industry sources said last week. The hundi network is a web of businesspeople that allows people to transfer money around the world without paying any tax. The network is regularly used by Myanmar workers abroad to remit money back to their families. But it is a system built on trust, and this has recently been called into question following a number of reported thefts. According to a December 19 report in Weekly Eleven journal, the owners of Shweyadana shop in Singapores Peninsula Plaza took between US$40,000 and $60,000 from workers and other shopowners at the centre. They were supposed t o r e m i t t h e m o n e y t o as well as being fast. I Asia Green Development Myanmar but apparently think its actually cheaper (AGD), Co-operative (CB) failed to do so. The same to transfer money this way and Kanbawza to offer report said another recent than using the banks, she i n t e r n a t i o n a l m o n e y transfers from January 1. hundi fraud had involved said. However, the banks Ma Shweyi Myint up to S$2 million. R u m o u r s h a v e b e e n said US banks charge a are yet to begin offering circulating that a group of m i n i m u m t r a n s f e r f e e the service because they hundi agents in Singapore o f a b o u t $ 4 5 a n d h e r are still seeking partners s t o l e t h e m o n e y f r o m parents would probably abroad, an AGD official also have to pay a fee in said. Myanmar workers. U Thet Lwin Shwe, Hundi payments are Myanmar too. She said very fast and are completed another attraction of the AGDs director, said the within one day. But its hundi network was that company had not had time based entirely on trust and it could transfer money to open bank branches outside of there are no Myanmar but guarantees, would look to said Ko Win We cant stop the hundi network open offices Maw Oo, instead. 28, who is but we have to try to reduce the He added working in that AGD Malaysias number of these illegal payments. would target manufactSingapore, uring sector. Thailand and Ko Win Maw Oo added that he had on weekends when most Malaysia, all of which have large numbers of Myanmar sent money to his family in banks were closed. Hundi agents do not workers. Myanmar for three years CBs managing director through the hundi and charge fees as such but offer had never encountered a a slightly worse exchange U Phey Myint said his company was preparing rate than banks. problem. Obviously wed prefer to to open a remittance office Ma Shweyi Myint, who is studying journalism not pay any charges at all in Singapores Peninsula in the United States on but if the service is easy to P l a z a , a h u b f o r t h e a scholarship, said the use and completely safe we M y a n m a r e x p a t r i a t e i n f o r m a l n e t w o r k w a s would be willing to pay the community in the citystate. cheaper than going through fees, she said. Bank officials are Myanmars Central banks. Hundi payments are Bank allowed four private n e g o t i a t i n g t o o f f e r more economical for me, b a n k s A y e y a w a d d y , t r a n s f e r s i n M a l a y s i a ringgit, Singapore dollars and Thai baht, he added. U Than Lwin, Kanbawza Banks vice chairman, said a network allowing swift transfers would be completed in April and clients could then perform international money transfers quickly and safely. We cant stop the hundi network but we have to try to reduce the number of these illegal payments, he said. He added there will likely be some foreigners, especially Chinese, who will link up with Myanmar nationals to transmit money into the country and then invest it in the property market. He warned that could fuel a real estate bubble. An Ayeyarwaddy Bank spokesperson said the company would not set either minimum or maximum transfer limits but expected most workers abroad would remit up to $1500 a month and would set their fees accordingly. Our service will surely be more expensive than hundi payments and will take longer. But it will be safe, he said.

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January 16 - 22, 2012
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Job watch
Request for Quotation
Request for quotation is extended to all those qualified to provide Burmese Language Training Services for the U.S Embassy Yangon. If you are interested in this opportunity, please follow the instructions in the solicitation description that is provided at the following website. h t t p : / / b u r m a . u s e m b a s s y. g o v / c o n t r a c t oppotunities.html Please direct any inquiries to GSO by telephon# 536 509 / 505 113 ext: 4104 The Embassy of the State of Kuwait (Yangon) is seeking the rightful candidates who are highly motivated, qualified and with the necessary experience for the following positions. AII applicants must have the necessary qualifications and professional skills in their related position of application. Bachelor or master degrees, fluency in English & Myanmar communication skill (both spoken and written), proficiency in computer literacy are some of the qualifications the Embassy will be looking for. (1) Accountant (Male/Female) (Age:18-40 years) (2) Secretary (Female) (Age: 18-40 years) (3) Public Relationship Officer (Male) (Age: 18-40 years) (1)post (1)post (1) Post

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner (left) speaks while his Japanese counterpart Jun Azumi (right) looks on at a joint press conference at Japans finance ministry in Tokyo on January 12. Pic: AFP

Japan to reduce Iran oil imports

By Hiroshi Hiyama TOKYO Japan said last week it would cut imports of Iranian oil, but a report said the move was a bid to exempt its banks from US sanctions aimed at squeezing Tehran into giving up its nuclear program. The pledge came during a visit by US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who came to Tokyo after receiving short shrift from Beijing for Washingtons campaign to smother Irans vital oil exports and so head off its atomic drive. In the past five years, we have reduced ... the amount of oil imported [from Iran], Finance Minister Jun Azumi said during a joint news conference with Geithner. We wish to take planned and concrete steps to further reduce this share, which now stands at 10 percent, Azumi said. Geithner came away empty handed from Beijing after unsuccessfully asking China to add its economic might to the campaign to pressure Iran. Azumi, whose resource-poor country is heavily dependent on Middle East oil and has maintained relations with Iran in the face of pressure to ostracise the country, said the atomic issue needed to be dealt with. The nuclear problem is a problem that the world cannot ignore, he said. In this respect, we fully understand actions taken by the United States. Geithner expressed his appreciation for the gesture. We are working very closely with Europe and Japan and allies around the world to substantially increase the amount of pressure we bring on Iran. We are exploring ways to cut off the central bank from the international financial system, and to reduce the earnings Iran derives from its oil exports. He said Washington was at the early stages of consulting with allies on how best to isolate Iran. We very much appreciate the support Japan has provided standing with us and the international community in support of this very important strategic objective. The mass circulation Yomiuri Shimbun reported on January 12 that Tokyos move was an effort to persuade the US to exempt Japanese banks from sanctions for dealing with the Iranian central bank. The paper did not offer any figures on the reduction, but said in exchange for telling oil importers to change suppliers, Tokyo will ask the US to allow Japanese banks to continue dealing with Iranian authorities. Under Washingtons measures, foreign firms will have to choose between doing business with the Islamic republic or the United States. Japanese megabanks would be badly hurt if they are hit with sanctions. The Japanese government believes it would be difficult to impose a total ban on Iranian oil imports, the Yomiuri said. AFP

Interested applicants are requested to send the following documents: (1) Detailed up-to-date curriculum vitae along with 1-nonreturnable photograph (2) Photocopy of NRC and Labour cards (3) Original statement of criminal clearance (4) Contact telephone number and address to be submitted not later than Jan 23, 2012 via e-mail to f_alqenaei@hotmail.com. (Note: Only short listed candidates will be contacted for subsequent interviews.)

Key European Union debt crisis deals near

BRUSSELS Negotiators reached an outline creditors remains a problem but the finance bill could yet rise once more, causing political deal on January 12 on a European pact to ministry in Athens said an agreement with problems for some, leaders got a respite with restore balanced budgets and Greece voiced banks to write off billions due to these private news Rome and Madrid had scored well in bond auctions. hope it will secure a private debt write-down, investors was also coming closer. Markets too responded positively to the By the end of next week, we could have as Italy and Spain sailed through their first the final outline for a deal with the private January 12 issues. bond auctions of the year. Italy raised 12 billion euros ($15.2 billion) Signs of mini-breakthroughs on big issues sector, an official said, suggesting a formal exercising European Union leaders in the public offer could be ready by the start of in 12-month bonds at rates that were less than half the level at an auction last month, run-up to their latest crisis summit set for February. Greece needs to strike an agreement while Spain rustled up nearly 10 billion euros January 29 should help alleviate some of the concern swirling around debt and currency satisfactory to the banks, without which ($12.7 billion) in its sale double the amount problems can be expected to re-emerge over it had been aiming for. markets. Analysts said the auctions reflected an In Brussels, progress towards a new treaty a second taxpayer bailout agreed among EU easing of market jitters as well as the influence designed to reinforce fiscal discipline one leaders in October. Ahead of further talks with the Greek of cheap funds made available to crisis-hit where states are to legislate for a commitment banks by the European Central to balanced budgets appeared Bank last month, which have quicker than initially imagined, sources told AFP. By the end of next week, we could have the encouraged some lenders to buy up bonds. There is an outline ECB head Mario Draghi agreement, one negotiator final outline for a deal with the private sector. said some of the debt-wracked said of the pact which 26 of eurozone countries were the 27 European Union states, making very substantial, very excluding Britain, pledged to government in Athens on January 13, though, significant progress on getting their finances back at the EUs last summit in December. A new legal draft will go before finance negotiators for the private sector said time in order and the markets were showing some ministers meeting on January 24 in Brussels, is running short if that voluntary accord is appreciation of this. Italy, with a debt mountain of 1.9 trillion with just a few legal points needing to be meet the needs of all sides. The so-called private sector initiative (PSI) euros ($2.4 trillion), an economy headed into resolved, according to a second negotiator. These centre on how to assess national has been expected to result in banks taking recession and alarmingly high borrowing legislation to enshrine the so-called golden at least a 50 percent haircut on their Greek costs, needs to raise some 450 billion euros rule leaders hope will convince markets debt, which would remove about 100 billion ($571.5 billion) this year. In its last auction of long-term debt last that government debts will now be rendered euros (US$127 billion) from Athens massive month rates remained close to the danger sustainable, and how many countries need debt of 350 billion euros ($445 billion). IMF chief Christine Lagarde has said threshold of 7pc. to ratify the new treaty before it takes effect, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti will aid to Greece would have to be raised by a the sources said. While its is not the biggest debt pile, the significant amount of tens of billions of euros host French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Merkel in Rome next week as the pre-summit capacity of Greece to repay its borrowings if the key deal cannot be wrapped up. While governments are aware the bailout build-up gathers pace. AFP without help from currency partners and

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January 16 - 22, 2012
land is being unlawfully seized. Such corruption allegations have culminated in protests, such as the one in Wukan in the southern province of Guangdong last month, where villagers staged a revolt against authorities they said had been stealing their land for years. Another source of income is from infrastructure projects, many of which are not profitable or legal. Investment in highways, shopping malls and apartment buildings has been a key driver of the economy in recent years, especially since the 2008 global crisis when Beijing ordered banks to open the credit valves to spur activity. Over the past couple of years, more than half of Chinese GDP has been generated by investment in fixed assets such as factories and roads, said Patrick Chovanec, an economics professor at Beijings Tsinghua University. There are things that make economic sense but are not commercially viable such as roads or hospitals that should have been funded by taxpayer money, he said. An audit of local government debt in 2010 found that 530.9 billion yuan ($84 billion) has been misused, including illegally diverted to property and the capital markets, and fake investments, the National Audit Office said a fortnight ago. Ultimately if the loans cannot be repaid, the banks will have to be bailed out by Beijing, meaning the central bank will have to print money, which will in turn create inflation already a major headache for policymakers. A recent downturn in Chinas housing market will also weigh on the finances of cities and provinces that had planned to pay off debt by selling land at high prices. With apartment prices beginning to fall, development plots are struggling to find buyers: in 2011, more than 900 sites offered to developers Shopping complexes light up the main street in Yichang, in central Chinas Hubei province on January 5. Pic: AFP In Shanghai, the countrys economic capital, the average price per square metre paid by developers plummeted 41pc last year, the same paper said. As a result, the central government has sought to make local authority financing less dependent on real estate. As an experiment, the rich coastal provinces of Guangdong and Zhejiang, along with the cities of Shanghai and Shenzhen, were authorised to issue bonds of their own in October for the first time in 17 years. But the securities are lowyield and have so far mainly been sold to state commercial banks. If all goes smoothly, they [the banks] should be able to sell those bonds to other entities or individuals, said Ren Xianfang, senior analyst for IHS Global Insight in Beijing. If not, thats bad, as the very idea of such bond issues is to alleviate market concerns that the problem of banks exposure to local debt has been resolved. Nonetheless Lin Yifu, senior vice-president of the World Bank, told the China Daily last month that China was not at risk of a debt crisis like the one engulfing Europe. The government has much less debt than many developed countries, so any concern about a debt crisis in China is groundless, he said. AFP

MyanMar tiMes

China local govt debt threatens economy

By Boris Cambreleng BEIJING Local governments across China have borrowed billions of dollars to build bridges, apartments and shopping malls, leaving many insolvent and endangering the countrys financial system, analysts say. While the central government in Beijing is in good financial shape it has a relatively small budget deficit, a huge trade surplus and the worlds largest foreign exchange reserves it is a different picture outside the capital. Local governments had borrowed 10.7 trillion yuan (US$1.7 trillion) 27 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by late 2010, according to official data, though ratings agency Moodys believes the figure is underestimated by 3.5 trillion yuan ($560 billion). Several provinces have since published reports showing their debt-to-GDP ratio was higher than the national figure. Moodys believes that between eight and 10pc of loans made by Chinese banks will never be recouped. Debt across the board is rising very quickly, weakening the banking system, said Michael Pettis, a specialist in Chinese financial markets at Peking University. But any attempts to slow its growth results in a rapid reduction of investment and [economic] growth. Chinas total public debt including the central and local governments stands at 68pc of GDP, well below Italys ratio of 120pc or Japans, which stands at more than 200pc. But when it comes to local authorities the key concern is repayment. To meet their commitments local governments need to generate income from land sales, which is fuelling unrest in the worlds second largest economy as residents increasingly complain that

went unsold, compared with only 280 in 2010, the Beijing News said on January 6. Such sales represent a major share of municipalities

incomes 48pc in the case of the southern city of Guangzhou in 2010, according to the China Business News.

TRaDE MaRk CauTioN

DEGESCH GmbH, a Company incorporated in Germany, of Dr.Werner-Freyberg-Str. 11, 69514, Laudenbach, Germany, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-

Reg. No. 542/1982 in respect of Fumigants and fumigating preparations and substances, insecticides, pesticides, fungicides; paraciticides and bactericides; preparations for killing weeds and destroying vermin; chemical products for sanitary purposes, disinfectants, sterilising compounds and agents; fumigation plants, chambers, apparatus and equipment for insect, pest and bacteria control and for sterilization. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for DEGESCH GmbH P. O. Box 60, Yangon. Dated: 16th January, 2012

DEGESCH

ProPerty
January 16 - 22, 2012
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Energy firm plans Pyay Road office tower

By Htar Htar Khin MYINT and Associates is building an international standard 18storey office tower on Pyay Road in Kamaryut township that is due for completion in 2013, a company official said last week. The building is a mix of office space and luxury residential units and has been designed by Thai firms KL Design and W. and Associates Designs, costing between US$18 million and $22 million. We named the project M&A Office Tower 2013 and are treating it as an international-standard high-end building, just like you would find in Singapore, said U Soe Khine, a Myint and Associates project director. Weve earned a place in the oil and gas sector and are further expanding into exploration with international companies. For this reason our former office was deemed insufficient and we decided to build a new office block for ourselves and to accommodate our potential clients, he added. Myint & Associates was founded in 1989 and became a group of companies in combination with MPRL E&P and Asia Drilling, he added. U Soe Khine said the company was waiting for permission from the Committee for Quality Control of High-Rise Building Projects (CQHP) under the Ministry of Construction but expected An artists impression of the M&A Office Tower on Pyay Road in Yangon. Pic: Supplied

approval would be granted in midJanuary. After that the company will seek approval from Yangon City Development Committee. We hope to get a construction permit by early February. At the moment, we have demolished the

former building and are doing load testing for the pile foundation that will be used. We expect the whole project will be completed within two years if everything goes according to our schedule, he said.

The site is being developed on 30,000 square feet of land and includes the 17-storey main building and a separate six-storey car park. Each building will also include a two-storey basement. The project is being developed in

two phases, with the office tower the main focus of the first. Phase two covers the construction of the car park and landscaping, he said. Were going to move onto phase two in October or November this year, he said.

Skyscrapers have unhealthy link to financial crises: bank

By Roland Jackson LONDON The construction of enormous skyscrapers has an unhealthy link with looming financial crises and investors should therefore keep a close eye on China and India, Barclays Capital said on January 11. China is currently the biggest builder of skyscrapers, while booming India is constructing the second largest tower in the world, the investment bank said in its latest annual Skyscraper Index survey. Our Skyscraper Index continues to show an unhealthy correlation between construction of the next worlds tallest building and an impending financial crisis New York 1930; Chicago 1974; Kuala Lumpur 1997 and Dubai 2010, Barclays Capital said in a report. Yet often the worlds tallest buildings are simply the edifice of a broader skyscraper building boom, reflecting a widespread misallocation of capital and an impending economic correction. Investors should therefore pay particular attention to China, todays biggest builder ... and India, which with just two completed skyscrapers, now has 14 skyscrapers under construction. Barclays Capital warned of a bubble in China, whose property boom has been powered by cheap liquidity. Looking forward, using skyscrapers under construction, it is evident that the skyscraper boom in China continues to grow, it said. China will complete 53 percent of the 124 skyscrapers under construction over the next six years, expanding the number in Chinese cities by a staggering 87pc. Chinas skyscrapers are not only increasing in number it now has 75 completed skyscrapers above 240 metres in height but the average height of the skyscrapers that it is building is also increasing as past liquidity fuels the construction boom. Barclays Capital meanwhile added that India was set to experience its largest boom in skyscraper construction. China is not alone in the growth of its building bubble ... India it seems is playing catchup, said Barclays Capital, the investment arm of major British bank Barclays. Today India has only two of the worlds 276 skyscrapers over 240m [788 feet] in height, yet over the next five years it intends to complete 14 new skyscrapers, in what will prove to be its largest skyscraper building boom. Worryingly as well, India is also constructing the second tallest building in the world, the Tower of India, which should complete by 2016. The writing, so to speak, would seem to be already on the glass curtain walling. For if history proves to be right, this building boom in China and India could simply be a reflection of a misallocation of capital, which may result in an economic correction for two of Asias largest economies in the next five years, Barclays Capital concluded in its report. In London meanwhile, work on The Shard a 310m skyscraper that will become the highest tower in western Europe is set for completion this year. AFP

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Hong Kongs property market tipped to fall in 2012

By Beh Lih Yi HONG KONG Hong Kongs real estate market is tipped to extend recent falls this year, analysts said on January 5, as property transactions dived to a five-year low in 2011 after a slew of measures to curb prices. Leaders in the southern Chinese city have been trying to control prices, which have become a major headache for the government amid growing disquiet among its seven million population over the rocketing cost of owning a home. The government has imposed new taxes and staged a series of land auctions to boost supply and bring down prices helping to tame one of the worlds leastaffordable housing markets. A total of 108,814 properties changed hands in 2011, down 33 percent from 162,739 a year earlier, according to official data released by the governments land registry on January 5. The volume was the lowest since 2006, when 99,087 deals were recorded. The policies were meant to curb speculating activities but they are now hurting the market, Wong Leung-sing, research head at Centaline, one of the citys largest real estate agencies, told AFP. He also cited rising mortgage rates and weak global economic sentiment for the fall, but said prices fell only about 5pc on average from their peaks seen in June last year due to owners reluctance to sell. Property prices rose 11pc in the first 10 months of last year, Dow Jones Newswires reported, citing government statistics. Buggle Lau, chief analyst at property broker Midland Holdings, said prices were likely to see a correction this year, and the slowdown could turn worse if global economic sentiment weakened further. Prices are likely to remain flat overall, there will be a price adjustment about a 5 to 10pc correction, he said If the eurozone debt crisis deteriorates, definitely it will have some overall impact in the market but what is more important will be the Hong Kong governments policies. Despite the expected slowdown in the secondary home sales market, the primary market is likely to see an uptick with the launch of an estimated 16,000 new housing units this year, Lau said. After all we are going to have a new chief executive this year, we are not sure whether the housing policy and some restrictive policies will change, said Lau, referring to Hong Kongs leader Donald Tsang whose term expires in June. Wong at Centaline said authorities should consider relaxing some restrictions to let the market return to its normal activity. Property prices in Hong Kong, famous for its sky-high rent and super-rich tycoons, have surged over the past couple of years due to record low interest rates and a flood of wealthy buyers from mainland China. Following the slew of measures to curb prices, several government land sales last year were below market expectations, suggesting a cool down in the market. Tsang pledged in October to tackle the citys housing woes, acknowledging that people have become frustrated at the difficulty in affording a home. The chief executive also announced the resumption of a subsidised housing scheme for low-income residents, and promised to deliver 17,000 subsidised flats for sale from 2016 to 2019. AFP

Eric Wong of the squarefoot.com.hk property website poses for a picture on January 3 near residential buildings where people have recently died in Hong Kong. Pic: AFP

HK haunted houses in demand

Sky-high prices prompt unusual search for unexpectedly vacated apartments
household income, Barclays Capital Research said in a recent report. Home prices have leapt more HONG KONG It may not than 70pc since 2009, while be everyones idea of a dream banks have increased mortgage home, but for bargain hunters rates five times since March, in Hong Kongs turbocharged pricing all but the wealthiest property market apartments out of the market. that belonged to the recently With many young Hong Kong deceased are proving irresistible natives forced to live at home and the more gruesome the deep into their 20s or 30s, occupants demise the better. haunted houses are providing Popular belief in a city awash an unlikely route onto the with superstition runs that the housing ladder. ghost of a person who dies in Abby Lau, 26, who lives with unnatural circumstances a her family and is saving to move, suicide, murder or bad accident says many among her age inhabits their home, passing group are looking at haunted misfortune onto the new a occupants. Everyone knows they are cheaper and in four houses as orrealistic first-time purchase cheap rent. The threat carries weight Everyone knows they are in a city where feng shui or five years people will forget whats happened cheaper and in four or five consultants do brisk business; years people will forget whats families placate the hungry there so it can bring a big return later. happened there so it can ghosts of their ancestors bring a big return later, with offerings and people nice area, says Winnie Ng of she says, laughing off the idea even refrain from whistling in are plenty to choose from. she herself would move into a A m o n g t h e h u n d r e d s o f Rich Harvest property agency. the street for fear of disturbing macabre listings on the H a u n t e d h o u s e s m a y b e hongza home. lurking spooks. But soon Lau and tens of By law, buyers are entitled squarefoot.com.hk website is the sold for 40pc below market to details on so-called haunted home of a local football player price depending on what has thousands like her may find houses or hongza in Cantonese who, crushed by the weight of h a p p e n e d t h e r e a n d h o w they have to live with the citys and many rigorously check the debt and relationship problems, recently it took place, Ng says, ghosts whether they like it or equalling the impact of the not. back story to their potential jumped from his 36th floor flat. As Ng of Rich Harvest explains, purchase. Then there is the divorcee 2003 SARS outbreak that had Hong Kongs seven million But not everyone is afraid whose body was discovered a investors fleeing the city. Also, while the market is people cram into a small area of ghosts, and in the cut and month after she poisoned herself thrust of Hong Kongs runaway with the fumes of burning slowing, properties remain where many buildings are old, property market some investors charcoal, or the woman hacked e x p e n s i v e , n a r r o w i n g t h e raising the likelihood someone are actively following the to death and mutilated by her pool available to prospective has died in bad circumstances in every block. tragedies, aware that dark domestic helper in an exclusive buyers. Someone has to live in them A deposit on an entry-level incidents push the price down. apartment block. Discounts of between 20-40 Such morbid tales are a boon unit is more than three times a ... really there is no choice, she percent are the standard for to investors who would not live typical first-time buyers gross says. AFP By Aidan Jones haunted houses with a knockon for the rental yield, says Eric Wong of the squarefoot. com.hk property website, which has a channel dedicated to the phenomenon. Hong Kong people are sensitive to ghosts and bad luck, he says. They believe in feng shui if something bad has happened in a home people wont take it ... but Hong Kong is small and very expensive, so if a good discount comes there are others ready to make the investment. And for the savvy buyer there in a haunted house themselves, but will gladly put it up for rent. Theres a group of investors who bid for these places specifically and then rent it to people who dont mind its bad history, Wong adds. More often than not those are foreign expatriates widely known in local slang as gweilos who are not overly concerned about the history of their apartment. Gweilos dont have the same beliefs as Hong Kong people and just want a cheaper price in a

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Electronics show wows in Vegas

By Chris Lefkow LAS VEGAS The International Consumer Electronics Show kicked off on January 10 with a dazzling array of high-tech gadgetry including ultra-thin laptops, snazzy smartphones, iPad rivals and flatscreen and 3D TVs. A record 3100 companies from around the world staked out booths in the cavernous Las Vegas Convention Centre for the four-day event, displaying their wares over a space equivalent to more than 35 football fields. The host of CES, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), forecasts worldwide spending on consumer electronics to surpass US$1 trillion this year for the first time with smartphones and tablet computers leading the way. CEA chief economist Shawn DuBravac said he expects more than 20,000 new products to launch at CES including over 50 new tablet computers as Apple competitors seek to make a mark in a category dominated by the iPad. Smartphones are also expected to be a hot item with Finlands Nokia teaming up with Microsoft to tackle a US market dominated by the Apple iPhone, Research In Motions BlackBerry and handsets running Googles Android software. Microsoft chief executive Steven Ballmer joined Nokia boss Stephen Elop ahead of the show on January 9 to unveil the new Lumia 900 smartphone, which will run on Windows mobile software. Another hot product category on a CES show floor pulsating with music and flashing screens is expected to be the sleek, lightweight laptop computers known as ultrabooks. DuBravac said he expects to see between 30 and 50 ultrabooks launched at CES as computer makers again seek to make up ground on

Customs tests new electronic system

By Shwe Yee Saw Myint THE Customs department is trialling an online processing system at several major ports in Yangon that it expects will improve efficiency, the director of the departments Export and Import Division, U Myo Myint Thein, said last month. The system will link Customs offices at Thilawa Port, Myanmar Industrial Port Container Terminal, Inland Container Depot, Asia World Port and Sule Port with the departments headquarters on Strand Road. U Myo Myint Thein said the e-customs system, which is the first step towards joining the ASEAN-wide National Window System, should improve service and efficiency. A senior officer from the Customs department said the e-customs system would reduce paperwork and lead to cargo being cleared faster. H ow ever, he said a similar trial three years ago had failed because most of the trainees left the Customs department to work abroad before the program finished. We are working with Myanmar technicians from a different Myanmar company, he said, declining to name the firm. We have to work together to avoid the problems we had last time. It is difficult to say when the program will be completed. The department plans to expand the system to border trade checkpoints at Tamu, Muse, Myawaddy, Kawthoung and Maungdaw as part of the National Window System, which it says will expand trade with other ASEAN countries. The system is based on the single submission of data and information, the single and synchronous processing of data and information and single decision making for customs release and clearance, people familiar with the program say. The department has invested K2 million (about US$2500) in the e-customs system and estimates the cost of implementing it nationally would be US$20 million. However, it expects the improved efficiency will boost international trade and increase tax revenues. T h e C u s t o m s department official said other departments, ports, businesses and trade organisation were ready to shift more of their activities online. However, this would require a better internet connection.

Convention attendees wearing 3D glass look at a screen in the Sony booth during the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, Nevada on January 11. Pic: AFP Apple and its popular MacBook Air. Taiwans Acer on January 8 took the wraps off what it said was the worlds thinnest laptop computer, the Acer Aspire 5, which is just 0.59 inches (15 millimetres) at its thickest point and weighs less than 3 pounds (1.35 kilograms). Chinese telecom giant Huawei, meanwhile, unveiled what it said was the worlds slimmest smartphone, the Android-powered Ascend P1S, which at 0.26 inches (6.68 millimetres), is thinner than a pencil. The latest in TV technology is also on display as mostly Asian manufacturers show off OLED sets and make another push to bring 3D TV into the home. Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics America, said half of the TV models sold by the South Korean giant this year will be 3D enabled. But in a rare admission that 3D TV has not yet caught on in a big way with consumers Baxter said we know there still isnt enough content to make 3D a must have feature. While 3D TV may not yet have gone mainstream, more television sets rolling off the manufacturing lines are able to connect to the Internet. The CEAs DuBravac said 12 percent of the TV sets sold in the United States in 2010 were internet-enabled but nearly half of all televisions shipping this year will be able to tap into the web. Some of them will even be voicecontrolled welcome news for anyone who has ever struggled with the bewildering array of buttons on a TV remote control. Cars and home appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers made smart with sensors, computer chips, and Internet connections will also be among the attention-getters at CES. Also grabbing attention is Microsoft, which is making its final appearance at CES. Microsoft chief executive Ballmer or his predecessor, Bill Gates, have delivered the opening keynote address at CES for the past 15 years and the US software giant has traditionally had one of the largest booths on the exhibition floor. But Microsoft has said this years show will be its last because the January timing does not coincide with its product development calendar. AFP

Nokia declares war in US smartphone market

By Glenn Chapman LAS VEGAS Nokia has declared war in the US smartphone market, with a Microsoft-powered handset tailored to take on Apple iPhones and Google-backed Android devices. Microsoft chief executive Steven Ballmer joined Nokia boss Stephen Elop on January 10 to unveil the new Lumia 900 smartphone, which will run on Windows mobile software and tap into a growing trove of popular mini-applications. The two firms did not disclose the price or release date for the Lumia 900, but said it will be offered exclusively on the latest generation 4G LTE network of US telecom giant AT&T. We believe the industry has shifted from a battle of devices to a war of ecosystems, Elop said, in a presentation laden with martial metaphors. Clearly there are strong contenders on the field in this war of ecosystems, he told a room packed with press on the eve of the opening of the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a massive gadgets fair in Las Vegas. The Finland-based Nokia in October introduced the We are big fans of Windows phones. Nokia showed off an array of applications made just for Lumia 900, including 20 videogames made by console industry colossus Electronic Arts. Elop said Nokia planned to price Lumia 900 aggressively to establish a strong beachhead on the US smartphone battlefield. He said that Lumia would then land in China and Latin America to fight for market share. I am so happy that companies like Samsung, HTC and others are all introducing Windows devices, Elop said. We all need to get that flywheel spinning; our principle competition is the other ecosystems. Nokia plans to eventually extend Windows across its full range of mobile phones and was working with Microsoft on getting mobile gadgets and computers to share pictures and other content using the internet cloud. While declining to comment specifically on Research In Motion (RIM), Elop said that Nokia sees opportunity to compete in the business smartphone market, which has long been a stronghold for RIMs popular BlackBerry handset. AFP

Television host Ryan Seacrest (left) holds the new Nokia Lumia 900 windows phone during a Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmers keynote address at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 9. Pic: AFP Lumia line, which Elop described as the first real Windows phones, which had established beachheads in Europe, India, and Hong Kong. The company planned to start the US invasion on January 11 with a Lumia 710 model that will be priced at US$49 when bought with T-Mobile service contracts. The work Nokia is doing around Windows phone and this third ecosystem is really going to pay off, Ballmer said, caressing a sleek Lumia 900 touchscreen handset. When you pick it up and love and touch and feel your Lumia, he said making a playful mmmmm sound that drew laughs it really is quite fantastic. Ballmer praised Nokia for getting the phones to market less than a year after striking a deal with Microsoft to use its mobile software and link to its online applications shop, which boasts a fast-growing bank of 50,000 apps. The reviews have been fantastic, Ballmer said of Windows-powered phones, which have been latecomers to a booming market increasingly dominated by Apple and Android handsets. Lumia 900 has front and rear facing cameras with Carl Zeiss photo technology and 4.3-inch high-definition displays. I think Nokia is going to be back in the US in a very big way, AT&T president of mobility Ralph de la Vega said at a press conference.

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EU report warns of Israeli threats to a Palestinian state
JERUSALEM A European east Jerusalem the report Union report obtained by says that Area C is a vital AFP last week says that component in a future booming Israeli settlement Palestinian state based on in the West Bank and limits the borders which predated on Palestinian movement Israels occupation in the and building are eroding 1967 Six-Day war. If current trends are not chances of a Palestinian stopped and reversed, the state. The report, obtained establishment of a viable by AFP on January 12, Palestinian state within the urges member states in pre-1967 borders seems more coordination with other remote than ever, it added. The window for a twointernational actors to s y s t e m a t i c a l l y v o i c e state solution is rapidly objections to measures to closing with the continued evict Palestinians from areas e x p a n s i o n o f I s r a e l i settlements and access under Israeli control. The 16-page internal study restrictions for Palestinians by EU heads of mission in in Area C. The study, entitled Area C Jerusalem and Ramallah and Palestinian focuses on the S t a t e Israeli-run Area C, which The window Building, lis dated Ju y comprises 62 has percent of the for a two-state 2011nbut e p t bee k occupied West Bank. solution is rapidly c o n f i d e n t i a l until now. Area C closing It follows an comprises unprecedented crucial natural report by EU resources and land for the future ambassadors in Israel made demographic and economic public last month which growth of a viable Palestinian voiced concern about the Jewish states treatment of state, says the report. A 1995 interim accord its Arab minority. After the four UN Security between Israel and the Palestinians divides the West Council members Britain, Bank into Area A (under full F r a n c e , G e r m a n y a n d Palestinian control), Area Portugal condemned B (under shared Israeli- Israels expanding settlement Palestinian control) and construction, the Israeli foreign ministry released Area C. The latter includes the an angry statement saying border with Jordan which that those European states Israel insists must remain risked making themselves under its military control irrelevant. Speaking on condition of in any agreement with the anonymity, an Israeli official Palestinians. Although it is home to said that the Area C report only 5.8pc of the West Bank was far worse than the Palestinian population Security Council move. AFP excluding Israeli-annexed

January 16 - 22, 2012

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MOSCOW Prime Minister Vladimir Putin vowed on January 12 to end police repression in Russia and make government more accountable, as he launched his campaign for the presidential election. The pledges are made in Putins manifesto for the March 4 election where he plans to take an unprecedented third Kremlin term. WASHINGTON A US investigating officer has recommended that Bradley Manning be court-martialed for allegedly funnelling hundre dsof thousands of classified US documents to WikiLeaks, the US Army said on January 12. If convicted, Manning, could be sentenced to life in prison. UNITED NATIONS South Africas President Jacob Zuma on January 12 slammed the UN Security Councils handling of last years Libya crisis and demanded the institution take greater account of African views in handling conflict. The African Union was in turn rebuked by US ambassador Susan Rice, at a Security Council meeting on relations between the bodies, for being inconsistent and too slow to act on key issues. DAMASCUS Syria said on January 12 that it will probe the death of a top French television reporter. France, the EU and press watchdog Reporters Without Borders had urged Damascus to investigate the death of Gilles Jacquier, who was killed the previous day when an artillery shell exploded among a group of journalists during a government-organised trip to the protest hub of Homs. AFP

Afghan boys play football at dusk in Mazar-i-Sharif on January 10. A US intelligence study quoted by the Los Angeles Times warns that the Kabul government may collapse after US troops withdraw. Pic: AFP

Afghanistan war at a stalemate: US study

WASHINGTON US intelligence agencies warn in a new classified study that the Afghan war has hit a stalemate and say the Kabul government may fold as US troops pull out, a report said on January 12. The Los Angeles Times detailed the contents of a new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on the decade-long war that says security gains won by US troops are undermined by widespread corruption and feckless governance. The estimate will likely fuel an election year debate on the pace of future troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and deepen apparent divisions over the war between the White House, the intelligence community and the Pentagon. The report, delivered to the White House the previous week, contained a vigorous dissent by the new head of NATOs US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Marine General John Allen, and the US ambassador to Kabul, Ryan Crocker, the Los Angeles Times said. The study says allied forces succeeded in driving Taliban fighters out of some strategic areas last year but adds that the gains did not bolster the Kabul government or slake the insurgents desire to fight, the LA Times said. The report said the study suggests that the Afghan government may have a tenuous hope of survival once US and international troops hand over security responsibilities in 2014 and cites problems in the Afghan army and police. The Times report was published a day after officials said that US special envoy Marc Grossman would go to Kabul this week to test whether President Hamid Karzai will agree to a resumption of talks with the Taliban. Some US officials believe that opening a dialogue with the Afghan militia is the only way to end the war, in the belief that a stalemate could drag on for years in the inhospitable nation despite gains on the battlefield. The Taliban has also made recent moves suggesting it might be open to a preliminary dialogue. AFP

Australia tops nuclear security list

WASHINGTON Australia has the tightest security controls among nations with nuclear material while North Korea poses the worlds greatest risks, a new index by experts said on January 10. The Nuclear Threat Initiative, in a project led by former US senator Sam Nunn and the Economist Intelligence Unit, aims to draw attention to steps that nations can take to ensure the safety of the worlds most destructive weapons. Among 32 nations that possess at least one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weapons-usable nuclear materials, Australia was ranked as the most secure. It was followed by European nations led by Hungary, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. At the bottom of the list, North Korea was ranked as the least secure of its nuclear material, edging out Pakistan. The index, which gave rankings on a scale of 100, also listed Iran, Vietnam and India below the 50-point threshold. This is not about congratulating some countries and chastising others. We are highlighting the universal responsibility of states to secure the worlds most dangerous materials, said Nunn, who has long been active on nuclear safety. Nunn, a Democrat who represented Georgia in the US Senate from 1972 until early 1997, voiced concern that the world had a perfect storm an ample supply of weapons-usable nuclear materials and terrorists who want them. We know that to get the materials they need, terrorists will go where the material is most vulnerable. Global nuclear security is only as strong as the weakest link in the chain, he said. The index, timed ahead of the March summit on nuclear security in South Korea, called for the world to set benchmarks and to hold nations accountable for nuclear safety. It also urged nations to stop increasing stocks of weapons-usable material and to make public their security regulations. Australia does not have nuclear weapons and supports their abolition. But it has a security alliance with the United States and holds the worlds largest reserves of uranium. Of acknowledged nuclear weapons states, Britain scored best at 10th among the 32 countries. The United States ranked 13th. The Nuclear Threat Initiative also released a separate index of security conditions in countries without significant nuclear materials, saying they could be used as safe havens or transit points. Somalia, which is partially under the control of the al-Qaeda-linked Shebab movement and has effectively lacked a central government for two decades, was ranked last among the 144 countries surveyed. Other countries that ranked near the bottom included Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Eritrea and Chad. AFP

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Doomsday ticks closer: scientists

WASHINGTON Global uncertainty on how to deal with the threats of nuclear weapons and climate change has forced the Doomsday clock one minute closer to midnight, leading international scientists said on January 10. It is now five minutes to midnight, said Allison Macfarlan, chair of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, which created the Doomsday clock in 1947 as a barometer of how close the world is to an apocalyptic end. The last decision by the group, which includes a host of Nobel Prize winning scientists, moved the clock a minute further away from midnight in 2010 on hopes of global nuclear cooperation and the election of President Barack Obama. However, the January 10 decision pushes the clock back to the time where it was in 2007. It is clear that the change that appeared to be happening at the time is not happening, not materialising, said cochair Lawrence Krauss. And faced today with the clear and present dangers of nuclear proliferation, climate change and the continued challenge to find new and sustainable and safe sources of energy, business as usual reigns the norm among world leaders. The clock reached its most perilous point in 1953, at two minutes to midnight, after the United States and the Soviet Union tested t h e r m o n u c l e ar devices within nine months of one another. It was a far-flung 17 minutes to midnight in 1991 after the two signed the long-stalled Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and announced further unilateral cuts in tactical and strategic nuclear weapons. Increasing nuclear tensions, refusal to engage in global action on climate change, and a growing tendency to reject science when it comes to major world concerns were cited as key reasons for the latest tick on the clock. The nuclear accident at Japans F uk us hi m a plant also highlighted the volatility of relying on nuclear power in areas prone to natural disasters, scientists said. Robert Socolow, a member of the BAS science world protest movements, including the Arab spring, the global Occupy demonstrations and protests in Russia which show people are seeking a greater say in their future. Executive director of the group, Kennette Benedict, highlighted the dangers of a continued world reliance on fossil fuels, noting that power plants built in this decade will spew pollution for the next 50 years. The global community may be near a point of no return in efforts to prevent catastrophe from changes in the Earths climate, she said. The actions taken in the next few years will set us on a path that will be extremely difficult to redirect. AFP

and security board and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton University, said a common theme emerged in the scientists talks this year. He cited a worrisome trend, notably in the United States but in many other countries, to reject or

diminish the significance of what science says is the characteristic of a problem. The world is in a pickle. Many people want to live better than they live now on a planet of finite size, he added. The group said it was heartened by a series of

TRaDE MaRk CauTioN

The Siam Cement Public Company Limited, a company incorporated in Thailand, of 1 Siam Cement Road, Bangsue Sub-district, Bangsue District, Bangkok, Thailand, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-

Deep seabed vents teem with life: study

PARIS The oceans deepest volcanic vents, kilometres below the surface, are teeming with life forms never before seen that thrive near superhot underwater geysers, says a new study. Eyeless shrimps and whitetentacled anemones were photographed bunched around cracks in the ocean floor spewing mineralrich water that may top 450 degrees Celsius (842 degree Fahrenheit), researchers reported on January 10. The vents baptised the Beebe Vent Field in honour of the first scientist to venture into the deep ocean were discovered on the Caribbean seafloor in the Cayman Trough, south of the Cayman Islands. Some five kilometres (three miles) below the surface, the trench is home to the worlds deepest known black smoker vents, so-called for the cloudy fluid that gushes from them. During an expedition in 2010, a team led by marine geochemist Doug Connelly of Britains National Oceanography Centre and University of Southampton biologist Jon Copley used a deep-diving robot submarine to explore the trough. The researchers also found previously unknown vents on the upper slopes of nearby Mount Dent, which rises some three kilometres from the sea floor. Its peak remains the same distance beneath the surface waves. Finding black smoker vents on Mount Dent was a complete surprise, Connelly said in a statement. Hot and acidic vents have never been seen in an area like this before. The discoveries suggest that active deep-sea volcanic vents are more widespread around the globe than previously thought, he added. Cameras on the submarine captured startling images of a new species of ghostly-pale shrimp dubbed Rimicaris hybisae that had gathered in clusters of up to 2000 specimens asquare metre. Lacking normal eyes, the shrimp have a light-sensing organ on their backs, presumably to help them navigate in the faint glow of the deepsea vents, said the study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communication. A related species, Rimicaris exoculata, has been found living at the edge of another deep-sea vent 4000 kilometres away on the MidAtlantic Ridge. Studying creatures at these vents and comparing them with species at other vents around the world, will help us to understand how animals disperse and evolve in the deep ocean, Copley said. One of the big mysteries of deepsea vents is how animals are able to disperse from vent field to vent field, crossing apparently large distances. AFP

Reg. No.10430/2011 in respect of Class 19: Gypsum, light weight brick, particle board, PVC tile, glass block, roofing tile (either flat, profiled or corrugated) made or partially made of concrete, fiber cement, clay, ceramic or other synthetic materials, roofing sheet ( either flat, profiled or corrugated) made or partially made of concrete, fiber cement, clay, ceramic or other synthetic materials, fixing and installation structure made of wood, translucent tiles or wood plank made or partially made of concrete, fiber cement, clay, ceramic or other synthetic materials, wall and floor panel made of concrete including prefabricated products, light weight concrete block, tile and paving block, wall and floor covering materials made or partially made of ceramic and other synthetic materials, fixing and jointing materials, namely cement grout, fending product made or partially made of concrete, fiber cement or synthetic materials, fiber cement board, fiber cement wood substitute, plaster, grey cement powder, grey clinker, natural white cement powder, white clinker, white terrazzo cement powder consisting of pebble or gravel, which, when it has been rendered, will look like marble, ready- mixed concrete cement powder which can create concrete by mixing only water, sand, aggregates, pre-mixed dry mortar cement powder, grouting mortar powder used to be cover the wear and tear ( or any crack) on concrete, refractory products, namely blocks or concrete which are durable and made to withstand high temperature for industrial purposes, aggregates for white cement applications. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for The Siam Cement Public Company Limited P. O. Box 60, Yangon. Dated: 16th January, 2012

Billions of planets out there, say scientists

PARIS The Milky Way is home to far more planets than previously thought, boosting the odds that at least one of them may harbour life, said a study released on January 11. Not long ago, astronomers counted the number of exoplanets detected outside our own solar system in the teens, then in the hundreds. Today the tally stands at just over 700. But the new study, published in Nature, provides evidence that there are more planets than stars in our own stellar neighbourhood. We used to think that Earth might be unique in our galaxy, said Daniel Kubas, a professor at Institute of Astrophysics in Paris and co-leader of the study. Now it seems that there are literally billions of planets with masses similar to Earth orbiting stars in the Milky Way. Two methods have dominated the hunt during the last two decades for exoplanets too distant and faint to perceive directly. One measures the effect of a planets gravitational pull on its host star, while the other detects a slight dimming of the star as the orbiting planet passes in front of it. Both of these techniques are better at finding planets that are massive in size, close to their stars, or both, leaving large blind spots. An international team of astronomers led by Kubas and colleague Arnaud Cassan used a different method called gravitational microlensing, which looks at how the combined gravitational fields of a host star and the planet itself act like a lens, magnifying the light of another star in the background. If the star that acts as a lens has a planet, the orbiting sphere will appear to slightly brighten the background star. One advantage of microlensing compared to other methods is that it can detect smaller planets closer in size to our own and further from their hotburning stars. The survey picked up on planets between 75 million and 1.5 billion kilometres from their stars a range equivalent in the Solar System to Venus at one end and Saturn at the other and with masses at least five times greater than Earth. Over six years, the team surveyed millions of stars with a round-the-world network of telescopes in the southern hemisphere, from Australia to South Africa to Chile. Besides finding three new exoplanets themselves no minor feat they calculated that there are, on average, 1.6 planets in the Milky Way for every star, Cassan told AFP. Whether this may be true in other galaxies is unknown. Remarkably, these data show that planets are more common than stars in our galaxy they are the rule rather than the exception, Cassan said. We also found lighter planets ... would be more common than heavier ones. One in six of the stars studied was calculated to host a planet similar in mass to Jupiter, half had planets closer in mass to Neptune, and nearly twothirds had so-called superEarths up to 10 times the mass of the rock we call home. AFP

CoRRiGENDuM
In the Trade Mark Caution Notice for trademarks OYSTER + 22 of ROLEX SA., appearing in this paper on 29th August, 2011, at page No. 6, under trademark SUBMARINE, please read SuBMaRiNER instead of SUBMARINE.

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promote political discipline, Zuma told the crowd to applause and whistles in a more than 90-minute address that largely focused on party history. He said little about the future of a party that has struggled to stamp out corruption and poverty and is riven by division. The celebrations gave the party an opportunity to remind the public of its storied legacy, amid deepening frustration at corruption scandals and unfulfilled promises to the poor. The ANC mobilised the South African people across the racial, gender and class divide. The ANC, a disciplined force of the left with a bias toward the poor, is also a broad church that is home to all, Zuma told the crowds. But the event also exposed the partys divisions. Zuma arrived to loud cheers and song, but also opposition ahead of year-end party elections where some of his erstwhile backers will be pushing for his removal. One supporter clad in a Zuma T-shirt cheered just a metre from someone calling for his removal in a 100% Malema shirt a nod to controversial youth leader Julius Malema. Zuma did not dwell on the partys internal divisions but none of his opponents were on the podium, including the fiery Malema whose arrival sparked roaring cheers and song. The line-up was seen as a message that Zuma remains in charge. For now, there is unity because we have to unite for this centenary. But I believe after this event there is going to be a big division, said youth league member Tefo Labaka, 28. Malema was suspended by the party last year for ill-discipline, partly for saying that Zumas predecessor Thabo Mbeki was a better leader, but remains in office pending an appeal. Founded to fight discrimination, the ANC was banned by South Africas white apartheid rulers in 1960, and its leaders were jailed four years later. Nearly three decades later, the crumbling regime released Mandela, who oversaw the peaceful transition that paved the way for huge wins in elections ever since. AFP

MyanMar tiMes

Zuma vows to quash rifts as ANC celebrates centenary

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa President Jacob Zuma vowed last week to stamp out divisions in South Africas ruling ANC, at a massive rally to celebrate the centenary of Africas oldest liberation movement. Tens of thousands packed a stadium in the central city of Bloemfontein on January 8 to wrap up weekend celebrations for the African National Congress which Nelson Mandela led to power after the fall of apartheid. We will take urgent, practical steps to restore the core values, stamp out factionalism and

Assad pledges to crush unrest with iron fist

Car bomb kills Iranian scientist amid tensions over nuclear program
TEHRAN Tehran blamed Iran uses a gas separation Israel and Washington for m e t h o d t o e n r i c h i t s the car bomb death of an uranium, which Tehran Iranian nuclear scientist insists is purely for a civil last week, as a second US energy program. Iranian media and aircraft carrier arrived in the Gulf region amid o f f i c i a l s a c c u s e d t h e a growing stand-off over I n t e r n a t i o n a l A t o m i c Energy Agency of giving Irans atomic program. Iranian Vice President Ahmadi Roshans name to Mohammad Reza Rahimi Israeli and US intelligence. told state television the IAEA inspectors met him murder of Mostafa Ahmadi recently, Mehr news agency Roshan on January 11 said. In Israel, a senior official would not stop Iran making progress in its nuclear said he was unaware who carried out the killing. activities. Three other Iranian The scientists driver/ b o d y g u a r d l a t e r d i e d , scientists were killed in the Fars and ILNA news 2010 and 2011 when their agencies reported, and a cars exploded in similar third occupant of the car circumstances. At least two had also been working on was wounded. Irans UN ambassador nuclear activities. The current head of Irans Mohammad Khazaee called on UN Secretary General atomic energy organisation, Ban Ki-moon, the 15-nation Fereydoun Abbasi, escaped Security Council and UN another such attempt in November G e n e r a l Assembly The scientist 2010.h o s e T president N a s s i r is the fourth to a t t a c k s were viewed Abdulaziz be killed by by Iranian al-Nasser to officials as condemn the a car bomb. assassination killings in operations the strongest carried out by terms. There is firm evidence Israels Mossad intelligence t h a t c e r t a i n f o r e i g n service, possibly with US quarters are behind such help. Last weeks killing assassinations, Khazaee sharpened an international said. Parliament erupted with confrontation over Irans yells of Death to Israel and nuclear program in which Death to America after threats and counter-threats the attack, in which the are being increasingly United States has denied backed with displays of military muscle. any involvement. Western nations, the Amid the furore, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told United States at the fore, reporters in Washington are steadily ratcheting up that the USS Carl Vinson sanctions on Iran with the carrier strike group had aim of fracturing its oilarrived in the Gulf region in dependent economy. Iran has responded by a routine operation. He stressed that the Carl saying it could easily close Vinson was not in the Gulf the Strait of Hormuz a and had not gone through chokepoint for 20 percent the Strait of Hormuz a of the worlds oil at the key oil route that Iran entrance to the Gulf if it is has threatened to close attacked or if sanctions halt as tensions with the West its petroleum exports. It has also threatened to flare. Bomb victim Ahmadi unleash the full force of R o s h a n w a s a d e p u t y its navy should the United director at the Natanz States redeploy an aircraft u r a n i u m e n r i c h m e n t carrier to the Gulf, where the facility, said the website of US Fifth Fleet is based. Washington said closing the university from which he graduated a decade ago, the strait was a red line that should not be crossed Sharif University. The scientist specialised and said it would keep i n m a k i n g p o l y m e r i c sending warships to the membranes to separate gas. region. AFP

BEIRUT A defiant President Bashar al-Assad pledged last week to crush Syrias 10-month-old uprising with an iron fist in a rare public address that left little doubt he remains undeterred in his determination to stay in power. Speaking to students at Damascus University on January 10, Assad blamed foreign conspiracies, the international media and terrorists for the revolt that has claimed more than 5000 deaths since March. He lashed out at the Arab states that have sent monitors to observe the violence and predicted that Syrian security forces would soon prevail over what he termed the mayhem that has engulfed the country. Victory is near, provided we stand against the conspiracy, he said in the 110-minute speech, his first since June, broadcast live on state television. The priority today is the return of security, which cannot be achieved unless terrorism is hit with an iron fist, he said. Assads uncompromising tone made it clear that his government feels under no pressure to implement meaningful reforms or relax its crackdown, despite growing evidence that the Syrian economy is unravelling, the protests have not diminished and the uprising is gradually evolving into an armed insurgency. His scathing attacks on the Arab League, which he accused of acting on behalf of the West and Israel, and his pledge to prioritise the use of force also called into question the sustainability of the Leagues mission, launched last month, to oversee the Damascus governments compliance with a peace plan. Attacks on monitors in the northern city of Latakia on January 9 further narrowed the chances that the mission, already condemned as ineffectual by many activists, will be renewed after its initial mandate expires on January 16. In a statement issued in Cairo, the League said 11 monitors were lightly injured in two attacks, in Latakia and in Deir al-Zour in the east. The statement indirectly blamed the government for failing to provide adequate protection in Latakia and other areas in serious violation . . . of its commitments. A video posted on YouTube showed regime supporters in Latakia swarming, thumping and reaching into a vehicle bearing the markings of the monitoring mission. The Kuwaiti news agency KUNA said two monitors were briefly hospitalised after the attack. Assads speech indicated that he has no intention of implementing the terms of the peace plan, which calls for the armys withdrawal from the cities and an end to attacks on civilians.

A Syrian woman displays a picture of President Bashar al-Assad as she listens to his televised speech in a Damascus caf on January 10. Pic: AFP Rather, he indicated that a longIn New York, the United Nations undersecretary general for political pledged program of limited reforms affairs, Lynn Pascoe, told the Security could not be implemented until those Council that more than 400 people he repeatedly referred to as terrorists have died in Syria since the monitors had been defeated. And those reforms, were deployed December 27, US and he indicated, would not radically change UN officials said. The figure, based on the current order. There will not be a new Syria. We are accounts from Syrian and international human rights groups, suggested that talking about a new phase in Syria, he the observers presence has not worked said, making it clear that he would not to deter the violence and may have made step down. A referendum will be held in March it worse. The US ambassador to the UN, on unspecified constitutional reforms, Susan Rice, denounced the vitriol of while elections, once slated for February, would be held in June or a little after, Assad said. Negotiations with the opposition, which he had promised in Victory is near... the past, are on hold, he said, because it is not clear who is the opposition. Assads bluster appears to be rooted in President Assads speech today and further belittling by him of the Arab confidence that he can count on Russia, and perhaps China, to veto any UN League. The entire international community, resolution that would call for tougher the United States and all members of the action. Assad is delusional, a senior US Security Council are united in support of intelligence official said January 9. the Arab League initiative, she said. The crisis in Syria has deepened He thinks he will weather this storm since Assad last spoke in public, yet and considers Syria his personal this address was his most combative so possession. But the official, who spoke on the far. At times smiling and joking with the audience, he betrayed no sense of condition of anonymity to discuss the pressures that have built as the sensitive intelligence, said that for United States, the European Union the most part, Syrian military forces and the Arab League have steadily remain loyal to Assad. The Washington Post turned against him.

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Five myths about the American dream

By Michael Ford FEW ideas are as central to American self-identity as the American dream. Politicians invoke it, immigrants pursue it and despite unremittingly negative economic news, citizens embrace it. But what is the American dream? We began regular study of how people define and perceive the dream three years ago, and have discovered many misunderstandings worth a second look. 1. The American dream is about getting rich. In a national survey of more than 1300 adults that we completed in March, only six percent of Americans ranked wealth as their first or second definition of the American dream. Fortyfive percent named a good life for my family, while 34pc put financial security material comfort that is not necessarily synonymous with Bill Gates-like riches on top. While money may certainly be part of a good life, the American dream is not just about dollars and cents. Thirty-two percent of our respondents pointed to freedom as their dream; 29pc to opportunity; and 21pc to the pursuit of happiness. A fat bank account can be a means to these ends, but only a small minority believe that money is a worthy end in itself. 2. Homeownership is the American dream. In June, a New York TimesCBS News poll found that almost 90pc of Americans think that home ownership is an important part of the American dream. But only seven percent of Americans we surveyed ranked home ownership as their first or second definition of the American dream. Why the discrepancy? Owning real estate is important to some Americans, but not as important or as financially rewarding as were led to believe. Federal support of homeownership greatly overvalues its meaning in American life. Through tax breaks and guarantees, the government boosted home ownership to its peak in 2004, when 69pc of US households owned homes. Subsidies for homeownership, including the mortgage interest deduction, reached US$230 billion in 2009, said the Congressional Budget Office. Meanwhile, only $60 billion in tax breaks and spending programs aided renters. The result of this real estate spending spree? According to the Federal Reserve, American real estate lost more than $6 trillion in value, or almost 30pc, between 2006 and 2010. One in five American home owners owe But the problem is not just one nation. Japan holds almost $1 trillion of US debt. The United Kingdom owns more than $400 billion. In 1970, less than five percent of US debt was held by non-citizens. Today, almost half is. Neither China nor these other countries can be blamed for US choices that have placed our financial future increasingly out of our hands. Still, no matter how much we owe, the United States remains the worlds land of opportunity. In fact, the largest international group coming to America to study is from China 157,000 students in the 20102011 academic year. The Washington Post recently reported that the number of Chinese undergraduates at US colleges increased 43pc over the previous year. 5. Economic decline and political gridlock are killing the American dream. Our research showed a stunning lack of confidence in US institutions. Sixty-five percent of those surveyed believe that America is in decline; 83pc said they have less trust in politics in general than they did 10 or 15 years ago; 79pc said they have less trust in big business and major corporations; 78pc said they have less trust in government; 72pc reported declining trust in the media. These recent figures are more startling when contrasted against Gallup polling from the 1970s, when as many as 70pc of Americans had trust and confidence that the government could handle domestic problems. Even so, 63pc of Americans said they are confident that they will attain their American dream, regardless of what the nations institutions do or dont do. While they may be worried about future generations, their dream today stands defiantly against the odds. The Washington Post (Michael Ford is the founding director of the Xavier Universitys Center for the Study of the American Dream).

A foreclosed home in Antioch, California, in a file photo taken on October 15, 2007. The Center for the Study of the American Dream says one in five American home owners owe more on their mortgages than what their homes are worth. Pic: AFP banks gave more than $100 million to federal candidates and parties in 2011, said the Center for Responsive Politics. The National Association of Realtors alone gave more than $950,000 more than Morgan Stanley, Citigroup or Ernst & Young. Home ownership is more important to special of America. In the midst of the Great Depression, Adams discovered the same counterintuitive optimism that we observe in todays Great Recession and he dubbed it the American dream that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity come to the US seeking to do the same thing. Perceptions of the dream today are often more positive among those who are new to the US. Asked to rate the condition of the American dream on a scale of one to 10, where 10 means the best possible condition and one means the worst, 42pc

Perceptions of the American dream today are often more positive among those who are new to the United States.
more on their mortgages than what their homes are worth. Those who profit most from home ownership are far and away the largest source of political campaign contributions. Insurance companies, securities and investment firms, real estate interests, and commercial interests than it is to most Americans, who, according to our research, care more about a good job, the pursuit of happiness and freedom. 3. The American dream is American. The term American dream was coined in 1931 by James Truslow Adams in his history The Epic for each according to his ability or achievement. However, the American dream pre-dated 1931. Starting in the 16th century, Western European settlers came to this land at great risk to build a better life. Today, this dream is sustained by immigrants from different parts of the world who still of immigrants responded between six and 10. Only 31pc of the general population answered in that range. 4. China threatens the American dream. Our surveys revealed that 57pc of Americans believe that the world now looks to many different countries, not just ours, to represent the future. When we asked participants which region or country is charting that future, more than half chose China. Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed mistakenly believe that the Chinese economy is already larger than the US economy it is actually one-third the size, with a population four times larger. China does own more than $1.1 trillion of US debt, however; it is our largest creditor.

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(Reg: No. iV/11764/2011) in respect of : Solid tyres, vehicle tyres and tubes therefore, complete wheels Cl: 12 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 16th January, 2012

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Briefs
Iran says its ready for nuclear talks
TEHRAN Ali Larijani, the influential speaker of Irans parliament, said on January 12 during a visit to Turkey that his country was ready for serious talks with world powers on its controversial nuclear program, the official IRNA news agency reported. Tehran has several times said it was willing to resume talks, with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus, Germany, which collapsed a year ago.

Why is Haiti taking so long to recover?

PORT-AU-PRINCE A catastrophic 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti two years ago, killing up to 300,000 people in one of the worst natural disasters of modern times. Despite a massive international aid effort, the poor and dysfunctional Caribbean nation of nearly 10 million is still struggling to get back on its feet. Here are some of the main reasons why: Aid money: Of US$4.9 billion pledged in 2010 for quake reconstruction, only about half had been received and disbursed, show UN figures revealed in September. The mandate of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, the body created to help direct the international aid and chaired by former US president Bill Clinton, ended in October and may not be extended by the Haitian parliament. NGO state: Many donors prefer to channel money through nongovernment organisations as they fear they will otherwise feed a bottomless pit of official corruption and incompetence. NGOs have consequently ended up running key sectors such as schooling and hospitals, while the longer-term priority of addressing the governments infrastructural shortcomings has been neglected and coordination is lacking. Haitian officials voice fears the country is turning into a republic run by NGOs estimates of how many operate in the country exceed 12,000. Booming population: One of the biggest problems facing Haiti is basic demographics. Despite one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world, the population is growing by almost two percent a year. infected. By the start of 2012, 7000 had died, and over 520,000 been infected. Iinfrastructure: The capitals roads were gridlocked even before the quake razed thousands of buildings. There is no railway other than a line attached to a former sugar plantation, and Haiti badly needs more deepwater ports. In the grip of cholera, a top priority is dealing with the countrys dilapidated sewers. Before the quake, national sanitation coverage defined as access to an acceptable latrine was just 17 percent. Almost half the population has no access to safe water. Brain drain: Four in five university graduates leave Haiti as soon as they can and every year, hundreds of academics and professionals emigrate in search of a better life. This brain drain cripples efforts to foster a thriving middle-class and unless Haitis best young talent is tempted to stay, efforts to spread the wealth and end the hopeless cycle of poverty will fail. Deforestation/agriculture: Aerial photographs of the border Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic show trees and meadows on one side while the other is bare. About 97 percent of Haitis territory is deforested, making it more prone to natural disasters. Soil fertility is so poor that most crops can no longer be supported. Efforts are underway to boost production but Haitian agriculture is in such a pitiful state that the onetime exporter has to import rice for 80pc of its population. Figures provided by UNICEF, USAID and the CIA Factbook. AFP

Muslim Brotherhood holds talks with US

CAIRO The head of the political arm of Egypts Muslim Brotherhood on January 11 hailed USEgyptian ties during talks with the US State Departments number two, but also said they must be balanced. The meeting with Deputy Secretary of State William Burns at the Cairo headquarters of the Brotherhoods Freedom and Justice Party (FPJ) came at the end of marathon elections in which the party is expected to triumph.

One of the thousands of Haitians who lost their homes in the devastating earthquake on January 10, 2011, in a tent camp near the capital, Port-au-Prince, on January 10. About 520,000 earthquake survivors live in 800 camps around the capital. UN agencies say there has been a sharp fall in the number of Haitians living in emergency accommodation since the earthquake. Pic: AFP Four in 10 Haitians are aged under 14. Most of the population lives on less than a dollar a day, 70-80 percent is unemployed and average life expectancy is about 30. Port-au-Princes estimated population of three million is expected to double in the next 15 years. Haitians are drawn to the capital to escape poverty but most end up in sprawling slums. Land issues: The quake highlighted glaring land ownership issues. Relocation of survivors into safer, cleaner camps was held up interminably because rich families own much of the land around Portau-Prince, while many survivors had no papers to prove ownership of their lots. Some relocation camps for quake survivors have been reclaimed by angry landowners and many campdwellers have made their way back to the capital regardless as there are no jobs or prospects elsewhere. A small number of elite families control most of the Haitian economy, making substantial progress difficult. Cholera: Haitis first cholera outbreak in more than a century began in mid-October 2010. The epidemic, blamed on UN peacekeepers from Nepal, shows no sign of abating. A year ago, 3400 people had died and 171,300 been

Panetta announces Europe troop pullout

WASHINGTON The United States plans to withdraw about 7000 US troops from bases in Europe, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said on January 12. In an interview with the Armed Forces Press Service, Panetta said two brigade combat teams would be withdrawn from Europe, but rotational units would still maintain strong military presence in the region. The move is part of a 10year defence strategy that President Barack Obama unveiled on January 5, giving strategic priority to the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions.

Fears of civil war on rise in Nigeria

British PM clashes with Scotland on independence vote

LONDON British Prime Minister David Cameron urged Scotland on January 11 to bring its independence referendum forward after the head of the Edinburgh government said he would not hold a vote until late 2014. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has stoked a constitutional clash with London over the thorny issue of which of the two governments has the right to call a referendum on the break-up the 300-year-old union. In parliament in London, Cameron reiterated that his government would give Edinburgh special powers to hold the referendum, but accused Salmonds Scottish National Party (SNP) of stalling. The Conservative leader taunted SNP lawmakers, saying that if they were so keen to leave the United Kingdom, I dont quite understand why they want to put off putting the question for so long. I sometimes feel when I listen to them its not a referendum they want, its a never-endum. Lets have the debate and lets keep our country together, Cameron said. Cameron said he opposed Scottish independence and that the United Kingdom was stronger together rather than breaking apart, but said uncertainty over the issue was hurting Scotlands economy. His comments came after Salmond insisted that it is the Scottish government that has the mandate to call the referendum for autumn 2014, and accused London of interference. The issue has turned into a battle of wits between Cameron and Salmond, a former economist who is regarded as one of the shrewdest political operators in the United Kingdom. Salmond has been pushing for a referendum since elections last year in which the SNP won the first majority in the devolved Edinburgh assembly since it opened in 1999. But polls show that Salmond lacks public support for independence, and the London government has in recent days tried to seize the initiative and push through the vote before he can build a following. A break-up would involve thorny economic issues such as North Sea oil and gas. Scotland has long complained that tax revenues from the industry 8.8 billion ($14.4 billion) last year go direct to London. AFP

Jilted wife convicted over bomb hoax

LOS ANGELES A US woman called in a bomb threat to an airline to stop her husband flying from Los Angeles to Atlanta to see another woman, the FBI said on January 12. Johnna Woolfolk, 50, pleaded guilty in a Los Angelese court to making a bomb threat after calling AirTran Airways in November to report that her husband was carrying a bomb onto a flight at LAX international airport. Woolfolk will be sentenced on April 2, when she faces a maximum of five years in jail and a US$250,000 fine, the FBI said. AFP

T h e m a i n g r o u p s o f the streets. LAGOS Tens of thousands Protesters and police of Nigerians defied an order protesters in Lagos however to end a three-day-old strike remained peaceful, with had clashed in Kano on on January 11 as unions some 10,000 people at one of January 9, leaving at least threatened to halt output in the largest demonstrations two people shot dead, but Africas top crude producer dancing and singing anti- no incidents were reported on January 11. and a mob rampage left a government songs. Oil production has so I am here with my water police officer dead. The strike over soaring and toothbrush because we far not been affected by f u e l p r i c e s s a n k t h e are not leaving this arena the strike, but workers continental heavyweight until our demand for fuel at threatened action if the deeper into crisis, with 65 naira (US$0.40) is met, government did not respond deadly religious violence said Akinola Oyebode, 23, at to their demands. Tens of thousands that saw four Christians the main protest in Lagos. He was referring to the turned out last week for gunned down on January 11, sparking warnings of a price of a litre of petrol before protests nationwide over government subsidies were the governments move to looming civil war. The tensions have left the controversially scrapped end fuel subsidies, which saw petrol global oil market prices more w a t c h i n g anxiously President Goodluck Jonathan is than double in a country where and President facing his toughest challenge. most people live G o o d l u c k on less than $2 Jonathan facing a day. his toughest At least six people were challenge since he was from January 1. W e s h a l l n o t b e killed on the first day of elected last year. Despite a government i n t i m i d a t e d b y t h e protests, including one order late on January 10 p o l i c e b e c a u s e o u r person allegedly shot by that labelled the strike protest is legitimate and police in Lagos. Meanwhile, spiralling illegal and threatened to constitutional. In the central city of ethnic and religious violence withhold pay, protesters took to the streets as gangs Minna, a mob went on the in various parts of the of youths burnt tyres and rampage, burning political country has fuelled further offices, leaving a police chaos amid warnings of a harassed drivers for cash. P a r t s o f L a g o s , t h e officer dead and prompting wider conflict in a country largest city in Africas most an all-day curfew. The roughly divided between a populous nation, descended cause of the violence was mainly Muslim north and predominantly Christian into chaos, including one not immediately clear. In Kano, the largest city in south. upscale neighbourhood, Twenty people were killed with gangs attacking a the north, a massive crowd police car with sticks and estimated in the tens of in four separate incidents in thousands marched through the latest violence. AFP ripping down signposts.

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Hawking revels in a glorious time

CAMBRIDGE British scientist Stephen Hawking was forced to miss a scientific debate to mark his 70th birthday last week due to ill health but sent an upbeat message saying he was living at a glorious time. As scientists and media gathered at Cambridge University for a symposium on January 8 to mark Hawkings birthday, vice-chancellor Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewic announced: Stephen has been unwell and was only discharged from hospital on Friday. But in a pre-recorded message, the physicist urged participants to focus on his glittering career and the future of science rather than his struggles against illness. It has been a glorious time to be alive and doing research in theoretical physics, he said. We must also continue to go into space for the future of humanity, he argued. I dont think we will survive another thousand years without escaping beyond our fragile planet. Hawking, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease when he was 21, followed the special symposium on the state of the universe via webcast, the vice-chancellor said. Despite spending most of his life in a wheelchair and being able to speak only through a computer, the theoretical physicists quest for the secrets of the universe has made him arguably the most famous scientist in the world. When Hawking was diagnosed with the debilitating condition he was given only a few years to live, but has defied medical opinion by reaching his eighth decade. Hawking touched upon this time during his message on January 8, saying that every new day became a bonus after accepting the extent of his illness. Much of Hawkings work doughnut-shaped universe, and may have to steal it. As Hawkings age advances, he could be at risk of losing his computerised voice due to the gradual loss of muscle control, his personal assistant said ahead of his birthday. His speech has got slower and slower and on a bad day he can only manage about one word a minute, Judith Croasdell told the Daily Telegraph. Martin Rees, Britains Astronomer Royal and a former president of the Royal Society, who first met Hawking when they were both research students, marvelled at his longevity. He admitted that when they first met, it was thought he might not live long enough to finish his PhD degree. His fame should not overshadow his scientific contributions because even though most scientists are not as famous as he is, he has undoubtedly done more than anyone else since Einstein to improve our knowledge of gravity. Professor Kip Thorne from California Institute of Technology called Hawking a superb human being and an inspiration. Hes the most stubborn person Ive ever met and that has to be part of his success, he continued. He finds some way to attack it and he doesnt say no with regard to his physical disability, he finds way to overcome it and become all the stronger for it. Hawking concluded his January 8 message, which received a standing ovation, by imploring those present to remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist, he added. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. AFP

Pic: AFP/London Science Museum Stephen Hawking in his office at Cambridge University, in an image, taken on January 5 and released by the London Science Museum on December 14. has centred on bringing together relativity (the nature of space and time) and quantum theory (how the smallest particles in the universe behave) to explain the creation of the universe and how it is governed. His fame moved beyond academia in 1988 with the publication of his book A Brief History of Time, which explained the nature of the universe to non-scientists, and sold millions of copies worldwide. Hawkings stardom was later cemented in cameos in Star Trek and The Simpsons, where he tells the rotund Homer Simpson that he likes his theory of a

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NOTICE is hereby given that Japan Tobacco inc. a company organized under the Laws of Japan and having its principal office at 2-2-1, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademarks: -

Russia hints at foul play in space failures

MOSCOW The head of Russias beleaguered space program hinted last week that foreign powers may be behind the string of failures that struck his agency in the past year. Izvestia daily on January 10 quoted Roskosmos chief Vladimir Popovkin as saying he could not understand why several launches went awry at precisely the moment the spacecraft were travelling through areas invisible to Russian radar. It is unclear why our setbacks often occur when the vessels are travelling through what for Russia is the dark side of the Earth in areas where we do not see the craft and do not receive its telemetry readings, he said. I do not want to blame anyone, but today there are some very powerful countermeasures that can be used against spacecraft whose use we cannot exclude, Popovkin told the daily. One of Russias most high-profile recent failures involved the November launch of a Mars probe called PhobosGrunt that got stuck in a low Earth orbit and whose fragments were expected to crash back down on January 15. The Mars mission setback was followed last month by the loss of the Meridian communications satellite. Its fragments crashed into the Novosibirsk region of central Siberia and hit a house ironically located on Cosmonaut Street. No injuries were reported. AFP

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( Reg: No. iV/7875/2008) arla Foods amba, a company incorporated in Denmark, of Skanderborgvej 277 DK-8260 Viby J, Denmark, is the Owner of the following Trade Marks:-

aRLa
Reg. No. 2385/2000 ( Reg: No. iV/7876/2008) ( Reg: No. iV/7877/2008) in respect of Class 1: Chemicals used in industry as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs; tanning substances; adhesives used in industry; cultures of micro-organisms other than for medical and veterinary use; emulsifiers, proteins for industrial purposes, casein and caseinates for industrial purposes. Class 5: Dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies; cultures of micro-organisms for medical and veterinary purposes; substitutes for mothers milk; dietary supplements in form of vitamins and minerals, dietetic substances and beverages for medical use; lactose. Class 29: Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams, fruit sauces; eggs, milk and milk products; edible oils and fats; proteins for human consumption, casein and caseinates for human consumption, rennet, cheese powder, substitutes for milk and cream, milk and cream in powder form. Class 30: Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice, tapioca, sago, artificial coffee; flour and preparations made from cereals; bread, pastry and confectionery, ices, honey, treacle; yeast, baking-powder; salt, mustard, vinegar, sauces (condiments), spices; ice, salad dressings; meat pies and meat pates (not included in other classes), pizzas, puddings, souffls, mousses, milk based dessert

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Reg. No. 70/2009 in respect of intl Class 29: Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams, fruit sauces; eggs, milk and milk products; edible oils and fats; proteins for human consumption, casein and caseinates for human consumption; rennet, cheese powder, substitutes for milk and cream, milk and cream in powder form, milk based dessert mousses. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Marks will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A.,H.G.P.,D.B.L. for arla Foods amba P.O. Box 60, Yangon Dated: 16th January, 2012

( Reg: No. iV/7878/2008) ( Reg: No. iV/7879/2008) in respect of:Cigarettes; raw and manufactured tobacco; smokers articles; matches Intl Class: 34 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademarks or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Japan Tobacco inc P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 16th January, 2012

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Britain is home to one of the largest numbers, accepting at least 14 people including citizen Moazzam Begg, who used his newfound freedom to travel Europe trying to find homes for others held at Guantanamo. The biggest problem that we found when talking to the foreign ministries of countries was: Well, this is an American problem. If America has not taken them, why should we? Begg said. The reality is that they have been tortured. Isnt it about time that the language is changed, that they are not called terrorist suspects any more? And when thats done, the resettlement process will be much easier. A number of former inmates launched legal action alleging the complicity of British intelligence agents in their treatment, prompting the government in 2010 to settle claims with 16 people and launch a formal inquiry. Spain has also investigated complaints made by former inmates the National Court agreed last year to look at allegations made by Morocco-born resident Lahcen Ikassrien that he was tortured while at Guantanamo. However, many of those who have made a new home of positive reconciliation it counts when a country does the right thing. Some former inmates have forged a new life for themselves. Murat Kurnaz, 29, a Turk who returned to Germany, has remarried, had a daughter and found a job as a youth worker. But others have found it much harder. Boudellaa Hadj, one of three Algerians accepted by Bosnia, told AFP that despite holding a Bosnian passport, suspicions about his time in Guantanamo had made it impossible to find work since returning in December 2008. I knocked on the doors of dozens of businesses but as soon as they hear of my past, its no. Even Arabs who have businesses here refuse me, just to not have any trouble, said the 47-year-old father of seven. Rob Freer, US researcher for Amnesty International, said the Europeans contribution to bringing an end to Guantanamo is to be welcomed, even if perhaps some could have done more. But it should not be forgotten that the USA carries ongoing primary responsibility for the Guantanamo detentions, he said. AFP

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Europe urged to match words with action on Guantanamo

LONDON They were the harshest critics of Guantanamo Bay and ten years on, European countries have taken in more than 50 former inmates of the US prison camp -- but rights groups say they could have done more. European leaders feted US President Barack Obama when he took office in 2009 with the pledge to close the detention facility on Cuba, which they had long condemned for holding terror suspects for years without charge or trial. The Europeans gave the impression that they would be ready to help President Obama resolve the problem and welcome a certain number of prisoners who could be freed from Guantanamo, Patrick Baudouin, honorary chairman of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), said on January 10. And yet in reality they have proved very reluctant. They are in no rush to get Obama to empty Guantanamo, or to help him. A dozen European countries from Ireland to Albania have accepted more than 50 former inmates who are either citizens, former residents or, in many cases, cannot be returned to their home countries for fear of ill-treatment.

Protesters opposed to the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay outside the US Supreme Court in Washington on January 11, the 10th anniversary of the arrival of the first prisoners to be held at the detention facility. Pic: AFP in Europe have tried to keep their heads down, as they are still viewed with deep suspicion. Italy accepted two Tunisians but expelled one of them, Abdel Ben Mabrouk, for allegedly planning to bomb Milans cathedral. The other, Ben Mohamed Riadh Nasri, was jailed for trying to recruit Islamists to fight abroad. Mehdi Ghezali, 32, a Swedish citizen captured in Pakistan and held at Guantanamo for two and a half years, was arrested in 2009 in Pakistan with 11 others, suspected of having ties to al-Qaeda. He and the others were released and never charged with any offence. Clive Stafford Smith, the director of legal charity Reprieve, insisted none of those released to Britain had done anything wrong since their return, but said Washington did not make it easy by continually stressing their guilt. European governments see the potential for headlines from right-wing press that these guys are terrorists, but they dont see the enormous potential

Romney roars ahead with second win

Public opinion polls showed experience as his number-one MANCHESTER, New Hampshire Mitt Romney stormed to a R o m n e y l e a d i n g h i s m o r e asset. Make no mistake, in this commanding win early on January conservative rivals in both of 11 in New Hampshires Republican the next battlegrounds large campaign, I will offer the American primary, making him the clear states where his well-funded ideals of economic freedom a clear favourite to take on President campaign machine could roll up and unapologetic defence, he said. the opposition. Barack Obama in November. Romney has insisted that his With more than 90 percent of The former Massachusetts governor and millionaire venture votes counted, Romney was set to private sector triumphs make him capitalist immediately looked to win New Hampshire with about the best person to take on Obama, South Carolinas January 21 primary, hoping I will offer the American ideals of economic freedom a that a victory there and in Florida on January 31 could 39pc. It would be the first time whose reelection bid is weighed e f f e c t i v e l y a n o i n t h i m t h e since 1976 that a Republican non- down by the sagging US economy incumbent wins this contest and and high unemployment. nominee. Obama wants to put free Obama has run out of ideas. the Iowa caucuses that precede enterprise on trial. In the last Now, hes running out of excuses. it. A ft e r s u r v i v i n g a fur i ous few days, we have seen some And tonight, we are asking the good people of South Carolina 11th-hour onslaught from his desperate Republicans join forces to join the citizens of New Republican rivals, who tarred him with him. This is such a mistake Hampshire and make 2012 the as a callous corporate raider who for our party and for our nation, year he runs out of time, he said put people out of work, Romney he declared. This country already has a defiantly trumpeted his business late on January 10. leader who divides us with the bitter politics of envy. We must offer an alternative vision, said Romney. Veteran congressman Ron Paul of Texas, a small-government champion whose opposition to overseas military interventions has rankled the partys establishment, was expected to come in second after a late surge tied to a strong debate performance the previous weekend. Ladies and gentlemen, I think were in the hunt! he said at a rally. Id say third place is a ticket to ride! Former House speaker Newt Gingrich was in fourth place at 10pc, with Christian conservative former senator Rick Santorum defence. close behind at nine percent. Texas Governor Rick Perry, who skipped New Hampshire to go directly to South Carolina, clung to one percent. A vast campaign war chest and high-profile endorsements have fed Romneys image as the man to beat, but he faces stubborn distrust from conservatives and has been unable to push his nationwide Republican support above 30pc. AFP

clear and unapologetic

with around 23pc. Were nibbling at his heels! Paul told a rowdy crowd of supporters, who chanted President Paul! We have had a victory for the cause of liberty tonight, he said. Former US envoy to China Jon Huntsman, who bet his political fortunes on a strong showing in New Hampshire, was on track to come in third with about 17pc

Snap a rat to travel free

NEW YORK Subway workers in New York have devised a novel way draw attention to a rising rat population. They have offered a free monthly transport pass to whoever snaps the best picture of a rat. Pictures can be sent to ratfreesubways.com where they will appear on the Rate My Rat section. Early last week the site was showing six entries, as well as videos of the infamously determined and hardy subterranean residents making off with pizza and other food dumped by untidy passengers. Rats are proliferating in the New York City subways, said the Transport Workers Union, which represents subway workers. Aggressive rats are bolder about coming onto the platforms and have even been known to bite riders. They infest the refuse rooms where garbage is stored. The Metropolitan Transport Authority has declared war on the rats at 20 stations, but that is fewer than four percent of the total and its not enough. More must be done! the TWU said on the site. AFP

US First Lady responds to books claims

WASHINGTON US First Lady Michelle Obama said last week she talks candidly with her husband on key political issues, following the publication of a book that claimed she had clashed with top White House aides. Obama said in an interview with the CBS This Morning show to be broadcast on January 11 that she knew President Barack Obama needed to get the best advice on the most difficult issues from advisors who knew their subjects best. Thats not to say that we dont have discussions and conversations, said Obama in the interview, which was conducted at the White House the previous day. Thats not to say my husband doesnt know how I feel. I mean, one thing is true, I talk very candidly to my husband about how I feel, she said, according to excerpts of the interview released by CBS. The White House on January 9 branded a new book called The Obamas by New York Times correspondent Jodi Kantor as over-hyped. In one episode in the book, former White House spokesman Robert Gibbs was reported to have feuded with Valerie Jarrett, a confidant of the Obamas, and even cursed the First Lady over her apparent dissatisfaction over an unflattering story. Books like these tend to overhype and sensationalise things, and I think thats the case here, said Jay Carney, the current White House spokesman. Kantor wrote in excerpts of the book in the New York Times that Michelle Obama cherished the idea of her husband as a transformational figure but battled with White House advisors on deals he had cut with Republicans. The New York Times writer, who interviewed more than 30 current and former Obama employees but did not sit down with the first couple themselves for the book, described Michelle Obamas difficult transition to White House life. Key to the first ladys frustration was anxiety about the gap between her vision of her husbands presidency and the reality of what he could deliver, Kantor wrote. AFP

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A university building boom in India

By Sarah Garland PATNA, India On the outskirts of this sprawling city in one of Indias poorest states, the whitewashed columns and domes of Chanakya National Law University rise next to a deep and murky swamp. To get there, visitors bump along potholed streets lined with idle men sipping tea and cows rooting through piles of garbage. Despite its inauspicious location, the four-yearold university has high aspirations. Were in a position to be a leading national law school, said Ravi Sarma, an assistant professor of property law. The university is part of an ambitious plan to expand higher education to Indias most destitute corners, where the countrys vast population of young people is concentrated. Of 1.2 billion Indians, one third is aged under 14. Aware that the youth bulge could be an asset in Indias drive to become a world power, or a disaster that drains its resources and fuels social unrest, the government has responded with an ambitious university building spree. Dozens of new public universities are opening. Officials say 374 model universities, meant as demonstration projects, will be built in remote areas. The plan is to increase the post-secondary enrollment rate for those aged from 18 to 23 to 30 percent, up from 18pc, by 2017, said Ved Prakash, chairman of Indias University Grants Commission. The enrollment rate in the United States for those aged between 18 and 24 is 41pc. It has never happened in the history of India, this massive expansion of higher education, Prakash said. The government estimated that India had 13.6 million Bombay, a branch opened in 1961 with a stronger reputation than the one in Patna. Ujjwal enrolled for the autumn term in IIT Patna instead, because he wanted to be near his family as he embarked on the intensive course work. They gave me moral support, he said. The founder of Super 30, Anand Kumar, said that for many in Bihar, the universities remain out of reach. One-room schoolhouses lacking basic amenities such as toilets are often the only option for children in slums and villages, even though the government is investing in elementary and secondary education. Many children drop out as early as age 10. Indian officials acknowledge that the rapid expansion of public colleges and universities will not come close to meeting the demand. Privately run schools fill the gap through distance education, but often their offerings are of low quality, said Devesh Kapur, a political scientist at the University of Pennsylvania. And corruption and nepotism are rife in the postsecondary system. Pawan Agarwal, an adviser to the federal governments planning commission on higher education, said that in 2012 the Indian government will start to shift its attention from rapid expansion to quality expansion, although he acknowledges that solutions will be elusive. Indias new institutions are fulfilling one mission already, however: They are raising the expectations of a new generation of Indians. The Washington Post (This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, nonpartisan education-news outlet affiliated with Teachers College, Columbia University).

Ads for schools and tutoring services line the streets of Patna, India, where a university underway. Pic: The Washington Post/Sarah Garland post-secondary students in 16. IIT Patna opened in 2008 from 200 students to as 2009, about six million fewer and is waiting to expand many as 40,000. About 100 kilometres (60 than the United States. But into a 500-acre campus in a miles) south of Patna, down if India reaches its goals, it nearby village. A National Institute of a two-lane highway clogged could have nearly twice as many university students Fashion Technology opened with rickshaws, motorcycles as does the United States by downtown in the same and idling trucks, plans are year, and in 2006, a state underway to open Nalanda the end of the decade. The construction boom is technical college opened an International University.

building boom is Abhishek Ujjwal, 18, grew up in a small village in Bihar, where most people worked on farms and the roads out of town were unpaved. His father has a small business selling cows milk and his mother is a housewife. Neither went to

If India reaches its goals, it could have nearly twice as many university students as does the United States by the end of the decade.
transforming Patna, a city of more than 5.7 million long written off as a povertystricken backwater, into a university town, and the state of Bihar, which borders Nepal, into a hub of higher education. The government is doubling the number of its renowned and selective Indian Institutes of Technology to expansive new campus near the citys airport. The Central University of Bihar, one of 15 new government-sponsored universities that aims to compete with the global elite, opened in 2009 and has been allocated 1000 acres on the edge of the city. Plans call for enrollment to grow during the next decade The campus will be near the ruins of a Buddhist university that, in the 5th century, drew students from around the world. The hope is that the new school will do the same. For some poor students in Bihar, the universities are turning farfetched dreams of higher education into reality. university. But in middle school, Ujjwal decided he would aim for admission to an IIT. Its a very global brand, he said. You can go anywhere. A tutoring program for the poor called Super 30 helped him prepare for the entrance exam. Last summer, he qualified for IIT

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Leopard mauls man who saved its life

GUWAHATI, India An Indian labourer who had half his scalp torn off by a leopard earlier this month has spoken of his horrific ordeal, saying he was trying to save the cat when it turned on him. Pintu Dey is recovering in hospital in Indias northeastern state of Assam after being badly mauled outside his house on January 7 in an attack captured in a series of gruesome and startling photographs. My two children were inside the house and so I went to save them when I found some policemen aiming to shoot the leopard, Dey, who is in his 40s, told AFP from his hospital bed. I pleaded against killing the cat and literally stood between the policemen and the leopard like a shield, and all of a sudden I found myself attacked and blood splattered all over. The leopard had strayed into a residential area in the centre of Guwahati, the capital of Assam, and attacked another three people, one of whom died from his injuries on January 8. Dey also suffered a broken hand and cuts caused by multiple bites on his hands and legs. The cat was later tranquilised by forest officials and taken to the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati. On January 9 it was set free in a tiger reserve in Manas, western Assam. Thousands of people are attacked by wildlife in India each year, with tigers, leopards, elephants and snakes the most dangerous. AFP

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Pintu Dey tries desperately to fend off the leopard during the attack in Guwahati, Assam, on January 7. Pic: AFP

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declined 11 percentage points in seven years, but Singh said it remained unacceptably high at 42 pc. We cannot hope for a healthy future with a large number of malnourished children, he said. Indias economy has boomed in the last 20 years since a liberalisation wave began in 1991, with GDP growth rates of nearly 10pc in the last decade. Rohini Mukherjee, from the Naadi Foundation, one of NGOs that produced the report, said the wealth created in a country estimated to have 57 billionaires last year had not trickled down fast enough to the impoverished masses. Measured by the prevalence of malnutrition, India is doing worse than sub-Saharan Africa, she told AFP, echoing observations made by UN childrens agency UNICEF. This was despite the worlds biggest government program for early childhood development, called the new research was that malnourished children in India were rarely hungry, merely badly fed due to widespread ignorance about nutrition among Indian parents. It is very clear that in Africa (malnutrition) is a result of absolute poverty. They are starving, Mukherjee said. In our case, to me it seems it is about eating and feeding practices. We have a big gap there. Most children we measured have never been hungry, but what the child is eating is almost all carbohydrate. Far too few Indian women understood the importance of breastfeeding an infant for the first six months, and colostrum the vital high-protein form of milk produced at birth is often seen as impure and discarded. A s w e l l a s malnourishment, the survey of more than 100,000 children and 73,000 mothers measured stunting, when children are short in height for their age. AFP

MyanMar tiMes

Malnutrition rate a national shame, says Indian PM

NEW DELHI Indias Premier Manmohan Singh called malnutrition in the country a national shame last week as he released a major survey that found 42 percent of children under five were underweight. The problem of malnutrition is a matter of national shame, Singh on January 10 said at the launch of the HUNGaMA (Hunger and Malnutrition) Report, which surveyed 73,000 households across nine states. Despite impressive growth in our GDP, the level of under-nutrition in the country is unacceptably high. We have also not succeeded in reducing this rate fast enough, the prime minister added. Singh, 79, said the findings of the report by an alliance of non-government organisations were both worrying and encouraging for India a fast-growing country of 1.2 billion people with the highest number of children worldwide. The research found the proportion of under-fives who are underweight had

Children queue for lunch at a government primary school in Hyderabad, in a file photo taken on June 13, 2011. A survey has found that 42 percent of Indian children aged under five are underweight. Pic: AFP the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, which has been criticised for being riddled with corruption and inefficiency. Data from UNICEF shows that one in three malnourished children worldwide is found in India, with 47pc of those aged under three underweight. The survey by Naandi and its partners was the first of its kind in its scope and methodology, Mukherjee said. The last government audit at a district level was carried out in 2004. One of the findings in

Four militants die in Pakistan as drone campaign resumes

MIRANSHAH, Pakistan The deadly US drone campaign in Pakistans tribal zone resumed last week with a missile strike that killed four militants, two months after a NATO raid that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. The CIA campaign had reportedly been suspended to avoid worsening relations between the United States and Pakistan after the deadly November 26 incident, which eroded even more the thin veneer of trust between the wary allies. The four militants were killed late on January 10 when two missiles struck their compound on the outskirts of Miranshah in North Waziristan, a lawless tribal region near the Afghan border, security officials said. It was the first missile strike in Pakistan since November 17. It remains to be seen if it presages a new round of attacks on Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked militants based in the remote territory bordering Afghanistan. Novembers strike by NATO helicopters triggered outrage in Pakistan and aggravated tensions in an already shaky relationship with Washington, prompting Islamabad to block alliance supply convoys heading to Afghanistan. Islamabad also ordered the United States to last month leave Shamsi air base in western Pakistan, from where it is believed to have launched some of its drones. Others are thought to be flown from within Afghanistan. Pakistani defence analyst Talat Masood said the latest strike showed that the United States was pressing on with the covert campaign, as the lull had done little to mend frayed ties. America was exercising I think restraint over this period in order to improve its relationship with the Pakistan military and overall leadership, he said. Now that it has resumed it shows that this policy of the US is not going to change. There has not been much movement in the US-Pakistan relationship and they cannot afford militants to become dangerous and effective by using this period to consolidate and gain strength. A joint US-NATO investigation concluded last month that a catalogue of errors and botched communications led to the soldiers deaths in November. But Pakistan rejected the findings, insisting the strikes had been deliberate. NATOs probe said that both sides failed to give the other information about their operational plans or the location of troops and that there was inadequate coordination by US and Pakistani officers. The US drone campaign has reportedly killed dozens of al-Qaeda operatives and hundreds of lowranking fighters in Pakistan since the first Predator strike in 2004. But the program has incensed many Pakistanis and fuels widespread antiAmerican sentiment throughout the country. The Los Angeles Times reported last month that the US Central Intelligence Agency had suspended drone strikes on gatherings of low-ranking militants in Pakistan due to the tensions caused by the campaign. The latest drone strike came on the same day that a remote-controlled bomb killed 35 people and wounded more than 60 others in the troubled Khyber tribal region of northwest Pakistan. The region had served as the main supply route for NATO forces operating in Afghanistan before the suspension triggered by the November incident. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing but local residents suggested it was a tribal dispute. AFP

Beijing cautions US over defence policy

BEIJING Beijing has urged the United States to exercise caution as it refocuses its defence policy to counter Chinas rising military power and growing assertiveness in Asia. Chinas defence ministry said a new US military strategy unveiled by President Barack Obama on January 5 was based on unfounded charges, and insisted its rise presented an opportunity, not a challenge to Washington. There is a movement towards greater peace and stability across the Asia-Pacific region, said spokesman Geng Yansheng in a statement published on the ministry website late on January 9. We urge the United States to follow the prevailing trend, take an objective and balanced view of China and its military and behave cautiously and in a manner conducive to developing good relations. Gengs comments came hours after Chinas foreign ministry insisted it posed no threat to any nation. However, Chinas responses to recent US moves to boost its military presence in Asia including the deployment of up to 2500 Marines to northern Australia have been relatively restrained. The state-run Xinhua news agency said on January 6 it welcomed a larger US presence in Asia as conducive to regional stability and prosperity, while urging it against warmongering. AFP

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Disgusting video wont affect talks: Taliban

KABUL An online video apparently showing US Marines urinating on the bloodied corpses of slain Afghan insurgents would not affect peace talks, a Taliban spokesman said on January 12. I dont think this new issue will affect negotiations which at this stage are mainly about prisoner exchange, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed told AFP. The Taliban said in a statement earlier that they had increased their political efforts to come to mutual understanding with the world to bring about peace in Afghanistan, while warning that they had not abandoned jihad. The US military said it was investigating the disgusting footage of what appears to be four servicemen dressed in United States military uniform relieving themselves onto three bodies. This is an inhumane and savage act by the American soldiers in Afghanistan, Mujahed said. This is a small example of the crimes that they have been committing against the people of Afghanistan for the past 10 years. The Pentagon has not yet verified the video, but spokesman John Kirby told AFP: Regardless of the circumstances or who is in the video, this is... egregious, disgusting behaviour, unacceptable for anyone in uniform. It turned my stomach, he added of the video, which was posted on the Live Leak website. A military official who asked not to be named said the helmet and weapon carried by one of the men seems to indicate the four could be members of an elite sniper team. AFP

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Independent Thai panel urges Singapore admits flaws changes to lese majeste law in emergency response
BANGKOK An independent Thai commission has called for reform of the kingdoms law against insulting the monarchy, which has attracted mounting criticism for suppressing freedom of expression. In a letter to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, sent to AFP on January 12, the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand said the government should push for an amendment of the law governing lese majeste offences. Under the law, anyone convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each separate count of lese majeste, but the TRCT said the combined prison term should not exceed seven years. It would be appropriate if punishment for offences against Criminal Penal Code Section 112 were based more on popular sentiment than it is now. This means that it should be less harsh, the letter said. It also called for a senior official to be appointed to authorise criminal proceedings in lese majeste cases. Currently any member of the public can bring a prosecution and the police are required by the law to investigate. The letter, dated December 30, said the people should also encourage and support such an amendment in order to bring about peace and reconciliation in our country. Despite the recommendations and recent attacks on the law, Thailands political parties have since said they will not reform it. But the call was echoed by a group of eight prominent figures with royal lineage who have signed a letter calling for the premier to change the law, without specifying how, the Bangkok Post reported on January 12. The United States, the European Union and the United Nations have all expressed concern over recent convictions, which have also sparked small protests both for and against the law in Bangkok. Opponents of the law say it has increasingly been used in Thailand as a political tool to stifle free speech, particularly under the last government, which was supported by the Bangkok-based elite. AFP SINGAPORE Major breakdowns in Singapores metro system exposed serious flaws in the securityobsessed countrys ability to respond to an emergency, the transport minister admitted last week. The execution of emergency preparedness plans... ought to be significantly improved, Lui Tuck Yew, a former Singapore Navy chief, told parliament on January 9. More than 200,000 commuters were stranded, many of them underground, during two major disruptions in December, damaging the city-states reputation for efficiency and crisis management. Metro operator SMRTs chief executive Saw Phaik Hwa resigned on January 6 amid strong public criticism of the firms handling of the breakdowns, but much of the criticism was also directed at the government. SMRT could have better handled the evacuation of passengers in the stalled trains to reduce the sense of distress and could have provided clearer and timelier information and instructions to the public, Lui said. This left commuters confused and apprehensive in already disordered circumstances, the transport minister said. These disruptions exposed gaps in emergency preparedness and crisis response and we need to do much better, he added. Last months disruptions were the worst since the metro was launched in 1987. AFP

Briefs
Zardari returns to Pakistan
ISLAMABAD Pakistans President Asif Ali Zardari arrived home from Dubai early on January 13, officials said, against a backdrop of mounting tension and challenges to his governments precarious rule. An presidential official said Zardari had gone to Dubai to attend a wedding. The one-day trip came after a confrontation between Pakistans civilian leaders and the military over a probe into the governments role in a scandal centred on a mysterious memo that sought US help in curbing the armys power.

India marks polio milestone

NEW DELHI India marked a year since its last new case of polio on January 13, a major milestone in a country once considered the epicentre of the disease and one that gives hope the scourge can be eradicated worldwide. There were 150,000 cases of the highly contagious virus in India in 1985, but the country has gone 12 months since discovering a new case in an 18-month-old girl in eastern West Bengal state. India is one of four countries with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria where the disease is still officially endemic.

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Challenges loom for for Anwar: analysts

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KUALA LUMPUR Anwar Ibrahims acquittal will electrify his fractious Malaysian opposition but he now must reinvent himself from serial victim to viable leader of the multi-ethnic nation, analysts say. Sodomy is punishable by jail in Malaysia and accusations that he sodomised a young male aide in 2008 had hung over the 64-year-old former deputy premier and his revitalised opposition. But a judge on January 9 cleared him of a charge that Anwar had condemned as a government set-up, freeing up the oppositions leader to wield his abundant charisma in elections due by March next year. Of course, the opposition will be very much boosted by this, said Ooi Kee Beng of Singapores Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Its a morale booster. This trial has been hurting the opposition, and Anwar personally, for a long time. But the court ruling which brought praise from the United States, Australia and the European Union means Anwar Anwar Ibrahim during an interview at his must move beyond victimhood and Kuala Lumpur home after his acquittal on articulate how he would govern and sodomy charges on January 9. Pic: AFP address bread-and-butter issues, analysts government, he said. said. Many rural Malays also harbour doubts Anwar gained sympathy both at home and abroad over his stunning ouster as the about whether Anwars multi-racial heir of Malaysias Barisan Nasional (BN) Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance has their interests at heart, he added. coalition in a 1998 power tussle. This is a particular challenge for Jailed for six years on a sodomy conviction that was later overturned, he Anwar, Ibrahim said. The (ruling) coalition has been able tapped into voter anger over BN abuses, corruption and inflation to lead the to portray him as somewhat out of touch opposition to historic 2008 parliamentary with Malay political insecurities, he said. gains that rocked Anwar must the coalition. A n w a r h a s Anwar has capitalised on being a l s o p e r s u a d e the country that capitalised on the oft-feuding a target of the ruling party. being a target of Pakatan Rakyat, the ruling party. or Peoples There is probably no politician anywhere who has faced Alliance, can effectively govern the the same level of attacks on his sex life, resource-rich, developing nation given said Bridget Welsh, politics analyst at its mix of ethnic groups and economic ideologies. Singapore Management University. The alliance includes Anwars multiThe challenge for him now is to go out there and tell people what are the real racial Keadilan party, a conservative Malay Islamic party that favours an policies he can offer them. One challenge for Anwar will be to Islamic state, and a secular, socialconnect better with rural Malays, said democratic party representing Chinese Ibrahim Suffian, head of the Merdeka and Indian minorities. Ibrahim said the alliance has not Center, Malaysias leading polling firm. Muslim ethnic Malays make up 60 convincingly demonstrated its cohesion, percent of the population, and rural folk but that Anwars freedom means he can have benefited greatly from decades mediate between them and should be able of development policies under the BN to keep things on track. AFP

Beijing publishes real-time air data

BEIJING Beijing on January 12 began publishing real-time air quality data on the internet, bowing to a vocal online campaign for greater government transparency over pollution in Chinas capital. The move followed the announcement that Beijing would change the way it measures air quality this month to include the smaller particles experts say are most harmful to health. Previously, the government released air quality data once a day.

HK introduces tax on trash

HONG KONG Environmentalists on January 11 welcomed plans for Hong Kong to introduce a payas-you-throw tax on rubbish disposal as the city moves to tackle a growing waste problem. Under the new system which is also known as trash-metering and has been implemented in such countries as South Korea, Japan and New Zealand residents would be charged based on how much rubbish they throw out. The city must tackle the imminent waste problem, Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau said in a statement. AFP

Time out
Rushdie shrugs off call for India ban
NEW DELHI British author Salman Rushdie has dismissed demands by an influential Islamic seminary in India that he should be banned from entering the country to attend a literature festival later this month. Rushdie, who was threatened with death in a fatwa order from Iran over his 1988 novel The Satanic Verses, is due to speak in the city of Jaipur alongside fellow writers such as Lionel Shriver and Richard Dawkins. The Darululoom Deoband seminary, one of the worlds most important Islamic universities, is known for its conservative teachings thought to have shaped the views of some radical Islamist groups such as the Taliban. Maulana Qasim Nomani, a seminary official, called for India to cancel Rushdies visa, saying that the man whose blasphemous writings have hurt the sentiments of Muslims all over the world must not be allowed to set foot on Indian soil. Rushdie who was born in Mumbai in 1947 responded last week by pointing out on Twitter that he did not need a visa to visit India. The novelist spent a decade in hiding after Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued the fatwa in 1989 calling for his death for alleged blasphemy against Islam in The Satanic Verses. The Times of India said on January 10 that Rushdie had visited India dozens of times over the past 20 years and it accused the seminary of trying to link the issue to state elections in Uttar Pradesh that begin on February 8. Whenever Rushdie has come here, we have always condemned it, said Maulana Abdul Khaliq, seminary deputy vice chancellor. People who admire him can go and find him abroad. The seminary, which is located in Uttar Pradesh, was at the centre of a row last year between reformminded new rector Gulam Mohammed Vastanvi and the schools traditionalists. Vastanvi said he was sacked six months into his job for trying to modernise the curriculum, which is based on a 17th century syllabus that focuses on Islamic law and spirituality. Organisers of the Jaipur festival said Rushdie had attended literary events in India without incident in recent years, and was still scheduled to speak on January 20 and 21. In plural societies such as ours, it is imperative that we continue to allow avenues for unfettered literary expression, they said in a statement. AFP By David Watkins HONG KONG Indian writers dominate the shortlist of authors competing for Asias top Englishlanguage literary prize, with a debut Pakistani novelist also among those vying for the US$30,000 award. An unprecedented seven authors, including three from India and writers from Pakistan, South Korea, Japan and China, will compete for the 2011 Man Asian Literary Prize after judges expanded the shortlist from its usual five. BBC correspondent Razia Iqbal, who heads the judging panel, said the shortlist had been expanded to accommodate the current strength of Asian contemporary fiction and the imaginative power of the stories now being written about rapidly changing life in the region. This power and diversity made it imperative for us to expand the 2011 Man Asian Literary Prize shortlist beyond the usual five books, she said in a statement from London on January 10. The prize, limited to Asian authors whose books are either written in English or translated into English, was founded in 2007 and shares the same sponsor as the Man Booker Prize, among the worlds top literary awards.

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India dominates book prize shortlist

a welcome surprise akin to finding money in the street. I am trying to block the idea from my mind that such a prize exists, leave alone thinking whether I will win it, he said in New Delhi. Just being nominated is a huge bonus. Another shortlisted work is Rebirth by Indian doctor and author Jahnavi Barua, about a young woman faced with an uncertain marriage and portraying the bond between a mother and her unborn child. Indian writing in English has always been strong, but Asian writing both in English and in other languages is very strong at the moment with writers ranging across topics and lots of young authors emerging, Barua said. Amitav Ghoshs historical epic River of Smoke, the second volume of a planned trilogy, charts the storm-tossed journey of a convict ship from Calcutta into Chinas crowded harbours. The three Indian authors will compete against The Wandering Falcon, the debut by Islamabadbased author Jamil Ahmad set in the border areas of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan in the decades before the rise of the Taliban. As a member of the Civil Service of Pakistan, Ahmad was posted in Pakistans embassy in Kabul before and during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Also vying for the prize is Please Look after Mom by acclaimed South Korean novelist Kyung-sook Shin, a novel that is a million-plus-copy bestseller in its native country detailing a familys search for their missing mother. The shortlist also includes Dream of Ding Village by Chinese novelist Yan Lianke, an account of an HIV blood-selling scandal in China that was officially censored upon its Chinese publication. The Lake by top-selling Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto tells the tale of a young woman who moves to Tokyo after the death of her mother before finding herself embroiled in a troubled romance. The two other judges for the competition are Pulitzer-prize finalist and author of The Surrendered, Chang-rae Lee, and Vikas Swarup, author of Q & A, which was filmed as the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire. A total of 90 books were submitted for entry in 2011 and a longlist of 12 was announced in October last year. The winning author is awarded $30,000 and the translator, if any, receives $5000. The winner will be announced at a black-tie ceremony in Hong Kong on March 15. Last years prize was won by acclaimed Chinese author Bi Feiyu for Three Sisters, set during the Cultural Revolution. AFP

Indian author Amitav Ghosh discusses the rise of Indian literature at the International Centre of the Frankfurt Book Fair on October 6, 2006. Pic: AFP The seven shortlisted books include Rahul Bhattacharyas The Sly Company of People Who Care. Set in Guyana, it chronicles a mans decision to give up his job and travel to escape his humdrum life. Bhattacharya, an Indian cricket journalist, said his shortlisting was

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Taiwans technology wizards seek to boost movie industry

By Benjamin Yeh TAIPEI As a long career d e v o t e d t o Ta i w a n s technology sector draws to a close, Max Fang has turned to an entirely new task helping to build a globally competitive film industry on the island. To this end, 60-year-old Fang has launched a venture capital fund, much as he would do if he were to pour money into new IT startups, but with the crucial difference that the fund is solely meant for movie and TV projects. Our eventual goal is to build a Chinese Hollywood, said Fang, the chairman of Maxima Capital Investment which runs the TC-1 Culture Fund. The fund is bolstered not just by T$270 million (US$9 million) of risk-loving cash, but also by a comprehensive vision for where Taiwans economy should be heading in the coming years. Taiwan has been very successful in the IT industry, but as competition from other tech-savvy societies heats up, it is time to start thinking about new ways to prosper, according to Fang. And he has some ideas how. Taiwan has become the hub of the Chinese-language entertainment industry. That position is entrenched and hard to challenge, Fang said. And as China gradually becomes richer, there will be rapid growth in the demand for films, televisions and musical programs. Thats already a clear trend emerging on the mainland. Fangs idea has caught on, and investors in his have switched their focus to the mainland in the past few years and while they jointly produced movies with Chinese partners, they have chosen to set certain restrictions on themselves, he said. On the contrary, Taiwanproduced movies are taking their own distinctive route, describing the free lifestyle of the people on the island. Despite the optimism, the fate of Fangs fund, and the 20 others like it, remains to be seen. Next year will be crucial not only to us, but to all venture capitalists investing in the sector. Should the results fail to meet the targets, many of them would be phased out, Fang said. So far, at least, Taiwans film industry is no match for its technology sector. In the 11 months to November, box office revenues for 32 Taiwan-produced films totalled around T$700 million (US$23.17 million), according to statistics from the Government Information Office. The revenues of Taiwans IT industry, by contrast, came in at T$121.2 billion in 2010, according to the Market Intelligence Centre, a quasi-official IT market and research firm. Li Ya-mei, an independent movie producer, pointed out that Taiwan and China are facing a cultural divide, as a result of the islands selfrule, in place since the end of a civil war in 1949. I dont know how long it may take to overcome the barrier, but I know its not likely to be done within a short period of time, she said. AFP

Myanmar-language human geography dictionary published

By Zon Pann Pwint A BILINGUAL EnglishMyanmar dictionary of human geography was published last month by an 82-year-old geography professor living in Yangon. Daw Kyin Htay, a retired geography professor from Yangon University, said she was urged to compile the dictionary by her colleague, associate professor U Aung Than (retired). I pondered his advice that compiling a dictionary would take years. As I grew older and suffered from osteoporosis, I was afraid I wouldnt be able to complete the task, she said. Daw Kyin Htay said she started working on the project in 2009. The book was released on December 20 last year by Nan Dawei published house. However, while working on book she feared that she would suffer the same fate as a friend who taught physics and wrote articles on physics, but who died before he saw his last book in print. Daw Kyin Htay said she discussed the book project with another friend, geography teacher U Hla Tun Aung, who advised her to focus on human geography rather than geography in general, so the book would not take as long to prepare. That encouraged me and I became preoccupied with writing and started to compile the dictionary, she said. She said her main references for the project were the Collins Dictionary of Geography (2004), and the third edition of The Dictionary of Human Geography, edited by R J Johnston (1994). I didnt translate all the words on human geography from those dictionaries, and I found some new words in magazines and journals that havent been included in recent geography dictionaries, such as the term rare earths, Daw Kyin Htay said. There are many geography dictionaries in English but none have been translated into Myanmar, she added.

A film production group shoots scenes for film The Soul of Bread in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Pic: AFP fund include John Hsuan, former chairman of the w o r l d s s e c o n d - l a r g e s t contract chip maker United Microelectronics Corp, and Stan Shih, the founder of computer vendor Acer. The fund reflects long-term changes in Taiwans economy, as the island, which left agriculture behind decades ago to take up manufacturing and then moved to technological innovation, may become a centre for creative industries. Taiwan is especially strong in the field of popular music and has massive influence in China and various Chinesespeaking communities in Southeast Asia. Heartthrob Jay Chou, to mention just one example, is as hot in the region as Justin Bieber is in the West. Another growth industry is TV programming, but is in the movies where the island is experiencing a renaissance with titles such as history epic Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale that Fang hopes for the big breakthrough. The fund, which was launched in late 2010, has invested an approximate total of T$40 million in two Taiwanese-Chinese coproductions premiering in January The Soul of Bread and Perfect Two. Fang said he has especially high hopes for The Soul of Bread, starring rising star Michelle Chen as a Taiwanese woman pursued simultaneously by a local baker and a French gourmet. We did not expected Michelle Chen to become so popular before shooting the film, he said. Fangs venture is part of a broader trend, with about 20 similar Taiwanese funds earmarked for investment in the culture industry, each capitalised at T$200 million or more. Liang Liang, a senior movie analyst, said Taiwans movie industry has never been in a better position to win over the mainland market, now one of the top five markets in the world. Hong Kongs movie makers

Fly named in honour of pop singer Beyonce

SYDNEY It might not be the most flattering accolade for the bootylicious American pop star, but new mother Beyonce now has a fly named after her. Just days after the singer and actress gave birth to a baby girl, Australian scientists said last week they had named a rare horse fly from far northern Queensland in her honour because of its impressive golden lower abdomen. Researcher Bryan Lessard from CSIRO, the governments top scientific research institute, paid tribute to Beyonces bottom in saying the spectacular colour of the insects derriere made it the all-time diva of flies. It was the unique dense golden hairs on the flys abdomen that led me to name this fly in honour of the performer Beyonce as well as giving me the chance to demonstrate the fun side of taxonomy the naming of species, he said. The Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae species was collected in 1981 in Queensland state, the same year the former Destinys Child singer was born, but had never been named. Although often considered a pest, many species of horse fly are important pollinators of plants, said Lessard. Beyonce, 30, and her rapper partner Jay-Z celebrated the birth of their baby Blue Ivy on Saturday night in New York. AFP

A quiet revolt of creativity in Iran

By Ann Hornaday WASHINGTON At Cannes last year, This Is Not a Film, by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, arrived at the film festival by way of a USB thumb drive smuggled into France in a cake. At the Toronto International Film Festival a few months later, the conveyance was a loaf of bread. But when This Is Not a Film arrived in Washington to kick off the Iranian Film Festival at the Freer and Sackler Galleries earlier this month, no baked goods were involved. Since Toronto, This Is Not a Film has been picked up by a distributor and is due in theatres this spring. But the earlier subterfuge wasnt just hype: Panahi whose films include The White Balloon, The Circle and Offside has been banned by the Iranian government from making films after his arrest in 2010 for planning to make a film about the 2009 presidential election. This Is Not a Film was made by Panahi and his friend, director Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, on a digital camera and an iPhone over the course of several days. Ostensibly a spontaneous day in the life look at Panahis creative house arrest, the film is a deceptively complex project (which Panahi and Mirtahmasb call an effort in deference to the authorities). On the surface, it is simply an intimate portrait of a gentle family man and frustrated artist. But then it deepens into a meditation on creativity, an oblique tweak at an authoritarian system that cant fully squelch self-expression and an ingenious formal exercise blending fact, fiction, artifice and realism. At one point in the film, Panahi asks Mirtahmasb to come over, then tells him about a story he has in mind, acting it out within a schematic, almost Brechtian set he constructs out of masking tape on the floor. After Panahi tells his colleague to cut, Mirtahmasb reminds him that hes not supposed to direct. Like many interludes in This Is Not a Film, its a mordantly funny exchange. But moments later, Panahi is in tears. If we could tell a film, why make a film? he asks. Then he proceeds to answer that philosophical question, filming what look like spontaneous visits from neighbours and conversations with his friend and finally venturing outside the building with a young porter in an exhilarating but ultimately stymied bid for creative, psychic and political freedom. With its dual sense of imprisonment and subversion, This Is Not a Film feels of a kin with A Separation, the astonishing domestic drama-cum-thriller by Iranian director Asghar Farhadi due to be released later this month. In fact, museum film curator Tom Vick says hes noticed a trend in cramped, inward-turning narratives that mark a departure from the more expansive Iranian films of the 1990s, which often took place in the countryside or on the streets of Tehran. I think its reflecting the current political situation, Vick suggests, like a metaphor for how trapped filmmakers feel not only with Panahi arrested, but two distributors I work with a lot in programming the festival have been arrested or shut down. Still, even at their most suffocating, contemporary Iranian movies possess an unmistakable sense of freedom, as characters manage to create culturally cosmopolitan, self-expressive lives within the constraints of the revolutionary regime. Comparing the early films of Iranian master Abbas Kiarostami that will play in the Iranian Film Festival (through February 19) alongside last years lesbian coming-of-age tale, Circumstance, Vick notes that a sea change has occurred in the past decade, reflected in expanded acting styles and directors referencing Quentin Tarantino and Wong Kar Wai. The Kiarostami style back in the 1990s was kind of hermetic, very Iranian, Vick says. Now, through peoples secret internet connections and satellite dishes, theyre seeing films and getting ideas from all over the world and smuggling them into their films, both in style and content It seems like the world is filtering in and filtering out. The Washington Post

Events Flash
with ...

Underground show
A concert featuring 13 underground bands will be held at Myawsin Kyun, Kandawgyi Park, on January 27 starting at 6pm. Tickets cost K3000 and are available at Milan Fashion Shop (Hledan), Jolly Bird and Fashion Star.

Nuam Bawi

Art show
A group art exhibition titled Kant Kaw Ywar (Mesua Ferrea Village) featuring realist sketches by 31 artists, will be held at Lokanat Gallery on Pansodan Street from January 16 to 21.

Solo concert
Myanmar Academy Awardwinning actor Yan Aung will hold a solo concert at Myanmar Convention Centre (MMC) on January 28 starting at 6:30pm. Tickets will be available starting on January 20 from the office of Bo Bo Entertainment (Tel 205905), for K30,000, K20,000 and K10,000.

DOTA exhibition
An exhibition and competition for the popular computer game Defence of the Ancients (DOTA) will be held at Karaweik Garden, Kandawgyi Park, from January 20 to 22, from 9am to 11pm daily. Entry is free.

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City FM 10th Anniversary

Madonna on red carpet for W.E. premiere

LONDON US singer and director Madonna last week attended the London premiere of her royal romance movie W.E., which is finally to be released in Britain on January 20 following a tortuous editing process. The global style icon, who directed, co-wrote and coproduced the film, swept down the red carpet at the Odeon theatre in Kensington, southwest London, wearing a floor-length black Jean Paul Gaultier dress and Dolce & Gabbana cape. The film, which charts the scandalous love affair between Britains king Edward VIII and US divorcee Wallis Simpson, was re-edited after it received poor reviews when it was aired at last years Venice and Toronto film festivals. One writer complained it looked like a commercial for high-end cosmetics while another called it the turkey that dreamed it was a peacock. The 53-year-old director explained the films message before last weeks screening. This movie shows that there is no such thing as perfect love, that all love requires compromise or sacrifice, she said on the red carpet, where she was joined by the films stars Andrea Riseborough and James dArcy. The other thing is that nothing is as it seems. You can look from the outside and think its one thing but once you start investigating, its something completely different. The love affair led to the abdication of Britains then king. AFP

Chan Chan

Jolie, Pitt meet Obama in Oval Office

WASHINGTON US President Barack Obama took a break from the affairs of state to rub shoulders with Hollywood royalty last week, meeting Angelina Jolie and her beau Brad Pitt at the White House. Jolie was in Washington for the launch of her new movie In the Land of Blood and Honey and the couple were seen through the panelled windows of the Oval Office by reporters and photographers. President Obama spoke with Ms Jolie about her work to raise the profile of preventing mass atrocities and combating sexual violence against women, said Jamie Smith, a White House spokeswoman. Jolie, in a dark dress, and Pitt, wearing black framed glasses, spent several minutes speaking to Obama before he left aboard his Marine One helicopter for a campaign fundraising trip in Chicago. The Oscar-winning actress premiered the film, her directorial debut, at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington on January 9. The movie relates the story of a couple who had a fling before Bosnias 1992-1995 war and met up again when the woman was taken prisoner by a unit of the Bosnian Serb army commanded by her former lover. AFP

Waing Su Khine Thein

R Zar Ni and One

Thet Mon Myint

Kaung Myat

John and Sai Sai Kham leng

Dagon Centre II Shopping Mall Opening Ceremony

Halle Berry engaged to Kylie Minogues ex Olivier Martinez

LOS ANGELES Halle Berry is set to marry for a third time after her French actor boyfriend Olivier Martinez popped the question, People magazine reported last week. Martinez, who met 45-year-old Berry on the film Dark Tide in 2010, gave her a diamond-and-emerald engagement ring, the celebrity bible reported, citing a jewellers publicist. The French star is the former partner of Australian superstar Kylie Minogue. He and Berry were most recently spotted at Canadian dance troupe Cirque du Soleils shoaw Iris at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Berry has been married twice before, to baseball player David Justice and singer Eric Benet, and has a three-year-old daughter Nahla with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry. The actresss publicist did not respond to a request for comment or confirmation of the People story, which was also reported by US Weekly magazine. Berry, famous for the X-Men movies and as a Bond girl in Die Another Day, won a coveted best actress Oscar in 2002 for her turn in Monsters Ball, the first such award to an African American actress. AFP
Ko Zaw Phone and Ko Wai Phone Dr Kyaw Zaw Lin

Dr Pandora Aung Gyi

U Win Aung and wife

Lemon Day Spa Opening

Winne, Ma Khine Moh Aye, Ma Nyein Sandar Htun and Ma Khine Cindy Soe

Thandar Bo and Chaw Yadanar

Chan Mi Mi Ko

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January 16 - 22, 2012
SOCIALITE started her week on January 3 at Park Royal Hotel attending the press briefing for Shwe Pyi Tagon Telecommunication Service. The next day she took part in the blood donation ceremony of the Sein Gay Har family and KMDs 25th Anniversary at UMFCCI. On January 5 she went to the 2012 New Year donation ceremony at Chatrium Hotel. The following day she made her presence felt at the Myanmar Mega Steel new product launch at Traders Hotel before heading to the glamorous Win and San Jewellery fashion show at Sedona Hotel. The weekend was chock-full of events, include opening ceremonies for Dagon Centre II Shopping Mall, the Fine Dining French Restaurant at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, Lemon Day Spa, Revlon Boot at Taw Win Centre and Emerald Boutique House on Pyay Road. And of course Socialite didnt miss the big party for the 10th Anniversary of City FM radio station.

MyanMar tiMes
Fine Dining French Restaurant Opening

Russian Ambassador Mr Mikhail.M.Mgeladze

Singaporean Ambassador Mr Robert Chua and Ms Hisayo Chua

Emerald Boutique House Opening

Myanmar Mega Steel New Product Launch

Ma Su Su Tin, Ma Cherry, Ma Tint and Ma Mee

Ma Yamin, Ma Ma and guest

Sein Gay Har Family Blood Donation Ceremony

Mr K K Lee, Mr David Woon, Mr Ong Toon Liong, U Myat Naing and U Myat Thurein

Shwe Pyi Tagon Telecommunication Service Press Conference

Sein Gay Har Family

Chatrium Hotel New Year Donation Ceremony

Ann Ni and Ma Nge

Ma Pyone and Ma Myint Zu

Dr Myo Myint and U Lwin Naing Oo

Daw Thu Zar Aye and Daw Myat Maw Zin

Staff from Chatrium Hotel

Revlon Boot Opening at Taw Win Centre

Ma Cho Thet Nwe

Revlon staff

KMD 25th Anniversary

U Thaung Tin, Daw Tin Aye and daughter Sam Mi

U Thaung Tin

Win and San Jewellery Fashion Show

San Yati Moe Myint

Melody

Khin Nan Htike

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Woman joins mahout ranks in Nepal

KATHMANDU Nepals first female mahout, one of only a handful of women across Asia to be selected to drive elephants, spoke last week of her pride at breaking into the all-male profession. Meena Chaudhary, 33, was selected for the highly specialised role after being picked from a femaleonly shortlist of 15 candidates as part of a government scheme to get more women working in the public sector. Women are flying aircraft. So, driving an elephant is peanuts, she said. I wanted to prove that were equal to men. I showed it by being an elephant driver. Mahouts take tourists on elephant-back safaris in southern Nepals Chitwan National Park, home to the endangered royal Bengal tiger, the rare one-horned rhino and other exotic animals and birds. The job has traditionally been a men-only preserve because women are often considered weak in the conservative, Hindu-majority Himalayan nation. Chaudhary, who has led up to half a dozen drives a day since taking on the role two months ago, said she was proud to be breaking that stereotype. We were trained for three days on how to treat elephants and how to drive them towards the jungle, she said. We were also asked to climb trees and swim, she said, adding that another woman had now been selected to join her. But she said she was full of anxiety on her first day in the job. I was not used to dealing with so many people. I was also afraid

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Nepalese mahout Meena Chaudhary, 33, poses for picture with an elephant at Chitwan National Park, Nepal, on December 28, 2011. Pic: AFP that something might go wrong. But everything was all right, said Chaudhary, who receives a monthly pay of 10,000 rupees (US$120). Mahouts are often introduced to their elephants as children and stay with one animal for decades. They drive their mounts using oral commands and pressure from their feet on the elephants ears. There are around 100 mahouts in Nepal, with a handful paid by the government and the rest employed by the hotel industry in Chitwan. Every year thousands of people visit the park, a haven for wildlife and one of Nepals biggest tourist attractions. AFP

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Begging whale sharks stir debate in the Philippines

MANILA Whale sharks begging for food in the central Philippines have sparked a debate on whether feeding the giant fish may ultimately be hurting the creatures, officials said last week. While the mayor of the coastal town of Oslob insists that the practice of feeding the whale sharks does no harm and is good for tourism, environmentalists have recommended that it be halted. Fishermen in Oslob in the central resort island of Cebu have been feeding whale sharks with baby shrimp since the 1980s and now use this feeding to make the creatures rise to the surface of the water for the amusement of tourists. This has been practised for a long time. When tourists come in, they want to see the whale sharks. So when [the boatmen] spread these baby shrimps, these whale sharks would surface, said Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren. However Edmundo Arregadas, regional head of the coastal marine management division, said he had discouraged the mayor from continuing the practice of feeding the whale sharks, the worlds largest fish. We told them it might have a negative effect on the natural way of life of the whale shark, he said. By feeding the whale sharks, the giant fish might become dependent on handouts from people, he warned. They are feeding it so they can have more tourists. But whale sharks are now used to the feeding act. Expecting food, whale sharks might approach other boats and risk colliding with them. They also might be more vulnerable to poachers who will catch and kill them, Arregadas said. However, Mayor Guaren said that even after years of feeding, no whale sharks had turned up dead and insisted that the animals were not dependent on feeding and could still find food on their own. If that would be harmful, the whale sharks would not have stayed in the waters of Oslob, he said. Guaren said the local government was regulating the feeding, ensuring that only a small number of boatmen would feed the whale sharks in a designated area only in the mornings. Tourists are also barred from feeding or swimming with the whale sharks and the boatmen are required to use rowing boats and keep their distance to avoid hurting fish with their propellers or in collisions, Guaren said. Arregadas said he had advised people in Oslob, which attracts many beach tourists, not to feed the whale sharks. But he could not impose rules on them. I hope they will come to understand that. We are not in a position to take sanctions against local government officials, he said. Whale sharks measure as much as 12 metres (39 feet) long but are harmless to humans and feed on tiny marine animals. They are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The Philippines has banned the catching and killing of whale sharks and they have become popular tourist attractions in some towns. AFP

#11-01, Sakura Tower, 339, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Tsp, Ygn. Tel : 255499 Fax : 255490

Vietnam Airlines (VN)

#1702, Sakura Tower 339, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon. Fax 255086. Tel 255066/ 255088/ 255068.

Domestic Airlines
Yangon Airways(YH)

166, MMB Tower, Level 5, Upper Pansodan Rd, Mingalar Taungnyunt Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (+95-1) 383 100, 383 107, 700 264, Fax: 652 533.

Air Bagan Ltd.(W9)

56, Shwe Taung Gyar Street, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 513322, 513422, 504888, Fax : 515102

AIR KBZ (K7)

33-49,Corner of Bank Street & Maha Bandoola Garden Street, Kyauktada Tsp,Yangon, Myanmar Tel: 372977~80, 533030~39 (Airport) Fax: 372983

Air Mandalay (6T)

146, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon Tel : 501520, 525488 (Head Office) 720309, 652753, 652754 (Airport Office), Fax: 525 937

Asian Wings (AW)

No.34(A-1), Shwe Taung Gyar Street, Bahan Township,Yangon.Myanmar. Tel: 951 516654, 532253, 09-73135991~3.Fax: 951 532333

38
the

soCialite
January 16 - 22, 2012

MyanMar tiMes

DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES

DAYS
MON

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULES

DAYS
SUN

Flight
6T 405 AW 891 6T 401 K7 222 W9 011 AW 761 K7 824 6T 451 6T 501 YH 909 6T 405 W9 251 6T 401 YH 729 6T 451 K7 226 AW 791 6T 501 AW 891 6T 401 K7 222 6T 331 K7 824 YH 737 6T 451 W9 261 YH 731 6T 501 YH 909 AW 891 6T 401 6T 405 AW 201 W9 255 YH 729 K7 622 6T 451 YH 731 AW 891 6T 405 W9 251 6T 401 YH 917 K7 222 AW 751 K7 824 6T 451 YH 731 W9 271 6T 403 YH 909 6T 401 AW 601 YH 729 6T 501 AW 891 YH 909 AW 891 6T 401 K7 822 W9 255 6T 331 K7 622 AW 751 6T 451 6T 501

Dep Arr
06:15 06:15 06:15 06:30 07:30 11:00 11:00 11:30 15:00 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 11:00 11:30 11:00 15:00 16:30 06:15 06:30 06:30 07:00 11:00 11:00 11:30 13:30 15:00 16:30 06:15 06:15 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 10:30 11:25 11:30 15:00 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 06:30 06:30 11:00 11:00 11:30 15:00 06:00 06:15 06:15 06:15 07:00 10:30 15:30 16:15 06:15 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 07:00 11:00 11:00 11:30 15:00 08:20 08:20 08:20 08:40 08:30 12:55 12:25 12:55 17:00 07:55 08:20 07:55 08:35 12:40 12:55 12:25 16:25 17:55 08:20 08:35 08:40 08:25 12:25 13:10 12:55 07:55 17:10 17:55 07:55 08:20 08:20 08:20 07:55 08:55 13:30 12:25 12:55 17:10 08:20 08:20 07:55 08:35 08:50 08:40 12:25 12:25 12:55 17:10 07:25 07:40 07:55 08:20 08:25 13:30 17:30 08:20 08:30 08:20 08:20 08:35 08:55 08:25 12:25 12:25 12:55 17:00

DAYS
TUE

Flight
W9 009 6T 406 6T 402 YH 910 W9 011 YH 812 W9 251 K7 227 W9 150 AW 762 YH 730 6T 502 W9 009 AW 892 6T 406 6T 332 6T 402 W9 021 K7 825 YH 738 6T 502 W9 009 AW 892 6T 402 6T 406 YH 812 W9 021 K7 623 AW 762 YH 730 6T 502 W9 009 AW 892 6T 406 YH 918 6T 402 K7 223 AW 202 W9 251 K7 825 YH 731 6T 502 W9 232 YH 728 AW 892 6T 404 W9 011 W9 262 AW 602 YH 812 YH 730 6T 502 W9 009 AW 892 YH 910 6T 402 6T 332 W9 011 W9 256 K7 823 YH 812 K7 623 AW 752 YH 738 6T 502

Dep Arr
08:30 08:40 08:55 09:25 09:25 13:25 13:35 15:05 16:20 16:25 17:20 18:15 08:30 08:35 08:40 08:45 08:55 14:10 15:45 17:10 18:15 08:30 08:35 08:40 08:40 13:10 14:10 15:45 16:25 17:15 17:20 08:30 08:35 08:40 08:50 08:55 09:00 11:00 13:35 15:45 17:10 17:20 17:35 17:45 08:35 08:00 09:25 10:50 12:20 13:10 17:15 17:50 08:30 08:35 08:35 08:40 08:45 09:25 11:20 11:55 13:10 15:45 17:10 17:10 17:20 09:30 10:05 10:55 10:50 11:10 14:50 15:00 16:30 17:45 17:50 18:45 20:20 09:30 10:30 10:40 10:10 10:55 15:10 17:10 18:35 20:20 09:30 10:30 10:40 10:40 14:35 15:10 17:10 17:50 18:45 19:25 09:30 10:30 10:05 10:45 10:55 11:05 12:25 15:00 17:10 19:25 19:25 19:00 19:10 10:30 10:05 11:10 12:15 13:45 14:35 18:45 19:55 09:30 10:30 10:00 10:40 10:10 11:10 12:45 14:00 14:35 17:10 18:35 18:35 19:25

DAYS
THUR

Flight
AW 891 6T 401 6T 405 W9 009 YH 917 6T 405 AW 891 W9 009 6T 401 K7 222 YH 917 6T 361 AW 891 6T 401 6T 403 W9 009 YH 917 6T 451 W9 143 AW 891 6T 401 YH 909 W9 009 YH 917

Dep Arr
06:15 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 06:30 06:30 06:45 06:15 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 10:30 06:00 06:15 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 07:35 07:35 07:35 07:25 08:05 07:35 07:35 07:25 07:50 07:50 08:05 08:05 07:35 07:35 08:30 07:25 08:05 11:50 07:20 07:35 07:35 07:50 07:25 08:05

Flight
K7 822 W9 115 YH 811 6T 501 YH 731 YH 737 W9 143 AW 892 6T 402 6T 406 YH 918 W9 011 K7 223 AW 892 YH 918 W9 011 6T 402 K7 827 W9 116 W9 143 AW 892 YH 918 6T 402 K7 223 W9 143 6T 402 6T 406 YH 918 K7 823 W9 143 AW 892 YH 918 6T 402 K7 223 W9 143 AW 892 YH 918 6T 402 K7 827 AW 892 6T 402 YH 918 W9 011 6T 362 K7 823 W9 116 YH 738

Dep Arr
06:30 11:00 11:00 15:00 15:00 11:00 09:05 09:20 09:30 09:30 09:35 09:40 09:55 09:20 09:35 09:40 09:45 10:30 16:45 09:05 09:20 09:35 09:45 09:55 09:05 09:30 09:30 09:35 10:30 09:05 09:20 09:35 09:45 09:55 09:05 09:20 09:35 10:20 10:30 09:20 09:30 09:35 09:40 09:55 12:50 16:45 17:20 07:40 12:10 12:25 16:10 16:25 12:25 10:15 10:30 10:40 10:40 10:45 10:35 11:05 10:30 10:45 10:35 10:55 11:40 17:55 10:15 10:30 10:45 10:55 11:05 10:15 10:40 10:40 10:45 11:40 10:15 10:30 10:45 10:55 11:05 10:15 10:30 10:45 11:30 11:40 10:30 10:40 10:45 10:35 11:08 14:00 17:55 18:35

Flight
MON FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306 TUE FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306

Dep
08:30 08:50 09:50 10:55 16:30 16:40 17:40 19:45 08:30 08:50 09:50 10:55 16:30 16:40 17:40 19:45 08:30 08:50 09:50 10:55 16:30 16:40 17:40 19:45 08:30 08:50 09:50 10:55 16:30 16:40 17:40 19:45 08:30 08:50 09:50 10:55 16:30 16:40 17:40 19:45 08:30 08:50 09:50 10:55 16:30 16:40 17:40 19:45 08:30 08:50 09:50 10:55 16:30 16:40 17:40 19:45 08:40 10:10 14:15 16:40 08:00 10:10 14:15 16:40 08:00 10:10 11:25 16:40 08:00 10:10 14:15 16:40 17:30 08:00 10:10 11:25 16:40 17:30

Arr
10:15 10:35 11:45 12:50 18:15 18:35 19:25 21:40 10:15 10:35 11:45 12:50 18:15 18:35 19:25 21:40 10:15 10:35 11:45 12:50 18:15 18:35 19:25 21:40 10:15 10:35 11:45 12:50 18:15 18:35 19:25 21:40 10:15 10:35 11:45 12:50 18:15 18:35 19:25 21:40 10:15 10:35 11:45 12:50 18:15 18:35 19:25 21:40 10:15 10:35 11:45 12:50 18:15 18:35 19:25 21:40 13:05 14:45 18:40 21:15 12:25 14:45 18:40 21:15 12:25 14:45 15:50 21:15 12:25 14:45 18:40 21:15 22:05 12:25 14:45 15:50 21:15 22:05

Flight
SAT 8M 231 MI 511 8M 6232 MI 517 MI 519 8M 231 MI 511 8M 233 MI 517 MI 519

Dep
08:00 10:10 11:25 16:40 17:30 08:00 10:10 14:15 16:40 17:30

Arr
12:25 14:45 15:50 21:15 22:05 12:25 14:45 18:40 21:15 22:05

Flight
MON 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332 TUE 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332

Dep
07:10 07:10 07:55 09:15 15:00 16:25 17:50 19:25 07:10 07:10 07:55 09:15 15:00 16:25 17:50 19:25 07:10 07:10 07:55 09:15 15:00 16:25 17:50 19:25 07:10 07:10 07:55 09:15 15:00 16:25 17:50 19:25 07:10 07:10 07:55 09:15 16:25 15:00 17:50 19:25 07:10 07:10 07:55 09:15 15:00 16:25 17:50 19:25 07:10 07:10 07:55 09:15 15:00 16:25 17:50 19:25 07:55 14:10 14:20 19:40 07:55 14:10 14:20 19:40 07:55 09:10 14:10 14:20 07:55 14:10 14:20 15:20 19:40 07:55 09:10 14:10 14:20 15:20

Arr
07:55 07:55 08:50 10:05 15:50 17:10 18:45 20:10 07:55 07:55 08:50 10:05 15:50 17:10 18:45 20:10 07:55 07:55 08:50 10:05 15:50 17:10 18:45 20:10 07:55 07:55 08:50 10:05 15:50 17:10 18:45 20:10 07:55 07:55 08:50 10:05 17:10 15:50 18:45 20:10 07:55 07:55 08:50 10:05 15:50 17:10 18:45 20:10 07:55 07:55 08:50 10:05 15:50 17:10 18:45 20:10 09:20 15:35 15:45 21:05 09:20 15:35 15:45 21:05 09:20 10:35 15:35 15:45 09:20 15:35 15:45 16:40 21:05 09:20 10:35 15:35 15:45 16:40

Flight
SAT MI 512 8M 6231 8M 232 MI 518 MI 520 SUN MI 512 8M 232 MI 518 MI 520

Dep

Arr

YANGON TO MANDALAY

YANGON TO BANGKOK

BANGKOK TO YANGON

07:55 09:20 09:10 10:35 14:10 15:35 14:20 15:45 15:20 16:40 07:55 09:20 14:10 15:35 14:20 15:45 15:20 16:40 19:40 21:05 10:05 11:15 14:00 15:00 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 14:00 15:00 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 14:00 15:00 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 14:00 15:00 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 15:40 16:45 10:05 11:15 14:00 15:00 15:40 16:45 08:50 10:30 14:15 15:45 08:50 10:30 14:15 15:45 09:55 12:45 09:55 12:45 09:55 12:45 12:35 13:15 12:35 13:15 12:35 13:15 12:35 13:15 12:35 13:15 10:00 14:55 15:50 16:40 14:30 15:00 14:30 15:00 16:35 18:10 16:35 18:10 16:35 18:10 16:35 18:10 11:40 13:25 11:40 13:25 11:40 13:25 13:50 15:15 13:50 15:15

FRI

HEHO TO YANGON
MON

SUN

TUE

WED

SAT

TUE

YANGON TO SIEM REAP

WED 8M 401 SAT 8M 401 08:50 11:25 08:50 11:25 09:00 13:00 12:15 16:30 17:15 21:30 09:00 13:00 12:15 16:30 17:15 21:30 12:15 16:30 17:15 21:30 09:00 13:00 12:15 16:30 17:15 21:30 09:00 13:00 12:15 16:30 17:15 21:30 12:15 16:30 17:15 21:30 09:00 13:00 12:15 16:30 17:15 21:30 11:20 15:50 08:45 13:15 11:20 15:50 08:45 13:15 SAT 14:00 19:25 14:00 19:25 14:00 19:25 14:15 17:35 14:15 17:35 14:15 17:35 14:15 17:35 14:15 17:35 13:30 16:40 13:30 16:40 12:00 13:30 12:00 13:30 19:10 21:30 19:10 21:30 19:10 21:30 19:10 21:30 SUN

8M 234
MON MH 740 8M 502 AK 850 TUE MH 740 8M 502 AK 850 WED MH 740 AK 850 THU MH 740 8M 502 AK 850 FRI MH 740 8M 502 AK 850 MH 740 AK 850 MH 740 8M 502 AK 850

KUALA LUMPUR TO YANGON

SUN

YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR

MON 8M 501 MH 741 AK 851 TUE 8M 501 MH 741 AK 851

WED

THUR

WED

NYAUNG U TO YANGON
MON W9 109 AW 782 YH 732 6T 502 YH 910 W9 109 AW 792 YH 732 6T 502 W9 109 AW 782 YH 732 6T 502 YH 910 W9 109 YH 732 6T 502 W9 109 AW 782 YH 732 6T 502 YH 910 W9 109 AW 792 YH 732 6T 502 YH 910 W9 109 YH 732 6T 502 17:25 17:25 17:55 18:05 08:40 17:25 17:25 18:10 19:00 17:25 17:25 17:55 19:00 08:40 17:25 17:55 18:05 17:25 17:25 17:55 18:05 08:40 17:25 17:25 17:55 18:35 08:40 17:25 17:55 18:05 18:20 18:45 19:15 19:25 10:00 18:20 18:45 19:30 20:20 18:20 18:45 19:15 20:20 10:00 18:20 19:15 19:25 18:20 18:45 19:15 19:25 10:00 18:20 18:45 19:15 19:55 10:00 18:20 19:15 19:25

THUR

THUR

FRI

TUE

FRI

WED FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306 THUR FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306 FRI FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306 FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306 FD 3771 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 8M 331 PG 704 FD 3773 TG 306

WED MH 741 AK 851 THU 8M 501 MH 741 AK 851 8M 501 MH 741 AK 851 MH 741 AK 851 8M 501 MH 741 AK 851

WED 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332 THUR 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332 FRI 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 FD 3772 PG 703 TG 305 8M 332 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332 8M 336 FD 3770 TG 303 PG 701 PG 703 FD 3772 TG 305 8M 332

WED

SAT

FRI

THUR

SAT SUN

SAT SUN

FRI

SUN

SAT

FRI

SAT

YANGON TO GUANGZHOU
WED CZ 3056 THUR 8M 711 SAT CZ 3056 SUN 8M 711 MON CI 7916 WED CI 7916 FRI TUE CI 7916 CA 906

GUANGZHOU TO YANGON
WED CZ 3055 THUR 8M 712 SAT CZ 3055

YANGON TO SITTWE
MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT SUN 6T 607 W9 309 6T 611 W9 309 6T 611 W9 309 6T 607 W9 309 6T 607 W9 309 6T 607 W9 309 6T 607 W9 309 6T 608 W9 310 6T 612 W9 310 6T 612 W9 310 6T 608 W9 310 6T 608 W9 310 6T 608 W9 310 6T 608 6T 707 AW 301 6T 707 K7 317 K7 317 AW 301 AW 301 6T 707 K7 317 AW 301 6T 708 6T 708 K7 318 AW 302 AW 302 K7 318 6T 708 K7 318 AW 302 11:00 13:00 10:30 13:00 10:30 13:00 11:00 13:00 11:00 13:00 12:00 13:00 11:00 13:00 12:40 15:00 12:10 15:00 12:10 15:00 13:15 15:00 13:15 15:00 14:15 15:00 13:15 07:30 07:00 11:15 12:30 12:30 12:45 07:00 11:15 12:30 12:45 11:55 15:40 16:40 17:15 11:30 16:40 15:40 16:40 17:15 12:25 14:45 11:55 14:45 11:55 14:45 13:00 14:45 13:00 14:45 14:00 14:45 13:00 14:45 14:40 16:45 13:35 16:45 13:35 16:45 14:40 16:45 14:40 16:45 15:40 16:45 14:40 09:30 09:05 13:15 14:00 14:00 14:50 09:05 13:15 14:00 14:50 13:55 17:40 18:10 19:20 13:35 18:10 17:40 18:10 19:20

SAT

SUN

SUN

SUN 8M 712 MON CI 7915 WED CI 7915 FRI TUE CI 7915 CA 905

SAT

YANGON TO TAIPEI

TAIPEI TO YANGON

YANGON TO MYITKYINA
MON TUE THUR FRI SUN W9 255 W9 251 AW 201 W9 255 W9 251 AW 211 W9 255 06:30 06:30 06:30 06:30 06:30 06:00 06:30 09:25 09:25 09:20 09:25 09:25 08:50 09:25

SUN

YANGON TO KUNMING
WED CA 906 THUR CA 906 SAT SUN Mon FRI CA 906 CA 906 IC734 IC734

KUNMING TO YANGON
WED CA 905 THUR CA 905 SAT SUN Mon FRI CA 905 CA 905 IC733 IC728

YANGON TO NYAUNG U
MON W9 143 6T 401 6T 405 AW 891 YH 633 K7 222 YH 917 W9 143 6T 401 AW 891 YH 917 W9 143 6T 405 6T 401 K7 222 YH 917 AW 781 06:00 06:15 06:15 06:15 06:15 06:30 06:30 06:00 06:30 06:15 06:30 06:00 06:15 06:30 06:30 06:30 15:00 07:20 07:35 07:35 07:35 07:50 07:50 08:05 07:20 07:50 07:35 08:05 07:20 07:35 07:50 07:50 08:05 17:10

SUN

MYITKYINA TO YANGON
MON TUE THUR FRI SUN W9 256 W9 252 AW 202 W9 256 W9 252 W9 256 09:45 12:05 09:35 09:45 12:05 09:45 12:40 15:00 12:25 12:40 15:00 12:40

SITTWE TO YANGON
MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT SUN

MANDALAY TO YANGON
MON YH 634 AW 892 6T 402 6T 406 K7 223 W9 262 W9 021 K7 825 AW 762 YH 728 6T 502 08:35 08:35 08:40 08:40 09:00 10:50 14:10 15:45 16:25 16:30 17:20 10:00 10:30 10:40 10:40 11:05 12:15 15:10 17:10 17:50 17:55 19:25 TUE

YANGON TO KOLKATA

KOLKATA TO YANGON

WED

YANGON TO HEHO
MON W9 119 AW 761 YH 727 6T 501 YH 731 K7 826 W9 115 AW 761 YH 811 YH 731 W9 119 YH 737 YH 731 K7 826 AW 761 YH 811 W9 109 6T 501 YH 731 W9 109 6T 501 YH 731 K7 826 AW 751 W9 119 YH 811 YH 731 6T 501 11:00 11:00 11:00 15:00 15:00 06:30 11:00 11:00 11:15 15:00 11:00 11:00 15:00 06:30 11:00 11:00 14:30 15:00 15:00 14:30 15:00 15:00 06:30 11:00 11:00 11:00 15:00 15:30 12:10 12:10 12:25 16:10 16:25 07:40 12:10 12:10 12:40 16:25 12:10 12:25 16:25 07:40 12:10 12:25 15:25 16:10 16:25 15:25 16:10 16:25 07:40 12:10 12:10 12:25 16:25 16:40

YANGON TO SINGAPORE
MON 8M 231 MI 511 8M 233 MI 517 TUE 8M 231 MI 511 8M 233 MI 517

YANGON TO CHIANG MAI

THUR W9 9607 SUN W9 9607

SINGAPORE TO YANGON
MON MI 512 8M 232 MI 518 8M 234 TUE MI 512 8M 232 MI 518 8M 234

CHIANG MAI TO YANGON

THUR W9 9608 SUN W9 9608

Domestic
6T = Air Mandalay W9 = Air Bagan AW = Asian Wings K7 = AIR KBZ YH = Yangon Airways

TUE

YANGON TO MYEIK
MON TUE

YANGON TO HANOI
MON VN 956 WED VN 956 FRI SAT VN 956 VN 956

HANOI TO YANGON
MON VN 957 WED VN 957 FRI SAT TUE VN 957 VN 957 VN 943

WED

THUR FRI SAT SUN

International
FD & AK = Air Asia TG = Thai Airways 8M = Myanmar Airways International PG = Bangkok Airways MI = Silk Air VN = Vietnam Airline MH = Malaysia Airlines CZ = China Southern CI = China Airlines CA = Air China IC = Indian Airlines Limited W9 = Air Bagan 3K = Jet Star

THUR

WED 8M 231 MI 511 8M 6232 MI 517 THUR 8M 231 MI 511 8M 233 MI 517 MI 519 FRI 8M 231 MI 511 8M 6232 MI 517 MI 519

YANGON TO HO CHI MINH

TUE VN 942 14:25 17:10 14:25 17:10 14:25 17:10 08:50 12:50 08:50 12:50 THUR VN 942 SUN VN 942 WED 8M 401 SAT 8M 401

WED MI 512 8M 6231 8M 232 MI 518 THUR MI 512 8M 232 MI 518 MI 520 8M 234 FRI MI 512 8M 6231 8M 232 MI 518 MI 520

HO CHI MINH TO YANGON

THUR VN 943 SUN VN 943 WED 8M 402 SAT 8M 402

MYEIK TO YANGON
MON TUE

FRI

YANGON TO PHNOM PENH

PHNOM PENH TO YANGON

SAT

THUR FRI SAT SUN

YANGON TO GAYA
WED 8M 601 SAT 8M 601 09:00 10:30 09:00 10:30

GAYA TO YANGON
WED 8M 602 SAT 8M 602 11:30 15:00 11:30 15:00

Subject to change without notice

tea Break
January 16 - 22, 2012
the

40
MyanMar tiMes

Bond shaken as gin seeks to to reclaim place in martini

By John Mariani EVER since James Bond ordered a martini shaken and not stirred, made with vodka, in Ian Flemings 1958 novel Dr No, gins popularity began to sink. While vodka has cannily capitalised on the youth market, gin, the other white liquor, hasnt been a hot category for decades. Gin sales have been soaring in China, India and Russia, but in the top markets like the Philippines, the United States and Spain shipments have dropped or remained flat, except for premium imports. Of course, purists would never dream of making a martini with anything but gin, whose dryness is the subject of countless jokes, as in the instructions to have a bartender just glance at the vermouth bottle before pouring the gin into a shaker. A few other classic cocktails demand gin the Gibson, the gimlet, the negroni, the French 75 and the Singapore sling but none has the cachet of newer cocktails like the saketini or Cosmopolitan. Three hundred years ago, gin was all the rage. Originally created by Dutch physician Franciscus Sylvius, gin was used to treat everything from gallstones to bubonic plague. Cheap to produce, gin became the drink of the poor, with 7500 gin shops in 18th century London, whose squalor and dissipation were depicted in Hogarths Gin Lane engravings. One innkeeper of the day advertised, Drunk for a penny, Dead drunk for twopence, Clean straw for nothing! During Prohibition in America bathtub gin could literally be made by anyone with access to neutral spirits. Gins name derives from genever, the Dutch name for a spirit that uses juniper as its principal flavouring. Gin is just one of many genevers, which may have many different flavourings. The minimum alcohol level required by the European Union is 37.5 percent. In the US it is 40. The two main types are Hollands and London. The term London once connoted a gin made in or near London, but is now a general term.

YOUR STARS
By Astrologer Aung Myin Kyaw
Aquarius
You will hear good news about family relations. You will also be given a golden opportunity to advance to a higher position and increase your professional potential. You must believe in your own judgment and trust yourself to make decisions without bothering about the approval of others. Never try to be somebody you are not, and never tell lies to yourself.

Jan 20 - Feb 18

Pisces

Make detailed plans for tomorrow and prepare to be pulled into a conflict among people in your social circle. You should find ways to connect with everyone in your organisation. You must devise your own set of rules for successful living. Understand that communication is a revelation, not a contest, and that it is an exchange of feelings and information that can open people to more awareness and love.

Feb 19 - Mar 20

Aries

The light of your knowledge shines brightly. Use it to your advantage as you gear up to tackle your goals. Learning and thinking must work together. Knowledge and morality are bound together like heat and light in a flame. Dont be afraid to communicate what you are really feeling.

March 21 - April 19

Taurus

In the face of the bitterest criticism, never lose your zest for life. The creative power of enthusiasm can do wonders for you. You should be an active participant in real-life dramas. Treat problems as opportunities that have the potential to work out for the best in any situation. Love is a process; celebrate the changes it invites.

April 20 - May 20

The House of Bols Cocktail Bar in Amsterdam gives visitors a chance to sample cocktails made with gin. Pic: Bols For a full immersion course in gin-ology, visit the House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience in Amsterdam, just across from the citys Van Gogh Museum. During a self-guided tour youll learn the history of the Genever Co, founded by Lucas Bols in 1575, and pass through a gorgeously lighted Hall of Taste where you can touch and smell the ingredients that go into genever, and sniff from 36 puffers of flavourings from strawberry to white mint, coffee to peach. The tour ends at a bar/ lounge called the World of Cocktails, where theyll make you any of hundreds of cocktails made from scores of Bols genevers. Theres even a Ladies Night special discount, and you can sign up for the Bols Bartending Academy to become a registered bartender. Yo u w i l l a l s o l e a r n the proper way to drink genevers, which involves leaning over to take a sip from a full shot glass on the table without picking it up. And if you follow a beer with a chaser of genever, its called a kopstoot (headbutt) in Flanders. Bols sells its products worldwide, but while new vodkas from improbable places seem to appear in the market every month, few producers anywhere seem to making new gins. So I thought a tasting of well-established gins was an easy way to tackle whats out there. Professionals usually taste whiskies cut with a little water, but who would ever drink gin with water? I tried them straight. Beefeater London Dry Gin Beefeater is a true London gin, distilled in the heart of the city, at a high 47pc alcohol, so its very lush. When I poured a little from the bottle, its aroma of juniper, Seville oranges and lemon bounded out of the glass. Very aromatic, Beefeater is complex and wonderful on the rocks, but also good for a Gibson, a martini garnished with cocktail onions. Gordons London Dry Gin Gordons is based on a 1769 formula, with an By Appointment by Her Majesty the Queen. The weak nose is a little sharp and its a fairly bland, minty gin that would do well as a mixer with tonic or in a negroni. Seagrams Extra Dry Extra Dry means little since all gins are distilled dry. This has a light aroma of citrus, that floats over the palate, with a distinctly American taste punchy, with not too much alcohol (40pc), fruity and fleshy. My father, a smart man, always used to have bottles of Seagrams and Gilbeys in the liquor cabinet. Hed use the Gilbeys for those who asked for gin on the rocks or with tonic, the Seagrams to make a perfect martini. He was right. Bombay Sapphire East Worth every penny, with 42pc alcohol, this British product is a stylish gin rife with aromatics, many stencilled on the bottle, like Thai lemongrass and Vietnamese black peppercorns. They make it unusual and somewhat exotic, the kind of gin you might have expected in a Singapore sling at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, before heading out to tend your rubber plantation. Tanqueray Special Dry English Gin For many gin lovers this is the apex of London gins, highly refined, bursting with aromatics and tropical fruit, all balanced with spice notes that linger on the palate. Its almost creamy and is best enjoyed on its own or in the very driest martini a bartender can make, with a lemon peel, not an olive. Bloomberg News

Gemini

Your nature is revealed through the decisions you make as well as through the people and things you value along the way. Knowing which element predominates in other people will help you understand and communicate with them better. Wake up your hearts desire to feel the joy and companionship of real love.

May 21 - June 20

Cancer

You have infinite riches within your reach. All you have to do is open your mental eyes and behold your own potential within you. Once you learn to contact and release the hidden power of your subconscious mind, you can bring into your life more power, more wealth, more health, more happiness and more joy. Avoid obsessing over your duties and responsibilities.

June 22 - July 22

Leo

Take the leaders vision and make it reality. Understand that vision begins with one person, but it is only accomplished by many people. Change your thinking from I want a position that will make people follow me to I want to become a person who people will want to follow. Recent disappointments in friendships will pass and things will improve, but that doesnt mean you should believe everyone around you.

July 23 - Aug 22

Virgo

Careful listening can reveal unseen problems. Knowing how and when to listen is crucial to any relationship and very important for leadership, so keep your ears open at all times, especially when things seem to grow quiet. Let curiosity be your guide to finding out what your mate wants and needs from you.

Aug 23 - Sept 22

Libra

Your desire to become the beloved object of affection will come true. Dont be afraid to let others know what makes you feel loved. Your overly emotional nature sometimes clouds your perceptions and creates a barrier between you and the truth. Go easy on yourself. If you are going to win the game of life, you have to understand the rules of the game.

Sept 23 - Oct 22

Scorpio

This is the time when you can learn the right way to stand up for yourself and learn to lead yourself by courage and risk. Eliminate those types of behaviour that dont benefit you in the long run; instead, focus on deeds that will lead to the results you want. See that you have the power to attract the love you wish to have.

Oct 23 - Nov 21

Celeb chef sorry for shoplifting wine

LONDON A British celebrity television chef apologised last week for being stupid and irresponsible after he was arrested for shoplifting cheese and wine from a supermarket. Antony Worrall Thompson, 60, who stars in the show Ready, Steady, Cook, was cautioned by police after he was caught at the Tesco store in the upmarket town of Henley-on-Thames, west of London. In a message on his website, he said: I am so sorry for all my recent stupid and irresponsible actions. I am, of course, devastated for my family and friends, whom Ive let down, and will seek the treatment that is clearly needed. I am not the first and I certainly wont be the last person to do something without rhyme or reason what went through my head, only time will tell. Worrall Thompson apologised to Tesco, the worlds third-largest r e t a i l e r, s a y i n g t h a t t h e y h a d had a long and genuine working relationship, and to staff at his local branch. Thames Valley Police confirmed they had issued a 60-year-old man with a formal caution after reports of shoplifting offences. Tesco said it was a matter for the police. The Sun newspaper said he was caught on a hidden camera stealing cheese from a deli counter and wine by failing to scan some items on a self-service machine. The camera was set up amid suspicions he had done it before. Worrall Thompson recently had to sell up several restaurants that he owned as they fell prey to the financial crisis, The Sun reported. AFP

Sagittarius

Believing in your capacity is the first step to achieving anything you wish to achieve. Following your own decision-making process is better than taking things as they come along. Being in the right place at the right time is one way to make a correct decision, by thinking quickly and seizing the opportunity.

Nov 22 - Dec 21

Capricorn

Whatever might be your calling and whatever you do should be done well, and you should be proud of the way you work. Seek genuinely optimistic people as your friends and make enthusiasm a daily habit. Nothing stays the same. Everything is in constant flux, and you must change your nature and direction accordingly. For a personal reading contact Aung Myin Kyaw, 4th Floor, 113 Thamain Bayan Road, Tamwe Township, Yangon. Tel: 0973135632, Email: williameaste@gmail.com

Dec 22 - Jan 19

Computer
mETDC Computer Center: I Office Course10000/-, DTP Course- 15000/-, Photoshop- 20000/-, Graphic Design25000/-, Auto CAD25000/-, Thuwun-na, Ph: 705484, www. ahmatadaryi. GEnERAl Computer Services. Pls Contact 09-732-13407 CompuTER Maintenance & Services Available Services: Annual Maintenance Contracts. On Call, At Site Servicing Network Installation & Configuration, Laptop Servicing, Data Recovery. Hot Lines: 09- 513-0617, 09-800323 I.C.S system solution Computer Maintenance, Wireless Router Configuration, Window OS & Software Installation, Netowrk services direct to the Company , Office & Home. Available Contract service . Antivirus Software License + Update = 8,500 Ks 09 540 9712 CompuTER Services (Door To Door) windows Install, Virus Cleaning, Driver Update, Games & Software Install, Contract service with Internet Cafe, Office, Company. Pls Contact : 09-732-13407. HD GAmE, APP (Install). iPHONE, iPOD 6000ks , iPAD 8000ks , iTUNES Account Open (free game, app download ) Ph : 09-514-7480 R.V Networking & computer maintenances , Windows installation , software, game, internet, network, virus cleaning, Ph : 09730- 33395. 75 (d), Thitsar Rd, 13 Block, Yankin , Yangon. "EASY wAY Computer and Network Services Windows, Software, Game installation, Network game installation, Cable and Wireless Network installation Data recovery service On call, Weekly/ Monthly Contract services contact: Ko Myat Thu - Ph: 09-73162315. CmS Linux OS services RedHat, CentOS, Ubuntu Installation & Servicing Advantages : no virus infections, low hardware requirements & compatible with windows applications ph: 09-513-0617.

Education
ABC pRESCHool, Subjects : English (4) Skills, Science, Basis Mathematics, Concepts, Myanmar, Hand Work, Drawing & Colouring, Performing Art, Social Studies, Poems , Songs & Rhymes, Excursion. Time Duration ; School Hour: 9:00-15:00 (Close only Sat & Sun). English, Chinese Language, Computer Course : Sat & Sun. No.17, Kamarkyi Rd, Thuwunna Yangon. Email :preschoolabc@ gmail.com IGCSE, May 2012 intake, tutoring services for all subjects. Straight A guaranteed. Call to find out more. 09 431 977 61. No (647) Pyay Rd Inya View Condo Kamayut. STuDY GuIDES for Grade 10, 11 and Intl School (ISY, MISY,

ILBC, Total, PISM, Crane, MLA, Diplomatic, RV), GCSE, SAT , IELTS, TOEFL, Teachers who have got Teaching experience in Singapore, Now back to Myanmar/Teaching combination of Foreign and Myanmar Style/ Skillful Teachers, Saya Bryan M.E(IT) 0921 50075 , Tr. Ahme B.Sc (IC) Ph: 09-730-592 65, Saya Htet B.E(IT) Ph: 09-215-0075, Tr. Taw Ti (After 6p.m) 09-730- 35744, Saya Thet (MBBS) 09-73111782, Korean Native Teacher Tr. Kim (after 6 p.m) 655647 , Tr. Phyu 09430 83117 , Sayar Min Aung 0949280-90. I n T E R n AT I o n A l Schools Subjects : English, Maths, Science, Hindi and Social. Will coach your kids with great effort. Contect :Teacher Fiona: No.31, 6th floor, U Lun St, Tawme. ph: 09-430-63590. FoR pRImARY Students English , Maths Myanmar, Geography History, Science Social, English Language French Language If you need to coach your child contact at : high.guide @gmail.com T E A C H I n G combination of Foreign and Myanmar Style/ Skillful Teachers, Teachers who have got Teaching experience in Singapore,Now back to Myanmar/Teaching for those who need Foreign teaching experience/ Study Guides for Grade 10, 11 and Ints School( ISY, MISY, ILBC, Total, PISM, Crane, MLA, Diplomatic, RV ) , GCSE , SAT , IELTS, TOEFL ,Sayar HtetPh; 0921 50075, Saya Thet (or) Korean Native English Teacher (09 7311 1782 ), Sayar Win Zaw 730 20858, Tr. Phyu 09430 83117 , Tr. Ahme B.Sc( IC ) Ph: 730 592 65,, Sayar Min Aung (217425) (* Korean English teacher for young learners) SAYA JAmES Abrahams extensive training in different subjects available for Grade 8, 9, 10 & 11 (English and Burmese will be used as the medium of teach-ing); home tutoring for primary 1,2,3,4,5 students (only English will be used as the medium of teaching) from int'l school esp. TOTAL & Horizon; The first two periods will be free and to be used to assess the IQ & diligence of the student. Ph: 242216, 09-515-0335 email: jimbrown88@ gmail.com SAT (Critical Reading, Literature Subject Test), TOEFL (iBT, pBT) test book, IELTS, 4 skills Proficiency course, teach by up-to-date edition book by Teacher Daw Nila Regular Section & Home Tuition Available Ph: 09-5128799, 640553. pRE-KG to IGCSE O Level (All Subjects) Age 4 to Adults. AEIS, IPSLE (Primary 1 to IGCSE) (100% Express). Sat & Sun Four Skills (Pre-KG to Primary 4) IELTS, TOEFL. SAT 1 SAT 2 (All Subjects). Starters, Movers, Flyers. KET, PET, FCE, CAE. Grammar & Compo-sition Classes

(Grade 1 to 11), English four skills for adults. Myanmar language for foreigners (4 skills) Light Year Education Centre: 43, Ngwe La Yaung St, U Chit Maung Rd, 31, Mahar Myintmoh St, Bahan, Ph: 544728, 09-731-12429.

Expert Service
ouTSCouRCInG - We are a Engineering and Trading firm which is privately owned and lead by senior citizen that engineer with diversified experience of more than 30 years in related industry. We are outscourcing the hightech industrial equipments and products (Alcohol Meters, MOBREY Boiler Water Level Control, Draeger Water Vapour Tube, SWISS LOXX ChemBio Escape Mask, KROHNE Flow meter, DIABON Bursting Disc, Air-driven Double Diaphragm Pump, etc.,), Medical equip-ments (DREGER Products) and other products & equipments which especially you required from the World-wide countries. And develop and consult the various types of Turnkey Projects (BUSE CO 2 Plant, Drinking Water Plant, Cement Plant, Bio-Fuel/Diesel Plant, Pharmaceutical Plant, Vinegar Plant, R.O Seal & Crown Cork Plant, Effluent Treatment Plant, etc.,) . Add: 141(B), 1st Flr, Bayintnaung Rd, Hlaing. Tel/ Fax: 01-513235 Mobile: 09-73075047 AuSTRAlIAn VISA Specialists : Student visas, Guardian visas, Tourist visas. EduLink Australia : 01-500-464, 09-73162586. IF YouRE an expatriate needing to find an apartment or house in Yangon, Min Thu can help. He has experience and is very reliable. Call Min Thu on 09731-38659 or email thecleverson@ gmail. com AIRCon & Electrical Engineering Services (Installation,Repairing & Servicing) August Engineering Service. Tel; 09-731-10321 , 586509 Email; aes. august@ googlemail. com TRAnSlATIon Service : Myanmar To English contact : high.guide@ gmail.com

Add: 125, 43rd Street, 5th Flr (R), Botahtaung. lAnCASTER Education Centre Offirs Course on IELTS Preparation, IELTS Exam Practice, IELTS Speaking, Reading+ Vocabulary and IELTS Academic Writing General English & Spoken English, IGCSE (English, Maths), TOEFL, Workplace Communication Skills & Weekend Classes for Young Learners (Starters, Movers, Flyers, KET, PET and FCE), Address: 26 (A), 3rd flr, Nawaday Rd, Dagon Tsp, Ph: 374664, 09-550-4342. HomE TuTIon japanese language basic course, inter course kanji course,nattest jpn going course 09-7303-2296. FoR FoREIGnERS interested in learning Myanmar speaking effectively and easily in a short period with Myanmar English teacher at your home. Save your time & money. Contact : 09 5179125. 100,000 kyats per month

your children to learn Myanmar language? Call: 095146505, 0973075265 01-501846 Ext:191 (Christine) HAppY lEARnInG Japanese Language, we have basic level course, advance level course, we'll consult you who go to Japan to study, without having any profit, start in december. Contact. 130 (3A) Camp Bell Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 555259, 430230.

For Rent
SupER Custom 92 mdl, Diesel, 7 seats 4B- Car for 3 months lease, monthly 10 Lakhs: Owner: 09-518-8320, 09-507-4096.

For Sale
HD GAmE, app (install). iPhone, iPod 6000ks, iPad 8000ks, iTunes account open (free game,app download) iOS 5 full untethered jailbreak (power off) available. Ph :09-5147480 Two fibre-glass bodied

Language
l A n G u A G E Proficiency(A) Effective & Scientific way, (B) Intensive Class, (C) Interpreter- part time/ Full time (Under mentioned languages), (D) Hindi/ Myanmar/ English (Basic _ Advance for Embassy staff/ Foreigner/ A group single/ Kids + Teens/ NGO- INGO personal/ (Special rate for national peoples) by an Expert Tutor. (1) Home tuition available in groups or single. (2) Translation of English/ Hindi/ Sanskrit/ Bengali/ Nepali & Myanmar are also available. (3) Business Guide & Agency Services. (4) Partner-ship business welcome. Rs. Verma. B.SC., (Bot), Yangon. (UFL-English), Yangon. Email: rsverma. maynamar@ gmail. com, Ph: 09-730-42604.

InnoVIA (Your Language Solutions) English Speaking (General/ Office/ Business/ Travel) IELTS (Preparation/ Foundation) IGCSE (English/ Math / Physics) In Class (or) Home Delivery services. Master of Ceremony/ Announcer/ Presenter for hire Services (Myanmar/ English). Professional Translator/ Interpreter services (Myanmar/ English) . Ph : 094319-7761, 01-505099 ext-144 Inya View Condo, 4D, Pyay Rd, Kamaryut BuSInESS EnGlISH : Classes of Saya Than (Yangon University) (LL.M., Ex. G.M.) will commence in January 2012 in line with UK syllabus. Limited 10 trainees per section. Essentials of business communication: introducing, greetings, telephoning, meetings, negotiating, presentation, business letters, report writing, business travel, etc. 4 skills with video & audio teaching aids in fully air con classroom. (special arrangement for companies in group study) Ph: (01) 535697 FoREIGnERS who want to study the Burmese Language. Home visit will available now. Contact me: Moe Pwint 537803 rainymoe85 @ gmail.com mYAnmAR Language Guide (For Embassy family and others) When you stay in Myanmar, do you want to ask to

speedboats for sale. 17 feet long by 5.5 feet wide, formerly used by NGO in the Ayeyarwady Delta. Engines not included for sale and not available. Will be released to best offer. For more information please contact Norwegian Refugee Council head office on 501 828. nISSAn Presea BlackStar limited Edition (1994 Model) [ Good as New (Odometer 135000 km) ] Contact : 09-492-75744 1.CDmA 800 Mhz (Sim Card + Handset) 2. Razor Headphone 3.Apple Super Drive ph: 09-739-03193. ApplE Super Drive + Apple Magic mouse [ 110000 ] Acer LED monitor + graphic card (1G) [100000] Galaxy tab 7' (used) - 310000 HTC sensation XE (new) - 420000 Razor Headphone90000 ph: 09-739-03193. CAR Sunny Supersaloon 93 mdl W/RTA 85000kM AUTO TRANSMISSION 9A/---- 2 Nissan Bluebird SSS Auto Gear White Color Tha/---- call me 09-502-2776 EpSon Stylus Pro 9890 Large Format Printer. 2880 x 1440 dpi resolution. Epson Ultra Chrome K3 Ink Technology. Auto cutter for roll paper. (BO+) size printing (44 wide printing). Including 8 pcs of 110ml inks Ph: 09-731-31768. uSED IpHonE 4G 16GB (White) with

Gevey Card Already Jailbreak and install Full application and HD Game with 2 Cover and charger Price - 320000 if interest Pls call : 09517-8391. (1). ACER monIToR 18.5" (2). Nividia Graphic Card 1GB (3). CDMA 800 mhz + Huawei C8500 Ph: 09739-03193. VolKSwAGEn - Passat saloon( 96-97)-7A / HSD , price k 135 lakh. contact ph: 661291, 09502-5820. uSED Twelve-Penny Black Canadian Stamp issued in 1851. Price : Negotiable . Contact : k.link.mm@gmail.com mSI Graphic - 1GB (Used) Beat by Dr.Dre Solo HD Black Headphone (Used) Dr.Dre Price - 150,000 Razer Banshee starcraft II headphone (Used) Razer Price 90000 Macbook Pro 13" (Used) Core2duo 2.4GHZ DDR3 HDD 250GB with macOS X Lion ph: 09-73048374 IpAD2 wifi 32gb (used) white Razer Banshee starcraft II headphone (used) 90000 ph : 09-730-48374 lARGE pRInTER EPSON Stylus Pro 9890 Printer (Brand New/Original Pack) B0+ Size Printing (44" wide) 9 colour catridge Contact Ph: 09-731317 68 nISSAn Presea BlackStar limited Edition (1994 Model) [ Good as New (Odometer 135000 km) ] Ph : 09492-75744 ADSl (Bagan/MPT), WiMax (Bagan), IPStar (MPT), Pentium 3 System Units (30 Units) Ph : 09-730-84143 mACBooK Pro 13" used Core2duo 2.4GHZ DDR3 HDD 250GB with macOS X Lion PC Desktop used Core 2 quad 2.5 GHZ HDD 250GB / DVD Drive RW RAM - DDR3 4GB MSI Graphic - 1GB ph- 09730-48374 (1)SAunG TEnT brand new (2)Shelves for shops. Contact : 511195, 09-802-0030.

PROPERTY
HousingforRent
BAHAn , 0.25' acres, 2 Story Building, 5 MBR, Garden,2 Entrance gate Semi Funished, Phone, Generactor, Good Electricity Sutiable for office, US$ 3600 per month (Nego:) UWisara Rd, 40x73' 2 1/2 Story Building, 3 MasterBedRoom, new house, Fully aircon, Phone, US$ 2500 per month (Nego:) Inya Rd, 0.5acce Nice Colony Style Building, Big Garden, 3MBR US$ 3500 per month (Nego:) Pls Call 0973206789 mAYAnGonE, (4M) May Kha (Ady) Rd, 2 storey building situated on the Inya Lake bank, 3 large bedrooms with bathrooms attached, spacious living - dining room, spacious family room, spacious kitchen, garden with beautiful landscape with lake view, 2 car garages and servant quarter. To let to foreigners only. ph: 512197 between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays. (1)YAnKIn, Pyinnyawaddy Condo, 1700 Sqft, (R.T) Ph, A/C, 6.5 Lakhs. (2) Ayeyeik Tha Condo 2000 Sqft, 2MB, 1BR, 8 Lakhs AYT: 09-518-8320, 09507-4096. SupERB location for TRUCKS parking in downtown area. 5 minutes drive from Hle Dan Junction. 15 minutes drive to Hlaing Thar Yar, airport. Dhama Thukha Kyaung Rd, Hlaing Township. 0.8 acres compound: (a) land only (b) 2 x 3-phase industrial power meter (c) 1 x phone landline. Ph : 09-501-2920 THuwAnnA , 80 ft x 60 ft 2RC, water, electricity, aircon and tel line rental Lakhs 7 / month Ph : 09-500-0811 BAHAn : New University Avenue Lane, Condo, 7 Flr, 1500 Sqft , Fully Furnished, Fully Furniture, 3 A/C, 1 MBR, 2 SBR ,1Ph, 5.3 Lakhs , (Suitable to Rent for Foreigner), Call : 09731-35900, 01-569448, 722635. BAHAn, 93 (J), Than Lwin Road, 2 RC new building on 0.25 acre, Bedroom (4), Bathroom (5), 3 Phase Meter, Ph: (1), rent only to Foreigners. Contact: Daw May Kyi 09-5038589, 526972. BAHAn, A Big 3 storey house with 7 bedrooms (bathroom attached), for rent. Spacious outdoor area in Golden Valley, Bahan. No brokers. Pls contact : 09-862-4900. HlAInG, Baho Rd, very near from Bartar (Thiri Myaing) Bus stop, ISM Int'l school, 12.5' x 50', G Flr, Good in water supply and Lighting, Transporting is very convenient. Available for computer store, beauty palar. 1 month only 1.5 Lakhs. Ph: 09730-49543. mAYAnGonE, 100 x 100' 2 story, new house, Ph,5 Bedrooms, US$ 2600 Fully decorated, 7A/C Ph : 09-502-0969. The house built on the lake with both swimming pool negotiable price & tennis, Big garden, new house with 4bedrooms, Ph: 09- 502-0969 Suitable for embassadors residence.

Housing for Sale

BAHAn, 40 x 60 ft plot at Kaba Aye, Two storey house include. Selling price - 2300 lakhs (negotiable). Tel: 663326, 09-731-97531, 09-431-26571, 09-43141971. THInGInGYun , Thumingalar Housing Comples, Land (84ft x 40ft) - Lakhs 3800 .Contact to : 095000811 AHlonE, Sin Minn Housing, Kannar Rd, 15 x 55, 2 Flr, 2 Bed Rooms, Extn Phone, Power Meter & Motor, already decorated with Parquet, 2 minutes work to bus-stop (Sin Min Market Bus Stop) & bazaar, Sales Price: 320 Lakhs, Pls contact owner : 226855/226822 (extn: 134) HoTEl, a 12 doubleroom two-storeyed Hotel (fully-furnished) in Bagan Myothit. Situated on the best location and on the one and only Main Road of Bagan Myothit. One single-storeyed kitchen + servant quarter included in the same compound of the land area 60ft. x 80ft. All documents are in present owners name. Most promising area in Bagan where Tourism Industry will boom and local business will flourish after completion of Pakokku-Bagan bridge. Price= 1800 Lakhs (Negoti-able) Only down-payment & immediate transfer of the building and all documents. This is a migration sale and once-in-the-bluemoon chance. Contact through nyuntaung 1959 @ gmail.com duwun@ mail4u.com.mm aks@ m y a n m a r. c o m . m m www.myanmar-travels. org or call 09-204-2039, 01-577066. mAnDAlAY : 26(B) Road, between (86/87) Aungmyaytharsan Tsp. (22 ft X 75 ft ) Ph: 09504-8704, 02-21915

Training
SmART Fitness Center : Invite to all of our customer, Grantee for over weight men & women (over 200 lb), to get always smart & healthy body, Available to discuss with skillful training teacher, Teach in systematically. Ph: 09-730-17729. 142, 47th St, 1st Flr, Botataung. oFFICE SECRETARIAl Training Course, Business English, Job Interview Skills & Event Management for Group & Individuals, Pls contact: Hnin Yu Zin (M.Sc, MBA) Ph: 226855, 226822 (ext:13

Want to hire
nEAR YuzAnA plAzA, warehouse to hire. Ph: 546309. HouSE oR ConDo Bahan, Mayangone, Hlaing, Kamayut, Yankin. 1RC, MB 1 or 2, WaterWell & YCDC, Compound 50x50, Furnished, Please contact by house owner to Ms. Hnin Si Phyu within office hours 9AM to 5PM- 556407, 540995, 4412580

Travel
pACKAGE Tour to USA & Europe for April 2012 are available at United Treasure Travel (UT) with attractive offer. For booking & inquiry, just call to 09-731-77936, 09-516-5219, 558866. SAw nAY SAn Car Rental Service : All kinds of cars available for down town as well as highway trips. Pls contact : Khin Thandar Cho. Ph: 09-512-5047 , 09-730-47476.

Employment
Embassy
THE EmBASSY of the Republic of Korea is seeking qualified applicants for Executive Secretary to Ambassador. Requirements: Fluency in both spoken & written English. Bachelors Degree or Equivalent. Must be a computer literate. Interested applicants should send their applications with updated CVs to Head of AdministrationEmbassy of the Republic of Korea 97, University Avenue, Bahan, Yangon. Tel: 01527142~4, 515190 not later than 27 January 2012. THE EmBASSY of the Republic of Korea is seeking qualified applicants for Economic Researcher 1 post. Requirements: University Degree in Economics or Engineering or any other related areas: Preferably job experience in the related areas (e.g energy, mining, electric power); fluency in both spoken and written English (fluency in Korea is asset); must be a computer literate. Interested applicants should send their applications with their updated CV to Embassy of the Republic of Korea : 97, University Avenue Rd, Bahan. Ph: 527142~44. THE EmBASSY of the Republic of Korea is Looking for qualified Barer to work at Ambassadors residen-ce. The applicant must have good communi-cation skill and self-motivated. Pls send the updated application form, CV and criminal clearence recommendation to Embassy attention to Admin. For detail information, pls call 527142~144. health. Pls clearly indicate the post title in applications. Application must include a cover letter, current CV, copies of relevant academic qualification certifi-cates, & a recent passport sized photo-graph. Application should be address to UNODC, 11A, Maylikha Rd, Ward-7, Mayangone, Yangon, Closing Date: 20 January 2012. degree in agronomy or any agriculture related field. Technical skills and experience in the food security and sustainable livelihoods and agriculture sector in dry zone are essential. Minimum 3 years relevant work experience and demonstrated competencies in integrated project approach; Knowledge of and work experience in capacity building and training to small scale farmers and community leaders, and a sound understanding of relevant community based food security issues. Demonstrated community mobilizat-ion, participatory techniques, training and facilitation skills. Stronginterpersonal skills, sound judgment and team building skills. Strong familiarity with community mobilization and community empowerment skills. An understanding of the importance of gender in development work. Proven track record of quality performance in remote locations and high pressure environments. Good report writing skills; fluency in English and Myanmar both oral and written. Basic knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office applications. Working experience with communities in rural Myanmar an advantage. Interested & qualified candidates are requested to send a Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae to the Human Resources Unit of HelpAge International Myanmar Country Office, No. 10 Kanbawza Avenue, Shwetaungaya Ward No. 1, Bahan Township, Yangon OR by email to htwe.helpage@ gmail.com no later than 5 p.m., 24 January 2012. only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview. pSI/myanmar requires a well experienced Research manager in Yangon. Those who have Master degree in public health or social science & related experience at least 3 years can apply not later than 26 January 2012. Pls submit to PSI/HR mail:hr@ psimyanmar.org. CARE Myanmar is looking for Accountant for its office in Yangon. The position will be based in Yangon, with some possible travel to CARE sub-offices. Experience/ Skills: B.Com or LCCI level 3 or equivalent University degree in related field. 3 years experience in an accounting role. Competence in using information technology including Excel spreadsheets, word-processing, and power point software. Experience in computerized accounting system is an advantage. Pls send an application letter outlining their claims against the matching indicators, along with a current C.V., passport sized photograph, clearance certificate from police station - original and copies of any references or testimonials to HR Manager. CARE Int'l in Myanmar : 17A, Pyi Htaung Su St, Sayarsan Rd, Sayarsan north-west ward, Bahan. Email: recruitment @ care.org. mm. not later than 17th January 2012. public relation. Good management skills. Good English writing / speaking skills is essential. Responsibility & self- motivated needed. Pls submit resume CV with 3 recent photos, labor registration card, copy of NRC, copy of educational certificates, copy of household registration & recommendation letter from police station to Ayer Shwe Wah Group of Companies HR Department :247 (E/F), Seikkan Thar St, Hlaing Thar Yar Zone (2), Ph: 685855, 685866, Closing Date :31-01-2012. (1) ADmIn Executive - F 1 post : Japanese Language Proficiency Test Result N1 or N2. Basic computer skill. Age under 28. (2) Driver (for Foreign Company): Must be fluent in English or Japanese. Age under 40. Must have safety driving skill. Must have 5 years experience in driving field. (3) Branding Officer - F : Nurse or Experienced Sales Person. 2 years experience in Marketing of Pharmaceutical (medicine), medical equipment & basic skill of English conversat-ion. Age under 28. (4) Deputy General manager (Sales & Engineering) - M/F: Must be Doctor . 10 years experience of Pharmaceutical (medicine), medical equipment sales & distribute in Myanmar. 5 years experience of the management of sales staff & engineers. Must have more than 5 years experience of tender procedure to the authority & UN agencies, etc. Must be fluent in English is essential (must be able to effectively communi-cation in both oral and written letters). Experience in the usage of computers & office software packages (MS Office 2007 or newer versions). Pls submit CV with application letter, passport color photo (within 3 months taken), copies of NRC cards, working experience, other relevant certificate and contact ph to Myanmar Yutani Co., Ltd. F13-15, Aung San Stadium (North Wing), Mingalar Taung Nyunt , Ph: 393051, 394824. monumEnT Books & Toys are looking for (1) Sale Staff - M/F 5 posts, fluent in English, 2 years experience in Sale, Knowledge or an interest in literature, computer skill. (2) Inventory Executive - M 1 post ; 1 year experience in stock/ inventory, familiar with stock control software. Pls send CV, copies of relevant certificates, copies of NRC card, clearance from police station & 1 pp photo to 150, Damazedi Rd, Bahan. Tel: 536306, 537805. wE are currently seeking : Agriculturist - M 1 post for Yangon Division - B. Agr. Sc (In any field). 2 years experience as a field technician especially in perennial crop production activities. Age 25-40. Maintain & develop about 1000 acres for production of rubber. Interested person who meets the above mentioned criteria are welcome to submit an application letter with updated resume, clear details or qualification, a passport size recent photo, a copy of NRC & labor registration card, work experience to date, contact Ph number, other related & supportive documents to : 77, Pyi Htaung Su Avenue Rd, Dagon Tsp, Ph: 221134. Deadline for application: Urgently. ABC preschool Is looking for qualified Teacher under 25 years old with friendly, patient, self motivated and graduated. Please send application together with update CV photo, education credentials, and reference to preschoolabc@gmail. com, No.17, Kamarkyi Road, Thuwunna , Yangon. FREElAnCE English Instructor & language Advisor : More than 5-year experience as an English newscaster, presenter, reporter & translator at the Ministry of Information Eager to teach those who have the dreams to pursue English as a tool for their academic requirements & careers Only available on weekends. Ph: 09431-68468 Email: soethuorama@gmail. com m SQuARE is now looking for new, fresh & talented individuals for all the mentioned areas. If you are seeking new challenges and willing to fasten your ability, drop by your CV to our head office or email as stated below. Head Office: 58/B Myanma Gon Yaung Housing, Than Thu Mar Rd, Tamwe Ph: 430897, 533918, (1) management Genius M/F 5 posts : Well, just bring your experience, honesty, eager to improve your portfolio. (2) Account Genius M/F: 3 posts : Accountant with 3 years experience (3) purchaser/ Buyer M/F 3 posts : Well, just bring your experience, honesty, eager to improve your portfolio. (4) Secretary - M/F 3 posts : 3 years experience in related fields. (5) Design Genius - M/F 8 posts: Design expert, 2 years experience in related fields. Expert in Adobe Creative Suite or 3D Studio Max/ Maya. Upto-date with industrial trend, willing to adapt new media. Creative portfolio is essential. (6) web Genius - M/F 4 posts : CMS expert, 2 years experience . Demonstrated ability to code and program on any programming languages both auto-nomously & effectively within a team environ-ment. (7) marketing Genius - M/F 20 posts : Willing to adapt new stuffs, be an active and easy going person. (8) Office Genius - M/F 10 posts : Office expert, 3 years experience. Will to travel around the town and ability to carry out any set to tasks. (9) Receptionist/ Cashier - M/F 5 posts : 1 years experience. GREAT Auto Co., Ltd. We are looking for active, productive, highly energetic, initiative, & result oreinted persons. manager - M/ F 3 Posts : (Vehicles Sales & marketing), Age under 40. University graduate. Good inter-personal skills. 3 years experience as an executive level and above. 3 years experience of related field could be an advantage. Must be able to use Microsoft office effectively. Must have fluent in English both written and oral. All the candidates must have pleasant personality & good attitude. Pls submit CV together with labor registration card to :15/16/17/18, Thamain Bayan Rd. Mitta Yeik Mon Housing, 3rd flr or orange supermarket or send mail to ygnhr@ goldenland.com.mm not later than 25-1-12. (1) ASSISTAnT operation - M/ F 1 Post: Must be graduate. Good personlaity. Must be able to speak, read & write English well. (2) Guide - M/ F 1 Post : Having Guide License is a good advantage. Must be able to work at Kayin State. Accomo-dation & food will be arranged by company. (3) webDesigner - M/F 1 Post: Strong in HTM/ CSS Layout skill + design tools such as Photoshop. Competent in Javascript and its frameworks such as jQuery. Ability to take initiatives, confident initerpersonal communication adaptability & strong work Ethics highly preferred. Prior work experience is not necessary, but will be added advantage. Other programming knowledge such as PHP & HTML 5. Pls submit job application with: CV (Resume) with one recent photo, mentioned with Position apply for, Copy of NRC or Identity, Related educational & certified documents, Any others supporting documents to: Elegant Myanmar Tours Co., Ltd : 20, Bldg D, Upper Flr, Mya Yeik Nyo Hotel Compound, Pa-Le Rd, Bahan. Ph: 401261, 09-430-64296. E-mail: info@ elegantmyanmar. travel. SERVICE Engineer 2 Posts : BE/ AGTI (EP/ MP), Male, 3 years experience, Age under 35, Computer Literacy, Good Personality. Address: 37, Kabaaye Pagoda Rd, Inya Lake Hotel Complex, Mayangone P.O, Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: 657024, 657697 (Direct), 662866 (Ext: 1718~21). Fax: 657-024, 657597. Email: hansecare@ myanmar. com.mm. mBIS is a private int'l school located in Taunggyi, Shan State. We are looking for (1) Admin Assistant - 1 Post : Any Graduate, 1 year administration experience, able to perform multiple tasks, must have knowledge in MS Word, Excel & Photoshop, Fluency in English (both written / spoken), Age under 25. Good communication and negotiation skill is required. (2) Asst: Teachers - 2 Posts : Preferable B.A (English), Dip (English), Sound knowledge in ECCD, 1 year experien-ce in teaching field, Fluency in English (both written & spoken), good team player who adapts well in team work. Good communi-cation and negotiation skill is required. Age under 27. Pls submit Cover Letter explaining how the applicants education, skills & experience meet the requirements for the positions; CV form with recently taken passport size photo , Educational references, Character recommendation of area police station, Copy of NRC, Copy of house-hold registration, Reference contacts details and expected salary to 72/9, Kan Baw Za St, Yay Aye Kwinn Qtr, Taunggyi or Email: ceo. taunggyi @ gmail. com. uRGEnTlY Require 2 office staffs , Male/ Female : University graduate, Age under 30, Computer literate, Skill in English, Must have good communi-cation skill is a plus. Shwe Pyi Hein (SPH) Co., Ltd. & B2 Group Co., Ltd : 200, Damathukhakyaung St, Hlaing, Ph: 01521214, 09-43026996, 09-5147543. Email : sphautomobile@gmail. com GolDEn pEARl Travel Service Co.,Ltd is seeking Tour operator - (M/F) 1 post : Any graduate. 5 years experience in tourism industry. Good command in English. Good communication skills. Good computer skills (Microsoft Office & Internet Surfing). Pls submit application & CV (in MS Word format with your recent photograph to admin@ gpearl travel. com by 17th January 2012. Pls also indicate your salary expectation & earliest availability. 41D Airport Lane 2, 10 Mile, Sawbwagyigone Ward, Insein. Tel : 664025, 09-730-94403 www. gpearltravel.com, www. tourmyanmar.org (1) SAlES SERVICE Officer - M/F 5 posts : Age between 20 to 30 . Must have pleasant personality. Can speak English. Can work under pressure. Must have graduate degree. Experience in sales fields. (2) Junior service technician - M 2 posts : Must have pleasant personality. Age under 30. 2 years experience. AGTI Mechanical/ Electrical. (3) Driver M 1 post: Must have pleasant personality. Good communicative skills. 2 years experience. Can drive within Yangon area very well. Can apply within 1 month with personal details, C.V, color photo with relevant documents to: Rm 501, 5th Flr, FMI Center, Bo Gyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan. ExECuTIVE Assistant : To provide professional support to the company CEO through effective communication prioritization & organization of internal and external affairs. Liaise between company department/ offices, managers. Manage appointments, travel schedules, invitations, meetings, meeting minutes. Accompany on dome-stic and foreign trips as required. Arrange travel (flights, hotel bookings, visas, etc.). Manage budget & financial transactions. Qualifi-cations: University degree, Fluent in English, Excellent interpersonal skills & ability to liaise effectively with high level & foreign clients, government officials, Strong ability to take initiative/exercise to CEOs instructions, seek clarification when faced with uncertainty. Computer proficiency . Valid passport, travel within Myanmar and & abroad, Familiar with travel services and booking procedures. Pls send an application letter along with a current C.V, no later than 21 January 2012, to thandaster@ gmail. com wE ARE seeking Accountant: Able to finalize full Set ofAccount. Ensure timely monthly management reporting. To manage cash flow & bank reconciliation. Compliance to external audit & tax submission. Ensure compliance to SOP from various locations. Degree in Finance/ Accountancy or equivalent qualifi-cation. 2 years experience in related field. Good command of spoken & written in English & Myanmar. Experience with accounting software package. Results oriented & performance driven with strong analytical skills. Excellent interpersonal, communication & leadership skills. Multitasking, good communication,administrative, planning & organizational skills are essential. Ability to excel under work pressure. Pls submit CV with 2 recent photos, copies of relevant qualifications, labor registration, and copy of NRC to Myanmar Agri-Tech Ltd. Rm-504, 5th Flr, FMI Centre, 380, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan.

UN Positions
THE unITED Nations OfficeonDrugsandCrime (UNODC) is seeking : (1) national project Officer (SC-8) GLO J71Treatnet & DDR Project - Duty Station: YangonUniversity degree in public health, medicine, or social sciences or related field, 5 years of relevant experience in the area of drug demand reduction/ drug depen-dence treatment & rehabilitation. (2) national project Coordinator (SC-9) XSPK26& MMRJ94/ J95 Projects - 2 Posts : Duty Station: Taunggyi/ Hopone/ Loilen, Southern Shan State - Masters Degree or advance university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field, 5 years of relevant experience in the management of integrated rural development projects such as food security, livelihood,

INGO Position
A ConSoRTIum of international and national organizations comprising HelpAge International, The Leprosy Mission International, Network Activity Group, Myanmar YMCA and Golden Plain has received funding from Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) for a 3-year livelihood /food security project entitled REVEAL Reducing EconomicVulnerability through an Equitable/ Inclusive Approach to Livelihoods to be implemented in 30 villages in Ayartaw Township in Sagaing Region and Mahlaing Township in Mandalay Region. We are seeking qualified & experience Myanmar national for the following position: Job Title: Agriculture Officer. Location: Project office in Mahlaing Township, Mandalay Region with regular visits to project villages. Qualifications & competencies : University

Local Position
AYER Shwe Wah Group of Companies is now seeking (1) HR Executive - M/F 7 Posts : Possess degree in any discipline. Diploma in HR Management. 2 to 3 years experience in related field. Age 25 to 35. Good personality &

The Essentials
EMBASSIES Australia 88, Strand Road, Yangon. tel : 251810, 251797, 251798, 251809, 246462, 246463, fax: 246159 Bangladesh 11-B, Than Lwin Road, Yangon. tel: 515275, 526144, fax: 515273, email: bdootygn@mptmail.net. mm Brazil 56, Pyay Road, 6th mile, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. tel: 507225, 507251, 507482. fax: 507483. email: Administ.yangon@ itamaraty.gov.br. Brunei 317/319, U Wizara Road, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. tel: 526985, 524285, fax: 512854 email: bruneiemb@ bruneiemb.com.mm Cambodia 25 (3B/4B), New University Avenue Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. tel: 549609, 540964, fax: 541462, email: RECYANGON @mptmail. net.mm China 1, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. tel: 221280, 221281, 224025, 224097, 221926, fax: 227019, 228319 Egypt 81, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. tel: 222886, 222887, fax: 222865, email: egye mbyangon@mptmail. net.mm France 102, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. tel: 212178, 212520, 212523, 212528, 212532, fax: 212527, email: ambaf rance. rangoun@ diplomatie.fr Germany 9, Bogyoke Aung San Museum Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. tel: 548951, 548952, fax: 548899 email: info@rangun. diplo.de India 545-547, Merchant Street, Yangon. tel: 391219, 388412, 243972, fax: 254086, 250164, 388414, email: indiaembassy @mptmail. net.mm Indonesia 100, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. tel: 254465, 254469, 229750, fax: 254468, email: kukygn @indonesia.com.mm Israel 15, Khabaung Street, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. tel: 515115, fax: 515116, email: info@ yangon.mfa.gov.il Italy 3, Inya Myaing Road, Golden Valley, Yangon. tel: 527100, 527101, fax: 514565, email: ambyang.mail@ esteri.it Japan 100, Natmauk Road, Yangon. tel: 549644-8, 540399, 540400, 540411, 545988, fax: 549643 North Korea 77C, Shin Saw Pu Road, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. tel: 512642, 510205, fax: 510206 South Korea 97 University Avenue, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. tel: 527142-4, 515190, fax: 513286, email: hankuk@ kore mby.net.mm Lao A-1, Diplomatic Quarters, Tawwin Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. tel: 222482, fax: 227446, email: Laoembcab@ mptmail. net.mm Malaysia 82, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. tel: 220248, 220249, 220251, 220230, fax: 221840, email: mwkyangon@mptmail. net.mm Nepal 16, Natmauk Yeiktha, Yangon. tel: 545880, 557168, fax: 549803, email: nepemb @mptmail.net.mm Pakistan A-4, diplomatic Quarters, Pyay Road, Yangon. tel: 222881 (Chancery Exchange) fax: 221147, email: pakistan@ myanmar. com.mm Philippines 50, Sayasan Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. tel: 558149-151, fax: 558154, email: yang onpe@mptmail.net.mm Russian 38, Sagawa Road, Yangon. tel: 241955, 254161, fax: 241953, email: rusinmyan@mptmail .net.mm Serbia No. 114-A, Inya Road, P.O.Box No. 943Yangon. tel: 515282, 515283, fax: 504274, email: serbemb@ yangon.net.mm Singapore 238, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. tel: 559001, fax: 559002, 559922, email: singemb_ ygn@_ sgmfa. gov.sg Sri Lanka 34 Taw Win Road, Yangon. tel: 222812, fax: 221509, email: slembassy. yangon@gmail.com, info@slembyangon.org, www.slembyangon.org Thailand 94 Pyay Road, Dagon Township, Yangon. tel: 226721, 226728, 226824, fax: 221713 United Kingdom 80 Kanna Road, Yangon. tel: 370867, 380322, 371852, 371853, 256438, 370863, 370864, 370865, fax: 370866 United States of America 110, University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Yangon. tel: 536509, 535756, 538038, fax: 650306 Vietnam Building No. 72, Thanlwin Road, Bahan Township, Yangon. tel: 511305, fax: 514897, email: vnemb myr@ cybertech.net.mm Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia No.287/289, U Wisara Rd, Sanchaung Tsp. tel : 01-536153, 516952, fax : 01-516951 UNITED NATIONS ILO Liaison Officer Rm (M1212~1220), 12 Fl-A, Traders Hotel. 223, tel: 242 393, 242811. fax: 242594. IOM 12th Flr, Traders Hotel, 223, tel: 252560 ext. 5002 UNAIDS Rm: (1223~1231), 12 Fl, Traders Hotel. tel: 252361, 252362, 252498. fax: 252364. UNDCP 11-A, Malikha St, Mayangone tsp. tel: 666903, 664539. fax: 651334. UNDP 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tel: 542910-19. fax: 292739. UNFPA 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tsp. tel: 546029. UNHCR 287, Pyay Rd, Sanchaung tsp. tel: 524022, 524024. fax 524031. UNIAP Rm: 1202, 12 Fl, Traders Hotel.tel: 254852, 254853. UNIC 6, Natmauk St., BHN tel: 52910~19 UNICEF 14~15 Flr, Traders Hotel. P.O. Box 1435, KTDA. tel: 375527~32, fax: 375552 email: unicef.yangon@unicef. org, www.unicef.org/myanmar. UNODC 11-A, Malikha Rd., Ward 7, MYGN. tel: 666903, 660556, 660538, 660398, 664539, fax: 651334. email: fo.myanmar@unodc.org www. unodc.org./myanmar/ UNOPS Inya Lake Hotel, 3rd floor, 37, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 951657281~7. Fax: 657279. UNRC 6, Natmauk Rd, P.O. Box 650, TMWE tel: 542911~19, 292637 (Resident Coordinator), fax: 292739, 544531. WFP 3rd-flr, Inya Lake Hotel, 37, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: 657011~6 (6-lines) Ext: 2000. WHO 12A Fl, Traders Hotel. tel:250583. ASEAN Coordinating Of. for the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force, 79, Taw Win st, Dagon Township. Ph: 225258. FAO Myanma Agriculture Service Insein Rd, Insein. tel: 641672, 641673. fax: 641561.

General Listing
ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS
Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe. tel: 544500. fax: 544400. Summit Parkview Hotel 350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp. tel: 211888, 211966. fax: 227995. Thamada Hotel 5, Alan Pya Phaya Rd, Dagon. tel: 243639, 243640, 243641. Traders Hotel 223 Sule Pagoda Rd. tel: 242828. fax: 242838. Winner Inn 42, Than Lwin Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel: 535205, 524387. email: winnerinnmyanmar @gmail.com Yangon YMCA 263, Mahabandoola Rd, Botataung Tsp. tel: 294128, Yuzana Hotel 130, Shwegondaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, tel : 01-549600, 543367 Yuzana Garden Hotel 44, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp, tel : 01-248944

ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTS

Charted Certified, Certified Public Accountants. tel: 09-5010563. drtinlatt@matglobal.com

AIR CONDITION
Chigo No. 216, 38 Street (Upper), Kyauktada Tsp, tel : 373472

No.7A, Wingabar Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : (951) 546313, 430245. 09-731-77781~4. Fax : (01) 546313. www.cloverhotel.asia. info@cloverhotel.asia Confort Inn 4, Shweli Rd, Bet: Inya Rd & U Wisara Rd, Kamaryut, tel: 525781, 526872 Golden Aye Yeik Mon Hotel 4, Padauk Lane, 4th Word, Aye Yeik Mon Housing, Hlaing. tel: 681706. Hotel Yangon No. 91/93, 8th Mile Junction, Mayangone. tel : 01-667708, 667688. Inya Lake Resort Hotel 37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: 662866. fax: 665537. Orchid Hotel 91, Anawrahta street, Pazundaung Township, Yangon, . Tel: 399930, 704740, 293261. E-mail: orchidhotel@myanmar. com. mm.

ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS (NAy PyI TAw)

The First Air conditioning systems designed to keep you fresh all day GUNKUL Engineer supply Co., Ltd. No.437 (A), Pyay Road, Kamayut. P., O 11041 Yangon, Tel: +(95-1) 502016-8, Mandalay- Tel: 02-60933. Nay Pyi TawTel: 067-420778, E-mail freshaircon@gkmyanmar. com.mm. URL: http:// www.freshaircon.com General 83-91, G-F, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Kyauktada Tsp, tel : 706223, 371906

Reservation Office (Yangon) 262-264, Pyay Road, Dagon Centre, A# 03-01, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 95-1-501937, 536255, 09-520-0926.
The Oasis Hotel (Nay Pyi Taw)

ASTROLOGER
Saya Min Thoun Dara Astrologer No(2), Maha Wizaya Pagoda North Stairway, Dagon Tsp. tel: 296184

Tel: 95-67-422088, 422099

BARS ACCOMMODATION LONG TERM

No. 205, Corner of Wadan Street & Min Ye Kyaw Swa Road, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon. Myanmar. Tel: (95-1) 212850 ~ 3, 229358 ~ 61, Fax: (95-1) 212854. info@myanmarpandahotel .com http://www. myanmarpandahotel.com Panorama Hotel 294-300, Pansodan Street, Kyauktada Tsp. tel: 253077. PARKROYAL Yangon, Myanmar 33, Alan Pya Pagoda Rd, Dagon tsp. tel: 250388. fax: 252478. email: enquiry.prygn@ parkroyalhotels.com Website: parkroyalhotels. com. Savoy Hotel 129, Damazedi Rd, Kamayut tsp. tel: 526289, 526298, Seasons of Yangon Yangon Intl Airport Compound. tel: 666699. Sweet Hotel 73, Damazedi Road, San Chaung Tsp, Ph: 539152 Sedona Hotel Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin. tel: 666900. Strand Hotel 92 Strand Rd. tel: 243377. fax: 289880. Easy Expat Accommodation Specialist in Yangon. Tel: 09-730-33776. Espace Avenir No 523, Pyay Rd, Kamaryut Tsp. tel: 505213-222. Golden Hill Towers 24-26, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel: 558556. ghtower@ mptmail.net.mm. Marina Residence 8, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 6506 51~4. fax: 650630. MiCasa Hotel Apartments 17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp. tel: 650933. fax: 650960. Sakura Residence 9, Inya Rd, Kamaryut Tsp. tel: 525001. fax: 525002. 50th Street 9/13, 50th street-lower, Botataung Tsp. Tel-397160.

Green Garden Beer Gallery Mini Zoo, Karaweik Oo-Yin Kabar.

Emergency Numbers
Ambulance tel: 295133. Fire tel: 191, 252011, 252022. Police emergency tel: 199. Police headquarters tel: 282541, 284764. Red Cross tel:682600, 682368 Traffic Control Branch tel:298651 Department of Post & Telecommunication tel: 591384, 591387. Immigration tel: 286434. Ministry of Education tel:545500m 562390 Ministry of Sports tel: 370604, 370605 Ministry of Communications tel: 067-407037. Myanma Post & Telecommunication (MPT) tel: 067407007. Myanma Post & Tele-communication (Accountant Dept) tel: 254563, 370768. Ministry of Foreign Affairs tel: 067-412009, 067-412344. Ministry of Health tel: 067-411358-9. Yangon City Development Committee tel: 248112. HOSPITALS Central Womens Hospital tel: 221013, 222811. Children Hospital tel: 221421, 222807 Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital tel: 543888. Naypyitaw Hospital (emergency) tel: 420096. Workers Hospital tel: 554444, 554455, 554811. Yangon Children Hospital tel: 222807, 222808, 222809. Yangon General Hospital (East) tel: 292835, 292836, 292837. Yangon General Hospital (New) tel: 384493, 384494, 384495, 379109. Yangon General Hospital (West) tel: 222860, 222861, 220416. Yangon General Hospital (YGH) tel: 256112, 256123, 281443, 256131. ELECTRICITY Power Station tel:414235 POST OFFICE General Post Office 39, Bo Aung Kyaw St. (near British Council Library). tel: 285499. INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Yangon International Airport tel: 662811. YANGON PORT Shipping (Coastal vessels) tel: 382722 RAILWAYS Railways information tel: 274027, 202175-8.

INYA1 Resturant & Bar No.(1), Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: 01-527506 email: inyaone@gmail.com www.inya1.com

Strand Bar 92, Strand Rd, Yangon, Myanmar. tel: 243377.fax: 243393, sales@thestrand.com.mm www.ghmhotels.com

The Grand Mee Ya Hta Executive Residences 372, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan Tsp. tel: 951-256355 (25 lines). fax: 951-256360. email: gmer@ mptmail.net.mm, www.grandmeeyahta.com

Lobby Bar PARKROYAL Yangon, Myanmar. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel: 250388.

44
January 16 - 22, 2011
BEAUTY & MASSAGE
MYANMAR BOOK CENTRE Nandawun Compound, No. 55, Baho Road, Corner of Baho Road and Ahlone Road, (near Eugenia Restaurant), Ahlone Township. tel: 212 409, 221 271. 214708 fax: 524580. email: info@ myanmarbook.com

mt QuiCk guide
the

MyanMar tiMes

DRINKING WATER
Alpine Parami Road, Kapasa 4 shophouse, Mayangone. tel: 666258 Everyone needs a MIRACLE once in thier lives. Bio Disc energised water promotes yourhealth and lifestyle. enquires551616, 725228

The Uranium Dance Studio Pearl condo Bldg (C), 2nd flr, Bahan Tsp. tel: 09731-42624, 09-514-0404.

GAS COOKER & COOKER HOODS

24 hours Medical centre No. 330, Yangon International Hotel, Ahlone Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. 24 hour Call Centre : (951) 218 445 Clinic : (959) 4921 8159 Office : (951) 218 446 Fax : (951) 218 389 PHIH-Specialist Clinic FMI Centre (4th Floor) #380, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Pabedan Tsp. tel: 243 010, 243 012, 243 013

A Little Dayspa No. 475 C, Pyi Road, (Between Sweety Home & Shwe Kant Kaw Silk) Kamayut, Yangon. Tel: 09-431-28831.

La Source Beauty Spa 80(A), Inya Rd, Kamayut. tel: 512 380, 511 252. Sedona Hotel, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: 666 900 My Way Diamond Condo, Bld(A), Rm (G-02), Pyay Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon. Ph: 52717, 09 51 70528

FITNESS CENTRE
Espace Avenir 523, Pyay Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Tel : 505214, 505222, 505213 FIT Club Rm 101~3, Marina Residence, 8, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp, tel : 650634, 650651 ext:102

CAFS

DUTY FREE
La Brasserie (International) PARKROYAL Yangon. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel : 250388.

Yangon : A-3, Aung San Stadium (North East Wing), Mingalartaungnyunt Tsp. Tel : 245543, 09-730-37772. Mandalay : Room No.(B,C) (National Gas), 35th St, Btw 80th & 81st, Chanayetharzan Tsp. Tel : 09-6803505, 02 34455, 36748, 71878.

GENERATORS
Heavy Equipments & Genset

Traders Hotel, 5th Floor Tel: 242828,Ext: Coreana. Sedona Hotel, Mandalay Ground Fl. Tel: 02-36488, Ext: Coreana

Qi Foot Spa At Inya Lake Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: +951-662866, 662857 Ext: 1725

SR 22/1, Next to the Pearl Shopping Centre, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. tel: 544 297, 549 527, 700 777 , fax: 558 044. email: eros@ mptmail.net.mm. www.erosspa.com

INYA1 Resturant & Bar No.(1), Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: 01-527506 email: inyaone@gmail.com www.inya1.com Strand Caf 92, Strand Rd, Yangon. Tel: 243377. fax: 243393, sales@thestrand.com.mm. www.ghmhotels.com Traders Caf Traders Hotel, Yangon. #223, Sule Pagoda Rd. Tel: 242828 ext: 6519

Duty Free Airport Shopping Yangon International Airport Arrival / Departure. tel: 662676 (Airport). office: 90B/1, Inya Road, Kamayut Township. tel: 512534, 500143-5.

PARKROYAL Fitness & Spa PARKROYAL Yangon. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel: 250388.

EDUCATION CENTRE
MHR Business & Management Institute 905, 9th floor, Modern Iron Market(Thanzay Condo) Lanmadaw St. tel: 707822. NELC (Nelson English Language Centre Young Learner & Adults No 53, Dhamayon Street, Myaynigone, Sanchaung Tsp. tel: 534287 NLEC 82 Anawrahta Rd, Corner of 39 St, Kyauktada Tsp. tel: 250225. RV! Centre Yangon RV Management Services Co., Ltd. Tel: 535433, 541886, 242410, 250388 Ext: 333. email: ask@ rvcenre.com.sg The British Council 92, Strand Rd, Kyauktada Tsp. tel: 254658. Mr. Betchang No.(272), Pyay Rd, DNH Tower, Rm No.(503), 5th flr, Sanchaung Tsp, tel: 095041216

Winning Way No. 589-592, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Yangon-Pathein highway Road. Hlaing Thayar Tsp. Tel: 951645178-182, 685199, Fax: 951-645211, 545278. e-mail: mkt-mti@ winstrategic.com.mm

24 hours Cancer centre No. 330, Yangon International Hotel, Ahlone Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: (951) 218388, 218292 Fax: (951) 218389

HAIR

Zen Wellness Care No.62 (A), Room-3, Yaw Min Gyi Street, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: +951-252939.

Lemon Day Spa No. 96 F, Inya Road, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 514848, 09-732-08476. E.mail: lemondayspa.2011 @gmail.com Saw Peter Foot Reflexology Oil Massage, Body Massage, Foot Massage. Any time you want at your place. tel : 09-431-56459, 09-518-8047.

BATTERY

CAR DEALER
ISO 9001:2008 (QMS)

The Yangon GYM Summit Parkview Hotel 350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp. tel: 211888, 211966. Traders Health Club. Level 5, Traders Hotel Yangon#223 Sule Pagoda Rd, Tel: 951 242828 Ext: 6561

Hair Clinic @ Asia Pacific Cut, Colour, Treatment, Perm, Styling, Make up + hair up. Opening hours: Tue to Sun 9 am - 6 pm, 81, Kabaraye Pagoda Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Mu Mu Win, 09-431-64128.

Proven Technology Industry Co., Ltd. No. FS 14, Bayintnaung Rd, Shwe Sabai Yeik Mon, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 951-951-701719~20, 527667, 531030, 531041, 530694. Fax: 527667, 531030. http//www. toyobatterymyanmar.com.

HOME FURNISHING

Piyavate Hospital (Bangkok) Myanmar Represent ative (Head office) Miba Gon Yee Business Group, No.506, 5th-fl, Yuzana Twin Tower, (No.8, Pangyan Tower) Cor of Dhama Zedi & Bargayar Rd, SCHG Tsp. Tel: 500600, 500800, 500900. Fax: 539799. hotline: +9595018777. piyavate@ myanmar.com.mm www.piyavate.com
Shimmering Gold Services Co., Ltd.
VICToRY FoR lIFE

MTG Motors Trading Co.,Ltd No.H, Hlaing Yadanar Housing, Yangon-Insein Road, Hlaing Tsp. tel: 503590, 514165

FLORAL SERVICES
22, Pyay Rd, 9 mile, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 660769, 664363. Home Plus Trading Co., Ltd. No. 457, Aung San Stadium, Mingalartungnyunt Tsp. tel: 394888. Fax: 393008.
BANGKOK, THAILAND

CHOCOLATE

Inya Day Spa

BOOK STORES

ENTERTAINMENT

16/2, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 537907, 503375.

Room - 4021, 3rd Floor, Taw Win Centre. Ph: 8600111 (Ext:4021), 09-803-2581.

Innwa Book Store No. 246, Rm.201/301, GF, Pansodan Street (Upper Block), Kyauktada Tsp. Tel. 389838, 243216, 374324, 514387

G-A, Ground Floor, Pearl Center, Kabaraye Pagoda Road, Yangon. Tel: 09 500 6880 Email: chocolateheaven. sale@gmail.com

Dance Lessons Mon-Fri 12:00 to 23:00. Sat-Sun 10 am to 8 pm Fun dancing Friday nights with Filipino musicians 4, U Tun Myat St, Tamwe. Tel: 01-541 550

Floral Service & Gift Shop No. 449, New University Avenue, Bahan Tsp. YGN. Tel: 541217, 559011, 09-860-2292. Market Place By City Mart Tel: 523840~43, 523845~46, Ext: 205. Junction Nay Pyi Taw Tel: 067-421617~18 422012~15, Ext: 235. Res: 067-414813, 09-49209039. Email : eternal@ mptmail.net.mm

HEALTH SERVICES

VEJTHANI MYANMAR REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE No.125(C), West Shwe Gon Dine Road, Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar. 01-3449977. Hot Line: 09-507-1111, 01-555448, 555998. vejthani@myanmar.com.mm www.vejthani.com

Floral Service & Gift Centre 102(A), Dhamazaydi Rd, Yangon.tel: 500142 Summit Parkview Hotel, tel: 211888, 211966 ext. 173 fax: 535376.email: sandy@ sandymyanmar.com.mm.

81, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: 548022, 542979, 553783, 09-8030847, 09-730-56079. Email: asiapacific. myanmar@gmail.com.

LEGAL SERVICE
U Min Sein, BSc, RA, CPA.,RL Advocate of the Supreme Court 83/14 Pansodan St, Yangon. tel: 253 273. uminsein@mptmail.net.mm

MARINE COMMUNICATION & NAVIGATION

Agent Office, 5th Floor, Junction Centre (Maw Tin), Lanmadaw Township, Yangon. Myanmar. Ph: 09-731-56770, 09-5117584, Fax: 01-516313, myanmarmeditour@gmail. com Bumrungrad Intl Rm 238, Summit Parkview Hotel, Dagon Tsp. tel: 723999, 211888. Ext: 8238.

Foral Service & Gifts shop No.2, Corner of Khay Mar St & Baho Rd (Near Asia Royal Hospital), Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. email: yangonflorist@ myanmar.com.mm. Tel: 01-510406, 09-73184714.

Top Marine Show Room No-385, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: 01-202782, 09-851-5597

Media & Advertising

FOAM SPRAY INSULATION

Foam Spray Insulation No-410, Ground Floor, Lower Pazuntaung Road, Pazuntaung Tsp, Yangon. Telefax : 01-203743, 09730-26245, 09-500-7681. Hot Line-09-730-30825.

No. 365/367, Bo Aung Kyaw st (Upper), IHBC, Kyauktada Tsp. Tel: 392484 , 389824, 09803-0166. Fax: 392590. Email: radiant.aesthetics @gmail.com. Web: www. kembanganradiant.com

FURNITURE
NatRay Co., Ltd. Rm 807, La Pyayt Wun Plaza. tel : 01-370833, 370836

Acupuncture, Medicine Massage, Foot Spa Add:No,27(A),Ywa Ma Kyaung Street, Hlaing Township, Yangon. Tel: 01-511122, 526765.

Intuitive Design, Advertising, Interior Decoration Corporate logo/Identity/ Branding, Brochure/ Profile Booklet/ Catalogue/ Billboard, Corporate diary/ email newsletter/ annual reports, Magazine, journal advertisement and 3D presentation and detailed planning for any interior decoration works. Talk to us: (951) 430-897, 553-918 www.medialane.com.au 58B Myanma Gon Yaung Housing, Than Thu Mar Road, Tamwe, Yangon.

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January 16 - 22, 2011
ILBC 180, Thunandar 9th Lane, Thumingalar Housing, Thingungyung.tel: 562401. No.35(b), Tatkatho Yeik Mon Housing, New University Avenue, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: 951-549451, 557219, 540730. www.yangon-academy.org Myanmar. Tel: 95-1-535783, 527705, 501429. Fax: 95-1-527705. Email: salesikon@myanmar.com.mm Ocean Supercentre (North Point ), 9th Mile, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 651 200, 652963. Pick n Pay Hyper Market Bldg (A,B,C), (14~16), Shwe Mya Yar Housing, Mya Yar Gone St, Mingalartaungnyunt Tsp. Tel: 206001~3, Fax: 9000199 Sein Gay Har 44, Pyay Rd, Dagon Tsp. tel: 383812, 379823. Super 1 (Kyaikkasan) 65, Lay Daunt Kan St, Ph: 545871~73 Super 1 (Shwe Bonthar) 397, Bogyoke Aung San St, Pabedan. Ph: 250268~29 Victoria Shwe Pone Nyet Yeik Mon, Bayint Naung Rd, Kamaryut Tsp. tel : 515136.

MyanMar tiMes
Mesamis French Restaurant No.5, U Htun Nyein St, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 656611, 09-431-35406. Email: info@ mesamisyangon.com Tiger Hill Chinese Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Lobby Level, Tel: 544500 Ext 6253 Traders Gourmet Corner Level 1, Traders Hotel, #223 Sule Pagoda Road, Kyauktada Tsp. Tel : 242828 ext : 6503 Traders Gallery Bar Level 2, Traders Hotel, #223 Sule Pagoda Road. tel: 242 828. ext: 6433 Traders Lobby Lounge Level 1, Traders Hotel, #223 Sule Pagoda Road. tel: 242 828. ext: 6456

PLEASURE CRUISES
Black Canyon Coffee & International Thai Cuisine 330, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp. tel: 0980 21691, 395052. email: blackcanyon@yangon. net.mm. Eugenia 47, Manawhari Housing Estate, Baho Road, Ahlone Tsp. tel: 227346. Feel Myanmar Foods 124, Pyi Htaung Su Yeik Thar Street, Dagon Tsp. tel: 725736.

Road to Mandalay Myanmar Hotels & Cruises Ltd. Governors Residence 39C, Taw Win Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. tel: (951) 229860 fax: (951) 217361. email: RTMYGN@mptmail.net.mm www.orient-express.com

Monsoon Restaurant & Bar 85/87, Thein Byu Road, Botahtaung Tsp. tel: 295224, 09-501 5653.

PAINT

ILBC IGCSE SCHOOL No.(34), Laydauntkan Road, Tamwe Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 542982, 545720, 549106,545736,400156 Fax: 541040 Email: info@ilbc.net.mm www.ilbcedu.com ISM Intl School W 22/24, Mya Kan Thar Housing, Hlaing Tsp. tel:530082, 530083. International School Yangon No.20, Shwe Taung Kyar Street, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 512793. Kangaroo Child Care 55, Aung Min Gaung 1st Rd, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: 501 568, 09 504 7732. MAA Learning Centre 377, First fl, Shwe Bon Thar St., Pabedan Tsp. Yangon. Tel: 250501, 250502.

SOLAR SYSTEM

TOP MARINE PAINT No-410, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: 09-851-5202

PUMP

MTG Pumps & Machineries No.H, Hlaing Yadanar Housing, Yangon-Insein Road, Hlaing Tsp. tel: 503590, 514165.

Italian delicatesse & Ice-cream No.150, Dhamazadi Rd, Bahan Tsp. (Monunent Book Shop) Open Daily 9:00am to 7:00pm. Italian Ice-cream, Pasta, Pizza & Bar (2) G/F, City Mart, Myaynigone Centre. tel : 508469, 508470 ext. 113 Open Daily 9:00am to 10:00pm.

No. 105/107, Kha-Yae-Bin Road. between Pyi Daung Su Yeik Tha (Halpin) and Manawhari Road/Ahlone Road, Dagon Tsp. Tel/Fax: 538895, Tel: 09730-29973, 09-540-9469.
padonmar.restaurant@ gmail.com. www.myanmarrestaurantpadonmar.com

The Brightest AC CFL Bulb 21, 9th street, Lanmadaw Tsp. Ph: 212243, 216861, 216864. spsolarstation@gmail.com www.spsolarstation.com

STEEL CONSTRUCTION

PEB Steel Buildings 60 (A), Halpin Road, Yangon. Tel: 01-218223, 218224. Fax: 218224. marketing@pebsteel.com. mm www.pebsteel.com.mm

TRAVEL AGENTS

REMOVALISTS

Crown Worldwide Movers Ltd 790, Rm 702, 7th Floor Danathiha Centre, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Lanmadaw Township. tel: 223288, 210 670, 227650. ext: 702. fax: 229212. email: crown worldwide@mptmail.net.mm

House of Memories Piano Bar & Restaurant Myanmar Cuisine & International Food 290, U Wizara Rd, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon. tel: 525 195, 534 242. e-mail: houseofmemories 9@gmail.com

Pansweltaw Express Cafe: No.228, Ahlone Road, Ahlone Tsp. Tel: 215363 (1)-Rm 309, 3rd fl, Ocean, East Point Shopping Center, Pazundaung Tsp. Tel: 397900 Ext:309. (2)Ground Fl, Ocean North Point Shopping Center. Tel:652959, 652960, Ext: 133. www. pansweltaw.com E-mail: pansweltaw@ myanmar.com.mm

1. WASABI : No.20-B, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp,(Near MiCasa), Tel; 666781,09-503-9139 2. WASABI SUSHI : Market Place by City Mart (1st Floor). Tel; 09-430-67440 Myaynigone (City Mart) Yankin Center (City Mart) Junction Mawtin (City Mart)

SUPERMARKETS
Asia Light 106, Set Yone Rd., Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp. tel: 294074, 294083. Capital Hyper Mart 14(E), Min Nandar Road, Dawbon Tsp. Ph: 553136. City Mart (Aung San Branch) tel: 253022, 294765. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (47th St Branch) tel: 200026, 298746. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Junction 8 Branch) tel: 650778. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (FMI City Branch) tel: 682323. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Yankin Center Branch) tel: 400284. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Myaynigone Branch) tel: 510697. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) City Mart (Zawana Branch) tel:564532. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Shwe Mya Yar Branch) tel: 294063. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Chinatown Point Branch) tel: 215560~63. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) City Mart (Junction Maw Tin Branch) tel: 218159. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Marketplace) tel: 523840~43. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) City Mart (78th Brahch-Mandalay) tel: 02-71467~9. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) IKON Mart IKON Trading Co., Ltd. No.332, Pyay Rd, San Chaung P.O (11111), Yangon,

Admissions Office: No. 44, Than Lwin Road, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: 535433, 09-850-3073. Email: rviacademygn@ rvcentre.com.sg Streamline Education 24, Myasabai Rd, Parami, Myangone Tsp. tel: 662304, 09-500-6916.

Asian Trails Tour Ltd 73 Pyay Rd, Dagon tsp. tel: 211212, 223262. fax: 211670. email: res@ asiantrails.com.mm Htoo Travels 209/c, first flr, Shwe Gonedaing Rd, Bahan. Tel: 548554, 548039.

Phoenix Court (Chinese) INYA1 Resturant & Bar No.(1), Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: 01-527506 email: inyaone@gmail.com www.inya1.com PARKROYAL Yangon. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel: 250388.

Kandawgyi (Royal Lake) Park, Yangon. (opposite of Eye Hospital) Ph: 556837, 556838. Fax: 556875. E-mail: whitericeyangon@gmail.com www.whiterice-myanmar. com

NO.13, Rm-3/4, Kyaung Lane, Myaynigone(N), Tel: 501971, 516955, 516977, email: miracle_ tour@ myanmar.com.mm Sun Far Travels & Tours 27, Ground flr, 38th st, Kyauktada Tsp. Tel: 380888.

Schenker (Thai) Ltd. Yangon 59 A, U Lun Maung Street. 7 Mile Pyay Road, MYGN. tel: 667686, 666646.fax: 651250. email: sche nker@mptmail.net.mm.

LANGUAGE
Bilingual Language Centre Teaching Myanmar to Non-Myanmar No.7 (Gournd Floor), Thu-Kha-Main Street, Myaynigone, San Chaung. Tel: 09-500-6431, nyalinphyu@gmail.com

Summit Intl Learning Centre No.248, Ahlone Rd, YGN. Ph: 222661, 725718 www.silceducation.com

WATER HEATERS

Shiki-Tel (Japanese) PARKROYAL Yangon. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel: 250388. Kohaku Japanese Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Lobby Level, Tel: 544500 Ext 6231 Signature Near U Htaung Bo Round, about Bahan Tsp. tel: 546488, 543387.

SCHOOLS

Bo Sun Pat Tower, Bldg 608, Rm 6(B), Cor of Merchant Rd & Bo Sun Pat Rd, PBDN Tsp. Tel: 377263, 250582, 250032, 09-511-7876, 09-862-4563. wwmservices@myanmar. com.mm

95, Anawrahta Rd, Pazundaung Tsp. tel:296552, 293754. 336, Pyay Rd, Sanchaung Tsp. tel: 526456. New University Avenue, 551521, 551951, 553896. U Wisara Rd, tel: 524599, 501976.

The Global leader in Water Heaters A/1, Aung San Stadium East Wing, Upper Pansodan Road. Tel: 251033, 09-730-25281.

Same as Rinnai Gas cooker and cooker Hood Showroom Address

Water Heater

RESTAURANTS

Enchanting and Romantic, a Bliss on the Lake 62 D, U Tun Nyein Road, Mayangon Tsp, Yangon

SKY VIEW Restaurant No. 255, Rm 1504, 15 Flr, Olympic Tower, Bo Aung Kyaw Rd, Kyauktada Tsp, Tel : 386539, 392886.

24 hours open. 5, Alan Pya Phaya Rd, Dagon Tsp, inside Thamada Hotel. tel 243640, 243047, Ext: 32.

Tel. 01 665 516, 660976 Mob. 09-512-7795 operayangon@gmail.com www.operayangon.com The Ritz Exclusive Lounge Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Ground Floor, Tel: 544500 Ext 6243, 6244

ASIA Language & Business Academy (All classes are taught by native English-speaking teachers), No-66 Shwedagon Pagoda Road Dagon Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel:720966, 384055, http://www.alba-edu.com

WEB SERVICES

Lunch/Dinner/Catering 555539, 536174

22, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel 541997. email: leplanteur@ mptmail.net.mm. http://leplanteur.net

Horizon Intl School 25, Po Sein Road, Bahan Tsp, tel : 541085, 551795, 551796, 450396~7. fax : 543926, email : contact@horizonmyanmar. com, www.horizon.com

Yangon International School Fully Accredited K-12 International Curriculum with ESL support No.117,Thumingalar Housing, Thingangyun Township, Yangon. Tel: 578171, 573149 www.yismyanmar.net Yangon International School New Early Childhood Center Pan Hlaing Golf Estate Housing & U Tun Nyo Street, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon. Tel: 687701, 687702

World-class Web Services Tailor-made design, Professional research & writing for Brochure/ Catalogue/e-Commerce website, Customised business web apps, online advertisement and anything online. Talk to us: (951) 430-897, 553-918 www.medialane.com.au 58B Myanma Gon Yaung Housing. Than Thu Mar Road, Tamwe, Yangon.

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January 16 - 22, 2012
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MyanMar tiMes

Kenyas mountain mud tracks draw runners to new athletics capital

By Aileen Kimutai ITEN, Kenya Its a far cry from the high-tech gymnasiums athletes are used to in Europe or America, but this sleepy Kenyan farming village has become an unlikely global training hotspot for Olympic champions. Perched on the dramatic cliff edge of the great Rift Valley at 2400 metres (7870 feet) above sea level, this remote village draws top athletes including world and Olympic champions for high altitude performance training. With the London Olympics later this year, athletes are training hard to get an edge over their rivals at the games. Iten is a great location, due to the altitude and the environment, said Lornah Kiplagat, a Kenyanborn Dutch runner who won the world half-marathon in Udine, Italy in 2007, but who now runs a specialised hotel for athletes in Iten. Athletes to have recently trained at Iten include the British Olympic team, led by the womens world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe and the double European 5000m and 10,000m champion, Mo Farah. Every dawn the village comes alive with the pounding feet of dozens of runners, as they train along the winding mud tracks through the quiet countryside, dodging the chickens and goats that share the route. Having such top end runners attracts other athletes from all over the world, added Kiplagat, with the small settlement of some 4000 people seeing visitors from across Europe, the USA and Africa. There are hundreds of kilometres of dirt roads to train on, Kiplagat said, adding the 72-bed hotel she runs is regularly fully booked with athletes. Two-time Linz marathon champion, Kenyan runner Elias Maindi, moved to the town four years ago to seek success saying the altitude and clean air have all helped him achieve recent victories in several European marathon races. When you want to run a good time, you have to train the hard way, said Maindi. Exercise at high altitude increases an athletes oxygen-carrying capacity, encouraging a better performance later in races at lower altitude. You have to train at high altitude to really boost your speed and the level of the blood cells in your body, so you can really run fast when running at a lower altitude, said Maindi. Local Kenyans travel to Iten in the hope of joining the potentially lucrative ranks of the top athletes. Brother Colm OConnell is a Cork-born member of the Patrician Brothers, a Roman Catholic order founded in Ireland, and he has trained several world and Olympic champions in Iten for the past 35 years. He believes it is only the high altitude that keeps his runners at the front of races. This is a very little, isolated village in the highlands of Kenya, away from the big city or town, so there are no distractions, people can just concentrate on their running, said the 63-year-old OConnell. The fact that so many world champions, Olympic champions and world record holders come to train in the Iten area is a great role model for the younger kids growing up the kids even join in the running, he added. In the past decade, Iten has grown with land prices tripling in value as athletes build houses for when they use the village as a training base. But despite the taxes the athletes who live here contribute, there are few facilities. The only sports gymnasiums are privately run, and too expensive for many of the runners who have yet to find fame and fortune. The towns athletic stadium is in desperate need of repair the mud track is too slippery to use in the wet but the local council says it does not have enough money to install a proper track. We want to ask the government if they can help the council improve the stadium, because the council cannot do it by ourselves, because we do not have enough, said Mary Ruto, Itens mayor. Despite the lack of facilities foreign athletes continue to flock into the town, keen not only to acclimatise but learn the Kenyan way of training ahead of the Olympics. The most expensive thing for them is the flight to Kenya ... staying in Iten is less expensive than staying in Europe, Kiplagat added. And while other towns in the Rift valley offer similar high altitudes and rural settings, none have produced so many successful runners. As long as athletes from the local schools make it through to the big stage, others will continue to come here, regardless of where they have to run. AFP

Pic: AFP Serbian Ana Ivanovic serves during a practice session for the upcoming Australian Open on January 12.

Battle for womens No.1

By John Weaver HONG KONG Only a brave punter would bet against one of the Big Four kicking off the 2012 Grand slam season by lifting the Australian Open mens title, but picking a winner from the womens draw is a hazardous task. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer the top three in the mens rankings have an enviable haul of 30 grand slams between them in a golden period for the mens game. Just behind them lurks the hungry Andy Murray. In sharp contrast, the top three female players have a combined total of just one slam and last year there were four different champions in tenniss blue riband events, as the womens game waits for its next big star. Acknowledged superstars, Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams, both ranked outside the top 10 but sharing 17 major titles, are nursing recent injuries that could take the edge off their title challenges. Belgiums Clijsters, currently ranked 12th, is defending champion at the years opening grand slam, after beating Li Na in the 2011 Melbourne final, before the Chinese player went one step further at the French Open. Second seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic won on grass at Wimbledon and Australias Samantha Stosur took the US Open title, upsetting home favourite Serena Williams in the September 11 final in New York. The name missing from the 2011 list of winners is top seed Caroline Wozniacki, still yet to win her first grand slam, whose world number one ranking is under imminent threat from rising star Kvitova. The two rivals have already clashed this year, with the Czech player winning in three sets at last weeks mixed-teams Hopman Cup in Perth, which does not carry ranking points. It was a good match for us. It was good preparation, said Kvitova, the breakout player of 2011 with six titles including Wimbledon and the WTA Championships, plus Fed Cup glory with the Czech Republic. Third seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus has never been beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne but reached the Wimbledon semifinals last year. By contrast, fourth seed Maria Sharapova has grand slam pedigree, with three major titles the last in Melbourne in 2008 but the Russian is again battling injury as she struggles to shake off a left ankle problem. Stosur will have the crowd behind her as Australias first womens grand slam champion in decades, but she has already admitted to feeling pressure after early exits in Brisbane and Sydney this month. Li, last years runner-up, is back in form after a disappointing second half of last season, and powerful Estonian Kaia Kanepi could be a dark horse after winning in Brisbane. Venus Williams remains sidelined with the autoimmune disease, Sjogrens syndrome, and world number 10 Andrea Petkovic pulled out on January 11 with a stress fracture in her back. Clijsters, who has four grand slam titles and intends to retire this season, suffered a hip spasm during her Brisbane semi-final but said she did not believe her Australian Open participation would be jeopardised. While admitting last week she was ambivalent about the game and sports in general, five-times winner Serena Williams, still the biggest draw in the womens game, said she preferred sitting down or shopping, but made it clear she has not lost her hunger and competitive edge, tweeting this week: Pain is only temporary but quitting lasts forever. AFP

Mr Hammer wins the crowd, draws the fight

By Stuart Deed SEAN Bardoe entered his December 24 fight against veteran Myanmar boxer Saw Fly with one main fear: the crowd. Three weeks after the punishing draw in Insein township, expatriate Englishman Sean Bardoe, aka Mr Hammer, still carries three cracked ribs, a limp and a broken toe sustained before the bout. But Bardoe consoles himself with the knowledge that he won over the raucous crowd who turned up at the traditional Kayin New Year celebration to watch the fight. Going into the fight my biggest fear was the crowd because Ive never fought in front of so many people before, he said. But as we were preparing for the fight many people came to see me so there wasnt any time to get nervous. Also, I seemed to have collected a large following because as I walked down to the ring and then entered there was a big cheer, he said. When I was fighting my team said I was getting a lot of support and cheering from the crowd but I didnt notice because I was so focussed on Saw Fly, he added. And even though he failed to land a knock out blow, Bardoes pre-fight strategy of aiming elbows onto Saw Flys head to open up cuts and hope to force a withdrawal went almost exactly to plan. During the three-round fight Bardoe said he managed to open up three cuts on the older fighters head, who stubbornly refused to surrender and landed some telling blows of his own as the fight progressed. Hes a tough fighter who would not stay down. He was very fast with his punches and threw some painful body shots, Bardoe said. Bardoe said the fight had begun with both combatants feeling each other out and keeping to basic kicks and punches. But both men opened up in the second round and Bardoe took control of several clinches and threw Saw Fly to the canvas. However, the fight came to life in the third round, with Saw Fly coming out of his corner on a mission, Bardoe said. One particularly accurate kidney punch at the start of the third round resulted in an eight count by the referee on Bardoe. But about a minute later I caught him with a knee strike into his stomach and followed up with an elbow to his head, which required stitches to close the wound, he said. Just three days after the fight Bardoe jetted off to Malaysia for a holiday, although he concedes it wasnt as much fun as it should have been. I spent nine days in Kuala Lumpur after [the fight] but couldnt do very much because I could not walk very far and my ribs hurt, especially when I laughed or sneezed, he said. Despite the pain Bardoe says he might be tempted to climb back into the ring. I have received a lot of interest but have made no decision as yet because its taking longer to recover these days, although I really enjoyed fighting without gloves, he said. I felt really good until I left the ring and then could hardly stand up, Bardoe said.

Sean Bardoe, aka Mr Hammar, rests inbetween rounds in the fight against Saw Fly on December 24. Pic: Supplied

Atheletes on a morning run at Iten in Kenyas north-rift on December 2. Pic: AFP

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January 16 - 22, 2012

MyanMar tiMes

Messi takes his seat in pantheon of greats

By Tom Williams PARIS Lionel Messi became only the second man to win three consecutive Ballon dOr awards on January 9 and the question now begging to be asked is: could he become the greatest player of all time? The 24-year-old from Rosario, Santa Fe is not short of silverware but what really sets him apart is the effervescence of his dribbling, the inventiveness of his team play and the extraordinary regularity of his goalscoring. In 2011, Messi scored 59 goals in 70 club games for Barcelona. It was a figure bettered only by Cristiano Ronaldo (60), but Messi also contributed 37 assists to the Portugueses 21. Only Michel Platini had previously won the Ballon dOr for three years running and Messi now belongs to an elite group also featuring Dutch legends Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten to have been honoured with the award on three occasions. Messi will be the player to win the most Ballons dOr in history, predicts Cruyff. He will win five, six, seven. He is incomparable. Hes in a different league. Messi has also proven himself capable of rising to the occasion when the sports biggest prizes are on the line. His influence echoed long and loud over the closing stages of last seasons Champions League, after he netted twice in Barcas semi-final defeat of Ronaldos Real Madrid and found the target against Manchester United in the final at Wembley. Barcelonas trophy haul in 2011 meant that Messi now has three Champions League winners medals and five La Liga crowns to his name. He has also won the FIFA Club World Cup twice and it is a matter of time until he surpasses Cesar Rodriguez record of 235 goals for his club. In terms of pure ability with a football, Messi bears comparison with any player who has ever played the game, but his one Achilles heel is his inability to reproduce his Barcelona form in the light blue and white stripes of his country. Messis goalscoring record with Argentina is a disappointing 19 goals in 66 games, and he was unable to prevent his country from crashing out in the quarterfinals at both the 2010 World Cup and last years Copa America in his homeland. Traditionalists contend that, for all his astonishing exploits at club level, he cannot be compared to Pele or his feted countryman Diego Maradona until he has left his imprint on a major international tournament. His next opportunity will arrive at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when at the age of 26 he should be in prime position to showcase his gifts on the games most prestigious stage. I still have this dream and that is to be a world champion and lift the Copa America with the national side, said Messi recently. And I know Ill do it, Im convinced I will. Away from the sport, Messi cuts a far more bashful figure than his great rival Ronaldo, but that has not prevented him from amassing a huge personal fortune through several lucrative endorsements, notably with Adidas. Typically deployed by Barca coach Pep Guardiola in a roving forward role, he roams the pitch with seemingly boyish abandon and few things hush a stadium more quickly than the sight of Messi embarking on one of his gambolling runs towards goal. There are no words left to describe him he is interplanetary, said Real Zaragoza coach Jose Aurelio Gay in March 2010. We could have beaten Barcelona but we could never have beaten Leo Messi. If we had scored four, he would have scored 12. The terrifying thought for Barcelonas rivals is that he is still getting better. AFP

Manchester Citys Argentinian forward Sergio Aguero (left) goes to shoot past Liverpools Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina during the English League Cup semi final first leg at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on January 11. Pic: AFP

Liverpool win heated tie

By Ian Whittell MANCHESTER Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard were embroiled in a war of words following the clubs League Cup semi-final clash here at Eastlands. Gerrards early penalty gave the visitors a 1-0 first leg lead to take back to Anfield but the game on January 12 was overshadowed by a late, two-footed challenge by Liverpool defender Glen Johnson on Citys Joleon Lescott. An angry Mancini claimed that the tackle, which went unpunished by referee Lee Mason, was worse than the offence committed by Citys Vincent Kompany early in January 8, FA Cup defeat by Manchester United, an incident which brought the defender a straight red card and a four-match suspension. Mancinis claims were not appreciated by Gerrard, however, and the Italian and the England midfielder had a heated discussion about the incident in the tunnel after the game. No, I dont think so, said From page 48 Southern Myanmar FC, played his well-known creative style but could not snatch an equaliser when he missed an easy shot after rounding Yangons defenders. Sasa was one player who arrived at Zeyar Shwe Myay late, missing the teams three preseason friendlies, and it showed as he could not build up a productive relationship with the clubs famous striker, Kyaw Ko Ko. He transferred to our club recently, so I dont know him well yet. He played his own style in the match and I played as well as I could in the situation, Kyaw Ko Ko said. Kyaw Ko Ko is considered by Myanmar fans as the outstanding Gerrard when asked whether he felt Johnson should have been red-carded. It was a clear winner of the tackle. Im surprised at that [Mancinis comments]. He had a go at Wayne Rooney last Sunday [January 8] for trying to get one of his players sent off. Now hes trying to get one of our players in trouble. I dont think that works. Mancini, though, had a different interpretation of the incident, one which television replays seemed to support. Johnsons tackle against Lescott, it was worse than the one Vinny did against United, said the City manager. Everyone could see that. The world is going down because there are people in every job who make a mistake and do not apologise. I make a mistake and apologise. This tackle was worse. Gerrard came to me and said You said. Steven Gerrard can say what he wants for me, no problem. I said what I think. Im used to being like this. Its not important, Steven Gerrard or other players. The late flashpoint marred a match in which City slumped player of the year in 2011 after leading the national team to a bronze medal in the SEA Games in Jakarta, the level of expectation carried into the new season was to be expected. Unfortunately, the team looked disjointed with its new set of players, making his performance appear below par. Zeyar Shwe Myays Nigerian player, Chukwazu, also tried to grab an equaliser, slamming in a few long shots, but they were no match for Yangons goalkeeper, Naing Zayar Tun. Zeyar Shwe Myays head coach, U Soe Moe, admitted the loss was due to the introduction of so many new players for the game but felt that in time the added quality would bring the results. to their fourth defeat in eight games. Without brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure, on international duty with the Ivory Coast, plus the suspended Kompany and injured David Silva, City looked a shadow of the side that have built a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League. We played two difficult games, said Mancini of two home losses in four days followed a run of 30 unbeaten matches at Eastlands. I knew this before, January would be an important month for us because we have lost three or four important players and would probably have some problems. Both games, I didnt think we deserved to lose, but we lost. Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was pleased with his teams display but refused to accept the return leg, in two weeks, would now be a much easier match for his side. In the second-half, after getting the goal advantage, we just battened down the hatches, he said. Not too many teams have come here and not had goals against, so its a fantastic effort by us, the Liverpool great added. We might have a slight advantage with the goal, but there will be nobody jumping through hoops. Well just be as professional as we can at our place. Its a fantastic performance by the team against a really good side, but were not presuming that the job is done. Dalglish, who claimed not to have seen the Johnson foul that incensed Mancini, was full of praise for matchwinner Gerrard, looking back to near his best form after an injury-plagued year. Steven will get better every time he finishes a match, said Dalglish. He is gaining the benefit from it as well, so its great to see him back. England midfielder Gerrard himself agreed, saying: It is good to be back I feel like a footballer again. Ive had a difficult year and its games like this I have missed and games like this I have worked to get back so hard for. We defended well from back to front. We were playing one of the big powers in world football. There is no way this game is over yet and it is set up nicely for the game at Anfield. AFP

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January 16 - 22, 2012

Yangon United kick off 2012 with win

By Aung Si Hein YANGON United FC kicked off the Myanmar National League (MNL) 2012 season with a battling 1-0 win over strong opposition from Zeyar Shwe Myay FC at home on 7 January. The new season, sponsored by Myanmar Breweries, is billed as the most competitive year yet after a series of structural changes and sponsorship deals have shaken up the old format, introducing what organisers hope will be a relegation based two tiered league system. For the game, fans of both teams packed the small stadium to its rafters, seemingly about to shake it to the ground with their cheers. Yangon United benefited from the advantage of a full preseason training as well as starting out on home ground, while Zeyar Shwe Myay had to adjust themselves to the unfamiliar artificial turf while bedding in new players after their chairman made a last minute decision to add a raft of foreign players to the team. This told as the local players outperformed their foreign counterparts like Niko La, Mladen and Milan, all of whom arrived from Eastern Europe and will take time to acclimatise to Myanmar in their first experience of Asian football. Yangon Uniteds left and right wingers, Kyi Lin and David Htan, provided the early action, supplying countless chances for goal. But ZYSMs resolute defence and poor finishing from Yangons attack looked to ensure a first half stalemate. Then on 43 minutes a free kick just outside the penalty area was awarded to Yangon United that defender Aung Thike stepped up to take. Curling in his shot to the right of Zeyar Shwe Myays keeper, Nyi Nyi Lwin, gave the game its deciding goal. I praised him not only for his goal but also his defending as it was so good even Kyaw Ko Ko could not perform as well as he can, Yangon United head coach Eric Williams said. In the new season it seems Yangon United is not only carrying a reputation for attractive attacking play, but here added a solid defensive game to repel Zeyar Shwe Myay. The visitors fought hard to score, breaching Yangons penalty area a number of times. Rankovic Sasa, transferred from More page 47

Tottenham Hotspurs French player Younes Kaboul (centre) tackles Evertons French player Louis Saha during the English Premier League football match at White Hart Lane in London, on January 11. Pic: AFP

Spurs sink Everton in title drive

By Steve Griffiths LONDON Tottenhams surprise challenge for the Premier League title gathered pace as a 2-0 win over Everton moved the north Londoners within three points of leaders Manchester City on January 11. Harry Redknapps side are now level on points with second placed Manchester United and hot on Citys heels after goals from Aaron Lennon and Benoit Assou-Ekotto shattered Evertons resistance at White Hart Lane. England winger Lennon opened the scoring in the first half and Cameroon left-back Assou-Ekotto sealed the points with a majestic strike after the break. Spurs now nine points ahead of fifth placed rivals Arsenal have lost only one of their last 18 league games and must be regarded as genuine contenders for the English title for the first time in over 20 years. Were up there, Redknapp told Sky Sports. Who knows? Nothings impossible, you have to keep believing and apart from that I enjoy the way we play. If you dont enjoy the way we play, then you shouldnt be watching football, he added. This fixture was originally scheduled for the opening day of the season in August, but was postponed as a result of the London riots, presenting Tottenham with a valuable game in hand on their title rivals. After decades without even a sniff of a challenge at the top of the table, it was a real test of Tottenhams mettle and they passed with flying colours. There was an early sign of nerves when Spurs defender Younes Kaboul made a hash of clearing Landon Donovans cross and Louis Saha pounced on the loose ball to drag his shot just wide. But that narrow escape seemed to focus Redknapps players and they enjoyed almost total control of possession for the rest of the first half. The hosts probed intelligently and should have been ahead after Rafael van der Vaart started a blistering counter-attack with an incisive pass to Gareth Bale. Bales clipped ball presented Emmanuel Adebayor with a clear sight of goal but he miscued his attempt to flick over Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and the chance was gone. Tottenham were pressing hard and Adebayor poked a halfchance wide from close-range before van der Vaarts superb first-time effort from 20 yards curled just over. Everton were beginning to wobble and some sloppy defending from Leighton Baines unhinged the visitors as Spurs took the lead in the 35th minute. When Assou-Ekotto swept a long pass towards Lennon on the right flank, Baines should have snuffed out the danger. Instead, the left-back allowed Lennon to wriggle past him and the winger took full advantage as he cut into the area and evaded Sylvain Distin before clipping a cool finish past Howard for his fourth goal of the season. Bale showed his lung-bursting speed five minutes into the second half when he surged towards the Everton penalty area from deep inside his own half and drilled a shot that Howard did well to save after a deflection off Johnny Heitinga. Everton had a rare sight of goal when Marouane Fellaini headed over from Donovans cross, but the visitors suffered a blow when French centre-back Distin limped off to be replaced by the inexperienced Shane Duffy. There was no time for Duffy to settle before Spurs increased their lead in sublime style in the 63rd minute. Assou-Ekotto appeared to pose little threat when he received van der Vaarts pass 30 yards from goal, but the left-back advanced unchecked before smashing a ferocious drive that glanced off Tim Cahill as it flashed past Howard. It was a remarkable way for Assou-Ekotto to score his first goal since August 2009 and there was no way back for Everton, who appealed in vain for a late penalty when Kaboul clipped Royston Drenthe. AFP